Lockdown homework and what I read in May
Hi ,
Well well well. In the last newsletter I was telling you about a great weekend down the coast, full of biscuits and books. And today... well today we're back in lockdown here in Naarm (Melbourne).
Luckily, my fun mail order from Lizzie at Rare Press arrived just before lockdown.
There's almost nothing better than fun mail is there? And because my inner-child is alive and well, I do really love a good sticker to adorn my notebook or laptop with. I think we all need more of this in our lives (fun mail and stickers).
So my lockdown homework for you - send a little something fun to a friend. A card, a letter, a thank you note, a recipe for your favourite snack, a drawing, a list of songs on a mixtape you would make them if this was the 90s, maybe even a sticker.
And if you're not in lockdown (you lucky egg), send something nice to someone who is.
Yes, it might take a couple of weeks to arrive (or longer if they live overseas), but the delayed gratification and holding onto a little secret is part of the joy. Especially if you speak to that friend in the meantime, without letting on your knowledge that they've got something nice winging its way to them.
Let me know what you send.
In tactile treats,
Steph
PS. To borrow from Austin Kleon (and everyone else who borrows this from Austin Kleon), this newsletter and the podcast are 'free but not cheap'. You can support their creation by purchasing your next book through my affiliate stores with Book Depository (global) or Bookshop (US), buying me a coffee or leaving a podcast review on the website. Thanks!
Reading round up: what I read in May
A good reading total of four books, but sadly including three slightly mediocre books this month. Here's my rapid round up of this month's reading.
A World Without Email by Cal Newport
⭐️⭐️
More of a history on why email is as prevalent as it is in today's modern offices, and the multitude of problems it causes. A few good ideas hidden in there on how to work better, but not worth schlepping through the rest of the book to get to.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (fiction)
⭐️⭐️
I've heard this raved about multiple times on podcasts as one of those 'life changing' reads. It was actually running on a miserable single star for me until the very last page... where it got an extra star for a clever moral of the story. The style reminded me of the 5AM Club. And that's not a good thing.
Effortless by Greg McKeown
⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enjoyable read, dispelling the myth of everything in life needing to be hard, for it to be worthwhile. Mostly a selection of other people's ideas and concepts, but an easy and feel-good read on its own, with an important and relevant lesson for us all.
Rare Breed by Sunny Bonnell
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A gutsy, fast-paced look at the various virtues and personality traits that make up the innovators, go-getters, and mavericks of the world. A fun read packed with the author's humour and no-nonsense personality.
PS. if you'd like to take better book notes this year, you can enjoy a 15% discount on your very own copy of the Archley's Book of Books book journal, here^.
Ear food
🎙Podcast: Dare to Lead - Look, I know I've recommended this podcast maaaaany times, but hear me out. On the recent episode, Brené talks to Priya Parker (yes, Priya Parker of the Art of Gathering) about how to recreate and reimagine meetings for remote / hybrid work. It's an important conversation that is not happening in many organisations right now. I took a heap of notes on the fantastic questions Priya poses. Go and listen to it already. (Listen)
🎙Podcast: Unmistakable Creative - This episode of Unmistakable Creative features Stephen Shapiro in a refreshing conversation about goal free living. As a previous die-hard goal setter, I've found the practice of goal setting more challenging over the last couple of years, and have reverted to more 'direction setting'. If you're feeling the same, this podcast will give you some food for thought. (Listen)
Meanwhile, on the bookshelf
Recent Steph's Business Bookshelf podcast episodes, in case you missed them...
Three Essential Books That All Leaders Should Read
(Listen)
Effortless by Greg McKeown
(Listen)