These are my Momentos, short personal diary entries I write daily – since 2013 – and publish monthly. Some links are affiliate links.
1
Asking people what is the strangest business they’ve heard about at this conference. Some of the answers…
- Wholesome sex toys
- Table leg company
- Yacht fleet management software
2
This conference was the most social I’ve been in several years. Enjoyed the banter, getting into flowing conversations, making people laugh. Managed my energy well too, don’t feel like I missed out on anything over the 4 days.
3
One of my favorite books is My Wicked, Wicked Ways by Errol Flynn. He was a total rascal, lived balls to the wall, and I admire him for that. Occurred to me recently though that I’ve met guys like him in my life and never felt comfortable around them, always tried to distance myself.
4
Got back to Andorra late last night, was a mad few days in London. Lots I need to reflect upon and process. But today is mostly about getting organized, clearing the runway. I unpack my bags, clean my desk, catch up on emails and notifications.
5
I used to treat myself to junk food, or staying up late. But I don’t see such things as treats anymore. I see them as self-sabotage. If I really love myself and want the best for me, it doesn’t make sense to prioritize shallow and fleeting pleasures.
6
I don’t mind being tired if it feels like a good ROI on the energy spent. Tired after a long hike = good tired. Tired after helping out a friend and they really appreciate it = good tired. Tired after lots of repetitive and monotonous work tasks = bad tired.
7
Cycling back to the car along the road, not pushing it too hard until one of those road bike dudes with all the gear flies past me. Then I almost bust a lung trying to keep pace with him up the big hill. So you could say I’m competitive.
8
We live on the edge of a busy village. They’ve had an Ironman go through here recently, and a big obstacle course race today. It’s the best of both worlds really: living in the countryside but with plenty of activity around us.
9
At that DC event there was a high-level entrepreneur talking about how she is the visionary in her business, and her right-hand woman is an excellent implementer. That’s a good thing to aim for methinks: become the visionary, and have a strong team to make your vision a reality.
10
Took some downtime yesterday. Had no choice really, was zapped after almost 3 weeks of go-go-go. I always feel a bit lazy and frustrated on days like that, but it paid off today, was able to hit the ground running again and get loads done.
11
I can see how generic content sites will be affected by AI, sites that basically just research what’s written elsewhere and combine that info to make their own content. ChatGPT does that faster and better. But on my site we do mostly original research, not just summarizing what’s already online. I can’t see how AI will replace that.
12
Have to do theory and practical tests to get an Andorran driver’s license. Had a practice lesson today, driving around in a little Renault, getting used to a manual transmission again. This will be the third country I’ve had a driver’s license in.
13
I remember hearing a long time ago that negotiation is the fastest way to make (or lose) money. Remembering the truth of that today. Looks like some patient negotiation will result in an extra $1000 a month in my pocket.
14
One of the questions I might get asked in the driving theory test…
What is the maximum length of the vehicle combination made up of a 10,500 KG lorry and its trailer?
Somehow my answer to this question helps them gauge my ability to safely drive a car.
15
Could be that I’ve spent the first half of my life developing the discipline to get shit done. And the second half could be about developing the discipline to stop constantly doing shit and allow my batteries to recharge.
16
A lot of my suffering comes from resisting reality. Like when someone does me wrong, I spend a lot of energy thinking about how unfair the situation is, how it shouldn’t be happening. The faster I can go from resisting reality to accepting it, the less I suffer.
17
Guy walks onto the road without looking to get into his truck, had to swerve to make sure I didn’t hit him. I’m amazed how often people on the roads trust that complete strangers will be paying enough attention to avoid killing them.
18
I’m aiming to be successful enough with my online business that I can start local businesses that only need to break even. Plenty of products and services I wish existed in Andorra. Be good to scratch my own itch and improve the quality of life here for others at the same time.
19
I love finding weird online businesses to feature in the newsletter. Chatting with a guy today who does a kind of online whisky raffle business. He tells me there are much bigger raffle sites than his, some doing millions per month in revenue.
20
Was going to use the free car check-up offered through my insurance, but the place doesn’t have great reviews. I’d rather pay for a reliable and reputable mechanic than use a mediocre one for free.
21
Woke up at 6am, storming outside. Tried falling back asleep for 20 minutes, eventually gave in and got up. Glad I did. Something magical about early mornings. Weather cleared and in the dawn light I watched a wild deer grazing in the long grass across the way.
22
In tough moments, try think ahead to when you’re old and sick and feeble. Because when you get to that point, you’ll be wishing you were back in that tough moment, because you were much younger then, much stronger, more capable, with lots to look forward to.
23
Surprisingly, I’m enjoying the practice for my upcoming driver theory test. But it makes sense when I think about it: I like the feeling of making progress, from getting a good few wrong a week ago to rarely getting one wrong now.
24
2pm in a little town in the north of Spain. Parking is free for a few hours right at the plaza. All ages chilling out on the benches, at the cafes. It’s a warm day but the trees along here keep everyone cool, letting through only specks of sunshine.
25
Needed some downtime today, so did my favorite thing to unwind: lay out on the couch and watched a classic movie. Easier for me to enjoy rest days when I have the team in place and I’m not so much of a bottleneck anymore.
26
Awake way before dawn, couldn’t sleep with this exam looming, even though I’m confident I’ll pass. I make coffee, boot up the laptop, and run through a few more practice rounds while listening to Blade Runner Blues in the dark.
27
It’s been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby, where did I go wrong?
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they’d only remind me of you
28
That guy in the big Merc who couldn’t wait to rip past me on the road the other day… that was a nice flex. But methinks a nicer flex is not being in a hurry to get anywhere.
29
Was posting lots of content on social the past few months, especially on Twitter. Stopped all that now. Couldn’t tell if posting stuff regularly was actually helping the business, plus the more I posted the more notifications I’d get, requiring me to spend more time on social. And that’s not how I want to spend my time.
30
Had a course creator go apeshit at our negative editorial a few months back. She sent a few students to leave positive reviews. One of those students just emailed asking for her review to be deleted, because her opinion has changed. I figured that would happen, given enough time.
31
Heading towards Madrid at 300 km/h. I barely know this city, but it’s a special place for me, landed here the summer after quitting my job, my first big immersion in a foreign language. The memories are fading though. Think I couchsurfed with a gay couple my first few nights.