34. Connecting the Contours: Resource Roundup (the one where it gets a new name)

name ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Dec 17, 2024

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Time to get renamed
Ch-ch-changes
Don't want to confuse anyone
This newsletter may change names
But a new name won’t change it (much)

This newsletter has officially changed
from Connecting the Contours
to Unobstructed.

***This will still be the same newsletter, just with a shorter name tag***

hey. hi. hello.

I want to share my excitement with you! And, to (hopefully) minimize any upcoming confusion when you see this newsletter in your inbox.

Welcome to Unobstructed

Stories, resources, and lessons learned to create clarity, alignment, and impact—without the overwhelm—for work weeks that don’t suck.

un·ob·struct·ed: clear or free from obstructions or obstacles; not obstructed.

Wow…since Merriam Webster used the word in the definition (c’mon MW, tisk tisk), let’s see how they define the root word:

ob·struct:
block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be or get in the way of.
prevent or hinder (movement or someone or something in motion).
deliberately make (something) difficult.

Ok, so, unobstructed would then be, well, the opposite of that.

Rather than shoving more definitions in your face, let’s take the opportunity to shed some light on the meaning of “unobstructed”. Or, at least, its relevance to this newsletter and my selection of it for the nameplate.

I recently shared that the content written here didn’t feel quite like it matched the name anymore.

Originally, Connecting the Contours was meant to refer to the contour lines of a topographical map. A nod to my background in the outdoor industry and all the ways its helped me succeed in the tech world. The idea being that learning skills for mental clarity and high performance is like mapping progress toward your goals. The byproduct, then, would be using your map to create work weeks that don’t suck.

Clever, maybe. But certainly not clear.

Clunky, even.

Obscure.

So, I set out to simplify it. I’d been mulling it over for quite some time, trying to see it from every angle. I felt the new name needed to succinctly describe the big picture — the content, what it helps people with, and why they want to read it.

Here’s what it boils down to:

This newsletter’s content includes:

stories, resources, and lessons learned.
tools and resources from industry experts.
video glimpses into unconventional lives, well lived.
podcast recommendations that dive deeper into the topics covered here.

Ok…so what?

I untangle things. That’s what I do. I analyze and unpack the complex to make things smoother, without sacrificing their impact, by finding leverage.

It’s how I help people. And I love it.

The people I work with, the business solutions I work on, the resources I curate, the things I write about, and the stories I tell — they’re all in service of creating an unobstructed life. A way of living where you cannot be deterred, confined, railroaded, or otherwise defeated.

The world will try.

Yes, things will break.

We sure will get knocked down.

What we build will topple and we’ll fail a lot.

Becoming unobstructed won’t prevent those things.

But it will ensure you can always find a way through them.

If you spend enough time reading Unobstructed, you’ll start to:

define clear goals that bring you closer to where you want to go.
strengthen your ability to make decisions under stress.
build systems of accountability that scale with you.
prioritize where and how you spend your time.

That’s the life of The Unobstructed Leader. And I’m so excited you’re here to take it on. Thank you for reading and for being part of it.

Onward we go.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Fun facts?

Hit reply to let me know your thoughts!

the latest | from the blog.

Well, ok, so this is actually a “Note”. While this newsletter goes out weekly, I also post daily Notes on Substack. If you you enjoy what you read here, and find yourself looking for more, following me on the Substack app would be a good next step.

the latest | from my own rotation.

spotlight.

I don’t know who created this pairing but they need a raise. This conversational interview between Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield was fascinating.

Dry wit, charismatic charm, insightful answers and… unabashed vulnerability?

The wit of Ryan Reynolds truly cannot be matched. Actually, between his involvement with Deadpool, Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, and Wrexham AFC, his marketing acumen can’t really be touched, either.

Ryan talks openly about accountability to film performance without an ability to contribute creatively, and how it drove him to the Deadpool franchise. A super interesting, and honest, topic I hadn’t heard him discuss before.

Openness like that, was seemingly made possible by the introspective approach of Andrew Garfield. He, in his own right, is one of the most versatile actors of a generation. Already in frequent rotation across blockbuster movies and broadway stages, his recognition soared after Spider-Man.

The questions he asked Ryan are so insightful. As was his genuine admiration for Florence Pugh when talking about their work together in We Live In Time.

This was a really cool conversation that showcased the vital role of vulnerability in healthy masculinity. More of this.

talk soon.

Thank for being here. See you next time.

onward.

-dmac

Thanks for reading Unobstructed!

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