Studio Brief - Ed. 1
Our briefing on business, society, and creation.
Welcome!
I am excited about what’s below and what’s to come. This first Studio Brief has been daunting to release. Quite silly, huh? A friend told me, “Done is better than perfect." I needed to hear it.
Each brief is a collection of insightful articles, reflections, and news. Our goal at RM Legal Studio is simple: peace of mind for your pursuit. And since success leaves clues, the ones I’ve found I'll pass along here.
Quick Hits
The Power of Routine | Medium (7 min read)
Elite performers and world class executives will tell you a good routine is the foundation of their success. Why? Because a routine promotes incremental growth and insulates us from wild emotional swings.
563 AD - Worst. Year. Ever. | Radiolab (28 min listen) Yeah, the last few years have been tough, but WNYC Studios makes the case 536 AD, which set off a cascade of catastrophes, was the worst year in human history. A super-volcano. The disappearance of shadows. A global failure of crops. Plague rats.
Cult of Busyness | Vice (15 min read) Being busy often indicates status these days, but busy doesn’t always mean productive. In the age of social media, where image outweighs substance, the real byproduct of busyness can be anxiety and fractured productivity.
Modern Food is Losing its Nutrients | BBC (10 min read) While farming yields have significantly increased in the past century, the nutritional value of many foods have decreased. The nutritional value of popular vegetables such as asparagus and spinach are up to 38% lower than they were in the 1950s (e.g. lower calcium, iron, and phosphorous content). Yes, synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and monoculture have sapped soils around the world of nutrients, but there’s more to it.
Difference Between Amateurs and Professionals | Farnam Street (3 min read) It comes down to mindset. While professionals focus on their process, embrace failure, and stay objective, amateurs want fast results, think in absolutes, and are susceptible to emotional swings.
A Month Without Social Media | CNN (8 min read) After one month “dry” writer Jacque Smith came away with this: (1) Scrolling is an addiction, (2) its amazing what you can accomplish when you use those minutes scrolling to be productive (e.g. schedule an appointment, review a document, or call a loved one), (3) true relationships take time, and (4) daydreaming is a nice, and therapeutic, past time.
Reflection | “Adaption”
Prior to starting my practice, I played and worked in baseball from the high school to professional level. I was the GM of the The Santa Barbara Foresters (imagine a 26 hr bus trip from Santa Barbara, CA to Wichita, KS), a player agent for MLB players, and a talent scout for the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees.
As a scout I traveled California with a stopwatch, radar gun, pen, and Moleskine looking for nascent super stars. It’s amazing what you learn about someone when you watch them for 5 straight hours. Sure, to be on my radar players needed aptitude, but the ones that “made it” were the ones with steady heartbeats. Why? Because they slowed the game down and made good adjustments.
In the crucible of competition (read: life) it's about adapting. That’s the nature of being human. And as the world speeds up (i.e. technology outpaces human capabilities) it can feel like we are getting left behind. But, the next time you’re stressed out, getting beat, or feel behind, take a few deep breaths . . . slow your heart rate . . . and make an adjustment.
Client News
Oceanic Global Foundation, a global non-profit raising awareness for our oceans and environment, recently partnered with Corona to spearhead the world’s first eco-tourism island. In concert with Oceanic Global’s Blue Standard, it is the World’s First Blue Verified, Single-Use Plastic-Free Island.
Halcyon Person, head writer for 9 Story Media and Karma's World was nominated for her first NAACAP Image Award for Most Outstanding Breakthrough Creative in Television at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards. Karma's World was created by Chris Bridges (aka Ludacris) and Halcyon and can be seen on Netflix.
BioUp, Inc., a biotech company out of Los Angeles, CA, was recently selected for the Vatican’s Laudato Si challenge by His Holiness Pope Francis. Ten global businesses were selected for their promotion of global health initiatives.
Brendan Pattengale, a fine art photographer who focuses on the intersection of nature and color, was recently invited to speak at La Biblioteca Guglielmo Marconi in Rome, Italy for the International Science Festival. Ten of his pieces are now on permanent display there.
Upcoming Calendar
September 15 - 3rd installment of 2022 Estimated Taxes are due. This income includes earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, rents, and alimony. Taxpayers who do not choose to have taxes withheld from other taxable income should also make estimated tax payments.
November 15 - Entrepreneurs’ Day falls on the last day of Global Entrepreneurship Week, during November, which is also Entrepreneurship Month. The day is meant to be a way of showing gratitude and respect to the people who have achieved success, sometimes against all odds.
January 17, 2023 - Final installment of 2022 Estimated Taxes are due. This income includes earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, rents, and alimony. Taxpayers who do not choose to have taxes withheld from other taxable income should also make estimated tax payments.
January 31, 2023 - Send W-2, 1099 tax forms for 2022. Deadline for any employees or independent contractors you hired last year to receive their W-2, 1099-NEC, or 1099-MISC tax forms. Remember: If you paid at least $600 to an independent contractor, you must file Form 1099-NEC with the IRS by January 31 to report non-employee compensation (NEC).
Bookcase
The Discovery of Slowness by Sten Nadolny is a novel written under a double conceit: first, a novelization of the life of British Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, and second as a hymn of praise to "slowness", a quality which Nadolny's protagonist possesses in abundance. In Nadolny's world (and ours), where speed reigns supreme and faster is always better, "slowness" is a seeming disability. But in reality, "slowness" is a powerful and underutilized asset. Penguin Random House
The Micro Influencer’s Brand Partnership Bible is written by Ashleigh Warren, a social media marketing strategist and the founder of So Social, an agency helping influencers and creators turn connections into profit. She’s produced more than $150 million in revenue for her clients and with expertise in social media platforms, talent-backed brands, product curation, and ad campaigns, Ashleigh has helped the biggest names in the industry create real influence. We were asked to contribute to Ashleigh’s book and could not be more excited for its release! Purchase on Amazon here.
About the Studio
Our mission is to provide peace of mind and creative strategies for clients' pursuits. From innovative businesses to creatives, we empower our clients so they can optimize their business, brand, and potential.
Visit the Studio to see resources and click here to schedule a call. And wherever you are in your journey, our e-book The Venture Map will demystify the legal steps of running a business.
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