The beauty of counting backwards
Oh, hi friends!
Last week, I discovered a new trick that changed the way I thought about exercise. And work. And writing. So, basically, everything?
Say you want to do 25 push-ups. Instead of counting up—1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.—see what happens when you count down—25, 24, 23, all the way to 3-2-1.
Counting up can feel like a slog. But counting down feels like an inevitability.
How likely is it that you would stop counting before hitting zero? Not very. You could always eke out one more.
(I got this advice from @thebalanceguru, who I profiled last year: “Watching This Guy Balance on Weird Shit Will Teach You How to Live.”)
Newsflash: That’s probably why I like this genius timer or Mel Robbins’ 5-4-3-2-1 rule. Counting down inspires action.
You could try this while running or at the gym. Don’t log how many intervals you’ve done, but count how many are left to go.
Or you could look at your inbox and think “I’ve only got 12 more emails to knock off,” and write them one by one.
Rules work. Sometimes they just need to be flipped on their head.
This stock image cracked me up. And actually, strangely, motivated me?!
“This is not about deserving dreams. This is about reframing dreams as pursuits you must let out, then craft and craft until something feels right. Wander with feet planted; find value in your current circumstances, handpick the good to stay and spend time with your deep curiosities.
Forgoing dreams is expected of us, so make sure your dreams are colorful and willing to wade waves. Your dreams should make you stir at night. Come day, they compel you to pour in hours and heartbeats.
Please persist in the doing, all the while appreciating the letdowns that form you. Cling to hard work, grit and some luck. Excuses are easy and opportunities, they’re abound.
Commend yourself.”
I read and loved Quarter-Life Philosophies by Genevieve Ing, who I was lucky enough to meet through this newsletter! Her book is the perfect meditation to dip into in the morning and evenings when you need a reflective moment.
Per the Executive Director, "826NYC has begun a search for a Development Director. This is an ideal role for someone with 5+ years of solid fundraising experience looking to take the leap to director and make a name for themselves within a great organization." (h/t Beth Dukes)
NYPL's Media Relations team is looking for a publicist. I think this would be a great role for anyone with recent media experience who is also passionate about libraries. (h/t Beth Dukes)
Plus, Lifehacker is hiring a social media editor! (h/t Virginia Smith)
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara