Something you know is not necessarily known by people around you. You think that it is very obvious but not really though. You can not estimate they should figure out themselves. Everyone’s calendar & timeline is totally different than each other.

It is hard to think simply. Probably depends on what you think. More you know you get a more deep understanding of the issue. However, knowing too much about that field can technically creating “tunnel vision” for your perspective.

So, think always how can I simplify this someone who doesn’t know anything about what I do. Pretty much explaining your 5 years old.

I like walking around the neighborhood, but after a couple of months doing this in suburbia that is definitely not an interesting walk anymore. Nothing new for you. Houses are mostly the same (the neighborhood I live mostly over 50-70 years old houses). Some of the new tenants who made money either their contribution to their company’s IPO or exit, are re-building it. Still, very quiet and peaceful. I think my problem is too peaceful.

My house distance to closest downtown San Mateo (Source WalkScore.com)

I miss city life. Mostly walkable cities. San Francisco is #2 most walkable U.S Cities. Still, it was so dirty and the homeless issue was not welcoming you to walk the entire city without any hesitation when I was living in the city till last summer. Now, I heard it got worse (didn’t go SF since March)

Probably, everyone is missing these days: a vibrant, energetic city life. Mine is more than that. I like to commute with trains, bikes, or walking going A to B. I know that sounds like a dream probably next 6-12 months during the COVID. I think I miss Europe and Japan. That something kicking my urge of traveling every day last couple weeks. Let’s see how long we can not travel overseas….

Opportunities are not easily achievable by doing one or two outreach or trying a couple of attempts. If it is, those are won’t be opportunities. Maybe we call them short gains. If it is a real opportunity, it needs to change your perspective plus your way of approach too. Technically you can’t swallow that opportunity with one bite.

Don’t ever do anything if you can’t track the results on your business. Yeah, sounds like who has ever done this right? I know so many entrepreneurs and myself (still some of our efforts) are doing it. Because things are looking good and you don’t feel why is the bother? Sooner or later that untracked part will back to huge debt.

I don’t really try to be happy in my life. I try to be productive, resourceful, honest etc. Never tried to be happy. I believe in being happy as a moment of feeling. If you have a good coffee or conversation after that situation, you might feel happy (saying yourself I’m glad I had this or that). That’s why it’s so hard to be happy all the time. If you are, I believe something wrong with you.

It is amazing to help others. It helps you more than them. You can discover many untapped opportunities while you are explaining or even listening to them. So, don’t try to solve their problem just be around them. Let them ask the right questions to themselves.

Having everything is not makes you happy, being appreciative of what you have is makes you happy. I was drinking Turkish tea at my backyard in California made me think how lucky I am. I have an amazing home-made tea with my own backyard looking towards a beautiful banana tree under the shade of a maple tree.

Yes, It would be wonderful if our banana trees produce banana or maybe our pool heated, etc. When those things happen, then other things will probably come to our attention. So, never-ending process.

Glad Turkish tea exists…:)

These days, the US government and the country itself are having a hard time. Some of the events are look like their internal problem but it is not. I always admire the people who born and raised in the US because of diversity, having a friend from different ethnicity and culture. Plus eating multiple different cuisines on the same day. ( In Italy, you can have Italian food, In Turkey, Turkish food, etc)

On the other hand, growing up as a minority group might be an interesting mindset. I can’t imagine shaping you with a lot of pros and cons. I grew up in Turkey, as a Turkish. We didn’t have black, white, or colored people. Technically everyone is Turkish (that is a huge debate I save this topic for future posts).

I am a big fan of global equality, freedom of speech, and globalization of human rights & prosperity. We are all connected to the rest of the world than before. Thanks to Instagram lately, everyone is having almost similar breakfast, baby shower, wedding, or anniversaries parties in Athens, Ankara, Seattle, or Lisbon. Our global awareness of freedom is going to change governments, leaders, and societies. I’m very optimistic. It takes time. But I won’t say it’ll happen, It’s happening already….

Sometimes you can’t feel it. Doesn’t mean you don’t want to do it. Just you can’t feel it. It might be emotional or psychological. So, don’t push it to feel. Let it go and give a break then try to think all in all why you don’t feel it.

List it to the real causes and try to fix it. If you don’t, then you can’t feel it anymore. That’s alright. That’s life.