THINK BOX NEWSLETTER

By Shu Omi

#31 Why Writing Makes You Smarter and Tips on Growing on Twitter

#31・ Oct 14, 2020

issues

View online

Shu Omi

@ShuOmi3

Welcome to #31!

Hi :) How are you doing today?

It’s been thinking a lot about moving back to the UK recently since my girlfriend still lives there. However, the problem is getting a visa. I haven’t done much research, but it doesn’t seem like you can get one easily.

If you know an easy way of getting an UK visa, please let me know!

Anyway, check out the two videos I published last week:

Here are the best articles, books, podcasts, tweets I found this week.

It’s a long list, so I’d recommend using a read-later service like Pocket Instapaper or mymind.

Save them 👉 Read them later 👉 Make notes 👉 Create your own content!

Our doggos :)

My Favorites of the Week

How Writing Makes You Smarter:

A Thread on why writing is a superpower

I loved this Twitter thread about why you should write more.

Writing is like weightlifting for your brain – writing about an idea requires a deep understanding of it.

Writing doesn’t just make you a better thinker, but also improves your vocabulary, the way you speak, and helps you understand yourself better.

How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Audience:

A Thread of James Clear’s Top Tweets

My friend Deepu started a new Twitter account called “First 1000” where he shares tips on how to get your first 1000 followers on Twitter.

I think it’s a brilliant idea! This amazing thread is an example of the content he shares with the account. Go follow him if you like it :)

First 1000

@Yourfirst1000

We compiled a list of top tweets from @JamesClear
on how to use Twitter to grow your audience.

(A Thread 🧵) https://t.co/DCcIcT5ta5

11:01 AM - 9 Oct 2020

Growth Comes From Discomfort:

Key to Growth

This short article emphasises why you shouldn’t shy away from discomfort because it’s precisely what makes you grow.

We all have weaknesses. But weaknesses are a signal that there’s something we can improve. Like David Perell said, “difficult experiences are the transformative ones.” You have to get out of your comfort zone to grow.

I remember someone (perhaps it was Anne-Laure Le Cunff) does a weekly review where she asks herself “What can I do this week to get out of my comfort zone?” I find this very useful to push yourself to face your own discomfort each week.

Similarly, as Ali quotes in this tweet:

Ali Abdaal

@AliAbdaal

“Compulsive avoidance of embarrassment is a form of suicide” - Colin Marshall. 🎩 @austinkleon

12:50 AM - 6 Oct 2020

Stop Counting Calories

Why counting calories makes no sense

Food we consume have a huge impact on your cognitive performance.

When we evaluate food we eat, we think of it in terms of calories. But this idea of “a calorie in, a calorie out” is simply wrong. That’s because not all calories are created equal.

For instance, there’s a big difference between 500 calories you get from processed food and 500 calories you get from unprocessed food. Processed food can make you gain weight whereas unprocessed food helps you lose weight even if it has the same number of calories.

Do Calories Matter? Is a Calorie a Calorie? (Science of Weight Gain)

4 Steps to Regaining Your Focus When You’re Totally Stressed Out:

How to manage your stress

Since the pandemic happened, I’ve been experiencing more stress and anxiety.

There are several ways I use to manage my mental health such as journaling, taking a walk, meditation and cold shower, but this article shares a few more.

For example, I found stopping “doomscrolling” – which refers to “the obsessive perusal of social media or news” – very helpful to reduce my anxiety level.

Books I'm Reading This Week

Company of One: Why Staying Small is the Next Big Thing for Business:

A must read for creators

A few weeks ago, I was talking to Francesco of “Keep Productive”, and he recommended that I should read this book.

I haven’t finished reading it yet, but I can see why it’s so helpful for creators or those who want to start their own podcast, Youtube channel, newsletter etc.

The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century:

How to succeed in the passion economy

This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. The idea of passion economy is fascinating. The emergence of bloggers and Youtubers who make a living doing what they love is incredible.

This book might be a key to understand why this phenomenon is happening, and why it’s possible for you to do the same.

Again, if you’re a creator or someone who shares content online, this book is a must!