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Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·May 30

In praise of problems, and how to develop a taste for them

3 ways to make your work, chores, and projects more enjoyable — “What if You Had a Universal Remote… That Controlled Your Universe?” The premise of Adam Sandler’s film, Click, is simple: the protagonist is granted a remote control that allows him to change the speed of his life (e.g., he can fast forward, slow motion, even rewind, etc.). Here’s the trailer…

Problem Solving

9 min read

In praise of problems, and how to develop a taste for them
In praise of problems, and how to develop a taste for them
Problem Solving

9 min read


Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·May 4

You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be

How to make the most of obstacles, setbacks, and red lights — A red light is not an obstacle getting in the way of your destination; it is the destination. You are constantly arriving at the destination, the place you’re meant to be. …

Overcoming Obstacles

2 min read

You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be
You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be
Overcoming Obstacles

2 min read


Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

·Apr 25

How to Be the Best Kind of Drug (creator-wisdom from Maggie Rogers and Pharrell Williams)

Choose to be the type of creator people can’t think of a single reason to quit — The year was 2016. The location was NYU’s music school. Legendary everything, Pharrell Williams, stopped by a classroom to provide feedback on the latest creations of a group of budding musicians. In the first two demos that he was asked to critique, Pharrell went through the motions without displaying much…

Creativity

5 min read

How to Be the Best Kind of Drug (creator-wisdom from Maggie Rogers and Pharrell Williams)
How to Be the Best Kind of Drug (creator-wisdom from Maggie Rogers and Pharrell Williams)
Creativity

5 min read


Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·Apr 20

Flexibility Cost

Updating your plan in unexpected circumstances — Sticking to the plan is usually the least expensive solution. However! Plans are just guesses. Sometimes we guess poorly. Or, circumstances change, and our guess proves to be wrong. For example, you planned to quit our job, and entrepreneurship turns out to be nothing like what you guessed it would…

Flexibility

2 min read

Flexibility Cost
Flexibility Cost
Flexibility

2 min read


Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·Apr 18

The Work Needs to Be Enough: A Creative Manifesto

A guide to working within the power laws that govern creative work — It’s well known that power laws apply to creative work. While the top earners can make an incredible amount of money, the rest of us in the very long tail do not. …

Creative Advice

4 min read

The Work Needs to Be Enough: A Creative Manifesto
The Work Needs to Be Enough: A Creative Manifesto
Creative Advice

4 min read


Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·Apr 6

Decisiveness has an Expiry Date

In praise of making decisions — For years, I’ve wanted to buy an external monitor for my laptop. I’ve worked with a dual monitor setup pretty much up till 2018. Working from a laptop screen was suboptimal. I’ve been meaning to buy one this whole time, and I didn’t until last Friday. Here’s what happened: As…

Decisiveness

3 min read

Decisiveness has an Expiry Date
Decisiveness has an Expiry Date
Decisiveness

3 min read


Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

·Mar 27

44 Simple Ways to Make Someone Feel Extraordinary

Or at least, make them smile or possibly laugh a little — “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” Eleanor Roosevelt said that. I think it’s pretty smart. Something else I think is pretty smart is taking the time to write…

Relationships

7 min read

44 Simple Ways to Make Someone Feel Extraordinary
44 Simple Ways to Make Someone Feel Extraordinary
Relationships

7 min read


Herbert Lui

Herbert Lui

·Mar 16

Most people won’t do business with you, but they can get value from your story

The value of your story in finding your people — You may never own a pair of J’s, though there’s a chance you’ll know Michael Jordan’s story. You may not have heard one of Amanda Palmer songs, though you may know of her stories with crowdfunding. You may not watch Oprah, and you might still know her as a billionaire…

Storytelling

2 min read

Most people won’t do business with you, but they can get value from your story
Most people won’t do business with you, but they can get value from your story
Storytelling

2 min read


Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

·Mar 13

To Write Stories That Stick, Hone These 5 Proven Habits

Don’t just passively consume stories, actively dissect them — “If you go down to meet this guy, you may never back. He’s on another level.” Shortly into his career, legendary Esquire columnist Cal Fussman, got the itch to interview Harry Cruz, a novelist who wrote off-the-wall stories about things like a man who ate a car. Despite the warnings…

Writing

7 min read

To Write Stories That Stick, Hone These 5 Proven Habits
To Write Stories That Stick, Hone These 5 Proven Habits
Writing

7 min read


Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

·Mar 11

The Next Time Someone Pisses You Off, Remember These 3 Questions

Restraint is a choice — “Hey, Laia!” I shouted from my office. “Do you have any idea what a bad word is for a woman that starts with a K and ends with an N?” “What the hell are you talking about?” my wife shot back. “You’re the native English speaker, not me!” “It’s just…

Self Improvement

4 min read

The Next Time Someone Pisses You Off, Remember These 3 Questions
The Next Time Someone Pisses You Off, Remember These 3 Questions
Self Improvement

4 min read

SIMPLE

Deep dives, smart tips, and inspiring stories to be calmer, work smarter, and communicate better brought to you by Niklas Goeke, Michael Thompson, Nick Wignall, and friends.

Editors

Niklas Göke

Niklas Göke

I write for dreamers, doers, and unbroken optimists. Read my daily blog here: https://nik.art/

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

I grew up stuttering and now teach storytelling to Fortune 500s, MBA students, and first graders • Free "story" guide: https://bit.ly/3h1KZeT

Nick Wignall

Nick Wignall

Psychologist and blogger. I help people use psychology for meaningful personal growth: https://nickwignall.com

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