“Bitcoin will do to banks what email did to the postal industry.” — Rick Falkvinge

Food For Thought

Pushing Boundaries And Cracking Codes

Do any job long enough, and you’ll get good at it. Stay good at something for long enough without a challenge? You’ll get bored. Be bored long enough, and burnout can start to slink through the cracks.

At that point, you have two options. Quit your job and go on some sort of cathartic “Eat, Pray, Love” situation, or find a new challenge.

(Even if you do happen to have a huge savings and can pull off an ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ getaway, assume you’ll have to come home, eventually. And then you’re right back where you started.)

So. We highly recommend challenging yourself, because good things come out of awesome people looking to level up. Case in point?

Laura Shin – one of the leading voices in personal finance and our personal guide through the complicated, fascinating world of cryptocurrency.

Her podcast, Unchained, has become a go-to for personal finance junkies looking for a friendly, informed voice to navigate the ever-changing economic landscape.

And it all started with her looking for a challenge. After years of working as a freelancer for Forbes, she found herself in a strange place: she felt like she was stuck in a workplace Groundhog Day, and she was bored. Instead of being frustrated, she decided to reach for something new.

“My editors knew I was pretty bored, frankly, with the personal finance. By then, I’d been covering it for four years and I felt like, ‘Oh, am I going to write another article using different words on the same topic?’ I really didn’t want to do that. So, they offered me kind of a bone. They were like, ‘Hey, we want to do something covering FinTech. We want to do this Forbes FinTech 50 list. Why don’t you create the list with another reporter?’ And I took that [project] and became obsessed.”

Her obsession is our gain. Tuning into her weekly podcast has made us all a little smarter.

So, think about it. Next time work hits a plateau, think about reaching higher and going farther. You just might find your next obsession.

And that obsession could benefit the world around you.

Deep Dive

Get Obsessed

Turns out, obsessions can be super awesome career boosters. According to author Grant Cardone, “obsession isn’t an affliction—it’s a gift. Use it.”

Further Reading

Find Your Passion

Getting obsessed is easier said than done, right? First, you’ve gotta know you.

We got you covered. Check out “Find Your Passion: 25 Questions You Must Ask Yourself” by Henri Junttila. And look! We’ve even linked it up for you.

You’re welcome. ?

Mission Daily

The Future Of Finance

For the last decade, cryptocurrency has challenged traditional financial systems and institutions. Banks and governments have struggled to reckon with, and regulate, this new form of digital currency. While crypto has slowly and steadily moved into the mainstream, it’s purpose, history, and impact remains a mystery to a majority of people and institutions

Laura Shin is a former reporter and editor for Forbes Magazine and host of the Unchained Podcast. In this episode, Stephanie and Laura sit down to discuss the basics of bitcoin; what it is, how it works and how it’s changing the world.

? Listen to the episode. ?

#MidweekMotivation

Combat The Midweek Blues

It’s the second workday after a holiday weekend. Blues are kind of expected. You know what always helps?

Ospreys. Pull up this live-cam, courtesy of the Chesapeake Conservancy, and let these feathered friends keep you company.

How do you say “you’re welcome” in bird? ?

Sign Off ?

Happy Wednesday!

It’s Huummppp Day! ?

Reading, watching, or listening to anything good? Tell us about it on Twitter @TheMissionHQ and you might just find it included in a future newsletter. ?

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(This was originally published on May 29, 2019 as the Mission’s daily newsletter. To subscribe, go here.)