👓
Hi from Dublin, I'm Matt...
This week I was in Austin, Texas to meet with my team.
I learned that being in a room with the people you work with can bring you a huge amount of joy. On my trip home, I spent time thinking about happiness, and how it can develop in the oddest of places.
I'm grateful for that chance, and also the opportunity to convene Stuff every week to share some things that make me happy, and fulfill our shared curiosity.
Thank you for being a part of Stuff. If you received this email from an excellent friend, and would like to subscribe, please go here. If you'd like an archive of Stuff from the beginning of 2022 - it's here.
Onward with the Stuff that MattRs this week...
This week I was in Austin, Texas to meet with my team.
I learned that being in a room with the people you work with can bring you a huge amount of joy. On my trip home, I spent time thinking about happiness, and how it can develop in the oddest of places.
I'm grateful for that chance, and also the opportunity to convene Stuff every week to share some things that make me happy, and fulfill our shared curiosity.
Thank you for being a part of Stuff. If you received this email from an excellent friend, and would like to subscribe, please go here. If you'd like an archive of Stuff from the beginning of 2022 - it's here.
Onward with the Stuff that MattRs this week...
- Monday Motivation: Let this week be the one where you become 1% happier. There are lots of ways to do it, Lukeprog suggests 14 practical ways to get happier. The Atlantic suggests that one pill can make you happier (it's not what you think). And Epictetus the Stoic proposes five methods that will change your happiness quotient. Of course, science will tell you that the real way to improve your happiness is to forward Stuff to a friend, and get them to subscribe.
- Your new superpower: It's easy to get great feedback, just ask someone who likes you. I coach people to see out tough feedback, preferably in real-time, when it matters most. Here are 8 practical steps to getting the feedback you really need to develop. These are great steps on the journey to radical candour.
- Essential Reading: This week at work, I got a round of applause for something, it was lovely and I'm thankful. Then how come I can remember some criticism I got nearly 20 years ago more clearly? It just goes to show, we all need to work on our self-esteem a little bit, use this practical guide to boost yours.
- You are not addicted to technology: Here is what is happening instead. You can protect your brain by improving your tech-life balance. Maybe we are onto something here, no-one spoke of work-life balance before the advent of tech.
- TWIL: World Peace is absolutely in reach. If Connor Hewitt has his way.
- You can be a STAR: Use this simple technique to ace every job interview. Give it a go, do some preparation and it is guaranteed to help you.
- All the maps are wrong: This clever site explains why all the maps you know are wrong. Although, there is definitely something 'off' on this map, which seems to have lost its lines.
- Have you done something different? A complete history of womens eyebrows in art. It's not all about Frida Kahlo you know.
- Is there one in your city? The 33 coolest streets in the world, maybe you could plan a visit to spend time in one soon? Of course, none are as cool as these Streets.
- Finally: Do you need a hug? The nicest place on the internet has you covered.
🎧
My aural stuff for you this week is from the brilliant Luke Howard. All of Us is his latest composition, a mix of modern classical and electronics with support from the Budapest Art Orchestra.
I love the epic, filmic sound of this album, inspired by The Plague by Albert Camus. There are delicate piano sequences, alongside sweeping orchestral pieces, all together it is the perfect soundtrack for relaxation.
Listen to Luke Howard - All of Us on Spotify here.
I love the epic, filmic sound of this album, inspired by The Plague by Albert Camus. There are delicate piano sequences, alongside sweeping orchestral pieces, all together it is the perfect soundtrack for relaxation.
Listen to Luke Howard - All of Us on Spotify here.
Recommended Stuff to make you Smarter
🎬 The Outfit (2022). Mark Rylance plays Leonard Burling, a British Tailor to the underworld of Chicago in the mid 1950's. This felt like it could easily have been a play, largely set in two rooms with a superb script and some excellent acting. A very enjoyable watch.
📚 King Richard (2021). With all the press, and that slap, I was reluctant to get involved in this. However, I'm glad I did because its a timely reminder on what an impact the Williams sisters (and their father) have made to the landscape of sport.
🎬 The Outfit (2022). Mark Rylance plays Leonard Burling, a British Tailor to the underworld of Chicago in the mid 1950's. This felt like it could easily have been a play, largely set in two rooms with a superb script and some excellent acting. A very enjoyable watch.
📚 King Richard (2021). With all the press, and that slap, I was reluctant to get involved in this. However, I'm glad I did because its a timely reminder on what an impact the Williams sisters (and their father) have made to the landscape of sport.
Stuff that someone said:
"Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things." Epictetus
📫
Do you love independent writing? I recommend The Sample. Every day, they will send you a novel newsletter you might like, no obligation.
