Hi Reader,

I've been absolutely loving these olympics. Chef Curry against Serbia.

Gabby Thomas (even though she went to Harvard). "Raygun" the break dancer.

Oh and the infamous "pole" vaulter.

BTW, are you an ambitious dad who wonders if you're doing this whole "fatherhood" thing right?

If you're struggling to be present, patient and intentional as a father we have a free workshop for you on August 21st.

Burn all the ships (and go for gold)

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There are some time-tested career trajectories that you don't want to mess with.

Getting a Computer Science degree from Harvard and then a job at a top-tier Venture Capital firm is one of them.

(Not to mention, Division 1 rowing.)

But sometimes you feel a pull. Something awakens in your soul. You need to do something different.

So you burn the ships.

And go for an Olympic Gold.

In a totally different sport.

Kristen Faulkner started cycling as a hobbyist in Central Park at 25 years old.

Three years later she bailed on her VC career.

And at 31 years old, she won Olympic gold.

But this wasn't a high-risk YOLO. It was a well-executed and bold pivot.

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Here are this week's top reads:

// one

Retirement: freedom or free-fall?

8 minutes | Tom Pendergast

Is retiring early overrated? Tom Pendergrast was an executive who had many chances to step off the treadmill. At first, it was awesome. But then boredom, money worries, the loss of status, and existential angst kicked in. His remedy? Working with his hands.

→ Read the post​

// two

I hate networking too, but...

3 minutes | Robin Waldun

Everyone knows that networking is a necessary professional skill, but what how do you approach it if the concept makes you cringe? Asking for a small favor can return the biggest impact – and you might even end up with a genuine relationship that far outweighs the professional ask.

→ Read the post​

// three

Will A.I. kill meaningless jobs?

4 minutes | The New York Times

AI is here. But will it remove all the BS “check-the-box” work that consumes our workdays? And if that’s indeed the case, what will we do with all our newly acquired free time?

→ Read the article​

This Week on The Examined Life Podcast

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This week's episode: How to ditch “productivity guilt”​

Below the Fold
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LAST WEEK'S MOST READ

• ​The “messy middle” of quitting (RadReads, 793 clicks)
• ​Why lifestyle creep is mostly a myth (Of Dollars and Data, 319 clicks)

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And finally, 36 year old Australian professor and breakdancer "Raygun" wins the Olympic memes.​

With gratitude,

Khe

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