| The Newsletter / Edition 023 |
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From Sylvain Labs, this is Progress Report.
What a year. As 2020 winds down, all of us at Sylvain Labs are going to take a full two-week break. Suddenly we'll have an opportunity to read the things we hadn't been giving ourselves time for. To do the things maybe we weren't creating space for. So we asked some of the folks on our team to share some of their favorite articles or books from the year that felt fortifying.
Let's keep it 100, we're not looking for homework over this break. But if we're still being honest, sometimes it takes a minute to relax. Slowing down takes effort. So we compiled this list of things you can read and do— that aren't work!— as you wind it down into your holiday season.
We're going to enjoy our break. We've earned it. We'd expect that you have too. Pump the brakes and enjoy your wind down. We'll see you in the new year. Ready for progress.
P.S.— Here's our holiday video for 2020, about how we got through it together. Hope you enjoy it. It gave us the feels, might do the same for you.
In today’s newsletter…
Things You Can Read Over Break
- Short-Reads
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Long-Reads
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Choose Your Own Adventure
And this time, our illustrations from Nora Mestrich.
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Recommended by Jenny Cavaioli
Why It Matters
Sharing a compelling vision for the future (through a plan, strategy or artifact) is exciting, but that momentum will only continue if you make explicit the kinds of choices you want to enable.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Draft even-over statements (forced rankings) to clarify the priorities & choices people need to make: especially in the most challenging moments (tight timelines, competing interests, etc.)
Read the article
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Recommended by David Volle
Why It Matters
Enhancement, our ability to focus on things that matter, and Suppression, our ability to ignore the things that don’t, are two separate functions in our brains. Strengthening them can improve our ability to pay attention and stay focused.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
When you can't remember something, try closing your eyes so your brain can focus on scanning your memory for the answer.
Read the article
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Recommended by Gretchen Devero
Why It Matters
Center Stage was a 'chick flick,' a film that pundits dismissed; but every teenage girl and boy who loved it, loved it in ways they couldn't express. In an oral history, Vulture explains why – the creators' conviction to authenticity, representation, and exposing raw truths (and perhaps, the music selection of Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat.")
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Design for authenticity, representation, and expose raw truths because it's good for the long term health of humanity. Don't do it for short term credit.
Read the article
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Recommended by Fabian Castro
Why It Matters
The objects within our reach temporarily become part of who we are all the time.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Evaluate how each object within reaching distance is impacting your headspace.
Read the article
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Recommended by Nora Mestrich
Why It Matters
As much as we want to forget 2020 ever happened, it's pretty incredible to remember everything that happened this year—the good and the bad—through some incredibly beautiful and evocative imagery.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Take a moment to reflect on what this year has meant for you personally and allow yourself to say goodbye to 2020. 2021 is almost here!
Read the article
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Recommended by Ilana Bondell
Why It Matters
This A-Z tome on New York inventions and cultural firsts is at once a history lesson, handsome coffee table book, encyclopedia of fun facts, and inspiring text for all who have or do call NY home.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Take a moment out of your day-to-day grind and research something that was trailblazed or invented in your local community—and share it with others. These insights can spark inspiration, pride, and a sense of shared local ingenious spirit.
Read the book
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Recommended by Cristina Pansolini
Why It Matters
With the same energy of the famous "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi is a fictional illumination into slavery's troubled legacy: both for those who were taken and those who stayed, and shows how the memory of captivity is still inscribed on the soul of our nation.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Gain a more human understanding of how deeply rooted our racial prejudices are in the US, to approach our anti-racism work with increasing empathy.
Read the book
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Recommended by Osei Kwakye
Why It Matters
In a year where America's complicated relationship with race has been centerstage, Pulitzer Prize winning author and journalist Isabel Wilkerson offers a more nuanced explanation that unpacks how America's social stratification is more akin to a caste system. As individuals, communities, and organizations make efforts to rectify our original sins, it's important to make sure we understand them for what they really are.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Interrogate what you think you already know about our nation's past as you make sense of how you can help steer its future.
Read the book
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Recommended by Jillian Rosen-Filz
Why It Matters
This book goes deep into its characters, their flaws, struggles, love, friendship, and ultimately the decency of humanity—it's the story we all need right now.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Understand that we all have our own ways of moving forward in our lives and that supporting the efforts of those around you is key to your own progress.
Read the book
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Recommended by Ben Cheney
Why It Matters
Because we could all use a few moments of levity, stimulation, and introspection right about now.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Just open the book. Any page will do. All the pieces are great and weird.
Read the book
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03 / Choose Your Own Adventure
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Recommended by Zach Visotsky
Why It Matters
With the ban on indoor dining, NYC restaurants face an unequivocally tough winter. Serving New York is a digital cookbook with recipes from some of the best eateries in the city—100% of the proceeds go to Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants x Robin Hood’s restaurant relief fund, providing cash assistance to NYC restaurant workers.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Seek out creative ways to support local businesses during the Holiday season and beyond.
Read the cookbook
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Recommended by Meron Medhanie
Why It Matters
"Brain Pickings" is a beautiful blend of science and whimsy, where curator Maria Papova gathers the ideas and writings from astronomers to poets and activists to anthropologists across space and time to offer new perspectives on heavily contemplated topics.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Subscribe to the ‘mid-week pick-me-up’ newsletter for a 10 minute read, packed filled with perspective shifting ideas on everything from friendship to hope, and of course, progress.
Read the newsletter
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Your Own Inbox
Recommended by Xahra Gilbert
Why It Matters
Unanswered emails pile up and become a grey cloud looming over you. Start the year with a fresh inbox.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Email your mom back. Sometimes all it takes is an "lol" or an "ok, I'll be careful".
Read your old emails
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Recommended by Joanne Bolens
Why It Matters
Baking cantuccini is the feel-good skill to learn and add to your cooking arsenal. Perfect dipped into vino santo, tea, or alone, it's all you need for your holiday break.
One Thing You Can Do Right Now
Get your pistachios, almond, and other nuts ready and enjoy the goodness. Repeat.
Read the recipe
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