2x2: Good Books and Life Hacks

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the 2x2 newsletter. The premier Friday email for leaders, creators, and decision makers who want to manage their tasks, time, and ideas better. Pre-S: [Early registration is now open for our January cohort of Focus Academy.](If you enroll during the month of December you get special pricing on the Pro tier! Check this out 1: [What’s the Best Book you Read in 2022?]( See below for my best fiction book of 2022. As for non-fiction, it’s a tie between [Free Time]( and [Ready Fire Aim](. 2: [Actual Life Hack: Compliment People]( Science shows that "giving compliments in relationships makes both expressers & recipients feel more positive than they expect to feel". By the way, have I told you how awesome you are? Something to think about 1: Six Principles for Focus and Simplicity In his book, [Celebration of Discipline](nosim&tag=shabla-20), Richard Foster lists several principles for the outward expression of simplicity. These are things which someone could use or do in their attempt to flesh out the meaning of simplicity in the modern life. Here are six of Foster’s suggestions: - Develop a deeper appreciation for nature. - Learn to enjoy things without owning them. - Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. - Develop a habit of giving things away; de-accumulate. - Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal. - Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. 2: A Few Favorite Novels One thing I love about the year-end holiday down time is the extra time to read for pleasure and leisure. Here are a few of my all-time favorite novels that I’ve read over summers and holidays past. - [Upgrade]( by Blake Crouch (my favorite novel of 2022) - [Dark Matter]( by Blake Crouch - [Billy Summers]( by Stephen King (this was my favorite novel of 2021) - [11-22-63]( by Stephen King - [Project Hail Mary]( by Andy Weir - [The Martian]( by Andy Weir - [Without Remorse]( and [Rainbow Six]( by Tom Clancy - [Wool]( by Hugh Howey * * * — Shawn P.S. [Plan Your Year]( makes for an excellent goal setting date night. [In-Depth App Training for Power Users]( To unsubscribe, click [here](. Blanc Media, 714 Main St., Grandview, MO 64030, United States