Simply Good Life — Deathbed Test | Elon Musk’s Principles | 4–7–8 Breathing
Hi friends, here is your weekly dose of “Simply Good Life,” a list of things that will help you to grow personally and professionally. Enjoy!
Elon Musk’s Principles
Elon Musk sent an email to all staff at Tesla that was leaked last year. In this email I found two things hugely interesting. His opinion on walking out of meetings and on avoiding acronyms. Enjoy:
– Walk out of a meeting or drop off a call as soon as it is obvious you aren’t adding value. It is not rude to leave, it is rude to make someone stay and waste their time.
– Don’t use acronyms or nonsense words for objects, software or processes at Tesla. In general, anything that requires an explanation inhibits communication. We don’t want people to have to memorize a glossary just to function at Tesla.
What do you think about following his rules at work?
Saunas Are Fantastic
I’ve recently listened to a talk about how sauna use is a great means to improve our heart health and also our lifespan in general. The most fascinating fact for me is:
“Just a single sauna session lowers blood pressure, improves heart rate variability, and improves arterial compliance.”
Wow!
Sauna Use as an Exercise Mimetic for Heart and Healthspan — www.foundmyfitness.com
4–7–8 Breathing Exercise
Last week’s relaxation video was one of the most viewed links I’ve ever sent on Simply Good Life. So here’s another effective exercise I often use to fall asleep faster: the 4–7–8 breathing exercise.
It is simple, takes almost no time, requires no equipment and can be done anywhere.
Start by exhaling completely through your mouth. Inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven and again exhale completely through your mouth to a count of eight. Repeat three more times. That’s it!
Dr. Andrew Weil — a famous celebrity doctor — is one of the biggest supporters of this fantastic relaxation method. Find his detailed explanation here:
Deathbed Test
What is the deathbed test? Put yourself into the distant future. Now imagine yourself lying on your deathbed and asking what your future self would want you to do at the current point of your life.
What will the future you tell you? To stay on your current path or to take a different road? To go with the convenient option or to dig deep onto a path that may be difficult?
So next time — before making big decisions — think ahead to how you might view this decision in your dying days.
Quote I Love
Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still. Chinese Proverb
I try to move forward just a tiny bit after waking up every day: mentally (5 minutes of Duolingo), physically (3-minute mini workout), emotionally and spiritually (morning meditation). People often underestimate the power of small daily steps. Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.
Have a great weekend, all!
Adam
