🍞 Why Work From Home F*cking Sucks!
Improve your work experience, get better outcomes, & predict the future
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This is the Big Baguette version of Bread Crumbs where we give you the tools to navigate life’s curve balls. We’re like Home Depot for your life.
Today’s estimated read time: 3 minutes & 54 seconds.
This edition is written by the oldest Clancy sib, Paul.
One Tiny Habit
Under 5 minutes a day can change your life.
I have a love-hate relationship with working from home “WFH”. No commute, more flexibility, and fewer distractions are awesome. But lack of community, lower motivation, and no office suck.
The physical cues of a job (showering, dressing up, etc) structure my daily life into a nice, neat pattern. And in this pattern, my brain feels safety & comfortable. But, closing my laptop at the end of a WFH day doesn’t have the same effect. I didn’t say goodbye or leave the office. I just walked into another room in my apartment. It’s not the same, physically or mentally. I’m stuck in a purgatory between my work self and my home self.
Buuut, I don’t want to go back into the office 5 days a week. So what can I do? I found the answer in a pair of sneakers. I have a pair of white Stan Smith’s that I only wear when I am working. I polish them, lace them up, and start my WFH day. At the end of the work day, I polish them, untie them, and say “That’s a good day’s work” to myself.
Does this ritual sound a bit childish? Hell yea! Does it improve my WFH experience? Damn, right it does! I feel more present for my coworkers during work and for my loved ones outside of work.
You can also recreate this ritual with any piece of clothing - as long as you only wear it when you are “on the clock”. Try it out for a week and see the effects! Let us know what piece of clothing you choose and if it helps your performance.
- Paul
One Insightful Question
Stop unconsciously floating through life & start thinking about things that really matter.
My girlfriend Kate has many skills. One of those is puzzling. Unlike Kate, I f*cking suck at puzzles. Helen Keller could kick my ass at puzzling.
Recently, I started to wonder “Why do I suck?” As I peeled back the layers, I came across a profound insight. Kate loves the process of puzzling. She’s stayed up well passed 2:00am (dead sober) puzzling because she got lost in the process. Meanwhile, I barely last 20 minutes because I don’t like any of the experience.
Now, if you flipped the script and made the task jiu-jitsu, the opposite would be true. I love every aspect of jiu-jitsu. The training, studying, and sparring all bring me fulfillment.
Taking a step back, I think this phenomenon applies to ANY discipline. Those who enjoy the process are more likely to practice consistently and with greater intensity and focus. And their improvement & fulfillment will follow suit.
So, the question we need to ask ourselves before picking a new job, sport, hobby, or side hustle is “Do I enjoy the process or just the outcome?”
If we notice that our enjoyment is tied to the outcome, we need to pause. This dynamic is bound to implode over the long term. By picking to play games & work jobs where we enjoy the process, we automatically become more resilient. And, we are better suited to achieve success & feel happy while doing it.
- Paul
One Guiding Principle
Principles can guide you to a great life.
A few weeks ago, Jay-Z chronicled the role he has played in the rap game and black culture. In a 3-minute and 46-second rap masterclass, Jay walks through his life’s journey. Slinging cocaine → Selling records → Owning businesses → Becoming a billionaire → Helping create other billionaires. But, it is impossible to truly appreciate the beauty of his verses without knowing his history.
Having studied Jay’s legacy prior to hearing the song, I had a much deeper appreciation for it. Without Jay’s support, the Kanye West we know today wouldn’t exist. Without Kanye, there may be no Chance or Vic Mensa. Without Chance or Vic, the next great Chicago rap talent might fizzle out.
You cannot separate the rap scene of today from the one that existed 20-30 years ago. The sound has evolved, but the groundwork was laid long ago. With this knowledge, I have a better appreciation for today’s rap scene and its future state. The importance of history goes far beyond just rap. Today’s educational system, political landscape, and economic outlook all have a colorful history. These systems have huge impact on your day-to-day life. To understand them & better position yourself today, you must study their history.
In other words, to understand the present and predict the future, you must first study the past.
And there has never been a better time in human history to study the past. I prefer books but you can use Youtube, Podcasts, and Documentaries. To study the history of internet companies, check out this tool we wrote about a few weeks ago. To understand yourself better, you can look back at your childhood. Understanding your past is key to changing your future.
- Paul
5 Great Resources
A curated list of content to help you explore your curiosity.
Want some help with your emotional and psychological life? Meet the School of Life!
Check out author Ryan Holiday’s case for the right level of discipline.
Halloween is around the corner. Get in the spirit with this flick.
Read Jack Raines’ argument for why wealth is not just a money thing.
A breakdown of why Jay-Z’s recent rap verse is a work of genius
- Paul
Meme of the Week
See y’all next Sunday. And remember we aren’t your mother’s bagel bites…we’re better ;)
Paul & Luke