November 12, 2024

The other side of loss is opportunity

The other day, I had to drastically prune one of my favourite plants in our small back garden. I avoided pruning it for a long time because I enjoyed it so much so it’s been happily (over)growing for almost 10 years and it gives the garden a certain calming feeling.

In a matter of minutes under the heft of a power tool, it went from lush, full, green and beautiful to spindly, grey, and sad. I definitely experienced feelings of loss that day.

But now, just a week or so later, I’ve noticed new growth – a lush, green, bright contrast is emerging on those grey, spindly branches. These are branches that probably haven’t seen light for many years but here they were, responding to and welcoming the change.

We could learn something from that.

Other observations
June 2, 2026

The Usual

Is there value in being consistent & predictable? Is there value in the opposite?

May 19, 2026

It came outta nowhere

Could thinking of ourselves as a characters in an unwritten movie help us process good and bad surprises and make the movie more interesting?

May 12, 2026

Lists work

How do I organise, prioritise and complete the life shrapnel that gets in the way of making more significant work? Can an empty square help?

May 5, 2026

Quentin Dupieux makes films

Why bother making a weird idea that’s really difficult to make if it won’t make you money, find an audience?

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