Monthly Insights: What I’m Reading, Using, and Watching in Jan 2020

As we enter a new decade, I feel like I am much more intentional in how I spend my time and much clearer about what I value and why. That hasn’t come automatically, but rather from careful reflection and a commitment to discover what I want from life rather than just letting life “happen.”

Oliver Wendell Homes said, “Life is painting a picture, not doing a sum.” While I am aware of my age, I much prefer to track my creative growth:

What new thing am I learning today?
What have I changed my mind on in the past year?
What daily habits do I have (or can create) that are compounding exponentially to deliver meaningful results and achieve the goals I have for the future?

All of these and many more are questions I’ve thought deeply about and have tried to address in productive ways. One core concept that has been most helpful is establishing daily routines that provide a frame work for positive growth. I will discuss this more in future posts, but for now some of those routines include meditation, journaling, exercise, and practiced for generating ideas.

If you’re not being intentional about your daily routine, I suggest you take time to decide what you want for your creative future, and then work backwards to make each day count towards that future.

What I’m Reading

Playing the Long Game; How to Create Long Term Success in a ‘Right Now’ World by Sam Kyle – A short but interesting book that addresses many of the things I’ve advocated for in photography and life. Mastery is a process, not a goal.
The Creative Life in Photography by Brooks Jensen – I’m sure I’ve mentioned this book before, but I re-read it every couple of years to remind myself of what really matters when I pick up the camera.

What I’m Using

Zero Fasting Tracker App – I’ve been practicing intermittent fasting for over two years now, and this app makes it super easy to track your fasts and maintain a history of your fasting. Fasting (or time restricted eating) has many potential health benefits which are still being studied, but doctors are now using fasting as an alternative to traditional medications. It’s been great for my health. Start here if you have any interest.

What I’m Listening To

Music: Mozart: Piano Concertos – If you like classical music and Mozart, this collection of his amazing piano concertos by the great Rudolf Buchbinder and the Vienna Philharmonic is magical. Amazon / Apple Music / Spotify
What Everyone Who Is Too Self-Critical Needs to Know – Some good thoughts and insights into the way our thoughts often, if not always, create our reality.