learnings #1
1. You often only understand a problem by experiencing the journey, i.e. building a solution for it.
>> I think this is a constant challenge – how to develop intuition for a class of problems unless we participate in it and try to build solutions for it, then it reveals its nuances and forces us to think. But then once we get the lay of the land about the problems and potential solutions, how to abstract the lessons and zoom out to see how it all fits together is also necessary.
2. Under promise, over deliver
>> A way of life as advised by a mentor. To be done always, to surprise with more, than disappoint with less.
3. Crucial thing to realize: there are two kinds of happiness which are often conflated. Hedonic happiness is how you’re feeling right now. Eudaimonic happiness is more about long-term meaning and life satisfaction. It’s very hard to have both.
>> It is probably cruel if we can’t have both. I sort of realize this in many ways – like if we are building something, there is constant doubts and roadblocks during its journey making one suffer, and eventually if and when we finish building, there may be inner satisfaction about having achieved something meaningful. Holding on for that is tough.
4. Medical profession - helping individuals, push back on tide everyday. Research - long term impact which could save many, but wouldn't know it directly, no face to who was impacted by it.
>> I hadn’t thought of professions this way. That there are a class of jobs which are helping day to day problems – as “pushing back on tide everyday”. As opposed to finding long term solutions which maybe adopted by someone somewhere without direct credit and instant satisfaction, but materially making more impact on permanent basis for larger community.
5. Your impact has to be rising in concentric circles. Individual impact (doing things with your own hands) to team impact to team of teams and more.
>> As we go through career and life. I used to wonder why we should bother to “grow” – it is to increase the impact we might be able to make.
6. Code switching - how people change language, tone, accents in different settings (like how Zohran Mamdani does). That maybe a superpower to be able to learn different context and switch easily. Some people get that as a identity shock when they hear different versions, but need not. Just think about what all worlds this person navigates.
>> I hadn’t realized this phrase “code switching” before. We unconsciously adapt accents, words, phrases of people we interact with. I used to think it is like a chameleon. But it maybe that we are getting into someone else’s context to identify with them. People who know many languages may get this easily.
7. Intense work, followed by longer rest, relax, reenergize. like intense in the morning, relaxed in the afternoon. or intense mon/tues/wed, relaxed thurs/fri.
>> Noted from somewhere, about applying the exercise philosophy to build muscles in all parts of what we do.
8. "Your blessing in life is when you find the torture you're comfortable with."
>> Jerry Seinfield’s quote. How would go through the daily grind if we haven’t fell in love with something.
9. Identify the premises leading to a conlusion in an argument. Diagram the premises, supporting ones, unstated premises, counterpoints.
>> Reminders about critical thinking
10. Responsibility is taken before it is given. It is a trailing indicator. Take in small increments.
>> It could be good to know in early careers. Not to do land grab and overstep on others. But inevitably everyone is looking for someone to take responsibility and it is a way to keep building the muscle to increase discomfort gradually, without waiting for it to be given.
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