I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately now that I have longer commutes and also frequently walk to work and meetings. Here are some of my latest revelations:

  • A lot of people say "You have to spend money to make money" and I think those people are stupid. You sometimes have to spend money to make money, but a lot of things can be done with very little resources if you take some time to figure it out. 
  • I have ADHD and I'm learning I can work with it by simply mapping out what 100+ tasks I will bounce between each day. This way, I still accomplish my tasks, I don't lose my appetite, I can actually fall asleep, and ohhh look, a balloon...!  
  • Practice ambivalence. Having goals is great, but showing up and not being dead set on getting the gold medal every time is a wonderful thing, via Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. 
  • Startup advice tends to be focused on "Fail fast and often" and learning from others mistakes. But I think learning from successes makes way more sense. If you fail, all you know is what not to do. If you succeed, you now know what to replicate. Other people's mistakes are just that: other people's mistakes. Don't worry about or focus on them too much, via Rework by Jason Fried.
  • The Power of Habit is a simple formula: It starts with a Queue, which triggers a Behavior, which leads to a Reward. If you can learn how to recognize your queues and then replace your behavior with a "healthier" behavior while making sure that you still receive the same reward, you can change your habits. 
  • Find a judo solution to your problems. Think of the solution that requires the least amount of work and focus on that. You can get a good look of the land by flying in a plane, but taking an elevator to the top of a tall building will probably do just fine, via Rework by Jason Fried.
  • Go to sleep. A lack of sleep kills your creativity. Plus it makes you look like you're strung out. 
  • Write it down. You won't remember it. Shut up, no, you won't. Write it down. 
  • Dress in layers: you can always take them off if you get too hot. 
  • Your great great great grandchildren will see/read/hear everything that you've ever done, via Gary Vaynerchuk.
  • A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how," via Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl.
  • When work feels overwhelming, remember that one day you are going to die

Want to reflect with us? Sign up for our Reflection & Roadmapping Workshop on December 14th!

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Cody Beck is a midwestern entrepreneur based out of St. Louis, MO. After moving to NYC to participate in Enstitute, an entrepreneurial apprenticeship program, he is back in the midwest working for Enstitute and on many other side projects.

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