The Daily Valet. - 3/20/23, Monday
✔️ Let's Focus on What Not to Do
Monday, March 20th Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Say what you will, but there’s no better sandwich than an expertly made BLT.
Today’s Big Story
What Not to Do
Making A “To-Don’t List” Is the New Hack to Help You Out of a Bad Situation
Don't be a hater. Unless, a little negativity can do you good. Because, it turns out, especially when it comes to finding solutions to uncomfortable situations like stressful job stuff or an unhealthy relationship, focusing on the bad stuff can really help you figure things out.It's an approach to life improvement based on an ancient philosophical concept known as “the via negativa,” reports The Atlantic. It's all about “recognizing that when you don't know the right way forward, you might succeed by focusing on what you know to be wrong instead.”For instance, the method can rather simply solve a lot of practical problems in your day-to-day life, like clearing up an overcrowded schedule once you realize you hate early morning breakfast meetings, but get a lot out of late-night brainstorming sessions over drinks (or vice versa). The concept is taking off and leading people to start making "to-don't" lists.It may sound like an inverse to a to-do list, but it is a bit more exacting. According to Fast Company, the list, in essence, is a curated collection of activities that can derail your energy and motivation. They're often alluring but end up creating a distracting spiral, sapping you of your most productive hours.Science backs this up, telling us that the key to being more professionally productive and happy may be doing less. In his book, Your Brain at Work, Dr. David Rock found that we're truly focused on our work for six hours per week—that's only 15% of the typical 40-hour workweek. To transform that remaining 85%, you need to stop doing the things that are energy drainers and make you feel busy but aren't getting you any results.
Dig Deeper:
Forbes has three reasons why you need a to-don't list now (along with tips on how to make the list work for you).
Xi Visits Putin in Russia
A ‘journey of friendship’ ... days after Putin’s war crime warrant issued
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is arriving in Moscow today on a state visit billed by Beijing as a peace mission. Officials in the West are eyeing the trip—his first since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine—for signs it could exacerbate global tensions, by providing Putin with what the Washington Post described as a “tacit endorsement of his brutal invasion of Ukraine.”Xi's summit with Putin comes just three days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russia's leader for war crimes charges. Meanwhile, Putin praised his “good old friend” Xi in an article published in a Chinese newspaper.Beijing is seeking to take a leading role in one of the world's most high-profile current crises—while bolstering its own geopolitical interests. They just scored a significant diplomatic victory by brokering a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran. But now, CNN reports, China's top leader will be dining with a suspected war criminal, affirming his “no limits partnership with a global pariah whose brutal invasion has killed tens of thousands of people and wreaked havoc on the global economy.”
FYI:
The ICC warrant effectively makes Putin a wanted man in 123 countries.
FCC Finally Takes on Robotexts
New rules aim to curb scourge of those texts assaulting Americans’ phones
I'm not one that diligently deletes texts, so let's file this under news that's good for everyone—well, except for scammers. Because the Federal Communications Commission just adopted its first rules targeting spam text messages that have plagued us for years.The new rules require phone providers to block text messages from suspicious sources including phone numbers that appear to be “invalid, unallocated, or unused.” Carriers will also have to block text messages coming from phone numbers that claim not to ever send text messages, or that the government has identified as numbers not used for texting, the FCC said. They would additionally need to expand National Do Not Call Registry protections to include texts to prevent consumers from receiving unwanted marketing messages.According to Engadget, the robotext proposal follows measures that the FCC has taken to stamp out robocalls. Both issues are on the agenda for the commission's open meeting next month, along with other items like a proposed framework “for increased collaboration between terrestrial mobile network operators and satellite service providers” to bolster phone service in areas where it is lacking. That'd definitely come in handy for life-or-death situations in remote areas. Certain devices, such as the most recent iPhone, now offer satellite connectivity for emergency use.
FYI:
According to the FCC, from 2015 to 2022, annual robotext complaints surged from 3,300 to 18,900. That's a whopping 500% increase.
America Has a Sandwich Problem
Our go-to lunch is a ‘heart bomb’ of salt, preservatives and sugar
They're such innocent meals. The ones we consume when we don't have time or energy for a “real” meal. The humble sandwich can't be that dangerous, right? Well, the Wall Street Journal reports that your sandwich is “the saboteur of the American diet.”Just how bad are we talking? Sandwiches are the number one source of sodium and saturated fat in Americans' diets, making up about one-fifth of our daily sodium intake and 19% of our daily saturated fat calories, according to an analysis of federal survey data. Sandwiches contribute 7% of daily added sugars, the same percentage as breakfast cereals and bars. Say what?Between the processed meats, bread that's concealing added sugar and, of course, the condiments, sandwiches have a way of sneaking in more calories that we realize. After all, this isn't fried fast food ... but sandwiches are often higher in calories when compared with similar lunchtime meals. What's more, people—on average—consume around 100 extra calories on the days they eat sandwiches. So ... what's for lunch?
Dig Deeper:
What are the most popular sandwiches in America? Far & Wide has the most recent rankings.
In Other News
Manhattan DA expected to file criminal charges for adult film star payout.
Have you heard about ...
The Long Read
10 Films That Explain the ‘Male Weepie’
Is there such a thing as a Steel Magnolias for men? What makes tough guys cry? And if there's such a thing as a “male weepie”—a term first coined by British critic Raymond Durgnat—how can you define it? ”
- By Christina Newland
Read It:
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Shopping
What We’re Buying
An Affordable Candle
If you regularly burn candles, then you appreciate the ones that smell great and don't cost a lot. Like the ones from P.F. Candle Co., one of our go-tos for home fragrances. This is the brand's first new scent of 2023 ($24) and it's meant to evoke walks through a wild herb garden, cool mountain streams and crisp morning air. It's citrusy and slightly minty with a warm, earthy base. In other words, it makes your place smell the way you “think” spring smells like. And that's a very good thing.
Want More?
The five stylish items you should buy this week.
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