Jon Acuff on Fear And Faith
In just six words, Jon Acuff makes his point beautifully. It’s easy to be scared, but it takes a regular and concerted effort to persevere and move forward with anything resembling courage.
The 2023 Gift Guide
I enjoy a well-thought-out gift guide. I'm not talking about the kind that only lists costly items that no one wants. I enjoy the ones from the authors, podcasters, and creators I choose to follow and support. I trust and appreciate their perspective, opinions, and taste. Not only do I find them helpful in discovering things I may be interested in, but I also find them helpful for ideas when family asks, "What would you like for the holidays?"
It's in that spirit that I've created this guide. I'm sharing a few gift ideas for those creative, bookish tech lovers in your life who may be hard to shop for. What's that you say? You’re a creative, bookish tech lover? If you’d like, you can pull some ideas from this list and send them to your relatives and friends looking for tips.
Alright, let’s jump in.
Books
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
This book feels timeless. It features a daily quote from one of the ancient Stoic philosophers and an insight from Ryan Holiday with a modern reflection that compliments the selection.
I try to start my day with a passage from this book and am never disappointed when I do.
The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain by Annie Murphy Paul
Annie Murphy Paul has taken the idea that our brains are all-knowing and infallible and turned it on its head, arguing instead that we need to extend our thinking.
Paul uses the metaphor of the Magpie and suggests that we are at our best when we figure things out not just with our brain but also by connecting our surroundings, relationships, and physical being with the process.
I found actionable insights in this book and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about how our surroundings impact our thinking.
Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work That Last by Ryan Holiday
The second book from Ryan Holiday on this list. Perennial Seller is for anyone trying to create enduring work and wants to learn from someone who's not only had his own success as an author but also helped others find their success through Brass Check, his advisory firm.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Steven Pressfield famously wrote for 27 years before he got his first novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, published. He wrote The War of Art to help the rest of us learn from his mistakes.
This book has undoubtedly launched many people on their journey of doing something difficult and essential by helping them learn what the Resistance is and how to overcome it.
The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual by Ward Farnsworth
Starting with first principles, Ward Farnsworth extends Stoicism to other philosophers and thinkers throughout history, beyond Zeno of Citium and the Greeks and Romans. There's also an element of practicality to the writing that is helpful to better understand how applicable Stoicism can be in everyday life.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser (SP)
Another profoundly influential book for many writers, On Writing Well, was born from a course William Zinsser taught at Yale. Initially published in 1976, this book remains valuable and current for anyone who wants to become a better writer.
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl (Audio Recommendation)
Dave Grohl is a man of integrity, who's not afraid to find the humor in many situations, who deeply loves his children, and who has endured the public loss of some very dear friends. He's also had an incredible career in the music industry that's spanned decades with bands like Scream, Nirvana and The Foo Fighters.
I rarely recommend the audio specifically, but this is one where hearing Grohl tell of the touchstone moments in his life makes The Storyteller an even better book.
Audible Gift Subscription
I received an Audible gift subscription last year and didn't realize then how much I'd enjoy it. I like listening to audiobooks while I’m at the gym or doing yard work and this feeds that need. If you have someone who wants to read more but doesn’t have the time or the focus to pick up a physical book, this is a great gift option.
Technology
AirPods Pro
I've used the regular AirPods for years and felt no solid inclination to upgrade to the Pro. I was gifted the AirPods Pro earlier this year, and there really is a difference. Sometimes, when I'm watching something on my iPad, I can't tell if the sound is coming from the AirPods because it feels like it's coming from the screen. The noise cancellation and conversational awareness are such a helpful combination. There's magic in the tech, and the audio quality is much better than the regular AirPods.
Joby GorillaPod
I use this more often than I thought. Whether it's for doing video calls with an iPhone via Continuity Camera or taking photos, it's compact, easy to travel with, and helpful.
Glif from Studio Neat
I use the Glif from Studio Neat as the mount with my portable tripod. It compact, sturdy, and works really well with my tripod.
Journaling and Writing
Moleskine Medium Ruled Hardcover Notebook
I'm writing more about journaling on this site and at Threads. I have this crazy believe that everyone's life can be improved by beginning a journaling practice, and this is one of the notebooks I recommend to someone who's getting started and wants something with a bit of style. It's still simple and not terribly expensive, but also elegant. Moleskine notebooks are widely available, which is helpful too.
Field Notes Memo Books
I’ve been using the National Parks series recently, carrying it with me to take notes and supplement my task management system. It’s the perfect size for my pocket, and the artwork on all of the series they’ve created are beautiful and evocative.
The Subtle Notebook
This is my current favorite analog notebook from Cortex Brand. I appreciate the color, the quality of the paper, and the dot grid because it gives me the freedom to do whatever I want without feeling constrained by lines and yet also gives me some waypoints so I stay on the rails.
Thanks for reading. I hope this guide is helpful when shopping for your friends and family or when a family member asks for something you might like. Happy holidays!
Note: Some of these items include an affiliate link, meaning your purchase may help support this site. I've only included things in this list I actually use, like, and recommend. There are no big screen 4K TVs or air fryers here (although my wife and I are tempted by both!).
Weekly Quote: Ryan Holiday on Creating a Better Second Draft
This week's quote from Ryan Holiday's 2017 book Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work That Lasts is geared towards creators, that's clearly spelled out in the subtitle. However, these ideas apply to other aspects of our lives, too.
You need to find the people you trust to tell you when things aren't working. The people who aren't afraid to potentially hurt your feelings, respectfully, of course, by pointing out the flaws in something you're deeply invested in. Remember, they're doing it for a higher purpose - helping you find your way to the next level where you belong.
There's time to get it closer to where you want it to be, and you won't get there without listening to them. Find your editor. Whether you're a writer, a manager, a student, or a parent, who's the person you trust to advise you on becoming a better version of yourself?
Morgan Housel on The Written Word
Morgan Housel, a longtime blogger and author of the excellent book The Psychology of Money and the forthcoming Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes, has shared a few of his thoughts about writing.
A few of my favorite ideas:
Writing for yourself is fun, and it shows. Writing for others is work, and it shows.
The beginning of a story should be as pleasurable to read as the big idea that comes later.
Whoever says the most stuff in the fewest words wins.
Take a look because the entire piece is short and insightful. We all write in some capacity, from work emails to the great American novel. Morgan shares valuable advice for us all.
Weekly Quote: Asking the Right Questions with Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
This week’s quote comes from Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy.
How often have you been a part of the decision-making process that doesn’t go anywhere? It happens pretty regularly to most of us, and by the end, you’re left with frustration and no actionable outcome.
The missing piece was likely the need for the right questions.
This happened to me recently. My wife and I were doing some planning and decision-making, and we both realized how stuck we felt in a conversational loop. My wife, one of the most intelligent and most emotionally available people I’ve ever met, stepped outside of herself and asked a higher-level question that neither of us had considered but both of us very much needed to hear.
It provided clarity and a new perspective that didn’t make our decision for us, but it helped us get closer to a resolution. Asking good questions, the right questions, can be the difference maker.
Weekly Quote: Ryan Holiday on Gaining Confidence From Empathy
Ryan Holiday reminds us about the strength of empathy from Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave. Understanding the context of where a person is in their life means you’ll be able to meet them where they are instead of pushing or pulling them unnecessarily.
This idea is helpful and worthy of your attention anywhere, whether at home with your kids, at work with the team you lead, at the grocery store, or anywhere. Everyone goes through stuff. The more context you have, the better prepared you will be.
Weekly Quote: Austin Kleon on Letting the Right Stuff In
This week’s quote comes from Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon.
Austin's reminder is simple. Control the inputs where you can. Read the books that inspire you. Spend time with your family. Call your best friend from middle school and talk for twenty minutes while your kids nap. Find people who make you better and listen to them. Just be prepared to do that for others, too. Your inputs inform who you become; you must be your best for others too.
Weekly Quote: Embracing Perspective for Personal Growth with The Practicing Stoic
This quote from The Practicing Stoic reminds us that taking a broader view offers perspective, something of value that we all need more of.
Good or bad, whatever is happening right now won’t last forever. In fact, It probably will be over sooner than you expect. Time is indifferent to our joy and sorrow. It just moves ahead. Our best bet is to understand how we fit into the bigger picture.
Take some time today to pull back the camera for a wider view. Write in your journal and reflect on all of this, then use what you learn to become a better human.
I send a monthly newsletter about the power of reading and journaling, the benefits of finding focus and productivity through intentionality, and how tech can help you grow in the ways you want. I also share a recommendation of something I'm enjoying or finding helpful. You can read past issues and subscribe here.
Weekly Quote: Tiago Forte on The Second Brain
This week’s quote comes from Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte. I’ve been familiar with Tiago’s work for some time. Still, it wasn’t until a series of conversations over the last month with my friend Jim from Original Mac Guy that I decided it was time to dig into this book and give the approach further consideration.
I have lots of data, ideas, and things collected in too many places. I need a better system as I do more and create more. I hope this book can help me learn how to accomplish that
I’ll share more thoughts as I go through Tiago’s book. I’m taking it slow, trying to make highlights and digest and reflect on what I’m reading.
I send a monthly newsletter about the power of reading and journaling, the benefits of finding focus and productivity through intentionality, and how tech can help you grow in the ways you want. I also share a recommendation of something I'm enjoying or finding helpful. You can read past issues and subscribe here.
Weekly Quote: Ryan Holiday on Overcoming What Other People Think of Us
This week's quote comes from Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday, reminding us that we shouldn't let what others think get in the way of being who we are and accomplishing what is most important to us.
The vast majority of people aren't paying attention to you or, honestly, anything else. Instead, they're distracted by social media, exhausted by life, or obsessed with what others think of them.
While many people aren't paying attention, you are. This makes a difference.
Make this your superpower. Don't let your perceptions of what others think stop you.
Be the parent you want to be because you aren't worried about embarrassing yourself for being silly on the playground. Buy the car that suits your needs rather than the more expensive one because no one will notice. Be responsible and fruitful at work, but remember to shut things off when you go home to be with your family because most of what will come up can wait until the morning.
Do not live with the manufactured fear of others' opinions. Be bold and take inspiration by remembering the few who are watching you and who matter. Your friends and family, trusted colleagues, and mentors, they are paying attention because they care.
Weekly Quote: Reframing Problems with Insights from Todd Henry's The Daily Creative
This week’s quote comes from The Daily Creative by Todd Henry. Todd has written five books and founded The Accidental Creative, where he shares insights, workshops, keynotes, and other resources for creative people and teams.
When his clients get stuck, Todd urges them to ask themselves, “what are we really trying to do here?” This simple but easily ignored question offers a chance to reframe the situation, bringing a new perspective and an opportunity to move forward on a project or task. It’s not a panacea, but it can help get the gears moving again.
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Weekly Quote: Reflecting on Time With Steve Jobs
This week’s quote, shared by Laurene Powell Jobs in the introduction of Make Something Wonderful, a new curated collection from The Steve Jobs Archive featuring speeches, emails, interviews, and personal reflections from the visionary co-founder of Apple.
The quote continues:
He was compelled by the notion of being part of the arc of human existence, animated by the thought that he — or that any of us — might elevate or expedite human progress.
I believe Steve helped change how many of us engage each other and the world around us. He reminds us, both through his reflections in this book and his actions during his life, that our time here is brief, and we should shine as brightly as possible.
Weekly Quote: The Daily Stoic on the Power of Authentic Connection
This week’s quote comes from The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. An idea like this that we do our best when we don’t pretend to be someone we aren’t but instead open ourselves up and listen to others is something worth being reminded of often.
I don’t necessarily read this book every day, life is too imperfect for that right now, but I read it most days and have been doing so for years. I recommend you check it out, too. It’s worth a few minutes (almost) every day for a reminder of how to practice living a richer and more meaningful life.
Weekly Quote: Brené Brown on Showing up and Being Seen
This week’s quote comes from Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Dr. Brené Brown. Brown is a research professor, author, and well known expert on topics including courage, and vulnerability.
Someone in your life wants more of you. They may not be able to tell you with words yet, so pay attention. If your children are young, their hugs and uncontrolled excitement when you walk through the door is the language they speak most clearly. If they’re teenagers, the thumbs up you get in reply to the loving text you sent or the wry smile your silly dad joke gets should tell you what you need to know. A spouse or friend might text during the day to say they’re thinking of you. At work, a colleague or manager may want to hear from more of you during the weekly zoom call and encourage you to share your opinion when the din of louder voices quiets.
It’s on you to show up and let yourself be seen. It’s a very Stoic idea to show up and understand that the rest is out of your control. When you do, you’ll be rewarded with a deeper connection and a better understanding of your importance to those around you. Take the risk; the reward of connection is worthwhile.
Weekly Quote: William Zinsser on Knowing When to Stop
The writer, editor, and teacher William Zinsser first published On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction in 1976. It’s sold over a million copies, has been updated several times, and is a book I sincerely enjoyed. It ends where it should. There is no flourish or grand finale, just more of what Zinsser does so well, advice from an experienced and passionate writer to those seeking to learn from him.
This idea that the story will tell you where it wants to stop is true in many aspects of our lives. The ending is often there waiting in front of us and is frequently visible to others before we see it. But, once we do, it can be a relief, an end to searching or striving when it makes more sense to slow down and set our gaze upon a new beginning.
Testing Your Soundtracks With Jon Acuff
Jon Acuff is an author, keynote speaker, and podcast host. He is also an overthinker. In the first chapter of his book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking, he shares this:
I was the king of someday, high on thought, low on motion about a litany of things I'd do eventually.
The someday mentality is familiar to many of us. Part of the desire to procrastinate is often associated with anxiety, and also with the dishonest thoughts that race through our brains. Those thoughts take up valuable space and energy and help fuel those anxious feelings.
In Soundtracks, Jon shares a short exercise he's developed to help us understand the difference between when our brain is offering helpful advice and when it's lying to us. The next time you deal with these type of thoughts, ask yourself these three questions:
Is It True?
So many of or thoughts aren’t even true. Ask someone you trust if what your thinking has any basis in reality.
Is It Helpful?
This question is my favorite. Is the soundtrack helping you move the needle or holding you back? As Jon writes, "Does it lead to a decision or limit a decision? Does it generate action or apathy?"
Is It Kind?
According to Jon, the first two questions are less likely to catch a broken soundtrack because they tell convincing stories about how they've been helpful.
When you hear the broken soundtrack, ask yourself how you feel. Are you encouraged, or do you feel defeated Jon writes that the most important thing to remember is that soundtracks are kind and not judgmental.
Oh, Well…
Once we realize we're deep in a negative soundtrack, Jon shares some research on how to find the way out from Dr. Herbert Benson. The first option is to repeat something positive. The second and one I've used more regularly is to say "oh, well" when the distraction comes. This mantra can take the bite out of those negative thoughts and help move our thinking and attention forward.
Reading Soundtracks Can Help Defeat Baseless Thoughts
Soundtracks is much more than these three questions. Jon is funny and offers actionable advice and some context that reminds us we are all in this together. I read it a few years ago, and it's been helpful as I understand how often my brain produces baseless negative thoughts. I'm tuning that signal-to-noise ratio to something I control more, and Jon's book has helped with that.
Most people deal with this from time to time. If you are among this group, Soundtracks is worth reading.
Three Questions From Dan Pink to Keep Your Group in Sync
I finished When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Dan Pink last week. The book delves into how timing affects our ability and desire to get stuff done, and focuses on the when as much as someone like Simon Sinek looks at the why. It’s really a fascinating read, I strongly recommend it.
I always enjoy actionable takeaways from books, and the final chapter offers three questions that any group should ask themselves on a regular basis in order to ensure that everyone is synced up.
The Three Questions
The three questions created by Dan are:
Do we have a clear boss—whether a person or some external standard—who engenders respect, whose role is unambiguous, and to whom everyone can direct their initial focus?
Are we fostering a sense of belonging that enriches individual identity, deepens affiliation, and allows everyone to synchronize to the tribe?
Are we activating the uplift—feeling good and doing good—that is necessary for a group to succeed?
I’m planning to enshrine these questions into future group operations. They’re so simple to ask and can help insight into how a group dynamic is changing. They also might be an early indicator into what I call group decay.
Avoiding Group Decay
Group decay is what happens when things start to fall apart and the result is a lack of effective forward momentum. There are many potential causes for this. Most often, a change in group leadership or significant turnover in the team can shift the focus and energy to an extent that is difficult to overcome. Other times, changes in or a total lack of a clear mission statement can stall things and that can push the strongest group members, your champions of momentum, away.
I think the three questions bring up ideas about group dynamics that are key for success, and like the legs of a stool you aren’t going to be upright for very long without them all being in good shape.
I do think the focus on the feeling and doing good from question three, which for me feels like one of the strongest selling points of working in a group setting, is particularly useful in keeping people motivated and boosting morale. Having a sense of doing the right thing is incredibly powerful and can help a person on even their hardest day to keep moving forward in a productive way.
If you are leading a group and you use these questions, let me know how it goes.
Weekly Quote: Daniel Pink on Gratitude
This week’s quote comes from When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink. It is Thanksgiving week in the United States, and this felt like the right quote to share around a holiday that has turned into a time for reflection and appreciation for so many of us.
Dan ends each chapter of When with a collection of relevant tips called the Time Hackers Handbook, and this quote is pulled from a section dedicated to taking restorative breaks. One way to find restoration is through expressing gratitude, which can be done by taking ten or fifteen minutes to write a few thoughts of appreciation or reach out to friends, family members, or colleagues to reconnect or say thank you. Doing this can improve your mood and strengthen your network at the same time. People want to hear from you, despite what that voice in your head says. Reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while rarely results in anything but happiness.
At the end of every day, I spend a few minutes writing in my gratitude journal. It’s a small act with outsized results. These short entries sometimes spark a note to a friend or family member or introduce a new way of thinking about a situation that provides clarity and some perspective. There is plenty of science behind this idea too. From a Harvard Health article on the subject:
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
I encourage you to start a gratitude journal. It doesn’t take a lot of time to do, and has the power to help you feel that sense of mighty restoration that this quote references. You don’t need a fancy journal. Just a notebook or even a notecard will do. Every day, record the date and then write about something for which you feel gratitude. After doing this for a few weeks or a month, take a look back, and you’ll feel an extra boost from your collected gratitude and that will fuel your momentum to keep going. Gratitude engages something special inside of you. Make sure you’re listening to what it’s teaching you because you will be better for it.
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Weekly Quote: Steven Pressfield on Boldness
This week's quote comes from The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield. If you're trying to accomplish anything, specifically something creative, you should read this book.
The advice to start "whatever you can do, or dream you can" now, is wise. Waiting for the perfect time to start represents your fear, a desire to manage risks and avoid failure. You cannot have any outcome until you begin, whether it is developing your workshop, writing your novel, or building your app. As Pressfield writes, you gain strength through your boldness. There will be failures, and your courage will help you continue through.
Don't wait. Start right now. Show your work, even when it is a little rough, and people will be there for it. They will forgive the inevitable mistakes because what you have to say is valuable, and your voice outweighs some minor imperfections in your video or on your blog. Remember, perfect is the enemy of the good. Get started, and be brave.
Subscribe to the 24 Newsletter, designed to help you learn and grow in the areas of your life that matter most. Delivered once a month, it features stories, links, tips, and ideas about journaling, reading, focus, productivity, leadership, and tech. Join today!
Weekly Quote: Steven Johnson on Where Good Ideas Come From
This week’s quote comes from Steven Johnson’s Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation. This title came up during a review of another book in a recent Charter Newsletter, and I decided to check it out.
The quote builds on an idea I’ve been thinking and writing about since I started this site, that you learn and grow much more when things go wrong. The idea that mistakes are the language of growth, that we build ourselves through productive struggle and not when things are easy, is such a big part of our personal development
if you’re doing some form of daily review in your journal, I encourage you to ask yourself what went wrong or was especially hard for the day. You can learn a lot from this, particularly how you react against external inputs, which are often beyond your control.
If you examine those reactions, you’re very likely to learn something, particularly if you look over time at trends that may appear. Taking that information and considering how you can build from it is a concrete step in making positive personal improvements.