Welcome to the Diary of Davis: a monthly chronicle of curated content for self-improvement – written for aspiring freelancers, soon-to-be business owners, early-stage entrepreneurs, and anybody ready to make change and lead a fulfilled life. 

---

Entry #4: 04.05.21

Welcome to April, folks! 

Today, I completed another level of life (happy shameless birthday plug to me). To be honest, it’s a bittersweet day. 

After the loss of my mom (fuck cancer!), my birthday hasn’t hit the same as it once did – and I almost always go through a rough bout of imposter syndrome. 

I have this tendency to compare myself to others my age or younger, and it’s tough seeing success and achievements above and beyond my own. I can’t help but list my regrets; I’ve wasted a lot of time over the years, and by doing so, I’ve set myself back on this journey to change. 

But that kind of thinking is less than helpful. 

The pathway to self-improvement isn’t linear, and we all have a different road to follow. So, as I begin level 36 in the game titled Cory B. Davis, I’m:

• resetting my goals for the year and taking time to unwind;
• reminding myself to stay focused and keep life in perspective; 
• reorienting my thinking and comparing my former self to the man I am today; and
• realizing how proud my mom would be of all I’ve accomplished. 

I encourage you to do the same.

Spring is in full swing, which makes it the perfect time to plant the seeds of change and start anew. 

Let’s get to this month’s resources.

The Month’s Mind Material

🧠 April’s brain matter is a mix of productivity tips, wellness advice, and insight into how to get yourself to think differently. Featuring: 

• One newsletter to help you find more meaning in your daily work
• Two digital deliverables to stretch your wellness and flip your perspective
• Three blog posts (one by yours truly) to help boost your productivity and progress

FYI: I recently deleted social media from my phone. I was worried about the FOMO, but it’s given me more clarity and peace of mind than a trip with psilocybin ever has.

You should give it a try.

One newsletter

🗞 Serial digital entrepreneur Brian Clark is my go-to resource for copywriting and content marketing. He’s the founder of Copyblogger Media and Unemployable, but what I want to share with you is his recent initiative, Further. 

Further is “a weekly email with the top hand-picked health, wealth, and personal growth resources for people in their 40s and 50s.”

Each week, Brian delivers content to help you live your best life at mid-life, as it’s a time when priorities begin to change and stress starts to compound.

I don’t fall within the intended demographic, but Further resonates with my ‘old soul’. Plus, I’m technically a Xennial, which is a micro generation that blends Millenials with Gen Xers – analog childhood combined with digital adulthood.

A video + a podcast

🎥 Once again, I’m recommending Matt Ragland’s YouTube channel, with his 2021 Goal Setting with a Bullet Journal video being priority number one. 

Yes, we’re in the fourth month of 2021, but that doesn’t mean you can’t map out your objectives for the rest of the year – as I mentioned at the beginning, my birthday has reminded me to reestablish my goals for the next level of life. 

Matt’s minimalist approach to planning makes it super easy to stay motivated and remain focused. From time blocking to habit tracking to goal setting, his channel has a ton of tips for those who want to be more productive. 

🎙 For those who prefer the convenience of podcasts over videos, you might enjoy Matt Ragland’s Connect the Dots podcast instead of his YouTube channel. 

The episode I recommend starting with, as it relates to goal setting and productivity, is 10 Productivity Frameworks That Changed my Life. That said, I still suggest checking out Matt’s videos; he often refers to them in the podcast, and the visual aids are incredibly helpful.

And three blog posts

📝 Consistency is Key: the Importance of Showing Up is a short reminder that: 

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” 

📝 Burned out/burned in by Seth Godin reminds us that where we choose to direct our energy and focus is always our choice. 

“Burned out, on the other hand, is often caused by trying to control things we can’t possibly control.”

📝 4 Habits You Should Give Up to Be More Disciplined is a thorough post from Nick Wignall that suggests being more disciplined is about doing less, not more. 

“At the end of the day, self-criticism just leads to a lot of shame, anxiety, and low self-esteem — all of which interfere with your ability to be more disciplined.”

The rabbit hole

🐇 Here’s a three-foot-rabbit-hole-of-a-thought to finish off this month’s entry in the Diary of Davis. 

1. Personally, I think horoscopes and zodiac signs are bogus, but the definition of an Aries makes me sound pretty cool:
   
   Your personality is defined by your quick, creative mind and your ambition. In all matters of life, your creativity makes you charming and likable. While this has earned you many friends, it is your ambition that has earned you admirers.
   
   You set very high goals for yourself and display the necessary determination to meet your desired level of achievement. When you put your mind to something, your potential is limitless.
   
   
2. Not that this means anything, but there have been a ton of notable Aries throughout history – including Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Johann Sebastian Bach. And did you know Lady Gaga, Aretha Franklin, and one of the world’s biggest divas, Elton John, are Aries as well?
   
   
3. Sir Elton Hercules John was born on March 25, 1947 and is considered one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Elton’s real name is Reginald Kenneth Dwight, and if I was given that handle, I’d probably change my name as well – is that too harsh to say? 

That’s it for me, I hope you found something that resonated. 

Thanks for reading, folks!

Cory B. Davis

🔔 Did you stumble upon this newsletter and find it useful? I’d be super grateful if you subscribed or shared it with someone who might appreciate what’s inside!