Food for thought

 Decide what to work on. It has to be something you have a natural aptitude for, that you have deep interest in, and that offers scope to do great work. The way to figure out what to work on is by working. If you're not sure what to work on, guess. But pick something and get going. You'll probably guess wrong some of the time, but that's fine. It's good to know about multiple things; some of the biggest discoveries come from noticing connections between different fields. Develop a habit of working on your own projects. Don't let "work" mean something other people tell you to do. But always preserve excitedness. When in doubt, optimize for interestingness. A field should become increasingly interesting as you learn more about it. If it doesn't, it's probably not for you.  One sign that you're suited for some kind of work is when you like even the parts that other people find tedious or frightening. Learn enough about it to get you into one of th...

​ How to Be Consistent: 7 Strategies That Actually Work - Sahil Boom "Just be consistent." 1.  Every day  is easier than  most days . The mistake a lot of people make is that they think they'll be able to be more consistent by taking a few days off here and there, when in reality, that actually makes it more difficult. This is a counterintuitive truth: It's easier to do something  every single day  than it is to do something  most days . Every day becomes an identity. It's a routine, a lifestyle, a structure, a schedule. It's daily evidence of who you really are. Every day is easier than most days. 2. Fire in the act, grace in the amount. To do something every single day, you need a unique approach. Traditional wisdom says you have to choose between: Holding your feet to the fire (i.e. pushing yourself); and Giving yourself grace (i.e. being understanding about slips) In my experience, the best approach for consistency is actually a hybrid: Hold yourself to...

 Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. " I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it" - Pablo Picasso. Your entire life will change the moment you embrace the embarrassment of being a beginner. Every expert started out as a beginner. The quality of your thoughts is determined by the quality of your reading. Spend more time thinking about the inputs. "A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd" - Islwyn JeneinsTo lead is to have the courage to question the consensus. To carve your own path. To create by your own design. Remember that. The most dangerous person in the world is the one who shows up every single day even when the rewards are uncertain. The one who can tolerate the most uncertainty is the one who will eventually win. You are as old as the risks you take. In many ways, aging is not the process of growing old, but rather ...

  1️Master the Art of Visibility The truth is,  hard work alone won't get you promoted—visibility will.  You need to make sure the right people know about your contributions. That means speaking up in meetings, strategically sharing wins, and making your work  impossible to ignore.   2️Learn to Communicate Like a Leader Your technical skills might get you in the door, but your ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and persuasively is what will  get you promoted.  Strong communicators are seen as leaders, even before they have leadership titles.   3️Build the Right Relationships Who you know  matters.  It's not about office politics—it's about  building strategic relationships  with people who can open doors for you. That means networking inside and outside your company, finding mentors, and creating allies who will advocate for you.   4️Self-Advocate (Because No One Else Will) Your boss isn't sitting around thinking...

  Major milestones : What were the most significant events or achievements  for you? Gratitude:  What are you most grateful for in ? Challenges : What were the biggest challenges or obstacles you faced? Professional growth : How did you progress in your career / work  Unfulfilled aspirations : Were there goals or aspirations you had  that you didn’t achieve? Relationships : How have your relationships with others evolved? Looking forward : Based on your experiences in , what would you like to do different in ? What is the most important goal I achieved this year? What was my biggest career accomplishment? What was my biggest relationship accomplishment? What was the most enjoyable part of my work (both professionally and at home)? In what area do I feel I've made my biggest improvements? What was the most challenging part of this year for me? Who were my most valuable relationships with? Who is someone I got to know better this year? Who do I wish I had gotten t...

Some nuggets I picked from some of the articles I read in January:  Most success is built on the back of long, painful periods of extremely disciplined, boring routines. If you need novelty to stay interested and motivated, you won't make it very far. To shine in the light, you have to embrace the boring work in the dark The most beautiful things in life are made beautiful  by their impermanence .  The vibrant sunset, the smile from an old friend, the high from a hard workout, the perfect silence during a walk, the smell after a summer rainstorm, the laugh of a baby...all of these things are special precisely because  they don't last .  It’s natural, but it’s a dangerous game—one that you will lose, eventually.  Time is your most precious asset and the present is all that’s guaranteed.  Spend it wisely, with those you love, in ways you’ll never regret.  "Everything is more beautiful because we're doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are no...