TheKenLane.com: Recent Episodes
Ken Lane
This podcast contains the audio versions of the written works of Ken Lane — as found on thekenlane.com. The topics range from intentional living to meditation, fitness, productivity, and much more.
For more, visit thekenlane.com.
I dumped my jar of favorite quotes into AI and asked it to organize them by theme. This episode is the result. I hope you enjoy and are inspired.
Quotes: https://kenlane.substack.com/p/jar-o-quotes
https://kenlane.substack.com/p/howdy
Have you ever noticed how most folks you cross on the street will mirror your demeanor?
A nod for a nod.
A wave for wave.
A "good, thanks" for a "howareya?"
Ok, maybe a hug attempt receives a "whoa whoa whoa, easy there, big guy."
For the most part, you can disarm most folks with "friendly enough" neutrality—shifting your weight toward kindness.
Thoughts tend to work the same way.
(More continued in episode because it won't all fit in the description box.)
Here is an episode from my fitness blog, Kenetic:
https://kenetic.substack.com/p/training-rules
Read this piece and subscribe to my newsletter at https://kenlane.substack.com/p/run-your-own-race
As found on my substack page.
I was recently reading Stephen King’s writer’s manual, On Writing—in which the horror/thriller novelist spills his great writing beans for any aspiring author.
One section that resonated with me immensely covered the utility of having someone in particular in mind while you’re writing—someone you’re writing for, almost as though the story was a letter. I couldn’t help but begin to grin to myself and wag my finger toward and away from the page. “Ah, Stevie boy—it is as if you already know me.” When it comes to non-fiction writing, I pretty much write for myself. I am usually imparting some knowledge to my past self or perhaps a future self that has forgotten a life-enhancing truth.
But when I write fiction—which is very new for me—yes, I still somewhat write for myself from phrase-to-phrase by the seat of my pants. I have no idea what is going to happen, as though I’m the one reading it.
But I’m really writing for the biggest story buff I know—my wife.
My wife immerses herself in stories like few people I've ever met. Whether a graphic novel, anime series, Korean drama, or a story told in person (even the gist of a movie), she is the queen of suspending her own reality in service of becoming one with the story. She is the ultimate investor.
So, as I've begun to let the gravity of an unfolding story lead me along, perhaps my greatest motivation is to build worlds for my wife—places for her to step inside, meet characters, ride along with them, gasp, nod, tsk, and yell at the page—which she's been known to do.
And I can't wait to do it all over again.
My wife, reading a story I freestyled about an unknown flying intelligence attacking a rural neighborhood.
The first draft of this piece using my “new” 75-year-old Smith Corona Clipper.
Thanks for reading Essays by Ken Lane. Subscribe for free to receive new posts.
Read this piece or sign up for my newsletter here: https://kenlane.substack.com/p/4-reasons
Sign up for the free email newsletter and read this piece: https://kenlane.substack.com/p/spellcheckless-frontier
You can read this essay or subscribe to my Substack here: https://kenlane.substack.com/p/pen
You can read this piece on my Substack site: https://kenlane.substack.com/p/lets-steal-from-japan
Audio version of https://kenlane.substack.com/p/the-laziest-way-to-tidy-up
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The Mindfulness Practice of Trail Running
as found at kenlane.substack.com
Repetitious clomping, panting and gasping along the unforgiving pavement, my feet quickly leap from the sidewalk as though falling from a long day into bed onto the dirt trail drizzled with tired pine needles. The trees greet me along the singletrack and welcome me into their world—wishing me farewell in a single wave as one would wave at train passengers.
The trail narrows, making me feel like a bullet in a rifle barrel. Pace becomes subjective. The limbs silently cheer me forward as my only spectators through the wilderness.
My eyes scan my future—charting courses through the rocks, roots, trunks, limbs, drops, and berms. They send instructions to my legs faster than consciousness can grasp. Messages arrive just before the next foot falls. Just as the mind speaks to the feet, the feet respond with progress reports about every step. Lean in, dial back. This ankle is solid, but that ankle needs help. Stop, go, pivot, dig in, ease off, climb, drop, slow down, let'er rip. The conservation never ceases.
If depression involves suffering past trauma and anxiety is triggered by rumination of the future, there is no room for these in the mind while dashing through the forest. To dwell anywhere but in the moment would result in a dropped call between the mind and legs—spelling one spilled in the dirt and bramble.
Running through the less-manicured wilderness is as much a practice for the direction of the mind as much as it is the body. A practice of or practice for what? For present existance. Contentment with the current batch of air in one’s lungs without pondering the breath that came before it or the one that will come after it. The past breath belongs to the forest and the next breath is not promised.
The past is gone. The future is not here. This breath and this step are all that exist. Enjoy them and put them to good use.
You can read this essay at https://kenlane.substack.com/p/gamifying-productivity-and-avoiding
How could a difficult situation actually be the best thing that's ever happened to you?
Original article: https://www.thekenlane.com/best-thing
You know it to yourself to become besties with Death.
Written version here: https://www.thekenlane.com/becoming-besties-with-death/
Learn how to design inner role models that understand your motivations to help you better live up to your potential.
Full written version: https://www.thekenlane.com/inner-role-models/
In an instant-download, “Prime delivery,” K-cup culture, intentional slowness seems to enrich common activities with meaning and renewed enjoyment. Enter analog journaling.
Enjoy the written version of this piece here: https://www.thekenlane.com/analog-journaling/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Read the full transcript of this episode here: https://www.thekenlane.com/running-on-cruise-control/
Also, feel free to subscribe to thekenlane.com/subscribe
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Make your chores suck less with one simple mind hack.
Find the written version of this piece here.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Not sure how you should spend your time? Now you can figure it out by asking this one question.
Accompanying article: https://www.thekenlane.com/stlt/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Spending some time in this place in the morning may extend your life and even better—make airport terminals a little more comfortable.
Find the original article corresponding to this article: https://www.thekenlane.com/favorite-place-to-start-my-day
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Learn more about what two ancient notions of Stoic philosophy helped pull me from the depths of anxiety.
Original post found here: https://www.thekenlane.com/two-ancient-notions/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
What can the widow of a Founding Father teach us about cementing a legacy? More than volumes could ever contain.
See the full version of this piece here: https://www.thekenlane.com/who-tells-your-story/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
About a month ago, I kicked my very last connection to social media. The following piece contains five reasons why I've decided to opt-out of social and four concepts to consider if you're thinking about doing the same.
This article version of this episode can be found here: https://www.thekenlane.com/leaving-social-media/
If you like this piece, consider subscribing this podcast or my newsletter at https://www.thekenlane.com/subscribe/ — it's free and I have nothing to sell. Unsubscribe anytime.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Are you experiencing useful fear or useless anxiety? How can you tell the difference? What can you do about it? Learn in this field manual.
Taken from the original post: https://www.thekenlane.com/shovels/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Wouldn't it be nice if all of your items of clothing were your favorite? Well, it's possible with a well-constructed clothing code.
See the article version of this episode and view my own clothing code: https://www.thekenlane.com/your-clothing-code/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Many people want to live a great big life. Not me.
The original content for this piece can be found at thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Probably the most difficult thing I've written, but the most meaningful. https://www.thekenlane.com/am-i-glad-to-see-you/
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
I'll admit it — I talk too much. But here's what I plan to do about it. Full piece: https://www.thekenlane.com/i-talk-too-much
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For the first time in my 30 years of life, I found an activity that actually made me crave exercise. What was it? Jump rope. In this episode, I discuss my rediscovery of a childhood activity and using it to reshape my relationship with fitness.
This content of this episode was originally posted to thekenlane.com in July of 2019.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The measure of a rich person should not be the digits on their bank statement, but the measure of the void between longing and contentment.
The content of this episode was originally posted on thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Many of us are living beyond our means not because of how much we were paid, but when we were paid.
The content of this episode was originally posted on thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Most of us have no idea where we are emotionally at any given moment. There's one statement that can help us recenter.
The content of this episode was originally featured on thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
An early start to your day isn't nearly as important as this other vital metric.
The content of this episode was originally published on TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
After 16 months off of Facebook, I reactivated my account. The following are six thoughts I've had about the first 24 hours back.
The content of this recording was originally posted on TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
For most of us, our autopilot is taking us in the wrong direction.
The content of this episode can be found at thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
I set out to find a way to obtain my favorite social aspects of Facebook without all of the side effects. Here's my suggestion.
The content of this episode was originally posted on TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
It's never been easier to be knee-cap your own personal growth. You owe it to yourself to put your craft in the captain's seat.
The content for this episode was originally posted to TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Before you write off the year as a loss, you likely developed several life-enhancing tools this year. Don't leave them in 2020.
The content for this episode was originally posted on TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
We all would like to start new positive habits, but how should you determine which habits are worth the effort?
The content for the episode can be found at TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
When was the last time you thought about how much stuff is enough versus how much you can afford?
The content of this episode was originally posted at TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Most one-size-fits-all self-improvement plans suck because of one missing piece—you. Let's discuss how to make self-improvement suck less.
The content of this episode was originally posted at TheKenLane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
The content for this episode was originally posted on TheKenLane.com.
When was the last time you needed to keep your focus on a particular task for more than 30 minutes?
Sounds agonizing, right? Even as you read this sentence, your mind is likely conjuring up what you could be doing at the same time or what you need to do later. Most of us can’t even enjoy a favorite television show or movie on the couch without also scrolling through social media, news, or emails from a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. Multitasking, or rather the illusion of it, has trained our brains to constantly seek up-to-the-second stimulation.
But what if you were told you’d be free to multitask to your heart’s content in return for just 25 minutes of focus? Everyone’s got 25 minutes, right?
Why is 25 minutes such an effective length of time for focus?
My fascination with 25-minute spans of focus started with the Pomodoro Technique—a strategy for productivity that could be explained to a 2nd grader. It goes like this:
Focus on a performing single task with intense concentration for 25 minutes, then take a break for 5 minutes in which you can do whatever you want. After you’ve completed four 25-minute concentration sessions, you take a 15-minute break. 25 on, 5 off. 25 on, 5 off. 25 on, 5 off. 25 on, 15 off. Rinse and repeat.
But this piece isn’t about the Pomodoro Technique—I’ve already written about that. What I’m talking about now is the beauty, the simplicity, the elegance, the congeniality of 25 minutes.
We can stand almost anything for 25 minutes.
25 minutes is the maximum amount of time most can focus without approaching the red-line of brain sizzle or scroll-twitch. It’s also just enough time to feel like we’ve accomplished, well, anything. Though we can put dents in a task after 10 or even 5 minutes, 25 minutes is the amount of time that most begin to feel the momentum of our focus and actions. Even if we struggle to initiate an arduous task, after 25 minutes, the sediment in our once-murky waters of focus will begin to settle and we’ll gain immense clarity not possible after a mere 5 or 10 minutes.
Also, when 25 minutes is presented with the promise of 5 or more minutes of aimless reprieve, focus comes easier. Don’t worry—in 25 minutes, you can be back to watching cat videos and checking your social media feeds. Is any reward more appealing than guilt-free time-wasting?
Most things can be segmented into 25-minute blocks.
After a few weeks of using the Pomodoro Technique during my workday, I began to notice how so many of my other daily activities could be segmented into 25-minute blocks. In fact, for most tasks, 25 minutes became their optimum time for focus.
- 25-minute journaling sessions
- 25-minute meditations sittings
- 25-minute workouts
- 25-minute prayer times
- 25-minute book-reading periods
Despite all of these being daily habits that I cherish, I’ll admit it — there are times when I don’t want to do them. Maybe I don’t want to sit still that long for meditation or work myself into a panting, sweaty mess with a jump rope. It’s days these that I tell myself, “You don’t have to enjoy this today. All you have to do is put in the 25 minutes. That’s it.” And it doesn’t even have to be the best 25 minutes as long as it’s 25 minutes.
And I remember after all— it’s just 25 minutes.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
This original article can be found on TheKenLane.com
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Rarely in life is force a necessity. Most executions of force eventually backfire.
Force within a relationship strains trust.
Force in the body often leads to injury.
Force within the mind saps the spirit of self-compassion.
What is the alternative remedy? A dismantling of the motivations for what was deemed necessary force. Assessing the reasoning for the failure of an intended outcome should always take precedence over force.
Why isn’t this relationship going the way you want it to?
Maybe it’s not supposed to happen in the way you want.
Maybe there is a lack of trust somewhere that needs to be addressed.
Why am I not losing weight or becoming free of a current ailment?
Maybe your force in this scenario is not in alignment with the long-term health and systemic balance within your body.
Why can’t I focus on the things that matter most in life enough to make time for them? Maybe your default modes of how you spend time have strayed from their optimal positions to sub-optimal behaviors with frictionless gratification.
Forcing any of these will rarely result in anything more than mental, social, or physical hemorrhoids.
Read this post here.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Welcome to thekenlane.com, the audio version of the written works of Ken Lane — as found on thekenlane.com. The topics range from intentional living to meditation, fitness, productivity, and much more.
For more, visit thekenlane.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app