Photo by Himesh Kumar Behera on Unsplash
Savvy Idea: You need a compass more than a map to traverse life. Life is always uncertain, so by knowing your true north, you can make wise decisions, even amidst crises, to live for what matters most.
Recently, I met up with one of my life mentors to talk about work, faith, and life, and he mentioned to me the idea of using a compass or map to traverse life.
As my mentor shared about this idea, I recognized how important it was to have a compass over a map.
Conceptually, a map helps us know where we are, while a compass doesnāt tell us where we are, but where we are headed.
Since lifeās terrain is constantly changing, a map can become outdated too quickly at any moment in life. Whether itās a career change, starting a family, experiencing a financial crisis, etcā¦, though it may help to collect and create new maps, it is arduous and may not always fit in moments of crises.
Rather than building a new map for each change that appears, build a compass to traverse life.
Though a map can help in areas of life we are familiar with, a compass can help us in any moment of change or crisis, because we will know what direction we are going and focus on whatās most important.
Maps are still helpful as a backup plan to become familiar with life, but a compass will guide us in every season of life.
Questions to ponder:Ā š¤
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Do you follow a compass or a map in life?
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What are your ultimate priorities in life? (money, family, friendships, etcā¦) Knowing your priorities can help you build a compass for life.
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Weekly Collections
A collection of resources for you to enjoyā¦Ā š° š¬ šļø
80% Energy Principle
There is an old Confucian practice calledĀ hara hachi bu.
Roughly translated it means: āeat until you are 80% full.ā
As Westerners, we believe in pushing up against the limits, and going over them:Ā weāre pedal to the metal, giving 110%, and ourĀ amps go to 11.
[Instead] I try to pace myself, to "eat until I'm 80% full."
Itās a state of being mindful.Ā I try not to overstimulate my brain: I pick 2-3 big things to accomplish a day. After that, I focus on little things that donāt require as much energy.
When I maintain this practice, the benefits are clear:
First, and most importantly, I have space for a crisis.Ā If something unexpected and urgent comes in, I have the mental wherewithal to deal with it.
Second, I do better work.Ā Instead of being overstimulated, my mind is more focused. By acknowledging my limits, I spend my resources more wisely.
Third, it helps sustain me for longer periods.Ā Iām no longer at constant risk of burnout.
The Four Tendency Quiz
Discovered this new personality quiz that reveals our typical tendencies. It is very revealing, as it helps give insight to how we respond to external and internal expectations!
I have learned that I am a Rebel š This is very insightful and makes sense why I question others, and yet also doubt myself in many circumstances.
Feel free to take the quiz (only 8 questions), and let me know what type of tendency you are!
Unsolicited Quality Social Tips (from a random FB post)
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Donāt call someone more than twice continuously. If they donāt pick up your call, presume they have something important to attend to.
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Return money that you have borrowed even before the person that borrowed you remember or ask for it. It shows your integrity and character. (Same goes with umbrellas, pens and lunch boxes.)
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Never order the expensive dish on the menu when someone is giving you a lunch/dinner.
Weekly Tidbits
Learnings, verses, & quotes to chew onā¦Ā š§
Verse of the Week
āDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
Ā Ā Ā Ā and those who love it will eat its fruits.ā
āProverbs 18:21 ESV
Challenging Quote
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen."
āPsychiatrist Elisabeth KĆ¼bler Ross on how beautiful people are made
Weekly Update
Personal life stuffā¦Ā š
Hello friends,
Greetings from Austin!Ā šĀ Letās jump right in!
Wanted to update yāall that lots of life change/transitions/stressful moments have been happening this past week. Things like:
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Closing out and transitioning to a new year of college ministry as potentially the oldest college small group leader
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Making the first steps of a career shift from software engineering to product management (research and networking phase)
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Stressing over a project deadline needed to be completed by next week before Memorial Weekend
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And researching into buying a car while mentally preparing to spend, for the first time, 5 figures worth of cash. (ahhh, I donāt want to even think about homeownership with rising prices in Austin)
If only adulting was easyā¦
Even though itās been tough, Iāve been learning a lot through it.
It has challenged me to surrender my anxiety about the future to God, and recognize that thereās only so much I can do.
All that aside, itās made me consider getting a Virtual assistant.
I was discussing with a business friend how CEOs and other high-profile people have personal assistants to help do many administrative tasks in life so they are able to focus on their strengths.
With it, we were discussing the benefits and drawbacks of getting a VA to help us with tasks so we would be able to focus on the work that is important to us.
To trade money for time.
It is definitely a bit expensive, so Iām still doing research on it, but hopefully will update if I do get one.
Anyways, here are several pictures from this past week: š·
Salty Sow catching up with the bro over bomb duck fat fries!
Biking downtown in Austin over the newly instated bike lanes
Green Onion babies are perking up almost fingertip lengthāso proud
Roommates celebrating a roommateās graduation (congrats bro)
Impromptu Mediterranean Buffet at Dimassiās with a bro
Thanks for checking in on the newsletter! I appreciate yāall taking the time to read, skim, and go through what I have to share.
Let me know if thereās a way I can be praying for yāall!
With that, stay safe š·, keep it savvy š, and Iāll see yāall in the next update š
Eric
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