343: 🥳 Five Questions and Attempted Answers for My 40th Birthday

Pivot with Jenny Blake

I love celebrating big milestones here on the pod, so in honor of my 40th birthday tomorrow, I decided to do something a little different for today's solo episode.

In lieu of a “40 things I’ve learned in 40 years listicle,” since I am only sure of less as time passes, I asked my husband Michael if he could think of four questions for me to answer. He threw in a bonus in the middle that nearly made me spit out my coffee :)

🌟 Michael’s Five Questions

1. In this new world full of daily disasters, how do you find the courage to be vulnerable?
2. Systems play a big role in freeing up your time. What is THE system you implemented that had the most significant positive impact on your life?
3. Do you still love Tim Ferriss more than me? Why or why not? (See also: Michael’s googley-eyed book signing interaction at SXSW)
4. What are you most looking forward to in this new decade of your life?
5. Who are the 3 people, dead or alive you’d love to have on your podcasts?

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Articles: Oprah.com—What is Your Happiness Formula? (Jenny’s guest post after Pivot launched!) and The Oprah Winfrey Show Finale. Quote mentioned:

"I've talked to nearly 30,000 people on this show, and all 30,000 had one thing in common: They all wanted validation. If I could reach through this television and sit on your sofa or sit on a stool in your kitchen right now, I would tell you that every single person you will ever meet shares that common desire. They want to know: 'Do you see me? Do you hear me? Does what I say mean anything to you?’”

• Newsletter: Tim Ferriss’ Five-Bullet Friday
• Coffee: Tim’s and I also love my monthly surprise bag via Trade
• Rolling in D🤦🏻‍♀️h: Fearing the Other Shoe—Part One, Part Two; Getaway Car
• The Mount in Lenox, MA (Edith Wharton’s Estate)
• Loom Video: Walkthrough of Jenny’s Idea Collection bucket (Notion)
• Tools: Readwise, Notion, Done-for-you Free Time Operations Dashboard, Substack

📚 Books Mentioned

• Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte
• The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
• Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
• Three Novels of New York: The House of Mirth, The Custom of the Country, The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
• Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business
• Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
• Life After College

🎧 Related Episodes

• BFF Bonuses: 098: Moving Through Vulnerability Hangovers
• The Writing Practice That Changed My Life
• Free Time: 031: Eleventh-Hour Creative Gremlins
• 111: Building a Second Brain with Tiago Forte
• Pivot: 220: Protect Your Flame with Michael Karsouny + Adventure Meditation!
• 127: Live from the Vulnerability Hangover! Launching @LifeOfALebaneseArtist with Michael Karsouny
• 342: “Whatever Comes Through Me Comes for Me First,” with Nicole Antoinette
• 158: Trip Report—Oprah's 2020 Vision Tour

✍️ Connect with me on Substack: http://substack.com/@jennyblake

❤️ Enjoying the show? I'd be grateful for a rating and/or review! Even better? Share this episode with a friend :)

💌 Get my curated twice monthly PivotList newsletter

💻 Check out Pivot courses on LinkedIn Learning: Figuring Out Your Next Move, Holding 1:1 Career Conversations, Managing Introverts, Coaching New Hires, and Coaching New Managers

💬 I’d love to hear what’s on your mind! Take the Pivot listener survey

☎️ Submit a question or comment for future episodes

🎧 Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to ‘casts

📝 Check out full show notes at http://pivotmethod.com/343

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices