“The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. As a consequence, the few who cultivate this skill, and then make it the core of their working life, will thrive.” –Cal Newport1 That’s from Cal Newport’s excellent book, Deep Work. Newport is a professor of computer science at Georgetown University, and he’s a leading voice in… Read More »How to Get Better at Deep Work
Me: “What are we doing today?” Student: “Trigonometry, I think. Sine, cosine, tangent. That stuff.” Me: “Trigonometry! Awesome! Sine me up!” Student: Oh my God. I can’t believe he just said that. I was not always so enthusiastic or willing to make such terrible jokes. When I was younger, I tried very hard to be “cool.” I understood cool to mean, among other things, nonchalant, aloof, and not easily impressed.… Read More »Some Thoughts On Being Yourself
Last month, the PBS News Hour said goodbye to Mark Shields and honored his decades of work with a praise-filled tribute. Shields was a political commentator, but don’t worry – this isn’t about politics. It’s about character. It’s about how to interact with people in a way that consistently adds to the marble jar. I should also clarify that this piece isn’t me telling you to be more like Mark… Read More »The Example of Mark Shields: The Power of Being Kind
“Art is theft.” –Pablo Picasso In my breakdown of where new ideas come from, we explored how “new” ideas aren’t entirely new. They’re either amended versions of old ideas or combinations of preexisting ideas. (And again, if you’ve got a counterexample, I’d love to hear about it.) I also suggested a few ways you can enhance your creativity based on this understanding: Learn both deeply and broadly. Try applying solutions… Read More »How to Steal Like an Artist: Creative Thievery Done Right