2026-05-31 17:03:00
Any gathering of more than two people involves compromise.
Embracing this fact actually increases the utility of the event. It’s a trap to commit to making it perfect for everyone–we end up sacrificing what the event could be and creating mediocrity instead.
A surprise party might be designed to make the host feel good, or perhaps to create a memorable moment for the guest of honor. The wedding might exist to cement the status and relationships of the bride. The quarterly management meeting is probably organized to increase the security and power of the boss.
There’s a reason that they don’t serve “wedding food” at restaurants. The food is a compromise, not the sort of thing people seek out.
When planning any event, the first two questions are the most important, and they need to be repeated, again and again:
Who’s it for?
What’s it for?
If we can be clear about that, we can make progress in making it happen.
2026-05-30 17:03:00
If you’re not sure of the difference, you’re probably just doing your job.
Perhaps, if you’re fortunate, your job is in sync with your work.
But most of the time, our work is something we have to fight for. It’s not something we’re given, or apply for. It’s what we choose to do.
The change we seek to make, the people we seek to serve, the decisions we insist on being responsible for.
Doing our work is a calling.
Doing our job is an offer to follow someone else’s instructions.
2026-05-29 16:17:00
If we choose you based on price, please don’t be surprised if we leave the moment someone else uses the same tactic on you.
Low price is a temporary refuge for a marketer who has run out of useful ways to improve the experience and deliver more value.
2026-05-29 02:44:00
It took me thirty years to populate the bookshelf that’s behind me in most of my videos. Most of us don’t have the time or patience to do that.
At the same time, the wonky computer-generated background many people use on Zoom calls undermines the impact and authority you might be seeking. I just discovered these grey backgrounds and using one creates an instant upgrade for many users. $55 well spent. Sample down below.
[All my lighting and setup tips are here.]
As I was writing this, I saw the announcement from ElevenLabs that they are now supporting dubbing in dozens of languages. It’s not perfect, but it’s sort of a miracle.
Here’s what it sounds and looks like:
2026-05-28 17:03:00
It’s possible you use social media to grow your business. Or to enhance your career. Or maybe it’s to find delight and joy.
When you add up all the tikking, tokking, tweeting and clicking, what’s the return on that investment? Is your vacation more fun when you spend it taking photos for your Instagram followers? Are you feeding Linkedin or is it feeding you?
Labor is work that we get paid for. It’s work we wouldn’t do for free. And for most people on social media, it’s unpaid labor on behalf of the platforms.
If it’s paying off for you, keep going!
If it’s not, it might be worth reconsidering.
The simple test: when you do it more, do things get better?
2026-05-27 17:03:00
Not, “what do you think you can get?”
Not, “what you’d be willing to live with…”
Instead: If you were willing to be on the hook for the responsibility (if it works out) and the disappointment (if it doesn’t), which one do you actually want?
It’s harder to answer than it sounds.
