Path to Success and Self-Discovery (5/17/2025)

 Discovering My Path:

Today, I have been diving deep into what truly matters for a fulfilling life and career. Coppola's advice about doing what you love really resonated. It's not just about passion but recognizing that you'll naturally excel when you're genuinely interested. It makes me think about how my interests can potentially fund each other, creating a sustainable cycle of passion and productivity. 

Jim Collins's Three Circles

1. What are you good at?

• Be wary of the curse of competence: just because you're good at something doesn't mean you should pursue it.

2. What are you born to do?

• When are you the happiest?
• When are you in the state of flow?

3. What will people pay you to do?

• While it's not literally true that "do what you love and the money will follow," this aspect needs consideration 

Collins also added another dimension to this framework:

Who are you working with?

• "Working with people you hate or who disrespect you will make you unhappy, even if the other three criteria are met."
• Collins found that he was happiest when he was teaching and working on systems.

Jim Collins' framework of the three circles: what you're good at, what you love, and what people will pay you for, is invaluable. It's a reminder not to fall into the "curse of competence," where you pursue something just because you're good at it, even if it doesn't fulfill you. The addition of considering who you work with is crucial; respect and positive relationships are non-negotiable for happiness.

The Bug Experiment: A Lab Notebook for Self-Discovery 

If you are struggling to figure out what you're born to do, try the "lab notebook" experiment:

1. Write down the label "a bug called [your name]" in a lab notebook

2. Record when you felt your best, when you were in a state of flow, and when you were the happiest each day. 

3. Continue the experiment for an extended period (Collin did it for two years)

This allows you to discover what activities genuinely bring you joy and satisfaction. 

I'm excited to start the "bug" experiment, keeping a lab notebook to track when I feel the most alive and engaged. It's a practical way to uncover patterns and activities that bring me joy and satisfaction, guiding me toward a more aligned path. 

Redefining Entrepreneurship: Effectiveness Over Superhuman Effort

A common belief is that entrepreneurship requires superhuman effort and long hours. However, success is more about making the right choices and decisions. 

"Any company can become the largest in the world if they make one better decision than their competitor every day."

Look at Nokia, a company that started as a rubber boot manufacturer and became the largest telecommunications company in the world. 

The idea that entrepreneurship isn't just about superhuman effort but making the right decisions is eye-opening. It's comforting to know that consistent, smart choices can lead to success, rather than just grinding it out. 

Finding My Place and Overcoming Obstacles

Sharon Mays' story about finding freedom and authenticity through entrepreneurship is inspiring. It's a reminder to believe in myself, trust my instincts, and not let others' doubts hold me back. When faced with not fitting in, the choice is mine: to let it break me or to use it as fuel to become stronger. 

The Formula and the Principles:

I need to remember the formula for success: rise early, work hard, seek education, find my niche, and focus on serving others. Networking should be genuine, and opportunities will arise. 

The Tri-Quasion Equation (Self-Esteem=Productivity=Event Control) highlights the importance of self-esteem, productivity, and event control. They're interconnected, so improving one area can positively impact the others.

The Productivity Pyramid 

• Foundation: Beliefs and Values- What principles are important to me?
• Long-term Goals- What do I want to achieve in the future?
• Short-term Goals- What can I accomplish in the near term to move closer to my long-term goals?
• Daily Task Lists- What specific actions can I take each day?
• Productivity Points- How can I manage my time effectively to align with my goals?

Personal Consitution 

I will create a personal constitution, a document defining the person I aspire to be. It will be written in an "I am" format, painting a picture of my ideal self, embodying my core values. This will keep me grounded and focused on continuous self-improvement.