Now

What I’m currently up to:

• I’ve taken the first steps toward writing and publishing my own (non-fiction) books, one of my long-term goals that I’ve had for a while. I’ve attended Andrei Roșca’s workshop on making & breaking habits, with the sole purpose of turning writing into a daily habit (and learned a lot on the topic). I’ve also offered to help two people whom I highly admire with the process of publishing their own books or eBooks: one with editing and marketing, another one with translation. Can’t give more details about any of these yet, but I’m really excited about both. I’ve also started working on my own eBooks to be released through The CEO Library, my main project.
• Feeling a huge pressure on my shoulders when it comes to The CEO Library. We’re struggling to monetize the project, so we’re redefining our goals and strategy (again). We’re now building content (articles, newsletters, books and events) dedicated to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to develop certain personal development skills that can help them and their business thrive. The main subjects we’re focusing on: the art of learning & mastering anything you set your mind on, making and breaking habits (especially when it comes to endurance sports and healthy eating), social media disruption (how to use it as a tool and don’t let it control you) and stoicism. Thhese are the topics that personally interest me most and I’ve read anything and everything I could get my hands on that was related to them. Also, now it’s only me and Vlad running the show, with Bobby (with whom I co-founded the project last year) as an investor and mentor.
• My introverted personality is clashing with my need to not upset anyone. Due to the increasing popularity of both my personal newsletter and my work at The CEO Library, I’ve been receiving tons of invitations to all sorts of events or talks and even advertising campaign proposals, and I feel bad every time I’m saying no. I need to take care of myself first, and the reality is that any social interactions or associations with brands are draining me of all energy and making me feel uncomfortable. Ryan Holiday has a great article on this topic.
• Reading an amazing book written by Brad Feld together with his wife, Amy Batchelor: Startup Life: Surviving and Thriving in a Relationship with an Entrepreneur. I’ve been reading (and admiring) Brad for a while now – I often find my own thoughts and struggles in what he writes (and he’s also an introvert and a runner). I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t get to read any of his books until now, but, oh boy, this one’s awesome and I highly recommend it. It’s filled with helpful tips for relationships that involve one entrepreneur – or when both of you are entrepreneurs (which happens to be my case). If you’re an entrepreneur, this book will help you figure how to best communicate what you’re going through.
• Spent a week in Sibiu, attending the International Theatre Festival – this was the 25th edition, but only the second one I had the chance to attend. Promise not to miss any future events! However, next time I need to plan it better. It messed up my routine – at first I felt frustrated, not being able to either work or enjoy the festival, caught in some sort of Purgatory, but I learned to just accept the disruption and appreciate my days there.
• Haven’t been training as much as I would have wanted to, so I don’t feel ready yet for any trail running competitions. The first important mountain race of the year is approaching: July 14th, Marathon 1600, 22 km with 1,600 m elevation.
• I accepted On Running‘s invitation to act as an ambassador for their local marketing campaign called #RemixedRomania. This is probably the only running shoes brand that I’m not ashamed to wear when I’m not running, as they’re really beautiful and you can safely rock them on the street. Wrote a few words here about my experience with their running shoes.
• Wrote a few words in the latest DoR issue about my struggles with social media and why I quit Facebook. DoR (short for Decât o Revistă) is the only local magazine I’m subscribed to and still read, as I highly admire their team’s work. I gave 10 copies of the magazine to those subscribed to my personal newsletter.

* page last updated: June 19th, 2018 / inspired by Derek Sivers and his Now project.