The Ownership

“It basically contained the simple idea that there is a gap or space between the stimulus and the response, and that the key to both our growth and happiness is how we use that space.” — Stephen Covey

One night when I was thinking of a sex scene and spasming about, but not letting the memory take over me, I realized that that was Stephen Covey’s quake paragraph. And for good reason too. It reminds us that before we act, react, or respond to a stimuli, there is a space where we can exercise “proactivity”, and we manage this small space to become happier and to grow more.

The worst state to be in is self-pity, it seems. Charlie Munger and Gordon Ramsay both agree on this point, not feeling sorry for yourself, and everything is your fault. Once you own up to things and stop feeling sorry for yourself, you can actually change things rather than be a victim.

I will admit that I am a fear-laden person. I have lived in fear for a long time. But I have realized that fear can hinder growth. I’ve since realized that fear is something to break through. That it’s always about breaking out of your comfort zone.

Why do I write?

I wanted to talk about the first time I regularly journaled.

I remember the focus of that journal, and the fire was in me. The fire was jealousy, and I wanted to be an athlete. I was a freshman in college, writing in a Lebron James notebook. I saw how my friend was getting so much attention, which I desperately wanted. I too became an athlete by the end of my 2nd year, not in the way I imagined, but it was great.

But I started keeping notebooks. I started recording things.

Then I started visiting the library and borrowing books. I took advantage of that as often as I could, because I realized my family was paying 7000 per semester for it.

Which leads me to another point: taking advantage of situations. I find it necessary to take advanatage of the opportunities given. For example, if you go to business and enlist a corporation, this creates a legal entity and allows for tax benefits and incentives.

“almost all of the world-class athletes and other peak performers are visualizers” — Stephen Covey

Sometime I try to remind myself that visualization is a powerful tool. I’m trying to learn to practice visualizing more, because the brain apparently doesn’t know the difference, according to Julie Zhuo.

Daniel Ek’s workday

8:30am — walking, this is where I do my best thinking

9:30am — read for 30m to an hour