INSPIRATION
I've been thinking about this porch.
I don't know where it is yet. I just know I'm 80.
And lately I keep wondering about the man sitting there. Is he proud of me? Did I build what I kept saying I would? Did I enjoy any of it while I was doing it?
If I make it to 80, God willing, there are 43 summers between me and that porch. Something about counting life in summers instead of years makes it hit differently.
So do your own math. How many summers are between you and 80?
This week, James Clear said this:
“Everyone wants to be happy now, but it might be better to optimize for being satisfied later.”
Whew.
Because maybe that's the tension. Happy and satisfied aren't always built by the same choices.
Sometimes it's saving the money. Sometimes it's making the call.
Sometimes it's staying. Sometimes it's leaving.
Sometimes it's doing the thing that gives you nothing today but changes who gets to sit on that porch years from now.
Every choice you make today is a letter you're writing to the older version of you. They'll read every one. They can't rewrite them. Neither can you.
So maybe the Sunday question is bigger than am I happy right now. When I finally get to that porch, will I be satisfied with how I got there?
That's the art of the possible.
COLLABORATION
That James Clear line came from his 3-2-1 Newsletter this week. It's a free Thursday email: three ideas, two quotes, one question. Under five minutes. Get on it.
→ Subscribe to 3-2-1.
▶ The TEF Show — while you're thinking about future you, Shea Lewis and I had a whole conversation this month about the moves present-you can make so future-you get to walk through the door.
Episode is up: [Go here]
EXECUTION
Two questions this week.
What is one choice you could make between now and Friday that 80-year-old you would be glad you made? And what is one thing you're doing right now for a hit of happy that 80-year-old you might tell you isn't worth it? Write down both. Then move on one.
PASS IT ON
Send this to somebody you plan on sharing a few of those summers with. Maybe ask them how many they have left too.
THE EXTRA
Sunday cleaning crew DJ set list.
— DéRecco
The Invisible Interview · The Invisible Score · The TEF Show
