Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

This issue was supposed to go out yesterday. It didn't. I'm sending it anyway, one day late, because showing up late still beats not showing up. More on that below.

My whole day happens on screens. I train people online for work. I write newsletters. I test AI tools and automations. I dictate my drafts into my phone. Even my German lessons live in an app.

So it surprised me how good it felt, these past weeks, to go the other direction.

Paper, Again

I'm reading Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson, and for the first time in a long while, I bought the physical book instead of the ebook or the audiobook.

Usually I listen to books while walking or commuting. It's efficient, and I get through more books that way. But something is different with paper. When I sit down with the book, there's nothing else on the page. No notifications, no other tabs, no temptation to switch to something else for a second. Just the book and me. I read slower, and I remember more.

The same week, I bought a journal. A really nice one, structured and dated, covering July 2026 to the end of 2027. I've been journaling digitally for a while, mostly by voice, and I still find that useful. But writing by hand is a different activity. It forces me to slow down to the speed of my own thoughts.

There's actual research behind this feeling. Students who take notes by hand understand and remember material better than those who type, because handwriting is slower and forces you to process ideas instead of transcribing them. The friction is the feature.

I'll share how the journal experiment goes after a few weeks. For now, my early take is simple: there's something about slowing down that speeds up clarity.

What I Keep Relearning at the Gym

I've been going to the gym almost daily lately, even when it's only for half an hour. The effect on my mood and energy is bigger than the effort I put in, which still surprises me every time.

And spending that much time there, I started noticing something. Most people, including me sometimes, only do the exercises they already know. Almost nobody warms up. Machines get used incorrectly.

My favorite example is the scale. Our gym has a proper body composition scale, the kind that costs over a thousand euros. Used correctly, you take off your socks, hold the hand sensors, and it measures your full body composition. You can even sync the results to your phone over Bluetooth. Members already pay for all of this. And yet people step on it with their shoes on, glance at their weight, and walk away. Out of hundreds of members, I might be one of a handful using it properly.

Still, they're on the scale. They're in the building. Form can be fixed later. The habit has to exist first.

I try to remember this with my walking too. I'm averaging over 14,000 steps a day this month, which sounds impressive until I tell you the other part: I break my 10K streak once or twice almost every month. Two days ago I missed it by 500 steps. May was my only perfect month this year.

I used to get frustrated about this. Now I think the honest lesson is that I simply cannot do it every single day, and pretending otherwise only makes the habit fragile. Miss a day, continue the next. Don't miss twice. That rule has carried me further than any streak.

/

The one streak that has survived is Duolingo: 134 days now, the longest I've ever managed with language learning. The trick is still the same one I shared before. My phone won't open WhatsApp or LinkedIn before I finish my German exercises. My German is improving slowly, but slowly is still a direction. I'm now thinking about which other habit deserves to become a gatekeeper like this.

What I'm Listening To

On Audible, I started Be Your Future Self Now by Benjamin Hardy. It pairs well with everything above, since it's essentially about acting today as the person you want to become.

I also listened to Marina Mogilko's podcast episode with Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy. He's writing a book called Job Shock about how fast AI could disrupt jobs, and the conversation covers which jobs are already disappearing, whether a $380K degree still makes sense, and the durable skills AI can't replicate yet. As someone who changed sectors partly because of forces outside my control, this topic hits close to home. Worth your commute.

Tools I'm Testing

Ironically, while going analog in my personal life, I'm going deeper into automation in my work.

Alongside LeadShark, which I've mentioned before, I'm testing a new LinkedIn tool.

It’s called Extrovert, for managing LinkedIn comments at scale. It's been impressive so far, and they launched their AI agent just yesterday. I'll test it properly and write a detailed post about it soon. If you want to try it before that, this link gets you 50% off your first month.

One Date for Your Calendar

beehiiv's Summer Release event is tomorrow, July 16th. They'll show what they're shipping next for creators, and their release events usually include a few genuinely useful features. If you have a newsletter or you're thinking about starting one, you can register here.

I'm still figuring out this balance between analog and digital, between streaks and forgiveness, like everything else I share here. But writing it down, on paper first this time, helped me see it more clearly.

I'm also making good progress on my writing systems and lead magnets. If you're working on newsletters or LinkedIn content, especially in B2B or SaaS, I'd be glad to connect and chat. Just reply to this email.

And a question for you: what's one thing in your life that might work better the slow, analog way? Hit reply and tell me. I read everything.

See you next Tuesday,

Selim (Let’s connect on LinkedIn!)

🌐 selimuysal.net 💌 leadletters.digital

P.S. If you're curious about digital writing or want to start your own newsletter, whether for your business or just for yourself, I'm happy to help. Just reply to this email and let's talk.

Talk to your AI tools the way you'd talk to a colleague.

You don't send a colleague a three-word brief. You explain the context, the constraints, what you've already tried. But typing all that into ChatGPT takes forever — so you don't.

Wispr Flow lets you speak your prompts instead. Talk through your thinking naturally and get clean, paste-ready text. No filler words. No cleanup. Just detailed prompts that actually get you useful answers on the first try.

Millions of users worldwide. Works system-wide on Mac, Windows, and iPhone.

Try Wispr Flow free

Selim in Essen, Germany

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

It's been almost five months since my last email. No dramatic reason. Life got busy, and this newsletter slipped down the list.

But I'm back, and I want to keep this short.

What's Been Going On

Work: 

Still at TELUS Digital as a trainer. It's been over a year now. This job gave me stability and the documentation I needed to stay in Germany. The irony: I switched from humanitarian work to tech because of funding cuts. Now I'm watching similar patterns in tech. Cycles everywhere.

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Thesis: 

I'm finally wrapping up my master's thesis on localization in humanitarian action. Years in the making. Almost there.

Walking: 

Almost every day for the last 6 months, averaging 13,115 steps. I missed only 3-4 days when I was sick. Still going to the gym 2-3 times a week.

Duolingo: 126 days streak.

Learning&speaking English was one of the few things that changed the trajectory of my life.

However, it’s the first time in my life I've been this consistent with language learning app. The secret? Screen limits. I can't open WhatsApp or LinkedIn until I finish my German exercises. My German hasn't improved dramatically, but it's better than doing nothing.

Reading: 

Re-listening to Naval Ravikant's Almanack. If you haven't read or listened to it, strongly recommend. It's one of those books you come back to.

You can read or listen it for free here: navalmanack.com

New Projects

I've been working on a few things with LeadShark.

MCP Explorer - exploring MCP tools and integrations

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that gives AI models a universal way to connect to your local files, databases, and external tools. Think of it like a USB-C port for AI: instead of writing custom code to connect an AI to every single app, you just plug it in.

• 🔗 mcpexplorer.com

• 🔗 LinkedIn Page

AI for Lead Generation - using AI for finding and nurturing leads

• 🔗 LinkedIn Page

• 🔗 apex.new - free APEX MCP trial

• 🔗 leadmagnet.top - list of top free LinkedIn lead magnets

If you're on LinkedIn, I'd appreciate a follow on either page. Posts and newsletters coming soon.

One Event Worth Mentioning

beehiiv is running their Summer Release event on July 16th. They're showing what's shipping next for creators.

If you're into newsletters or thinking about starting one, this is worth checking out:

🔗 beehiiv Summer Release

Going Forward

I want to write here weekly again. Every Tuesday.

Short updates. Things I'm learning. What's working, what's not.

No grand promises. Just showing up.

A Question for You

I'm exploring ways to help people in a few areas:

• Humanitarian careers - navigating the sector, career transitions, what's changing

• Digital writing - newsletters, lead magnets, monetizing your writing skills

• Habits and productivity - building systems, tool stacks, AI workflows

If any of these sound useful, or if you have questions, hit reply. I'm genuinely curious what would be helpful.

See you next Tuesday,

Selim

🌐 selimuysal.net
💌 leadletters.digital

P.S. The Duolingo screen limit trick is simple: I set my phone so certain apps don't open until I complete my daily lesson. It's a small constraint that changed everything. If you're struggling with a habit, try making it a gatekeeper for something you already do.

P.P.S. If you need external accountability to stay consistent with something, reply to this email. I'm a certified coach and I'm exploring ways to help people build better habits and systems.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

You can order food and get it in 15 minutes. You can binge an entire season of a show in one sitting. You can buy something with one tap at 2 AM and forget you even wanted it by morning.

Everything around us is designed to remove waiting.

And I think it's quietly making us weaker.

Not in some dramatic way. In a slow, invisible way, where we lose the ability to sit with discomfort, to choose "not yet," and to protect our time and energy from things that don't actually matter.

Today I want to talk about two skills I believe are among the most underrated in the world right now:

Delaying gratification and saying no.

The Case for "Not Yet"

You've probably heard of the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment. In the 1960s, psychologist Walter Mischel gave kids a simple choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait 15 minutes and get two. The researchers followed those kids for decades. The ones who waited had higher SAT scores, lower rates of substance abuse, better stress management, and even lower BMI later in life.

It turns out this isn't just about willpower. It's one of the strongest predictors of long-term success across nearly every area of life.

And here's the problem: we now live in an environment that actively works against this skill. The average person checks their phone 96 times a day. Every app on your phone is optimized to close the gap between wanting and having.

When you scroll instead of reading, you're choosing instant relief over long-term growth. When you say yes to every meeting, you're choosing short-term approval over deep work. When you buy something the moment you want it, you never learn to ask: "Do I actually need this?"

The ability to say "not yet" is one of the most valuable skills you can build. Not because suffering is good. But because the best things in life... learning a new skill, building a business, writing consistently, getting in shape... almost always require a stretch of time where it doesn't feel great.

The Power of "No"

And then there's saying no.

This one is harder than it sounds, especially if you're someone who wants to help, who wants to be liked, or who just has a hard time disappointing people.

Psychologist Vanessa Patrick's research on "empowered refusal" found something interesting: saying "I don't" instead of "I can't" makes you significantly more likely to stick to your boundaries. Because it frames the decision as identity, not deprivation. "I can't check my phone during dinner" feels like restriction. "I don't check my phone during dinner" feels like a choice.

And saying no isn't just about people. It's about protecting your attention.

Every time you say yes to something that doesn't matter, you're saying no to something that does. Every notification you check, every "quick call" you accept, every project you take on out of guilt... it all adds up.

I've been practicing this more intentionally lately. Saying no to content I don't need to consume. Saying no to commitments that drain my energy without giving anything back. Saying no to the urge to check my phone every time I'm bored.

Here's what I've found: saying no doesn't make you selfish. It makes you available, for the things and people that actually matter.

If you struggle with this, start small. Say no to one thing today that you'd normally say yes to on autopilot. Notice how it feels. You might be surprised.

Speaking of Protecting Your Time

This reminds me of Stephen Covey's "jar of rocks" idea: if you fill your jar with sand first (the quick syncs, the "pick your brain" calls), the big rocks never fit. Check out this week's Time Wealth Club newsletter on how to make your calendar actually serve your priorities. Also on LinkedIn.

Where This Reflection Actually Comes From

I'll be honest about where these ideas have been on my mind lately.

Today is the first day of Ramadan, and I'm fasting. For the next 30 days, from dawn to sunset, I won't eat or drink.

But here's what most people don't realize: the food part is actually the easy part.

Ramadan is really a 30-day practice of everything I just described. You're more intentional about avoiding gossip, avoiding excess, avoiding waste. You pray more. You reflect more. You slow down. You practice patience, not as a concept, but as a lived, physical experience.

You wake up before sunrise and eat, knowing you won't eat again until evening. That's delayed gratification in its most literal form. You walk past a coffee shop at 3 PM when you're exhausted, and you keep walking. That's saying no when every part of you wants to say yes.

And what I've noticed, every single year, is that these 30 days reset something. Not just physically, but mentally. The patience muscle gets stronger. The ability to choose intentionally instead of reacting gets sharper.

You don't have to fast to practice this. But you can ask yourself: What would it look like to spend the next 30 days being more intentional about what you say yes to?

Even picking one thing, one habit, one distraction, one unnecessary commitment, and saying "not for the next 30 days" could change more than you expect.

If you want a little help building better daily habits, I write about this regularly at Daily Habits, where I share practical tools, book recommendations, and ideas for making small changes stick.

I'm still figuring all of this out, like everything else I share here. But I thought it was worth passing along.

If any of this resonated, hit reply and tell me: what's one thing you'd like to say no to for the next 30 days?

See you next Tuesday,

Selim

🌐 selimuysal.net 💌 leadletters.digital

P.S. If you're curious about digital writing or want to start your own newsletter, whether for your business or just for yourself, I'm happy to help. Just reply to this email and let's talk.

Photo by Miguel A Amutio on Unsplash

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

Last week I wrote about deleting social media apps from my phone. The response surprised me. Many of you replied saying you've been thinking about doing the same thing.

This week, I want to talk about something harder: starting from scratch.

I've Started from Scratch Three Times

I started in academia. Then I spent almost 10 years in the humanitarian sector, working with NGOs. Last year, I switched to the private sector.

Three careers. Three fresh starts. Three times I had to figure out who I was again.

The last switch was the hardest. Not because the work was harder, but because I didn't choose it. Funding dried up across the sector. Projects closed. I had to leave work I cared about deeply.

But I'll be honest: a few things made my transition easier than it could have been.

First, I had a brief experience in the private sector early in my career. It wasn't long, but it meant this world wasn't completely foreign to me.

Second, my actual work didn't change that much. I'm still a trainer. I work on similar topics, similar policies. The context shifted, but the core of what I do stayed the same.

Third, and maybe most importantly: I had been writing online for years. Newsletters, social media, digital content. It started as a side project, but it gave me an online presence, a network outside my sector, and a way of thinking about work that wasn't tied to one employer or one industry.

I wasn't just "the humanitarian guy." I was also the guy who writes about productivity, who experiments with tools, who shares what he's learning. That mattered more than I realized.

Here's what I've learned: starting over is a skill. And like any skill, it gets easier with practice. But not because it hurts less. It gets easier because you start to trust yourself more.

The Identity Trap

When I left the humanitarian sector, I didn't just lose a job. I lost a piece of who I was.

For years, I introduced myself as someone who works in humanitarian response. It was more than a job title. It was an identity.

And that's the trap.

If you build your entire sense of self around one role, one job, one label, you're one restructuring away from an identity crisis.

I've been reading Big Trust by Dr Shadé Zahrai, and she talks about this: the importance of having multiple identities. Not as a backup plan, but as a fuller picture of who you actually are.

One line from the book stuck with me: "You can't outperform self-doubt, but you can rewire it."

That's what multiple identities do. They rewire how you see yourself. When one part of your life falls apart, you don't fall apart with it.

These days, when someone asks what I do, I have options:

I'm a dad. I'm a trainer. I'm an AI enthusiast. I'm a newsletter writer. I'm a runner.

None of these define me completely. All of them are true.

What Actually Helps

If you're in a transition right now, or feeling one coming, here's what helped me:

Read. Business books, self-development, biographies of people who reinvented themselves. It won't give you answers, but it will give you perspective.

Find mentors. Not formal ones necessarily. Just people a few steps ahead who are willing to answer your questions. I've learned more from a few honest conversations than from any course.

Build your support network. Family, friends, former colleagues. The people who knew you before your job title and will know you after. Lean on them.

Build strong professional relationships. Not just to "know someone," but to have people who can genuinely speak to your work. Director-level references from different organizations carry weight. When hiring managers see names they recognize and trust, it tells them something about you before you even walk in the room.

Get affiliated with respected organizations in your field. I was working with Humanitarian Leadership Academy, and through them I got the chance to do a coaching course with Coach Mentoring. That affiliation matters. If you're a graduate of a known program, or connected to institutions people recognize, it gives others a shortcut to understanding your background. They know what you've been through, what standards you've met.

Get professional support if you can. Therapy, coaching, mentorship programs. If you have access, use it. If you don't, start with one person you trust.

Develop multiple identities. Don't wait for a crisis to figure out who you are outside of work. Start a hobby. Write something. Join a community. Give yourself more than one answer to the question "what do you do?"

The Bigger Picture

With AI changing how we work, I think starting from scratch will become a common experience, not a rare one.

The idea of one career, one company, one path until retirement is already fading. Most of us will pivot multiple times. Some by choice, some by circumstance.

The question isn't whether you'll have to start over. It's whether you'll be ready when it happens.

One More Thing

I want to be clear about something.

I'm not fully sorted out. Not even close. I still have days where I question if I made the right call. Areas of my life that feel messy. Things I haven't figured out.

No one has it all together. No one.

Please don't read this newsletter as "you need to be resilient" or "you need to have multiple identities" or "you need to do what I did." That's not the point.

The point is: if you're struggling with a transition right now, you're not alone. If it feels hard, that's because it is hard. And if you're worried you're not handling it well enough, I promise you, most of us feel the same way.

We're all figuring it out as we go.

What's Coming Next

A few things I'm planning to write about:

• Why I walked 5.3 million steps last year (160-day streak, averaging 14,386 steps per day) and what it taught me

• A journaling system using voice notes and AI that's helped me think clearer

• The shift from humanitarian work to private sector: the full story

A Question for You

Have you ever had to start from scratch? A career change, a move, a reinvention?

I'd love to hear your story. What helped you through it? What do you wish you'd known?

Just hit reply. I read everything.

See you next Tuesday,

Selim

🌐 selimuysal.net

P.S. If you're curious about digital writing or want to start your own newsletter, whether for your business or just for yourself, I'm happy to help. Just reply to this email and let's talk.

P.P.S. I mentioned reading helps during transitions. If you're looking for book recommendations or want to build better habits, check out books.dailyhabits.blog and dailyhabits.blog. Small habits, done consistently, change everything.

P.P.P.S. I mentioned digital writing helped me during my transitions. Ship30 is the program where I learned how to write online and how to make money from my writing. Now Nicolas Cole and Dickie Bush are running a 3-day live challenge (Feb 17-19) on landing writing clients. If you're curious about turning writing into income, check it out: Get Writing Clients Challenge (Currently $59, price goes up soon.)

Get Writing Clients Challenge

Photo by Colby Thomas on Unsplash

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

I've been quiet for two months. No dramatic reason, just life doing what life does.

But I've been thinking about what I actually want this newsletter to be, and I realized something: I don't want to write monthly updates about what I did. That's a diary, not a newsletter.

So here's the shift: Every Tuesday, I'll share one idea that's helping me navigate the messy middle. Finding my footing in a new country, switching careers, building habits that actually stick, or just staying sane while figuring it all out.

I'm 32. I moved from Turkey to Germany for a master's degree and ended up staying. I switched from humanitarian work to the private sector when funding dried up. I write online, mostly because it helps me think. I'm not here to tell you I've cracked the code. I haven't. I'm here because I know what it feels like to be in transition, and I think there's value in sharing what I'm learning while I'm still learning it.

So let's start.

I Deleted the Apps

Three weeks ago, I deleted all social media apps from my phone.

Not a detox. Not a break. Just... gone.

I'm still posting (from my laptop, intentionally), but the apps aren't on my phone anymore. And something shifted.

I started reading on my commute. Actual books. I just finished Happy Mind Happy Life by Rangan Chatterjee. And it, ironically, is what pushed me to try this experiment.

Here's what I didn't expect: I feel calmer, not because I have more time, but because I compare myself less.

The scroll wasn't just stealing my attention. It was stealing my sense of "enough." Every swipe was a subtle reminder of someone doing more, earning more, living more. I didn't even notice how heavy that was until I put it down.

Now when I get home, I'm actually home. Not half-present while checking what strangers are doing.

I'm not saying delete everything forever. I'm saying: try one week without the apps on your phone and notice what changes.

You might find, like I did, that the noise was louder than you realized.

One more thing: I call this "the cheapest therapy I've found," but I'm also getting actual therapy. The two work together.

Here's what stuck with me from the book: research shows we smile 30% less when our phone is present. And happier people are 3x less likely to get sick.

Read that again. The phone in your pocket is costing you smiles. And those lost smiles might be costing you your health.

One thing I've learned from therapy: we can't change other people. We can only change ourselves, our perceptions, and how we react.

Deleting the apps was me finally accepting that. I can't control what people post. I can't stop the highlight reels, the humble brags, the endless noise. But I can control whether I let it into my head every day.

If you've been thinking about talking to someone, consider this your nudge.

What's Coming Next

A few things I'm planning to write about:

• A journaling system using voice notes and AI that's helped me think clearer

• Why I walked 5.3 million steps last year (160-day streak, averaging 14,386 steps per day) and what it taught me

• How to start from scratch, a skill I've had to learn too many times

• The shift from humanitarian work to private sector: what it cost me and what I gained

A Question for You

What's one thing you're curious about? Something I could write about that might actually help you?

Just hit reply. I read everything.

See you next Tuesday,

Selim

🌐 selimuysal.net 💌 leadletters.digital

P.S. If you're curious about digital writing or want to start your own newsletter, whether for your business or just for yourself, I'm happy to help. Just reply to this email and let's talk.

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

It’s been a while since the last issue, and as I’m writing this on a quiet Sunday morning, it feels good to slow down, reflect, and reset.

October was my birthday month, so it’s a new year for me, and we’re also entering the final stretch of 2025.

If your goals from January feel far away, don’t worry. You still have two months to make meaningful progress.

Let’s get into this month’s reflections.

💌 Writing & Projects

This month has been full of creative experiments. I’ve been writing Lead Letters, my daily reflections on newsletters, lead magnets, and automation, you can read them all at leadletters.digital

I’ve also been collaborating with Rüzgar Zere on Lead Magnet Club.

We just published the second season newsletter today, and it’s packed with free AI tools to help you create your own lead magnets. You can read it here!

You can also try LeadShark.io; a great tool for building automated comment-to-DM sequences and generating leads faster.

If you’re interested in newsletters or building your audience, Lead Letters is where I share everything I learn.

🧭 Work & Life

In April, I shifted from being a solo consultant/trainer to working full-time again.

After one and a half years of self-employment, I really appreciated taking two weeks off in October, knowing that my salary would still arrive at the end of the month.

I see many “quit your 9-to-5” posts online. But most of them make money from telling you to quit, not from actually doing what they preach.

Here’s my take: there’s nothing wrong with having a stable job while still building creative side projects.

It’s not a lack of ambition; it’s a sign of balance.

🌍 Humanitarian Reflections

The temporary armistice in Gaza was a small relief, but the suffering still continues, and also similar crises persist in Sudan, Yemen, and many other places.

Although I’m not currently working directly in the humanitarian sector, I continue to support organizations that respond on the ground.

If you can, please do the same. Many NGOs are facing severe funding shortages.

🏃 Health & Fitness

Sunday, is a run day for me. 🏃‍♂️

Last year, around this time, I ran the Istanbul Marathon, a full 42 kilometers.

This year, I couldn’t join in person, but I ran 12.5 kilometers on my own instead.

Not quite the same distance, but still a step forward.

This year, I’m also running to support a cause close to my heart, Hayat Sende Derneği, which helps young people who grew up under state protection build independent, meaningful lives.

Every step is a hope, every donation a future. 💙

If you’d like to support, here’s my campaign page:

👉 https://ipk.adimadim.org/kampanya/CC143462

I’m aiming to keep running once a week until the end of the year and still maintaining my daily 10,000-step streak (only missed two days in October!).

The lesson remains the same:

Don’t worry if you miss a day. Just don’t miss twice.

🤖 Tools & Automation

This month, I’ve been testing and refining automations for both my projects and those of my clients.

If you’re curious, I share practical examples in Lead Letters about how to make your digital life more efficient.

I’ve also been experimenting a lot with LeadShark.io while working on the Lead Magnet Club project.

You can check it out for free, it’s one of the simplest ways to turn conversations into real leads.

And just yesterday, I discovered a tool that genuinely changed how I write and think: Wispr Flow

Wispr Flow

I used to rely on ChatGPT’s voice input or my iPhone’s dictation feature and assumed they were good enough, I was wrong.

Wispr Flow is lightning fast, supports multiple languages, and formats your text beautifully without any extra editing.

Best part? It works seamlessly across all apps on Mac and iPhone.

You can use it for free or try the Pro version free for 2 weeks here! (affiliate).

📚 Books & Ideas

Last month, I finished The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli, and it’s easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Dobelli reminds us that we can’t fully eliminate cognitive errors, they’re too deeply wired. But by recognizing them, we can avoid self-induced unhappiness.

One quote that stayed with me:

This “via negativa” approach, focusing on what to remove rather than what to add, connects beautifully with habits, writing, and clarity.

He also makes a sharp distinction between intuitive and rational thinking:

• Intuitive thinking is fast and energy-saving.

• Rational thinking is slow and energy-demanding.

  Both have their place, be rational when stakes are high, intuitive when they’re low.

I’ll share more insights from this book in future posts. You can find more information and quotes from the book on this goodreads page!

If you’d like to follow along, connect with me on LinkedIn.

🧩 Coaching & Growth

As some of you know from my LinkedIn post, I’m now a certified coach (EMCC European Mentoring & Coaching Council).

If you’re reflecting on your goals for the last two months of the year or planning for 2026, I’d be happy to help.

You can simply reply to this email, and we can talk about how coaching might support your next step.

🪞 Closing Thought

October reminded me that progress doesn’t have to be extreme.

You can slow down, run shorter distances, and still move forward, as long as you keep showing up.

Let’s make November and December count.

—

Thanks for reading and following along on this journey. Wishing you a peaceful, productive, and healthy week ahead!

Selim

🌐 selimuysal.net

💌 leadletters.digital

🚀 startyournewsletter.today

🧠 dailyhabits.blog

📚 books.dailyhabits.blog

P.S.

If you’d like to start your own newsletter, you can try beehiiv; the platform I use for all my publications.

And if you’d like to learn how to start writing online, check out this free course: Start Writing Online

P.P.S.

If you can, I’d be glad if you could support my donation campaign for Hayat Sende Derneği, helping young people who grew up under state protection build independent, meaningful lives.

👉 https://ipk.adimadim.org/kampanya/CC143462 💙

Hi {{ first_name | friend}},

LinkedIn recently rolled out a new policy: your content is now automatically used to train their generative AI models, unless you manually opt out.

I recorded a short video showing:

• What this setting is

• Why it matters for your privacy

• How to opt out in under 60 seconds

👉 Click below to watch the video + full post here:

🚨 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗜, 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁.

By default, you're automatically enrolled in LinkedIn’s new Generative AI training program, which allows LinkedIn (and Microsoft) to use your content for AI model improvements. 📍 Here's how to opt out:  1. Go to your LinkedIn homepage  2. Click 𝗠𝗲 > 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 & 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆  3. Navigate to 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 > 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀  4. Toggle OFF “Use my data for generative AI improvements” 🔒 If you care about your privacy, make sure this is off. 🎥 PS: I recorded this video using Tella, one of my favorite tools for fast, clean, zoom-enabled screen recordings. Highly recommended if you create tutorials or quick explainer videos. You can try for free here: selimuysal.link/tella #LinkedInTips #PrivacySettings #AI #Tella #ContentCreation #DigitalPrivacy

www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7374740165019197440

Stay safe out there 👀

Selim

P.S. If you’re into habits & digital tools, grab my free 5-day habit course here: books.dailyhabits.blog

The Energy You’ve Been Missing

Now you can feel sharp, steady, and fully present—with no crash or jitters.

Korrect Energy™ is your clean alternative to sugary energy drinks and that second (or third) cup of coffee.

Formulated with fast-acting, novel caffeine metabolites and botanicals, it fuels long-lasting energy, enhances focus, and helps you stay locked in—no matter the time zone or task at hand.

🌱 No sugar. No artificial flavors.
🧠 Supports mood, clarity, and stamina
🏃‍♂️ Great for work, workouts, or everyday hustle

When your energy is Korrect, everything flows.

Unlock Your 20% Today with code FALL20.

_{These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.}

Hi {{ first name | all }},

It’s been a while, about six months since my last issue of Selim’s Notes. A lot has changed in my life and in the world. I’ve taken time to reflect, shift gears, and settle into a new season. I’m excited to share these updates with you.

🎓 Graduated from NOHA

First, the biggest news:

I just graduated from the NOHA Master’s Programme in International Humanitarian Action.

This milestone marks the end of a journey that included field-based training, academic rigor, meaningful projects, and powerful personal growth.

I’m thankful to my family for their outstanding support and deeply grateful for the people I met along the way, including classmates, mentors, and organizations, as well as for the opportunity to delve into critical themes such as localization, humanitarian leadership, and safeguarding.

But as I graduate, the humanitarian landscape feels more complex than ever.🌍 

A World in Crisis

From Gaza to Sudan, Yemen to Afghanistan, and the prolonged crises in Ukraine and Syria, the humanitarian system is stretched thin. The needs are overwhelming.

And yet, resources are shrinking.

Many INGOs face funding cuts. Staff are burned out. Donors are scaling back.

We’re watching a global crisis unfold, not just in terms of conflicts or disasters, but in humanitarian capacity.

And it raises hard questions:

• How do we build a future-proof system?

• How do we support and grow the next generation of local leaders?

• I’ll be sharing deeper thoughts on this soon in my other newsletter:

👉 Effective Humanitarian

💼 A New Role (And a Big Shift)

I’ve made a career pivot. I’m now working full-time in Germany, not in the humanitarian sector, but in the private sector, as a Trainer.

I support onboarding and training at a B2B company in content moderation, working with social media platforms. It’s a meaningful role, and I’m glad to still be doing what I love: teaching, building systems, and helping others grow.

Other good news:

✔️ I received my work residence permit

✔️ I now have full-time working rights in Germany

✔️ And I’ve started to settle into a more stable life rhythm

📬 Newsletter & Writing Projects

Though Selim’s Notes has been on pause, my other writing has continued:

• Daily Habits Newsletter – I’ve been more active here, sharing ideas about habit formation, self-discipline, and mindful productivity.

• Productive Knowledge Worker – I ran this for a few months, though it’s currently paused. All past posts are still available.

• Start Your Newsletter Today – My evergreen course is still live. If you’ve been meaning to start a newsletter, this is your sign. 💌

I have started and continuing my daily writing practice with Ship30 daily writing challange, if you are thinking about digital writing, I’d suggest to check their website and free guides!

👉 Ship30for30

💬 Want to Start a Newsletter or a Course?

If you’re thinking about launching a newsletter or building a simple, automated educational email course (EEC), I’m always happy to share tips or help you get started.

Just reply to this email or DM me anytime.

You can also check my sample email course here;

• Daily Habits Email Course; A 5-day crash course built on my 5 favorite habits books. If you enjoy Atomic Habits, 7 Habits, or Tiny Habits, this is for you.

✍️ What’s Next?

I plan to write more regularly, shorter posts, more reflections, and honest updates.

And I’ll continue to explore the balance between:

• Staying productive 🧠

• Staying mindful 🧘‍♂️

• And staying useful in a chaotic world 🌍

Thanks for still being here.

Warm regards,

Selim

—

P.S. Want to launch your own newsletter? Start free with Beehiiv (free forever up to 2500 subscribers)

Hi {{ first_name | friend }},

I hope you’re doing well!

After a 30-day break, it’s time for a monthly review. My original plan was to send this newsletter weekly, but I couldn’t maintain that cadence. I’ll try again to keep it weekly, but at the very least, I’m committed to sending a monthly update.

Business Update

Things are not going great on the humanitarian consultancy and training side. With major donor cuts, including USAID, the next few months will be challenging for this part of my business.

More than my own situation, I’m deeply concerned about the aid that will not be delivered to people in need. These funding cuts mean fewer essential services for those who rely on humanitarian support. I’m also thinking about my colleagues—many have already lost their jobs or are in uncertain positions like myself.

How You Can Help

If you want to make a direct impact, I encourage you to support NGOs individually. Here are two organizations I believe are particularly effective in their work:

🔹 Save the Children – Providing essential services to children in crisis.

🔹 GiveDirectly – Supporting families directly impacted by aid cuts through cash transfers.

Of course, you can donate to any organization you feel aligns with your values. The key is to act now—this is a critical time for those in need.

What’s Next for Me?

Rather than focusing on what I can’t control, I’m pivoting toward what I can:

I’m shifting more of my focus to newsletter writing and Educational Email Courses (EECs). While I’ve been doing this on the side, now is the time to fully dive in.

If you or someone you know needs help with newsletters, feel free to reach out! You can also take my free email course on how to start a newsletter:
👉 StartYourNewsletter.Today

Daily Writing

I’ve started a daily newsletter – Daily Reflections, where I share insights and lessons on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.

If you’d like to check it out and subscribe, click here:
👉 Daily Reflections

Here are my top essays this month:

📌 Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail (and How to Beat the Odds)
📌 Overcoming Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome: The Hardest Part Is Showing Up
📌 From Running a Marathon to Writing Daily: Why Small Habits Create Big Results🔑 The 3 Questions That Secretly Shape Your Life (Without You Realizing It)

With Ramadan starting on March 1, I’ll also be sharing reflections on 30 days of fasting and its impact.

Check out this one:
📌 The Discipline of Fasting: How It Strengthens Your Willpower

🌙 Fasting Isn’t Just About Food; It’s a Full Mind & Body Reset

Books I’m Reading – The Dose Effect

I recently read The Dose Effect by TJ Power. This book explores the four key hormones that drive our behavior, well-being, and performance:

✔ Dopamine – Motivation & reward. How to manage dopamine to stay focused without falling into distraction loops.
✔ Oxytocin – Connection & trust. The role of social bonds in our happiness and how to cultivate better relationships.
✔ Serotonin – Mood & happiness. How daily habits affect serotonin levels and why it’s crucial for mental health.
✔ Endorphins – Stress relief & endurance. The power of movement, exercise, and mindset shifts in reducing stress.

One of the key takeaways from the book is how modern technology and lifestyle choices disrupt these natural chemicals, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. By making small but consistent changes in how we interact with our environment, people, and even our devices, we can optimize these hormones for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

If you’re interested, you can check out the book here:
📖 The Dose Effect on Goodreads

Or listen to this podcast episode with the author:
🎧 Podcast: The Dose Effect – YouTube

Health & Fitness

Steps Stats

Steps Stats

February was a strong month for fitness:

✅ Gym: 3-4 times per week
✅ Walking: 10,000+ steps daily (missed only one day by 150 steps 😅)
✅ Total Steps: 400,000+ (~15K daily)
✅ Total Distance: 316 km

With Ramadan starting, I’ll adjust my routine:

• Gym: 2-3 times per week

• Walking: Still aiming for 10,000+ steps daily

• Bonus: Waking up early & sleeping earlier – one of the best productivity hacks!

Thesis & Academic Work

As part of my Master’s at NOHA (International Humanitarian Action Program in Germany), I was interning while juggling consultancy and training. Now, it’s time to shift gears and start working on my thesis!

📌 Topic: Effectiveness in the Humanitarian Sector – a timely topic given the challenges we’re facing.

If you’re interested, you can follow my other newsletter:
👉 Effective Humanitarian

Feedback & Connection

If you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you!

If you’re a humanitarian colleague facing challenges, remember, you’re not alone. Feel free to reach out – we’re all in this together.

And as always, if you know anyone who might be interested in newsletters, writing for social media, or needs this as a service, I’d be happy to connect.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found something valuable or inspiring here. Looking forward to sharing more good news next time!

Selim

🌐 Website: www.selimuysal.net

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Hi {{ first name | all }},

Welcome to this week’s edition of Selim's Notes! Here’s a look back at what I’ve been up to, what I’ve learned, and what I’m focusing on in the week ahead.

🌍 Where I’ve Been

This week, I spent most of my time in Gaziantep, Türkiye, organizing and delivering a Lessons Learned Workshop for our Young Humanitarian Internship Program with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Save the Children Türkiye Country Office.

This was one of the most exciting and insightful lessons learned workshops I’ve had the chance to facilitate. Over the past four months, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring four passionate young humanitarians as part of a cohort of nine dedicated interns.

💡 What I’ve Been Working On

This week, my focus has been on:

• Finalizing the YHIP program and preparing the interns' outputs for publication.

• Client and personal email courses—working on new automated email sequences for both my projects and my clients.

• Exploring new opportunities in humanitarian consultancy, with a focus on partnerships and business development.

I’ve also been continuing my work on expanding my newsletter business—if you’re looking for help with newsletters or email sequences, let’s chat!

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

📚 What I’m Reading & Listening To

This week, I’ve been reading 10X is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy.

One key takeaway that really resonated with me is the idea that aiming for exponential growth (10X) is often easier and more effective than settling for incremental improvements (2X).

Instead of getting caught up in small, incremental progress, focusing on a 10X vision forces us to simplify, eliminate distractions, and concentrate only on what truly moves the needle.

I also revisited Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday.

One lesson that stuck with me is how discipline isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. True discipline isn’t about willpower alone, but about building systems, habits, and routines that make it easy to stay consistent. It ties directly into the 10X mindset—without discipline, big goals remain just ideas.

How does the idea of thinking big versus small play a role in your work or personal growth?

🏃‍♂️ Health, Fitness & Running

• Steps Update: Last week, I averaged 14,914 steps per day, totaling 104,398 steps (approximately 85 km).

• Workout Focus: Continued my gym and running routine despite the cold weather.

• Upcoming Goal: Maintain consistency while improving my strength training and recovery strategies.

Staying active keeps my mind clear and focused—what’s one fitness goal you’re working on?

📝 Daily Reflections

Over the past week, I’ve written about focus, attention, and 10X growth in my Daily Reflections newsletter. Here are some highlights:

1. Who Not How: The Secret to Scaling – The fastest way to grow is not by doing everything yourself, but by finding the right people to help you execute your vision.

2. Active Recovery: The Key to Sustainable Growth – Burnout is the enemy of long-term success. True recovery is not about stopping but about refueling in the right way.

3. 30 Days of Writing: Lessons from a Daily Habit – What I’ve learned from committing to daily writing and how it has transformed my clarity, discipline, and impact.

4. Deeds Over Words: Living What You Preach – Your actions define you, not your intentions. What are you actually doing with your time?

5. Put Your Own Mask on First – Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary to serve others better.

6. The Emotional Bank Account – Just like financial wealth, relationships require consistent deposits of trust, care, and effort.

7. Your Life as a Movie: Are You the Hero or the Extra? – Are you passively moving through life, or are you actively shaping your story?

8. The Trap of Details: How Overthinking Slows You Down – The difference between progress and perfection is knowing when to stop analyzing and start executing.

9. Closing the Loop: Ending Your Day with Clarity – A simple framework to close your day, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success tomorrow.

10. Mind Your Own Business: The Power of Focusing on What You Control – Success comes from focusing on what’s within your control and ignoring distractions that don’t serve you.

You can explore all my recent reflections here.

You can also read my daily atomic essays (concise 250-word insights) here.

🚀 Plans for This Week

Here’s what I’m focusing on:

• Work/Business Goal: Following up with new email course clients and refining my email automation systems.

• Personal Growth Goal: Deepening my focus—reducing distractions, refining habits, and applying time-blocking more intentionally.

• Health & Fitness Goal: Staying consistent with my gym/running routine and enhancing my mobility/recovery practices.

What are your top priorities for the week?

📩 Closing Note

Thank you for reading this week’s Selim’s Notes! If you’ve ever wanted to start a newsletter, I’ve created StartYourNewsletter.Today to help you launch and grow! 🚀

Let me know if you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions—hit reply, I’d love to hear from you!

—

P.S. ✍️ Want to start writing daily? Join Ship 30 for 30: bit.ly/ship30for30_

P.P.S. 📬 Want to launch your own newsletter? Start for free with Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=225

P.P.P.S. 🤖 If you're interested in learning about AI, check out Rundown AI for the latest insights and updates!

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.

Sign up to start learning.

Warm regards,
Selim

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

Hi {{ first name | all }},

I hope this email finds you well! Here's a look back at the past week and some thoughts as we move forward.

🌍 Where I’ve Been

This week, I spent most of my time in Bochum, Germany.

With the chilly weather temperatures averaging around 3.8°C, slightly below the typical seasonal average, I found solace indoors. My days were divided between the warmth of home, the quietude of the library for work and study, and energizing sessions at the gym.

The cold did limit outdoor activities, but it provided an opportunity to focus on indoor pursuits.

💡 What I’ve Been Working On

At the start of this year, I embarked on a journey of daily writing through my newsletter, Daily Reflections.

This commitment has been both challenging and rewarding, pushing me to articulate my thoughts and share insights regularly. It's been a fulfilling endeavor, and I'm grateful for the engagement and feedback from readers like you.

I'm also working on some client and personal educational email courses (automated email sequences). If you're interested in learning more or collaborating, you can reply to this email or send me a message.

Connect with me here on LinkedIn, and let's schedule a short call.

📝 Daily Reflections

Over the past week, I've shared several posts in my Daily Reflections newsletter. Here are some highlights:

Here are some highlights:

1. Choose the Hard Path: Growth Awaits at the Summit
   Exploring how taking on challenges leads to personal growth and resilience.

2. How to Make the Most of Your 4000 Weeks: Lessons from Time Management for Mortals on Time, Purpose, and Eternity
   Discussing the importance of focusing on what truly matters in our limited time.

3. The Power of Saying No: Protect Your Time, Energy, and Focus
   Highlighting the significance of setting boundaries to maintain well-being.

4. Courage and Calculated Risk: Why Thinking Twice Leads to Smarter Decisions
   Emphasizing the value of thoughtful decision-making in personal and professional contexts.

5. “If you don’t take a break, you might be forced to take one.”
   Reflecting on the necessity of rest to prevent burnout and maintain productivity.

6. Walk the Walk, Walk the Talk: Move Your Body, Live Your Values
   Connecting physical activity with living authentically and aligning actions with values.

7. It’s Not Too Late to Start: Plant Your Tree This Year
   Encouraging taking initiative on long-deferred goals, emphasizing it's never too late to begin.

📚 What I’m Reading

This week, I delved into The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness.

Naval emphasizes the unparalleled leverage of mastering code and media in today's world. Code enables the creation of products and solutions that operate continuously, while media allows for the dissemination of ideas and connection with audiences at scale.

This insight resonates deeply with me, as my work with newsletters embodies a fusion of both—leveraging media to share valuable content and utilizing code to optimize delivery and engagement. This perspective has inspired me to further refine my skills in these areas to enhance the value I provide.

🏃‍♂️ Health, Fitness & Running

Strava App

Steps App

Despite the cold, I maintained an active routine.

Last week, I averaged 14,908 steps daily, totaling 104,354 steps (approximately 85 km). I'm including a screenshot of my activity tracker for a detailed view.

This consistency has been invigorating, and I'm setting a goal to maintain or even increase this activity level in the coming week.

🤔 Reflection Question

This week, I’m pondering:

"What’s one habit that could make the biggest difference in my life right now?"

I’m trying to define and act upon my keystone habits—those small changes or behaviors that have a ripple effect on other areas of life. If you’re curious about keystone habits, here’s a great resource by James Clear:

What’s a question you’re reflecting on?

🚀 Plans for This Week

Here’s what I’m focusing on this week:

• Continuing my gym, walking, and running routine.

• Writing daily for my Daily Reflections newsletter.

• Looking for new clients for educational email courses and following up with potential opportunities.

• Staying dedicated to my humanitarian consultancy project.

💬 Your Turn

I’d love to hear from you! Reply to this email and share:

1. What’s one thing you’re proud of from last week?

2. What’s your main focus for the week ahead?

📩 Closing Note

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Selim’s Notes. I hope my reflections inspire you to consider your own experiences and set meaningful goals for the week ahead.

If you’ve ever wanted to share your ideas with the world through a newsletter, I’ve created StartYourNewsletter.Today, to help you get started!

It’s packed with tips, tools, and strategies to turn your thoughts into an engaging newsletter. 🚀

Let me know if you have any thoughts, questions, or suggestions—hit reply, I’d love to hear from you!

Warm regards, 

Selim

selimuysal.link

Selim at Ruhr University, Bochum

Hi {{ first_name | friend }}!

As we embark on 2025, I've been reflecting on recent insights and setting intentions for the journey ahead.

This week, I delved into topics that resonate deeply with personal growth and actionable change.

Recent Daily Reflections:

• Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail (and How to Beat the Odds): Exploring the importance of consistency over starting strong.

• Planning Won’t Pay the Bills: Why Action Beats Reflection Every Time: Emphasizing the need to move beyond overthinking to achieve tangible results.

• We Are Born to Grow: Understanding the Power of a Growth Mindset: Discussing the significance of adopting a growth mindset to propel forward.

These reflections have been instrumental in shaping my approach to the new year.

Books

This week, I revisited Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck and last week As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.

From Mindset, a quote stood out:

This aligns perfectly with our recent discussions on growth and action. My focus for the year is to read more books on self-improvement and leadership.

From As a Man Thinketh, a quote that resonated deeply:

This year, I want to explore more timeless classics filled with wisdom that transcends generations. I’m challenging myself to read at least one masterpiece each week.

If you have recommendations for must-read classics, let me know! What are your top book recommendations for 2025?

Health and Fitness

Inspired by my recent reflection on fitness journeys, I've set new health goals for 2025:

• Triathlon Training: Incorporating biking and swimming into my routine, aiming for the İstanbul triathlon in September.

• Marathon Preparation: Continuing my running regimen with plans for upcoming haf and full marathons.

• Nutrition Focus: This year, I’m taking nutrition more into consideration. I take daily vitamins and aim to increase my protein intake throughout the day to support muscle growth and overall fitness.

• You can read more about Reflections from My Year in Sports: Goals, Lessons, and Motivation

StepsApp Statistics

StepsApp Statistic

Last year, I took approximately 4.6 million steps—averaging around 12,500 steps per day. 🏃‍♂️💪 

This year, my goal is to surpass 5 million steps, aiming for a daily average of 15,000! 🚶‍♂️

What are your health and fitness aspirations for this year?

Plans and Moving Forward

Next Week’s Focus:

• Content Creation: Developing more actionable insights to share with you all.

• Professional Growth: Implementing strategies to scale my consultancy and ghostwriting businesses.

• Personal Development: Embracing a growth mindset in daily endeavors.

2025 Vision: My key goals for the year are:

1. Scale my consultancy and ghostwriting businesses.

2. Build a consistent second income stream.

3. Dedicate more time to personal and professional growth.

What’s your focus for the new year?

As we move forward, let's remember that action is the bridge between goals and achievements.

Your Turn / What About You?

I’d love to hear from you:

• What’s one thing you’re proud of from 2024?

• What’s your #1 goal for 2025?

Reply to this email or comment below—I read every response!

P.S. Ready to Start Your Own Newsletter?

If you’ve ever wanted to share your ideas with the world, now’s the time! I’ve created StartYourNewsletter.Today—a guide to help you start, grow, and share your own newsletter. Check it out and start building your audience today! 🚀

📩 Don’t miss the daily reflections—subscribe here!

You’ve reached the end of this week’s newsletter, thanks for reading!

If you’re curious to explore more about maintaining a balanced diet and supporting your fitness goals, feel free to click the link below to learn more about Huel.

No pressure—just a helpful resource to check out!

Fuel Your Ambitions

• 40g protein, plus 27 essential vitamins & minerals

• Ready in 30 seconds – just shake, sip, go

• New customers get 15% off with code BEHUEL15

Upgrade Your Nutrition Now

Hi {{first name | there}},,

As 2024 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the lessons, challenges, and wins of the year—and thinking about what lies ahead.

To celebrate this time of reflection and renewal, I’m launching a special daily newsletter for the next two weeks. Each day, I’ll share:

• A short, personal story about my biggest lessons from 2024.

• Reflections on starting fresh and setting intentions for 2025.

• Practical insights to help you close this year strong and step confidently into the new one.

These emails will be short (just 2–3 minutes to read) but packed with value and inspiration.

Today’s issue is about the most important lesson I learned this year: taking action and starting where you are. It’s a message I think we can all carry into the new year.

👉 Click here to read or listen and subscribe now!

Let’s take this journey together and make the most of this pivotal time of year.

Looking forward to sharing these reflections with you,

Selim

Daily Reflections

Daily Reflections

A newsletter about lifestyle, offering daily insights, personal lessons, and practical inspiration to reflect, grow, and start each day with intention.

dailyreflections.beehiiv.com

Hey {{ first name | friend }},

I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits.

I’ll admit, I was hesitant to hit “send” on this post. Everywhere I look, out-of-office emails are rolling in, and many people are switching to holiday mode. It’s tempting to do the same, but then I realized something important: the year isn’t over yet.

Whether it’s personal goals or work-related ambitions, there are still 10 days left to reflect, regroup, and make progress.

It’s the perfect time to take stock of what you’ve achieved, what remains undone, and—most importantly—to take action. Why wait until January 1st to start fresh when you can begin right now?

For me, I’m still working on my ghostwriting newsletter and educational email courses business goal. It’s been a journey with ups and downs, but I’m determined to make the most of these last few days of the year to move closer to the finish line.

How about you?

What’s one thing you’ll focus on this week to end the year on a high note?

It could be a small win, a big step, or even just starting something you’ve been putting off. Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts and cheer you on!

Here’s to finishing strong,

Selim Uysal

https://startyournewsletter.today/

Hey {{ first name | friends }},

I hope this message finds you well!

Greetings from a rainy Sunday morning here in Germany. ☔

I wanted to share a few updates and plans from my personal and professional life—there’s been a lot happening lately!

Personal Highlights

As I mentioned in my previous post, I achieved a major milestone: I completed my first full marathon in Istanbul on November 3! 🏃‍♂️

Running 42.195 km (26.219 mi) kilometres from the Asian side of Istanbul to the European side made this an intercontinental marathon. The finish line, set near the iconic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, added a touch of history to an already epic experience.

Crossing that line was unforgettable—I even found myself shouting, “Yes, I did it!” amid hundreds of cheering supporters. It’s a feeling I’ll always cherish, and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to experience something like this at least once in their lives.

I also ran for a cause close to my heart: supporting the Hopeful Cards project by the Children with Cancer Foundation. This initiative provides cash vouchers to families to meet their basic needs.

With just three days left in the campaign, we’re still short of our fundraising goal. If you’d like to support this impactful cause, you can donate via this link: https://bit.ly/selim_kacuv

Together, we can help reach 550 families in need.

What I’m Reading/Listening To

Currently, I’m listening to The Daily Pressfield: A Teaching a Day from the Author of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield on Audible.

Pressfield is well-known for inspiring creatives to overcome resistance and do the work that matters. This book offers daily insights that are perfect if you’re on a creative journey—whether you’re writing, starting a business, or even committing to a fitness routine.

I highly recommend checking it out if you need a boost of inspiration. Plus, Pressfield offers a free newsletter and an audio course on his website: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-daily-pressfield/.

Business Updates

On the business side, I’ve been deeply involved in humanitarian consultancy and training projects over the past few months. While rewarding, this focus left little time for my other ventures—like my newsletter and ghostwriting educational email courses.

This week, I’m working on getting back on track. Here’s what’s new:

• I’ve moved my Start Your Newsletter Today educational email course to Beehiiv and updated a few key elements.

• I’m also gearing up to complete the remaining sessions of my Premium Ghostwriting Academy Course to become a certified ghostwriter.

If you’re interested in starting a newsletter or growing an existing one, Educational Email Courses could be just what you need. Reply to this email, and we can discuss how I can help you achieve your goals.

Productivity/App Recommendation

Settapp

If you’re a MacBook user like me, you’ll love SetApp. It’s a subscription service that gives you access to over 200 premium apps under one plan—no need to pay for each app individually.

Here are some of my daily favorites:

• Paste: A powerful copy-paste manager that has streamlined my workflow.

• CleanShot X: Hands down, the best screenshot app I’ve ever used—it’s a game-changer for productivity.

Other amazing tools include:

• CleanMyMac: Keeps your Mac running smoothly.

• ClearVPN: A reliable VPN for secure browsing.

• Whisper Transcription: An efficient tool for transcribing audio.

With so many apps included, it’s like a productivity Swiss Army knife for your Mac. You can check it out here: SetApp.

New on YouTube

📹 I’ve added a few videos in Turkish with English subtitles to my YouTube channel. If you’re interested in checking them out, you can find them here: YouTube TR.

I’ll also be uploading more videos in English over the next few weeks! Stay tuned and follow my English channel here: English Channel.

For more updates and daily posts, feel free to connect with me on:

• Instagram

• Twitter

• LinkedIn

I’d love to hear your thoughts or connect with you on any of these platforms!

Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or updates from your side!

Warm regards,
Selim

P.S. Don’t forget to support the Hopeful Cards campaign: https://bit.ly/selim_kacuv. Let’s make a difference together! 💛

Learn how to make AI work for you

AI won’t take your job, but a person using AI might. That’s why 1,000,000+ professionals read The Rundown AI – the free newsletter that keeps you updated on the latest AI news and teaches you how to use it in just 5 minutes a day.

Sign up to start learning.

Hi {{ first name | there }},

🏃‍♂️ Yesterday, I completed the 42-kilometer Istanbul Marathon in 4 hours and 43 minutes, finishing healthy and happy! It was a significant physical and mental challenge, but I wanted to channel this journey into a greater cause beyond personal achievement.

Throughout the marathon, one thought kept me going: Kanserli Çocuklara Umut Vakfı’s (KAÇUV) Hopeful Cards Project. This initiative brings hope and support to children fighting cancer and their families. Now, I want every step I took during the marathon to become a step toward brighter and happier tomorrows for these kids.

💖 Join me in becoming an ambassador of hope by supporting this meaningful project! Every contribution can bring a smile to a child’s face and relief to a family’s heart.

👉 To support and donate, click here: https://bit.ly/selim_kacuv

You can follow my posts and journey on social media:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram

Together, we can turn small steps into big changes!

Warm regards,
Selim

---

Merhaba {{ first name | arkadaşlar }},

🏃‍♂️ Dün İstanbul Maratonu'nda 42 kilometre koşarak yarışı sağlıklı ve mutlu bir şekilde 4 saat 43 dakikada tamamladım! Bu, fiziksel ve zihinsel olarak büyük bir mücadeleydi. Ancak, bu yolculuğu sadece bir kişisel başarı olmaktan çıkarıp anlamlı bir amaca yönlendirmek istiyorum.

Maraton boyunca aklımda hep bir şey vardı: Kanserli Çocuklara Umut Vakfı’nın (KAÇUV) Umutlu Kartlar Projesi. Bu proje, kanserle mücadele eden çocuklara ve ailelerine umut ve destek sağlıyor. Şimdi, maratondaki adımlarımı çocuklarımızın daha güçlü ve mutlu yarınlara ulaşması için atılmış adımlar haline getirmek istiyorum.

💖 Siz de bir umut elçisi olun ve bu anlamlı projeye destek verin! Her katkı, çocuklarımızın yüzünde bir gülümsemeye ve bir ailenin yüreğine su serpmeye vesile olabilir.

👉 Destek olmak ve bağış yapmak için buraya tıklayın: https://bit.ly/selim_kacuv

Sosyal medya paylaşımlarımı takip ederek yolculuğumu izleyebilirsiniz:
🔗 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram

Hep birlikte, bu küçük adımları büyük bir değişime dönüştürebiliriz!

Sevgiler,
Selim

Hey {{ first name | all }},

I hope you are doing well.

Generic Updates ✨

As we roll into October, I'm embracing new routines and focusing on goals for the final stretch of the year. Here’s what’s been going on:

Over the past week, I've been balancing work and gearing up for the November 3 Istanbul Marathon. My days have been a mix of consulting, training reports, conference and marathon prep. It's a rewarding combination—pushing my physical limits while working on impactful projects. 🏃‍♂️

By the way, if you're feeling inspired, you can still register to join the Istanbul Marathon! Whether you’re up for a 15 km run or ready to take on the full 42 km, it’s an incredible experience. Check out this link for more details and registration.

Where I’ve Been? 🌍

Over the past week, I've been balancing work and marathon prep for November 3 İstanbul Marathon while continuing my work as a consultant and trainer.

After an enriching training session on Grant Management and Fundraising in Istanbul, I've been back in Germany, diving into content creation and gearing up for an upcoming conference on Localization and Humanitarian Action in Gaziantep.

Selim Uysal on LinkedIn: Grants Management and Fundraising training in Istanbul

Happy to have facilitated the 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 training for 20 dedicated professionals from Save the Children…

www.linkedin.com/posts/selimuysal_grants-management-and-fundraising-training-activity-7245384186625232899-z-s0

We also had a follow-up Zoom meeting with the Grant Management and Fundraising training participants; I’m really happy that we could keep our group engaged after the training and share posts, grant opportunities, and other conversations almost daily.

What I’ve Been Doing? 💪

• Marathon Prep & Fitness 🏃‍♂️: My training has been going well! I’ve been sticking to a schedule of running 3-to 4 times a week, incorporating strength training and stretching activities. I

• Progress has been steady, and I feel more prepared with each run. If you want to follow my journey, you can connect with me on Strava.

• Last Week's Summary: A mix of shorter runs for endurance, strength sessions for power, and stretching for flexibility. I’ve been enjoying pushing my limits as I get closer to my marathon goal.I became the best fitness level in the last six months and I’m feeling it with my body and energy as well.

• This weekend: I plan to complete my first long run, hopefully around 15 KM and continue the training during the week.

Videos & Content Creation 📹:

• I've shared a few videos and creative content pieces this week, focusing on personal development, fitness, and humanitarian action. I'm also working on new material for my upcoming conference and future trainings.

• You can find them on my LinkedIn profile;

Selim Uysal on LinkedIn: #emailnewsletter #kit #beehiiv #emailautomation #emailmarketing

🚀 Kit vs. Beehiiv: The Contest of Top Email Newsletter Platforms! 🚀 Hey everyone! 📧 In this video, I dive into the rebranding of ConvertKit to Kit, and how…

www.linkedin.com/posts/selimuysal_emailnewsletter-kit-beehiiv-activity-7247517456917757952-yXF4

Selim Uysal on LinkedIn: #koşu #maraton #sporuygulamaları #i̇stanbulmaratonu #motivasyon #sağlık…

🏃‍♂️3 Kasım’da İstanbul Maratonu’nda koşacağım 42 kilometrelik mesafe için çalışmalarım hızla sürüyor. 💪 Bu süreçte bana en çok yardımcı olan 3 uygulamayı…

www.linkedin.com/posts/selimuysal_koagnu-maraton-sporuygulamalaraft-activity-7247247940694458368-CGCY

What I’m Reading? 📚

I’m diving deeper into "Team: Getting Things Done with Others" by David Allen exploring insights on team productivity and collaboration. If you’re interested in boosting your team’s efficiency, this is a must-read!

Additionally, I'm listening to a few inspiring audiobooks:

• "The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield – is filled with powerful thoughts on overcoming barriers to achieve your best self.

  • “Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”
    ― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

  • “It's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write.
    What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance.”
    ― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

“The War Of Art” by Steven Pressfield

• I’m also exploring other titles from authors like Jim Rohn and Austin Kleon on Audible, including motivational content and creative inspiration.

Tip of the Week 📖: I deleted Instagram from my phone, and it's been a game-changer!

Instead of endless scrolling, I've been diving into audiobooks and podcasts—turning my downtime into quality "me-time." The shift has not only been refreshing but also super enriching. Highly recommend giving it a try if you're looking to reclaim your focus and inspiration! ✨

Podcast Discovery 🎧

I’ve been hooked on the Marathon Training Academy podcast, on Spotify — lots of practical advice on running, fitness, and the mental aspects of marathon prep.

Thinking of Starting My Own Podcast 🎙️

Oh, and speaking of podcasts, I'm thinking of starting my own! Would you be interested in listening? I’m sharing a one-minute trial recording below—your feedback would be invaluable. What would you like to hear more of? Reply with your preferences and suggestions, or just hit play!

Podcast 1: Read the Life - Descript

 Good morning all. I hope you're doing well. Today is 25th of September and it's Wednesday. I just wanted to record this short voice recording and maybe publish as a podcast. I'm in the Bochum city ce

share.descript.com/view/gNxb24qcJu5

Selim Uysal on LinkedIn: Podcast 1: Read the Life

🎙️ Podcast Trial 1: Read the Life 🎙️ | 🎙️ Podcast Denemesi 1: Hayatı Oku 🎙️ Hey everyone! 👋 I've recorded a short 1.5-minute voice message, and I'm…

www.linkedin.com/posts/selimuysal_podcast-1-read-the-life-activity-7245333863311245312-mkot?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Subscribe to My Free Course ✍️

If you’ve been thinking about starting your own newsletter, now’s the time! 🚀 In my previous newsletters, I announced the launch of my free email course on how to get started.

Ready to share your ideas and connect with your audience? Head over to startyournewsletter.today and let’s kickstart your newsletter journey together!

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, you can reply back to this email or comment below!

Regards,
Selim

Hey {{ first name | all }},

I hope you are doing well.

I wanted to share some updates and my plans for the last quarter of the year. Also, I'm excited to announce that I'll be returning to a weekly publishing schedule for this newsletter. Here's what's been going on:

Where I've Been?

Between September 14th and 20th, I was in Istanbul, Turkey, as part of my work as a humanitarian consultant and trainer. I delivered a three-day training course on grant management and fundraising for NGOs. It was an enriching experience working with dedicated professionals striving to make a positive impact in their communities.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Save the Children Turkey Country Office for their tremendous support and to the participants, for their time and valuable contributions.

What I've Been Doing and What is Next?

Now that I'm back in Germany, I'm focusing on compiling training reports and preparing for an upcoming conference on Localization and Humanitarian Action in Gaziantep, Turkey, scheduled for October.

In the meantime, I'll be devoting more time to content creation, videos, and other creative projects that I'm passionate about.

I'm also excited to announce that I've launched a new email course called Start Your Newsletter Today. If you've ever thought about starting your own newsletter but didn't know where to begin, this course is designed to help you get started. You can check it out at startyournewsletter.today. I'm looking forward to helping others share their ideas and connect with their audience.

As we come closer to the end of Q3, I'm making preparations for the last quarter of the year. This includes setting new goals, planning upcoming projects, and ensuring continuous personal and professional development.

What I'm Reading

I've recently received a signed copy of "Team: Getting Things Done with Others".

This book, co-authored by David Allen, explores how teams can unlock their full potential using the Getting Things Done® approach. It's packed with insights on how to collaborate effectively and create a culture of high performance. 🚀

I'll be sharing what I learn from this book in future newsletters. For more information, you can check out and join the free email course on Getting Things Done® at stressizuretkenlik.com.

I'm also listening to "Show Your Work" by Austin Kleon on Audible. It's an inspiring read about the importance of sharing your creative process and connecting with others. You can check it out here: Show Your Work by Austin Kleon.

Additionally, I enjoy listening to books on Audible and summaries on the Blinkist app. Recently, I've been captivated by the 4 Minute Books YouTube channel, which provides concise summaries of various books. The last one I listened to was "On the Shortness of Life" by Seneca, which you can find here: On the Shortness of Life by Seneca. It's a thought-provoking piece on making the most of our time.

Fitness, Health & Running

As I mentioned in the title, I've signed up to run a full marathon (42.195 km)! I already started preparations yesterday with a short 4k run. I'll be running 3-4 times a week and incorporating strength training and stretching activities. The time is quite limited for preparing for a full marathon, but I'll do my best.

If you'd like to follow my training journey, feel free to connect with me on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/96495711

Why I'm Doing This

Running a full marathon (42.195 km) has always been a personal goal.

It's about challenging myself physically and mentally, pushing my limits, and embracing a healthier lifestyle.

Lately, I've felt my motivation and fitness practices slipping. I realized that the main reason was the lack of a compelling goal to strive for. While I've always enjoyed walking, I wasn't following a fitness regimen that would help me reach the best version of myself physically.

Additionally, I've noticed that I've gained a few kilograms of weight after spending a few weeks in hotels for training in Gaziantep, Amman, and Istanbul. Now I'm back and fully excited about this new journey. As I approach my 31st birthday in October, I believe it's a great milestone to start this new chapter as a marathon runner and hopefully embrace a new identity focused on health and fitness.

Thanks for reading this week's newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to reply to this email or comment below!

Regards,

Selim

Hey {{ first name | all }},

Welcome to the new edition of my newsletter. Today is August 16th. I was planning to send this newsletter every week, but since it’s my personal newsletter, I’ve had some difficulty maintaining a weekly schedule. Therefore, I’m shifting to a biweekly schedule. From now on, I’ll be sending this newsletter on the 16th and the 1st of each month.

I’m including a video recording in Turkish and English in which I discuss various topics. I hope this will be a good addition to this newsletter.

Where I’ve been?

To briefly summarize what I’ve been doing in the last two weeks, I delivered training in Gaziantep, Turkey, from the end of July until August 1st. The training focused on safeguarding children and adults and was aimed at NGOs and humanitarian organizations. After that, I traveled to Amman, Jordan, for training on the governance of NGOs.

What I’ve been doing?

In Turkey, I delivered safeguarding training for Save the Children partners, focusing on protecting children, adults, and staff from harm—crucial for NGOs and humanitarian organizations. I’m currently working as a consultant trainer with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, a fantastic organization that offers free online courses through their platform, Kayaconnect.org.

I also attended a Training of Trainers on NGO governance in Amman, Jordan. It was an enriching experience with participants from five different countries. I shared a video on LinkedIn about how values, vision, and mission can be integrated into daily organizational practices. You can watch it here if you’re interested.

What about fitness, health & running?

Even with all the recent travels, I made it a point to walk 10,000 steps per day.

I also managed to squeeze in a few runs at hotel gyms, though I didn’t get the chance to run outdoors. Today (16.08), I finally restarted my outdoor runs, this time with my daughter. I’m hoping this will be the kickstart I need, and I’ll share more updates in my next post! You can also follow my journey on Strava!

Watch the Video

For more details and insights, you can watch the video version of this newsletter. You can find them in Turkish and English here on my Youtube Channels.

Thank you so much for reading this issue of the newsletter. I welcome your feedback.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please reply to this email or comment below, and we can get in touch.

See you next month. Have a great day!

Regards,

Selim

Merhabalar {{ first name | }},

Bültenimin yeni sayısına hoş geldiniz. Bugün 16 Ağustos. Bu bülteni her hafta göndermeyi planlıyordum, ancak bu benim kişisel bültenim olduğu için haftalık programı sürdürmekte biraz zorlandım. Bu nedenle, iki haftalık bir programa geçiyorum. Şu andan itibaren bu bülteni her ayın 16'sında ve 1'inde kaydedeceğim.

Çeşitli konuları tartıştığım Türkçe ve İngilizce bir video kaydı da ekliyorum. Umarım bu bültene iyi bir katkı olur.

Nerelerdeydim?

Son iki hafta içinde neler yaptığımı kısaca özetlemek gerekirse, Temmuz sonunda 1 Ağustos'a kadar Gaziantep'te eğitim verdim. Eğitim, çocuklar ve yetişkin güvenliği konusuna odaklanıyordu ve STK'lar ile insani yardım kuruluşlarına yönelikti. Daha sonra STK'ların yönetişimi konusunda eğitim almak üzere Ürdün'ün başkenti Amman'a gittim.

Neler yapıyordum?

Türkiye'de Save the Children ortakları için STK'lar ve insani yardım kuruluşları için çok önemli olan çocukları, yetişkinleri ve personeli zarar görmekten korumaya odaklanan çocuk ve yetişkin güvenliği eğitimi verdim. Şu anda, Kayaconnect.org adlı platformları aracılığıyla ücretsiz çevrimiçi kurslar sunan harika bir kuruluş olan İnsani Yardım Liderlik Akademisi'nde danışman/eğitmen olarak çalışıyorum.

Ayrıca Ürdün'ün başkenti Amman'da STK yönetişimi üzerine bir Eğitmen Eğitimine katıldım. Beş farklı ülkeden gelen katılımcılarla zenginleştirici bir deneyim oldu. LinkedIn'de değerlerin, vizyonun ve misyonun günlük kurumsal uygulamalara nasıl entegre edilebileceğine dair bir video paylaştım. Eğer ilgileniyorsanız buradan izleyebilirsiniz.

Peki ya fitness, sağlık ve koşu?

Son seyahatlerime rağmen günde yaklaşık 10.000 adım yürümeye özen gösterdim.

Açık havada koşma şansım olmasa da otel spor salonlarında birkaç koşu sıkıştırmayı da başardım. Bugün (16.08) nihayet açık havada koşularıma yeniden başladım, bu sefer kızımla birlikte.

Bunun ihtiyacım olan başlangıç olacağını umuyorum ve bir sonraki yazımda daha fazla güncelleme paylaşacağım! Yolculuğumu Strava'dan da takip edebilirsiniz!

Videoyu izleyin

Daha fazla ayrıntı ve içgörü için bu bültenin video versiyonunu izleyebilirsiniz. Türkçe ve İngilizce olarak Youtube kanallarımda bulabilirsiniz.

Bültenin bu sayısını okuduğunuz için çok teşekkür ederim. Geri bildirimlerinizi memnuniyetle karşılıyorum.

Herhangi bir sorunuz, yorumunuz veya öneriniz varsa, lütfen bu e-postayı yanıtlayın veya aşağıya yorum yapın, sizinle iletişime geçebiliriz.

Gelecek ay görüşmek üzere. İyi günler dilerim!

Saygılarımla,

Selim

Hey {{ first name | all }},

I hope you are doing well.

Today is the 25th of July, and it's Thursday. I wasn't able to ship the newsletter yesterday, but I wanted to keep my commitment to do it weekly.

You can also watch this YouTube video prepared only for my newsletter subscribers: Watch Video.

Where I’ve been?

This past week was a bit busy. I was trying to complete the training content for the consultancy or training facilitation work that I will be doing next week in Turkey. I'm still in Germany but traveling this weekend.

The weather here is quite nice—cool and sometimes rainy—but I think in Turkey, it's very hot. Next week, I will be going to Amman, Jordan, which I expect to be very hot as well. So, I’ve been enjoying my time here in Germany.

What I’ve been doing?

I've been working on content development for my training, some email projects, and our residence permit application, which has involved a lot of administrative work. That's why I haven't recorded any videos or published anything in written form in the last few days.

But starting August 1st, which will be the last day of my training, I hope to get back to content creation. I'm currently at the Ruhr University Bochum campus and have found a nice pathway from my child’s kindergarten to the university library.

What I’m listening?

I’m listening to David Huberman’s podcast Huberman Lab and Cal Newsports' podcast The Deep Life. My favorite episodes are below.

Dr. Jonathan Haidt: How Smartphones & Social Media Impact Mental Health & the Realistic Solutions

In this Huberman Lab episode, my guest is Dr. Jonathan Haidt, PhD, professor of social psychology at New York University and bestselling author on how technology and culture impact the psychology and health of kids, teens, and adults.

www.hubermanlab.com/episode/dr-jonathan-haidt-how-smartphones-social-media-impact-mental-health-the-realistic-solutions

Ep. 309: Deep Habits - The Deep Life by Cal Newport

On this show, we often talk about major overhauls to your work and life. In this episode, we go the other way and focus on the small habits that can make a big difference. In more detail, Cal describes eight ...

www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/ep-309-deep-habits

What about fitness, health & running?

In terms of fitness, I haven’t done much except for walking around 10,000 steps per day. I hope to start running in Turkey next week. Here in Germany, I couldn’t manage my time and energy effectively with other responsibilities and work commitments.

Productivity/Personal Development Tip of the Week

Digital Minimalism: This week, I'm challenging myself to practice digital minimalism.

I deleted the Instagram and YouTube apps from my phone. I think it's really useful, and I already have seen a major decrease in my screen time. I'll keep you posted in my next newsletter episodes.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, reply to this email or comment below!

Regards,

Selim