Iterate Weekly - Issue 14
Welcome to issue 14 of the Iterate weekly newsletter!
I want to give a big shout-out to everyone who participated in my short survey about this newsletter. There were some solid insights gained, and I want to share a few of them.
-Most respondents liked the current length of the newsletter
-Weekly appears to be the preferred cadence (although I may start sending some one-off messages beyond the weekly newsletter)
-The health section appears to be the most popular (this was a big surprise for me!)
As promised, one lucky reader was chosen at random to receive an Amazon gift card. That person was Paula S. Paula, you should have received an email with the details. Please let me know if you didn’t!
If you have some feedback, you’re welcome to still complete the short 5-question survey or just respond to the message or leave a comment below. I’d love to keep the conversation going! But sorry, no more gift cards (for now).
This week we have another recap of some stories I’ve written recently that (somewhat) fit into our loosely defined categories.
You’ll see that the content here is broken down into 4 categories.
Tech - This will be the main focus of the newsletter. I’m dedicated to helping people improve their relationships with technology.
Learning - I consider myself an autodidact and like to examine the concept of learning how to be a more productive learner.
Health - None of these other topics are important if you’re not healthy enough to enjoy them.
Grab Bag - This could be something personal, something silly, something fun that doesn’t quite fit the other categories.
Finally, we’ll wrap things up with a quote of the week and a piece of content that I recommend you check out.
Tech
Konmari on your phone?
Are you familiar with Marie Kondo and her methods of tidying up your home?
Recently, I wrote an article that applies this premise to the cleanliness of your mobile phone. Are all of your apps bringing you joy? Would you feel more joyful if you didn’t see so much clutter on your screens all the time?
I think so. I live by this advice personally, and it’s also been very well-received by coaching clients who are looking to improve their relationships with technology.
How many apps are on your phone right now? Do you need them all?
Learning
My Top 5 Productivity Apps
As you know, I’m always looking for new apps, plug-ins, and technology that will make my life easier, more productive, and more mindful.
One of my most popular medium articles of the last few months was this one where I broke down 5 apps that have really super-charged my productivity lately.
By no means are these the only apps that I’m using every day. This is a list that I want to revisit or reframe every couple of months. But if you’re looking for some easy ways to mix up your workflow, these apps will come in handy.
Let me know in the comments if they are apps that you’re already using. Any suggestions that have been working for you recently?
Health
Keep yourself hydrated
As I mentioned at the top of the newsletter, it sounds like the health section has become a reader favorite, so I’ll do my best to keep things interesting here!
A few months back, I wrote about my success using the Hidrate Spark smart water bottle. At the time of the article, I had hit my hydration goal for 222 straight days! That streak has since pushed past 300 days and still going strong.
I’m not here to brag about streaks (streaks can definitely help boost confidence, but the streak itself shouldn’t be the goal). What I do want to emphasize is just how powerful hydration can be.
I still think that sleep is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. But hydration is the part that can overcome some of your other health weaknesses. If you do have a rough night of sleep, proper hydration can minimize the impact. Maybe you didn’t eat the healthiest meals last week, but as long as you hit your hydration goals you can feel better.
I really think that a smart water bottle is just the easiest way to keep track of your hydration.
Grab Bag
Smart locks have changed my life
The future is really now when it comes to locking your front door. Gone are the days of carrying a whole stack of keys on your belt loop in order to open up your front door. Ok, I’ll admit that I still have a bunch of keys, but we’re making progress!
Recently, I wrote about how smart locks have made my life so much easier. As a parent who always has their arms full, it’s not fun to fumble around looking for keys. Smart locks are becoming more ubiquitous and they will only get smaller and easier to use in the coming years. I’ve been a big fan of the 3rd generation August Smart Locks, but several other companies are also putting out similar products.
Are you already using smart locks? How soon can we abolish the metal key altogether? Personally, I think the end is near.
Quote of the Week
“Feelings are just visitors, let them come and go.” - Mooji
Content Recommendation
Jasper Mall
This week my wife and I watched the documentary film “Jasper Mall”
If you’re a child of the 80s or 90s, the town shopping mall will evoke some (hopefully fond) memories for you. The mall was the place you went to whenever you needed anything, wanted to eat anything, or wanted to see any of your friends. It was truly the hub of many communities.
Obviously, things have changed in the past twenty years. Online shopping has made people less likely to run down to the mall to pick up just one item. Thousands of stores have shuttered their doors or gone online-only.
Jasper Mall captures this in a very real, raw, emotional way. It can be depressing or beautiful depending on how you look at it. The inhabitants of this mall in Alabama are taking things in stride. Their lives are changing as the mall changes. This movie surely isn’t an upbeat, summer blockbuster, but if you have a soft spot for shopping malls, I think it’s a must-watch.