What I Know, Lex AI, Colostrum, Communication, Succession-Meets-Renaissance
The Elevator is for high-level operators interested in investing in their lifestyle and spiritual growth. This newsletter helps you lovingly raise the bar on your vision and what’s possible through trends, products, tools, and services.
Cafe:
Hey All, Happy June!
Here’s what’s ahead in The Elevator
“50-Things I Know” (Newsletter)
Lex.AI (AI Aplication)
Armra (Supplement)
Supercommunicators (Book)
Flowstate Radio (Playlist)
Renfaire (HBO)
I’ve been spending lots of time with clients in person lately and loving it. I just got back from another “Private Retreat” for founders who are looking to work on vision, personal challenges, or blocks and structuring their business for the next phase of growth.
Here are 3 things I’ve learned from hosting these retreats:
1. Strategy can be fun. We get enough seriousness day to day. Get too serious and the “visioning” gets overwhelming.
2. Personal blocks are intertwined with business blocks. This makes it difficult for entrepreneurs because you’re considering what you want, and what the business needs. There is a difference between the two.
3. Create momentum and commitment. Ideation is great, but when we commit, new energy shows up. The more you can create forward progress then and there, the better.
I’m off to Ohio next, then Minneapolis to hang w. partner/client/friend Matt at GOODONYA.
I. “50 Things I Know”
All of us could document more of what we believe and try and clarify it as much as possible. Lists are a good start. I liked this post from Sasha’s Newsletter: 50 things I know
“I know that you cannot skip to the punchline of the cosmic joke. If you’re ambitious, it will be hard to believe that achievement won’t make you completely happy until you accumulate some achievements, and notice the gaps in your happiness.”
As cliche as this is, it’s surprisingly true. Entrepeneurs have a unique set of problems that don’t end when they have more income or some of the things they wanted to purchase, rather they now see with more clarity the other areas that aren’t working for them in their lives, some of which are deeper questions around meaning and purpose.
“I know that in a really great relationship or friendship, you should be able to state your needs without explanation.”
Asking for what we need is a skill, great friends are happy to oblige us. Try today asking for something you need… a complement, a high-five, some support… it’s not as scary as it sounds and others won’t know unless you ask.
“I know that disembodiment is a real and pervasive mental issue afflicting cerebral people. The phrase “stuck in your head” isn’t metaphorical”
Cold-plunging is an effective treatment for anxiety because it literally shifts your blood flow away from the region in your brain that is constantly overthinking. Embodiment practices have been one of the best ways for me to feel better day to day in my life and I believe way more people, due to societal conditioning, social media, and work pressures spend way too much time in their heads. I simply didn’t know I was doing that until I learned more and experienced more somatic forms of therapy.
Read the full 50 things list here:
II. Armra Colostrum
I’m taking fewer and fewer supplements these days but one that I’m loving is Armra Colostrum. I buy the stick packs for travel and daily use. I believe I had more sinus related issues than I realized and Armra (as well as my move to Austin) has seemed to clear things up.
The mucosa is your inside suit of armor - a barrier of protection like skin, lining your mouth, sinuses, lungs, and gut. When you take ARMRA Colostrum™ you strengthen your body’s barriers, creating a tight seal that prevents threats from crossing into the bloodstream and guards against inflammation. It’s your best protection against everyday toxins, pollutants, allergens and processed ingredients.
III. Supercommunicators
I’m leaning into my strengths and continuing deeper explorations around communication. This book caught my eye and I’ve been enjoying it. Great communication is about “clicking” with someone. It feels like a medling or collaborative experience. But how do you “click” and sync up?
A very simple way to do that is to ask more questions.
“Supercommunicators ask ten to 20 times more questions than the average person.”
Another simple way is to be more attuned to emotions in the conversation.
When we’re emotionally attuned, we pick up on and match emotions with the other person. Those who “aren’t listening” especially in the workplace, are speaking from their own experience without being tuned into how the other person is feeling and connecting on a feeling level. I believe this is the most common mistake leaders make in communication, they are missing the right tone and not syncing with others around the emotional communication their employees are sharing.
IV. LEX.AI
We have so many tools today to improve and support our writing. If you think about it, “grammar” and spelling have been solved, thanks to spellcheck and Grammarly. Now, more advanced tools like Lex are creating AI-supported writing environments.
All written communication today now can pass through new filters; organization, tone, and brevity.
V. Flowstate Radio
Flowstate radio is a show that uses music that follows the Pomodoro technique – he mixes playlists with little bits of advice around flow and productivity and makes for a nice set for deep work. I’ve often gone to his mixes when I want to forget about setting music and tracking time for taking breaks.
Here’s a 1 Hour Session with Pomodoros
VI. Ren Faire
“Who will claim the king’s throne?”
Renfaire is one of my favorite watches of the year so far. It’s Succession in documentary form, following the Rennasaince Festival in Texas. The way it’s shot is so creatively done it almost feels like it’s bending genres.
For half a century, 86-year-old George Coulam, known to his employees as King George, has reigned with an iron fist over the Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest “faire” in the world. He has power, glory, and great wealth… but now, he is ready to give it all up and spend the last years of his life in the quest for a romantic companion. Before he retires, George must finally choose which of his longtime employees will take his crown.
Ok, that’s all for this edition. What have you been finding valuable in your life and work lately? Hope you all are off to an amazing month!
xx David
I’m David Sherry, founder of Death to Stock. I partner with founders & entrepreneurs with growing companies. Helping them define their vision and grow personally and professionally to capture their biggest opportunities.