noun : an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff.
One of the great discoveries of my life is that this freedom is always available to us. In any moment.
~ Leo Babauta from, Find Freedom in Any Moment – Zen Habits Website
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I’ve said many times that all of my problems come from me. The flip-side to that of course is that my freedom is available to me at any moment.
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But this moment cannot come without the days of frustration at the blackboard. “You can’t really blame the storytellers,” Rockmore writes, “It’s not so exciting to read ‘and then she studied some more.’ But this arduous, mundane work is a key part of the process.”
~ Cal Newport from, On the Myth of Big Ideas – Cal Newport
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And Niels Bohr said something similar about Painful experience. And I bet your experience agrees. I know mine does.
Nobody sees how much time I spend working on podcasting. Every facet is complicated. I’m regularly noticing new things, picking up interesting skills and ideas from nearby areas of expertise. Structural wisdom from the field of authors. Empathic skills from the field of therapists. New kinds of questions from the field of hosts. New vocal skills from the field of speakers. And teachers and mechanics and on and on.
The eureka moments get the attention but they’re very few and very far between.
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What would be a good question to ask? How do I evaluate a potential question, in real time during a conversation, to decide if it’s good? What can I do to make this guest enjoy this conversation? In the same vein: What should I do? And what, if anything, must I do? What does this person really want to talk about? What don’t they want to talk about? And if I figured that out, is the right thing to, to honor their desire to avoid it, or to help them face it? Can I help them more by letting them find their own energy level, or by trying to help them change their energy level? Would calming down enable them to communicate more effectively? Would riling them up help them work through their feelings? Should we explore how they are feeling, or how this event we’re discussing made them feel? Should I be more open, and share more with them? Or would my consuming our time doing that, block them from doing what they need to do, or from saying what they need to say? Should we be having more fun? Should we be more serious? Should we instead do the opposite, (make light of a serious subject, or vice versa,) of that society would normally expect? Should I ask them a deep question? Should I ask a question on the same line-of-thought and take us even deeper? Deeper a third time? Or should I pivot to indicate that I want to follow them, not drive them into a corner?
What’s that? …oh, you thought I was going to be talking about the actual questions one might ask another person. Yeah no that’s another question altogether. :)
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How does exploring one’s center and asking questions influence personal growth and understanding?
Asking the right questions transforms challenges into opportunities for growth.
I think that a way to find creativity and inspiration is, try to read something, try to see something that is not what you usually see, that is not what you usually do. Make yourself feel uncomfortable, and make yourself feel comfortable in the uncomfortable.
~ Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez (2:30)
The discussion explores the concept of finding one’s center and how this aligns with personal growth. Sebastián emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones to spark creativity and curiosity. He shares insights on seeking inspiration through diverse experiences, such as books, podcasts, and challenging unfamiliar activities.
The conversation also touches on the importance of asking meaningful questions, both of oneself and others, to uncover purpose and direction. Philosophical principles, movement practices, and mindfulness techniques are interwoven to illustrate how individuals can align their actions with deeper values. Practical lessons, like maintaining good technique in physical training, underscore the need for balance and awareness.
Takeaways
Finding inspiration — Engage with unfamiliar or challenging ideas to spark creativity.
The importance of questions — Use questions to challenge assumptions and uncover deeper understanding.
Solid foundations — Build strong roots and bases to support sustainable growth.
Teaching through challenges — Encourage self-discovery by posing questions and fostering problem-solving.
Movement as a center — Align physical and mental practices with a central guiding principle.
Mindfulness in action — Maintain awareness by centering thoughts and actions in everyday life.
Avoiding injury — Prioritize proper technique and self-awareness to prevent harm.
Philosophical connections — Relate ideas from philosophy to practical life applications.
Resources
Simon Sinek — Author of “Start With Why” and creator of the Golden Circle framework, emphasizing the importance of purpose in personal and professional contexts.
Start With Why — A book by Simon Sinek that discusses the power of understanding “why” to drive inspiration and success.
Peace Revolution — A meditation project by a Buddhist foundation in Thailand, promoting inner peace as a foundation for sustainable world peace.
Rise of the Guardians — An animated film by DreamWorks that explores themes of purpose and identity through characters like Santa Claus and Jack Frost.
CrossFit — A functional fitness training program combining strength and conditioning, emphasizing holistic body movement.
Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez on LinkedIn
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How can individuals harness empathy, creativity, and purpose to achieve personal fulfillment and make meaningful contributions to others?
Empathy becomes a transformative practice when it evolves from effort into compassionate action.
Empathy is really hard. It requires a lot of effort to put your—to see, hear, and understand someone for where they are.
~ Scott Perry (9:33)
The conversation explores how authentic, engaging conversations can foster personal clarity, growth, and meaningful connections. It highlights the value of leveraging creativity and podcasting as tools for understanding oneself and one’s purpose. Insights from Akimbo courses and personal experiences underscore the importance of community and serendipity in learning.
Empathy and its connection to compassion are central themes, with a detailed discussion on how understanding others can lead to actionable support. Stoicism emerges as a guiding philosophy, offering practical wisdom for navigating life with intention and resilience. Gratitude and generosity are emphasized as foundational practices for improving one’s mindset and relationships.
Takeaways
Conversations as way-finding tools — Engaging with others can help clarify personal goals and purpose.
Empathy and compassion — Empathy requires effort, but it can lead to actionable compassion that benefits all involved.
Gratitude practices — Simple acts of daily gratitude can enhance mood and perspective.
The value of a compass — Instead of following predefined paths, individuals should develop their own compass to navigate life.
Stoicism as guidance — Stoicism provides actionable principles for resilience and intentional living.
Creative endeavors — Sharing one’s creativity through podcasting and blogging supports personal exploration and connection.
Learning through community — Collaborating within a community accelerates learning and idea refinement.
Resources
Creative on Purpose — Scott Perry’s platform for helping individuals find purpose and fulfillment.
Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations — A stoic guide for living with intention and integrity.
altMBA — A workshop designed to foster leadership and personal growth.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What lessons and insights can be drawn from personal experiences in Parkour and community development?
Exploring how personal growth intertwines with professional experiences in Parkour and community development.
Getting things out there, 85, 90% done, and then there maybe being a few little fixes you do, is actually harmless compared to making people wait or never getting to the end of a project.
~ Chris Grant (15:49)
The conversation explores the evolution of roles and responsibilities within the Parkour community. Chris discusses his transition from being a coach to a development manager at Parkour UK, emphasizing the value of building systems that support practitioners. He reflects on how stepping back from Parkour full-time provided him with a broader perspective and transferable skills, which he now applies to help others in the community.
The discussion also touches on practical advice for those navigating entrepreneurial endeavors in niche fields. Topics include the importance of financial stability, embracing imperfection in projects, and the benefits of setting boundaries to avoid burnout. Chris highlights the need for humility and openness to new learning opportunities, even after years of experience in a field.
Takeaways
Financial stability — A foundational element that enables greater flexibility and decision-making power.
Adaptability — Skills learned outside a primary field often enhance one’s ability to contribute meaningfully.
Perfectionism — Often a barrier to progress, where action is more valuable than ideal outcomes.
Community support — Building systems that ease the workload of active practitioners is vital for growth.
Perspective — Stepping away from a practice can offer valuable insights when re-engaging with it later.
Boundaries — Setting limits on work hours is crucial for maintaining personal well-being and professional effectiveness.
Continual learning — Embracing a mindset of humility and constant improvement enhances one’s impact.
Resources
Parkour UK — An organization focused on the development and promotion of Parkour in the UK.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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I’ve recently begun the long project of looking through my past recordings. Only in the last month or so have I been keeping notes about the conversations as I record them, and I want to go back to day-one, (January 28, 2017,) and update my notes on who, when, where— but also the themes and ideas that were discussed. (I’m not listening to everything, just going through the scattered information I already have about the recordings.) Although it’s a lot of work, it’s rewarding to see so many things organized in one centralized system! These days, ideas and connections I find in the slipbox also point me to my specific conversations.
It’s inevitable that you’re going to fail. If you’re not failing, then you’re definitely doing something wrong because you’re supposed to find your limits. There are parts of it that are going to suck the whole way along— that’s a perfect possibility, but you’re going to grow.
~ Adam McClellan
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You may fail miserably, or you’re gonna break through it— you’re gonna learn something new about yourself, and you’re gonna develop a new skill out of necessity that you didn’t have at the beginning of the painting. So that’s what keeps me excited about making paintings, is because I couldn’t do the same thing over and over again. I have to manufacture some sort of potential failure there.
~ Jonny Hart
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Also: Delightful connections like the two quotes above fall into my lap along the way.
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How does one balance pursuing multiple creative and physical endeavors while maintaining long-term growth and curiosity?
Practical insights into climbing, gymnastics, and writing illuminate the shared themes of persistence and adaptability.
My real goal is to get people thinking about how to apply all these different kinds of steps to their own training or injuries or whatever they are working on and be able to do things for themselves.
~ Steven Low (15:59)
This conversation weaves through the journey of pursuing physical and creative challenges, reflecting on how to balance growth and curiosity over time. Topics range from the iterative process of writing deeply informative books to the physical and mental intricacies of climbing and gymnastics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and adapting methods based on personal experiences and new scientific insights.
Personal anecdotes highlight the interplay of curiosity, physical limitations, and the satisfaction derived from mastering difficult tasks. The conversation touches on teaching as a vehicle for personal fulfillment, drawing parallels between activities such as rock climbing and whitewater rafting in terms of their unique ability to offer new perspectives and foster resilience.
Takeaways
The process of iterative refinement — Decisions about revisiting or updating projects depend on scientific advancements and user needs.
The importance of problem-solving — Physical activities like climbing offer unique opportunities for analytical thinking and pushing limits.
Balancing multiple interests — Shifting focus to new projects can sustain long-term curiosity and motivation.
Encouraging independent learning — Teaching concepts rather than step-by-step instructions fosters autonomy and adaptability.
Practical application of concepts — Trial and error helps individuals tailor training approaches to their unique circumstances.
Avoiding repetitive monotony — Preference for varied and challenging activities highlights the value of engaging pursuits.
The role of curiosity in growth — Directed curiosity helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The appeal of outdoor activities — Activities like climbing and hiking combine physical effort with an appreciation for nature.
Adapting training methods — Personal experience and feedback guide modifications to improve outcomes.
The significance of goal-oriented training — Structured challenges provide satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
The interplay of teaching and learning — Effective teaching ignites curiosity and helps others become self-sufficient problem solvers.
Resources
Overcoming Gravity — Steven’s book focused on mastering gymnastics-inspired training.
Overcoming Poor Posture — Steven’s book addressing common posture problems and their solutions.
Steven Low’s Blog — Articles exploring fitness, health, and training methodologies.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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I often find things scattered about which make little connections appear in my mind. That’s literally what the word composition means when it’s used in the context of writing and literature; writing which composes something new from some number of other things already found. This little missive has been laying in the pile of such things for far too long… and so I’m putting up here to see where it leads us.
Way back in March of 2021 I listened to this podcast episode:
Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection with Marissa King from the Masters of Community podcast, March 22, 2021.
Around 46 minutes in David Spinks asks…
Marissa King: What she found is people consistently underestimated how much their partner was enjoying the conversation. So the short answer to this is you’re actually more likable than you think just the way you are.
David Spinks: That’s really interesting. What are the steps then? …for somebody to become a better conversationalist?
Marissa: Do they just have to become aware of that fact, and stop worrying about it so much? I think that’s part of it. And what I try to do throughout my book is actually to give people the tools of social science to allow them to apply this in their own life. […] So for instance, imagine you’re walking into a cocktail party. What we know, based on human interaction is when I walk in, I often will just see a wall of people. […] But we know that people actually don’t just form walls, that they tend to form small groups or clusters. The question becomes, which cluster do you go to? And people will have all sorts of different ways of choosing this. […] It turns out, that people are in these clusters, because of just the way that humans are built, that we have two eyes, and we have two ears, almost all conversation actually happens in dyads—groups of two. And because of this, if you look for an odd number group, whether it’s 1, 3, 5, 7… When you join that conversation, you’re giving someone else a conversational partner, and so you’re really creating balance. […] oftentimes if you apply this, or you imagine that you are one of these people who feel this aversion, or you feel like I don’t know how to do this, by applying these basic tools, it actually allows you to engage in these types of activities more comfortably.
(I did that transcription by hand and edited it all lightly for clarity.)
That show is all about communities. It’s intended for community builders, managers and moderators. A lot of its content is about health and wellness, as well as the more obvious topics of strategies and tactics for community building.
But this part of this episode really grabbed my attention from my “I record conversations with people” podcast creator point-of-view.
TWO PEOPLE
I’ve long believed that two is the perfect number of people in a podcast. Yes, there are exceptional instances of podcasts with the other numbers of people in them. But there’s magic in two.
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PS: In the above, that small idea about “composition”… that came from some other reading which I unpacked in, Thank you Miss Merrill.
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Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors was published in 2017, and arrived in my collection as a gift in 2018. It took me three years—until 2021, March of this year in fact—before I was finally ready to read it. I have a couple, (and “couple” always means two,) of things to say about the book.
Excellence is the next five minutes, improvement is the next five minutes, happiness is the next five minutes. This doesn’t mean you ingore planning. I encourage you to make ambitious plans. Just rememeber that the big-beyond-belief things are accomplished when you deconstruct them into the smallest possible pieces and focus on each “moment of impact,” one step at a time.
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As I was reading, I marked about 50 quotes. I didn’t count the markers I inserted, and some of them are at sections with several quotes. There are quotes from the people in the book, there are quotes that Ferriss included in single-page, “quotes I’m pondering” section breaks, and there are precisely three quotes from Ferriss himself. (All three are here, in this post.)
The first thing I want to share about this book is that it’s not really Ferriss’s book. He didn’t write a book. The vast bulk is other people’s work and writing. Some of those people impressed me, some were “just” solid humans being their best, and some struck me as self-deluded; which makes it a superlative book. Where—let’s be honest—can one get insight on 100 different people and tuck it under your arm? Insight on people you’ve heard of, people you’ve not yet heard of, and even some people you’ll probably never care to hear of. Furthermore, having myself done a bunch of, “you’re just capturing what other people say,” work, I’m qualified to say: He did the deceptively difficult work of asking. He asked and followed up and nudged and organized (and indexed and cross-indexed) and cast light on people he thought were worth giving a platform.
To paraphrase Jim [Loehr]: The power broker in your life is the voice that no one ever hears. How well you revisit the tone and content of your private voice is what determines the quality of your life. It is the master storyteller, and the stories we tell ourselves are our reality. For instance, how do you speak to yourself when you make a mistake that upsets you? Would you speak that way to a dear freind when they’ve made a mistake? If not, you have work to do. Trust me, we all have work to do.
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Which brings me to the second thing: There’s a very slim section hiding at the back. If I noted its existence when I read the Table of Contents, (I always read Tables of Contents,) six months later I’d certinaly forgotten the section existed. I could very easily have put the book down most of the way through and completely missed it. If you read nothing else in the book, this last section is the part you should read. I checked and it’s not published as a blog post by Ferriss, (but it’s small enough it could be.) Borrow or buy the book if just to read the last section.
Based on everything I’ve seen, a simple recipe can work: Focus on what’s in front of you, design great days to create a great life, and try not to make the same mistake twice. That’s it. Stop hitting net balls and try something else, perhaps even the opposite. If you really want extra credit, try not to be a dick, and you’ll be a Voltron-level superstar.
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If you’ve not already guessed, all three of those quotes from Ferriss are from the last section of the book.
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How do podcasts create opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth?
Exploring how veterinarians use podcasting to promote well-being and personal development.
We don’t take care of ourselves very well. We focus on the caregiving for the animal and for the owner and we tend to put ourselves last, so my podcast focuses on well-being and personal development.
~ Stacey Cordivano (8:03)
The conversation examines how podcasting fosters connections and opportunities for growth. It discusses how starting a podcast can lead to new professional and personal relationships, opening doors to collaboration and unexpected outcomes. Stacey reflects on the challenges and rewards of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort and feedback from the audience. She also note how social media has complemented these efforts, particularly within niche communities like veterinary professionals.
Another focus of the discussion is the unique perspective veterinarians bring to podcasting, rooted in their caregiving nature and their need to adapt and problem-solve. Stacey shares how her podcast addresses mental health and personal development within the veterinary field, aiming to provide resources and insights that are not typically emphasized in their professional training. She also highlight the joy of learning and how their podcast keeps them accountable and motivated.
Takeaways
Connections fostered by podcasting — Building relationships with new contacts leads to opportunities.
Mental health in the veterinary profession — Podcasts can address the unique challenges faced by veterinarians.
Audience feedback as a motivator — Positive listener responses drive continued podcast production.
Social media as a supportive tool — Platforms like Instagram play a role in strengthening professional communities.
Balancing content creation and life — Finding workflows and schedules that minimize stress is essential.
Accountability through podcasting — Hosting a podcast encourages ongoing learning and self-improvement.
Resources
The Whole Veterinarian podcast — A podcast focusing on well-being and development for veterinarians.
Student Loan Planner — A resource mentioned for managing student loans.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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What role does curiosity play in shaping movement, interactions, and personal growth?
The nuanced relationship between uncertainty and opportunity defines how we engage with challenges.
If you protect yourself from all uncertainty, maybe you are protecting yourself from falling down a well or getting eaten by a bear, but you’re also protecting yourself from love.
~ Flynn Disney (8:05)
The conversation begins with an exploration of curiosity as a driving force behind personal growth and movement practices. Curiosity is described as a positive sense of uncertainty, where individuals embrace the unknown with hope rather than fear. This attitude ties directly to embodied experiences, where physical movement reflects the mental and emotional processes involved in navigating uncertainty.
The discussion touches on boundaries, games, and goals, emphasizing their roles in learning and engagement. A notable insight is the idea that boundaries create meaning in challenges, as seen in activities like parkour and games. The interplay of failure and success, described as the resolution of uncertainty, is vital for developing curiosity and staying motivated. Personal anecdotes, such as training dogs and solving puzzles, highlight how curiosity manifests across diverse contexts.
Takeaways
Curiosity as a mindset — Embracing uncertainty with positivity leads to exploration and growth.
Boundaries and goals — Defining clear limits gives meaning and direction to challenges.
Failure as a tool — Error and near-success foster curiosity and engagement.
The role of games — Structured play highlights universal principles of learning and connection.
Embodied practices — Physical movement reflects and reinforces mental and emotional exploration.
Uncertainty’s dual nature — It holds risks and opportunities, requiring a balance to embrace.
Social dynamics — Shared curiosity creates a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.
Resources
Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi — Explores the concept of engaging deeply in activities that balance skill and challenge.
Parkour training insights — Explores the movement discipline emphasizing adaptability and exploration.
Rubik’s Cube puzzles — Used in the conversation as a metaphor for learning through trial and error.
Positive uncertainty — The philosophical and psychological exploration of uncertainty’s benefits.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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I’m a child of the vinyl album era. We had a collection—about 5 feet of shelf space—of classic rock, some jazz, the usual suspects collected during the 60s, 70s and into the 80s. There was sublime magic in that vinyl. My dad wasn’t an audiophile per se, but he had a few nice things that comprised the stereo system, and the crown jewel was a Marantz turn-table. We had special soft-cloth cylinders for gently lifting dust off the surfaces. We even had a little space-ray-gun-looking thing that [as far as I recall] neutralized static charge on the vinyl, (which apparently can accumulate when you pull them out of their sleeves.) A classic Pioneer amp… at one point he found someone who rebuilt his speakers for him—repair rather than replace was, at one time, the norm in America. There was a dedicated cabinet for the gear, with a built-in power strip, and lighting…
And the CD was invented while I was a kid. We—society at large—had endless arguments about sound. I even did a high-school presentation about how CDs actually work to encode the sound digitally, and how that encoding uses compression, and how quality is lost… and I bought more and more CDs. I skipped right over collecting cassette tapes; I made countless of my own from albums and CDs, but I don’t believe I ever bought a single one. The Sony Walkman was the driver for my recording cassettes. Then the portable CD players arrived and all hell broke loose. I only purchased a handful of vinyl albums and I never ever set up the Marantz after my dad died. (I passed it to my cousin who did get into collecting vinyl as a kid. I made him promise to spin the helll out of it, and play music loud— damn loud.) And my CD collection grew to thousands. Then I mixed in my dad’s extensive CD collection which had almost zero overlap with mine. My stereo? I keep a scary-old little AirPort Express plugged in, with a cheap-ass set of “computer” speakers, with a woofer, plugged into the AirPort’s 3.5mm headphone jack.
This morning… “I think some Mozart would be nice.” Click, click… and click… and Symphony no. 39, recorded in 1977 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra streams from the little stereo. Rather loudly I might add.
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German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) influenced some of the more prominent minds in the world. His writings and lessons traverse time and discipline. Schopenhauer confronted similar problems with media to the ones we face.
~ Shane Parrish from, Master Your Attention: Schopenhauer’s Strategy Against Clickbait
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The scale of Philosophy—just “western” Philosophy alone, even—is mind boggling. Who thought what, at which point in their career. Who influenced whom. Who’s work is now considered bunk, and which is bunk but still necessary to understand some other piece. What is in which language, and then which translation of that should one choose. If so-and-so had an influence on other-person, in what way? …did they build upon, tear down and correct, or push farther the influencer’s work?
At one point, I had deluded myself into attempting a systematic survey of Philosophy. ahahhahaahhaahahhaahahahahahhahaaa. Silly human.
But this small-ish article from Parrish led me to actually wonder about some of Schopenhauer’s essays. And I’ve ended up with an English translation of his On Reading and Books now sitting on my read-next table.
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It’s important to take time to think about what we’re reading and not merely assume the thoughts of the author. We need to digest, synthesize, and organize the thoughts of others if we are to understand. This is the grunt work of thinking. It’s how we acquire wisdom.
~ Shane Parrish from, A Meditation on Reading
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That’s a tiny taste from a delightful and sublime collection of thoughts on reading and books. Which will serve perfectly as an on-ramp to Schopenhauer’s actual essay, On Reading and Books. Which, furthermore, is even linked as a modern PDF from that same page. Wonders never cease.
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The point here is that I think this is one part of what teaching me how to think is really supposed to mean. To be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my certainties. Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded.
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As usual, therein lies a collection of thoughts nicely arranged into a constellation. I sometimes repeat the phrase, “assume positive intent,” to myself and to others as a caution against defaulting without thinking. It seems a base part of our nature—although the ancient benefits seem obvious it’s still only anecdotal evidence—that I default to defense. “Dead last” seems aptly named from the historical perspective, and “first” feels like we’re missing a catchy adjective. (“first fatality” maybe?) What might be called “herd middle” simply feels like the right choice most often. But that’s still defensive; Don’t stand out means blend in means wait and see means be cautious means they’re out to get me.
Boundaries? Yes, please. Rights and safety? Yes, and yes. But if the vast majority of us are really just like me… how great would it be if we assumed positive intent? …or, well, maybe we could do that at least half the time?
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What unique insights and challenges arise from participating in World Chase Tag and how do they intersect with the broader culture and practices of parkour?
This discussion explores the tension between preserving authenticity and adapting for mainstream appeal in parkour competitions.
Being playful, goofing around, is part of keeping your head in the game. And if you lose that playfulness, that’s when I get really worried that I won’t be able to perform.
~ Olof Wood (15:20)
The conversation examines World Chase Tag as a competitive extension of parkour, highlighting its demands on reflexes and decision-making. The interplay of flow states and logical strategies is emphasized as central to mastering the sport. Its unique blend of simplicity and complexity offers accessibility to audiences and athletes while retaining its competitive edge.
Discussions also touch upon social media’s influence on parkour practitioners. By choosing to disengage from traditional platforms, Olof reflects on authenticity and how parkour communities could benefit from self-owned platforms. The broader implications for personal evolution within parkour are also explored, with insights into adapting practices to life’s changing demands.
Takeaways
Reflexive demands of World Chase Tag — Highlighted as a unique intersection of logical strategy and flow states that enhance traditional parkour.
Challenges in mainstreaming parkour — Explored through the potential compromises between authenticity and large-scale appeal in events like WCT.
Playfulness as a performance key — Underlined as crucial for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout during competitions.
Social media’s impact on creativity — Discussed as a double-edged sword influencing personal expression and community engagement.
Adaptability in parkour practice — Acknowledged as vital for sustaining participation through different life phases.
Resources
World Chase Tag Official Website — The central hub for World Chase Tag competitions and information.
Outrun Parkour — The parkour gym where Olof coaches.
Urban Jumpers App — Highlighted as a parkour-focused social media alternative.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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I want to be really clear that this post is not me passive-aggressively asking you, Dear Reader, for money. This is a post about asking people for money.
Lately I’ve been trying to focus more on finding additional bits of funding for some of my projects. The obvious idea—and a suggestion I often get—is to directly ask people. Yes, ask them politely, appeal to their good nature, be clear, and don’t bury the ask. But it’s still straight-up asking: “Hey can you give me some money?” I’ve always resisted doing that, but I’ve never been able to express why I’ve been resisting. Until today.
Here are some reasons why I think it’s not appropriate to ask. I’m not claiming these are the only reasons not to ask. I’m also not claiming there are no reasons to ask. All I’m doing here is teasing out a few strands from the knot that is my muddled understanding of what’s going on with my resistance to saying, “can you give me some money?”
First, a lot of what I do—in fact, all the stuff that I do for which I’ve recently been trying to find some funding—is put out free for the taking or use. These are all things people can read, listen to, or use without my having said up front, “here’s a price tag.” That means I’m being passive-aggressive about asking for that money afterwards. I made a thing. They used the thing. Then I said, “can you give me some money?” while I’m making a little pouting face implying they really should pay me for that thing. When in fact, the whole situation didn’t look like a transaction when they started considering that thing I made. Transactions are fine, and money and accounting are fine. But my trying to change, (or even appearing to try,) the nature of the interaction afterwards is not fine.
Second, many people don’t have spare cash burning a hole in their pocket, and most people don’t value the thing I made. (They were on board when I said “here, it’s free,” but they’d have walked by, disinterested if I’d put a price tag on it.) I’m not being whiny here, just stating facts. We’ve all walked through markets and felt the prices were fair, but we don’t buy things simply because the price is right. So a lot of people are going to be on the “no” side when I ask. And every one of those people now has to either ghost me, (say “no” via ignoring my request,) or they have to actually say “no”. (And forcing people into that awkward situation is actually a sale tactic!) All of which is to say: I believe too many people are going to feel awkward about it when I ask. Well, that’s a second thing that I don’t like—I don’t need to be making anyone feel awkward.
Side trip about lovers’ triangles: If I have to get a 3rd party to pay me, so I can give this thing to you for free, that’s always going to be me exploiting you. What does that advertiser want? At best they just want your attention, (but it can be much worse.) In essence, I’m turning you into the product. Ick! So to me, advertising is never the right answer.
What does work? I’m not certain. Recall I started by saying this post is just me picking out a few threads. What I’m trying these days is to have clear asks that are visible from the start. Rather than shuffling up to someone later, with my hat in hand, to ask for some money. I’m trying to be sure that everyone’s aware, from the start, of how things work. I’m trying to deploy earlier, more messaging like, “this project is made possible by a few generous patrons,” and “please support my work so I can do more of it.” Then the magic that I bring to the table is: How much can I accomplish with the resources I’m given?
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As I headed out of Asheville, North Carolina it occurred to me to wonder why I was heading north on Interstate 26. It was clearly labeled “North,” I was currently pointed north, and as far as I could tell—glancing at the dashboard’s big bright display while negotiating the swerving and undulating roadway—it was going to take me very-much northward. None the less, even-numbered Interstates are usually east-west routes. Also odd: The signage in North Carolina said “future” I-26, but it looked pretty in-existence to me.
North Carolina’s license plates say, “from sea to mountains.” Or something like that. Asheville and surrounds take that seriously. Lots and lots of hills and mountains and valleys for my little 4-cyclinder van to lumber up and down. Dang pretty though. Lots of evergreens, but enough deciduous trees that I bet the fall foliage is a spectacle.
At which point Siri announced: “Welcome to Tennessee!” Wait, wat?
I really should look over the map route before I start driving. I was expecting to go straight from North Carolina into Virginia. In hindsight, I see that was an option if I’d gone east from Asheville and northward from, like, Charlotte. And so I got an extremely brief glimpse of an extremely beautiful part of Tennessee.
But first, I drove up and down 42 steep hills like this one:
Somewhere along the way I saw a sign for the almost-was-a-State of Franklin. I’d read about that years ago, and—serendipity!—here I was driving through it. (The entire far-eastern pointy bit of Tennessee was once almost-sort-of Franklin.) Anyway.
Eventually I reached that quintessential American experience: The scenic overlook. I parked here:
I can tell when I’ve been sitting too long, riding in a car for days… I get the urge to bound up the stairs, one might even say the urge to run. Same shot, selfie-mode:
Two tricks to better selfies: Look at the camera lense, not the screen, as you trip the shutter, and intentionally lower the shoulder of the arm holding the camera. The one shoulder scrunched up is the dead-giveaway in selfies. Also, dude, get a hair cut and shave.
As I was strolling away, I realized there was a side trail. It mentioned 800 feet, and 150 feet vertical. I didn’t “run” up. I briskly walked up while thinking, “oooooh max heart-rate cardio… didn’t see that coming either.” But it was worth it:
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During my recent road trip my finely-tuned pattern of sleep was annihilated. It’s one thing to have simplicity forced upon you; That has some benefits. But once my sleep was off the rails, everything fell apart. It wasn’t quite Escape-from-New-York-level chaos. It was close though. On one day, I wasted an hour, driving all the way to an entirely wrong address because, the night before I didn’t feel I had 2 minutes to spare to doublecheck.
I’m often viciously critical of myself if I’m still up even a few minutes beyond my desired go-to-bed time, or if I’m still in bed after my get-up time. None the less, for the 10 days of my trip, my sleep times were all over the map. On the one hand, I didn’t die and things got done. On the other hand, it was reminiscent of the old days before I got my sleep sorted out.
Sleep, (when, quantity, and quality,) and daily planning, (what am I doing, when and where,) are related. Back in the day, I cut the Gordian knot by setting a consistent sleep schedule. In a return to Primary School days, I gave myself clear and unchanging go-to-bed and get-up times. Then, arranged around those times I can schedule a specific “plan the day” session. (I’ve tried both “plan for tomorrow” just before bed, and “plan for today” fairly soon after getting up.) With improved sleep and some basic daily planning—which can be literally to simply sit on the beach all day—my life took a serious turn for the better.
But after my recent experience I’ve given this another prolonged bout of thinking and I’ve had a new [to me only, I’m sure] idea: Sleep and planning are not just related, they are circularly dependent on each other.
Here’s a sample pass around the circle: Today’s been busy, and I’ve some things I’d like to finish before sleeping. What time should I go to sleep? What time do I stand up and excuse myself from the current goings on? I need to know how much sleep I’d get if did that at different times. So what time do I have to get up tomorrow? I don’t know. What am I doing tomorrow? I need to spend some time planning for tomorrow, but that’s best done as part of my “alone time” as I’m winding down to sleep… And I cannot simply leave it to luck tomorrow morning. If I have to drive an hour, be some where at a certain time, a shower would be smart too…
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