1% Better: How to actually stay close with friends, the "No Power" Hour, and a meal prep recipe I'm addicted to


By Colby Kultgen

How to actually stay close with friends, the "No Power" Hour, and a meal prep recipe I'm addicted to

Read online / Read time: 4 minutes

Hello friends!

Welcome to 1% Better.

The newsletter where I share my 5 favorite ideas, lessons, and discoveries of the week—no fluff, just the good stuff.

Let's get right into it.


A 60-minute practice that might change your life

Last year, I wrote about something I call The "No-Power" Hour which really seemed to resonate with people.

Basically, each day I would set a 60-minute block where I didn't use any electronic devices at all (phone, laptop, headphones).

I know it doesn't sound like much, but consider this:

What is the longest stretch of time each day (other than sleeping) where you’re not reading, watching, or listening to something on an electronic device?

I don’t know about you, but for me, the answer was “not long”.

We’ve become so used to stimulating ourselves every second of the day, that NOT using a device feels weird.

I decided to fight back.

My challenge to you:
Put at least one “No-Power” Hour in your calendar this week.

Let me know how it goes!


A brilliant way to stay in touch with your friends

I stumbled upon this viral video on Instagram and absolutely loved it.

An Australian man and his three friends started this simple idea they call the "Wednesday Waffle".

Here's how he describes it:

The "Wednesday Waffle" is a video me and three friends all send off to each other every Wednesday. A one to two minute video just updating the others on what's been happening in your life in the week gone by and what's coming up.

This is brilliant.

We always talk about how hard it is to make friends as we get older. But we rarely talk about how it can be equally hard to KEEP them.

Life gets busy. People move. Schedules don't align. And before you know it, you're catching up with your closest friends maybe once or twice a year.

The Wednesday Waffle is a nice low-friction antidote.

I encourage you to send this idea to a few friends you want to try it with.


How I'm replacing doomscrolling in 2026
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I don't know about you, but I want to do less doomscrolling in 2026.

That's where Shortform comes in.

They take books like Atomic Habits, Thinking Fast and Slow, and 10X is Easier Than 2X and break them down into clear, actionable summaries you can finish in 15 minutes.

My challenge to you in 2026: replace one 15-minute doomscrolling session per day with a book summary.

Same time investment.
Completely different outcome.

Use my link to try Shortform FREE + get $50 off a membership


A beautiful message from a legendary actor

In his last weeks, Robert Redford had recorded a private message for his great-grandchildren.

In it, he said:

This world can overwhelm. But if you slow down, and sit under a tree long enough, it’ll tell you everything. And if you forget who you are, draw something. Or go walk alone. Nature remembers you.

This might be the most elegant way anyone has ever said to "go touch grass."

There's so much happening in the world right now, and yes, it's good to stay informed.

But you also don't need to marinate in bad news 24/7.

Close the apps. Step outside. Sit under a tree for a minute.

Your brain will thank you for it.


A cheesy protein pasta recipe I'm addicted to

One of my goals for 2026 is to eat healthier.

Which has resulted in my entire social media feed being taken over by meal prep videos.

Most are meh.

But this one is genuinely amazing.

The cheese sauce in particular is incredible.

My partner and I plan on making this at least once a month for the rest of the year.

Highly recommend.

P.S. Let me know if you want me to share more recipes like this, or if I should just stick to personal development stuff


A tweet that couldn't be more true

Have a great week friends!


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Hi! I'm Colby!

I'm obsessed with living a better life each and every day. I want to share what I learn and discover with you.

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