Hi Reader,

I've got a small announcement to make.

After 400 consecutive weeks of short essays, I'm hitting pause.

(I'm not pausing the newsletter, just the essay.)

Why? I'm not feeling super energized by that style of writing.

But more importantly, I'm working on writing a book!

I'm already 20k words deep, I cannot wait to share it with you all.

On a separate note, we're ramping up our next group coaching cohort for early 2025.

If you're feeling professionally stuck, we'll help you move beyond the traditional playbook for success and find fulfillment, creative inspiration, and a deep sense of aliveness.

Here’s what a healthy pivot looks like

I like streaks.

Here are a few of my favorites:

15 years of exercising 5 days a week.

1,700 days of surfing since 2018.

And then there's one that’s about to end.

400 weekly essays.

Yup, I’ve run out of things to write about.

Well, sort of.

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Here are this week's top reads:

// one

Retire without regrets

3 minutes | Harvard Business Review

This is a tale of two retirements. The first involves beach walks and art class. The second, an “identity earthquake” that leads to rehab. I’ve always enjoyed articles about retirement because they challenge your thinking about agency, adaptability, self worth and personal narratives.

→ Read the article​

// two

Some final personal finance advice from Jonathan Clements

5 minutes | Wall Street Journal

Reading financial advice is one thing; but putting it into practice while battling a terminal illness is another. In this deeply personal piece, Jonathan Clements, a WSJ finance columnist shares the pragmatic steps he's taken since his cancer diagnosis to secure his family's future. His advice about “emptying the basement” really hit hard.

→ Read the article​

// three

Seven reflections on seven years of self-employment

7 minutes | Paul Millerd

I really connected with Paul’s reflections on his self-employment journey. Our paths have been quite similar— from using writing as our anchor, to prioritizing fatherhood over the relentless corporate grind. And when he mentions “alcohol being a bigger negative than he realized”? Absolutely relatable.

→ Read the article​

This Week on The Examined Life Podcast

​

This week's episode: How do you survive working at a hedge fund?​

Below the Fold
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LAST WEEK'S MOST READ

• ​The “Number Go Up” syndrome (RadReads, 662 clicks)
• ​Is contentment an underrated goal in life? (Greater Good Magazine, 349 clicks)

​

And finally, the Detroit Pistons had to take the subway because of the NYC Marathon.

With gratitude,

Khe

PS, here's how we can help you:

​Apply for our Coaching programs: Are you an executive or founder undergoing a career change? We’ll give you frameworks and accountability for this transition.

​The Life Operating System: Your home base for personal productivity. It combines tasks, notes, project management and a CRM in one place.

​Supercharge your Productivity: Learn how our $10K Work method can help you improve your mind, career and relationships.

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