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The Observe and Rapport Newsletter
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A weekly guide of my favorite books, articles, products, and lifestyle habits.
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August 30th, 2024 | by Kyle Brennan
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Thought of the Week
I repeatedly fall victim to the "productivity rain dance."
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Instead of simply doing the thing that needs to be done, I scramble to perfect the optimal routine. Before I write, I must meditate, do a cold plunge, and write 5 affirmations.
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"Ahh, now I'm ready to write."
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Rituals are great, but over-reliance on them creates a fragile system. We waste hours crafting the perfect environment vs. simply using that time to get shit done.
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Differentiate between preparation and unnecessary routines. Preparation is part of the work itself. Not a separate task.
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Sure meditating and working out may put me in the right headspace to think more clearly, but if I'm just using those tasks as inputs or distractions to procrastinate the work, then I'm just adding unnecessary actions to my to-do list.
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On the other hand, if I'm preparing to write an article, I might assemble my notes, read articles about the subject, and research the audience to which it would be most appealing. That preparation is a necessary component for creating the desired outcome - a good, well-researched article.
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At the end of the day, what matters most is what I actually got done, not all the things I did that optimized my headspace.
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Concentrate on the inputs that lead to the desired outcomes, rather than getting caught up in the rituals that may not directly contribute to productivity.
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Focus on preparation over superfluous routine.
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What I'm Reading
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Amor Towles is best known for his 2016 novel A Gentleman in Moscow, which was turned into a show on Paramount+ starring Ewan McGregor. I've wanted to read Amor Towles's writing for a while, and luckily, I found this book at a little free library at the beach near my house.
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Table for Two is comprised of six short stories and a novella transporting historical fiction written with stylistic wit, humor, and sophistication.
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As much as I love Amor Towles, Table for Two reminds me of the problem I have with short stories. They’re too damn short! I get so invested in a character and the dramatic plot and then, like that, the story is over. There isn't the same closure and context you get in a good novel.
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I appreciate the author's ability to transport his readers to Moscow, Manhattan, and Hollywood through witty dialogue and humorous encounters. His storytelling ability for these short stories is impeccable. Everything about these stories exudes style and craft. Towles is a wordmaster in every way. I don’t know of another modern writer (at the moment) who can aptly describe the essences of human eccentricities and shortcomings with such verve.
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Rating: 3.9 / 5 ️⭐️⭐️⭐️️️
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Podcast I'm Listening To
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If you're not familiar with entrepreneur Alex Hormozi, your first impression may be that he's just another grind-set hustle-hard influencer. Honestly, you may be right. But in my opinion, no one cuts out the bullshit and fluff of hard work and producing than Hormozi. He's been a guest on Chris Williamson's Modern Wisdom podcast multiple times and after listening, I always come away with at least 3-4 mindset shifts.
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Some of my favorite notes I took on my phone while listening:
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"In a world where it's never been easier to do nothing, doing something becomes extraordinary."
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"Bad things happen independently; they only become interrelated if you allow them to affect your behavior."
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Affiliate Links!
I've had the fortunate opportunity to partner with some great brands that I love. Use the links below to find great hats, sweatshirts, and sunglasses
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Article I'm Reading
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Keith and I spoke about this on our latest podcast episode (see link below!). While sober living is the popular new trend with our generation's renewed focus on health and well-being, there is inherent value in letting loose.
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Gen Z in particular is more anxious, depressed, mistrustful, and risk-averse than their predecessors. In this article, Kat Rosenfield highlights the loosening effects alcohol can grant us; to see clearly past our surface differences and disagreements to the common humanity beneath.
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After all, how many great nights, embarrassing dances, ridiculous conversations, and failed flirtations started with a Diet Coke?
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"At its best, drinking isn't really about drunkenness. It's about togetherness."
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Quote I'm Pondering
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"A man who has not passed through the inferno of his passions has never overcome them. They then dwell in the house next door, and at any moment a flame may dart out and set fire to his own house. Whenever we give up, leave behind, and forget too much, there is always the danger that the things we have neglected will return with added force."
-- Carl Jung.
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Keith and Kyle sit down to discuss the negative effects of the sobriety crisis on the culture, the insanity of “Waifuism”, the unbelievable corruption in the pharmaceutical industry revealed by Calley and Casey Means, Robert Kennedy Jr.’s recent endorsement of Donald Trump, and why it’s important to understand the difference between incentive and intention when forming opinions about large corporations.
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Check Out My Amazon Favorites Bookstore
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Browse my favorite book selections hand-curated by me. I also earn commissions so if you buy anything, those earnings get reinvested right back into this fancy newsletter ;)
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33 Life Lessons on My 33rd Birthday
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Thirty-three was a big one. Mostly because I became a dad. Our daughter was born on New Year’s Eve — a fitting arrival for a kid destined to reset everything. It’s been a beautiful, if slightly sleep-deprived blur ever since. I’ve only been “Dad” for less than ten months, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been preparing for the role for over …
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Depth Over Downloads: Why Spending Time with Books Still Matters
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Everyone wants faster information. But no one asks if faster information leads to better understanding — or a better life. In the age of AI and tweet-sized wisdom, we’ve confused information with transformation. But there’s a massive difference between knowing what a book says and being changed by it. The Delusion of Instant Learning In a recent interview, political journalist Ezra Klein admitted he once believed …
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The Jack Reacher Approach to Never Being Caught Off Guard
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There’s no difference between a pessimist who says, ‘Oh, it’s hopeless, so don’t bother doing anything,’ and an optimist who says, ‘Don’t bother doing anything, it’s going to turn out fine anyway.’ Either way, nothing happens.” —Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia I don’t read much fiction, but I’ve always been hooked on Lee Child’s Jack Reacher. He’s not your typical …
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