082322 — Blog — Rulerless

Generosity by doing less

One of the things you learn as a teacher is to hold back.

You can’t share everything you know, no matter how willing the student is. You have to slowly drip out the information over time. It’s even better when you can structure the student’s learning such that they are taking actions that lead to growth and insight without you having to explain anything.

For a student who is hesitant or uncomfortable, giving them everything you’ve got will be overwhelming and frustrating. You serve them better when you do less and give less.

Casey von NeumannAugust 16, 2022081922, 082322, 091222, 100522, 100722, 111822, 120122, 032323Comment

Head down, creating

Shortly after I returned home from a semester spent closing my school out-of-state, I was struck by a realization.

It was a Sunday morning and I was walking to the local high school to meet up with a new friend for tennis. Standing there in the sunshine, I made a fundamental identity shift.

I said to myself, “S**t! I’m a writer!”

Casey von NeumannAugust 1, 2022081722, 081822, 082322, 082522Comment

That one comment

Among Aimee Mann’s many beautifully poignant songs, there’s one called “Save Me,” that includes the lyric, “Can you save me from the ranks of the freaks who suspect they could never love anyone?”

And there’s a similar sentiment expressed in “Ray,” from her 1995 album “I’m with Stupid”: “I think I know another lonely exile when I see one/And you appear to be one.”

Casey von NeumannJuly 22, 2022082322, 092022, 110322, 120722, 121222, 121922, 011323, 021023Comment

When you're already killing it

My favorite, favorite thing to do is work with people who already incredible at what they do.

Sure, it's kind of cheating. It's not very hard to help someone great become even greater.

Superstars move quickly, meaning that results show up quickly, too. And they tend to make a big impact. They influence others, meaning that helping these leaders is a way of helping many people all at once.

Casey von NeumannFebruary 17, 2022030322, 032422, 082322, 090222Comment

Post hit

Okay, this is weird, but I think it's a useful ability of mine: I know what it's like to be successful without actually having to go to the trouble.

I mean really successful, like number one record, eight-figure income, bestselling novel successful.

I haven't been there, but I know. I can experience it without experiencing it. I know that when you reach that level, you aren't any different inside than you were before, and if how you felt inside was inadequate and unworthy, you will still feel that way.

Casey von NeumannFebruary 3, 2022021722, 031722, 040822, 052022, 070122, 071122, 071422, 082322, unconventional definitions of successComment