07 Apr 2026 #writing
Almost nobody reads online.
We don’t deserve attention, especially when content is free and abundant.
Smart Brevity says we have a few milliseconds to earn attention:
Most people will only read your headline, subheaders, and bold sentences. Tell them what they need to know if that’s all they do.
Christopher Butler writes in Earning Attention,
“Here’s another 80/20 framing–80% of your audience will never do more than scan your information; 20% will go on to read it.”
Write as if nobody is reading, but everybody is skimming.
07 Apr 2026 #career #wellness
In a line at the grocery store…
“Sorry, did I mishear, you said you’ve been here 35 years?” I asked her.
While waiting, I skimmed the books on the shelves and overheard the cashier talking to the client in front. When it was finally my turn, I couldn’t help but ask her.
“30! I have 30 years,” the cashier told me. “The girl at the bakery section has 35. She was about to leave last year. She’s leaving next May.” It was April.
Staying for so long at a place…
Curious and surprised, I asked her, “How did you manage to stay so long at a single place?” To me, 30 years at the same job sounds like a life sentence.
“Take it easy!” she said while smiling. “Don’t let anyone ruin your day!” She kept scanning items without pause. “How long have you been in your job?”
Earlier that day, a pointless task from a freelancing client made me want to throw my laptop against the wall. Her words came at the perfect time.
“I got bored or they got bored of me. The longest I’ve stayed at a place is 5 years.” That was at my last full-time job as a coder. I burned out while waiting for a promotion. Months later, the company laid off almost everyone, including me.
“You have to take it easy. There are clients that…“ she said while shaking her head.
When someone does it…
“There’s only one who ruined my days…“ The smile on her face disappeared.
“A boss?” I asked her while expecting to hear some gossip or horror stories from working at a grocery store.
“My first husband… That one sucked the life out of me. That’s why I left him.” Beep… Beep… She kept passing the products all that time. “I was skinny… When I left him, everybody said they could see the change.”
Years ago, 30 years in one place sounded like a career wasted. Now I know some people thrive in structure. Others in change. Others take a boring job to fuel their hobbies. Whatever your path, smile, take it easy, and never let anyone suck the life out of you. And if it’s your partner or your job doing it, leave them.
05 Apr 2026 #selfgrowth
In 2023, after burning out, I felt completely lost.
A daily wellness routine to care for my body, mind, and spirit saved me.
That simple idea changed my life.
I still follow it today.
No excuses.
Inspiring people helped my burnout recovery.
I filled my days reading James Altucher, Dan Koe, and Borja Vilaseca.
I looked up to them.
More recently, I’ve added Seth Godin and Derek Sivers.
They had something in common:
Reinvention, living on their own terms, eating what they hunt, writing, books…
That’s the path I’m trying to follow now.
When lost, find the thread between your heroes.
04 Apr 2026 #writing #bookwriting
A weekend on YouTube led me to a writing channel, and then to rediscover Derek Sivers.
If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the definition of someone who reinvented their life. He went from circus performer to running CD Baby, an online distribution platform. After selling it, he now writes books. How to Live, is his most recent and popular.
Here’s what I learned binge-watching his interviews and reading his blog:
#1. Be the entertainer. Your writing and stories aren’t about you. They’re about how to help your readers.
#2. Write succinct books. Call it a tiny book, a mini book, or simply a short book, it’s your best ideas distilled. A short book shows respect for your readers’ time.
#3. Write essays then turn them into books. A book could be a single idea or a collection of multiple ideas.
Start your book by writing essays. Then compile the best ones into a book. You’ll have proven and validated ideas.
#4. Write to scale yourself. When you want to stop talking about a subject, write a book. Next asked again, point to the book. That’s why Derek wrote Anything You Want.
Like Derek, before retiring from coding, my goal is to write a trilogy. Street-Smart Coding is the second installment.
#5. Focus on writing sentences. Write each sentence on a separate line. Then, write something shorter than you could.
03 Apr 2026 #books
Forget LLCs or investors. Starting a business is simpler.
Being an entrepreneur is often mistaken for hustling and grinding long hours. In Purpose and Profit, Dan Koe, a millionaire creator, shares a different view of entrepreneurship.
#1. Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be complicated
No more working long hours. No more growing a business while paying with your health. Entrepreneurship is building skills to help others.
#2. Entrepreneurship is self-help and others-help
Being a CEO is a title. But being an entrepreneur is a mindset.
You’re an entrepreneur when you solve your own problems and share your solution to help others.
Nobody will pay you unless you help them. To earn more, become more valuable: solve bigger problems or help more people. As an entrepreneur, money is the result of your personal development.
“If entrepreneurship is about solving problems and self-actualization is solving your own, you can combine both into a meaningful way of life”
Your product is what you created to solve your problem. Your audience is people with the same problem. Your platform is the internet.
At first, nobody will care about you and what you do. To make them care, you need to position your solution as valuable. Learn persuasion to reach the right audience—people like you.
#4. You’re the niche
When you solve your problems, you’ll find new and bigger problems. You won’t be limited by a social media bio or a tagline. As you solve them, your niche will evolve with you. “Your life’s work is getting paid to be yourself.” Entrepreneurship is evolving.