Get up and clean your mess. Start with making your bed. Then your living room/office spot. I did today morning makes me super accomplished. Also, I ordered long-due stuff on Amazon. And still, 8:30 am on Sunday morning plus drinking my home-made drip coffee.
Energy Level
Keep your personal energy level always high. Don’t let anyone or anything makes your energy low. If that happens don’t try to repeat the same situation.
That means: Don’t follow news if it is not helping you. Don’t watch IG stories if it makes you feel miserable. Change your playlist to more uplifting songs.
Also, try to eat right and sleep right. I believe in these two things change your life forever. That’s why I try to get up as early as I can. (So, I need to go sleep the latest 10:30 pm) I stopped drinking caffeine drinks after 4-5 pm also tried to not eat after 6 pm.
Lastly, start listing what makes your energy level high or low. And, start avoiding things and people who are sucking your energy.
Why slow?
I don’t know why some people are so slow? I try to understand but I really can’t get it.
They want to be rich, famous, good looking bla bla. They all have dreams of doing this and that. But, when we look at their daily output: “almost nothing”. The execution level is so slow. If you execute that slow in this fast-pacing world, you will try very little things and end up with very little.
I have no problem with the results. Forget the results for a second. I’m talking about “ACTION”. Just move it! Do it! Learn it! and Do it again!
System vs Goal
I want to lose 10 pounds weight in 3 months is a goal. Eating right, doing exercise, and be mindful of what you are putting your body all the time is a system.
The system is like a machine. It works automatically without thinking. Goals are like throwing good wishes into the universe. If you are lucky or something unplanned happens you might reach your goal. But, the system is always learning and improving itself and no matter what happens to you or your team system still works.
Are you saving your day or trying to build a system to save your future?
“I’m doing good”
Don’t know what should I share with you guys. My mood and focus mostly can’t change that easily. I’m the kind of guy who only cares about something you can control. However my friends & family keep asking how am I doing? Most of them live in oversea and watching TV, checking social media, etc.
I’m doing good.
I know what I need to do for my part against racism, inequality, and immigration not just in the USA also globally. All I can do work hard, be a good example the society, and encourage and inspire others. That’s it.
My plan is solid. Nothing changed. You should also focus on what are you going to do. It is hard not to distract but focus on your bigger plan and game.
Try to understand
I’m trying to understand what is going on in the USA these days. I have been living SF Bay Area for almost 8 years still some of the dynamics are so new to me.
My first USA trip was to St.Louis, Missouri. (2008 August) I don’t think so not so many people from Turkey heard STL before. It is a typical midwestern city. Beautiful parks, super green if I compare to Ankara and big cars and homes. However, I couldn’t feel that I’ll definitely fit in. That is why I tried to find a way to move either California or New York when I’m done with college.
On the other hand, even spending a couple of summer and winter breaks at STL and Tulsa, Oklahoma (another story I should share with you guys next time) It changed my perception of American culture. I had a chance to observe and meet Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans. I came to realization “America is not America what you are seen in Hollywood movies”.
San Francisco Bay Area is definitely more liberal and open-minded to people like me the ones who are not from here. But still can’t help but thinking, what if we are next?
Deals vs Company
Deals can be lost but not the companies. If the company is the right company. Forget about the deals. Sooner or later you will close that deal. Yeah, it takes time. I can’t tell how long. It all depends on their decision time process, other players in the market and what are you solving, etc.
But, don’t put the companies the list “They will never work with us”. Instead of this, create an another list “ Not now but let me try again later” list.
Today, My team closed a deal after a year later of “lost deal”
May’s Top Books
It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton. I like the read other entrepreneur’s biography. It is always shocking how easy we can access someone else’s life long experience via books. Arlan had a very tough life while she was growing up. She never attended college also didn’t have a proper family and house while she was growing up. Now, she ended up running her own VC firm in Silicon Valley. Being black and gay women from underprivileged in society in the USA made her who she is today. Definitely worth to read it. Overall she wants to show If she did it, you can do it. She wants to be a role-model for underestimated people.
The Dip by Seth Godin. I think the first time I read this book while I was in college. Somehow I needed to re-read this book. Overall this book all either get in line or get out. That means if you know what you are doing is worth it, you should keep doing it. But, if you don’t believe in what you are doing and you are an ok performer. You gotta stop it. Move on a new thing. Seth Godin is my guy I inspired by his daily newsletter every day.
The Narrow Corridor by Daron Acemoglu & James A Robinson. I’m a big fan of Daron Acemoglu. Because maybe he is from Turkey, also living in the USA and still connected where he is from and that geography. Anyway, I bought this book couple of months ago. But, I had a chance to re-read especially the topics I’m more interested in such as the Middle East and Liberty. I am reading all kinds of topics these days. One of my favorite topics in Comparative Politics. That is not an easy book to read. But definitely makes you connect you why and what is happening in today’s political arena.
TOP 3 BOOKS ARCHIVE
You & Me
Don’t judge me! Accept me who I am.
Try to understand me. Don’t try to change me.
Be with me if you want to be with me. Don’t force yourself to be with me.
Don’t have to like me. But, you have to respect me.
Me and You….
We are not different not each other. We are here for this world to be happy.
Done is better than Perfect
Ship it! It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s not going to stay the same forever anyway. If you are done the first version of anything, you are not going anywhere. It is all about iteration.
Iterate better next time then Iterate it again. Most of the time, people don’t ship it because they are a super perfectionist. There is no perfect in this world. Because the world is not perfect anyway.
They scared of what “others” are going to think about them. Forget it! Best gift to yourself is: “Increasing your shipping ratio”