The single biggest, top of the list thing I hate not doing is living in my kids each day. Saying I love you to them dozens of times a day, listening to them when they repeat themselves and say, “like I mean” over and over (they’re 14 year old girls), comforting them after their volleyball team loses a match, encouraging them to give whatever they are up to their best-regardless of the outcome, congratulating them on their diligent effort that yields A’s and a wayward B.
Yep, I don’t know how I’ll cope when they leave for college…😞
That's awesome James. I'm sure your daughters will cherish these moments when they reflect back on their childhood. I don't have kids yet but this is a great reminder of how quickly the time will go before they leave the house.
I hate not reading books. Even though it's so much easier to scroll Reddit, or succumb to the gentle embrace of a Netflix trance after a long work day, it physically pains me not to get to enjoy all the books that I want to read. And so I keep coming back to my books no matter how many times I get distracted--almost like a meditation.
I like your idea here, Arman. I often ask a similar question: What would life be like without XYZ? It helps me decide how important something (or even someone) really is. An excellent read as always!
Thank you Daniel. That's a good one to ask too. And its a good experiment to test. Actually removing the things that we think we couldn't live without to see if that's actually true or not.
This is a really cool insight. Helps to get to the nub of who we really are when we reflect on what makes us uncomfortable. For me a day doesn't feel right if I have no time to read, play the piano and do something (almost anything) outside.
Thanks Theo. Yes reading and being outside are big ones for me too. I wish I hated not playing the piano or any instrument but I just didn't care enough to hate not doing it...
This is so good: "Do they love doing these things? Perhaps. But I think they hate not doing them even more." I can't live with myself if I don't exercise and move my body each day. Do I love it? Maybe. But I certainly can't not do them.
Great thinking and great writing. Thanks for sharing, Arman.
Thank you my friend. It shows that you always make exercise a priority. I think being able to identify what makes you feel like shit if you don't do it is such a blessing.
I hate not meditating, writing, singing, making plans with friends and loved ones, and growing my own brand. I always feel good when these things are actively in swing.
Thank you Nikhil. I think we just became friends! I wish I could add working out to my list but I get a temporary thrill every time I skip a workout. Probably a sign I still need to do it.
Well to me the thrill you get when you skip a workout is only temporary, and I end up regretting it later in the day. But when I do workout it's actually really fun for me and I get the same thrill but 10x more when I finish it. Hope this encourages you to get back after it my friend.
I hate not learning (which includes reading books). 📕 When I go any length of time without learning something that interests me, I get irritable and anxious.
You and me both Jenn! Any day I don't spend at least a few minutes learning about something/anything feels like a horrible punishment to my mind. Good point.
Mark Twain said "Eat the live frog first and nothing worse will happen the is worse."
e.g. Do the worst task first. In business it is a truism that you should order what is to be done and do the worst task right away rather than procrastinate.
The Replacements were an alcoholic punk band from Minneapolis. Even though they were all too fucked up Bob the guitar player was somehow singled out for being too wasted and fired. He wound up living on the street and finally died. My post is a mean joke about me being their new guitar player and feeling bad about it. I should have made a Bon Jovi joke.
The single biggest, top of the list thing I hate not doing is living in my kids each day. Saying I love you to them dozens of times a day, listening to them when they repeat themselves and say, “like I mean” over and over (they’re 14 year old girls), comforting them after their volleyball team loses a match, encouraging them to give whatever they are up to their best-regardless of the outcome, congratulating them on their diligent effort that yields A’s and a wayward B.
Yep, I don’t know how I’ll cope when they leave for college…😞
That's awesome James. I'm sure your daughters will cherish these moments when they reflect back on their childhood. I don't have kids yet but this is a great reminder of how quickly the time will go before they leave the house.
I was going to say 'paying attention to my dog when he wants it' which in a sense is the same answer!
Those puppy eyes get me to drop whatever I'm doing every time
I hate not reading books. Even though it's so much easier to scroll Reddit, or succumb to the gentle embrace of a Netflix trance after a long work day, it physically pains me not to get to enjoy all the books that I want to read. And so I keep coming back to my books no matter how many times I get distracted--almost like a meditation.
Same for me Chris. I try to read (a book) for at least a few minutes a day or else it feels like I've not nourished my mind.
I like your idea here, Arman. I often ask a similar question: What would life be like without XYZ? It helps me decide how important something (or even someone) really is. An excellent read as always!
Thank you Daniel. That's a good one to ask too. And its a good experiment to test. Actually removing the things that we think we couldn't live without to see if that's actually true or not.
This is a really cool insight. Helps to get to the nub of who we really are when we reflect on what makes us uncomfortable. For me a day doesn't feel right if I have no time to read, play the piano and do something (almost anything) outside.
Thanks Theo. Yes reading and being outside are big ones for me too. I wish I hated not playing the piano or any instrument but I just didn't care enough to hate not doing it...
This is so spot on! I definitely hate not writing and reading!
You and me both Milena! I forgot to include reading but that's definitely a big one for me too.
Why hate? Waste of mental energy
Haha I agree. Just thought it was a helpful reframe to give more clarity on what you feel compelled to do.
I love this!! It is far easier to think about what you need in an almost reverse way! Will definitely be having a wee muse about this, thanks Arman!
Glad you enjoyed it Ava. I love inverse thinking prompts like this. Excited to see what you come up with :)
Hands down, exercise. Especially cycling by the ocean.
that does sound lovely. maybe id hate not doing that too.
This is so good: "Do they love doing these things? Perhaps. But I think they hate not doing them even more." I can't live with myself if I don't exercise and move my body each day. Do I love it? Maybe. But I certainly can't not do them.
Great thinking and great writing. Thanks for sharing, Arman.
Thank you my friend. It shows that you always make exercise a priority. I think being able to identify what makes you feel like shit if you don't do it is such a blessing.
I hate not meditating, writing, singing, making plans with friends and loved ones, and growing my own brand. I always feel good when these things are actively in swing.
It sounds like we share some of the same hatreds :)
What a great post.
I think we would make great friends, the things that I hate not doing are Meditating, Writing, Playing Basketball, and Working out.
Thank you Nikhil. I think we just became friends! I wish I could add working out to my list but I get a temporary thrill every time I skip a workout. Probably a sign I still need to do it.
Well to me the thrill you get when you skip a workout is only temporary, and I end up regretting it later in the day. But when I do workout it's actually really fun for me and I get the same thrill but 10x more when I finish it. Hope this encourages you to get back after it my friend.
youre right. i do end up regretting it 99% of the time. im headed back to the gym monday morning!
Nice man I wish you the best!
Thank you. Same to you Nikhil!
I hate not learning (which includes reading books). 📕 When I go any length of time without learning something that interests me, I get irritable and anxious.
Great question, man!
You and me both Jenn! Any day I don't spend at least a few minutes learning about something/anything feels like a horrible punishment to my mind. Good point.
“Eat the live frog first.”
Haha I have no idea what this is referencing...
Mark Twain said "Eat the live frog first and nothing worse will happen the is worse."
e.g. Do the worst task first. In business it is a truism that you should order what is to be done and do the worst task right away rather than procrastinate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYTIIcLkC5E&t=13s
Thank you for enlightening me. Clearly there's so much I don't even know that I don't know.
That is true for all of us.
Wow this hit for me. Writing, meditating, and hooping might be my top 3 too (getting outdoors in the flex spot).
Funny how these things are sometimes brutal when you’re in them, but we keep coming back…
Sounds like we just became friends Brandon! What position do you play?
Im a role player- really solid at box outs, setting picks and giving high fives
haha high fives are a highly underrated skill set. I feel a weird urge to slap my teammates butts whenever I'm on the court...
Replacing Bob in The Replacements.
Haha what do you mean?
The Replacements were an alcoholic punk band from Minneapolis. Even though they were all too fucked up Bob the guitar player was somehow singled out for being too wasted and fired. He wound up living on the street and finally died. My post is a mean joke about me being their new guitar player and feeling bad about it. I should have made a Bon Jovi joke.
Haha were there any nonalcoholic punk bands?
The Caffeinated
me too man but not as much as i wish i did. i get a weird little thrill when i skip a workout. but it never lasts.