A&B #103

📚 Alex & Books #103

August 21, 2022

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👋 Hey everyone,

Here are a few popular posts you may have missed:

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📚 Book Summary:

This week's book is The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday.Out of all of Ryan's books, TDS is probably my favorite. It's easy to read (1 page a day), can be reread every year, and the lessons are short yet impactful. If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend getting a copy.Here are a few lessons from the book:1) It's Okay To Not Know Everything "If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters–don't wish to seem knowledgeable." –EpictetusNo matter how smart or knowledgeable you are, in our hyperconnected, 24/7 always-on media world, it's impossible to know everything that's going on.That's why it's so important to be able to say "I don't know" when asked a question or your thoughts on a situation. You don't need to have an opinion or be up to date on every single topic, and that's perfectly okay.2) Anger Isn't A Strength, It's A Weakness "A real man doesn't give way to anger...The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength." –Marcus AureliusEver notice how athletes talk trash to their opponents? It's because they're trying to provoke them, to get them angry, and throw them off their game. That's because being angry is a weakness.Strength, on the other hand, is the ability to maintain your emotions in hard situations rather than letting your emotions control you.

3) Stop Getting Upset About Things That Haven't Happened

"Clear your mind and get a hold on yourself and, as when awakened from sleep and realizing it was only a bad dream upsetting you." –Marcus Aurelius Many of the things that upset us during the day are a product of our imagination, not reality. And getting upset about things that haven't happened is like continuing a bad dream while we're awake.It's a bad habit that needs to be stopped as soon as we become aware of it. Wake up right now instead of creating a nightmare that doesn't exist.

✅ Actionable Advice:1) It's okay to not know everything:

The next time someone asks you about a topic you're not familiar with, be comfortable saying "I don't know."

2) Remember that anger is a weakness, not a strength:

The next time you feel a wave of anger rising, remember that it's not going to help you make better decisions and to stay calm, cool, and collective.

3) Stop getting upset about things that haven't happened:

Be aware of your thoughts as you go about your day and if you find yourself getting upset about an imaginary situation, snap out of the bad dream you've created by reminding yourself what's real and what's not.

🎧 Podcast Update:

Here are 3 book rec videos you may have missed:

📖 Reading Lesson:Here's how to read 52 books a year:

52 Books a year is 1 book per week.
1 Book is about 60,000 words.
The average reading speed is 250 wpm.
So it takes 240 minutes to finish a book.
That's only 35 mins a day.

Read 35 mins a day and you'll read 52 books a year!

⭐️ Weekly Quote:"So, attend carefully to your posture. Quit drooping and hunching around. Speak your mind. Put your desires forward, as if you had a right to them—at least the same right as others. Walk tall and gaze forthrightly ahead. Dare to be dangerous."From "12 Rules for Life" by Jordan B. Peterson.(resurfaced using Readwise)

Thank you for your support everyone, I'll see you next Sunday!Read on,Alex W.

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