On creative work & the cost of saying yes
Edition #054
Hey friends,
Greetings from Porto and happy Sunday!
Somehow we're already in November meaning 2022 is right around the corner 😅 I'm currently 4 weeks into the whole being a digital nomad thing and so far it's been great.
Before leaving I had a lot of uncertainty about where to go, what to bring and how to balance work, travel, and exploring but honestly, it hasn't been a problem.
On Thursday we're heading to Lisbon for a month, then back to the UK for the holidays, after that who knows. We're currently looking to spend a month each in a few more places in Europe then maybe head to the US for spring/summer - If you have any suggestions of great cities to spend a month I'd love to hear them (just reply to this email).
p.s this week we launched the website for WiseStudio, now the initial setup of the business is done I'm determined to get back to creating videos consistently.
Ideas from me
I.
Great creative work requires you to combine 3 ingredients:
1) Novelty - Something profound or new that is not easily intuitive
2) Story - Compelling narrative, analogies, and examples
3) Style - Your unique angle
II.
Ideas are worth nothing without the courage to build them.
III.
The cost of every "yes" is money, time, or attention.
Get comfortable with saying no.
My Favourite Finds
​Principles for success: Principles by Ray Dalio is a collection of life lessons (or principles) for both life and work. On the whole, I enjoyed the book (although some of the work principles are a little dry). But the best chapter is Rays framework to achieving success — this video breaks down the formula he uses to set audacious goals and achieve them.
​The longest ever flight: This is a fascinating story of the worlds longest flight spanning December 1958 to February 1959. Bob Timm and John Cook remained aloft for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes.
​Greenlights: After listening to Matthew Mcconaugheys interview on the Tim Ferris Show I decided to give his book Greenlights a go. Typically I'm skeptical of celebrity written books as they are usually ghostwritten and shallow — but this book is different. I'm really enjoying his stories and lessons which is made even better with his own narration.
Quote:
Most people die at 25... we just don't bury them until they are 70.
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—Benjamin Franklin
End note
If you enjoyed this edition of the Sunday Filter then I’d love it if you could share it with a few friends. You can send them over here to sign up or share it on Twitter.
Have a great week!
- Stephen