creative

Issue 70: Refine and push

Hunter S. Thompson's letter to his friend, Hume Logan, on finding your purpose and living a meaningful life. The most profound advice I've ever come across.

My first newsletter was about ninjas in 1987. I was 12. Since then, I’ve been obsessed. I’ve created small newsletters for my own projects, and big newsletters for corporations. What ties them all together? Probably hundreds of things, but I’m lazy, so let’s start with 35. I won’t lie — most of th

Ikea Effect is the overvaluation of products that are built by users when they have put some effort into it.

I thought 2021 would be easier than 2020: the pandemic would wind down because of vaccines and better treatments, we'd find a new groove with work, and family life would get easier as the kids got older. In reality I foun

A reader recently sent me a video of a keynote speech, delivered in 2020 by the popular fantasy novelist Brandon Sanderson. The title of the presentation was "The Common Lies Writers Tell You," but its real message was more general. Sanderson starts (perhaps channeling a young Cal Newport) by pushing back on our common instinct

“The KING of YouTube: Mr. Beast. Over the last 12 months, he's gained over 50,000,000 subscribers. So I binge watched 100 hours of his videos to study how he's done it so quickly. And here's his 3-part framework for rapid growth (that you can use on any platform): https://t.co/6mbvI0QBBm”

More fluid reflections on keeping a solid center.

Do Epic Shit is a book full of epic shits attempted (and survived) by Ankur Warikoo. And this article lists my favourite quotes from it.

A daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals by Jonathan Stark.

This is a short story about how I went from zero to $9.2k sales on a side project. I had no audience and paid nothing in advertising.

The 1000 day rule. How do you work remotely and live the dream? How do you achieve location independence? The one thousand day rule will help you.

A dispatch from the middle of trying to figure out what I want to say

We are in the dark corner of the pub together. We have been here for some time. Out of my coat I produce a pile of old photographs. Something to show you. They are a gift from the past, together we will look, I will tell what comes to mind.

From the documentary Under Great White Northern Lights. Jack White of the White Stripes talks about inspiration and constrictions to force creativity.

Unlock your own creative taste, and splatter your experiences into a sea of blank canvases

I’ve spent the better part of the past year writing and publishing this newsletter. Over that time, a lot of people have asked me how I do it. I thought I’d spend time answering everyone’s questions by sharing my step-by-step framework.

I create the equivalent of at least 1 book worth of writing per week. Most of my work ends up in newsletters, websites, and marketing campaigns for companies you know very well. You won’t see my name, but you’re probably reading my stuff all the time. On good days, I get to write for you directly.

Dieter Rams’ profound influences on modern design blossomed throughout his 30+ years working for Braun and in his text, “10 Principles for Good Design.”

The reason behind @jack’s post-Twitter tweet rampage.

PLUS: My favorite book, TV show, podcast, movie and meme.

Plus his devotion to daily routines, meditation, Bob’s Big Boy, and sugar!!!

Less than 4% of the estimated 50 million creators earn a living from their creations. While that might not seem fair, it couldn't be any other way.

In settings where sorting is difficult, half a bushel of perfect apples is worth more than a full bushel with a rotten apple in it. One bad apple can spoil a whole bunch. We pay a significant premi…

Young People Are Leading the Mental Health Revolution

Dear Math and Naja, We love and respect our fans, both past and present, but, of course, they are free to come and go as they please. What The Bad Seeds...

Insights from Tom Bilyeu's podcast interview with Chuck Palahniuk. This is an in-depth look at Chuck's creative process and crazy life stories that will leave you in awe

Pricing is one of the most powerful yet under-appreciated levers in business. Good pricing can increase LTV, make businesses thrive, change brand perception.