Throwbacks from a Chaotic Summer
I’ve been delinquent in writing Snafu this last week, because…
- I bought a house and moved in
- Responsive Conference is coming up in 32 days
- There have been some minor family emergencies
- I’ve had several Zander Media film shoots
- The state of the world? 🤷♂️
Anyway, I thought I’d take this excuse to look back at some of my favorite essays of the last few years…
How to run an unconference – I wrote this a decade ago, but still send people to it when they ask how to get started running events. In fact, I’m going to be leading a workshop on this topic at my friend Jenny Sauer-Klein’s the Conference for Conference on September 16th, which is the preamble to Responsive Conference 2025!
The free pass system – I’ll be sharing this essay with new friends for the next decade. It’s such a simple reframing of boundaries and expectations in friendship, and has already improved mine.
Some reflections on turning 39 - I got more positive feedback on this article than most. I think the mix of practical reminders and authentic reflection worked.
Tilting at windmills - Choosing your battles is an essential skill, as is not arguing with reality. But the idea of going to battle against unrealistic odds when you choose to? It’s a little bit crazy, and I kind of love it.
AI inflection point - One of the unexpected benefits of my foray into housing was this AI inflection point. This technology is transformational, and anyone who isn’t addressing it in their daily lives is going to be left behind.
How to buy a used car - My girlfriend is buying a used car and I referenced this article to remind myself of what we should look out for. (I think that’s a goal for all great writing: write what you want to read and will reference in the future.)
How to run a self-experiment - I’ve been running self-experiments since discovering the term from my old professor Allen Neuringer. The idea is to test hypotheses in small ways and on yourself, but to do so as rigorously as possible.
How to fast - Another reference article and on the habit in my life that is the hardest thing I do. And also, likely, one of the healthiest.
Discipline isn’t hard - In a world that is convenient and comfortable, we need manageable discomfort in our lives. But it doesn’t have to come through force. Instead, I want a re-definition of “discipline” back to the original meaning of the word.
Habits for hiring - Hiring and managing people is hard work. And when you find great people, it makes a world of difference. These are some lessons about hiring and management I wish I’d learned a decade sooner.
How to change someone - This article got me started. It is about my father, published with his grudging permission, and I think about it regularly. You can’t change people, and anyway it is none of your business.
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3 things I’ve loved this week
Goal I’m thinking about
3-2-1
I used to be anxious going to group gatherings, whether attending a garden party, a happy hour, or Responsive Conference. I’ve come up with a goal for myself that makes attending events much easier: 3-2-1.
- 3 new connections
- 2 new ideas
- 1 new habit to try tomorrow
That’s what I’m inviting attendees of Responsive Conference to do, as well.
Podcast reboot
Snafu w/ Robin Zander
I’ve brought back my podcast after a hiatus and finally implemented production and promotion systems that mean we’ll be able to keep it going!
The first two new episodes are (no surprise) with Responsive Conference speakers:
Brian Elliot on How the Future Works
Bree Groff on How to Make Work Fun
Tool I love
PurSteam Steam Mop
I’m so excited to finally be the proud owner of a Steam Mop! My dog Riley sheds a lot, and now that we own a house with hardwood floors, I finally have the excuse to use a steam mop regularly. It’s the little things…
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When you're ready, here's how I can help
I've begun teaching a cohort-driven course about sales. This is a new approach to selling for people who aren't quite comfortable - yet. If you're interested, join the waitlist here.
Everyone has a story. At Zander Media, we help startups and global brands clarify their message and make videos that change people.
Responsive: What It Takes to Create a Thriving Organization is a book for any startup founder or enterprise change lead who wants to improve their organization. And if you want to learn to do a handstand, check out How to Do a Handstand.
Responsive Conference is an annual summit that brings together 300 executives, founders, and entrepreneurs who want to make work better. Join us this September and equip your team to respond to change!
Until next week,
Robin
