The most valuable real estate in the world…

Intellectual Banter: Episode #16

Jul 23, 2022

Welcome to the 32 new members of our tribe who have joined us since last week. If you’re new or missed the last edition, catch up here. And thank you for giving me your time, I appreciate it.

Subscribe to receive weekly thoughts on writing online, upgrading your brain and my experiments with self-employment.

Greetings, my friends!

I’ve been in a decent writing flow the past few days. It comes and goes.

As D-day approaches for my kid’s arrival into this world, I’m batch writing content. So I can then spend some time swimming in nappies rather than talking to myself while sitting in front of my laptop.

Anyways, today’s email is about the most valuable real estate in the world. And it’s not what you think.

On my mind

I recently finished “How to Live” by Derek Sivers.

For a 140 page book, it is dense! I read it slowly, revisiting bits often. Now I keep it at the side of my desk and open a page at random for a stroke of inspiration.

It’s now my favorite book.

But enough about me, let’s talk about one of the 27 “ways to live” - Create.

“The most valuable real estate in the world is the graveyard.
There lie millions of half-written books, ideas never launched and talents never developed.
Most people die with everything inside them.”

Creating is the cure for regret.

It is to take whatever is inside you and bring it to life. Put it out in the world. It stops eating you from the inside. I’m a fan of writing (obviously), but creating has many forms. You can create art, food, music. Do whatever you feel like.

Creating is the way to discover yourself.

Everyone wants to find “meaning”, no one wants to bust their ass doing the work to get there. Create enough and you’ll notice differences in your energy. Pay attention to them and slowly move towards that which energizes you. That’s the “real” you.

Creating is the cure for your existential angst.

The more I write, the more I feel a sense of relief. By giving physical form to the chaotic mess of thoughts in my head, I empty it a little. Dissipating the restlessness inside me with every word. Silence.

Creating is self-growth disguised as expression of thought.

I’ve grown as a person since committing to writing. I do it best when I’m feeling my best. It’s removed a lot of late nights, binge drinking and stuffing pepperonis down my face. It’s rewired my brain to accept delayed gratification. Hard earned dopamine over quick hits. It’s become an anchor in my day.

And writing as a form of creation is simple.

You can get started today. There are no gatekeepers anymore. Except your own monkey mind (hello, overthinking!). You just need to accept you’ll suck at it for a bit and slowly get better. And before raising your right index finger in well justified objection, at least give it a shot.

Trust me: you don’t know yourself. Not yet.

Something I wrote

I’ve recently started writing lessons and quotes from books I read.

This chapter on “Create” packed more insights on creating in 4 pages than any course I’ve ever bought. And I’ve bought a few, lol.

You can check it out here.

Un-chuckle worthy quote

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got. - Steven Pressfield

Share that which is inside you.

Some people will judge you (screw them). But you’ll also find your tribe. People who will love you for it. And that’ll make you feel more connected with the world.