157: Non-Traditional Measures of Productivity, with Mike Vardy

Greenlights is a candid and unconventional memoir by Matthew McConaughey. The book blends wild stories, life lessons, and poetic insights, offering a roadmap to catching more 'greenlights'—those moments when everything in life seems to go your way. McConaughey draws on his 36 years of journaling to share his approach to living, which emphasizes recognizing and embracing the greenlights in life, even when they are disguised as yellow or red lights. The book is a celebration of life, gratitude, and self-dedication, and it provides practical advice on navigating life's challenges and finding success and happiness.

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

This book offers a holistic approach to personal finance, encouraging readers to view money as a form of 'life energy' and to align their spending with their values. It provides nine steps to help readers stop living paycheck to paycheck, get out of debt, and achieve financial independence. Key concepts include calculating net worth, evaluating the life energy spent on work, and investing wisely. The authors emphasize the importance of finding one's 'point of enough' and living a more deliberate, meaningful life[1][3][5].

The Road Less Stupid is a business guide that emphasizes the need to minimize dumb decisions and maximize critical thinking. The book, written by Keith J. Cunningham, highlights the concept of 'dumb tax' – the financial and emotional costs of making poor business decisions. It advocates for regular 'Thinking Time' to reflect on business challenges, separate problems from symptoms, and make informed decisions. The book is structured with short chapters and reflective questions to help business owners improve their decision-making skills and avoid costly mistakes[2][4][5].