Welcome back! I just wrapped up my next YouTube video, but I'm running a bit behind schedule. If you haven't seen my videos yet, do check them out when you have time.

Also, I'm renaming my newsletter to Sunday Wisdom. I've been maintaining this name internally. It's about time I started calling it officially.

My goal is to share many little bits of wisdom in a single email. I'll try to cover a wide range of useful ideas each week. In the form of articles, videos, bite-sized posts, book recommendations, quotes, and more. These are practical ideas that will improve your thinking, and help you get smarter.

Now, let's get into it. Here's your weekly dose of fat-free wisdom.

LATEST ARTICLE

3 Lessons from Arnold Schwarzenegger — As a kid, I used to be a huge Arnold fan. I remember The Terminator movies had blown me away. Only the first two. Not the others.

Back then I didn't know that he was such a successful businessman as well. I learned more about him from his autobiography. Now I admire him more as a businessman and a strategist.

Here's a boy who ran away from Austria and become successful in America. He lived the American Dream.

Here are three things I've learnt from Arnold Schwarzenegger. I'm sure you would find them useful as well.

LATEST VIDEO

The Danger of Comparing Yourself to Others — Which would you rather? To be the most intelligent person on Earth but considered the stupidest? Or the stupidest person on Earth but considered the most intelligent?

Human beings are, in large part, driven by the admiration of their peers. We seek to meet a deep biological need by acting in such a way that we get praise and adulation. For our wealth, our success, our skills, our looks.

It could be anything. The trait we are admired for matters less than the admiration itself. The admiration is the token we dance for.

But, this can have some serious ramifications in your life. This is why you need an Inner Scorecard, and not an Outer Scorecard.

FROM THE ARCHIVE

The Psychology of Introversion — If you want to picture a person for a first date, a quiet, reserved introvert is probably not what first comes to mind. A gregarious and entertaining personality is usually preferable. No wonder the advice for introverts who go on first dates, or business meetings, or investment pitches has long been some form of: Be more extroverted.

Circle of Competence: Warren Buffett on How to Avoid Failures Consistently — Are you committing the same mistakes that most people do? Are you playing games where you don't have the aptitude? Are you taking up challenges just to impress others, and in turn meeting with only failure? I this video I talk about the Circle of Competence. Warren Buffett uses this method to avoid problems consistently. Successful managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs have used this method to reach where they are today.

AN EXPERIMENT

I usually manage to read around 30 to 35 books a year. I highlight important lines, write detailed notes about the important ideas. But I've never taken any chapter-wise notes. Ever!

All the prolific readers I admire take detailed chapter-wise notes. So, this is something I'm going to start from now on.

I'll start writing down short summaries of the chapters I finish. Once I finish the book, I'll relook at the summaries, trim them (if required), and create a book summary.

I would slow me down a bit. But even if I'm able to read 20 books a year, instead of 30, I'm good! Reading should be more about retention that quantity. Writing summaries, and explaining the core concepts would be very helpful.

WORTH LOOKING INTO

How a Malaysian Film Became a Global Icon for Diversity — I love digging out less popular YouTube videos. I also love world cinema. This video explores Sepet, a Malaysian movie, and its exploration of multiculturalism.

Mindful Context Switching: Multitasking For Humans — I had talked about the myth of multitasking along with its adverse effects on productivity. However, this article takes a different view with something called Mindful Context Switching.

THINK ABOUT IT

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf." — Jon Kabat-Zinn

We often blame the circumstance, other people, bad luck, or our own lack of skills. This only increases our pain. A good strategy is to look at things as they are, and take rational countermeasures.

Can you think of some effective ways we can build this habit? Share your thoughts and ideas with me. You can DM me on Twitter, or email me at hellocoffeeandjunk [at] gmail.com.

The past three editions of Sunday Wisdom: 03, 02, and 01.

Until next Sunday!

Best,
Abhishek

Subscribe | Get in Touch | Become a Patron

SHARE WITH A FRIEND

If you enjoy this newsletter, please tell a friend about it. Share on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or via email.