Hi Reader,

Happy Labor Day weekend! If you're at the US Open, I hope you're enjoying those Honey Deuces (which btw generate $10mm in sales).

A friend with a great finance job recently told me:

He'd gotten to the point in his career where he had a reasonable boss, a team that delivered and could sleep 7 hours a night.

But it wasn't that kind of tired.

I know there are a lot of tired souls reading this.

Maybe it's the lack of purpose.

Or the nagging envy that your peers are "crushing it."

Or the existential angst of is this it?

My friend, you're not alone. We have a 5-person Group Coaching program (our last of 2024) to help you make a bold career pivot.

We've got a free information session on 9/5 at 4pm ET.

Do you have an Octopus Day?

"I want to learn the guitar," he said.

"But when I actually get to pick it up at the end of the day, I'm totally wiped."

"So the guitar just sits there," he lamented.

I hear this all the time. Ambitious professionals are holding their days together by a thread.

Squeezing in a workout is a win.

Skipping out early to pick up your kid is shameful.

And a hobby? Well, that's goddamn indulgent.

Our "always on" work culture is quite prescriptive and performative.

There's the Monday morning meeting, 1:1s, stand-ups and the mandatory corporate trainings.

As a package, this enforces a very rigid and linear day (on the left):

But what happens when you start living an Octopus Day?

From our sponsor:

Here are this week's top reads:

// one

The well-off people who can’t spend money

3 minutes | The Atlantic

“What if there’s not enough? What if, what if, what if…” There’s a group of folks with savings, earnings and high credit scores who are terrified of spending — tightwads. What’s behind this immutable scarcity mindset?

→ Read the article​

// two

What people get wrong about wellness

2 minutes | Ozan Varol

Instagram gurus present "wellness" as a pill to make all your angst disappear. But true wellness isn't about avoiding challenges – it's about owning your response to them. In the face of criticism, rejection and stress, can you claw your way back to calm?

→ Read the post​

// three

A cool guide on emailing like a boss

1 minute | CoolGuides

Email communication is hard. Without verbal cues, it’s particularly easy to come across as harsh or sound insecure. This guide offers a playful take on reframing tricky (and prickly) email phrases like “No worries” and “Hopefully that makes sense.”

→ Read the post​

This Week on The Examined Life Podcast

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This week's episode: Should you work 100 hours a week?​

Below the Fold
​

LAST WEEK'S MOST READ

• ​This flow chart explains how I cope (RadReads, 370 clicks)
• ​What is Coast FIRE? (Of Dollars and Data, 342 clicks)

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And finally, why you shouldn’t bring a selfie-stick to a water park.​

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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