It’s been 3 months now since I started writing everyday. I’ve had thoughts that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve reflected on things that I wouldn’t have reflected on otherwise. I’ve established a routine of writing in the morning when it’s quiet. Spending time doing this blogging project has highlighted the relative importance of other …
Monthly Archives: March 2020
Listen to the whispers, or you’ll hear the screams.
Most things happen slowly over time, but we don’t always see them coming. If we paid more attention, looked more closely, or had enough details, then we would see these things coming. Avalanches and all. We’re not always in a position to be able to see things coming, but what about when we are? What …
Continue reading “Listen to the whispers, or you’ll hear the screams.”
How long will you wait?
I recently acquired a space heater that I thought would be good for my office. I turned it on and it fanned out cool air as I waited for it to warm up. It’s been 3 minutes now and my leg is cold because it’s right next to the “heater”. I probably won’t wait much …
Did you wait long enough?
The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, talks about how it takes about 6 months to learn how to do a handstand and most people give up prematurely because they wrongly expect the acquisition of the skill to be a matter of days or weeks. It’s important not give up too soon.
Will you miss your work?
My son’s preschool is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but it’s still open for children of essential workers. It’s spring break this week and the teacher emailed the essential worker parents saying that she missed the kids and that we could drop them off on Wednesday this week and she would take care of …
Prioritizing
Sometimes conditions change and you’re forced to prioritize. With less time or fewer resources, you can’t work on everything that you were working on before. So what do you choose to focus on? The most important thing. You focus and prioritize ruthlessly. You shorten meetings. You skip meetings. You don’t waste a minute. That’s great—but …
What was it made for?
My 4-year-old will often do things like lean on an open drawer or stand on something that isn’t designed to support his weight. When interacting with a man made object, it’s useful to ask: What is it made for? My advice for my 4-year-old would be to make sure it’s a trampoline before you start …
What’s the purpose?
Sometimes I have some strange nightmares. I used to think that maybe it was some telltale sign about my psychology or outlook on life or a premonition of what was to come. But I noticed I always woke up from my nightmares either too hot or needing to pee. So now I just think that …
Never mind
There have been a few times when I’ve been running late for a flight and then when I show up, I find out that it’s been delayed. Or I rush to meet someone because I’m late but when I arrive, I’m the first one there and they are even later. Or I work on a …
A small party is still a party
We cancelled my daughter’s birthday party because of the COVID-19 outbreak and we just celebrated with our instead. But a small party is still a party, and worth having. Dance when no one’s looking. Celebrate even if you’re the only one celebrating.