I curate articles from around the web that present an interesting perspective or helpful information at the intersection of technology and wellbeing. Each of these articles were featured in my DecEmber 2020 newsletter. I send out an update twice a month along with some notes on my latest work. Sign up for my newsletter here.
DECEMBER I
2020's Lessons on Adaptation
Change is a given. Adapting is a choice.
Adaptation became the theme for our third Be Your Own Best Coach group coaching cohort for 2020 and ultimately the entire year.
Adapting doesn’t have to be a struggle. In this post, we highlight the key lessons that opened the door for positive adaptation and were the top 5 Be Your Own Best Coach posts for 2020.
My Tonal Review: 20 Benefits Learned
Trying out new connected fitness products is one of my favorite things to do. So when my friends purchased the Tonal fitness system -- the 'Peloton for Weightlifting' -- I couldn't wait to try it.
I was impressed with the quality and user design of the system. The physical device was solid and the interface is fantastic. I did their fitness assessment, which was a great way to get an overview of the product (and my strength level).
I found the instruction, onscreen feedback and its ability to change weight in the middle of a rep offered something I haven’t experienced with a trainer or any gym. The other key feature I liked was how it could slightly increase your weight resistance each workout to gain strength in a way I wouldn't be able to do on my own.
Would an oversized tablet with long arms be a reliable home gym? Was it going to be strong enough for me? Would it offer me the same workout I get in a gym, targeting specific muscle groups each day? Gabe Medina wrote about his experience and 20 Benefits Learned in this piece.
James Clear on Building Meaningful, Sustainable Habits
“The more precisely you know what you want, the better your strategy can be, the more obvious the actions and choices are that you should take.”
That's a quote is from JamesClear, author of Atomic Habits, one of the books I recommend the most. He was recently featured on the Finding Mastery podcast hosted by Michael Gervais. Regular readers will know I highlight work from Gervais often. He's a high-performance psychologist most notably working with the Seattle Seahawks. So when the two got together, you have a must listen.