Learn From My Mistakes

Short story of how I break life chaos into small, solvable problems - 3 min read.

For anyone glued to back-to-back calls, this is your friendly reminder: it’s still summer. The season of flip-flops (sarcastic - flip-flops are the worst. Only Crocs. Only clogs!), melty ice cream, and temporarily pretending we need Netflix again.

At our house, it’s a seasonal subscription. Like allergy meds.

Just a couple months for the summer break. Catch up on the “must-watch” shows everyone forgot about.

Also, yes - I have a Todoist reminder to cancel it in late August. Please respect the system.

Anyways, last week I wanted to relax, and opened Netflix.

Then I did the opposite of relaxing:

Scrolled.

Scrolled more.

Read 13 summaries. Watched half a trailer.

Asked myself deep questions like “Am I in the mood for dystopian collapse or light-hearted murder?”

Fifteen minutes later, I was still sitting there, watching nothing… and somehow furious.

At Netflix.

At myself.

At whoever invented autoplaying thumbnails.

What I experienced wasn’t just indecision.

It was decision dissonance.

Thought I'd be writing about The Paradox of Choice? Sorry to disappoint - feels a bit too obvious for you, don't you think?

Decision dissonance is that quiet inner chaos when your brain wants to rest… but also demands the perfect choice before it rests.

So instead of watching something mediocre, I opted for an existential crisis.

This wasn’t just a Netflix glitch. This was a life glitch.

Turns out, the more options we have, the more our brain short-circuits. Especially when the stakes feel weirdly high for no reason.

We do this all the time:

• Spend 45 minutes picking the right productivity app, testing for a few days and getting back to Todoist.

• Stare at a restaurant menu like it's a legal document. If it offers both steak and salmon, my decision-making system crashes - easier to just pick a different restaurant.

• Open 15 browser tabs to compare $49 headphones like it's a home loan application - then don't buy anything.

• Postpone writing a single sentence until we've found the perfect notebook, fountain pen, ambient playlist, and a candle that smells like "focus".

Here’s the kicker: we’re not looking for freedom when we do this. We’re chasing guarantees.

We want to make the “right” choice so badly, we’ll waste all our time making sure it’s the best… instead of, you know, doing the thing.

So no, I didn't watch anything. But I did rediscover an old truth:

The hardest part of relaxing is giving yourself permission to do it badly.

Imperfect movie? Fine. Random hobby? Great. Mediocre Tuesday night? Still counts.

Because chasing the perfect use of free time is the fastest way to waste it.

Next time, I'll just pick the first show I see.

Even if it's a “Floor Is Lava”.

Especially if it's a “Floor Is Lava”.

Till next time.

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Short articles worth your attention

How to Form Habits in Real Life - 4 min read.

I always felt that: habits aren't rigid cue‑response loops but dynamic, real‑world systems. Successful habits stem from flexible problem‑solving strategies that adapt to life's inevitable disruptions

Pure Independence - 11 min read.

Real freedom isn't doing whatever you want - it's having control over your time, values, and decisions. A quick read that makes you rethink who's really in charge.

Why no productivity hack will solve your overwhelm - 16 min read.

This gem from Lenny's Newsletter reminds us that no hack can save you if your real problem is chronic overcommitting, guilt-fueled to-do lists, and an internal voice that thinks burnout is a badge of honor. Enjoy. Just don't add it to your "someday" reading folder

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If you're looking for something to read, this book's worth considering

Think innovation is just Silicon Valley hustle? This book is like a cheat sheet for real invention - boasting insider stories from Bell Labs' geniuses who gave us the transistor, information theory, and UNIX, all without the startup fluff.

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A handpicked desk setup that caught my eye this week

Are you also curious what the 4th screen is for? Me neither. Just enjoying the details. Even the book covers are white.

Behind the Persona

A deep dive into the quirks, habits, and backstories that shape icons

Cool Facts About Craig Jarrow

Trusted Four Weapons:
Craig’s core system revolves around the “four weapons” every ninja needs: a to-do list, a notebook, a calendar, and an address book. He insists you shouldn’t have more than one of each to keep things lean and effective.

Email Twice a Day:
To resist letting technology control you, Jarrow checks his inbox only twice daily - once after establishing his own agenda - to minimize distraction and decision fatigue.

Project Inventory First:
Before deciding where to spend his energy, Craig inventories all active projects, enabling him to make prudent decisions about capacity and priorities.

Take Micro-Breaks:
He champions five-minute breaks to reset mentally, noting that a quick walk or deep breaths can rejuvenate focus and energy.

Time Appointment Ritual:
Jarrow blocks out “appointments” with himself in his calendar to work on tasks, treating personal commitments with the same respect as meetings with others.

Keep It Fun:
He infuses productivity with a playful ninja theme (complete with stealthy analogies) to make habit building engaging, ensuring consistency over motivation alone.

Continuous Habit Practice:
A habit, he notes, is only as good as its regular practice; he stresses adapting routines to changing environments to avoid complacency.

Recover Two Hours Daily:
Through simple rituals (like his four-weapon system and micro-breaks) Craig claims you can reclaim up to two hours each day to invest in high-value work or rest

Watch-worthy clips

One video that got us thinking, and we think you'll like it too

If you're among those who feeling their lives lack meaning or purpose, this clip offers a powerful shift in perspective. Forget "What's my passion?"… What’s next? The answer is in the video.

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