Hello đ
Congrats on making it to January. You successfully completed the gruelling boss level that was 2020. Itâs a decent achievement, even if it seems like weâre stuck on a load screen called âvaccinationâ for the time being.
On a happier note, Iâve been selected for a creative residency at Zoku. Iâll become a long-term hotel guest later this month, and play a role in helping shape the brandâs future. My essay on subscription living hints at the specifics of our collaboration if youâre curiousâand thereâll be discounts for any Counterflows readers who want to get involved, of course.
Iâll keep you posted on the quirks, secrets, and oddities of hotel life as I experience them. If you have a question or guidance to share, let me know in the comments.
-Lauren
đ˘ Google Delays Return to Office and Eyes âFlexible Work Weekâ (NY Times)
Google will trial a flexible workweek when its employees return to the office post-pandemic. This will involve three âcollaboration daysâ on-site each week, with Googlers working from home the rest of the time. I have no doubt more companies will launch workplace experiments in 2021. Watch this space for the lowdown on each.
đŹ Travel Will Never Be the Same: Top 6 Future Predictions (Bright Trip)
Remember the brilliant Vox Borders series? Its host, Johnny Harris, has started a new YouTube channel called Bright Trip. In this video, he looks at the major shifts ahead for the travel industry and the human experience of placeâfrom healthier, smarter trips to what more sustainable, local-friendly travel habits might look like.
đ The Secret to Being Great? Be Good, Repeatedly (Steph Smith)
Prolific maker, nomad, and internet person Steph Smith looks at success, failure, and how to navigate both states with a level head. Rather than greatness being something thatâs always out of our reach, she argues that itâs earned through consistency and habits, and the gentle progress and exponential returns that result.
đŚ This Is What Actually Makes People "Influential"â (Shane Snow)
Shane Snow, founder of the Contently platform, explores why it took a pandemic for people to finally ditch in-person meetings and embrace doing business virtually. Based on recent research in behavioural science, he argues that generosity, novelty, curation, and awe are more important for influencing others than being in a room with them.
âď¸ Writerâs Hour (8 am GMT / EST / PST) (London Writersâ Salon)
The premise of Writerâs Hour is simple: hop on a Zoom call with 100+ fellow scribes from around the world and complete 50 focused minutes of writingâtogether in community, despite being physically distant. It really helps with momentum and accountability during these dark winter days, so come write with us sometime.
đ How to Write Your Non-Fiction Book (Scribe Book School)
This self-paced course guides you through the phases of writing a non-fiction book for the first time, and itâs free to complete. With guidance on scoping, planning, outlining, and completion, itâs a practical and detailed introductionâeven if the instructorâs excitable âyou can do itâ tone starts to grate a little by the end.
â If you enjoy what I do, buy me a virtual coffee from time-to-time to support my work. I know it seems small, but it really helps.
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