Former TV news anchor and self-help speaker Dan Harris recently shared seven things he's learned since restarting his career. I've always loved to share actionable lists like this with my own take:
- ⚔️ Expect adversity – Ultimately, 'no pain, no gain'. It can't always be fun if you're trying to make progress, improve, or get it done. The life hack is thriving on the discomfort, just like suffering up a steep hill; the challenge is the thrill!
- ☝️ Remember – You’ve done hard shit before – setbacks shouldn't spooj you. Mechanicals, metaphorically, in life just take time to be addressed; otherwise, just keep moving, no reason to be stressed!
- 🤕 Self-laceration doesn’t help – learning from a slam doesn't mean you're forever damned. Hell, if you're not hitting the deck occasionally, you might not be progressing. This doesn't have to be the X-Games, but reminding yourself when you get up after you fall that it isn't a reason for regret, but instead your own improvement's best bet.
- 😨 Never worry alone – you shouldn't be shouldering the weight all on your own. Talking frankly about what keeps you up can be a relief for you, but an inspiration for others too, and not to mention, they'll be inclined to help you!
- 🗣 Clear is kind – Dan references Brené Brown's research finding that people appreciate direct feedback. Don't be tempted to avoid conflict and let the other person flail. But that’s not helping anyone. Swallow the frog & tackle the topic.
- 🐿️ Limit the squirrels – Dan's internal team's mantra to stay 'locked in' and not be sidelined by random distractions. Keep your eyes on the prize. It's that simple!
- 🤩 Have fun – I often have said: "If we're not having fun, what are we doing?" No, it's not always a party, but it damn sure isn't jail. You're doing it wrong if it you're grim about it all being rough and not rolling with the punches and laughing enough. ; )
I hope that gets your wheels turning! I almost started the issue with some industry critique, but I'm glad I shared some Twotone sprinkled with rhyme wisdom to start the week.
Thank you for reading,
Jon
September
- 🇳🇱 4 Bike Gear Swap at Patagonia Amsterdam
- 🇳🇱 11 The Mechanics of Joy Live on Echobox
- 🇧🇪 11 Finding Nessie Premiere at CLASSIFIED HQ
- 🇨🇿 12-14 6th Annual Bohemian Border Bash Camp
- 🇪🇸 19-21 Sea Otter Europe w/ Gravaa & Old Man Mountain
October
- 🇳🇱 3 Dox Under The Tracks Nº13
- 🇳🇱 9 10 Bike Messenger Film Festival at Workspace 6 (film screening, bike games, raffle & contests!)
- 🇩🇪 10-12 Bespoked Dresden
- 🇳🇱 13-14 International Cargo Bike Festival, Utrecht
- 🇩🇰 25 Finding Nessie Screening at OMNIUM HQ in Copenhagen
Bikes
Gravaa Demo Days, Local Rides & Sea Otter Europe!
BESPOKED DRESDEN Press Invite + LONDON & OSAKA '26 Info
BESPOKED has never been more stoked! Three shows in the next 13 months: DRESDEN coming up 10-12 October, LONDON announced for 25-27 April, 2026, and OSAKA for September (dates tbd), 2026! Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Finding Nessie Film European Tour
This is such a cute & inspiring project! Look for me at the 11 September premiere in Antwerp, Belgium at CLASSIFIED HQ, the 13 October screenings in Utrecht, the Netherlands during the International Cargo Bike Festival & the 5 October screening in Copenhagen, Denmark at OMNIUM's NBRO shop!
Ideas
It’s 2025. Is It Still Worth Launching a Newsletter?
Dan Oshinsky
Starting a newsletter is one of my number 1 pieces of advice that I share!
The Casual Archivist’s Short History of the Business Card
"The 1960s and ’70s cracked that uniformity open. As counterculture aesthetics filtered into mainstream design, business cards got looser, weirder, and more expressive." Interesting article!
Is Today’s Self-Help Teaching Everyone to Be a Jerk?
"Really, the prevailing advice of 2025 seems to be this: It’s OK to be a little bit of a jerk." 🙄
Friends
Summer Werewolf 2025 | 14.09.25
Olaf Wit Is Ready For His Next Design Challenge
Bootshaus Gravel Recap
I'm indeed still buzzing from Bootshaus! Peek the edit above & read the recap + images here.
Radness
VOID – Music Against The Grain | 26.09.25
Thank you very much for reading!
Here's to getting up that hill this week!