March 4, 2025: “Everything happens for a reason” -- and other lies I've loved

“There are opportunities that you get during crises times. Crises times are a great time to start a business.”

― Reid Hoffman

Hi friends,

We hand-picked 3 good pieces of content for you to highlight this week. We hope they’ll help you get new ideas and perspectives.

If you want to reread or highlight this newsletter, save it to Glasp.

📚 3 Good Recommendations

How To Be Successful: 4 Secrets Backed By Research
by Eric Barker (10 mins)

• Persistence is Key – Success as a late bloomer often comes from keeping your dream alive, even if it starts as a hobby. Whether your calling emerges over time, is deferred due to life circumstances, or accommodated alongside work, the crucial factor is not giving up. The biggest barrier to success is stopping altogether.
• Hard Work and Adaptability Matter More Than Timing – The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is often persistence and effort. Success is not about when you start but about consistently putting in the work. Late bloomers who thrive are those who keep improving, take more shots at success, and embrace change rather than waiting for the "perfect" moment.
• Networking and Reinvention Fuel Success – Expanding weak ties and surrounding yourself with the right people can create unexpected opportunities. A midlife crisis isn’t a failure but a chance for reinvention. Late bloomers who succeed embrace transformation and take control of their narrative rather than waiting for someone to rescue them.

What Type of Experimentalist Are You?
by Anne-Laure Le Cunff (4 mins)

• Four Types of Experimentalists: People navigate uncertainty through four phases: Pact (imagination & hypothesis formation), Act (execution & data collection), React (reflection & analysis), and Impact (sharing insights & contributing to a larger cause). Each person has a natural starting point but benefits from embracing all phases.
• Strengths & Challenges: Those strong in Pact generate ideas but may struggle with execution; Act-oriented people get things done but may overlook reflection; React types excel at analysis but risk overthinking; Impact-focused individuals drive change but must balance long-term vision with present engagement.
• Becoming a Well-Rounded Experimentalist: Developing flexibility across all four phases helps navigate uncertainty, learn continuously, and grow. Rather than rigid goal-setting, adopting an experimental mindset fosters adaptability and meaningful progress.

“Everything happens for a reason” -- and other lies I’ve loved
by Kate Bowler (14 mins)

• Challenging the Prosperity Gospel: Kate Bowler’s stage IV cancer diagnosis shattered her belief that faith and hard work ensure success. She realized the prosperity gospel’s promise—that good things happen to good people—was flawed and could not protect her from suffering.
• Finding Meaning in Suffering: Rather than anger, she experienced overwhelming love and connection. She saw that hardships don’t follow a neat formula, but even in pain, moments of beauty and meaning emerge.
• Embracing Uncertainty: Rejecting the idea that “everything happens for a reason,” Bowler learned to live without assurances. She now embraces both life’s beauty and struggles, finding comfort in love rather than certainty.

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• 🟨 Welcoming Anne-Laure Le Cunff to Glasp Talk:
  In two weeks, we’ll be joined by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, the founder of Ness Labs, on Glasp Talk! She recently released her new book, “Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World," and we’ll be diving into her insights on adopting an experimental mindset. If you have any questions for her, feel free to leave them in the comments of this newsletter!

• 🟥 Glasp Talk with Julian Weisser:
  Glasp Talk features intimate interviews with luminaries who reveal their emotions, experiences, and stories. The guest, Julian Weisser, is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and mentor passionate about empowering founders and building impactful startups. Julian is the CEO and co-founder of ODF, a unique program that has helped launch over a thousand startups, raising more than $2 billion.

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We hope you enjoyed reading this newsletter!
See you next week ;)

Best,
Kei and Kazuki

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