Curiosity Chronicle

Question: Are you holding onto something that you no longer need?Framework: Helped, Heard, or HuggedWe're two weeks away from the launch of my first book, The 5 Types of Wealth.Order today to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe 5 Types of Wealth provides the actionable tools to define, measure, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting happiness and fulfillment.Order now and you'll unlock several exclusive bonuses, like a ticket to our virtual launch event, a companion video series, and more.Order your copy today!

"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." - Viktor FranklThis piece shares a monthly space-creating ritual that changed my life (and may change yours): The Think Day.The Think Day is a single day each month where you disconnect from your day-to-day professional responsibilities and spend a few hours thinking on bigger picture topics and questions. There are five question prompts you can use to guide your process.We're less than a month away from the launch of my first book, The 5 Types of Wealth.Order today to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe 5 Types of Wealth provides the actionable tools to define, measure, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting happiness and fulfillment.Order now and you'll unlock several exclusive bonuses, like a ticket to our virtual launch event, a companion video series, and more.Order your copy today!

Question: Are you aware of the finite, impermanent nature of your time?Framework: The Donkey Mindset

I just turned 34. Every year, I use my birthday as a moment for reflection, an opportunity to zoom out and consider what I've learned along the way.I hope you see yourself in one or more of these lessons, that they connect and spark a positive ripple in your life.This piece shares 34 life lessons from my 34 years.We're less than a month away from the launch of my first book, The 5 Types of Wealth.Order today to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe 5 Types of Wealth provides the actionable tools to define, measure, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting happiness and fulfillment.Order now and you'll unlock several exclusive bonuses, like a ticket to our virtual launch event, a companion video series, and more.Order your copy today!

Question: Are you afraid of your own light?Framework: The Starfish RuleWe're just over a month away from the launch of my first book, The 5 Types of Wealth.Order today to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe 5 Types of Wealth provides the actionable tools to define, measure, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting happiness and fulfillment.Order now and you'll unlock several exclusive bonuses, like a ticket to our virtual launch event, a companion video series, and more.Order your copy today!

I've never been a fan of New Year's resolutions: They're too rigid and require a belief that you can choose the perfect set of resolutions that will be relevant throughout the entire year.I prefer to set New Year's intentions: Big picture, open-ended ideas and mindsets that I want to focus on for the year ahead.The 5 intentions I'm setting for 2025: (1) Recognize time as the most valuable asset, (2) Control the controllable, (3) Find joy in the small, (4) Let go of the things that no longer serve me, and (5) Go All In.We're just over a month away from the launch of my first book, The 5 Types of Wealth.Order today to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe 5 Types of Wealth provides the actionable tools to define, measure, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting happiness and fulfillment.Order now and you'll unlock several exclusive bonuses, like a ticket to our virtual launch event, a companion video series, and more.Order your copy today!

Question: Are you allowing your head to outsmart your gut?Framework: The 4-7-8 Breathing Method

Welcome to the final Wednesday issue of 2024. For the third year in a row, I sent out over 100 newsletters to my subscribers—two per week, every single week. In fact, I haven't missed an issue since I started this newsletter in May 2021.This newsletter is all about ideas—actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing, healthy, wealthy life.I shared thousands of ideas here this year. Here were my 9 favorites: (1) The Main Character Question, (2) Taxes of Life, (3) 2 Pillars of Strong Relationships, (4) Winner's Game vs. Loser's Game, (5) The Stories You Tell Yourself, (6) Solomon's Paradox, (7) Seasons of Loneliness, (8) Make the Coffee, and (9) The Wealth Score.

Framework: The Grow30 ChallengeQuestion: What answers are hidden in the actions you avoid?

The Annual Planning Guide includes: (1) my simple goal-setting framework, (2) three system-building mental models, and (3) a strategy for tracking and adjusting throughout the year.This annual planning process has been an immensely helpful exercise to which I would credit many of my greatest achievements. I hope that it will spark you to conduct your own annual planning process for 2025.You can download a beautiful (and free!) printable PDF template ​​here​​.

Question: What are you doing to reveal the invisible opportunities?Framework: The Four Quarters Technique

The end of the calendar year presents us with a unique and valuable opportunity: To reflect on the year that was and plan for the year that will be.I started conducting a Personal Annual Review over ten years ago. It has been a transformative exercise—one that has had an outsized impact on my personal progress and growth.The Personal Annual Review is 7 simple questions that may change your life.ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm hosting a Personal Annual Review workshop on December 16. Attendees will also receive the 2024 Personal Annual Review E-Book. To register, preorder one copy of my book and submit your information and order number here.

Question: Who are your Darkest Hour Friends?Framework: The Nova Effect

I see a lot of bad advice out there when it comes to how to do that—most of it trying to sell you on the easy way to make money.This piece is my attempt to offer some good in a sea of bad: My honest advice to someone who wants to make a lot of money.A sampling of the advice: The only way to make a lot of money is to create a lot of value, there's no such thing as making it, "doing your own thing" isn't for everyone, and salesmanship is more valuable than intelligence. Read the full piece for more!

Every month, I receive hundreds of messages, emails, and questions from people all around the world. The single most common question that comes up: "I feel lost. What should I do?"Here's an open letter to my lost younger self—with the five things I'd like to tell that version of me that would have accelerated his path to the other side.(1) Reclaim your power; (2) Remember that the answer is found in the action; (3) Trust in the trend, not the position; (4) Create value for everyone you come across; and (5) Find your challenge-seekers.

Question: Do you want to be liked or loved?Framework: Amor Fati

One year ago, my family came together to mourn the loss of my grandmother. Reflecting on the experience later, I was struck by one thing: The card for the memorial had her date of birth and date of death, with a simple dash in between.That dash holds everything. Every ounce of a person's life captured in that single, small, insignificant line.The experience sparked one idea I can't stop thinking about: Make the dash count.This piece is derived from concepts explored in depth in my upcoming book, The 5 Types of Wealth. Preorder and unlock exclusive bonuses here.

One of the greatest joys of my life is that I often get to spend time in rooms surrounded by big thinkers. Rooms with an extraordinary idea density.There are certain times when, even long after leaving the room, the ideas linger in my mind. I wrestle with them to develop my only lens for each.This piece shares 24 short ideas I can't stop thinking about.

Question: Are you embracing your Pattern Interrupts?Framework: Zeigarnik Effect

Success isn't what you think. You're sold a glossy, filtered version of success. The reality looks different.In today's piece, I want to share the harsh truths about success—the reality that no one sells you (because it wouldn't sell very well).13 harsh truths about success nobody told you: (1) You will have to endure long seasons of loneliness; (2) Your anxiety will scale proportionally to your ambition; (3) To shine in the light you have to embrace boredom in the dark; (4) The climb is always better than the view from the summit; (5) You have to pay your rent daily; (6) Adaptability will always beat planning; (7) Your imposter syndrome and self-doubt never go away; (8) It will always take longer than you expect; (9) The good and the bad get amplified; (10) The money only solves money problems; (11) There's no such thing as later; (12) You never really figure it out; (13) You'll never feel successful unless you create your own definition of success.

Question: Does your situation need to change, or just your outlook on it?Framework: The Cobra Effect

“Hard times create strong men, strong men create easy times, easy times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.” - G. Michael HopfWe live in an ease-obsessed world. To build the life you want, to earn the things you want, your resistance is the cost of entry.Remember: Nothing worth having in life should be easy. The things that matter in life are hard to build.

Question: Are you allowing self-protection to become self-rejection?Framework: Hedgehogs vs. Foxes

It's easy to allow your weeks to spiral out of control as you try to navigate your personal and professional responsibilities. Fortunately, I developed some tricks that helped me fight back.4 tiny habits that dramatically improved my weeks: (1) Defining what a "win" looks like, (2) Creating an awareness of my energy, (3) Executing a daily management sprint, and (4) Investing 30 minutes in a vision.Remember: Extraordinary change is simply the result of ordinary acts done well, over and over and over again. Always take the small things seriously, because small things become big things.

Question: How can you decide to be happy today?Framework: The Ludic Fallacy

More intensity is not the answer. To achieve the things you want in life, you must pursue them with balance. Unfortunately, in the modern era, to pursue things with balance is almost indistinguishable from laziness.The single greatest challenge for any ambitious person is reframing slowing down as an essential part of your performance, not a reward for your effort.When you're constantly moving fast, everything is a blur. When you slow down, you start to see the world more clearly.5 strategies you can use to slow down more regularly: (1) Take pride in unitasking, (2) Take more breaks, (3) Take a power walk, (4) Embrace the power of no, (5) Find your garden.

Question: What are the beliefs that no longer serve me?Framework: The Dartmouth Scar Experiment

In my 20s, I nearly drove myself mad adding more and more new things to my life. Today, I'm 33, happier, healthier, and more successful than I've ever been—but in today's piece, I want to share the secret that unlocked all of that: I quit.The truth is that the fastest way to improve your life is not adding new things to serve you, but quitting what no longer does.Here are 11 things I quit to transform my life: (1) Focusing on my potential, (2) Complaining, (3) Worrying about the opinions of others, (4) Allowing negative people to drain my energy, (5) Allowing overthinking to hold me back, (6) Hitting the snooze button, (7) Planning for perfection, (8) Treating my house like crap, (9) Seeking novelty, (10) Grazing on low-value tasks, (11) Relying on motivation.

Question: How can you change your outlook by changing your perspective?Framework: The Theory of Constraints

I've come to believe that there is one common theme that holds people back from living the life they want—and the life they are capable of living: Overthinking.In today's piece, I want to share what worked for me: Three simple mindset shifts—reminders and reframes you can reliably turn to—that helped me conquer overthinking for good.Three mindset shifts to conquer overthinking: (1) The decision is less important than the actions that follow it, (2) Trust in your adaptability, not your plan, and (3) Most decisions are far more reversible than you think.

Question: How will you respond when you find yourself in the valley?Framework: The Two Types of Happiness

"All the things which cause complaint or dread are like the taxes of life—things from which, my dear Lucilius, you should never hope for exemption or seek escape." - SenecaThis idea—that there are taxes of life that you should happily pay—resonates deeply. The reframe to view these negatives as a necessary part of my growth and progress has been tremendously helpful on my journey (and will be on yours).In today's piece, I'd like to highlight 7 taxes of life you need to pay to live the life you want.

Question: What sacrifices are you willing to make to get the things you want?Framework: Winston's Star

Last weekend, I ran my second marathon in 2:53:38. This was a 4-minute personal best.During the suffering of miles 20-26 and the journey home after the race, I found myself reflecting on the key lessons from the experience. Interestingly, none of them have anything to do with running.This piece shares 8 powerful lessons for life from running a marathon.

Question: What are the lesser goals keeping you from your real goals?Framework: The Riptide Mentality

For the last several years, I've kept a running list of my favorite life hacks. I add and subtract from the list whenever I come across new ideas that create value in my life.I'd like to make a tradition of sharing that list annually with all of you—in the hope that you take action on them and feel their impact on your life.Here are the most powerful life hacks I've found to date: 50 tips, tricks, ideas, and techniques for building a healthier, wealthier life.

Question: What are the barriers within you that need to be broken?Framework: The Beginner's Paradox

I have a few core Missions that define my life—everything is aligned around them.Missions are life journeys with no specific end. Missions are not goals. Missions are infinite games. The power of Missions is found in the clarity they provide: If an opportunity, person, or action does not positively contribute to one of your Missions, you can say no to it.I have clearly defined a Mission within each of three categories: Professional, Personal, and Health. Clearly defining (and embarking on) your missions is the key to unlocking new clarity, focus, and fulfillment in your life.

Question: Do you need to reframe retirement?Framework: The Cathedral Effect

I recently had a long conversation with a young man in his mid-20s who was unhappy with his standing in life—feeling behind, lost, without a clear vision for the future. We've all been there at different times.The conversation caused me to reflect on the honest advice I'd give to that younger, lost version of myself to help expedite his journey to the other side.This essay shares 11 pieces of brutally honest advice to my lost younger self.

Question: How wide is my Information-Action Gap?Framework: The Yet Mindset

At a young age, I decided I wasn't smart. That story stuck with me for the first 30 years of my life—it created ripples into my actions, thoughts, and behaviors.The Narrative Fallacy is the tendency to craft a story around data, events, and inputs. Basically, our brains like to "make sense" of the random chaos around us, so the stories provide that structure—they provide a sense of calm.The stories you tell yourself are important. They can either hold you back or push you forward. There is no in between.

Question: What can you do today that wasn't possible for you six months ago?Framework: Shinrin-yoku

The Chinese bamboo tree offers a powerful lesson on growth: It requires daily nurturing for several years before it ever breaks through the surface, but once it does, it can grow up to 100 feet in six weeks.Your growth can be hard to see. It often occurs silently, under the surface. You make the daily investments in yourself, but are often completely unaware of their impact.The challenge is that if you don't recognize your own growth in its most subtle, hidden forms, you may become discouraged on the journey, lose your motivation, and stop marching forward. This piece shares 9 hidden signs of personal growth.

Question: What are the boring, basic actions that you are avoiding right now?Framework: The Fosbury Flop

The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment proposed by the Greek philosopher Plutarch in relation to a story about the Greek hero Theseus. If every single piece of Theseus' ship has been replaced gradually over time, is it still the original ship?You are your own Ship of Theseus, constantly replacing your parts over the years (metaphorically and literally). But concerning yourself with the question of "who you are" at any point in time is inviting an identity struggle that is unnecessary.The reality: There is no original version. You simply exist. You never become, you are in a constant state of becoming. This means that you simply need to embrace all change and not worry about clinging to some old version that may have existed.

Question: What is one tiny action that would create momentum?Framework: The 2 Types of Knowledge

John Wooden was the legendary UCLA men's basketball coach who led the team to 10 national championships over a 12 year period. He is most well known for his life wisdom that extended well beyond the court.Keeping the promises you make to yourself is the highest order purpose in life. Every single time you keep that promise, you are stacking evidence in favor of the type of person that you want to become.This piece explores John Wooden's 9 Promises for a Life Well-Lived.

Question: What if your path is a spiral?Framework: Shu Ha Ri: The 3 Stages of Mastery

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that my first book—The 5 Types of Wealth—is officially ​available for preorder​ everywhere books are sold!For the last three years, I've been working on this in the dark, so I'm excited to finally reveal it to all of you in my incredible community.Today, I'd like to share a bit more about the book—why I'm so excited for you to read it—and humbly ask that you consider preordering copies for yourself, family, and friends if you've found value in any of my writing in the past.