You have two options. You can stay the same and protect the formula that gave you your initial success. They’re going to crucify you for staying the same. If you change, they’re going to crucify you for changing. But staying the same is boring. And change is interesting. So of the two options, I’d rather be crucified for changing.
~ Joni Mithcell
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For me the pattern is now perfectly clear: the later I come at the task, the more time I’ll spend dancing around it before beginning in earnest. If I can make contact at an earlier hour, the urge to dance away from it is diminished, because I only have so many dance moves, and I’ll run out long before lunchtime.
~ David Cain from, 9 Things I Learned About Productivity This Year
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About once per year I trot out a, HOLY CRAP!
This entire article is jammed full of insights, only one of which did I quote above. I’d say that I have learned those same things. But absolutely I have not learned them in a single year. Where’s my time machine? I need to get this to my 16-year-old self.
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How is Parkour evolving as a practice and community in New York City and beyond?
New York City’s architecture naturally creates countless Parkour challenges waiting to be discovered.
The way that these kids will surpass us one day is going to be amazing.
~ Bryce Clarke (8:48)
The conversation explores the evolution of Parkour as both a practice and a community in New York City. Bryce reflects on how the city’s architecture and public spaces, including playgrounds and scaffolding, provide natural challenges for practitioners. He highlights how grassroots initiatives like Parkour NYC aim to foster community engagement, create awareness, and secure dedicated spaces for training. This effort has led to the development of new Parkour parks and increased recognition of the discipline.
The discussion also touches on the generational progression in Parkour, noting that younger practitioners are starting earlier and achieving greater proficiency. There is optimism that normalization will create opportunities, such as coaching careers and safer training environments. Despite commercialization, the essence of Parkour as an exploratory and inclusive activity remains intact, fueled by shared passion and innovation within the community.
Takeaways
Public spaces in NYC — The city’s condensed layout and diverse architecture provide countless Parkour opportunities.
Parkour NYC initiative — Aims to create awareness and promote community-driven growth.
Youth progression — Young practitioners starting earlier are advancing the discipline’s potential.
Normalization of Parkour — Growing acceptance leads to more resources and opportunities.
Community-driven parks — Dedicated spaces signify progress in public perception.
Coaching opportunities — Normalization opens pathways for careers in Parkour instruction.
Cultural authenticity — Despite commercialization, the core spirit of Parkour persists.
Intergenerational growth — Established practitioners continue to inspire and train.
Resources
Lapset Parkour Park — A newly developed Parkour park in the Upper West Side of NYC.
Parkour NYC — A grassroots organization promoting the Parkour community in New York City.
NAPC (North American Parkour Championships) — A major event showcasing Parkour talent.
World Chase Tag — A competitive Parkour-based event gaining global recognition.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Skill is earned. It’s learned and practiced and hard-won. It’s insulting to call a professional talented. She’s skilled, first and foremost. Many people have talent, but only a few care enough to show up fully, to earn their skill. Skill is rarer than talent. Skill is earned. Skill is available to anyone who cares enough.
~ Seth Godin
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The thing about really deep learning is it actually changes the structure of your brain. You are breaking an old pathway and creating a new neurological pathway. […] The three habits I’ve talked about—seeing in systems, taking multiple perspectives and asking different questions. Those are the natural habits of people who are farther along in this adult development path. If we can encourage ourselves to develop some of those patterns in ourselves, and we can be learning those things in ways that create new neural networks, then suddenly, we are living our way into these more advanced forms of development as we are just going about our daily lives.
~ Jennifer Garvey Berger from ~1h 13m into, The Mental Habits of Effective Leaders with; transcript edited for clarity; The Mental Habits of Effective Leaders: My Interview with Jennifer Garvey Berger
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This episode from Shane Parrish’s, The Knowledge Project, podcast is excellent. About two-thirds of the way through the 90 minutes, they start going really deep into mental habits including specifics of how to change one’s mindset. The title of the episode could well be expanded to, …of Effective People.
I’ve been asked how it is that I do what I do, in podcast conversations. Here Berger and Parrish have explained it; Frankly, I better understand how I do it, now having listened to Berger. These three habits she points out are the magic that I use to power my conversations. I’ve always had the habit—my parents would say, “to a fault”—of asking good questions. About 35 years ago, when I became immersed in engineering, physics, computers, and the Internet I perfected the habit—here I would say, “to a fault”—of thinking in systems. And 10 years ago, as I began my journey rediscovering my personal movement, I realized the magnificent knowledge and experience available to me through others’ perspectives.
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What motivates people to engage with storytelling, both as creators and participants, in different formats like podcasting and lighting?
A lighting designer reflects on the parallels between creating ambiance for theater and producing audio stories.
I joke with people that I still know in that industry and I’m like I did lighting for 20 years and now I’m calling myself a sound guy I don’t know what the heck is going on.
~ Sean Mallary (22:45)
The conversation explores the intersections of storytelling, personal connections, and technical expertise, primarily through the lens of podcasting and lighting design. Sean shares his preference for working behind the scenes, explaining that producing and editing align more closely with his personality. He also recounts transformative experiences as a Lyft driver, discussing the vulnerability of passengers and the inspiration it provided for creative projects.
Another key topic is the balance between personal growth and professional roles. Sean reflects on how interviewing strangers has enhanced his communication skills, contrasting this with his previous career in lighting, where collaboration took center stage. The importance of community emerges as a recurring theme, with the Akimbo workshop highlighted as a space for connection and skill-sharing in the otherwise solitary pursuit of podcasting.
Takeaways
The value of storytelling — stories create connections and reveal universal truths across different mediums.
The draw to behind-the-scenes roles — producing and editing offer unique creative fulfillment.
Personal growth through podcasting — interviewing strangers builds confidence and communication skills.
Connections through driving — interacting with passengers provided inspiration for storytelling formats.
Challenges of isolation in creative work — podcasting often lacks the collaborative spirit of theater.
Influence of storytelling icons — classic shows like This American Life set aspirational benchmarks.
Community as a support system — forums like Akimbo offer vital encouragement and perspective.
Theatrical roots in audio production — parallels between stage lighting and podcasting emerge in storytelling techniques.
Resources
Where Did I Get Like This — A podcast exploring nomadic childhood experiences.
Radiolab — A show blending science and storytelling.
Reply All — A podcast about modern life and technology.
This American Life — Iconic storytelling and narrative journalism.
Akimbo Workshops — A community-driven platform for creative learning.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What strategies and experiences contribute to effective storytelling and meaningful conversation?
Effective storytelling bridges gaps between technical concepts and emotional connections.
Listening is not just on the surface—it’s listening to what they’re telling you, what’s going on, and then doing the number one rule in Improv: yes, and.
~ Doug Thompson (32:58)
The conversation focuses on the art of storytelling, touching on its unconscious development and practical applications in fields like sales and communication. Doug shares his early experiences in radio and technology sales, which helped him refine his ability to craft and adapt stories to connect with diverse audiences. He reflects on storytelling as both a natural inclination and a skill honed through practice.
The discussion also explores tools for storytelling, such as improvisation training and active listening. Doug highlights the importance of understanding an audience’s needs, using relatable language, and adapting narratives to resonate effectively. He discusses the neurological basis for storytelling, emphasizing its role in human connection and memory. The talk concludes with advice on encouraging others to embrace storytelling through interactive activities and social engagement.
Takeaways
Storytelling as a skill — It can be unconsciously developed but refined through deliberate practice.
Improv training — Teaches adaptability, active listening, and the “yes, and” approach.
Neurological basis of storytelling — Stories engage emotions and enhance memory retention.
Adapting stories for audiences — Tailoring language and context to resonate with listeners.
Challenges of modern communication — Technology and brief formats can hinder storytelling skills.
Encouraging storytelling practice — Improv classes, social events, and podcasts as gateways.
Resources
Wired for Story — by Lisa Cron, explores the neurological basis of storytelling and its effectiveness in communication.
Toastmasters International — Provides structured opportunities to practice public speaking and storytelling skills.
Doug Thompson Podcast — Focuses on storytelling and related topics; undergoing rebranding.
Doug Thompson on LinkedIn — Connects with storytelling insights and professional activities.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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He that cometh to seek after knowledge with a mind to scorn and censure shall be sure to find matter for his humor, but none for his instruction.
~ Francis Bacon
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In my journey writing thousands of blog posts I’ve developed certain habits and a style. There have been a precious few points where I’ve intentionally made a significant change. I used to lead with the URL followed by the pull-quote, before changing to a more normal style of a quote with a following attribution. At one point I started adding slip addresses, and at another point I started reigning in my use of exclamation marks.
Recently I asked one of my mentors, Jesse, for feedback on some copy, and he made a comment about his personal rule to be very intentional about using the word, “but”. I didn’t think I was overusing it, but [oh no!] I often used it as a conjunction— I often used it as a way to connect two sentences to create a point and counter-point structure— Dammit, Jesse. Now I cannot unsee every “but” as a weasel word. You suck. Thanks for making me better.
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A sneer is the weapon of the weak. Like other devil’s weapons, it is always cunningly ready to our hand, and there is more poison in the handle than in the point.
~ James Russell Lowell
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We rarely take the time to capture these guiding principles—even though recognizing them can help steer our actions, lead us to better decisions, and let us live more in alignment with who we are.
~ Chris Bailey from, My 6 guiding principles – Chris Bailey
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As with Bailey, I don’t think I have a clear set of guiding principles. I’m not sure if I’m okay with that. I am sure that I do not want to spiral off and spend my entire day—that’s what would surely happen to me if I begin—thinking about this. Instead, I read his list and spent some time letting my thinking happen spurred by his principles. Just as he described, I did have one principle spring immediately to mind: Curiosity. To be powered by curiosity. To be passionately curious. “Curioser and curioser”, said Alice.
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One day I’ll be a filmmaker! One day I’ll be a famous artist! One day I’ll be a CEO! One day I’ll be a Creative Director! One day I’ll be a Venture Capitalist! And so forth.
~ Hugh MacLeod
Then you get to a certain age and you realize that the time for “One Day” is over. You’re either doing it, or you’re not. And if you’re not, a feeling of bitter disappointment starts hitting you deep into the marrow. Which explains why we all know so many people in their 30s and 40s having mid-life crisis’.
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I don’t know if you like parties. I don’t know if you’re organized or punctual. But I bet you don’t like rotting smells or long swims in freezing water. That is to say: People are different, but only in certain ways. What’s the difference?
~ “Dynomight” from, Are some personalities just better?
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This article is about personality types, and it goes down the rabbit hole, (in a good way.) We’ve all learned about the theory of evolution, and there are countless examples where it’s used to explain—or at least to try to imagine—how some specific feature of ourselves came to be so.
Way down in that article he mentions in passing that we—us, the people—might not currently be in equilibrium with the current selection pressures. This was a startling thought for me. Evolution can be fast—a gene mutation leading to a significant change in one generation—but I’ve always had the impression that it is most often slow and steady. I’ve always imagined a big-ship with a small-rudder metaphor. And I’ve always had the impression that who we are genetically, (the big ship) has its rudder set for straight-ahead. I’ve imagined that at some point in our distant past, selection pressures made us who we are as a species, and that was then. This is now, when we’ve been on a stable, no-changes evolutionary course for all of recorded history.
What if, let’s say around the time of the invention of the transistor and computers, the social pressures changed drastically. That is to say: Suppose that introduced a major change in the rudder’s position? Suppose we, the big ship with the big pile of DNA-encoded information, are right in the middle of a slow course change. What if right now, important and noticeable features of our biology and psychology are being strongly differentially selected?
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How can curiosity and conversation techniques enhance personal and professional dynamics?
This conversation explores how curiosity fuels both learning and the sharing of insights in professional settings.
My brother used to tell me, ‘They asked you, just say you don’t know,’ and I was like: What? No! I’m going to look for the Answer.
~ Lorraine Margherita (3:11)
The discussion begins with reflections on curiosity and its role in personal and professional growth. Lorraine shares her passion for learning and how this trait influences their consulting and podcasting work. The conversation goes into how decision-making frameworks like flat or teal organizational models can benefit from fostering a culture of curiosity.
Attention shifts to techniques for facilitating meaningful interactions, with a focus on balancing agenda-driven sessions and the organic needs of participants. Tools like the talking stick and the deliberate use of silence are explored as methods to enhance communication and collaboration. Lorraine and Craig also examine the challenges of creating space for authentic dialogue while maintaining productive boundaries.
Takeaways
Curiosity and learning — Curiosity can drive personal and professional growth by encouraging exploration and sharing of knowledge.
Facilitation techniques — Tools like the talking stick and controlled silence can significantly improve group dynamics.
Balancing structure and flow — Effective facilitation requires adapting to group needs while respecting time and objectives.
Decision-making in organizations — Frameworks like flat or teal models benefit from creating spaces for open dialogue.
Silence as a tool — Silence can deepen conversations and encourage thoughtful participation.
Storytelling in consulting — Sharing relatable stories can spark curiosity and engagement among clients.
Resources
The StrengthsFinder test — A tool to identify personal strengths, particularly for learners.
The Little Book of Circle Processes — A method for collaborative conversations without hierarchy.
The Co-Dynamics podcast — Focused on decision-making in organizations, particularly flat and teal
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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If someone were to ask me to identify the single primary quality that an artist or entrepreneur should cultivate in himself, I would say depth of commitment. Because depth of commitment either embodies all the other virtues or establishes the fertile field in which they can take root and grow. Depth of commitment presupposes courage, passion, recklessness, capacity for self-discipline, and the ability to have fun. It implies perseverance.
~ Steven Pressfield
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It’s easy to think negative thoughts and to get stuck into a pattern with them. But forcing myself to take the time not only to think about something good, but write that thought down longhand was a kind of rewiring of my own opinions. It became easier to see that while there certainly was plenty to be upset about, there was also plenty to be thankful for. Epictetus said that every situation has two handles; which was I going to decide to hold onto? The anger, or the appreciation?
~ Ryan Holiday from, One Day Of Thanks Is Not Enough: Gratitude is a Daily Practice – RyanHoliday.net
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The idea that there are two handles to every impression is a blazing reminder that impressions are neither inherently good nor bad. It is our own reasoned choice which adds that evaluation.
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Play more. I feel like people are so serious, and it doesn’t take much for people to drop back into the wisdom of a childlike playfulness. If I had to prescribe two things to improve health and happiness in the world, it’d be movement and play. Because you can’t really play without moving, so they’re intertwined.
~ Jason Nemer
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This photo is both the calm after, and the calm before, the storm. I was recently in New York City for a long weekend. (Contrary to what you may have heard, it was not the End Times as far as I saw. Things were more expensive, yes. But otherwise it was the NYC I recall from my last visit.) This photo is from late at night, shortly after some thunderstorms had passed over. And it was the night before I did a bunch of volunteering to help with an event on a rooftop on the lower east side.
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Everything has two handles, by one of which it may be carried, and by the other not. If your brother wrongs you, do not take it by this handle, that he is wronging you (for this is the handle that it cannot be carried by), but by the other, that he is your brother, that he was brought up with you, and then you will be taking it by the handle by which it ought to be carried.
~ Epictetus
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The world economy doesn’t behave the way most people would expect. Standard modeling approaches miss the point that economies require adequate supplies of energy products of the right kinds, provided at the right times of day and year, if they are to keep from collapsing.
~ Gail Tverberg from, Is it possible that the world is approaching end times? | Our Finite World
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Since we finished remodeling our home, this is the time of year when I pay a local company to dump two cords of split firewood in my lawn, (a pile about the size of a small car.) On my patio this morning, as the sun climbs above the old, worn-down mountain behind our neighborhood, the world smells like fresh, black coffee and green firewood.
I remain very optimistic about our world, and our economy—local, national and global. Because: People. Heating primarily with wood only works well for us for a few reasons: The housing density is low enough that multiple wood stoves is sane in a neighborhood. But the housing density is also just high enough that the stores are very close by. These trees grew relatively close, were sawn and split by a local company, and traveled not too far to get to my yard. Troy—the firewood guy—and I will both work very hard though, in the entire process of my heating with wood. Meanwhile, street gas (which isn’t even available on my block), propane (which I use to cook with), and electricity (which is my secondary heat source via heat pump and baseboards) are rising steeply in price.
Lumber prices are also crazy-high. (What was once a $2 2×4 is now nearly $10.) And Troy has resumed sawing lumber, something his father used to do with their equipment decades ago. And he’s taken on another person part-time. Yes, he asked me for more money to cover the fuel-cost of delivery, but the firewood is still less than the other fuel (gas, electric) options available to me for next heating season. My point here is that if everyone keeps making manageable decisions sooner rather than later, things will work out. The difficulty that I see for most people is being honest about what things they have to eliminate, in order to be able to keep their personal universes going.
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