Welcome to the Timestamp Newsletter! But seriously… WELCOME! Glad you’re here! If you’re new to the letter, it’s purpose is to highlight some randomness that will help us better use our time. You’ll find recommendations that are worth it, as well as things to jar your mind off auto-pilot. The longer articles on the site are deeper-dives into our Time.
Let’s roll:
- You got a promotion! Congrats! Wait… I think… wait… What??? The move “up” isn’t always what meets the eye. Like most things we come across in life, determining the positive value of an increase in rank comes down to these two words – IT DEPENDS.
- If you went from working a job where you made $25/hr salary, and kept a true 40 hour work week, that would be $1,000/week that you’d be bringing in … TO…Let’s say a new role that has you at $35/hr for what would be a 40 hr work week, BUT…the extra responsibility has you working 50 hrs a week instead, bringing it back to a $28/hr job. Does the job require travel, adding to the hours that weren’t considered before? Did the job require a new wardrobe; causing money to be spent on clothes and cleaning that weren’t there previously? With the extra time and money going out the door, are you actually “wealthier” now that you’ve been promoted? It’s not an easy answer and your time is of the utmost value, so pay close attention to what you’re trading it for.
- This sweet video is from Boston playing their classic “Foreplay/Longtime” at Giants Stadium in 1979. What an amazing band. What an amazing song. Whatever the bass player was on… I’d like some ( maybe for a just a day..or hour..minute).
- On Being a Present Parent – I once interviewed for a job where the hiring manager ( who was the VP for this company) lived in one Midwest State during the work week, but his family lived two States away, and he only saw them in-person on the weekends. When I asked him about this, he gave me a heaping spoonful of self-righteous justification – “See, when I see my family, I spend more focused time with them then I would if I were there all of the time.” Not a bad answer…. But not an adequate one. You see, there would also be weekends that he DIDN’T make it home. So that “quality time” skewed to “Zero” that week, and brought down his running average. But also think about this… How many special moments, and amazing memories are unscripted? That aren’t at those planned weekend events? What about the day to day living that this Dad was missing all of? When something happened with his pre-teen daughter at school, he would miss the opportunity to have a conversation and understand – the moment to be a true Father would pass. Even if it were brought up at a different time, it’s no longer the same opportunity. When his son was making progress in school or an activity, he’d have to watch it on video. He wouldn’t be there to give the encouragement needed. He wouldn’t be there for the serendipitous conversation that changed the way he saw his Son. When you look at the chief complaints from adults about their childhood, you don’t have to search to hard for “Dad was never around.” Sure, your job makes you travel. So you do it. Sure, you have events to go to, do it… but get back. Don’t take the long flight home to get your damn miles… spend the time with what matters. Don’t buy into the concept of “junk time” with your kids… it doesn’t exist. Quality and quantity, in person.
- Since song lyrics are so triggering …. No-one has back-tracked to figure out that “Take It Easy” by the Eagles has more of a creep vibe than “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ( apparently a National travesty promoting privilege and toxic ‘masculinity’ every Christmas season). Let’s take a quick look at “Take it Easy” …. “I’m running down the road…TRYIN’ TO LOOSEN MY LOAD….???? I have seven… ( count ’em!!! SEVEN!!!) Women on my mind”. That sounds like Ted Bundy’s self talk! ( Fun Fact: the song was written by Jackson Browne, so this is all his fault).
- One Of the Smartest Things Said About Time: “Don’t behave as if you are destined to live forever. What’s fated hangs over you. As long you live and while you can, become good now.” —Marcus Aurelius
Andrew L Hamilton 