Threshold Crossing (vol. 1, no. 2)

Here are five things I’m sharing this month:

1. Kevin Kelly on the future of work (and what you have to get good at if you want to be future-fit):

• “Productivity is for robots. What humans are going to be really good at is asking questions, being creative, and experiences.” – Kevin Kelly (from Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris)

2. Leo Mascaro on how to build good habits (you’ll hear this again and again from me…good habits are the foundation of a good life):

“When it comes to starting a new habit, there are some questions that I always like to ask myself:

1. WHAT is the habit you want to start?
2. WHY do you want to do this?
3. WHEN do you intend to do it?
4. HOW are you going to do it?
5. What is the FREQUENCY of this habit?
6. What is the AMOUNT?
7. Which AREA of your LIFE does it relate to?”

3. Wikimedia Meta-Wiki’s five step guide on how to deal with making a mistake (which we all make and if you are not making any then you are not living):

• Step 1: Don’t pretend you didn’t make a mistake.
• Step 2: Examine the reasons why you made the mistake.
• Step 3: Decide what you are willing to do to avoid repeating the mistake.
• Step 4: Apologize “as clearly and crisply as possible.”
• Step 5: Fix the mistake.

Here’s the link to learn more (ht The Magnet)

4. Diane Ackerman on reinventing yourself (or why your major does not matter):

• “Living things tend to change unrecognizably as they grow. Who would deduce the dragonfly from the larva, the iris from the bud, the lawyer from the infant? Flora or fauna, we are all shapeshifters and magical reinventors. Life is really a plural noun, a caravan of selves.” – Diane Ackermon (ht James Clear)

5. Maya Angelou on growing up (this is our task…I’m still growing up):

• “I am convinced that most people do not grow up. We find parking spaces and honor our credit cards. We marry and dare to have children and call that growing up. I think what we do is mostly grow old. We carry accumulation of years in our bodies and on our faces, but generally our real selves, the children inside, are still innocent and shy as magnolias.” – Maya Angelou (ht Brainpickings)

It’s a great day to be alive! – dr H

PS If you’re reading this newsletter for the first time, you can read previous issues here, view lists of questions, quotes and resources I’ve shared before here, and subscribe here.