ποΈ your weekend dispatch β style, life, relationships & money
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Hey Reader,
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."β β βLao Tzu Welcome to Gent Within's Weekend 'Sletter β your weekly dose of style and self-development to live a more intentional life. Here's what I've got for you today. In today's 'Sletter:
STYLE π Mastering Smart Casual StyleNot to be confused with Business Casual β Smart Casual can encompass anything more polished than a tracksuit to just before a formal suit and tie.
It combines elements of well-fitted business wear with more casual options like chinos and dress pants, tees and polos, dark denim, practical footwear, blazers and more. Although you should be comfortable in casual style clothes, the trick is to avoid a look that is too casual and loose-fitting.
With smart casual, men will pair finer quality apparel with great fabrics that are on trend and in style for the occasion. In essence, the smart casual approach is just a notch under a business casual or business professional look. In the above examples, a sharkskin suit qualifies as biz professional or biz casual, while tweed and linen falls under smart casual. In the case of the jeans, the dark wash and mid-wash are more in-line with smart casual while light wash is simply casual. Check out some smart casual styling inspiration from yours truly. For the complete guide, tap the button below π.
RELATIONSHIPS π¬ The Best Opening LineWhen first meeting someone, whether at a conference or social gathering, what's the best opening line? I've found that you can say literally anything, because it's not as important what you say, but in how you say it, so long as it puts the other person at ease and sounds passionate. In fact, 80% of your listener's impression has nothing to do with your words. People will tune into your tone more than your text. So instead of thinking about what to say, focus on the way you say it to make the best impression. LIFE ππ» Choose Hard ThingsCasey Neistat breaks down the art of choosing hard things in this video (opens in YouTube) where he attempts to run his first ever sub-3 hour marathon. This video resonates with me because I am on my own running journey for the better part of 1.5 years β with a single marathon under my belt, along with 30+ races including trails, half-marathons, 10K and 5K's. It's been quite the journey filled with amazing PRs, unavoidable injuries and questioning my life choices. Running to me is now a lifestyle and more about health/staying in shape rather than training for a big race and then falling back into unhealthy habits. But back to the video... Chosen "hard things," particularly those you choose to undertake rather than those you are obligated to do, significantly contribute to personal growth and fulfillment. Here's how they do so: Generate Positive Feelings and Improved Health: Unlike unavoidable hard things like going to school, working, or paying taxes, the hard things you choose to do "make you feel good" and can make you "healthier". Casey, for instance, chose to wake up early and run, which he identifies as a hard thing that is a choice. Offer Unique Accomplishment and Enjoyment: These self-imposed challenges allow for a different kind of satisfaction. The source highlights that you "enjoy doing them". Casey's personal goal of breaking three hours in the New York City marathon, a feat he had failed to achieve eight times prior, is presented as his specific chosen "hard thing". Provide an Unparalleled Sense of Achievement: Overcoming a chosen hard thing leads to a distinct "feeling that's only accessible through hard work". This is described as a "momentary feeling you chase your entire life," one of "life's great things," and something "you only get if you do a really hard thing". After breaking three hours in the marathon, Casey describes this profound sense of accomplishment. Test and Strengthen Resolve: Because chosen hard things are not mandatory, there's always the option to "bail any time". This inherent choice forces individuals to confront their commitment and question the purpose of their pursuit, ultimately strengthening their resolve if they choose to continue. For Casey, even after his pacer Roberto was involved in an accident, he faced a "decision point" where he could have given up but chose to continue because he felt he "had to do this because I lost Roberto". All that said... I'm currently in Indonesia on a racecation and will be running the BTN Jakarta Half in about 7 hours. Wish me luck! SPEND (WISELY) π Fresh All-Time HighsThe S&P 500 hit new all-time highs yesterday β a 20% recovery in just two months since the President's "Liberation Day". This specific pattern has only occurred 5 times since 1950, and historically, it leads to an average 31% gain over the following 12 months. That's the data. Here's what it means for you: The Current Reality: Markets are pricing in optimism despite ongoing uncertainties around Fed policy and trade tensions. This feels familiar β similar to the rapid post-COVID recovery driven by aggressive monetary policy and unprecedented rate cuts. The Action Plan:
The hard truth: Your financial future depends more on your behavior than market predictions. History suggests markets trend upward over time, but only if you're actually participating. π Reading for the roadβ’ 5 Types of T-shirts & How to Wear Them with Styleβ β’ Best Minimalist Sneakers (Step into style & comfort)β β’ How to Nail Smart Casual Style (The Ultimate Guide)βββ β’ T-Shirt Fit Guide (The keys to a proper fit)β β’ βββIs She Flirting With You? (Here are all the signs)β
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