January Inspo Round Up
Things I’ve enjoyed seeing/reading/watching & listening to this month
I’m often fascinated by how two opposite ideas can be equally successful in different contexts. In the same way that “knowing things is hard,” a successful strategy in one situation won’t necessarily work in another.
For instance, “diversify your portfolio” is great advice.
So is “focus on one thing and do it very well.”
It’s interesting how often the exceptions prove the rule—or how a rule of thumb prevails in most cases but not all. Something considered common knowledge can suddenly be reversed under a particular set of circumstances or for certain people.
The concepts of optimisation and flow have long been regarded as best practices. Optimisation describes the precise use of resources to extract the most value. Flow is the state of being completely absorbed in a task—the positive feeling of being engrossed in something challenging enough to be engaging but not so difficult that you lose momentum.
Both concepts are often seen as the ideal state of things, yet two articles in this month’s list—Against Flow and Against Optimisation—pick at the edges of these long-held beliefs.
Following conventional wisdom will only take you so far. That’s why I enjoyed the interviews with both Lisa Su and Leena Nair, who each navigate the delicate balance between anticipating the future and managing the present.
On with the roundup!
CEO of the Year Lisa Su Talks Competition and Collaboration in the Semiconductor Industry
TIME
Lisa Su sees the future. When the whole word was obsessed with the first ipads and iphones, AMD stayed focused on Super Computers - which underpin the AI that we’re all obsessed with now.
Against flow
The art of appearing effortless requires a lot of effort. The pursuit of perfection in performance demands self reflection over flow. As Steve Martin puts it: ‘Enjoyment while performing … would have been an indulgent loss of focus that comedy cannot afford.’
https://aeon.co/essays/the-true-expert-does-not-perform-in-a-state-of-effortless-flow
The Secret Lives of Colour
Kassia St. Clair
One of my favourite books. A lesson in history through the lens of colour.
https://www.kassiastclair.com/books
Knowing Things is Hard
Book & Sword (via The Browser)
A dictionary of terms ranging from logical fallacies, false assumptions and psychological principles all describing why it can be so hard to know something for certain, particularly as it relates to the study of history.
https://www.bookandsword.com/2025/01/11/knowing-things-is-hard/
Against Optimisation
A compelling case for robustness over optimisation. Your life and work shouldn’t be pruned and plucked into optimised oblivion - that misses the point. Optimise for your goals rather than arbitrary results. (Seriously, you just have to read this article, it’s so good).
Leena Nair, Global CEO, Chanel
Stanford School of Business
Chanel is one of the last independent fashion houses which means they can afford to think in terms of centuries, not quarters. Coming into such a historic context, Leena’s expertise is balanced by curiosity.
Rest and Relaxation
Taking a moment to breath and take in the inspiration that was all around me over the holidays. From the beaches of Langkawi, the technology of Singapore back to our own backyard in Melbourne, taking a break from the screens and slowing down a little.
That’s my January round up! If you want to see these in real time, I post my weekly round up on Instagram and LinkedIn. If the monthly substack round up suits you better, you can subscribe below.
As always, I’d love to hear what you’re all being inspired by - I’m always looking for new podcasts, articles, you name it!
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