@Tim Denning - Book mark this post! Then every 5 years write a before and after "Part 2"- what did I learn post. I love this post - I'd twist one thing in terms of how to get into the flow-state - (my twist) from a healthy psychological/physiological space within yourself. This perspective is necessary, as we age, if you want maturation to include wisdom!
#6 resonated - "One of the clearest signs of intelligence is being able to hear an opinion you disagree with and not act emotionally." Just yesterday I was having lunch with a colleague and told him I'd rather buy $10k worth of Bitcoin than spend it on a new kitchen (call me dumb). The guy gave me all the reasons for why Bitcoin is a scam. I just listened and asked him about the world's financial system. No emotion, nada. In reality, I recalled myself speaking that way a decade ago. "Your time will come," I said. By the way, I'm 38 too.
This has got to be one of the most real pieces of text I have read in years! Like, WTF.....please send me more content such as this, or don't send me anything else. ALl I want to read is content such as this or nothing at all.
Really well written and I agree with many of your points. But: I wouldn't say that the corporate ladder is generally wrong, as you did in "9. No one who climbs the corporate ladder is happy."
I'm very happy working as a programmer in a fairly large company. It is fun, it pays the bills, and even though I know that the corporation will not care for any individual if things get worse, at least my day job makes me happy.
So I think everyone has to decide for themselves. Not every corporate job consists of sitting in a cubicle and doing meaningless stuff :)
A challenge I used to face—and one I know many in my generation share—is equating hard work exclusively with a corporate 9-to-5. In that context, hard work often feels meaningless. One of the most transformative mindset shifts I’ve had this past year has been redefining my 9-to-5 as simply a way to earn a living, while reserving my true hard work for pursuits outside of it. This has given me so much purpose.
Most people walk through life sleepwalking. Those of you here are awake. Tim, you have much wisdom at 38. I speak from one who is mid 70s. Your message is ageless.
These are all excellent. I resonate with #15 the most. This was the main thing that helped me get started-- writing as Shlee instead of under my real name. There was a lot of fear surrounding doing anything in public, but I knew I had to make a change and get started, so I did.
All of these speak to me, and the one that stood out the most is #15. I decided to ghost my public life and go dark, and have been there for 18 months now. I'm not quite sure how I will emerge once again, but definitely interested in starting at zero.
I never thought I would no longer want to do what I was doing, because I loved my work, or so I thought, until I stepped away from it and saw the damage being a high performer and public figure caused me.
I will disagree with you on one level, getting old does not suck. We need to shift our perspective on that "age old story". There is great power in becoming The Elder, with the caveat of taking good care of your physical health and well being.
I think what most people as of my age (in late twenties) are struggling to find what they could make work. We really could discipline ourselves but where to start?
Disapperaring from the public and adopting a Nick Name ist the most surprising on this list... and actually sounds like a real-world superpower you casually adopt because you turn everyday fear turning into existential terror the higher the stakes become... into play.
@Tim Denning - Book mark this post! Then every 5 years write a before and after "Part 2"- what did I learn post. I love this post - I'd twist one thing in terms of how to get into the flow-state - (my twist) from a healthy psychological/physiological space within yourself. This perspective is necessary, as we age, if you want maturation to include wisdom!
#6 resonated - "One of the clearest signs of intelligence is being able to hear an opinion you disagree with and not act emotionally." Just yesterday I was having lunch with a colleague and told him I'd rather buy $10k worth of Bitcoin than spend it on a new kitchen (call me dumb). The guy gave me all the reasons for why Bitcoin is a scam. I just listened and asked him about the world's financial system. No emotion, nada. In reality, I recalled myself speaking that way a decade ago. "Your time will come," I said. By the way, I'm 38 too.
Saving this to re-read it and to share with my children when they get older.
This has got to be one of the most real pieces of text I have read in years! Like, WTF.....please send me more content such as this, or don't send me anything else. ALl I want to read is content such as this or nothing at all.
Thank you!
Really well written and I agree with many of your points. But: I wouldn't say that the corporate ladder is generally wrong, as you did in "9. No one who climbs the corporate ladder is happy."
I'm very happy working as a programmer in a fairly large company. It is fun, it pays the bills, and even though I know that the corporation will not care for any individual if things get worse, at least my day job makes me happy.
So I think everyone has to decide for themselves. Not every corporate job consists of sitting in a cubicle and doing meaningless stuff :)
A challenge I used to face—and one I know many in my generation share—is equating hard work exclusively with a corporate 9-to-5. In that context, hard work often feels meaningless. One of the most transformative mindset shifts I’ve had this past year has been redefining my 9-to-5 as simply a way to earn a living, while reserving my true hard work for pursuits outside of it. This has given me so much purpose.
Most people walk through life sleepwalking. Those of you here are awake. Tim, you have much wisdom at 38. I speak from one who is mid 70s. Your message is ageless.
These are all excellent. I resonate with #15 the most. This was the main thing that helped me get started-- writing as Shlee instead of under my real name. There was a lot of fear surrounding doing anything in public, but I knew I had to make a change and get started, so I did.
All of these speak to me, and the one that stood out the most is #15. I decided to ghost my public life and go dark, and have been there for 18 months now. I'm not quite sure how I will emerge once again, but definitely interested in starting at zero.
I never thought I would no longer want to do what I was doing, because I loved my work, or so I thought, until I stepped away from it and saw the damage being a high performer and public figure caused me.
I will disagree with you on one level, getting old does not suck. We need to shift our perspective on that "age old story". There is great power in becoming The Elder, with the caveat of taking good care of your physical health and well being.
I think what most people as of my age (in late twenties) are struggling to find what they could make work. We really could discipline ourselves but where to start?
I'd like to find out more about number 12, I could try to be that kind of maniac!
I’m always the quiet guy in the friend group who lessons really deeply and works in a very dedicated manner towards my dream life.
Perhaps I do look like a psychopath to some people actually following my dreams instead of drinking until 2 AM…
I feel affirmed in my path — thank you for writing this~
I loved reading this post! The best I've read so far! Thanks so much for sharing. It was like an awakening call.
Thank you for the (new) nickname advice, Mr. Denning. My birth name has also been burdensome for a long long time.
I am further encouraged by today's email...
Best!
Great post. I'd love to know, if you lost it all tomorrow, at age 38, (you still have your family), what would be the first thing you do to rebuild?
Disapperaring from the public and adopting a Nick Name ist the most surprising on this list... and actually sounds like a real-world superpower you casually adopt because you turn everyday fear turning into existential terror the higher the stakes become... into play.