It isn't necessarily something new, but I have been more actively job hunting for the last couple of months and just got hired for a one-year contract starting next week. So a new job, which is going to feel new since I have been self-employed for 15 years and am going to be balancing a lot over the next few months while I learn the ropes in this new opportunity.
And maybe, maybe, I'll work on a different 'make ass' challenge of another sort once a pay cheque or two refill coffers. Thanks for the inspiration.
Way back in Indian winters of 2013 I think I stumble upon Guy's website. What I found interesting is BOLD headline, I ran through the page and found page justifies the headline. Then canva then now substack I signed up as of guys recommendations. So I believe it's safe place.
Staying stuck is the real silent killer of motivation.
And ironically, that’s exactly what happens when you get hired to do a job and do it well. You optimize your routines to become more efficient, but that usually means: faster at the boring parts. Congrats, you just built a high-performance trap. A virtuous cycle of becoming indispensable—and increasingly miserable.
Eventually, the walls close in. Your role becomes your identity, your schedule becomes your prison. And the only options seem to be:
- escape into leisure-time experimentation (surfing, salsa dancing...),
- switch jobs (just to recreate the same trap elsewhere), or
- actively reshape your role from the inside out.
That’s why I love this reminder to suck at something new every year. It’s not about hobbies—it’s about oxygen. About reminding yourself you’re more than your current job title, more than your calendar, more than your to-do list.
Trying something new isn’t just a creativity hack. It’s rebellion against the stuckness.
Thanks, Guy, for the nudge. Now excuse me while I go make ass at something weird and wonderful.
Awesome stuff, Guy! I was just talking with your Santa Cruz friend Barb yesterday, and brought up how you learned to surf at... um, an advanced age :-) Told her how I was so impressed upon hearing that. I did that at age 13 in Hawaii, so can't do it again. But I'm thinking I should try making an ass of myself on the banjo.
It isn't necessarily something new, but I have been more actively job hunting for the last couple of months and just got hired for a one-year contract starting next week. So a new job, which is going to feel new since I have been self-employed for 15 years and am going to be balancing a lot over the next few months while I learn the ropes in this new opportunity.
And maybe, maybe, I'll work on a different 'make ass' challenge of another sort once a pay cheque or two refill coffers. Thanks for the inspiration.
This is so lovely
Way back in Indian winters of 2013 I think I stumble upon Guy's website. What I found interesting is BOLD headline, I ran through the page and found page justifies the headline. Then canva then now substack I signed up as of guys recommendations. So I believe it's safe place.
Staying stuck is the real silent killer of motivation.
And ironically, that’s exactly what happens when you get hired to do a job and do it well. You optimize your routines to become more efficient, but that usually means: faster at the boring parts. Congrats, you just built a high-performance trap. A virtuous cycle of becoming indispensable—and increasingly miserable.
Eventually, the walls close in. Your role becomes your identity, your schedule becomes your prison. And the only options seem to be:
- escape into leisure-time experimentation (surfing, salsa dancing...),
- switch jobs (just to recreate the same trap elsewhere), or
- actively reshape your role from the inside out.
That’s why I love this reminder to suck at something new every year. It’s not about hobbies—it’s about oxygen. About reminding yourself you’re more than your current job title, more than your calendar, more than your to-do list.
Trying something new isn’t just a creativity hack. It’s rebellion against the stuckness.
Thanks, Guy, for the nudge. Now excuse me while I go make ass at something weird and wonderful.
Awesome stuff, Guy! I was just talking with your Santa Cruz friend Barb yesterday, and brought up how you learned to surf at... um, an advanced age :-) Told her how I was so impressed upon hearing that. I did that at age 13 in Hawaii, so can't do it again. But I'm thinking I should try making an ass of myself on the banjo.
Aloha,
Graeme
Thoughtful one Guy. Thank you
Small victories Good name for a song 🎶 I’ve written 😄👍💛🫶🌟