Hi friend!

Here's something for you to...

1) watch.

Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck

A succinct, animated video summarizing the book I just finished—Mindset by Carol Dweck.

Carol's work explains how the Fixed Mindset—the idea that intelligence and ability are set in stone—is bullshit.

With years of experimentation and case studies, Carol's work shows the utility of the Growth Mindset—the idea that skill level is based on effort, not natural ability.

I'm experiencing this firsthand as I improve my chess skills. And the effect these mindsets have on children is fascinating and a little depressing.

2) read.

The joys of being an absolute beginner—for life

One of the loveliest pieces I've ever read.

A father tells the story of trying to teach his daughter chess...while simultaneously trying to learn himself.

He brings up an amazing point: Why the hell do most adults stop trying to learn new skills? Most of us plateau and avoid becoming a total beginner at anything.

“At chess tournaments, I saw a dynamic that was all too familiar from the world of children’s activities: kids doing the activity, and adults like me staring into their smartphones.”

3) use.

The Lawn Mower 3.0

By Manscaped.

A cut-free electric razor for gentlemen (or ladies) who want to maintain their shtuff in a fast and pain-free manner.

4) listen to.

Kurt Vonnegut on how to write short stories

A one-minute video.

These simple tips, I think, can be applied to any type of storytelling.

Extras.

Weekly sketch.

When people got sick before Covid

Remember when people would just show up to work or school sick??

Some of my blogs.

The Boring Truth to Becoming Happy

Or: How to become fulfilled—the unsexy way.

How I stopped being so insecure

On overcoming my greatest obstacle.

The 2 types of fun

And which one's more important. This blog was fun to write.

Working through the fog

I got Covid. Here's how I'm dealing with it.

Quotes.

“Come on, peach. We have work to do. You can’t just sit in a seat and grow smart…I promise, you are going to do, and you are going to produce.”

-Marva Collins

“After a few days, as you became more expert in the place, what seemed strange began to become familiar. You began noticing less. You became safer in your knowledge. Your behaviour became more automatic.”

-Tom Vanderbilt

“It’s not later, yet. It’s still now.”

-Professor Steg

As always, reach out to me on Twitter @DillanRoy if you have any questions or feedback.

Thank you so much for the support, friends! If you enjoyed this newsletter, I encourage you to forward it or invite your friends to subscribe. I hope you all are happy and healthy 😎

Much love.

Dill 💙