Sunday Short: Two Quick Thoughts

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #299

First, I’ll point out that the photo of the emoticon gouging its eyes out has nothing to do with the content of what follows. It’s just a reflection of my dark and twisted sense of humor about how many people feel when they look at the headlines daily.

You may share my sense of humor, or you may not. If so, you’ll chuckle. If not, I urge you to add humor to your liking each day. It helps keep us sane.

Okay, let’s get down to business.

A Quote to Consider:

“If you're busy showing off your brains, you're probably not listening closely enough, thinking hard enough, or reaching the smartest conclusions.”

-Strauss Zelnick

When I do a podcast episode with a guest, I strive to speak for less than 10% of the episode. My ideal target is 5%. I always hit the “less than 10%” goal and very often hit 5%.

Naturally, when I do a solo podcast, I speak 100% of the time, but I have watched too many podcast episodes where the host speaks 30-40% of the time, and on occasion, the host speaks 50-65% of the time.

If you’re going to do most of the talking, why even have a guest on the show?

For each guest I have on, I am just as curious as you are to hear what they say and learn something new. I want to ask the kinds of questions that will allow them to comfortably answer and reveal thoughts or information that expand not only my knowledge but yours as well.

I’m currently working on applying this to my personal life as well. I tend to dominate the conversation when talking to my family or close friends.

I find that trickier, as we aren’t always working towards learning something new; sometimes, we’re just talking about “stuff.” I’m sure you know what I mean.

However, I’m finding that my kids and wife appreciate just allowing more space for them to say something (whether they do or not). They might not be conscious of it, but I can see it in their nonverbal communication.

Next, below is a post I made on Bluesky earlier today:

The harder it gets, the better and stronger I get. For me, that's how it happens. The thought itself is neither true nor false. The "truth" comes from you DECIDING that's true for you and then refusing to believe anything to the contrary. It's not genetic. It's a decision. Make it.

Now, I don’t have a lot to say about that post. It pretty much speaks for itself. Don’t overthink it, but think about it long enough to allow the simplicity of it to settle in so you can draw upon the thought…as little or as much…feels right for you.

I hope you’ve been enjoying your weekend and making the most of what’s left!

Best,

Jack

P.S. I’ll go back to inserting my signature as soon as I get the file straightened out. It got wonky on me. :)