> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://makoism.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # New Traffic Pattern Ahead - URL: https://makoism.com/new-traffic-pattern-ahead/ - Published: 2021-10-02T10:21:54.000Z - Updated: 2021-10-02T10:21:54.000Z - Description: "I just felt like runnin" - Forrest Gump - Author: Steve Makofsky - Tags: makoism, #newsletter-makoism, #substack ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/2e7f4602-1e93-4540-a5d5-35d127f37985_5184x3456.jpeg) It's been a super busy week for me starting a new role, but something was rattling around my skull that I had been thinking a lot about as of late and wanted to share. Plans don't *always* work out the way you intended them to. The most important thing is how you **react**. Without getting into the nitty-gritty details, my cardiologist recommended this week that I shouldn't run marathons anymore due to potential scarring from past atrial fibrillation. **Well shit.** Getting this advice *kinda* messes up my plans for a "comeback" race in 2022\. I had mentally been prepping to get back into shape for next year's Chicago marathon, which changes things. I didn't know what to feel. I cared. But I didn't care too. It was weird. But being told "**you cant do something**" (or even worse, you *shouldn't* do something) has always been a bit of a shiny object for me. I want to do it **even more** then. It’s a problem. This time, I decided to pivot. Change the goal. I can't run 26.2 miles? What if I make the new challenge "**how fast can I run one mile**." It's known as the "[Magic Mile challenge](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2013/jul/23/magic-mile-challenge-run-fast)". All of my training this week has now altered to re-focus on this new challenge. **I guess the point of all this is, don't give up**. If you are trying to do something, and a roadblock comes your way, **change the game**. Take on a different challenge. Move forward. Pivot. If you enjoy these posts, you can [buy me a coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/makoism) ☕️, or if you'd rather keep up with my daily ramblings, follow me on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/smakofsky) or keep reading [my posts on this blog](https://makoism.com/). ## **Forward Thinking** I enjoyed "**5 Things You Need to Understand to Stop Being Lazy**", which is from a book I recommend: [Atomic Habits](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits). If you're looking for some tiny things that you can change every day to make yourself more productive, healthier, or whatever habit you want to build, there's some great advice in here. ## **Thought of the week** > [](https://twitter.com/julian/status/1440395568107311109) ## **Latest obsession** I've written previously about the extraordinary [Smith Tea Maker](https://makoism.com/the-path/). Now back in stock for a limited time is the best blend: [Silent Night (No 12)](https://www.smithtea.com/products/silent-night). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/61/8f/618f2076-e6a0-40dc-8037-06080661dee7/content/images/public/images/9fbb5d25-cb1d-4dbf-902a-157ec6b7b5aa_650x513.png) Described as 'A caffeine-free candy cane in a cup. Northwest-grown peppermint leaves waltzing in a winter wonderland of cinnamon, ginger, and sweet licorice.' Highest Recommendation. Just save me some. ## **This weeks "Deep Links"** Here are a few of the articles and videos that resonated with me over the last week: - "**The Four Energies**" looks at how energy is split between '*what you love and what upsets you*' - [More](https://austinkleon.com/2021/09/29/the-four-energies) - "**The Return of the Runner**" is a wonderful spoken-word piece from my friend [Chris Johnson](https://www.zerenpt.com). It came in to my inbox this week right as I needed it, and it resonated with a lot of my feelings hearing "I cant" do something - [Listen](https://vimeo.com/617418714) - "**Why the Best Things in Life Are All Backwards**" is an essential read this week on how trying too hard to get the things you want in life may have the opposite effect - [More](https://markmanson.net/why-the-best-things-in-life-are-all-backwards) - '*There's a lot more to being a clown than just putting on a big red nose and a big baggy pair of pants.*'. So "**Clown shortage: Appeal for new recruits in Northern Ireland**" feels like the perfect 2021 story - [More](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-58733754) - "**Bad Bosses: Stories of asshole managers—and the workers who fought back**" describes some absolute lunatics in the workplace in - [More](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/09/bad-bosses-workers-fought-back-asshole-managers-nurse-guard-amazon-microsoft/) - I had to read this one twice. It's so bizarre. Just read it - "**Goldman Sachs, Ozy Media and a $40 Million Conference Call Gone Wrong**" - [More](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/business/media/ozy-media-goldman-sachs.html) - File under **huh**; I'll never look at money the same. "**15 Microprints Hiding in United States Currency**" puts each form of US Currency (literally) under the microscope - [More](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68109/15-microprints-hiding-united-states-currency) - "**' Logan Noir' and A Brief History of the Black-and-White Cut**" explores the vibe of noir films and the art of several black and white releases. On a side note, also check out [Greg Williams downright amazing B&W shots of Daniel Craig's James Bond](https://gregwilliams.com/007-x-gwp) \- [More](https://filmschoolrejects.com/logan-noir-brief-history-black-white-cut/?amp) - "**To fight burnout, workers can't allow well-being to feel like another to-do**" feels to be an essential thing to focus on - burnout is a global problem, and some of the methods to force workforce well-being are contributing to the problem - [More](https://www.fastcompany.com/90678148/to-fight-burnout-workers-cant-allow-well-being-to-feel-like-another-to-do) - I've mentioned [Craig Mod](http://www.twitter.com/craigmod) 's fantastic writing as he uses walking as a method to drive his creative work. "**Walking as a Productivity System**" looks at how he uses '*a walk as an operating system that he can use to support, feed, and inspire all the basic functions of his writing*' - [More](https://every.to/superorganizers/walking-as-a-productivity-system) - One of the big mistakes I often run across is when an organization says, "we have to move fast." As a runner, I've learned that you *slow down* to go fast, and "**The Measure of Time**" articulates this well - [More](https://adventuresinlife.substack.com/p/the-measure-of-time) ## **Fin** My wife and I caught this performance on [The Voice](https://www.nbc.com/the-voice) the other night, and it was something that I wanted to share. Enjoy [Holly Forbes](https://www.leoweekly.com/2021/09/listen-to-kentuckys-holly-forbes-sing-a-blistering-soulful-version-of-rocket-man-on-the-voice/) performing [Elton John's "Rocket Man"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket%5FMan%5F%28song%29) during [The Voice Blind Auditions](https://www.nbc4i.com/entertainment-news/the-voice-night-3-cliffhanger-where-things-stand-halfway-through-season-21-blind-auditions/).