HNY! 🎊
I was chatting with a recently retired COO of a transnational tech company about how to level up as an operations person. She gave me some excellent advice that I mulled over a lot over the winter break. Basically, the most important thing for peak performance is energy. And the way to generate energy is to make sure there is enough FUN in your life. Then you will have the fuel to lean into whatever the problem of the moment is.
Each of the last few years have been full of hardship piled upon my self-ascribed ascetic practices. “Maybe, just maybe…” I thought to myself, “What if I just took a break?” Low commitment. Make room for fun… And that has been January for me.
Rather than ensuring every minute is productive I spent some time looking at the sky. Rather than listening to podcasts while commuting or doing chores to ensure every possible moment is packed efficiently with learning, I bopped to some music. I went to a concert with my wife and watched Forrest Gump with the family (first time since it was in theatres in the 90s! Still holds up 😭🥰). I didn’t spend my evenings poring over academic tomes, but read manga and heartwarming tales of forest robots serving tea.
It was a month of reflection as I explored what is “fun” to me. It really was a perfect time because at the end of the month I gave a talk about my 20 years in tech to the Osaka Web Developers & Designers Meetup (Photos →). Reflecting on the up and down chapters of my twisty career I could spot all the fun times… I am privileged to be in such a good place. I am looking forward to more fun in ‘24!
Have fun,
Chad
🖋 From the Blog
Concentric circles of content
Some inside baseball about how I have changed up my social media infra the past year
On decentralization
Mulling over the complexities of the decentralization principle
🧭 Elsewhere
2024 is “The Year the World Votes”. Big year for fighting disinfo. Link →
Wikipedia keeps a list of hoaxes on Wikipedia Link →
KSR on what he’s learned since Ministry. Inspiring speech. Video →
How QR codes are made: Fun →
📖 What I’m Reading
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (72% Complete)
When I saw a review that said "imagine Aubrey-Maturin, but Stephen Maturin is a dragon" I downloaded it right away. Master & Commander is one of my all-time fav films. So an alt history of the Napoleonic wars with dragons!? And by Naomi Novik who is an excellent writer!? Sign me up! And so far it has been great. I know I am going to love this series.
Connect with me on GoodReads → or on Bookwyrm →