#37: optimize less
👋 Welcome to the 37th volume of Out of Curiosity, a weekly newsletter promoting ideas to help get 1% better everyday.
Every week, I go through nearly 100 pieces of content (from books and podcasts to newsletters and tweets), and bring you the best in this newsletter together with what I publish on my blog and podcast.
In this issue:
🎙 The tension between being a founder and an artist
💭 Life isn't about constant optimization
📚 Read 20 pages to start the day
💬 How to be clear
🎙 The tension between being a founder and an artist
This week, we had Max Nussenbaum on the show as our first ever guest! Max currently runs the Writer Fellowship over at On Deck and writes a weekly newsletter called My Super Secret Diary.
As an ex startup founder, we also got Max's takes on the tension (and similarities) that exist between being a founder and an artist. We also talked about writing, creativity, and career choices.
💭 Life isn't about constant optimization
It is not wrong to start a book, enjoy a certain amount, and decide not to finish it.
It is not wrong to take longer to do literally everything.
It is not wrong to be tired and sleep.
📚 Read 20 pages to start the day
The problem:
Reading books is relatively easy. You simply have to make time to read. Easier said than done, of course.
The task:
I had to figure out a strategy that would allow me to read more books without letting typical distractions get in the way.
The solution:
Read 20 pages to start the day.
💬 How to be clear
Don't make any assumptions about your audience
Write shorter sentences, with simpler words
Tailor your communication to a specific audience segment
Communicate with purpose
I found this article in the Creativerly newsletter, which I highly recommend checking out.
People suffer far more from parking their dreams than chasing them.
Until next week,
Reza
