Evan Helda
📍 Los Angeles, CA | Business development & strategy at AWS for Spatial Computing, writer at Medium Energy, and story teller/podcaster at Dream Machines.
📝 Editors Note
If you have not yet read Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, it is a ‘must read’. Short, digestible, and actionable advice that will improve your financial mindset.
A friend, Myles W., shared one of Morgan’s recent blog posts called “Rich and Anonymous”. If books aren’t your thing, this article takes 3 minutes to read and highlights a concept Housel calls ‘social debt.’ In addition to its central premise, it also made me think about a major trend I see in my own life and among millennial peers:
Comfort with job-hopping to find the best balance of priorities - making your job work for you, not the other way around.
However, there might be a recessionary correction coming with that trend….
Without further ado….
Why Evan?
I’ve known Evan since high school, where he was a standout lacrosse player. Now I think of Evan less for lacrosse and more for his thought leadership in future-facing tech.
Follow Evan on Instagram @ehelda5
Self-Description
A writer and technology fanatic using the power of narrative to make science fiction a reality
Evan’s Recommendations
Written in his own words…
Books
4,000 Weeks and The War of Art
These books are the ultimate complement. War of Art will give you the kick in the ass you need to go pursue your passion. 4,000 weeks will balance you out, reminding you to relax, smell the flowers, and realize life is short and you're not THAT important.
Product
Shit works...
App
I live & die by the Microsoft To Do app. And I'm basic... Apple Notes is underrated.
Well-Being
Working out, movement, and sweating. If I don't sweat, and get that boost of endorphins/serotonin, I'm a different person... (and not in a good way)
Watch
Steph Curry Underrated (AppleTV+)
The recent Steph Curry documentary was pretty inspiring... talk about perseverance & mindset!
Food & Beverage
Just bought my first wine subscription from a vineyard: Halleck Vineyard. Small, boutique vineyard that has won all kinds of awards for one of the Best Pinot Noirs in the country.
Professional
If it isn't a F*#% yes its a no: stole this one from Derek Sivers. There are so many things that can take your energy and focus. Saying no is a super power.
Journaling helps & works: I ask myself the following, and it helps stay on track and monitor my mental/emotional state: (a) what did I do yesterday? how did it make me feel? And what did I learn (b) what am I working on? (goals, mindsets, feelings, lessons) (c) what's around the corner? How can I start actively processing? (d) what am I grateful for?
Protect and cherish your mornings: this is when I'm by far the most creative, and have the most intellectual horsepower. Do your hardest/heaviest work those first few hours in the morning, especially the deep work (writing, thinking, planning, etc.)
Music
Cool/funky French band that is under the radar, and under rated.
Travel
Yes. Japan is a must. My experience there struck such a deep chord, that I had to write an essay about it. I've pasted below. The essay includes all kinds of places to go/things to do at the end!
Amazon Purchase
Thing is a beast.
Plug
Check out my newsletter: www.mediumenergy.io, in particular my recent essay on the Apple Vision Pro.
Want to get in touch with Evan?
Feel free to send me a message on Instagram (@ehelda5) or Twitter (@evanhelda)
P.S. I bought a Remarkable (paper tablet). Detailed review coming soon 👀