So, what’s the plan now?

Intellectual Banter: Episode #2

Yolo folks!

Welcome to the 11 new members of this banter-ish tribe. That takes the overall tally to a whooping 86 for this second edition 🤯. I’m humbled.

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What’s up?

This week has been light, writing wise.

I finished Write of Passage last Thursday, an online writing school run by David Perell. It was 5 intense weeks of thinking, executing, and dreaming about writing. The lovely time difference ensured around 3-4 hours of sleep per day - it reminded me of my job. 

But, I actually wanted to do it for a change. Makes a phenomenal difference. Who would’ve guessed it?! I’m writing an essay about it - expect that to come across in a nicely worded email soon (*smirk*).

Now my wife and I have travelled home for a family wedding. For the uninitiated, it’s a week-long party filled with delicious food, free flowing whiskey, fancy clothes and a LOT of music and dancing (my feet are dead).

A typical Punjabi wedding week 🥃 🕺🏻

This fits well with my “working in bursts” experiment. I’ve never done this before, so it feels odd AF. Like I’m “cheating” - shouldn’t I be going nuts 24x7? “What do you mean that’s not required?!”

To maintain writing momentum, I’ve still been putting in the smallest rep I can manage. For now, it’s 30 - 60 minutes of writing every morning. Preferably, early morning upon waking up. But my dear friend, Scotch, doesn’t agree. Turns out coffee works much better than a whiskey induced hangover.

Reminder to self: have 3 pegs less next time. A reminder I’ve given myself 10,367 times now.

Anyhow, that’s about it. Point is to relax while simultaneously maintaining minimum viable momentum so as not to come to a grinding halt.

Human beings are unnecessarily convoluted beings.

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Something I wrote

While I write the essay on my Write of Passage experience, I want to share a concept I learned there which has the potential to change your perception of writing (and life itself).

It’s about realizing that we all live rich and interesting lives. And how we can find inspiration in the mundanity of a regular day. 

It’s the strategy I’m implementing in all of my writing, including this newsletter.

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Chuckle worthy quote

I’ve shot myself in the foot with this quote needing to be “chuckle worthy”. Way to go, over-excited brain!

Before I run out of such things to share (being right now), here’s another one:

“Perfectionism may look good in his shiny shoes but he’s a little bit of an asshole and no one invites him to their pool parties” - An Invocation for Beginnings, Ze Frank

It’s a spectacular video if you want a funny boot up your ass (recommended).

I resonated strongly with this line because who doesn’t know the feeling of wanting “perfection”? This newsletter is an example - I’ve edited these 600 words to death.

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Till next week (were you expecting something else?!)

For a moment there, I felt like I was out of newsletter ideas. One concentrated edition capturing four months of work, then ka-put!

But we’re good.

I’m applying the principles I share above - capturing ideas through the week. Then converging on a select few. I’m new to this, so pardon my confusion - that’s how we learn after all.

When was the last time you were “confused”?

Till next time,

Adi

PS: the format, content, literally everything in this digital postcard will evolve‌ with subsequent editions. I focus on shipping over perfection, otherwise I wouldn’t get anything done! Suggestions are always welcome. Stating the obvious, but I love banter. So ‌hit that reply button or book a call if you want to chat!