Hello friend!
Coming to you live from Austin, Texas.
Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics — five things I’ve been pondering and exploring that will send you into the weekend with a good think, chuckle, weep (or a nasty combination of the three).
Welcome to the 10 new subscribers receiving this for the first time (409 total) — I don’t take your attention lightly.
Hopefully nobody is reading this, but if you are, please keep it to yourself.
Annual review I shared this week
I’m naturally future-focused so reflecting on the past seems strange.
But performing a proper annual review helped solidify 2023. It’s a selfish yet useful practice. Consider doing the same so you can look back on it years from now (hopefully) with a nostalgic smile.
See my highlights and lowlights and photos from an eventful year:
Book that made me a better artist
Your music and people: Creative and considerate fame by Derek Sivers.
Probably his least talked about book because at first glance it seems to be for musicians (which I’m not even though I played trumpet for two years in the middle school band).
The lessons can be applied to any artistic endeavor.
I implemented a few of the timeless tactics to my writing and my audience growth has taken off (+25% in the past three months alone).
A fun, succinct, and useful book that should be on every artist’s bookshelf.
New podcast I’m loving
Tosh Show.
Daniel Tosh is one of the comedic legends of our time but he’d been off the grid for years. He’s back and better than ever. He interviews everyday folks from his life like his wife’s gynecologist, his personal trainer, and his French surfing buddy — all hilarious.
It’s hard to find a new angle for a pod these days but Tosh found a way, unsurprisingly.
My favorite part is at the end of each show when he gifts the guest with an item from his home that he wants to get rid of.
This is the only pod I choose to watch on Youtube instead of just listening.
Start here:
Ice Pod
I’m officially a Huberman bro.
My friend convinced me to get a cold plunge and I’m hooked.
My wife and I live in an apartment so we set it up on our porch. Our neighbors probably wonder why they hear screams and shouts at six in the morning. I promise there’s no domestic violence going on so no need to call the cops.
It’s just the two of us feeling invigorated by the bone chilling water.
This has made sober January (no caffeine) much more tolerable.
There’s tons of options out there but we got ours from The Pod Company for less than $200.
I’m sure there’s all kinds of health benefits but I don’t really care about those. I just like how it forces me to be present for a few minutes and wakes me up better than a triple espresso.
Random thought
There’s a glut of mediocrity in the world. Please don’t contribute to it.
That’s it for the 68th edition of Arman’s Antics.
I hope you didn’t make it this far, but if you did, please don’t like, comment, or subscribe below. Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Wishing you and yours a fabulous Friday!
Cheers,
Arman
The Finns are all about cold water therapy, no wonder they're one of the happiest and healthiest nations. I hope it helps you!