String of Pearls

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Over the weekend, I watched Stutz. It's a film about Jonah Hill's therapist, Phil Stutz. But there's a catch: Jonah Hill directed and starred in the movie. "That's kind of odd." Yes – but also fascinating. Hill illustrates Phil's life and his work through a series of mock-therapy sessions where the roles are reversed – Jonah is the one asking questions.

Halfway through the documentary, you're thrown for a loop as Jonah tells another story; how he made the film and the struggles he overcame while making it. It's a storytelling masterpiece highlighting a pressing issue in today's society, mental health.

Although the documentary had many gems, I was drawn to Phil's "String of Pearls" theory. It's the idea that one action isn't worth more or less than any other. In other words, everything you do is just another pearl on your string. Let me explain.

When I sit down to write, I have sessions where I write two words and others where I write hundreds. It's easy to value the sessions I write more and devalue the sessions I write less. But they're actually no different. In each case, I took time out of my day to sit down and write. As Phil would say, I "added a pearl to the string."

I know I'll have some hit pieces and others that will flop. But the challenge is not viewing the pieces that flop as any less valuable than the ones that do well. It's showing up to write and publish my work that counts.

The String of Pearls theory embodies the advice "focus on the process." But there's a problem. General hustle-culture wisdom like "focus on the process" probably makes your eyes bleed. Thankfully, Phil simplifies things and tells his clients to "add pearls to their string." It's an easy yet powerful visual that allows you and me to visualize what focusing on the process actually means.

"But why can't you just focus on the outcome?"

The problem with focusing on the outcome is twofold. Firstly, when you don't achieve success, failure will hit harder. Instead of capitalizing on an opportunity to learn and grow, you'll drown yourself in self-doubt and wonder why you failed. Secondly, when you do succeed, you'll be greeted with five minutes of fulfillment and the desire to conquer another superficial quest. And don't tell me you are immune. Even the richest, smartest, and most successful people in the world suffer from the hedonic treadmill.

Fellow New Yorker and writer, Jack Raines, outlines this idea well in his recent piece, Infinite Games:

"So the secret to happiness, satisfaction, and success is just focusing on the process!? But what about enjoying life and living extravagantly?"

There is no doubt a time to enjoy the work you've done. In fact, you should celebrate your work every day. Being process-oriented doesn't mean you shouldn't strive to be the best, dream big, or enjoy your wins. It means you should focus on adding pearls, not buying another necklace.

Those who chase outcomes – and pearly necklaces – live life with a narrow aperture; they only see what could be. But those who are process-oriented navigate life with a much wider aperture. They see things strivers can't. That's why it's easier to put life into perspective when you're adding pearls and not running on the h-mill.

Phil uses this theory to help his clients achieve success and live well. He doesn't claim that you should become a monk or David Goggins; he asks us to realign our ambition such that the outcomes we desire are byproducts of adding pearls, not chasing outcomes.

Don't count your trophies; count your pearls. And if you haven't seen Stutz on Netflix yet, give it a watch too.

Keep crushing.

Cheers,

Noah Cracknell

P.S let me know what you thought of today's post! Also, what's the best documentary you've watched recently?

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