Jeroen Sangers

This hit me at just the right moment as this morning I was thinking I should keep more in touch with my friends. I already texted one of them to get together for lunch next week. Thanks @Patrickrhone!

So that has me thinking a lot about friendships – especially amongst guys. We tend not to prioritize them. We tend to think that to get together there has to be a reason involved. We have to have an event or some purpose to it. A run or a round of golf. Making a batch of beer or building a deck. Or we need to get the families together, let our partners talk and kids play. Dinner or a barbecue. Often, we guys never seem to think of getting together “just because”. For no reason at all other than to connect. Have a chit chat about anything under the sun. Or, sit in silence together and just be.

Writing is often seen as the best medium for deep thinking because it offers you a structured way to organize and explore your thoughts. When you write, you force yourself to formulate your ideas clearly and coherently. This process of turning vague thoughts into concrete words helps you better understand and analyze difficult concepts. Additionally, writing allows you to look back on what you have written, so you can revise and improve your thoughts. This reflective aspect makes writing a powerful tool for deep thinking and self-discovery.

Moreover, writing is a way to acquire and process new knowledge. As some writers say, they write not only about what they already know but also to learn about what they do not yet understand. This learning process during writing stimulates critical thinking and creativity, as it challenges you to make new connections and consider different perspectives. By writing, you are essentially having a conversation with yourself, in which you ask questions, seek answers, and deepen your understanding.

Finally, writing offers a lasting and tangible way to capture thoughts. This allows you to revisit and evaluate ideas later, which is important for building knowledge and insight. Unlike fleeting thoughts or conversations, writing provides you with a permanent record that you can review and expand upon. Thus, writing becomes not only a means for deep thinking but also a valuable instrument for personal and intellectual growth.

Related:

• Use your own words to express your own thoughts
• Take regular ‘thinking walks’ to change your brain to enhance thinking, creativity and memory
• Reserve quality time for reading; only with full attention can you make the shift from ‘reading for information’ to ‘reading for knowledge’
• The words you use influence how you see the world
• When capturing information, give context by specifying why this note is important

The statement “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right” highlights the importance of your beliefs in what you can achieve. This phrase, often attributed to Henry Ford, suggests that your mindset greatly influences your success. If you believe you can do something, you are more likely to work hard and overcome challenges. This idea is similar to a growth mindset, where you believe that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and hard work.

If you think you can’t do something, it can lead to actual failure. This negative way of thinking can cause you to put in less effort, give up more easily when faced with difficulties, and be less creative in finding solutions. Research shows that how we think about things, like stress, can sometimes have more impact on our health than the stress itself.

In short, the statement emphasizes the importance of having a positive and flexible attitude. Talent and intelligence are important, but often it is our beliefs and the willingness to learn and grow that truly make the difference. By believing in ourselves, we increase the chances of success and personal growth.

Related:

• There is no evidence of any effects of growth mindset interventions on academic achievement
• Start with a simpler version of the task to boost your confidence; then move on to a more challenging one
• When you get stuck, talk to the duck
• Multitasking leads to an overestimation of your own ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• Self-control is a learnable skill, not an innate trait

Most marketing techniques only work when selling marketing techniques.

📸 Day 16: Time

Seconds and minutes don’t matter.

#mbmay

Give yourself permission to be human.

• It can be easy to consider a temporary habit a "failure" because it wasn't permanent, but a temporary habit can still add value to one's life.
• Temporarily doing an activity every day can help one decide if that activity really reflects their desires and priorities.
• A temporary habit can help someone build a skill, even if it doesn't need to be continued long-term to retain the skill.

I had an absolutely fabulous boring morning. I had nothing to do, so I simply walked though the city letting my mind wander and observing people on the street and anything else that caught my attention.

I should frame this quote and put it in a very visible place in my office:

If you think technology will solve your problems then you don’t understand technology – and, you don’t understand your problems.
— Laurie Anderson

Natural light is very important for regulating our biological clock, which helps us sleep well and stay healthy. Research shows that daylight can reduce stress and improve your mood, allowing you to concentrate better and work more efficiently. Additionally, natural light can help with certain health issues, such as seasonal depression.

A workplace becomes more productive when there is plenty of daylight. By designing offices to allow a lot of natural light in, companies can ensure that their employees feel better and are more satisfied. This can be achieved by strategically placing windows, using glass walls, or installing systems that distribute light well. This creates a workplace that not only looks beautiful but also helps improve work performance.

Related:

• Clean air boosts your mental power

Artworks can create a calming and inspiring environment, which helps improve the overall work experience. This is because visual stimulation through art can contribute to a positive mood, which in turn reduces stress and promotes a sense of well-being.

Additionally, art in the workplace can stimulate creativity. Artworks can serve as a source of inspiration and new ideas, which is especially useful in creative professions or during brainstorming sessions. By being regularly exposed to art, employees can improve their imagination and problem-solving skills, leading to innovative solutions and a dynamic work environment.

Lastly, art contributes to increased productivity. A pleasant and aesthetically appealing workspace can increase motivation and engagement of employees. When people feel comfortable in their work environment, they are more likely to work efficiently and with more dedication. Moreover, art can serve as a social signal that a company values culture and creativity, which can contribute to a positive company culture and attract talent.

Related:

• Choose a workplace where you can see other people focused on their tasks. This will help you concentrate better.
• Creative tasks are best done while low on energy
• Physical cues affect our state of mind and can be used to switch between different productive modes