Welcome back to the Saturday Success Series email!
In this edition we’ll have:
Five to Focus On: A quote, stock, book, show & a beer.
Master Yourself: Aim to be boring
Master Your Money: Room for error
And of course…
The Weekly Special: 5 Crucial Pillars to Superior Brain Health
The goal here is maximum value, so let’s get to it.
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Five to Focus on:
In a noisy world, it’s hard to know what’s good out there. Let me help.
Quote to ponder: “A certain degree of intellectual humility is a good thing.” - General David Petraeus
Stock to consider: DDD (3D Systems)
3D Systems engineers, manufactures, and sells 3D printers, 3D printing materials, 3D scanners, and offers a 3D printing service. The 3D printing market is expected to grow at 20% year over year over the next 10 years. Huge market potential.
Disclaimer- this is not financial advice, I am not a financial advisor, and you should always do your own research.
Book to read: Talking to GOATs by Jim Gray
An insightful look at the best of the best. It’s always nice to read about the most successful among us to see what separates them from the average, or even the good.
Show to enjoy: The Man from Toronto on Netflix
You didn’t know you needed to see a Kevin Hart/Woody Harrelson movie until you see it. Then you realize you want to see this combo a whole hell of a lot more.
Beer to sip: SFY from Threes Brewing
Candied tangerines. Described as lush and oily. An assertive imperial pale ale built for long summer evenings.
Master Yourself
It’s the boring stuff that leads us to success. It’s the mundane, daily grind that brings us wins.
Shane Parrish shared an amazing tweet earlier this month about this very point.
What’s boring doesn’t get attention and what’s exciting doesn’t drive results.
“Most people are so focused on optics they forget that it’s the repetition of the boring basics that makes a difference.”
Examples:
Health- new supplements and CrossFit are exciting. Making sure you’re eating healthy and getting 8 hours of sleep per night is boring. But what really makes you healthier?
Work- flashy infographics and new training courses are exciting. Actually prospecting and picking up the phone are boring. But what really drives your sales?
Family- vacations and holidays are exciting. Dinner every night and reading together before bed are boring. But what really makes you a family?
Find magic in the boring. Understand its importance. Let the boring drive your results.
Master Your Money
Room for Error
Plan on your plan not going to plan.
You’ve heard that one before.
You want to build a margin of safety. This is why I save more than I probably need to.
It’s also why I diversify.
I spread my investments out across stocks, crypto and real estate.
And then spread them out again within those sectors. Various ETFs, different crypto coins and commercial and residential real estate.
Don’t overleverage yourself into any one single position. It’s a recipe for pain.
Weekly Special:
5 Crucial Pillars to Superior Brain Function, Well Into Your 90s
Here’s the good news, these 5 things are things we can all do. We have the power and they’re not difficult.
The even better news? Taking care of your brain, using these 5 steps, will take care of your entire health plan.
Dr. Gupta explains the 5 things we need to focus on in his book Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age. It’s worth the read, but here’s the quick version.
Move
We’re wired to move, right down to our base molecules(we’re also wired to conserve energy). It was 600 BC when physicians first started telling people to move- for their physical and mental health. Doctors haven’t changed their minds since.
I don’t think I need to beat a dead horse by listing the benefits of exercise. We all know we should be doing it.
It raises heart rate, allowing more oxygen to reach the brain. It promotes the release of hormones that help brain cells thrive in a healthy environment. In several crucial cortical areas of the brain, exercise also improves brain plasticity by encouraging the creation of new connections between cells.
Focus on things like:
Cardio- jogging, sprinting, biking, jumping rope
Lifting- heavy, big lifts (squats, rows, bench press)
Balance (especially as you get older)
Flexibility
Additional movement- dancing, taking the stairs, walking, chores
Discover
Don’t stop learning and trying new things. Don’t get complacent, don’t retire.
Want to hear an awful statistic? 33% of high school graduates never read another book the rest of their lives and 42% of college grads never read another book after college. 70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years and 80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
I know reading isn’t the only way to keep learning and discovering, but it’s arguably the best (and easiest) way.
When you learn something new, you’re exercising your brain, which can help you enhance cognitive abilities like concentration, attention to detail, memory recall, and problem solving, as well as lower your risk of dementia.
Focus on things like:
Continuing education
Hobbies
Volunteering
Traveling (even if it’s just the next town over)
Reading (I might’ve mentioned it)
Speed training games
Having a sense of purpose. It need not be something huge. Helping others through dissemination of information is mine.
Sleep/Rest
Back to that not too much exertion point. We’re meant to rest. Grinding isn’t a badge of honor, it’s one of stupidity.
I work full time, go to school full time, write part time and have 2 kids 10 and under. I also like to exercise twice a day and read 100 pages every day. I still find time to rest and relax. Time management is critical.
Sleep is necessary for a variety of brain activities, including the communication between nerve cells (neurons). In reality, while you sleep, your brain and body remain remarkably active. According to new research, sleep serves as a housekeeper, removing poisons from your brain that accumulate while you are awake.
Focus on things like:
Getting 7.5 or 9 hours of sleep per night (respect 90 minute sleep cycles)
Analytical meditation- focus on a single problem, don’t pressure yourself just relax into a daydream state and think
ASMR, it may work for you
Be present, when playing with kids, focus on that (time management helps with being present)
Deep breathing
Expressing gratitude
Laughing more
Breaks from electronics
Decluttering your life
Nourish
We spend a lot of time worrying about what to eat. Which diet?? Keto? Vegan? Paleo? Warrior??
Stop stressing about this. The bottom line is- eat more healthy foods than unhealthy ones.
Whole foods, lots of fruits and veggies, plenty of protein, load up on fiber, healthy fats, cut sugar/fried/processed food. Hydrate- lots of water (with apple cider vinegar or lemon), tea and coffee (no sugar!).
Don’t complicate your life by stressing over which diet you need to try. Don’t fear any one particular food. You know the stuff you shouldn’t be eating, so just limit it.
Focus on things like:
Whole foods, plant focused
Protein + fiber + healthy fats
Hydration
Limiting alcohol (or cut it out entirely)
Getting tons of omega 3s
Reducing portions (consider fasting)
Planning ahead for when you’re on the run, meal prep
Using lots of spices, but ditching salt
Flossing and brushing twice a day
Connect
We are social creatures. Yes, even us introverts. Connection, according to a slew of studies, helps us thrive as people. It makes us happier and healthier, as well as more productive.
As we get older, our social ties to tend to start breaking. We get so involved with our little family that our friends fall off. Or we stop working and our social ties within the office dissipate. This isn’t good for us.
It’s more crucial than you might believe to connect with others. Social connection can help us cope with anxiety and sadness, control our emotions, increase self-esteem and empathy, and even boost our immune systems. We jeopardize our health by ignoring our urge to connect.
Focus on things like:
Maintaining strong social ties (both good friends and acquaintances)
A happy marriage (or romantic relationship)
Playing team sports
Teaching others a skill
Mentorship (both being and having a mentor)
Joining clubs or committees
Adopting a pet
Your brain’s health is crucial to your entire well-being. It underpins your ability to communicate, make decisions, solve problems, and lead a valuable and productive life.
The brain is undoubtedly the most valuable organ in the human body because it governs so much of daily activity.
Treat it as such.
Thanks for reading and if you found this valuable, please share with someone who could use it. See you next Saturday!
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