Friday Newsletter: №3
Hey Friends and welcome back to my 3rd Friday Newsletter!
Every week I’m sharing: One Insight, One Source and One Question which I found particularly striking or useful, so you can read, reflect and take action.
This one will be dedicated to saving time as the most precious asset in our lives.
Weekly insight
Saying “No” to things is hard! We all know that but still keep struggling with that simple but powerful word.
“Yes” often becomes the default choice for many of us. However, I have found this gentle reminder below by J.Clear (the author of Atomic Habits) to be personally beneficial. It helps me to resist the temptation to automatically agree to things in life. So here it is:
“When we say “No”, we’re only saying “No” to one option. When we say “Yes”, we’re saying “No” to every other option”.
To rephrase, saying “No” saves us time in the future . It is a form of time credit. We retain the ability to spend our future time however we please.
Saying “Yes” costs us time in the future It is a form of time debt. We have to pay back our commitment at some point.
“People think focus means saying “Yes” to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying “No” to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.” (-Steve Jobs)
“No” is a decision. “Yes” is a responsibility (not a default response). We all should remember that when we’re giving our automatic “Yes” to things in life.
Weekly Source
This is a phenomenal book I truly wish I had read earlier (particularly the first half of it). It completely shifted my mindset about wealth and working in a corporation, and I doubt there's any going back. It is “The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco.
For whom: for those who want to control and design their lives by achieving financial & geographical freedom at a relatively early age (not after 60 y.o: typical corporate path).
Why: I love how straightforward the author is; everything he says in this book resonates with me. “I awoke to the epiphany that I was the driver of my life and my problems were the consequences of my choices”.
One practical tip from this book: time is the most valuable asset, so if you value your time poorly - you will be poor. Learn to say "no" to the things that steal your time.
“When time is wasted as a lifestyle choice you will be stranded in places you don't want to be. Take a look around. How do your friends, family, and peers value their time? Are they standing in line to save four bucks? Are they driving 40 minutes to save 10 dollars?” (― M.J. DeMarco)
Weekly Question
Procrastination leads to frustration as we keep avoiding important but unpleasant tasks. Reflect on the following:
What is the 2-minute version of the task I’m avoiding?
Let’s stay connected
Looking forward to be in touch with you all and connect again in the upcoming Friday newsletters! Wish you all a joyful day!
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