Meditative Running, Gaslighting & the No-Code Movement
Hey Y’all,
Another 5M file for unemployment in America this week, totaling 22M, or 14%. But curiously, markets continue to rise, despite this news. Oh, and the “money printer goes brrr”, putting the Federal Reserve balance sheet over $6.3T.
Here are 5 things I’ve been trying to learn this week, amidst the continued chaos…
How to Write More Better*
How do you learn to do {a thing} better? Observe the best. In their environment. Study them. Copy them. And build your own “voice” from there.
Basketball? Watch the greats play. Writing a screenplay? Devour all the best movies. Piano? Listen to the top pianists.
Improve copywriting skills (me!)? Read great writers. Here is Chapter 1 (free) of The Boron Letters. Recommended to me several times. I finally started this week. Two thumbs up so far.
*yes, intentionally grammatically incorrect.
Meditative Running
I’ve been trying to stay sane by being active once/day. That means, much more running than I used to do on a regular basis. It’s been humbling. And honestly - and surprisingly, addictive. The best thing I’ve found are “Guided Runs” - collaboration between Headspace Meditation app and Nike Run Club app.
They’re gold. If you’re running these days, try one out for free!
No Code
I’ve used a couple new tools this month, to hack together an app and a website. They’re both small ideas I just wanted to tinker on. And both, admittedly terribly designed. But, a great excuse to learn some of the latest “no code tools” out there.
What are no-code tools, and why do they matter
^ TLDR:
These tools are reducing the amount of time and coding expertise required to translate an idea into something people can use. You no longer need to become a programmer to build things on the internet, empowering a new wave of makers from different backgrounds and perspectives. -Ryan Hoover
Here are the tools I’ve been learning/enjoying…
More “Random Catch-ups”
I’ve had a higher frequency of “no agenda” conversations the last couple weeks. And I’ve felt there’s been a more “human” connection in those interactions. More willingness/desire to “just hop on a call and catch up”.
Two things I’ve thought about, given this shift (if even just temporary).
First, be respectful when asking. See full thread for what to do. But don’t do this:
Asking a busy person if you can hop on a call and pick their brain is like asking someone you barely know to help you move.If asking for advice (I’ve doing this a lot for career, and product ideas), check out this podcast on The Jordan Harbinger Show.
Secondly. Looking forward, what will be the lasting effects due to CV19? And how will we look back on these bizarre times?
This article was my favorite read this week: Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting*.
VC-backed companies in the US are down 16% YoY in the first quarter of this year
…according to data from the PwC/CB Insights Q1'20 MoneyTree report.
Time to hunker down in the backyard, in that cute, practical(?) mini office. Meet: Dwellito. And keep working on that project a little longer before going out to raise venture capital.
There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen. - Vladimir Lenin
Deep breaths.
Connect with loved ones.
Have a great weekend,
Brendan J Short