I had been considering whether to start up a personal newsletter. I subscribe to friends’ letters, in which they describe the various goings on in their life—family, house projects, travel, etc. As an email, it feels more intimate.

Couldn’t what I say in an email also be said on the blog? Which led me to consider a number of things…

With social media, we can see who follows us. Sure, there’s no guarantee our posts will make their way into their algorithm. Maybe they’re not online this week. Yet, we can see their names and know that they have a likelihood of seeing them.

A newsletter is quite similar. There’s a subscriber list and we can see every name that’s on it. Sure, they can be busy and archive it without reading it. The email can get caught in a spam filter. Yet, people want to fill their already busy inboxes with what you have to say and are likely to read it.

For anything impersonal, like brand marketing, promotions, or sales, it makes sense and is highly advantageous to know who your audience is. When I sold a book, it was useful to be able to market to those who bought the book to buy the workshop. It was useful to market to those to come to a conference.

Blogging feels detached from the audience. I can write knowing that nobody or anybody might be reading it. I can write for me and hope the words resonate. And having taken analytics off, I have absolutely no idea if anything resonates. It’s like putting artwork up in a museum. Each person gets to enjoy it in their own time and in their own way and the artist is likely never to know. Unless you say something to me, I have no idea if you’ve read these very words. [People would approach me at conferences and mention something going on in my life and I would briefly think, “How do you know about that?!” Only to remember that I had written about it publicly.]

What’s likely evident based on the mere title of this post is the conclusion that blogging is to an anonymous audience. I can guess who my audience is but I will never truly know. Not only will I not know who my audience is when I initially post, I won’t know who my audience might be at some point down the road.

I might still start up a newsletter but in the meantime and until then, I’m enjoying the process of writing to an unknown audience.

I’ve never been big about celebrating my birthday. I’m not sure why. I don’t recall any childhood trauma around birthday parties. Whatever the reason, my birthdays have come and gone without much fanfare. Perhaps a quick visit to my mom’s where I would be treated to my favourite dessert: Betty Crocker Cherry Chip Cake with French Vanilla icing. Pure nostalgia from when she’d make it when I was a child. If she didn’t make it, I’d make it for myself.

Big milestone birthdays like turning 20, 30, or 40 didn’t really feel important or necessary to especially celebrate, nor did I feel any particular existential dread.

This year is different.

I am turning 50. Thankfully, existential dread has been kept to a minimum. I’ve never really had an issue with aging—although society does tend to look more kindly on older men, beauty-wise. I don’t feel that pressure to stay (or look) young. Good thing, too, because that gray hair is pervasive, if you know what I mean.

I did see this milestone coming, though, and with the 50 Before 50 challenge, I had thought to culminate that adventure with a final dinner on or around my birthday. But I finished that a year ago. Whatever shall I do?

Multiple celebrations.

I’ve got three separate parties planned: One in Ottawa with friends, one at my uncle’s farm with family, and another in NYC with another group of friends. I’m very grateful for the friends and family I have in my life and what better way to celebrate fifty revolutions around the sun on this planet than to hang out with them while enjoying some great food.

Here in Ottawa, I booked Perch, which is one of my favourite restaurants in the city. I’ve been a few times and have always enjoyed their understated yet elevated food experience. And in NYC, I booked Atomix, which is one of my favourite restaurants in the world.

After this, I can go back to small cherry chip celebrations. For isn’t it great to be able to enjoy and celebrate each day we’re on this planet? No need to save it up for one big day of the year. (or, er, half century.)

Today’s coffee is tasty—different tasty. It feels thick on the tongue, like a high percentage chocolate, with a bitterness bordering on sweetness. Subtle notes are difficult to find, hidden amongst the clouds of creamy, frothy whole milk that blankets—nay, marries—the espresso. Today is not a day for subtlety. It is a day to be consumed.

And this pain au chocolat ain’t bad, either.

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If there’s one thing I’ve learned from interviewing hundreds of high-performers and change-makers on the Chase Jarvis LIVE show, it’s that the most successful entrepreneurs and creators share a unique trait: they view challenges not as barriers but as incredible opportunities for growth and innovation. Unlike many of us who might view problems as burdensome obstacles, they tend to see them as opportunities to learn, to grow, to improve, and to adapt in ways that leave them better positioned than they were before. This perspective isn’t just about maintaining a positive attitude—it’s about harnessing the power of each setback to propel oneself forward.  Why Problems Are Your Launchpad for Innovation Problems are inevitable, no matter what we do in life, but as creators and entrepreneurs we can get more than our fair share. It’s par for the course when it comes to breaking new ground and pushing boundaries. But here’s the kicker: when you start to view these problems as crucial growth opportunities, they suddenly become less daunting – more like puzzles waiting to be solved rather than monsters lurking in the dark. This mindset not only reduces the stress associated with challenges but also opens up your creative process...

The post How to Find Opportunity in Everything first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post How to Find Opportunity in Everything appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

In the midst of a creative marathon, the sprint towards the finish line can feel all-consuming. For me, that’s been the reality as I hammer out the final chapters of my next book. Picture it: weeks of rewrites, a direction that felt “off” until it was nearly scrapped and started anew. It’s a doozy of a process, one that demands the lion’s share of my attention and energy as I push to wrap things up for my publisher. Yet, amid this whirlwind of deadlines and word counts, I’ve stumbled upon a not-so-secret secret to maintaining not just my sanity, but also my creative spark: Play. Yes, play. Those moments of uninhibited, carefree joy that seem diametrically opposed to the seriousness of looming deadlines. But here’s the thing—integrating brief, playful breaks into your work routine can be incredibly rejuvenating and is often the overlooked ingredient in making great stuff. Harnessing the Power of Play During this intense writing phase, I’ve found solace in a few key activities, which, while they might seem like diversions, are actually vital to my process. For starters, music has been a cornerstone of my creative life, notably during the early days of the Chase Jarvis LIVE...

The post Surprising Secret to Boosting Productivity first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post Surprising Secret to Boosting Productivity appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

Ever find yourself chasing after more, only to feel emptier than before? It’s a paradox many of us live: the more we strive for, the less satisfied we become. When does what you do and what you have become enough? It’s a question we rarely ask ourselves. Our society pushes the myth that having more—more money, more stuff, more accolades—is the ultimate path to happiness and success. But here’s the thing: it’s a myth, and like all myths, it’s worth challenging. The Illusion of More We’re bombarded daily with messages that glorify the hustle and celebrate accumulation. Social media feeds us a never-ending stream of highlight reels, making it seem like everyone else has it all. This constant chase for more often leads to a sense of emptiness rather than fulfillment. The Problem with Always Wanting More Our desire for more is deeply ingrained in our culture. We’re never satisfied and always want more—more money, more clothes, more toys, more square feet, more followers. This insatiable pursuit creates a cycle of never-ending wants and desires. No matter how much we accumulate or achieve, there is always something more to strive for, making true contentment elusive. Our natural state is one...

The post Why Chasing More Is Leaving Us Empty first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post Why Chasing More Is Leaving Us Empty appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

In this episode, Cal Newport shares his revolutionary approach to productivity from his new book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout. Cal, a computer science professor at Georgetown and author of Deep Workand Digital Minimalism, explores how principles from historical figures like Newton, Galileo, and Jane Austen can help us thrive in today’s fast-paced world. We discuss his ‘lost art’ approach, debunk the myth of multitasking, and examine how technology impacts our focus and mental well-being. Some highlights we explore: How Newton’s work habits can be integrated into modern productivity practices. Why focusing on single tasks is more effective than multitasking. Advice on reducing social media’s impact to regain focus. Techniques from Cal’s new book to accomplish more without burning out. And more! Enjoy! FOLLOW CAL NEWPORT: twitter | youtube | website Listen to the Podcast Subscribe  

The post Cal Newport on The Dark Side of Modern Productivity first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post Cal Newport on The Dark Side of Modern Productivity appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

Payam Zamani’s journey from refugee to tech mogul is a masterclass in resilience and innovation for creators and entrepreneurs. At 16, Payam fled religious persecution in Iran, arriving in the U.S. with just $75 in his pocket. Within 11 years, he had founded AutoWeb, a company he would later take public for over a billion dollars. His story is not just about success against the odds, but about transforming challenges into catalysts for growth and innovation.For creators and entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s, Payam’s experiences offer valuable insights on how to leverage adversity. Here are seven ways you can turn challenges into your greatest business assets: 1. Embrace Difficult Journeys as Opportunities for Growth Payam’s harrowing escape from Iran taught him to view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. In business, this mindset can help you navigate market volatility and emerge stronger from crises. Action Step: When faced with a setback, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? How can this experience make me and my business stronger?” 2. Cultivate Hope as a Driving Force Despite facing extreme adversity, Payam maintained hope for a better future. This hope became a powerful motivator, driving him to pursue opportunities and...

The post 7 Ways to Turn Adversity into Your Greatest Business Asset first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post 7 Ways to Turn Adversity into Your Greatest Business Asset appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

We often think of creativity and meditation as separate practices – one active and expressive, the other quiet and introspective. But what if these two seemingly different pursuits are actually deeply interconnected, each enhancing and amplifying the other? This fascinating relationship between creativity and meditation was at the heart of my recent conversation with Henry Shukman, an award-winning poet, author, and Zen master. Henry’s unique background bridges the worlds of artistic expression and contemplative practice, giving him profound insights into how meditation can unlock our creative potential. The Creative Benefits of a Quiet Mind One of the core benefits of meditation is learning to quiet the constant chatter of our minds. As Henry explained, this mental stillness creates space for new ideas and inspirations to emerge: “When we meditate regularly, we’re training our minds to be less caught up in the constant stream of thoughts and worries. And in that spaciousness, creativity has room to flourish. Novel connections and insights can bubble up from our subconscious.” This aligns with what many great artists and innovators have reported – that their best ideas often come during moments of mental quiet and relaxation. By cultivating a meditation practice, we’re essentially preparing fertile...

The post The Deep Connection Between Creativity and Meditation first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post The Deep Connection Between Creativity and Meditation appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

In this episode, Dr. Tony Nader drops some serious knowledge about the nature of consciousness and its impact on our daily lives. As a Harvard and MIT-trained neuroscientist, medical doctor, and global leader in Transcendental Meditation, Dr. Nader is uniquely qualified to dive deep into how understanding and connecting with the broader field of consciousness can unlock a limitless supply of creativity, intelligence, and personal fulfillment. Dr. Nader also blows our minds with the potential for collective meditation to create ripple effects throughout society, and how expanding our consciousness can actually enhance our freedom to create the lives we want. Some of the major highlights we cover: The concept of consciousness as a vast ocean with hidden depths of calm and clarity. How regular meditation can lead to inner peace, enhanced creativity, and societal impacts. The science behind meditation and its effects on the brain and society. The interplay of free will, determinism, and consciousness in shaping our lives. And more… Enjoy! FOLLOW DR. TONY NADER: instagram | facebook | twitter | website Listen to the Podcast Subscribe

The post How To Tap Into Infinite Creativity Through Consciousness first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post How To Tap Into Infinite Creativity Through Consciousness appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

In this episode, I sit down with Richard Reeves to dive into his powerful book “Of Boys and Men,” where we unpack why men are struggling in today’s world. From mental health to the evolving roles of fatherhood, we dig into the tough questions. Richard brings in some eye-opening data on education, employment, and how society’s expectations of men have shifted. This isn’t just about men vs. women — it’s about understanding the bigger picture and making space for real change. Some highlights we explore: Why men are falling behind in education and mental health The changing role of fatherhood in modern society The rise of men’s groups and their impact Enjoy! FOLLOW RICHARD REEVES: facebook | twitter | website Listen to the Podcast Subscribe

The post Gender Equality Isn’t What You Think (Here’s Why) first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post Gender Equality Isn’t What You Think (Here’s Why) appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

Is AI replacing creativity or elevating it? Discover how artists can use AI to enhance their creative process while keeping human emotion at the core.

The post Is AI the End of Creativity or Just the Beginning? first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post Is AI the End of Creativity or Just the Beginning? appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

Creativity doesn’t expire. Chase Jarvis explains how to keep your creative spark alive, no matter your age or life stage.

The post The Secret to Lifelong Creativity (Hint: It Doesn’t End After Your 20s) first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post The Secret to Lifelong Creativity (Hint: It Doesn’t End After Your 20s) appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

In this episode, Oliver Burkeman gets real with me about the power of embracing limits to unlock a richer, more productive life. We talk about his book, Meditations for Mortals, and unpack why so much of traditional time management is flawed. Instead of chasing perfection, Oliver shows how small, intentional steps and accepting our constraints can actually lead to more freedom and fulfillment. His take on “imperfectionism” and the value of presence offers a fresh way to tackle life’s demands. Some highlights we explore: Shifting from private doubts to taking small, meaningful actions Using “imperfectionism” to overcome perfectionism’s trap Letting go of control to reduce stress and gain momentum Enjoy! FOLLOW OLIVER BURKEMAN: twitter | website Listen to the Podcast Subscribe

The post The Dark Side of Productivity Myths Exposed first appeared on Chase Jarvis.

The post The Dark Side of Productivity Myths Exposed appeared first on Chase Jarvis.

After many months — building your own sites is hard! — I am finally able to launch truth-and-beauty.net, my new portfolio site! It replaces the old moritz.stefaner.eu, which now lives at archive.stefaner.eu, as I was not able to (and probably won’t) migrate all old contents over. A few notes on technology – I knew I […]

The eyeo festival and the community around it has a very special place in my heart. When Dave Schroeder announced the team was editing a book to celebrate the fifth anniversary, my immediate thought was to use this opportunity to follow up on an old idea, which I had been kicking around for a while […]

The logistics industry has experienced a meaningful changeover with the appearance of the Internet of Things (IoT). By enabling real-time data collection and analysis, IoT has supplied new visibility into logistics operations. This raised visibility is key for keeping up [...]

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The post The Internet of Things in Logistics: Real-Time Data for Enhanced Visibility first appeared on CSS Reset.

In today’s tutorial, we’re going to take a quick look behind the process of creating a security icon, and see how we can take some simple shapes and turn them into a finished usable product. So, assuming you already have Figma running in the background, let’s jump straight into it! Tutorial Details: Security Icon Program: […]

The post How to Create a Security Icon appeared first on Vectips.

In this tutorial we’ll be making a nautical scene with underwater elements. We’ll be using basic geometric shapes as well as creating our own brushes and doing some freehand drawing to create a unique ocean design. Let’s get started! Tutorial Details Program: Adobe Illustrator CS6 – CC Difficulty: Intermediate Topics Covered: Shape Building, Paintbrush Tool, […]

The post Create a Stylized Ocean Design in Adobe Illustrator appeared first on Vectips.

Follow this tutorial to create a trendy flat teacup logotype in Adobe Illustrator! We’ll be using and modifying basic geometric shapes, working with Align panel, Pathfinder functions and learning simple yet very useful tips and tricks. Let’s get started!   Tutorial details: Program: Adobe Illustrator CC Difficulty: Beginner Topics Covered: Logotype Design, Shape Building, Compositional Skills Estimated […]

The post Design a Flat Teacup Logotype in Adobe Illustrator appeared first on Vectips.

Sucuri Inc. is a globally recognized authority in all matters related to website security, with specialization in WordPress Security. The Sucuri Security WordPress plugin is free to all WordPress users. It is a security suite meant to complement your existing security posture. It offers its users a set of security features for their website, each...

Anthony Colangelo makes the case for letting the browser and operating system decide how form elements should be styled:

Dropdowns and date pickers are just a sampling of the things that are better handled by systems themselves—a device will always be able to make better decisions about its use than the device-agnostic web.

The simplistic interactions of early input types gave us room to experiment, but the more complex interactions of modern fields leave little room for that. There’s only so much we can control before the browser and operating system take over, and then we’re at their whim. The web isn’t stopping any time soon—we’re headed for more complex input types with even less control exposed.

I agree. Trying to control form styling is a bit like trying to build sites for a specific set of screen widths. Yes, you can keep creating and managing more breakpoints, but you’ll always be fighting a losing battle because there will always be more screen sizes to design for. A better strategy is to choose a minimal amount of breakpoints to suit the content, and use a liquid layout to fill the rest. In the same way, browsers will always be evolving the implementation of their form elements, so trying to keep your own implementation consistent across all platforms will introduce an ongoing maintenance burden. Of course there will be cases where you have to implement your own styles – the form element you want may not exist, or may not be suited to your needs – but if there is no great need then it’s best to leave the specifics of form implementation to the browser.

Co.Design asked Tobias Frere-Jones of Hoefler & Co. to give his thoughts on Apple’s choice of Helvetica as an interface typeface for the upcoming OS X Yosemite update:

Despite its grand reputation, Helvetica can’t do everything. It works well in big sizes, but it can be really weak in small sizes. Shapes like ‘C’ and ‘S’ curl back into themselves, leaving tight “apertures”–the channels of white between a letter’s interior and exterior. So each shape halts the eye again and again, rather than ushering it along the line. The lowercase ‘e,’ the most common letter in English and many other languages, takes an especially unobliging form. These and other letters can be a pixel away from being some other letter, and we’re left to deal with flickers of doubt as we read.

This reminds me of what Erik Spiekerman wrote about Helvetica:

[Helvetica] really wasn’t designed for small sizes on screens. Words like milliliter can be very difficult to decipher. If you ever had to read or write a password with 1, i, l or I, you know the problem.

Still, I wouldn’t keep Lucida Grande for HiDPI displays. With a 2× resolution jump (4× pixels) pixel fitting becomes less of an issue, and pixel optimized typefaces like Lucida Grande begin to look crude in comparison with typefaces made primarily for print. Legibility obviously still matters just as much, but the choice need no longer be bound to fonts optimized for low resolution displays.

Today, I am happy to announce version 6.0 of the Hybrid Core development framework. It has been a long time … Continue reading Hybrid Core 6.0 Now Live, ThemeHybrid.com Community Relaunch →

The emergence of AI software in the field of architecture and design has sparked a significant shift in how professionals approach their work. With advancem ...

Step into a realm where the magical world of Harry Potter collides with the captivating aesthetics of HBO's Euphoria, giving birth to an AI-generated Hogwar ...

Many aspiring artists turn to the online community to present their work to the general public. Not only will this enable them to reach an extremely diverse ...

Hey there, fellow design enthusiasts! I've got something super cool to share with you today. You know those grungy, vintage-looking textures that make your ...

The gallery features a collection of 18 cleverly implemented logo design ideas that highlight the art of logo creation. These logos showcase not only smart ...

Technology today loves making stuff just for you, and it's changing the game in how we get our digital kicks. In an era where personalization is paramount, ...

Medium is a bold, blog-style WordPress theme featuring double sidebars, attention to typographic and design detail and plenty of white space. Use it as a personal blog or a minimal portfolio to show off your latest works. Medium is responsive, all the way down to mobile. Images, videos and text will scale down gracefully to […]

I just uploaded four of my illustrations (Koi, Peacock, Abstract Pheonix, and Japan 11-03-11) on Society6, a print shop that sell art prints on behalf of the artists around the world. You can get illustrations printed on various meterials: sketched canvases, posters, T-shirts, hoodies, laptop and iPhone cases.

By Elizabeth Boakes Aeon A small boy hauls enthusiastically on his fishing rod. The line flies up and a needle-spined fish strikes him in the eye. Desperate to stay outdoors, he ignores the pain, but his sight deteriorates over the … Continue reading →

A project to support international music festivals suffering from Covid19 Its a map and a nest with actual ants the creatures that dont have to follow lockdown rules

This post: Can I Import Photoshop Brushes into Affinity Photo? was first published on Beyond Photo Tips by Susheel Chandradhas

Digital brushes are a powerful tool for digital artists, designers, and photographers. The brushes allow them to create a wide range of textures, patterns, and effects in image editing apps. Can Affinity Photo use existing Photoshop Brushes? Over the years, many professionals and hobbyists have curated extensive collections of Photoshop brushes over time, tailored to […]

This post: Can I Import Photoshop Brushes into Affinity Photo? was first published on Beyond Photo Tips

This post: Affinity Spring Sale: Up to 50% Off was first published on Beyond Photo Tips by Susheel Chandradhas

You might have seen some of my articles about Affinity Photo and how it is a wonderfully cost-effective solution for both advanced amateurs and professional photographers when it comes to retouching images. Well, if you have been holding out for a discount on purchase of Affinity apps, then now might be the right time to […]

This post: Affinity Spring Sale: Up to 50% Off was first published on Beyond Photo Tips

This post: Affinity Acquired by Canva.com was first published on Beyond Photo Tips by Susheel Chandradhas

Today, Affinity and Canva, together announced the acquisition of Serif, the makers of the Affinity apps, by Canva. This is a significant development in the progress of the Affinity suite, and we are both excited, and hesitant at this development. What Is Affinity? Affinity is a suite of apps that allows designers, photographers, and publishers […]

This post: Affinity Acquired by Canva.com was first published on Beyond Photo Tips

We kick things off wishing Darren a happy birthday and hearing about his New Year celebration. We briefly discuss the upcoming riot anniversary and the current state of the pandemic. […]

In science fiction literature and films, holography has received much attention. These tales frequently depict holograms as entertainment, communication tools, or live creatures. Their depiction in these sources is typically far more sophisticated than what is now technologically feasible. Holography is beginning to play a more significant part in current communications and technologies as technology […]