Having kids was something I figured I'd just keep putting off until it was too late. Wife had other ideas, and now (w/ two kids, ages 5 and 2), every single moment is precious. I used to stay up late organizing the silverware drawer or researching god-knows-what or fretting about my diet or sacrificing even more hours to my day job. But now I'm pretty content reading "Trucky Roads" to my son for the forty-fifth time as he giggles in my lap.
There will probably always be that nagging voice in the back of my mind, chastising me for letting some project stand by unfinished, but now I have a good excuse to extend it the middle finger and be fully in this wholesome moment.
Also, It's funny when you address yourself by first name in your blog cause it feels like you are speaking directly to me haha! Thanks for this post. So on point for where I'm at in life.
You know, when we moved into this house, one of the first people to introduce themselves was the guy who lives across the street, also named Brendan, and we have never stopped mentioning how wonderful it is to say hi to someone who's never going to mispronounce your name
Great essay on productivity. And yes, parenting years do fly. My first-born baby just turned 27 two days ago and is launching her own company. I will share this with her to remind her to try to land on a good middle spot in your productivity spectrum graph.
My life became infinitely easier when I realized that the moment in which I got everything I’ve ever wanted, I’d just want new stuff. I’ve learned to be happy with what I have and be thoughtful about how and why I want to add to it. Thank you, Brendan.
This could not resonate more. You've spoken my thoughts into existence.
The amazing thing is that almost everyone would agree with your conclusion, and yet almost no one behaves as if they do. We point our ship in the direction of growth, money, more stress, progress, all while intellectually believing it is the road to misery.
Maybe we should stop pretending we don't know better.
Having kids was something I figured I'd just keep putting off until it was too late. Wife had other ideas, and now (w/ two kids, ages 5 and 2), every single moment is precious. I used to stay up late organizing the silverware drawer or researching god-knows-what or fretting about my diet or sacrificing even more hours to my day job. But now I'm pretty content reading "Trucky Roads" to my son for the forty-fifth time as he giggles in my lap.
There will probably always be that nagging voice in the back of my mind, chastising me for letting some project stand by unfinished, but now I have a good excuse to extend it the middle finger and be fully in this wholesome moment.
Also, It's funny when you address yourself by first name in your blog cause it feels like you are speaking directly to me haha! Thanks for this post. So on point for where I'm at in life.
You know, when we moved into this house, one of the first people to introduce themselves was the guy who lives across the street, also named Brendan, and we have never stopped mentioning how wonderful it is to say hi to someone who's never going to mispronounce your name
Great essay on productivity. And yes, parenting years do fly. My first-born baby just turned 27 two days ago and is launching her own company. I will share this with her to remind her to try to land on a good middle spot in your productivity spectrum graph.
That's rad! I mean, counterpoint to this essay might be that you can crush pretty hard when you're young, for a while at least. Exciting for her!
This is maybe one of my favorite semi-rad essays ever? And I’ve been reading since 2011! Thank you.
happy to be of service!
My life became infinitely easier when I realized that the moment in which I got everything I’ve ever wanted, I’d just want new stuff. I’ve learned to be happy with what I have and be thoughtful about how and why I want to add to it. Thank you, Brendan.
applies to most things, just not running shoes
And bikes. Always more bikes.
I am definitely a "nice blender" guy, ha! Enjoyed reading this post with my morning smoothie, in fact.
so many people totally underestimate the value of a nice blender
It’s the gift that keeps giving all year, Clark.
Hooked with the picture of Tom. Stayed for the parenthood content. Thanks!
A real tech innovator role model for our times, I say
Right? I think I’d be able to walk away with only 100 million.
I wrote about this same topic in my substack this week. Glad it's in the air
reading it now!
This could not resonate more. You've spoken my thoughts into existence.
The amazing thing is that almost everyone would agree with your conclusion, and yet almost no one behaves as if they do. We point our ship in the direction of growth, money, more stress, progress, all while intellectually believing it is the road to misery.
Maybe we should stop pretending we don't know better.
Wonderful.