by Kyle Brennan
"I don't like olives." Correction: you don't like olives... TODAY. We're often quick to align ourselves with particular labels or -isms. I'm guilty of it myself. I used to say things like, "I don't like arena concerts" or "I hate going to the dentist." When someone cut me off on the highway without using their …
Continue reading "Why You Should Ditch Your Labels and Eat the Damned Pickle"
Last year, I learned three of my closest friends went through terrible depressive episodes. I had no idea. I felt horrible. As one of their closest friends, I assumed they would call me if they ever needed anything. They knew I would drop everything to help them, right? I quickly realized I was being selfish. …
Billionaire investor Charlie Munger once received a question from a college student in the audience of a seminar he was giving. The student bravely walked up to the microphone and asked a question we'd probably all like to ask one of the richest people in the world. He said, "Mr. Munger, what is the key …
Over the last 5 years, I’ve read 225 books. And it took me reading those 225 books to realize: 90% of books shouldn’t be books at all — they should be blog posts. On top of that, the total number of books read is a vanity metric. I used to chase that elusive “52 books …
Continue reading "8 Books That Shaped My Worldview (And Why I’m Rereading Them Now)"
Last night, I watched the 1946 classic, It's a Wonderful Life. It's 75 years old. And while there are certainly some oddities from a bygone era, the message of the movie hit me hard. I can now add it to the short list of movies that have made me cry - including Rudy, Marley & …
Continue reading "‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Isn’t Just a Movie — It’s a Prophecy"
I'm not quick on my feet like some people are. I marvel at how others can be so adept at conversation or think through complex subjects in real-time while speaking eloquently with no stumbles. I can be slow to catch on to certain things. I need time to process. It's probably why I enjoy reading …
Continue reading "Five Mental Reframes That Changed the Way I Look at the World"
It's ok to give up on a book. Your time is your most valuable resource; don't waste it reading books you don't enjoy. There's no sense of pride in finishing a 400-page book that you never enjoyed, or better yet, didn't even understand. Just because the book you're reading is considered a "classic" or a …
A new year presents us with new opportunities. A fresh start. A new chapter. We can start from scratch and re-write the wrongs of last year. Leave those demons back in 2022 and let them drown. This year is your year. This year things will go the way you've been dreaming of. Right? It's common …
Continue reading "Why I Do Year End Reviews (And 6 Questions for Your Review)"
Austrian psychiatrist Viktor Frankl wrote, "When a man can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure." When I'm not doing the activities that fulfill me - writing, hanging out with friends, being active and social - I have a tendency to fall into bad habits. I go into avoidance mode; I …
Lauren and I were sitting at our kitchen table last night, splitting a bottle of red wine when she asked me quite bluntly, "What is your purpose in life?" We tend to get into these deep philosophical discussions from time to time (with the aid of some wine). Every now and then, it's fun to …