Choose one person today
Learn how accepting change eases suffering, small check-ins strengthen bonds, seven simple rules sharpen execution, and your calendar reveals your true priorities.
August 16th, 2025 - Issue #131 - read online
👋 Welcome to Pursuit—your weekly pause for intentional living, self-discovery, and inner clarity. My name is Amir, and every week I share four carefully chosen ideas to help you design a more fulfilling life.
This week at a glance:
🦋 Stop resisting change
💬 Choose one person today
📝 7 rules of smarter task management
📆 Your calendar tells the truth
🦋 Stop resisting change
We do not suffer because things change. We suffer because we resist change. Marcus Aurelius reminds us to be indifferent to what makes no difference. This is not apathy. It is clarity. Indifference here means loosening our grip on outcomes so the rational mind can observe without being consumed.
Ego clings to control. Liberation begins with letting go. Like a fallen redwood that opens space for new growth, loss often clears the way for something greater. The self attached to possessions and roles is brittle. The self that does not cling is free.
Human beings need something vast to admire, something larger than themselves. Without that, despair takes root. The antidote is surrender. See life not as something to hold onto, but as something to move through with grace. Hold outcomes lightly. Act with care. Welcome change. This is where freedom lives.
✨ From Marcus Aurelius - The Power of INDIFFERENCE
💬 Choose one person today
Deep relationships rarely depend on grand gestures. They grow through small moments of attention. A simple “I was just thinking of you” can strengthen a bond.
Do not overthink how to reach out. Let real life do the prompting. If a film, a book, a song, or a matcha latte brings someone to mind, send a note and say why. This is not obligation. It is genuine engagement.
You might say you worry about starting conversations you do not want. That is useful data. If checking in feels like a chore, they are not a priority right now. You do not need to message everyone. Focus on the relationships that matter.
Choose one person today. Send a line. Small gestures compound.
📝 7 rules of smarter task management
Friends and colleagues often ask how I keep a lot in motion without burning out. My setup lets me hold a demanding full-time job, write this newsletter, see friends, run side projects, and travel, while staying accountable.
I have tried many systems over the years. The clearest thinking I have found comes from Tiago Forte. He is not interested in productivity for its own sake. He teaches systems that work with your brain so you can spend time on what matters and follow your energy.
In his video “Why Your To-Do List Isn’t Working and How to Fix It,” he shares seven rules for smarter task management that help you avoid burnout. Here is the gist:
1️⃣ Capture Tasks Immediately – Don’t trust your memory. The moment a task comes to mind, write it down. Use a mobile app or smartwatch for quick capture.
2️⃣ The Two-Minute Rule – If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately instead of adding it to your list. Small wins keep your list clean and build momentum.
3️⃣ Use Actionable Language – Vague tasks get ignored. Instead of "Research options," write "Find three electricians and call for quotes." Clarity drives action.
4️⃣ Include Key Details – Add relevant links, numbers, or notes directly to each task so you don’t waste time searching when it’s time to execute.
5️⃣ Don’t Add Content Consumption – Articles, podcasts, and videos belong in a read later app, not your to-do list. Avoid cluttering tasks with optional content.
6️⃣ Prioritize Three Daily Tasks – A never-ending list is demotivating. Each morning, choose just three tasks to focus on for realistic progress.
7️⃣ Match Tasks to Your Energy – Do deep work when your focus is highest, and save light tasks for when energy dips. Tagging tasks by energy level can help.
⭐ Don’t forget → Most tasks will never get done—and that’s fine. Your list is an option pool, not a contract. The only tasks that matter are the ones you actively choose to do today. Let go of guilt, focus on what truly moves the needle, and remember: Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters.
📆 Your calendar tells the truth
Your calendar is the most honest autobiography you'll ever write. It doesn't matter what you say your priorities are; your calendar reveals the truth. Each block is a decision about what matters, stripped of pretense and rationalization. Your calendar isn't just recording your time—it's exposing your lies.
✨ From Brain Food: Greats Don't Wait
🇵🇸 If you want to support my work, commit to donating $10/month to the children of Gaza—living in what is now the deadliest place on Earth.
🎵 Music I’m listening to
You’ll find mostly Ethnotronica, Organic House, World, Disco, and Organic Electronic here:
🎧 If you appreciate the music I carefully select and haven't followed my Spotify playlists yet, now is the perfect time to hit that follow button and join me on this musical journey! 🎶
🌒 Pano: Danceable and electronic obscure songs
🌓 Sisy: Ethnotronica and organic house
🌑 Berghain: Dark, minimal techno and tech house
🌕 Heide: Groovy soul and disco house
🌞 Sonntag: Afterhours shit
🦥 Slow rave: Sleepy techno for tired danced
🌎 World: From Latin jazz to Turkish psych
🌚 Super Slow: For your intimate moments
Previously on Pursuit:
