Chris Guillebeau's Blog, page 2

How to Talk to Someone Who Believes a Conspiracy Theory

I just came from the pizza parlor that doubles as a global headquarters for child trafficking. I counted up some ballots that proved the election was stolen.

On the way back, I stopped by the drugstore to fill a prescription. I tried to tell the pharmacist about how 9/11 was an inside job, but she was busy implanting microchips into other customers.

Okay, let’s slow down. I’d like to address a topic that has become increasingly relevant: how to talk to someone who believes in a consp...

How to Get Better at Saying No

Every request you accept comes with a cost.

If you want to be more effective, if you want to “get more done,” or even if you just want some breathing room in your life, you need to say no more often.

For some of us, of course, this is easier said than done. The inability to say no is one of the things that contributes the most to overwhelm. It can even lead to feelings of guilt or shame—you feel guilty for “letting someone down” even though you’re struggling to keep up on your own.

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What is the bravest choice you can make right now?

If you want to be more courageous, you have to make brave choices. Sounds simple enough—but how do you know which of those choices to make next?

It might be helpful to think about this question:

What is the bravest choice you can make right now?

I’ve borrowed the question from a post by Jeff Harry, who wrote about his experience reflecting on it:

“If I honestly answered, I’d choose to be in a relationship where I could get seriously hurt. I’d have the audacity to reach out to ...

Do you feel anxious about time? Take this survey!

Do you often feel anxious about time? (I do.) If so, take this quick survey! –> 5-minute survey on Time Anxiety

I received a flurry of responses to my initial post on time anxiety, and it’s been interesting to hear lots of stories from readers. To recap:

Time anxiety is the fear of running out of time. You feel like there’s something you should be doing, but you’re not sure what it is.

I believe that time anxiety is the most pressing problem of the modern world. Once you work ...

What’s something you’ve done that few other people have?

Note: I asked this question on Twitter and Instagram and got a flurry of responses. Feel free to add yours or just read what other readers have done.
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It’s a simple question: what have you done that few other people have?

Think about it, but take note: you might start to list your accomplishments or achievements, and that’s a different list. Some of those might make this list as well, but not all. Many things you accomplish are things that other people have done as well. On the othe...

The Great Resignation: If Your Job Sucks, Now Is the Time to Stop Doing It

If you don’t like your job, what would happen if you walked away?

I’ve been asking this question off and on for over a decade. Unless you plan on living forever, why in the world should you devote the majority of your productive hours each week to something you don’t enjoy?

All that time, I haven’t exactly been speaking into a void. I hear from people almost every day who have followed through on some sort of exit plan.

It’s clear, however, that something is different now. Very di...

Change Your Future to Rewrite the Past

“People think that only the future can be changed, but in fact, the future is continually changing the past. The past can and does change. It’s exquisitely sensitive and delicately balanced.” -Keiichiro Hirano, At the End of the Matinee

When we think about time, we tend to divide it into three dimensions: past, present, future. We also tend to accept certain beliefs about each dimension without much questioning.

The present time is the “here and now.” It’s what’s currently happen...

“Idea to Income” Text Message Course Is Live

Link: –> Get the “Idea to Income Course Today!

Friends and readers, I made a new course! It’s very simple, doable, and affordable.

On yesterday morning’s podcast episode I announced the launch of Idea to Income: a 21-day text and audio-based micro course to help you identify your most profitable idea … all in the palm of your hand.  

LAUNCH OFFER : In true Side Hustle School fashion, for a limited time you can get a  20% discount ! Just use discount code  IDEA  to get started toda...

Time Anxiety Is the Most Pressing Problem of Our Age ⌛️

Time is running out, and you should be doing something about it … but you don’t know what it is.

That’s what this post is about: something called time anxiety. I’ve been dealing with it for years, and maybe you have, too—even if you’ve never heard the name.

I believe that time anxiety is the most pressing problem of the modern world. Once you work your way through Maslow’s hierarchy and your basic needs are taken care of, you start worrying about time—and you never stop.

You worry...

Lessons from an Errant Rocket Ship

From time to time, it’s good to be reminded of your insignificance. Last week provided an opportunity in the form of a Chinese rocket that was falling to the earth.

Perhaps you heard about it. Thankfully, all was well in the end, but until it landed, no one knew where the rocket would touch down. It could have been anywhere on earth! Just think about it: for all the advances of science and technology, we had no idea where on the entire planet a rocket would decide to return.

Of cours...