by John Macdonald | Mar 13, 2023 | The250
The journey started rough in Armenia. Flights from Yerevan to Doha leave at 3 am local time. My colleagues and I worked all day, relaxed for a few hours in the evening, and then made our way to the airport. No sleep. We arrived in a brain fog at the... by John Macdonald | Mar 12, 2023 | The250
Even at 50, I couldn’t stop stamping my feet, waving my arms, and generally making an ass out of myself. I squirm just thinking about it. The occasion was a flight home from Armenia. My itinerary called for three hours from Armenia to Qatar, a 3-hour layover in... by John Macdonald | Mar 11, 2023 | The250
I don’t believe in “no regrets.” I think it’s a bullshit mantra of the narcissistic hustle culture. Rock star-wannabe entrepreneurs, tech bros, influencers, and “sell me this pen” dickheads. Justification for living an outlandish... by John Macdonald | Mar 10, 2023 | The250
I now had an opportunity, but it would require going out of character. I would have to open my mouth and talk to the stranger next to me. But here’s another thing about me — I hate waiting. And this guy, who walked in at the same moment I did, didn’t... by John Macdonald | Mar 9, 2023 | The250
I’ve spent most of my life trying to not stand out. Fit in. Fade into the back. Stay comfortable. Don’t speak up. Wait my turn. Maximize my sameness. “I was just overwhelmed by how invisible he was. Just his shear mediocrity was hard to deny.... by John Macdonald | Mar 8, 2023 | The250
Sometimes you just need a push. The other time I was compelled to overcome my fear of heights was in front of a bunch of teenagers. Luckily, I got a push. We spend the Sunday of workcamp week on team-building exercises. If you’ve ever been to summer camp...