The Challenge of The Month - November 2024
Productivity Mastery - The Seinfeld Method + 5 Articles of The Month
Hello challengers,
Welcome to another issue of this monthly masterpiece (okay, too much?)
I collected many crazy-good articles this month. And I am sure you will love this month’s Notion template for Productivity Mastery. But first, I want to take a few lines to promote my new project: Your Best Year Yet.
Your Best Year Yet is a series of nine issues where I guide you into a better 2025. The series splits into three parts:
Reflection on the past year — 2 issues.
Preparation for the next year — 4 issues.
Execution of the plan — 3 issues.
The first two issues are already out. So, go check it out! In the meantime, I will share my November stories.
November Stuff: Alpacas, Snow & Birthday
Unlike October, November was quieter. While I call it unfortunate, my brain and body are secretly relieved because October was a lot.
Still, November wasn’t boring. Here are three standout moments from the month:
The Snow
It finally snowed in Turin!
After two snowless years, the city got a frosty makeover. Of course, it happened the night I decided to have Congolese food. Classic timing.
The streets? Chaos.
People forgot how to drive, and panic spread faster than the snowflakes. I felt the magic when I walked out of the restaurant and found my car buried in snow. Kids in the park were building snowmen, and for a moment, I felt like one of them.
The Alpacas
My girlfriend’s sister graduated this month, so we gifted her an alpaca walk to celebrate. Naturally, my girlfriend (a vet and animal lover) insisted we join. So I had to follow.
Alpacas are walking clouds with big eyes and a tendency to freak out over nothing. They’re adorable. Their fur is the softest thing I’ve ever touched. And once they warm up to you, they’re like oversized, fluffy puppies.
10/10 would recommend.
The Birthday
I turned 29 on November 27th, marking my last lap around the sun before the big 3-0. But even this year, my birthday was a chaotic mix of celebrations.
I took the day off to indulge in my favorite pastime: being cozy. I had morning coffee at Starbucks, book shopping, and my girlfriend’s homemade crepes in the evening (she knows how to spoil me).
But birthdays in my family are a must. Since my aunt’s birthday is the day after mine, we turn it into a weekend-long celebration. And from Friday to Sunday, I partied with friends and family.
Exhausting? Yes.
Worth it? Absolutely.
Top 5 Articles of The Month
In November, I read a lot about leadership, and most of my feed was about that (now I need to reshape my algorithm, I know). Luckily, I found some hidden treasures you will love!
1 — The Hemingway Effect
Ever notice you’re unstoppable when you’re excited to start a task? Turns out, there’s a sneaky little trick to harness that energy — and most people ignore it.
Motivation is the MVP of productivity. When it’s on your side, life’s a breeze. But when it’s hiding? Everything feels like an obstacle. That’s where this psychological hack comes in — stop working on a task just when it gets interesting.
It’s weird, but your brain will obsess over unfinished business (cliffhanger effect), and you’ll be itching to pick up where you left off. Think of it as the Hemingway Effect — yes, as in that Hemingway.
In this fascinating read, Kevin Dickinson breaks down why our brains work this way and how you can use it to crush any project. Curious? Dive in and discover the science behind this surprisingly simple trick.