Hi Everyone,

Happy Friday! Thanks for spending part of it reading The Lake Street Journal.

This week we’re talking about Austin Kleon’s parenting philosophy, why context matters, and daily deposits. Let's get into it.

Be A Curious Elder

"Every parent I know is disgusted by their children watching a YouTube video of another person playing a video game," said author Austin Kleon in a recent interview.

If you have kids, you're probably nodding in agreement.

I was nodding in agreement, and my kids aren't even old enough to be doing this yet.

But one day, Kleon forced himself to sit down and watch one of these videos with his son.

As he was watching the video, he was thinking, "This is so weird. We're in front of this screen. We're watching these other people play this game. We're not playing it. But they're playing it."

And then he had a realization.

"Oh my God! This is like me and my uncle sitting around watching football on Sunday. The difference is that when we get done watching this video, my kids know how to do something in their video game. Whereas if you watch football you're not going to be able to go score a touchdown."

And then he had another realization.

"If people will watch someone play a game, they'll probably watch someone create art."

And so in assuming this role that Kleon calls The Curious Elder—a role where you don't judge, you just assume your kids are alright and observe with curiosity—he had two important realizations.

First, the thing he judged his son for doing was just a different version of the thing he enjoyed doing himself. The only difference was that his son's activity actually had some utility.

And second, he got an idea for something he could use in his work.

One simple mindset shift—from judgmental to curious—yielded two huge benefits.

The application as a parent here is obvious, but it's just as useful as a manager, a coach, a founder.

A leader who assumes his people are doing a good job won't try to correct them. He'll try to understand them. In turn, his people will appreciate him, and he will probably learn something useful.

Judgmental Parent is the reflexive approach for many leaders, but with a little practice, that reflex can become the Curious Elder. More useful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Newsletter Spotlight 🔦

Intentional Wisdom is one of the only newsletters I read every week. Greg, the author, is a senior exec with more than 20 years experience in the finance world, and he writes about achieving balance as a leader.

His writing is authentic, candid, and vulnerable, and he shares everything from his annual goal setting process to the details of his blood work and fitness routines.

Greg's wisdom is useful because it's personal. When I read his writing, I feel like I'm talking to an old friend. If you enjoy the LSJ, I know you'll also enjoy Intentional Wisdom. You can read past issues and subscribe here. 

Context Matters

Sam Colt—inventor of the popular Colt pistol—went bankrupt with his first gun factory. Nobody wanted his guns. But eventually, the Texas Rangers adopted the pistol for prairie warfare and Colt became a smashing success. His eventual fortune totaled nearly $500 million in today's dollars. 

Jack tells the full story in this piece and compares other similar situations where context matters—where an idea in one context can fail but in another be a home run success.

It's a great story and an important point to remember when investing, building a business, even running a team or raising kids.

Daily Deposits

What do Captain Sully and Ray Allen have in common?

They both made daily deposits in their preparation banks which allowed them to make huge withdrawals at the perfect time.

Preparation—especially preparation amidst chaos and uncertainty—breeds confidence. And confidence allows you to hit peak performance when everything is on the line.

This was a great piece. Coaches will like it most, but it's applicable for all leaders and high performers.

Workout of the Week

This one is a fun way to hit your core without doing a boring ab routine.

"Midline Madness"

Every two minutes for ten rounds:

• 5 toes to bar

• 12 calories on the ski erg

• 5 GHD situps

Quote of the Week

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Talk soon,

Joe