Hi everyone,
Welcome to the 15th edition of my newsletter, I’m glad you’re here. It’s been raining quite a bit here in Southern California, which is a nice change of pace from the endless sun. Beyond that, I’m just in the flow of the new year and trying to stay motivated with the big projects I have on my plate. Motivation is a never ending struggle for me these days!
Here’s to hoping you’re in a productivity groove!!
Now, on to the newsletter.
Financial Stability Tip: How To Spend Your Money
Happiness improves as individuals make more money before leveling off around $75,000 according to a Princeton study released in 2010. At $75,000, individuals have a bit more money to spend on things they love. I am happiest when I am able to financially support organizations, travel, and enjoy live entertainment so I prioritize these activities in my budget.
Tip: Focus your spending habits on things that bring you joy and find ways to cut expenses elsewhere. Writer Jeff Hayden submitted this great article to Inc. Magazine, suggesting that the best way to find happiness when spending money is to buy time and experiences with friends.
Work/Life Balance Tip: Embrace Digital Minimalism
I struggle with technology overload. For example, I currently have 27 tabs on 5 different browser windows, the Evernote app, the messages app, and Outlook open on my computer, my phone is next to me, and my digital notepad ready for note taking. HOW IN THE WORLD DO I GET ANYTHING DONE!?! With so much noise, I need a digital minimalism strategy.
Tip: Create a checklist of things you will turn off or close BEFORE you start work for the day. Setting up this routine has helped me tremendously. I also end each day by closing all windows on my computer so I start with a clean slate each morning. Here are six incredible online tools to help you stay focused and adopt a philosophy of digital minimalism.
Tips On Finding Meaning: Adopt A Mental Framework for Success
I just joined Noom and I love it. The program is based on the simple mental framework of belief, which is foundational to personal success in just about anything. Belief is an empowering and important mindset for any person pursuing a meaningful change in their life or career. When work gets tough, it is often belief that gets me across the finish line.
Tip: Before you launch any project or idea, you have to believe that you will be successful. Having a positive attitude will not guarantee success, but it will enable you to aggressively tackle your biggest challenges head on. Here’s a great article by Polina Marinova Pompliano about creating mental frameworks for success.
Field Notes: Artists Need Our Support
The arts are in crisis. So much of the work artists do requires human contact in places where we shouldn’t be exchanging air. With unemployment upwards of 50% for the performing arts in this country, something has to be done to enable practicing artists to reemerge and thrive as we come out of the pandemic.
Tip: Lobby your elected officials for a Works Progress Administration (WPA) approach to funding the arts. Much like the work that FDR brought forth as a part of the New Deal, artists would benefit deeply from direct funding from the government to support their livelihood as they get back on their feet.
The Way Things Work: How To Develop A Writing Habit
I have been writing regularly for the past five years and explored several different writing routines in the process. The way I’ve been able to stick with it has been to set consistent, realistic goals for myself. I also adopted Seth Godin’s method of contributing one post to my blog every day after an hour of writing, which works well!
Tip: Commit to writing for one hour every day and publishing the results. I know that a lot of you simply write to get your thoughts down on paper, however putting the words online for others to read is a great way to develop a routine. Check out Dickie Bush’s great article on how to sustain a writing habit.
Things I Loved:
- 100 tips for boosting your happiness chemicals.
- The best way to say NO!
- What’s your point?
- There went 2-minutes of my life….or was it 2-hours? IDK.
- This lovely video by Adrianne Lenker
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