Do it for the hell of it!

I switched jobs recently and found myself with lots of free time to think and reflect. Of course, I wanted to spend most of it writing.

My work usually consists of articles, blog posts, and opinion pieces for work and other projects. Now, I wanted to write fiction. I’d spent my teenage years weaving stories, which was great fun and good practice for my future work. I eventually moved away from fiction and abandoned my naive dreams of becoming a novelist.

Now I thought about dipping into fiction writing again. And then my marketing brain tuned in.

Where would I share my writing? Do I have an audience? Will my friends who are used to me posting about marketing wonder why I am sharing a story? Do I need to find new avenues to share my writing?

Then I told myself - stop!

Don’t overthink it.

Just do it.

In our productivity-obsessed lives, we only invest time in challenging work if it gives us a tangible result (such as a few likes on LinkedIn).

Yes, we are busy and can’t afford to spend hours on a small idea.

But if we don’t grant ourselves the freedom to go and do certain things just because we enjoy them, what is the point of being so productive?

So my message this week is - find time to do something just for the joy of it!

🚀 10 ways to avoid procrastination and regret

We put off our dreams for one week, which turns into a month, then a year, and finally, we die full of regret. Not great. Darius Foroux shares why it is never too late to dedicate ourselves to what we want to do and shares 10 tips to avoid procrastination.

See all 10 tips here.

Shelf Shocks

1. Build, Don't Talk: Things You Wish You Were Taught in School by Raj Shamani

Do you think that school has given you the necessary tools to succeed in life? The 24-year-old entrepreneur Raj Shamani doesn’t either. With his informal, friendly writing style, he shares why skills like asking questions, building relationships, investing, and getting over failure are much more important than the subjects at school.

The book would be great for someone who is at the beginning of their professional journey and wants practical tips on what to focus on to build a better life and career.

2. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Prepare for an unconventional business book that isn’t afraid to throw traditional advice in the bin. The authors have spent decades building online tools such as Basecamp and have survived two recessions, a burst bubble, and countless trend shifts.

They achieved it by being lean, smart, and not following traditional wisdom. Their advice is appealing and clear, although it is not very nuanced or detailed. Still, the book remains a fresh perspective on the world of work, despite it being 10+ years old.

3. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni

This classic leadership guide claims that teamwork is the biggest competitive advantage - not only due to its power, but because of its rarity. It will give you five questions to ask about your team. The answers will show you how (dys)functional your team is and offer solutions for you to bring them together and achieve common goals.

This leadership fable is both an informative business book and the inspiring story of a leader who faces great challenges and how they overcame them. A mandatory read for all who manage a team.

Fun Links

1. Rosebud: the AI-powered Journal

Do you want a journal that speaks back to you? No, I don’t mean one possessed by the devil, don’t worry!

Rosebud is a journaling app that uses AI to analyze your writing and offer reflection and mindfulness tips. The more you use it, the better it will get to know you are the deeper insights it will generate.

You've reached the end of my newsletter. Hooray! If you have any comments or would like to share what you enjoyed the most, feel free to get in touch! See you in two weeks!