A quick two-question test for when things go off plan, so you know when to find the courage to change something and when to let it be and put your energy into what comes next.
Neil Martin · Beats, Business & Life
Life
Make Today Day One: Arnold Bennett on Why You Can Start Again Any Hour
Why you never need to wait for Monday: Arnold Bennett’s clean next hour, the one day that’s missing from every calendar, and the one small step that gets you moving now.
When the Chips Are Down: James Allen on What Hard Times Reveal
James Allen and a mentor’s favourite line on what hard times reveal, and how to choose the person who shows up when the chips are down.
Start Before You Feel Ready: Thoreau and the Race I Entered Before I Could Run a Mile
Why the step comes before the confidence, from Thoreau’s line about advancing towards your dreams and the ten-mile race I signed up for before I could run a mile.
Start Your Day the Night Before: Marcus Aurelius on Meeting the Difficult Ones Ready
How to walk into the awkward conversations ready: what Marcus Aurelius told himself each morning, why I start my day the evening before, and why the difficult thing goes first.
Getting Up When You Don’t Want To: Marcus Aurelius on Rising to the Work
Marcus Aurelius had unwilling mornings too. Why the unexciting foundations are what build your future, and how keeping small promises to yourself gets you out of bed.
The One Hour That Makes the Other 23 Work: Arnold Bennett’s Daily Miracle
Everyone gets the same 24 hours. Arnold Bennett on the daily miracle, and how to protect the one hour that makes the rest of your day work, then actually be present in it.
Nothing Changes Until You Do: James Allen and the Little Things
Nothing changes until you do. James Allen on improving yourself before your circumstances, the little things done over and over, and why be plus have makes behave.
Which Handle Are You Holding? Epictetus and the Two Handles
Epictetus said everything has two handles, one you can carry and one you can’t. Brené Brown, holding the mirror up to myself, and the difference between life happening to me and life happening for me.
Creme Eggs, Chocolate Soldiers and Emerson’s Rejected Thoughts
I once joked that a Creame Egg with chocolate Fingers for soldiers was the ultimate Easter dippy egg. A couple of years later I think it was in the shops. Emerson on the ideas we park just because they’re ours.
What 28 Conversations Taught Me
Looking back at my 2019 summit, where 28 guests each told me about the one conversation that changed their life, and what the stories had in common.
The Bit After the Bad News Is Yours
Lessons from my 2019 summit on owning your response to a setback, from guests who’d been through sudden disability, hard news about a newborn and a marriage that nearly ended.
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About
Hi, I’m Neil
DJing since 1987, three decades in business, and the author of Done Beats Perfect. This is where I write it all down.