I’m 44 yo, in 2016 or 2017 I don’t recall exactly I have started to work part time. One day off a week. 20% drop in income. One of my best decision ! On the other side, I am ok to retire later if I am still able to do the job according to my standards.
About AI, it’s one thing I like with endurance : no shortcuts. Nothing can’t do the job but you.
Last but not least, about slowing down, I have had the chance to do the Tour of Corsica by bike with friends. Day in day out on the bike with marvellous sceneries. One day, we were crossing an old village. A very old men looked at us with the typical stare of these old guys. He was walking so slowly… not a frail gait, he was just epitomizing slowness. A bit like if he knew death was closer and closer and going slower pushed it away. Back to my everyday life, I feel too often in a rush and remember this guy to slow me down and mimic the old Corsican guy’s gait.
You were so forward thinking to “buy” that time back 8-9 years ago. Love the AI and endurance analogy - gotta do the work. Also love the old guy - still moving but slowing down and soaking up the scenery - sounds, views, thoughts and memories. Slow it down to push it up! Cheers.
Frankly, the idea of working less is not a genius idea of mine : it's a mix of context, thinking, and egoistic sports endeavours.
It's also another example of how our brain makes for explanations *after* we "decide" or did something. I am digging the free will debate lately, an interesting question.
Getting back to the reasons of working less and underlining the intellectual process, I think two things are at play :
1) with our job, we see a lot of people having a dip in their health trajectory around 65 at the time of retiremement. So hoping for long holidays at the time of retirement is an illusion. We have to do *now* what matters for us. Same for that difficult book you keep to read later... if you don't open and read this book, there s a low chance you will read it fully someday. So having a day a week to do what matters for me now instead of dreaming of hiking in the mountains at 70 seems pragmatic to me
2) the second knob turned in my mind is understanding that money is not linked to value. As an anesthesiologist I could make 3x -5x my income working in the private sector but it's not the way of living I want. I have understood that my "value" is not linked to numbers at bottom of my salary sheet. Plenty of people earn way more money and I feel like I absolutely don't want to hang out with them because of X reasons... So, since I have more than enough money working the way I do, I don't see good reasons to chase more money to hoard euros on a bank account. (I think you would be surprised how low my income is according to american standards, but my life is totally ok on the material side of things)
The “daily constitutional” has been recognized by historical figures whose ideas have been hugely influential such as Thoreau. It has been shown to promote creativity, de-stress (modulate the autonomic nervous system), and more. There’s something about doing so in nature that seems especially beneficial. Here’s an interesting podcast that discusses some of these ideas.
Thanks Jordan. This time of year is perfect to stop and rest, reflect and reset our goals and purpose for the coming year. Physiologically, zone 1 exercise allows for the perpetual ongoing rest, reflect and reset by setting the background groundwork that allows each of us to maintain and build health & fitness.
This pic was AI assisted. I'm taking so many photos of my beautiful surroundings here in Alaska and on my travels but I'm learning that there is a true skill & art to photography. Great news on the new row machine - great exercise! Keep rowing!
Hello from overseas !
I’m 44 yo, in 2016 or 2017 I don’t recall exactly I have started to work part time. One day off a week. 20% drop in income. One of my best decision ! On the other side, I am ok to retire later if I am still able to do the job according to my standards.
About AI, it’s one thing I like with endurance : no shortcuts. Nothing can’t do the job but you.
Last but not least, about slowing down, I have had the chance to do the Tour of Corsica by bike with friends. Day in day out on the bike with marvellous sceneries. One day, we were crossing an old village. A very old men looked at us with the typical stare of these old guys. He was walking so slowly… not a frail gait, he was just epitomizing slowness. A bit like if he knew death was closer and closer and going slower pushed it away. Back to my everyday life, I feel too often in a rush and remember this guy to slow me down and mimic the old Corsican guy’s gait.
Cheers ! And happy birthday to Mini Jake !
You were so forward thinking to “buy” that time back 8-9 years ago. Love the AI and endurance analogy - gotta do the work. Also love the old guy - still moving but slowing down and soaking up the scenery - sounds, views, thoughts and memories. Slow it down to push it up! Cheers.
Frankly, the idea of working less is not a genius idea of mine : it's a mix of context, thinking, and egoistic sports endeavours.
It's also another example of how our brain makes for explanations *after* we "decide" or did something. I am digging the free will debate lately, an interesting question.
Getting back to the reasons of working less and underlining the intellectual process, I think two things are at play :
1) with our job, we see a lot of people having a dip in their health trajectory around 65 at the time of retiremement. So hoping for long holidays at the time of retirement is an illusion. We have to do *now* what matters for us. Same for that difficult book you keep to read later... if you don't open and read this book, there s a low chance you will read it fully someday. So having a day a week to do what matters for me now instead of dreaming of hiking in the mountains at 70 seems pragmatic to me
2) the second knob turned in my mind is understanding that money is not linked to value. As an anesthesiologist I could make 3x -5x my income working in the private sector but it's not the way of living I want. I have understood that my "value" is not linked to numbers at bottom of my salary sheet. Plenty of people earn way more money and I feel like I absolutely don't want to hang out with them because of X reasons... So, since I have more than enough money working the way I do, I don't see good reasons to chase more money to hoard euros on a bank account. (I think you would be surprised how low my income is according to american standards, but my life is totally ok on the material side of things)
Love this! Agree 100%. Nature Medicine (2024): aging isn’t linear. Inflection points: early 40s & early 60s.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02902-5
Stop planning to live later.
Biology starts slowing down in your 40s.
Nature Medicine (2024): aging isn’t linear.
Inflection points: early 40s & early 60s.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00692-2
The “daily constitutional” has been recognized by historical figures whose ideas have been hugely influential such as Thoreau. It has been shown to promote creativity, de-stress (modulate the autonomic nervous system), and more. There’s something about doing so in nature that seems especially beneficial. Here’s an interesting podcast that discusses some of these ideas.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?i=1000735095031
Justin! Thank you for sharing this healthy nugget! Nature is so refreshing and healing. Just downloaded the podcast to listen. Thanks!
I love the concept of the slow down to be more mindful.
I am also only just learning how how important this zone 1 is.
Great writing Jake!
Thanks Jordan. This time of year is perfect to stop and rest, reflect and reset our goals and purpose for the coming year. Physiologically, zone 1 exercise allows for the perpetual ongoing rest, reflect and reset by setting the background groundwork that allows each of us to maintain and build health & fitness.
Your pics are amazing! Immediate message connects before you hit the words. Who’s your photographer? 😉😎
Love this!
Time for some easy rowing - new purchase!
This pic was AI assisted. I'm taking so many photos of my beautiful surroundings here in Alaska and on my travels but I'm learning that there is a true skill & art to photography. Great news on the new row machine - great exercise! Keep rowing!