Tools, Fuel, & Steering Instructions
to Make a Life You Believe In
In my role as Neighbor, I’ve made a point of getting to know people I would never meet in other situations. As a result I’ve made some of the most meaningful connections to remarkable people, like Andrea and Catherine, people I can now call family. Just read what they are doing, and join us. It’s so
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I do believe goals can provide a framework for a focused, attentive life, but there are people who present such a stark alternative that I question almost everything I know about happiness. Mark Sweeney was one of those people. From 25 years ago They had just found a brain tumor and were about to carve
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With my father behind me and my daughter in front we enter the dark maze. Out of the hovels of the hutongs through which we tunnel, old men emerge with knives and melons and lawn chairs, sweaty and happy, ready to gamble in the grimy street. Rising up behind them like a spacecraft, like a
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I actually did it! I purposefully threw my life off balance and attempted to make a giant change. I wanted a remarkable life, I made a plan to do it, and I followed it— the plan to Stop Sucking and Kick Ass. (Video below.) You know people who say things like, “If only I had enough
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One year ago I made an audacious public announcement that I was going to stop sucking and kick ass for 12 months. I bound myself to rigid rules and set big goals. With the support and wonderment of many loving humans I set out on a grand experiment to see if sticking to my plan
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As a Stranger, people tell me things they never say directly to their favorite people. As a Designer working with small business, I make a point of calling my clients’ clients to ask them, “What is Michael like when he’s at his best? What makes going to Pat’s so special? How did Deborah change your life?” Then
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“Good … [clears throat] Good morning. I’ll get right to the point. “Yes, I cheated. “Yes, I lied about it. “I lied because you wouldn’t like me if you knew I was cheating, and you wouldn’t have let me keep winning. I love to win, and you loved it when I won. What a
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“I was Nobody. When I was anorexic I did not know who I was. I had no identity. I was 10 years old, still, when I was in my mid-20’s. I was a baby inside. Just a year ago I was a tiny mouse. I didn’t talk on the phone. I didn’t talk to anyone. I
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I’m not a big fan of making random magical connections between pleasure and profit. I’ve written before about how “Do What You Love” is Bullshit Advice for Financial Success. I’d be willing to bet that, “love what you do and the money will follow” is more accurate than the standardized reversed slush. As a small
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If you want to stop sucking at something, please take this medium-sized survey. To stop sucking first means to understand “sucking.” Start with this question: Is there something you do terribly, fairly regularly? Ah, yes, “terribly” is the defining adjective. Here are some ideas about terrible: You feel really bad during and after doing it.
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