Brenton's Blog

  Book 2: Post 2 Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You -  Ali Abdal I'm not gonna lie, I still have about a fourth of the book left currently, but at the time of this review, I feel I have a good grasp on the main concepts of the reading. Like I said in my last review of the book, I was interested in this book in hopes of it being a tool I could use to reshape my approach to being productive. I hoped to find out-of-box strategies that I'd be able to use throughout my day, hopefully leaving me time for what makes me happy and fulfills me.  The book, however, is more than just a time management guide. It is more of a way of reshaping my mental approach to the stresses of everyday life, and the goals everyone has for themselves. One of the best quotes I read was: "Productivity isn't about doing more things - it's doing more of what matters." Although pretty straightforward, the quote basically illustrates the point that you should be doing...

TO: Clark Hansen, CEO, AMDP FROM: Brenton Gerhardt, R&D, AMDP DATE: March 8, 2024 SUBJECT: Investment Proposal: Celsius Holdings Inc. As part of AMDP's ongoing efforts to identify innovative and sustainable investment opportunities, I am excited to present an analysis of Celsius, a company that has shown remarkable growth in the functional beverage sector. Celsius is known for its scientifically backed, fitness-dedicated energy drinks that promise to provide healthy energy and metabolism-boosting benefits without compromising on taste or health. This memo outlines the reasons for considering an investment in Celsius by examining its alignment with AMDP's investment standards and detailing its potential for growth and sustainability. AMDP Investment Standards AMDP prioritizes investments in companies that adhere to a set of core standards, emphasizing not only financial returns but also social responsibility and environmental sustainability. These standards include: Triple B...

How the Week Organizes and Tyrannizes Our Lives. - Jill Lepore I know I have only been alive for about 20 years now, but I will say I do not ever think we will abandon the idea of a 7-day week cycle. As I read about the history of differing week cycles, it made sense that we have a 7-day week, which is right in the middle of the 5 and 10-day cycles mentioned. I know many might not like this perspective, but I think the 7-day cycle is perfect. Obviously, I'd like more days like Saturday and Sunday, but I know this is not really possible. With a 7-day week, 5 days of work (70%), and 2 days for relaxation (30%), I feel works best for the world. I personally think that balance is very fair for people, as if there were more weekend days, people would struggle to financially support themselves as needed, while also having too much time on their hands during weekends.  Moreover, the connotations associated with different days of the week play a significant role in how I plan and prioriti...

Book 2: Post 1 Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You - Ali Abdal I'm only about a third through this book thus far, however, it's easy for me to see why this book could be beneficial to me. Being a junior in college right now, it's easy to lose yourself in the constant balance of school, work, and social life. This book has made me appreciate the idea that I'm still a college student, and I can enjoy my free time without feeling like I'm wasting my time. Obviously, work and school have always been very important to me, but they have never felt insanely strenuous to me, and I think that is why I enjoy both so much. I always come to class and work with positive energy, and after reading the book, this same concept is illustrated. People who have positive emotions associated with their jobs tend to be much more efficient, which is something I will continue to always bring to the table.  More so, the book emphasizes the importance of creating you...