I had a shitty week.

Major creative block, overthinking, and overall not feeling great.

Shit. That’s life.

I do however like this week’s big idea. There’s more to say on this topic, but after a few too many rewrites — I need to just press send.

Feel free to reply with your thoughts. My inbox is open.

Don’t Buy This Jacket

In 2011, Patagonia ran a Black Friday ad in the New York Times with an unusual headline:

Weird, right? For a company that sells apparel?

Not if you know Patagonia. Founder Yvon Chouinard’s mission has always been bigger than selling apparel.

His focus has been on combating environmental destruction, and he’s never been shy about using Patagonia as a vehicle for that cause.

In 2022, he took things to a new level, transferring ownership of the $3 billion company to a trust specifically designed to fight climate change. His guiding principles have been consistent:

• Make the best product.

• Cause no unnecessary harm.

• Use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

Turns out, businesses can do good and make hefty profits. Patagonia is living proof that focusing on a noble mission doesn’t just create a better world—it also fosters loyalty and trust from your customers.

Don’t Die

Then there’s Bryan Johnson, the guy who sold Braintree to PayPal for $800 million. His noble mission? Not dying.

Through his Blueprint initiative, Johnson is investing millions into pushing the boundaries of human longevity.

His daily routine, which includes meticulously tracked meals, exercise, and cutting-edge medical treatments has drawn attention worldwide.

(PS: There’s a new Netflix documentary on him—trailer here).

But here’s the twist: Johnson’s larger goal isn’t just to live longer.

He wants to be one of the ten people from our era that future generations actually remember.

He’s not afraid of death. In fact, he’s at peace with it. But his work is about unlocking new possibilities for humanity.

Something he believes will rival the impact of the printing press or the industrial revolution.

Big, bold, ambitious. And undeniably interesting.

Wrapping Up

A noble mission gives your life, or your business, purpose. It’s your North Star.

When you align with it, you inspire others, create impact, and realize that profit doesn’t have to come at the expense of doing good.

I’m still working through what my noble mission is, but I find this idea motivating.

In the meantime, the fires in LA have been devastating these past few weeks. I’m heartbroken seeing all the homes, businesses, and iconic coastline that’s been affected.

If you can, consider donating to these organizations making a difference: the Red Cross or The Wildfire Recovery Fund.

That’s all for now. Rooting for ya.

-Dodds