The messages of hope that I wish I could share with my former self
It was a March day in 2006. I sat in the driver’s seat of a hired truck, my share of the marital possessions loaded meticulously in the back of it. My wife and I had just locked the door of our former marital home for the last time and were about to go our separate ways in life, metaphorically and literally.
We said our final farewell (albeit in a symbolic sense) and a few tears were shed. Having jointly resolved that we’d play an active part in raising our two daughters, then aged 6 and 3, we knew we’d be…
My favorite lesson from Tim Ferriss
As a dedicated Tim Ferriss fan, the 500th episode of his podcast was a landmark I was excited about.
In regular episodes he attempts to identify the habits, routines, frameworks, tools and tactics of world-class performers from various fields, including athletes, actors, authors and philosophers. It was conceivable then that it’d be a practical tactic from one of those conversations that represented his biggest takeaway. Instead, it was something much more fundamental — as he put it:
“You can try the tactical stuff, but if you lack that base level, that foundation, the rest of it doesn’t really matter… Without…
Bringing power to the people (all the people)
Putting aside the outright skepticism that some express towards Bitcoin, the more substantive concerns tend to come down to Environmental, Social and Governance factors — ESG as they’re collectively referred to in investing circles.
When doubters decry Bitcoin as an elaborate technical Ponzi scheme, or deem Bitcoin inherently worthless since it cannot be touched and has no backing, amounts to matters of opinion.
We can argue about the merits and factual accuracy of such ideas all day long, and many spend their time on Twitter doing just that:
When it comes to Bitcoin and its ESG…
And why I’m so excited about ‘Beyond Order’
Jordan B. Peterson is a divisive and somewhat controversial person — I count myself as one of his fans. The Canadian clinical psychologist is the kind of intellectual heavyweight that I cannot help but admire. There’s a refreshing lack of pomposity in how he speaks, only an impressive depth of reasoning. When he describes his theories and principles it’s in a way that’s simple, straightforward, and hard-hitting.
A few of the comments beneath one of his YouTube videos summarised it perfectly:
And how you can avoid doing the same
It’s an unfortunate reality that in much of life, genuine confidence and self-belief only come after we’ve suffered a few setbacks. It doesn’t mean that learning and growth ever end, but a few failures are necessary before we can feel like we have it figured out.
I’ve raised my kids from birth to adulthood but it’s demanded the navigation of several crises to feel vaguely competent as a parent. Each day still serves up new tests of my patience and resolve.
I strive to be a good husband, ensuring that I get what I need from the relationship while making…
The birth of ‘Borough Bucks’ as a stablecoin?
I had no idea just how big New York City’s economy is — to put it in context if it were a nation it would be the 11th biggest in the world, just behind Canada.
This mind-blowing insight into just how big the Big Apple is came in a very illuminating podcast conversation between Andrew Yang — entrepreneur and Mayoral candidate, and Scott Galloway— Marketing Professor at NYU Stern.
Scott is a big character, someone who speaks knowledgeably and candidly. I’m a fan of his work. He cannot hide his enthusiasm for the things he loves, nor his skepticism for…
There is strength to be found in letting go.
One of the upsides of Covid-enforced homeschooling is that I can listen in to my kids’ online classes while waiting in the kitchen for my coffee to brew.
I’ve caught bits of English lessons that have taken me back to when I studied the same books as them — ‘The Lord of the Flies’ is timeless. I’ve been reminded of past struggles with algebra and have realised that my French vocabulary hasn't stood the test of time. It was a Religious Studies class that most recently caught my interest — on the topic of forgiveness.
Don’t believe you’re immune to the good or the bad things
Today will be a day of great sadness — one of my oldest friends has lost one of his children to a rare form of cancer. The funeral is this afternoon.
I’ll join the Covid-restricted event via a Facebook Live — I’m not entirely sure why, but I’d feel neglectful if I didn’t. Faced with such senseless events we struggle to figure out what we should do or say. We know deep down that nothing really makes a difference to the sadness that’s being felt.
These things seem so random and unpredictable. We know that they happen, but convince ourselves…
Less money, less pressure, less stress but most importantly — more time
In 2011, I was pretty disenchanted with my job. I’d worked in IT for 13 years, first as a developer and then as a project manager. I’d enjoyed success, gained responsibility, and gradually earned more money.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like the work — I just didn’t like being an employee. I found setting and monitoring career objectives pointless. I didn’t see the benefit of being line-managed and avoided having to manage others. …
Don’t want too much too young
Yesterday morning I woke to a text message from my daughter. I’d been expecting it all weekend:
He dumped me.
I can’t pretend I was surprised (or sorry) that this episode was over. I never met the guy, but I didn’t like what I’d heard about him or how he’d treated my daughter — his weed-smoking alone was a red-flag, even if he does live in the Netherlands where it’s legal (and where my daughter is studying at university).
It’s probably no surprise that I was disapproving. As a dutiful and somewhat over-protective father, I’ve yet to meet any of…
Toby Hazlewood
A writer, dad and husband sharing his thoughts, wins and losses to help and inspire others. Say hello at bit.ly/TobyHazlewood
