What I’m Reading: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

Sinek’s most recent book brings an application to James P. Carse’s ideas on life as a series of games, both finite and infinite. We are accustomed to the former; they have clear sets of rules, consistent strategies, and clear winners and losers. The infinite game, on the other hand, is not played to win, but to keep playing, with no clear winners and inconsistent, if any, rules at all. Using these ideas, Sinek argues that the prevailing structure and strategies of today’s businesses are playing the wrong game, favoring finite and arbitrary metrics over the values and developmental incentive of a game that is endless.

What I’m Becoming Obsessed With: Documentaries

One of the biggest challenges I face is attempting to limit media consumption as a distraction. While I don’t think I’ll ever be able to break up with Netflix entirely, I’m always looking for things that can make that time more valuable without sacrificing entertainment or creativity. So when I stumbled onto The Imagineering Story and Free Solo on Disney+, I quickly became hungry for more.

What I’m Challenging Myself With: More Writing

As the new year approaches, I’m starting to think about what I am beginning to think of new challenges or “resolutions” for myself. Of all of the projects and practices I have developed this last year, writing has been the most rewarding and creatively challenging. Motivation, however, has been missing, and not for lack of inspiration. It seems then that I need some accountability. Therefore, I am going to challenge myself to put out at least one new post or article a week in addition to the weekly roundups. A small and straightforward start. Who knows what more might come after this small step?

What I Want to Try: The Notecard Method

A significant flaw of mine has always been my inability to capture and process ideas or inspiration. In my recent exploration of the works of the author, Ryan Holiday, I discovered his way of doing just this. The basic idea is that when you are struck by an idea or by something intriguing, you write it on an index card and file it away, categorized by project, concept, or use. Then, when you return to that project or idea, you can return to the cards for inspiration and organize them into a structure and story. I have absolutely no idea if this will work for me, but of all of the systems I’ve come across, this seems the most promising. Perhaps an update on this method in the future.

The Quote I’m Pondering: “The pretense of knowledge is our most dangerous vice because it prevents us from getting any better.” – Ryan Holiday