Create structure so you can have freedom
Good lord help me, I’m taking life lessons from Matthew McConaughey
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Hi friends,
I’ve spent the last week in Florida on vacation with my family. It’s been a hybrid work + vacation, with the kids in virtual school and me working until early afternoon. Then we find all sorts of fun to get into. And it’s been glorious :)
One of my favorite things to do has been to leave the house early (usually 6:30 AM) with my 16-year old and make our way to the marina, where we sit and have coffee (decaf coffees, y’all) and we both write for an hour.
My son is writing a fantasy novel, and it gives me no shortage of joy to watch him type away on his laptop while he brings his story to life. I’ve been working mostly on book 4 — book 3 is currently being edited and comes out in September — while also spending time on this newsletter.
Alright, Alright, Alright
I love reading books. Like, love love. On this trip, for example, I’ve started and finished two books, while also simultaneously reading two others (one on Kindle, one on audio). And it’s not like I’m only reading; I’m still working 3/4 days while the kids are in school, and working on book 4 of course, and spending a ton of time with the family in the afternoons. But if I get a spare minute here or there, I’m grabbing a book and getting down to business. On a run, before falling asleep at night, and anywhere in between.
In a normal year, I average reading three books per month, but this year I think I’ll average a book a week. I’m ahead of the pace so far.
I’m so hungry for great book recommendations that I ask all of my podcast guests what their favorite books of all time are at the end of each episode. Here’s a list.
And so it is that I found myself on the receiving end of a recommendation for Matthew McConaughey’s book, Greenlights. A good buddy said, “You really should check this one out,” and so I immediately unfriended him on all the social media platforms and deleted his contact from my phone. But wouldn’t you know, soon after, another friend said the same thing, and honestly, it just felt like too much effort to delete her from my life as well, so I was on the fence. I mean, Matthew McConaughey, the ‘Alright, Alright, Alright’ guy? (To be fair, he was amazing in True Detective. And actually I kind of like him as an actor. But an author?!)
For the drive down for this vacation (10.5 hours) my wife and I wanted to listen to an audiobook while our kids watched a movie in the back of the minivan, and Greenlights was the right length of time and McConaughey reads it himself, so I thought we’d give it a try.
My wife bailed pretty quickly, and I have to say the book is long on adjectives and flowery prose, and at times short on substance. But, it does get better along the way and his stories are of the ‘do I really believe that?’ variety, so I stuck it out.
Create structure so you can have freedom
At one point, McConaughey (yes, I still have to look up how to spell his name every time I write it) shares bumper stickers he likes, and one of them is, “Create structure so you can have freedom”, and I was immediately on board.
Side note: he does share a lot of great wisdom (I’m cringing as I write that word) in the book, including this one which I also love, “You have to be thrown off balance to gain your footing.”)
The juxtaposition of those two words — structure + freedom — is what grabs me. I’m all about structure. I have a set time of day I do things, a set number of hours I try to do things, and I even color-code my calendar according to the type of things I’m doing. I guess what I’m saying is, my things, they’re organized.
And while that may seem a little OCD and the exact opposite of freedom, in fact, that kind of structure unlocks my ability to be more, well… free.
The point
You see, creating calm in the chaos of life allows me to create my own chaos. There is no chance I’d have been as successful at some of my entrepreneurial pursuits if, while I was creating my own chaos, I was struggling with the day-to-day chaos that life was already throwing at me.
This won’t work for everyone; some people seem to thrive in the midst of life’s chaos. These are the same people that feel most at peace when their desk looks like someone took a box of miscellaneous crap and poured it out. “This is how I like it, I know where everything is!” Uh huh.
If that works for you, perfect. But for those of us whose hair stands on end just thinking about getting any work done in that clutter, perhaps start by embracing your inner organizer, your mini-Marie Kondo if you will, and use that sense of structure to allow yourself to be more free. If it works for Matthew McConaughey, then it might work for you.
Or if not, just make a dozen movies with Kate Hudson, that might also be the answer.
I hope you’re happy,
Jeff
I had to include one more photo from my epic writing spot on our trip. This cat, who they tell me is named Mayor, became my good buddy. One day he sat in my lap for a half-hour while I wrote. And I’m very much allergic to cats, and I paid for it later that day when my allergies shut me down, but it was worth it. I mean, look at that face! 🤧
Recent podcasts
I produce a weekly podcast called, Begin the Begin. I hope you'll consider subscribing.
Creating a more inclusive world (with Jenn Graham of Civic Dinners): Spotify + Apple + Other
The irrepressible optimism of Atlanta (with Amir Farokhi, Atlanta City Council Member): Spotify + Apple + Other
Does your life needs a "hard reset"? (a conversation with Bobby Norwood): Spotify + Apple + Other
"What's your Gusto?" with founder and CEO of Gusto!, Nate Hybl: Spotify + Apple + Other
I'd love for you to check out either of my books: The 5-Day Turnaround + The Crisis Turnaround. They're a heck of a deal on Amazon right now ;)
And if you’re interested, here are the businesses that I’m a part of:
Dragon Army: a purpose-driven digital engagement company
48in48: building 48 nonprofit websites in 48 hours
Ripples of Hope: empowering nonprofit leaders to grow their business and do more good
The A Pledge: a racial equity nonprofit focused on the advertising and marketing industry
Thanks for reading, and please let me know if there are particular topics you'd like me to write about. Of course, if there is someone you think might enjoy this email newsletter, feel free to forward it over to them ;)
And remember, always lead with purpose!