In the Background

Quote of the Day

I've never really allowed anyone else to tell me whether I'm good or not.

- Kelsey Grammer

Quick Look

The trailer for "The Rider."

Quick Look

The trailer for "Anastasia."

It Always Works for Me

[Photo by Marion Michele at Unsplash]

Cultural Offering has evidence of an effective motivation technique.

Pulitzer Prize List

The New York Times lists the winners.

Miscellaneous and Fast

• Political Calculations: Inventions and the Future of Ironing.
• Twitchy: Michael Cohen's third client.
• Fistful of Talent: Kylie Quetell on the Impostor Syndrome.
• The Onion on the Comey-Trump relationship.
• The Cramped: The Pen Addict before The Pen Addict.
• Daily Mail: Safety issues and Allegiant Air.
• James Lawther on the proxy for performance.
• Babbel: Another "learn a foreign language" site.

Thiel's Perspectives

[Photo by Ember + Ivory at Unsplash.]


Take a little time and listen to these excerpts from talks where Peter Thiel discusses success.

Quick Look

The trailer for "Bedazzled."

Investing Your Time: Examine the "Fit-Ins"

[Photo by Andrew Neel at Unsplash]


As you review your upcoming two weeks (remember that a one week review is not enough), look for the projects that you are squeezing in-between other projects; i.e., those projects that you work on only when it is convenient to do so.

Make that "intend to work on when it is convenient to do so."

The reason for this suggestion is it is not unusual to find that some of the famous "important but not urgent" projects are hidden there. You have every intention of eventually getting around to them but those good intentions become excuses for inaction. The beauty of designated time is that it is a commitment and not a wish.

Rescue those hidden but important projects by giving them some meaningful blocks of time on your calendar. That means they should get at least 30 minutes but preferably an hour or more. Find a spot (or spots) on your calendar where you are less likely to be disturbed and block out the time.

That will be a big step toward achievement in an area that may make far more difference than any of the other actions that have been hogging your schedule.