There's something different about it.

"There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees." - Michel de Montaigne   There's something different about a conversation.   No matter how much I write about a topic, a chat with a curious person always brings out new insights.   I recently had a great conversation with Kim Doyal on her podcast in which I shared my thoughts on how to grow a newsletter, what I've learned from writing this one, and much more.   You can listen to it here or wherever you listen to podcasts.   Now, on to this week's ideas...   * * *   1. EIGHT WAYS TO DEVELOP YOUR UNIQUE WRITING VOICE   "The sooner you stop trying to find your voice, the better. Because the truth is you don't find your voice, you develop it."   Successful writing is rooted in a unique voice, but it's easy to misunderstand what it takes to develop your voice.   In this post I share eight ways to develop your unique writing voice including to write what you're scared to write, showcase your flaws, and allow your unique experiences to become your competitive advantage.   RELATED: What it means to be a writer.   * * *   2. HOW TO READ MORE BOOKS   "Maybe the whole purpose of reading wasn't to learn more but to get in touch with that deep and quiet part of yourself - your inner temple, so to speak."   This mini-documentary delivers on its promise and so much more.   In a 37-minute video, Max Joseph goes on a quest to the world's greatest bookstores to learn how to read more books and interviews a slew of experts including the world's fastest reader, accomplished bloggers, and university scholars.   Along the way you'll discover how the development of a simple habit can be the difference between reading 55 and 1,000 books in your lifetime, why which books you read doesn't really matter, and how the process of reading unlocks other valuable gifts for your life.   RELATED: How to get 10x more value out of every book you read.   * * *   3. HOW TO BE FUNNY   "Rather than tell jokes, exceptionally funny people tell relevant stories that have humorous elements."   I'm not sure I believe funny can be taught, but this post comes as close as you'll get to a formula.   Vanessa Van Edwards shares seven ways to be funny in conversations including to give the opposite answer to yes/no questions, use the rule of three, and play with numbers.   RELATED: How to create a joke like a late night talk show host.   * * *   4. HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ATTENTION DIET   "In a world with infinite information and opportunity, you don't grow by knowing or doing more, you grow by the ability to correctly focus on less."   Attention just like food - the more junk we consume, the worse off we are as a result.   Mark Manson explains how to improve your attention diet including tips about how to cleanse your social media habits, schedule your diversions, and choose good sources of information and connection.   RELATED: Nine daily practices to increase your attention span.   * * *   5. HOW TO AVOID 84 COMMON PRODUCTIVITY KILLERS   "Productivity isn't about big, sweeping declarations and step rate changes. It's about avoiding small time wasters and learning to do that at scale."   If you want to get more done the first thing to do is to figure out what you can remove from your daily routine.   Danny Forest suggests you start with these 84 productivity killers including things that slow you down when using your computer, going somewhere, shopping, and more.   RELATED: My most productive days are a result of these five choices.   * * *   COMING NEXT WEEK TO ALL ACCESS MEMBERS...   Here's a sneak peek at some ideas All Access members will get in next week's newsletter:   • How to get organized when you're a messy person   • How to improve your Instagram bio   • How to know what to charge for your work and why you should probably charge more   • A surprising tactic that drastically increases word of mouth about your work   • A collection of Mac productivity hacks for creative workers   If you'd like me to send you these ideas, sign up here to become an ALL ACCESS member before next Sunday.   This newsletter is 100% reader supporter (no ads!), so it's your support that keeps the ideas coming.   Thanks! * * *   WHERE I FOUND THIS STUFF   I got some of this week's ideas from Creative Mornings, Tom Kuegler, Kyle Westaway, Joi Sigurdsson, and Trevor McKendrick - they're awesome and worth checking out.   Image via Juri Gianfrancesco.   * * *   If you're seeing this newsletter for the first time and would like to get future issues, you can subscribe here.   * * * Share:

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