[Vol. 1 Issue #109]
Happy 2023! Debauchery week ended and we start anew. Today will review all the programs I signed up for today. A quick review of each program, why I signed up, and how I will report on progress. Most of these programs will be completed over the next 30 days. Also note, no links in With A Shout, are referral links or sponsored in any way. With A Shout, is reader supported. Let's dive right in.
Do Something Scary
Instead of annual resolutions, or along with making resolutions, challenge yourself to do something scary. In 2019 after getting back into shape and indoor cycling (like Peloton, but at a gym), the gym asked if I was interested in becoming an instructor. I did not, but I was interested in learning how to be an instructor, learning how to put music to a spinning class, and I thought maybe if I figured it out, I could be a substitute instructor.
At the training, the instructor asked why we wanted to be fitness instructors; my answer "I don't, but this feels scary, and I like to do scary things." The instructor said, "Great, and tomorrow each of you will teach a track in this program to the rest of the class. I was on the high diving board; I climbed the ladder. Would I jump? Read on.
Do Something Big
Something that will take more than a month to achieve. Create opportunities to put that big thing out into the world. If you want to write, aim to get something published; that can include self-publishing a Substack. Want to play music, learn it, practice it, produce a cover or an original, and post it to a streaming service. Stretch yourself, and find ways to move on to a significant achievement every day.
Bigmouth Strikes Again:
Stories | News | Music | Art & Design - With A Shout (out)
Big Stories
Mind over Body
Program 1
Title: New Year, New You
Produced: Ryan Holiday and The Daily Stoic
Term: 21 days
Cost: $99
Notes:
Ryan Holiday brings New Year, New You, for its 5th year. According to the write-up, you will get 21 custom challenges, sent over 21 days, a printable calendar, a weekly zoom call, and a group Discord channel for the community. I sat on this one for a few weeks – the marketing Ryan sent out was confusing, and it kept linking to the stoic website instead of the program page. Today's new email discussed the benefits of jumping into a cold lake to wake up your body.
Holiday wants to impress upon us that the mind rules the body, and if the mind tells the body to jump into ice-cold water, the body will do it. Too often, we let the body and a quick hit of; name your pleasure call all the shots. January is an excellent month to reset the balance. That resonated with me; I also like the idea of a Discord and using it in conjunction with the program.
Program 2
Title: Well’s 7-Day Happiness Challenge
Produced: The New York Times – Well Newsletter
Term: 7 days
Cost: Free if you subscribe to Well Newsletter
Notes:
This one popped up for the first time today during the daily reads. It will focus on relationships, an area I have been most interested in over the last few years. If you have been lucky enough to take relationships for granted, but something changes and relationships start to decline, it's worth a little examination. This program might be different, but it's worth the 7 days.
Program 3:
Title: The Simple Bundle
Produced: The Minimalist and Others
Term: Self-Guided, no time requirements
Cost: $49 for the bundle (if purchased by Jan 3rd, 2023)
Notes:
This will be interesting; this is when Minimalism meets marketing. I love a good purge and decluttering; given that I’ve written about 3 programs I’m about to start in the first month of 2023, I could declutter programs! Instead, the well-intentioned folks at Minimalist have put together 21 books and programs that remind me of the old Columbia House Membership program. 12 cassette tapes for a penny… Or a modern reference, Everything Everywhere All at Once. See you in the Minimalist Multiverse.
Big Monday
Tomorrow is a holiday for some of us, a chance to set up a short first week of the year and start building the systems we need to accomplish big scary goals. We will be back reporting on the news and media. In the meantime, check out the tunes at the bottom.
Still Spinning?
2023 will be my 5th year as a fitness instructor; I'm still spinning!
Don’t Tell A Soul
Secret Links to Cool Stuff:
Words | Music | Art | Unknown
Jukebox Shuffle
Thoughts on Music
On New Year’s Day Mix.
Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.
Words from Gen X
Words from Gen X in age or spirit.
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” - C.S. Lewis
Thank you for spending a few minutes with us!
With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.