Incredible feat to get sober! Much more valuable than a book deal. You always inspire. I first read your post about deleting your second brain and it kept me from wasting years of my life going down that path. You are influencing people with your platform for the better. I always get a good baseline of reality from your reads. Thanks for your contribution to humanity!
For what it's worth, Ryan Holiday has never done much for me (if anything, he actually put me off Stoicism for a while) but your articles have made a genuine difference in my life. I'm just one person, but I'm a grateful one!
Thank you Joan. I'm from Argentina and I'm not so good at English, but I always read you and it feels like a hug, like listening to a friend.
I only write in my diary, and sometimes I write about your insights. I really think you have a gift for writing, and reading you has helped me in my darkest times.
A cartographer may successfully publish multiple maps of the U.S.’ Appalachian Trail. A hiker may travel the length of that trail partially, once, or several times. A hiker’s journey is their own.
As one who is several decades older and still falls into the trap of comparing my productivity with that of others, your insights are a good reminder: what is the metric against which I, as a person, measure my own success? Remembering which race one is in is useful: starting a company, being a successful academic, being an influencer, and (most importantly) being a good human being. Along the way, we make tradeoffs. However, we do get to set the trajectory of our lives, and, in the end, only we can declare ourselves successful. Onward!
Damn - what writing ... Sober 8 years here and I feel the same things - you made a lot of people feel seen but also - the part of being sober - doing the thing that is not on the scoreboard. Thank you for putting your words out into the world. Terry
There’s a place for Holiday’s work just as there’s a reason to take a math class you missed. Not because you can’t do the math but because you need to sit there to get the credit. I don’t need someone to repeat stoicism ideas to me.
Your writing reaches me as if we’re friends sharing a quiet view and you share a revelation with me that suddenly clarifies a puzzle I had given up on. Dang! I wish I had seen it the way you do! I get it now.
Amen. Every day we get to wake up and face the struggle and the journey to be ourselves. With the realization that that is frequently not the same thing every day. In the most overlooked opportunities available to anyone. And much harder than it sounds.
Thanks so much for this. I’ve bookmarked it for when I need to read it again. I know in my head that comparison with others is not helpful but this put into words *why* it’s not helpful and doesn’t make sense. Thank you
I've read a ton of your articles and I've never heard of Ryan Holiday. To your audience, he's the one with all the catching up to do :)
Incredible feat to get sober! Much more valuable than a book deal. You always inspire. I first read your post about deleting your second brain and it kept me from wasting years of my life going down that path. You are influencing people with your platform for the better. I always get a good baseline of reality from your reads. Thanks for your contribution to humanity!
Thank you Brian!
For what it's worth, Ryan Holiday has never done much for me (if anything, he actually put me off Stoicism for a while) but your articles have made a genuine difference in my life. I'm just one person, but I'm a grateful one!
Thank you Joan. I'm from Argentina and I'm not so good at English, but I always read you and it feels like a hug, like listening to a friend.
I only write in my diary, and sometimes I write about your insights. I really think you have a gift for writing, and reading you has helped me in my darkest times.
Again, thank you
I appreciate you. Thank you.
A cartographer may successfully publish multiple maps of the U.S.’ Appalachian Trail. A hiker may travel the length of that trail partially, once, or several times. A hiker’s journey is their own.
Do you. I appreciate what you share.
Not that I'm comparing, but Holiday is boring as fuck, compared to what you put out. Here's to a sober life!
Good read!
I’ve been struggling with comparison lately. This piece came into my inbox at precisely the moment I needed to read it. Thank you.
As one who is several decades older and still falls into the trap of comparing my productivity with that of others, your insights are a good reminder: what is the metric against which I, as a person, measure my own success? Remembering which race one is in is useful: starting a company, being a successful academic, being an influencer, and (most importantly) being a good human being. Along the way, we make tradeoffs. However, we do get to set the trajectory of our lives, and, in the end, only we can declare ourselves successful. Onward!
Damn - what writing ... Sober 8 years here and I feel the same things - you made a lot of people feel seen but also - the part of being sober - doing the thing that is not on the scoreboard. Thank you for putting your words out into the world. Terry
I'm Brazilian, and I like your writing style, the way you think and convey your thoughts. I read your book "Permissionless".
There’s a place for Holiday’s work just as there’s a reason to take a math class you missed. Not because you can’t do the math but because you need to sit there to get the credit. I don’t need someone to repeat stoicism ideas to me.
Your writing reaches me as if we’re friends sharing a quiet view and you share a revelation with me that suddenly clarifies a puzzle I had given up on. Dang! I wish I had seen it the way you do! I get it now.
Thank you for all this.
Amen. Every day we get to wake up and face the struggle and the journey to be ourselves. With the realization that that is frequently not the same thing every day. In the most overlooked opportunities available to anyone. And much harder than it sounds.
Thank you! I’ll be returning to this piece at times of spiraling and to prompt myself reflecting on my achievements not on CV.
Thanks so much for this. I’ve bookmarked it for when I need to read it again. I know in my head that comparison with others is not helpful but this put into words *why* it’s not helpful and doesn’t make sense. Thank you
sober > published