Hi All,
Below is your weekly dose of a list of things I’m reading, watching, listening to, or thinking about from my Friday Five No. 237 July 5 2024 newsletter. If this message was forwarded to you, sign up for this newsletter using this link.
Quote of the Week
But, while I’m here, I want to know that I gave it my all. We have this one shot. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t make the most of it? – Peter Attia
Video of the Week
We recently embarked on a month-long trip to Europe (wish us luck!). This is our first extended trip as a family. Typically, we are gone no longer than one week. So, an additional three weeks will be interesting.
I am attempting to capture our trip with short videos. I made videos for our first, second, third, and fourth days in London.
In addition, I made a video of our first day in Paris. More videos of Paris to come!
Article of the Week
How to Have a Great Vacation: What Science Tells Us is the perfect article for me to read in Europe. I found three major themes on how not to get burned out on vacation: Do less, Limit your choices, and Do something uncomfortable.
Do Less: “Indeed, my colleagues and I have identified three ways that you can do less: via quantity, variety and timing. For quantity, the recommendation is straightforward enough: Even when tempted to stay on the beach for longer, just don’t. End on a high note, even if staying longer might seem like a good idea in the moment. For variety, when you schedule your vacation, try to mix things up as much as possible, even within the span of a single day. And for timing, this is where things get even less intuitive: Take breaks from even the most enjoyable experiences.”
Limit your choices: “Similarly, if you research every hotel option and the one you chose doesn’t live up to your expectations, you will have many other hotels to regret skipping. In general, research shows that satisficers are happier in life because they avoid the problem of choice overload.”
Do something uncomfortable: “The idea is to introduce just a bit of negativity—a bit of hardship—to make everything else that you do stand out by comparison. This contrast that you create will elevate the joy you get from all the positive aspects of your vacation beyond what you would have experienced otherwise.”
Film of the Week
Toy Story is a 1995 animated film produced by Disney Studios and “the first feature-length computer-generated animated film by PixarStudios.” The film features a group of toys belonging to a child (Andy) and their lives inside Andy’s old and new house. Woody (Tom Hanks voiceover) is a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), is an astronaut figure that are the main toys and characters. I would argue the film is better watching it as an adult with my son than when I watched it as a kid in 1995 when the film came out.
Podcast of the Week
The Jocko Podcast is one of my favorite podcasts. I have been listening since the beginning. The perspective of veterans and their experience in war is incredible. Stay Up, Work Hard, Have Fun, and Raise the Bar With “Lead Bob” Holland is worth a listen. Holland is also the founder of Hoolie Golf. Being a golf fanatic, it was enlightening to hear how Holland built this golf brand from scratch after his time with the Teams.
