🎆 Talk Less, Save More, & Plan Ahead

Hey Reader,

Welcome to Gent Within's weekend 'Sletter – here to celebrate the spirit of independence with timeless style, intentional living, and financial freedom that lasts.
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Happy 4th of July weekend if you're in the States! 🎆

Here's what I've got for you today.

In today's 'Sletter:

• Style: Mise En Place
• Life: Talk Less, Smile More
• Spend: The Power of Quiet Compounding
• Save: One Sweet Deal
• Meme: of the Week
• ICYMI: Reading for the Road

STYLE

👔 Mise En Place Your Style

Mise en place is a French culinary phrase which means “putting in place” or “everything in its place.” It refers to the set up required before cooking, and is often used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients that a cook will require for the menu items that are expected to be prepared during a shift.

Why not apply this concept to getting dressed?

The majority of people don’t think about what they’re going to wear in advance, unless there’s a special occasion or important meeting coming up.

If you’ve ever found yourself frantically grabbing random pieces out of the closet as you scramble to get out the door in the morning, then maybe you could try a little “mise en place”.

Whether you’re dressing casually or suiting up, a little preparation will set you up for a smooth transition from the bed to the boardroom and beyond.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A daily habit of thoughtfully preparing your outfit the night before can save you time and energy. It’s like exercising a muscle. The more you think about what you wear on a daily basis – over time – you’ll elevate your style and be able to curate a dope fit without even thinking.

LIFE

😃 Talk Less, Smile More

One of the more memorable lines from the popular Broadway musical Hamilton is from Aaron Burr as advice to the brash and outspoken Alexander Hamilton.

The line "talk less, smile more" encapsulates Burr’s philosophy of restraint and calculated charm, contrasting sharply with Hamilton’s impulsive, outspoken nature.

The line resonates with me because I've always been the type to speak only when I have something important to say and to always maintain a positive attitude. Let me share a handful of lessons we can learn...

Lessons from the line:

The power of listening

Talking less can mean listening more, which allows for better understanding of others’ perspectives and strategic timing in conversations or decisions.

In modern contexts, this can translate to active listening in negotiations, leadership, or personal relationships.

Strategic timing in communication

Burr’s advice suggests choosing when to speak and when to stay silent. This can be a valuable lesson in professional or social settings, where restraint can prevent conflicts or maintain alliances until the right moment to act arises.

The risk of over-sharing

Hamilton’s tendency to “talk more” often leads to trouble, such as alienating allies or escalating conflicts (e.g., his role in the Reynolds Pamphlet).

The line reminds us that oversharing or speaking impulsively can have unintended consequences, a lesson applicable in personal, professional, or public spheres.

Balancing authenticity and tact

While Burr’s approach prioritizes tact over authenticity, Hamilton’s openness, though flawed, drives his influence.

The line invites reflection on finding a balance – being true to one’s values while navigating social dynamics wisely.

The cost of caution

Burr’s philosophy, while strategic, is later shown to leave him on the sidelines of history (e.g., in “The Room Where It Happens”).

The line serves as a cautionary tale about excessive caution, suggesting that avoiding risks entirely can limit one’s impact or legacy.

SPEND (WISELY)

🐢 The Power of Quiet Compounding

"Quiet compounding" is a concept that applies to both personal and financial success, emphasizing a silent, long-term approach to growth that yields impressive results over time.

It's likened to nature, where growth and change is often not immediately visible but becomes staggering over long periods.

This approach stands in contrast to a world where immediate gratification is not only sought out, but expected.

Here are core principles behind quiet compounding for personal and financial success:

Emphasis on internal vs. external benchmarks

This principle involves asking whether you would be happy with a result even if no one else could see it and you weren't comparing it to the apparent success of others.

The social comparison game is impossible to win because there will always be someone getting richer faster.

Shifting your attention internally, to what truly makes you and your family happy and fulfilled, makes it easier to enjoy your money regardless of how you choose to spend and invest it.

Acceptance of how different people are

Acknowledging that what works for one person might not work for another is crucial.

Many financial mistakes stem from attempting to copy individuals who are different from you.

Therefore, it's important to be careful about who you seek advice from, admire, or socialize with, as doing things quietly makes you less susceptible to people with different goals or personalities telling you that you are doing it wrong.

Focus on independence over social dunking

By engaging in quiet actions, you become "selfish in the best way," meaning you primarily use money to improve your own life rather than to influence others' perceptions of your life.

This translates to valuing the ability to do what you want, with whom you want, for as long as you want, over trying to impress others with worldly possessions.

Focus on long-term endurance over short-term comparison

Many people aspire to be long-term investors but struggle because they get caught up in comparisons to peers and benchmarks, or worry about what others will think if they lose money in the short term.

Long-term investing requires the ability to absorb manageable damage. Durability comes from caring more about surviving volatility than looking foolish for encountering it.

Instead of trying to appear smarter than others, "quiet compounding" involves making a silent bet that things will gradually improve over time, embodying the idea that there is no rush when you're playing the long game.

🤑 One Sweet Deal

The Adidas Stan Smith 'Lux' shoe is currently half off on their website. It's a classic silhouette with a minimalist design. I personally like the gold foil detail on the lux pair.

The pair linked has the classic green tab along the ankle, though you can opt for a handful of other colorways from black to sand to gray. Promo codes won't work on this deal.

​Check out the Adidas Stan Smith Lux here - $120 $60

According to Adidas, they run true to size; however in my experience, it may be worth it to go down a half size. If you want more details about the shoe, take a look at my review here.

😂 Meme of the Week

📖 Reading for the road

• ​​​How to Attract Women (Without even trying)​

• ​​​The Best Summer Color Combinations​

• 5 Types of T-shirts & How to Wear Them with Style​

• Best Minimalist Sneakers (Step into style & comfort)​

• How to Nail Smart Casual Style (The Ultimate Guide)​​​

• T-Shirt Fit Guide (The keys to a proper fit)​

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