The Art of Non-Conformity

The $100 Startup: How to Build a Real Business with Almost No Money

How to start a real business with $100 or less. The philosophy behind the bestselling book, the core principles, common myths, and how to take the first step.

Time Anxiety: What It Is, Why It's Hard, and What Helps

Time anxiety is the persistent worry that you're not using time right. What it is, how it differs from FOMO, why it hits harder for neurodivergent people, and what actually helps.

Definition of Insanity: Why Doing Things Differently Isn’t Enough

The famous definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. But just doing things differently isn’t the answer—here’s why.

Regret is an Unreliable Emotion

I have long believed that thinking about regret is a powerful motivator for action. When you’re feeling indecisive, trying to figure out if a particular step is a good one, consider how you’ll feel if you don’t take the step. Often this leads you to what seems like the right direction. But while mental models can be helpful,… Continue reading Regret is an Unreliable Emotion

36 Ways to Live Differently

To live better means that you’ll live differently—somehow, you’ll make some kind of change. Your life will be different tomorrow than it is today. Naturally, some changes are easier than others. By regularly exposing yourself to new ideas and practices, you can learn to think and live differently. New ideas also tend to build on… Continue reading 36 Ways to Live Differently

Change Your Future to Rewrite the Past

“People think that only the future can be changed, but in fact, the future is continually changing the past. The past can and does change. It’s exquisitely sensitive and delicately balanced.” -Keiichiro Hirano, At the End of the Matinee When we think about time, we tend to divide it into three dimensions: past, present, future.… Continue reading Change Your Future to Rewrite the Past

NeuroDiversion

NeuroDiversion is a home for neurodivergent humans, an annual gathering in Austin, and a year-round source of resources for living and working differently.

Out Now: My Book, Time Anxiety ⏳

Friends and readers, I’m thrilled to announce my new book: “Time Anxiety: The Illusion of Urgency and a Better Way to Live” is out now. I’d love if you’re able to purchase a copy—supporting authors during launch week is especially important, because it shows booksellers that people actually still like books. You can order now… Continue reading Out Now: My Book, Time Anxiety ⏳

Different Is Better: Your Personal Invitation to NeuroDiversion 25

Yes, you are invited! Get tickets to NeuroDiversion 25 (March 27-29, 2025) 🎟️ Dear friends and readers, NeuroDiversion is coming up in just one month! I’ve been working on it nearly full-time, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone who makes the trip. But since I’ve had my head in the details for a while, I… Continue reading Different Is Better: Your Personal Invitation to NeuroDiversion 25

Time Anxiety and Neurodivergence: How ADHD Shapes Our Relationship with Time

Why time anxiety hits differently for ADHD and other neurodivergent minds, and what helps. Time blindness, executive function, and the limits of standard productivity advice.

The View from Prcanj, Montenegro

I think a lot about distant places, but to be honest, I’ve never really given much thought to the small country called Montenegro. I’m not sure why– after all, it is the world’

New Posts on Mental Health and Purposeful Productivity

Greetings! Depending on how we’re connected, you may or may not have heard much from me lately. On January 1 this year, I moved most of my online writing over to a new newsletter, where I share three times a week on mental health and purposeful productivity: –> YearofMentalHealth.com Most of my original subscribers… Continue reading New Posts on Mental Health and Purposeful Productivity

Announcing: A Year of Mental Health 💚

Happy New Year! Big announcement time: For all of 2024, I’ll be writing three times a week on a new newsletter hosted by Substack. You can subscribe now in both free and paid versions. Many more details are below, for those who care. But in short: I would love for you to be part of… Continue reading Announcing: A Year of Mental Health 💚

2023 Annual Review: Back in Action, Big Changes for Next Year

*Big news: I’m making some changes! Starting January 1, a new yearlong project will take the place of the weekly newsletter. If you already subscribe by email, you’ll be automatically invited to the new platform next week. If you don’t, check the next post on the blog for details. See you on Jan. 1 for… Continue reading 2023 Annual Review: Back in Action, Big Changes for Next Year

Annual Review Coming Up! (2023 Edition)

This week I’m heading off-the-grid for the 2023 Annual Review trip. It’s a tradition I’ve held mostly without fail every year since way back in 2006. I’ve also written about it almost every year since 2008, the first year of the blog. The limited failures include a) 2020 (the world was closed) and b) a… Continue reading Annual Review Coming Up! (2023 Edition)

Choose a Life Purpose (Any Purpose Will Do)

The lesson of this post can be condensed into ten words: having a life purpose is better than not having one. When you have some sort of compass point to refer to as you go through life, you tend to feel better. Being able to point to something you’re working towards also helps. I’ll use… Continue reading Choose a Life Purpose (Any Purpose Will Do)

The Real Risk Is That You Don’t Change At All

Last week I posted a message on Facebook and LinkedIn about how working for yourself is less risky than working a regular job. I’ll excerpt a version of it here: People think being self-employed is risky, but the much bigger risk is working a traditional job. 🤔 A friend of mine got laid off this… Continue reading The Real Risk Is That You Don’t Change At All

How to Pay Attention

Paying attention seems like a simple thing, doesn’t it? But if you’re like me—even a little bit—it can actually be quite hard. These days, it’s actually much easier to NOT pay attention to anything of importance. What do you pay attention to instead? Anything that comes along! You get in the habit of reacting, sometimes… Continue reading How to Pay Attention

How Hedonic Adaptation Can Raise Your Level of Happiness

Have you ever noticed that some people are unhappy all the time? No matter what, they find a reason to be negative. They’re the people who write one-star reviews of national parks (“The Grand Canyon didn’t have air conditioning!”) and just aren’t much fun to be around. Similarly, some people seem incredibly resilient. Even when… Continue reading How Hedonic Adaptation Can Raise Your Level of Happiness

Going Back to a Strange, Familiar Place

Once in a while, you walk into a place and experience an odd sensation. What is this feeling? You might be tempted to call it déjà vu, but that’s not quite right. With déjà vu, (“already seen”) you have the sensation of revisiting somewhere you haven’t actually been, at least not in this world or… Continue reading Going Back to a Strange, Familiar Place

Gonzo Capitalism

Gonzo capitalism is the economy where people are getting paid for things that didn't exist five years ago, on platforms that didn't exist five years ago, on terms nobody's parents would recognize as a job. An entry point to the topic and the book.

Lessons Learned from Writing Gonzo Capitalism

Two months ago I published my first book in three years, the longest gap I’ve had since I began this career. I also went on tour for the first time in … well, it seemed like forever! It was a lot of work, a lot of fun, and it also came with a number of… Continue reading Lessons Learned from Writing Gonzo Capitalism

The 5-Minute To-Do List

A quick idea for you today: keep an alternate to-do list that consists entirely of things that can be done in 5 minutes or less. This list should live on your desk for small pockets of time or transition moments between bigger projects. That’s the short version! But of course, more details in the post…… Continue reading The 5-Minute To-Do List

How to Know What to Do Next

I once wrote a post titled “Being able to ask ‘what’s next?’ is a sign you are happy in your work.” My point was that when you’re doing good work, you enjoy and appreciate it—and when you finish one thing, you’re ready to move forward to the next. A few thoughts I’ve had since then:… Continue reading How to Know What to Do Next

Playing It Safe Is Dangerous

Being too cautious can lead to the exact opposite of the outcome that you’re hoping for. Sometimes, the safest choice you can make is the aggressive one. Surviving the Hahnenkamm The Hahnenkamm downhill slalom is known as the most dangerous race in the world of professional skiing. Taking place every January in the Kitzbühel Alps… Continue reading Playing It Safe Is Dangerous

Don’t Just Question Authority, Question Yourself

Many rules exist for the sole purpose of upholding the rule-makers’ power. By asking “Who makes these rules?” or, even better, “Who benefits from these rules?” you can gain a lot of insight. But be careful! Questioning authority is essentially challenging authority, because authority doesn’t like to be questioned. Doing so can create difficulties for… Continue reading Don’t Just Question Authority, Question Yourself

Helpful Things to Learn About

When I started making a list of things that might be helpful to know about, I was going to call it “Some Things You Should Know,” with the emphasis on should. But then I realized, wait, if the list consists of true essentials (“shoulds”), that might be a pretty short list—which offers a lesson even… Continue reading Helpful Things to Learn About

The Case for the $100 Business

I’m working on this concept for a longer project, but for now, here’s the basic principle: Just as you don’t need someone else’s permission to be happy , you also don’t n

A Collection of Productivity Advice That Is Actually Useful

The internet is filled with productivity advice. From YouTube videos to social media threads, you see it all the time: Follow these 37 tips to write every day. Get up early and cold plunge. Fast “intermittently” before eating a cow for breakfast. For a long time, I’ve believed that most productivity advice—while usually well-meaning—is misguided.… Continue reading A Collection of Productivity Advice That Is Actually Useful

The Great Mattress Wealth Redistribution Plan

It’s time for a new experiment! Sleep for free on a fancy mattress for three months, then get 100% of your money back. Your donated mattress will go to a shelter or non-profit, or to an individual who can resell it. Everyone wins!* And you can keep doing it forever, or at least for a… Continue reading The Great Mattress Wealth Redistribution Plan

Scholarships for Real Life: The WDS Foundation

Two years ago at WDS we gave everyone $100 and sent them off with a charge to do something fun and meaningful. Throughout the next year we heard a lot of great stories about what happened with

The Insane World of Underground Bike Messenger Racing

File under: I had no idea this was a thing. This mini-doc on the world of “underground bike messenger racing” might seem a little slow in the beginning, but if you stick with it you’ll be

Where Should I Go on Book Tour?

Later this fall I’ll be visiting at least 40 cities to meet readers and talk about my new book, The Happiness of Pursuit . I’m super excited about this tour. We’re hitting a bunch of major markets whe

On the Road: First Two Weeks of Book Tour

You did this for the first time long ago. You wrote a book and went out to talk about it. It was new and fresh and exciting. You weren’t sure how to do it—any of it, from the book writing to the talking to the logistics—but you figured it out. It was also grassroots. The… Continue reading On the Road: First Two Weeks of Book Tour

How Much Money Is Enough?: A Conversation with Gretchen Rubin

Research shows that money can buy happiness sometimes —but the amount of money isn’t one-size-fits-all. J.D. Roth talked to Gretchen Rubin about how to find the number that works for you. *** J.D.: On

Get the Newsletter

Get the Newsletter Sign up here to get the best newsletter in the world. You’ll also receive updates twice a week (no more!)—and maybe even a free cupcake. (You never know.) Whoo hoo! You are a

The Top 7 Interviews from Good Life Project

Online interviews are a dime a dozen… except when they’re done amazingly well. Jonathan Fields decided to rise to the challenge of producing thoughtful, in-depth features on interesting people.

Inspiration

Inspiration Book List | Quotes | Other World Changers | Tools (Looking for the unremarkably average article? It’s here) Check out my book list for some great reading on travel, personal developm

If You Want Average Results, Follow the Rules of Average

In a previous post I wrote — The law of average states that the operating system of life is designed to work for as many people as possible. Possessing this knowledge allows for infinite modifications. This is perhaps the great game of life—to understand when to modify the operating system and when to go with… Continue reading If You Want Average Results, Follow the Rules of Average

Before Beginning, Prepare Carefully

I’m writing these notes on a SkyWest commuter flight to Santa Rosa, California. It’s a small plane en route to a small airport. Two women seated behind me are having an extensive discussion about prosecco versus champagne. One insists she would never consume prosecco because it’s terrible and also “She’s not 19 anymore.” (She appears… Continue reading Before Beginning, Prepare Carefully

The New Rules of Money

Before we had the title GONZO CAPITALISM, we thought about calling my new book The New Rules of Money. Overall, Gonzo Capitalism is much better—the book is about more than personal finance, and no one likes to read about rules. 🙂 Still, I had the working title for a while because one of my goals… Continue reading The New Rules of Money

The Big Picture and the Small Details

In the process of making something you hope to share with people, two contradictory messages compete for our attention. One message is all about how nothing you make will ever be perfect, so you should move forward at all costs. You are getting in your own way. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of… Continue reading The Big Picture and the Small Details

Rethinking The Marshmallow Experiment

You might have heard of the famous “marshmallow experiment,” where social psychologists attempted to measure the long-term effects of practicing deferred gratification. In the classic version of this experiment, first conducted in 1972, young children were offered the choice between eating one marshmallow immediately, or two marshmallows if they could wait fifteen minutes. It’s also… Continue reading Rethinking The Marshmallow Experiment

Feeling Embarrassed Is Part of Traveling

Years ago during a visit to Singapore, I walked straight into a closed glass door while attempting to exit a coffee shop. When I say walked into, I mean I crashed into it. It was not subtle. I didn’t see it coming at all, until the moment of collision! The whole situation was incredibly awkward… Continue reading Feeling Embarrassed Is Part of Traveling

A Love Letter to Trump Supporters ❤️

I’d like to speak to any of my readers who have supported the current U.S. president in the past, or who are planning to do so again this year. Believe it or not, I’ve been trying to understand where

When In Doubt, Change Everything

I’ve written before about how important it is to change your mind. The ability to consider new information and update your beliefs is hugely underrated. I’ve tried to get better at this in recent years, especially as the world becomes more and more enveloped in conspiracy theories, and “shared truth” becomes elusive. But it’s also… Continue reading When In Doubt, Change Everything

How Not to Book a Plane Ticket

AKA a case study in indecisiveness — Back in the day, I used to write a lot of posts on how to book plane tickets. Guess what? Here is how NOT to do it. Last week I spent an average of two hours a day, every day, looking at various options and putting together itineraries… Continue reading How Not to Book a Plane Ticket

Readers: What Would You Like to Know About?

This week I’ll be traveling to Europe, though it’s been more of a challenge than usual to get there. Perhaps I’ll write a post on how not to book plane tickets, because that’s what my life has felt like as I’ve tried to plan what should be a very simple trip. But that’s okay! I’ll… Continue reading Readers: What Would You Like to Know About?

Unusual Things You’re Allowed to Do

Did you know you can start your own holiday? Not just a made-up holiday for yourself, but one that may eventually get noticed and talked about by others. This is an example of something you’re allowed to do that most people never think of. Perhaps you don’t want to make your own holiday—that’s fine—but what… Continue reading Unusual Things You’re Allowed to Do

Follow Your Boring Dreams

Everywhere you go, you encounter messages about the importance of dreaming big. As a kid, you’re told you can become anyone you wanted. As an adult, influencers and celebrities encourage you to dream of the life you want, then set out to make it happen. Specifically, you’re told to follow these dreams of yours, whatever… Continue reading Follow Your Boring Dreams

Travel Hacking Resources

A guide to earning miles and points, finding cheap fares, and traveling the world for less. Includes credit card strategies, round-the-world airfare, and budget travel tips.

Coming April 7, 2020 – THE MONEY TREE: Finding the Fortune in Your Own Backyard

Greetings, friends and readers! Big news today: I wrote a new book! It’s called THE MONEY TREE, and it comes out April 7th. 💰🌳⁠ I’m very excited to share this sneak peek of my first *ful

279 Days To Overnight Success

Friends and readers, here is my second manifesto, 279 Days to Overnight Success. It tells the story of this web site, but more importantly, it offers 11,000 words of free advice on how to create your own success with your own project. I offer this information freely, but please use it wisely. DOWNLOAD THE MANIFESTO HERE (Free… Continue reading 279 Days To Overnight Success

If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse

Consider this concept: if you’re not getting better at something, you’re getting worse at it. Maybe it’s not universally true for everything, but it’s an interesting general principle. It has many applications, from all types of skills and knowledge to just how you show up as a human in the world. Ever since I first… Continue reading If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse

Favorite Airport Tricks

I understand why some people don’t like airports. Really, I do. But speaking for myself, I love them. I spend extra time in airports, not because I’m worried about missing my flight (that happens once in a while) but because planes and airport terminals are my happy place. I often think of a story about… Continue reading Favorite Airport Tricks

Surprising New Research Reveals Gap Between Inaction, Lack of Results

Studies show that many office workers would benefit from standing up at their desk, walking outside, and never returning. A powerful life hack is to stop caring about what other people think of you. This one neat trick will allow you to feel incredibly free, able to become whoever you want. Wanting something to happen… Continue reading Surprising New Research Reveals Gap Between Inaction, Lack of Results

When to Be Unremarkably Average

In my early days of blogging, I wrote a post that had a good amount of impact. It was called How to Be Unremarkably Average, and it featured a list of suggestions. For example: Go to college because someone said you should get a degree, not because you want to learn anything. Go overseas once… Continue reading When to Be Unremarkably Average

Beyond Perfect

I recently watched a documentary on the making of Aja, the seminal work by Steely Dan. In case you’re not familiar, Steely Dan is the band name for two songwriters and musicians, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. Even if you hate Steely Dan, this documentary is fascinating for anyone interested in music or creative work… Continue reading Beyond Perfect

Side Hustle School

Side Hustle School is a daily podcast about real people earning real money on the side of their day jobs. 3,400+ episodes, every one a different story, from saddles for pet chickens to a side hustle that hires 13 people.

The Life You Want and the Life You’re Supposed to Lead

As I wrote last week (How to Practice Disappointing People), there’s a built-in conflict between pleasing other people and pleasing yourself. The conflict might not come up all the time, but it occurs often enough to be a real challenge. Furthermore, it’s not something you have to figure out just once! Over and over throughout… Continue reading The Life You Want and the Life You’re Supposed to Lead

How to Practice Disappointing People

It starts with this: Generally, people like you to fit the mental model they have for you. Mental models make life easier for everyone. They make it easier to avoid thinking too much about every little thing that comes along. They allow us to simplify decision-making. But we also use mental models to guide our… Continue reading How to Practice Disappointing People

The Mouse in the Cage

A laboratory mouse who lives in a cage can be expected to behave in fairly predictable ways. In short, the mouse wants food. If you teach the mouse to work in exchange for its food, so it will work. It will pull levers, solve puzzles, run on wheels—whatever task it’s taught, it will happily perform.… Continue reading The Mouse in the Cage

How Honest People Learn to Lie

Want to play a game? It’s an easy one. All you need to do is look at these three lines and identify the longest: A ———————— B —————————————————— C ————— The longest one is C, right? Wait … you don’t see it? Look again. I’m sure it’s C. So are most of the people who… Continue reading How Honest People Learn to Lie

9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life Right Now

When I’m feeling sad, I like to do a few things. The first thing I do is nothing—meaning that I don’t believe you should always try to “fix” the state of feeling sad. It just happens sometimes! It happens to everyone, or at least to most people, even if you aren’t prone to depression or… Continue reading 9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life Right Now

How to Ask Magical Questions

If you check into a Marriott hotel as a Platinum or higher member, you’re supposed to be given a nice room. There are various restrictions to this benefit, and of course it all depends on which rooms are actually available—but most of the time, if a suite is for sale, the hotel is supposed to… Continue reading How to Ask Magical Questions

The Ultimate Travel Superpower

I used to write a lot about travel hacking, the creative use of frequent flyer miles and points to see the world. For a while I even had a business that recommended the best cards and opportunities. I still keep up with the industry and earn lots of points, but it’s less of an obsession… Continue reading The Ultimate Travel Superpower

Introducing Gonzo Capitalism

Friends and readers, I’m happy to announce my first book in three years, GONZO CAPITALISM: How to Make Money in an Economy That Hates You. It comes out on August 22nd, and you can pre-order now: Amazon (US) Barnes & Noble Bookshop iBooks These links are (mostly) for readers in the U.S. If you live… Continue reading Introducing Gonzo Capitalism

Congratulations On Your New Life

Long ago, perhaps on my first book tour or at some other early event, I took a risk in a public conversation. It was during an audience Q&A, and someone began their question by mentioning that they’d recently lost their job. In these situations, of course, most of the time the other person will offer… Continue reading Congratulations On Your New Life

What If You Just Started Walking?

What if you wanted to walk across the United States, or perhaps some other large country—how would you do it? For such a massive project, you might want to do some research in advance. It could be helpful to get advice from other people who’ve done such a thing. There are, after all, lots of… Continue reading What If You Just Started Walking?

To Live Your Best Life, Love Yourself More

Happy Valentine’s Day to you. Have you ever stopped to think about what it really means to love yourself? For some of us, the idea of self-love can seem like a foreign concept, something that we don’t fully understand or that we struggle to put into practice. Yet it is critical to survival! The reality… Continue reading To Live Your Best Life, Love Yourself More

An Instruction Manual for Yourself

An instruction manual is a written guide that provides step-by-step instructions on how to use, operate, or achieve something. You might not always need it, but it’s nice to have around just in case. Think about some of the things you own that come with instructions: electronics, kitchenware, board games, and so on. Even your… Continue reading An Instruction Manual for Yourself

Why Is It Hard to Be Different?

On a surface level, being different is valued and prized. Many popular TV series, from Wednesday to Stranger Things, demonstrate the benefits and “cool factor” of being different. Yet these shows (and books, songs, games, and so on) point to a curious distinction: we like the idea of difference, but we don’t usually want to… Continue reading Why Is It Hard to Be Different?

Unlock the Power of Out-and-Back Living

There are two ways to plan an outdoor run: in a loop, or out-and-back. You could also call these methods by their practical names: quit early or keep going and see it through. Nine times out of ten, when I run more than a few miles, I try to do out-and-back. Why? Because I know… Continue reading Unlock the Power of Out-and-Back Living

The Unexpected Benefits of Travel

When I think of “how travel changed me,” most of what comes to mind is fairly typical. I learned more about the world, I gained a wider worldview, I felt more creative, and so on. I don’t mean to dismiss those things at all. They are real benefits! They matter. Still, if I think about… Continue reading The Unexpected Benefits of Travel

The Importance of Controlling Your Time

We often hear statements like “time is money,” or “time is your most precious resource.” How, though, does this translate into action? I’d suggest the following: many of us will say that time is important, yet so often we live otherwise. Of all the gaps between belief and behavior, this has to be one of… Continue reading The Importance of Controlling Your Time

This Year, Give Up on Your Dreams

New year, new you: time to set some intentions and fail to achieve them, then feel guilty about it. You know the drill, right? If that doesn’t appeal to you, here’s an alternative: make this your year of giving up on dreams. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. In fact, giving up… Continue reading This Year, Give Up on Your Dreams

Special Powers 💥

I recently filled out a medical form where I was required to answer this question: “Do you have any special powers that most people don’t possess?” This question came from the form’s mental health subcategory, and I suppose what they were really asking was, “You’re not totally delusional, are you?” Against my strong inclination, I… Continue reading Special Powers 💥

Special Powers 💥

The Future of the World Domination Summit

Way back in 2011, 400 adventurers gathered in Portland, Oregon to consider an important question, “How do we live a remarkable life in a conventional world?”. Embracing the core values of

Next Stop, Annual Review

This week I’m heading off-the-grid for the 2022 Annual Review trip. It’s a tradition I’ve held mostly without fail every year since 2006. The limited failures include a) 2020 (you know what happened then) and b) the year I was too depressed to look forward. Otherwise, though, it’s been one of the few things that… Continue reading Next Stop, Annual Review

The Energy Story You Tell Yourself

Traveling in Atlanta last week, I hurt my back when I went to lift something. I could tell that it wasn’t serious and would get better in a couple of days. Still, it was annoying! For the rest of that day and most of the next, it hurt to move. Walking was more of a… Continue reading The Energy Story You Tell Yourself

Language Matters: Lessons in Editing from Mr. Rogers

I went to see the Mr. Rogers movie last week (“ Won’t You Be My Neighbor ”) and found it as heartwarming and uplifting as I expected. If you’re able to see it in a theatre, don’t hesitate. At the scre

Travel Anxiety Is Life Anxiety: A Story in Four Parts

1. A Walk in Terminal 5 What was the weather like? It didn’t matter. What was I going for? Irrelevant. I just needed to go somewhere, so I booked a flight to South Africa—transiting first through Seattle, Vancouver, and Heathrow (whew!). I was tired after the first series of flights, but still grateful to travel.… Continue reading Travel Anxiety Is Life Anxiety: A Story in Four Parts

Waiting for Results

It’s a strange feeling to be in the waiting room. You’re awaiting news of some kind: an outcome, a set of results, some form of news. Once you’ve made it to this stage, your only job is to wait. There’s nothing you can do! Which is, of course, frustrating. You’d love to have a time… Continue reading Waiting for Results

Notes on Wilderness Survival from the Show ALONE

I recently watched the eighth season of Alone, a reality TV show where contestants are sent into the woods to live on their own for months at a time. While undoubtedly less interesting than FBoy Island, I really enjoyed it. A couple of disclaimers: first, I only watched one season. Second, I know nothing—as in, nothing—about… Continue reading Notes on Wilderness Survival from the Show ALONE

Effortful Before Effortless (and 8 Other Rules for Tranquility)

Laura Vanderkam is probably tired of being introduced by her friends and colleagues as “one of the most productive people I know,” but I think it comes with the territory. Every year, in addition to raising a large number of young children, writing books, running, and singing in a choir, she finds time to do… Continue reading Effortful Before Effortless (and 8 Other Rules for Tranquility)

Getting Off Adderall

I took a version of the prescription drug Adderall almost every day for more than five years. I recently decided to stop taking it, at least for a while, and I figured I’d share my experience. TLDR: I’m glad I took it, and I’m glad I stopped! Judging by which estimate you go with, something… Continue reading Getting Off Adderall

What Does Capitalism Mean to You?

👉🏼 Link: Modern Capitalism Survey How do you feel about capitalism? Positively? Negatively? Something else? Let me know your thoughts for a new book I’m working on. For a long time, most Americans viewed capitalism in positive terms, but something’s changed recently. The short version of the change can be described as: the younger you… Continue reading What Does Capitalism Mean to You?

New Travel Hacking Offers: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Points & More

Greetings from paradise, also known as Australia . I started writing this post from one of my favorite places in the world: the balcony of my room at Park Hyatt Sydney ( check out this photo of the su

Don’t Cheat Yourself: A Lesson in Exercise and Life

In search of a small change from my running routine, I went to spin class over the weekend. If you’ve never been, give it a try. It’s tough! But also very good. As we were getting started, the instructor said something that was maybe the best exercise advice I’ve ever heard. Or if that’s hyperbolic,… Continue reading Don’t Cheat Yourself: A Lesson in Exercise and Life

What It Feels Like to Stop Traveling

The other day Joel Runyon asked me if I still have my duplicate passport. Not only did I let that lapse, I told him, but these days I often go two months or more without leaving the country. 😳 Even though I don’t need a second passport anymore (it’s mostly useful when you need to… Continue reading What It Feels Like to Stop Traveling

Join a Supportive Community and Create a New Source of Income

Join the Side Hustle Society and Create a New Source of Income Link: Side Hustle Society Short version: my new training program (the first I’ve made in 3

The Man Who Worked 24 Hours a Day for a Year

Tehching Hsieh is the most remarkable performance artist you’ve never heard of. Unlike more famous peers such as Marina Abramović, whose The Artist Is Present exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art attracted large crowds and celebrities, Hsieh has been relatively unknown outside of the art world. Perhaps this fact isn’t surprising given the fact… Continue reading The Man Who Worked 24 Hours a Day for a Year

3 Good Reasons to Change Your Mind

You’ve heard the inspirational sayings about getting started: The perfect time and opportunity never comes. Start now. A year from now you may wish you had started today. Your dreams can come true, if only you have the courage to start. The key to success is to start before you are ready. As generic advice… Continue reading 3 Good Reasons to Change Your Mind

Shipwrecked in the Arctic: A Lesson in Exposure Therapy

The Auckland Islands are not advertised as an ideal honeymoon location. Consisting of an uninhabited archipelago with arctic tundra and barren conditions, they aren’t good for much at all—and they aren’t usually home to anyone other than seals. In 1864, a parallel survival story took place when two shipwrecks occurred on different ends of the… Continue reading Shipwrecked in the Arctic: A Lesson in Exposure Therapy

The Counterfeit Self

When I was sixteen, I went to work as a telemarketer for a company that sold photo sessions. The job lasted two days. I did no selling whatsoever during those two very long days. Not only was I terrible at the sales process, I was reluctant to talk on the phone for any reason. I… Continue reading The Counterfeit Self

Here Lies the Man Who Played It Safe

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today. We’re here to mourn our friend, the Man Who Played It Safe His Whole Life. Many of you knew him by his nickname, Easy Does It. Easy had a peaceful, uneventful life. Nothing terribly interesting happened. He was never thrilled, terrified, exuberant, or overjoyed. He avoided situations… Continue reading Here Lies the Man Who Played It Safe

“I Wish I’d Made That Change Later” -said no one

Here’s something to think about. It doesn’t require you to spend money or join anything. It’s just a thought exercise. It starts with the observation that life consists of a series of choices. You can do this or do that, you can choose this project or that job or that person. You move forward in… Continue reading “I Wish I’d Made That Change Later” -said no one

The Specialist, the Generalist, and the Non-Conformist

This is the story of three people: Nick, Sara, and Taylor. Each faced the common challenge of deciding what to focus on for their life and work. The challenge was complex and involved lots of variables. What was best for one person might be the wrong choice for someone else, etc. etc. Ultimately, however, all… Continue reading The Specialist, the Generalist, and the Non-Conformist

The Art of Non-Conformity

The $100 Startup: How to Build a Real Business with Almost No Money

Time Anxiety: What It Is, Why It's Hard, and What Helps

Definition of Insanity: Why Doing Things Differently Isn’t Enough

Regret is an Unreliable Emotion

36 Ways to Live Differently

Change Your Future to Rewrite the Past

NeuroDiversion

Out Now: My Book, Time Anxiety ⏳

Different Is Better: Your Personal Invitation to NeuroDiversion 25

Time Anxiety and Neurodivergence: How ADHD Shapes Our Relationship with Time

The View from Prcanj, Montenegro

New Posts on Mental Health and Purposeful Productivity

Announcing: A Year of Mental Health 💚

2023 Annual Review: Back in Action, Big Changes for Next Year

Annual Review Coming Up! (2023 Edition)

Choose a Life Purpose (Any Purpose Will Do)

The Real Risk Is That You Don’t Change At All

How to Pay Attention

How Hedonic Adaptation Can Raise Your Level of Happiness

Going Back to a Strange, Familiar Place

Gonzo Capitalism

Lessons Learned from Writing Gonzo Capitalism

The 5-Minute To-Do List

How to Know What to Do Next

Playing It Safe Is Dangerous

Don’t Just Question Authority, Question Yourself

Helpful Things to Learn About

The Case for the $100 Business

A Collection of Productivity Advice That Is Actually Useful

The Great Mattress Wealth Redistribution Plan

Scholarships for Real Life: The WDS Foundation

The Insane World of Underground Bike Messenger Racing

Where Should I Go on Book Tour?

On the Road: First Two Weeks of Book Tour

How Much Money Is Enough?: A Conversation with Gretchen Rubin

Get the Newsletter

The Top 7 Interviews from Good Life Project

Inspiration

If You Want Average Results, Follow the Rules of Average

Before Beginning, Prepare Carefully

The New Rules of Money

The Big Picture and the Small Details

Rethinking The Marshmallow Experiment

Feeling Embarrassed Is Part of Traveling

A Love Letter to Trump Supporters ❤️

When In Doubt, Change Everything

How Not to Book a Plane Ticket

Readers: What Would You Like to Know About?

Unusual Things You’re Allowed to Do

Follow Your Boring Dreams

Travel Hacking Resources

Coming April 7, 2020 – THE MONEY TREE: Finding the Fortune in Your Own Backyard

279 Days To Overnight Success

If You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Worse

Favorite Airport Tricks

Surprising New Research Reveals Gap Between Inaction, Lack of Results

When to Be Unremarkably Average

Beyond Perfect

Side Hustle School

The Life You Want and the Life You’re Supposed to Lead

How to Practice Disappointing People

The Mouse in the Cage

How Honest People Learn to Lie

9 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life Right Now

How to Ask Magical Questions

The Ultimate Travel Superpower

Introducing Gonzo Capitalism

Congratulations On Your New Life

What If You Just Started Walking?

To Live Your Best Life, Love Yourself More

An Instruction Manual for Yourself

Why Is It Hard to Be Different?

Unlock the Power of Out-and-Back Living

The Unexpected Benefits of Travel

The Importance of Controlling Your Time

This Year, Give Up on Your Dreams

Top AONC Posts of 2022

Special Powers 💥

Special Powers 💥