Sharpen Your Focus, Build Better Habits
Incite Your Month!
Hi Uplevelers,
One of our most successful pieces over the past decade has been “Incite Our Month” - our curation of future-relevant ideas, book recommendations, thought-provoking articles and actionable habit tips from our Curiosity Diet. While this month’s entire collection is available on our YouTube channel, we dig into our “Favorite Podcast of the Month” which is on curation!
The podcast "Curation in the Age of Information Abundance" features Tom Morgan, Director of Content and Communications at The Knall/Cohen/Pence Group, in conversation with Jim O’Shaughnessy. The episode explores how individuals and organizations can navigate an overwhelming flow of information by mastering the art of curation and synthesis.
Morgan discusses the importance of following personal interests and developing pattern recognition skills to filter vast amounts of information and extract meaningful insights. He emphasizes that true value lies not in accumulating more data, but in the ability to discard the irrelevant and synthesize the essential-a skill increasingly vital in today’s complex, noisy digital landscape. The conversation touches on the concept of operating within complex adaptive systems, where the most important insights often emerge at the boundary between order and chaos.
The episode also critiques binary thinking and reductionist approaches, advocating instead for a mindset that balances rational analysis with intuition and connection to deeper values or meaning. Morgan highlights the role of trusted curators-people who act as filters and synthesizers, like Maria Popova or Kyle Kowalski-who help others make sense of the information ecosystem. Ultimately, the podcast encourages listeners to rethink education, embrace complexity, and seek out authentic, emergent understanding in a world of information abundance.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by content, this episode offers practical strategies for sharpening your focus and making sense of the noise. Don’t miss it!
Habit Tip of the Month: Use Your Vacation to Test-Drive a New Habit
As vacation season approaches, it’s the perfect time to not only recharge but also to experiment with positive changes. This month’s habit tip is simple yet powerful: use your vacation as a springboard to test-drive a new habit.
Why is vacation the ideal time?
When you’re away from your usual environment and daily pressures, your mind is more open to new experiences. The shift in routine naturally disrupts old patterns, making it easier to establish new ones. Whether you want to start a daily reading ritual, try meditation, take up journaling, or learn a new skill, vacation offers a unique window of opportunity.
How to make it work:
Pick one habit you’ve been meaning to start. Set a small, achievable goal-like reading for 20 minutes each morning or meditating for five minutes before bed. Use the relaxed pace of vacation to make this habit enjoyable, not a chore.
Pro tip:
Channel your inner Bill Gates-use your downtime to read, reflect, and invest in habits that will benefit you long after you return to work.
Happy habit-building, and enjoy your well-deserved break!
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