Stuff #87 - Free in the Knowledge

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Hi from Dublin, I'm Matt...

Thanks for all the lovely comments & messages about the first Stuff mixtape, and welcome to the new subscribers that seem to have found their way here!

Some site news - since starting Stuff I've answered every email reply I've been sent, but to make things easier, I've also added comments to the site version of the newsletter. So, if you want to get involved, you can still hit reply - or visit the web version of the mail.

Thank you for being a part of Stuff. If you received this email from an excellent friend, and would like to subscribe, please go here. If you'd like an archive of Stuff from the beginning of 2022 - it's here.

Onward with the Stuff that MattRs this week...

Monday Motivation: Make this week be the one where you learn how to stop procrastinating. This has been my downfall in the past, if I feel overwhelmed, the delaying tactics get even worse. This article from HBR has some excellent practical advice on how to conquer procrastination.
Your new superpower: Become a more impactful manager by making time to ask yourself these 35 questions on a regular basis. I've met a lot of managers along my journey, and these questions are an excellent baseline for being a great leader. This is also a great (short)list of advice for any aspiring leader.
Essential Reading: The rules of civil conversation. #7 is particularly useful in asynchronous/email communications. Some deeper reading on the art of mastering civility in the workplace here.
Take care: Excellent practical methods to detect and prevent burnout in yourself and your team. This clever app even has a quiz to help measure and monitor burnout risk. Bonus content - a practical managers guide to preventing burnout.
TWIL: Hotel staff fold the end of the toilet paper to give guests confidence that the room has been serviced properly. It's called 'toilegami'.
Take it easy: It's time to embrace your slow, and start seeing it as a feature and not a bug. I highly recommend reading Idler magazine as a way of understanding the need to see life as a 'flaneur'. There is even a manual for being an Idler - I highly recommend it.
Give us a hug: I wasn't much of a work hugger, and then I went to a workplace where it was quite common. Now, I know the science of why a hug feels good.
Sky above, sand below, peace within: There is nothing like a walk near (or on) a beach to improve your wellbeing and help you relax. This amazing site will tell you about the beaches nearest you, you might even find a hidden hem.
HEKLA FRÁ ÞORKELLSHÓLI says: Summer holiday time is upon us, let an Icelandic horse handle your email while you are out. (Outhorsing, geddit?)
Finally: The UK Royal Mint has released this beautiful coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride. Fantastic stuff!

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My aural stuff for you this week is from an artist I have followed for many years. Scanner (aka Robin Rimbaud) has released The Great Crater, a minimal ambient album that tells the story of some huge craters being discovered in Antarctica.

I've been listening to Scanner for a long time, from his first albums of 'found sound' on detuned radios, through more electronic and ambient sounds. It's a rich catalogue of interesting music.

Listen to Scanner - The Great Crater on Spotify here. Buy the album and support Scanner on Bandcamp here.