Open Loops #121

👋 Welcome to the 121st issue of Open Loops, a weekly newsletter to help you think, grow, and build momentum.

My name is Reza, and every week, I sift through over 100 pieces of content —newsletters, articles, podcasts, books, and (way too many) tweets—to pull out the most interesting, actionable ideas.

Nothing is enough anymore.

I keep noticing something strange.

The better things get, the less satisfied we become.

A friend doubled his business revenue. Now he's stressed about doubling it again.

Another ran his first marathon. A week later? Already planning an ultra.

I moved to a better apartment. Two months in, I'm already searching for the next place.

Scientists call this the Tocqueville Paradox: our expectations rise faster than our living standards.

Think about it. Your grandparents would view your "basic" lifestyle as pure luxury.

Instant deliveries. Video calls with anyone, anywhere. WiFi at 35,000 feet.

Yet here we are, constantly chasing the next thing.

It's not that ambition is bad.

But there's something powerful about noticing this glitch in our operating system.

The next time you achieve something, pause.

Breathe it in.

Because your brain is already plotting its next target.

If it's not a "Whole Body Yes," it's a no. Trust your gut.

Done is better than perfect. Ship early, iterate often.

Create instead of consume. Start your day with creation, not consumption.

Ruthlessly cut our Energy Vampires. Negative energy infects your spirit and slowly chips away at it.

Vulnerability wins. It’s the birthplace of love, community, connections.

Fall in love with the process. There's no shortcut to success - it's years of showing up every day.

Your deep work is sacred time. Protect it like your life depends on it.

Taste is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Storytelling is the vehicle by which you can create a movement.

Control the 4 Ws: when you work, where you work, with whom you work, and what you work on.

When you attempt to focus, the brain first activates circuits linked to the stress response.

The agitation and stress you feel at the start—when you're trying to focus but your mind is restless and scattered—is simply a gate you must pass through.

This newsletter is my creative outlet. When I’m not writing it, or working out, I help founders and their early teams bring clarity and structure to the chaos of building early-stage brands. If you’re a founder navigating GTM, you can lean more here.