Editor's note: This was originally sent out in the newsletter on 08/10/18

One of the things that led me to want to get back into doing my newsletter is that I felt this creative itch lately. I just felt like something was missing, and my mind was continually wandering through these many different ideas for projects or things I should be doing. It was almost like this constant existential crisis that was trying to consume me. After talking to a few people about it, I realized that I had taken care of many of the more basic needs in life and was looking for something more.

I am sure many of you have heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it is basically a pyramid system with your more basic needs at the bottom and the more profound needs near the top. It struck me that my issue was that I was moving up in the pyramid. I had locked down the basic needs; physiological, safety, love and belonging, and probably even esteem. I know that for years working crappy jobs I would spend a lot of my extra energy looking for something better and the rest of the time just trying to decompress from hating my job every day. I was trying to find the thing that would fill these needs.

Being in a good place career-wise now and with family life being busy but stable, I find myself trying to fulfill the higher needs, self-actualization, and self-transcendence. I think figuring out what this actually means for me is the hard part though; it is different for everyone. I think a big part of it for me is being a good parent, trying to find ways to help my children be prepared for the future and being the best version of themselves they can be. While another part of it is continuing to expand my realms of knowledge and figuring out ways I can find my sense of peace.

If I knew how to fulfill this need of self-actualization entirely, I bet I could make a lot of money off that knowledge, but it is a tough challenge. We all must figure out how to clear this on our own, maybe we won’t ever fully find it, but it seems like something we should all be trying to find.

  • The Ringer posted a list of what they believe to be the be TV shows ever. Who doesn't love lists right, but this made me want to rewatch tons of these shows.
  • I always remember trying to find all the right Monopoly pieces from McDonald's, turns out I never had a very fair chance. Here is a crazy story about how the system was being scammed for years.

Recommendations

  • Early this week the first episode of the fourth season of Better Call Saul aired. While I obviously don't know how this season will go, the first three seasons were great. If you liked Breaking Bad or just great television, you can go back and watch the first three seasons on Netflix now. It starts a little slow, but it is so worth sticking with.

As always I appreciate you taking the time to read through my random thoughts, you can share this with anyone you think may enjoy it. And in the end, if you don't feel this is for you, you can always unsubscribe too.

Thanks for reading,
Mike

P.S. I know I said Thursday, and that is still my plan, but I'm working into it, so be cool.