“Let it sink…”

Don’t be mistaken - it's not okay to avoid hard work. The key is to choose your fights wisely, and then double down on them.

Power moves

The 10-minute Rule For More Deliberate Decisions.

I recently realized I have a new problem. Or maybe it’s not new, but I’ve just noticed it. Recognizing it is the first step toward solving it, right?

The time between when a thought pops into my mind and when I take action is getting shorter.

“So what? That’s great! Quick action! Move fast, break things...” one might say.

But there’s a price and consequences.

If I feel the urge to check my email while walking, I pull out my phone (which kind of defeats the purpose of Do Not Disturb mode, don’t you think?).

If I want a snack, I head straight to the kitchen...

No need to explain why I deleted Instagram and Facebook apps from my iPhone.

Okay, so there’s a problem. But what does this have to do with the 10-minute rule?

The answer came from a book I’m reading - Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.

The idea: to make calmer, more balanced decisions, create a rule to wait 10 minutes before giving in to temptation.

By waiting, you give your brain time to cool off and make a more reasoned choice.

If after 10 minutes you still want it - go ahead, enjoy!

This isn’t about denial or delayed gratification, but a more mindful approach to impulsive desires.

For me, the benefits will extend into my work life: fewer impulsive emails, fewer moments where I’ve slapped customers in the face (this is not financial advice, I’ve learned my lesson!), and hopefully, fewer simplistic questions during All-hands meetings. I’ve earned that promotion!

Till next time!

Our favorite digital finds

Short & sweet

A Simple Formula for Making Career Decisions - 4 mins read.

Our brain overprotects us, sometimes at the expense of better options, leading to suboptimal decisions. To make informed choices, it’s essential to examine your thinking patterns and uncover any underlying fears.

How to reduce digital distractions: advice from medieval monks - 5 mins read.

The mind is a jumping thing—what a beautiful description of distractions! To help themselves focus better, the monks used several tricks. Some of them were quite harsh (like giving up family), while others are easier for us to adopt (simple meals, physical activities etc.).

Why do we perform better when someone has high expectations of us? - 12 mins read.

We are social creatures and clearly care about what others think of us. If others set high expectations for us, chances are we will strive to meet them. This phenomenon is called the Pygmalion effect. A nice bug to exploit for leaders and managers.

Add this to your shelf

Obvious choice, I’m picking this book for this week’s newsletter. The book explains how willpower is like a muscle - you can make it stronger, but it can also get tired if you use it too much. It offers ways to improve your self-control, resist temptations, and make better decisions in your life. You are welcome!

Unpacking the routines of interesting people

Tim Cook - CEO of Apple. Steve Jobs will never be forgotten by our generation. However, Tim Cook has made Apple a multi-trillion-dollar company and diversified its business like no other: software, hardware, streaming, payments, and various verticals. Here’s what his life looks like.

Watch-worthy clips

Modern life brings modern problems.

Many of us are chronically tired. Is there anything we can do about it?

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