Welcome to the first edition of Lately!
If you’ve ever been around me, you’ve probably heard me ask my favorite question: “What’s been on your mind lately?” This newsletter is my best shot at answering my own question.
I’ll be experimenting with formats and material, but the plan is to write a weekly Tuesday newsletter. A Tuesletter, if you will (please do).
I’m excited to share my thoughts in some sort of forum like this. I’ve always admired people who wield the written word, and this seems like a great way of trying it out. Hopefully this provides some interesting tidbit or food for thought for you.
On My Mind
This weekend, I got on the surfboard on Folly Beach. The older I get, the more I realize I do my best thinking outside, especially when I have no responsibilities on my mind.
This is not exactly an original finding, of course. Socrates was famous for his walking lectures. Thoreau treasured solitude in nature to expand his mind. And I (often mentioned amongst these two) flounder around on an 8-foot foamtop for an hour, thinking up cheesy metaphors for life.
Without further ado, here are a few life lessons from a total kook:
Success is about putting yourself in the right position
You can’t catch a wave if you’re not positioned properly. Just like you can’t be successful without being in the right place. Professionally, it’s location, company, and job role. Personally, it’s probably proximity to your family and (picture me doing air quotes) “proximity” to your family - emotionally, spiritually, mentally.
If you’re not already in the right position, there’s only one way to get there.
It seems like more and more people are born on 3rd base. Still, you probably are not. Tough luck. The only way you get into the right position is to work at it. Nobody is going to pick you up and put you there.
Just because you were in the right position earlier doesn’t mean you are right now
Waves change. Tides change. Life changes. The work doesn’t end once you’ve done it correctly once. It’s a neverending, Sisyphean game, and I think that’s the fun of it!
There’s nothing wrong with small waves
People are obsessed with maximization. YOLO-ification of life for Instagrammable moments. I guess I don’t really disagree with that approach. But on the flip side, there’s nothing wrong with a small wave. Small dreams and small waves are being villainized. You don’t want to shoot too low out of fear or insecurity, but a dream that isn’t the Mt. Everest version of that dream isn’t any less important - at least in my opinion. There is always a place in my world for a small wave worth catching.
…But it sure is cool to go for a big one
What I’m Digging
I wouldn’t say I’m trendy or anything. I’m consistently the last person onto the scene of pretty much anything. So you’re probably not going to find anything that’s on the forefront.
*Z, you’re not exactly selling your first newsletter, pal.*
My goal is less to be a hip place to find something trendy to consume, and more to be a place to find impressive, thoughtful long-form content or well-curated ideas of sorts - specifically for my chapter of life.
I love adventure and I love nature. This guy spends days in the Alaskan wilderness foraging, hunting, fishing, and building shelter. Great demeanor as well. Extremely fascinating and strangely relaxing 30-60 minute videos.
I’m a big fan of being as prepared as possible. This book has made me question if I’ve ever actually prepared for anything. It feels like the encyclopedia of being a husband to a pregnant wife.
These guys do a weekly newsletter recommending 6 things from all over the place. It’s really clever and interesting.
Stuck In My Head
I’m not recommending these songs. I just want to share my misery.
Potential Breakup Song by Aly and AJ
Everything is Alright by Motion City Soundtrack
Night Moves by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band
You’re welcome.
Thanks for reading. See you next Tuesday.
Sincerely,
Zander Barth
