“Let it sink…”

The only time you'd rather be normal is during a job interview if you want an offer - "fit in."

But super successful people are far away from being normal.

Therefore I fit in all day long.

Power moves

Many of us have bucket lists.

Those “shiny objects” we dream about.

They’re meant to be well-curated, always desired.

Like visiting all seven continents.

Or attending the Olympic opening ceremony.

Or skydiving.

A set of milestones to keep celebrating life.

I have mine too. Though, surprisingly, it’s not written down. So there’s nothing to share yet.

And here is what I realized:

The list is long. I want it all.

But.

The more I add, the less achievable it feels.

So I flipped it.

Not a “To-Do” list, but a “To-Don't” list.

With that in mind, I created my Reverse Bucket List - things I don’t do (anymore).

Self-development.

A global obsession. Like the new productivity drug.

I’m addicted - not going to lie.

The easiest way to dive in?

Reading.

I love reading.

But for a long time, I read without purpose.

I used to plow through books just to check them off a list - more of a collector than a learner.

So last year, I cut back on binge-reading.

Now, I read with intent.

I take time to decide what’s next.

And I no longer force myself to finish every book.

I’m free to abandon one at any point and move on.

I don’t do 50 books a year anymore (here are my latest ground rules for reading).

10-12 is fine.

Or 7.

Or 5.

Still optional. No obligations.

Life isn’t about reading.

Though, to be honest, I haven’t quite figured out what life is about.

So maybe it is about reading?..

Health.

Sacrificing sleep.

I’ve learned the hard way that a few extra hours of fun at night will ruin my entire following day.

The problem? I can’t shift my sleep schedule back and forth.

I wake up somewhere between 5–6 a.m. (Yes, I am one of “those“ people)

No alarm.

Going to bed at 3 a.m. doesn’t mean I’ll sleep till noon.

I wish.

I’d still wake up between 5–7 a.m. like clockwork.

That’s why I hate December 31st.

One of the most pointless traditions (globally?) is the over-the-top New Year’s celebration.

People stay up way past the midnight, gorging themselves just to cross Jan 1st off their lives.

When my wife and I started dating, she was shocked that I wanted to go to bed at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Unthinkable.

Her world collapsed. (She still hasn't recovered. Some wounds never heal.)

To this day, she hasn’t given up - she starts negotiating my "NY bedtime" in November.

And now my colleagues know why I always left early from late-night parties during our off-site meetings.

Mystery solved: I wasn't anti-social, just pro-sleep. (Or maybe both… who knows?)

Forcing myself into diets or fitness obligations.

Yes, I (pretend to) watch what I eat.

Not always.

Some days I overeat. Some days I triple down on carbs (sugar is my favorite).

Why?

Because I hate suffering with no breaks.

So I take them.

If junk food shaves a few days off my life - so be it. Those days were probably going to suck anyway.

Same with fitness.

I skip days.

Especially after learning that muscles grow only during recovery (the most elegant excuse ever).

But I follow Matt D’Avella’s 2-day rule: skipping one day is fine, but never two in a row.

Alcohol.

My relationship with alcohol is simple.

If I want a glass of beer, wine, or my favorite Long Island Iced Tea (tea is good!) - I’ll have it.

The “problem” is - I don’t want it anymore.

Some friends tried their “no pressure” tactics to get me to drink with them.

To calm them down, I’d say I’m a social drinker and need a decent company. Not just any…

They gave up on me.

Wealth.

Starbucks coffee is not cheap.

I’m lucky - I can’t tell if coffee is good or bad.

That’s why I enjoy Starbucks’ potion.

It’s definitely not value for money.

But it brings me joy. And it’s legal. Winning combo!

A few years ago, I’d get anxious at Starbucks.

My palms would sweat, and my heart rate would double.

Simply because our home-brewed coffee was 10x cheaper!

And probably way better (though I’ll never know for sure - I hope! Oh God, keep me away from considering a $2,500 coffee machine).

Now?

If we spend a few hundred bucks a year at Starbucks, it won’t make or break me.

I don’t have to skip it when I want it.

I consider it an “inaccuracy” in my crypto portfolio - that thing is a volatile mess*.*

So why stress over a nice experience?

The "Buy It Twice" Rule

If I can’t buy it twice, I don’t buy it.

I know people who drop $1,600 on a new iPhone without blinking.

What about buying two?

That’s $3,200 - suddenly feels like a lot.

If you can’t afford to buy it twice, you probably shouldn’t buy it at all (unless it’s something big like a house or a car).

Despite being lucky to afford an Apple Watch Ultra, I chose the SE.

Two Apple Watch SEs are still cheaper than one Ultra.

At least to me.

Lifestyle.

I don’t buy new clothes as much as I’d like to.

Better said - my total number of items isn’t growing.

When I buy something new, something else has to go.

When I'm in a store, considering a purchase, I decide right there - what exactly am I replacing?

Suddenly, the "old" thing seems just fine.

So I leave the store without purchases - just helping my wife carry her bags.

Maintaining friendships.

About 90% of the people I was friends with eight years ago are still there - in the past.

That percentage keeps growing every year.

I noticed that if I didn’t reach out first, almost nothing came my way.

So, as an experiment, I stopped reaching out first.

Years passed.

Nothing happened. We all moved on.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Two bright minds I keep bugging - just so they don’t forget me.

Selfish? Absolutely. I just love debates and “mental workouts” with them.

But I made new friends - people I bonded with as if we had grown up together.

The hardest part? Making sure they understand that we’re not really friends.

I'm just here for the casual chats... and for when they need someone to blame for their bad decisions. (I always learn from the mistakes made by people who followed my advice.)

Bringing it home.

As you might have noticed, my Reverse Bucket List is mostly about not stressing out.

• I let go of my bucket list - I don’t care much about visiting every country in the world.

• I don’t stress about becoming a "better version" of myself - let other people have their turn.

• I don’t force simmering friendships - sometimes, I enjoy a Starbucks coffee all by myself.

(Hey, honey, if you’re reading this - I never had one without you. This is just to make a point.)

Till next time.

Our favorite digital finds

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My takeaway? #23 - lighting candles. A nice and cozy addition to life.

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A Tweet That Hits

FYI: This newsletter is run by a team of only two!

Add this to your shelf

I love my dopamine. I crave it. This is addiction.

This book helps us understand why we get addicted to things like social media, junk food, and video games. Also how to find a balance to feel happier and more in control. It's like a guide to breaking bad habits and enjoying life more.

Unpacking the routines of interesting people

Cristiano Ronaldo, known as a football legend, has also become a well-respected business figure. During the peak years of his career, he invested time and money into building a diverse business empire. He co-owns the Pestana CR7 hotel chain, operates the CR7 fashion brand, and has invested in ventures such as hair transplant clinics and sports centers.

Cool Insane facts:

$3 Million Instagram Post
Ronaldo has built one of the largest social media profiles in history, surpassing 640 million followers on Instagram. Undoubtedly, this demands a hefty price tag for a sponsored post—but would you have guessed it’s over $3.3 million per post?

Private Jet Rental
It may sound like an idea born out of a last-minute need for a tax write-off, but jokes aside, Ronaldo owns multiple private jets, which he rents out for prices starting at $3,000 an hour.

Record-Breaking
The first male football player to score in seven World Cups has also topped the list of highest-earning athletes. In 2024, he has raked in over $260 million from contracts and business ventures.

Watch-worthy clips

Tiago’s take on David Allen’s famous 2-minute rule. It has helped me countless times. Hope, it will help you too.

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