If a friend would like to do an intervention on me, now might be the right time. That apart, here are a few thoughts from my day.

One. Munger.

I am yet to read Poor Charlie’s Almanack. Internet has given me bits and pieces here and there. And each of those things have left me pondering about the kind of person I want to be. And the things I want to believe in. Today, I read Shaan Puri’s One Minute Blog. He’s reading PCA and had shared 10 interesting ideas so far. One of them being — Try to be consistently not stupid, rather than trying to be very intelligent. I’ve came across the idea many times before. This morning, it sort clicked. Really clicked. Obviously you want to make sure you’re (consistently) + (not stupid.)

Consistently – Because anything worth doing is worth doing regularly. With disciplined. Every day. Like clockwork. Side-bar: This phrase – like clockwork – pinches something in me. I want to be able to live my everyday life like clockwork. And yet, it’s one thing I’ve failed time and again at being. I give in too easily. But we shall keep trying.

Not stupid – Not making huge mistakes will keep you floating longer than continuously striving for brilliance. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt with C4E, it’s this. You’ll get more points in life for being reliable, over being occasionally bright. And that will make sure Most of life is about being able to be the last person standing.

Oh, maybe you’d like this Farnam Street piece I read about this some time back. Here.

Two. Teaching is an act of so much kindness.

Found this reel today. Nisha Mangalampalli, a Bharatnatyam dancer, teaching a little girl what I think one of the Adavus. And sure, it’s a beautifully shot and edited video. But also look at Nisha. And how patient she is with the little girl. Which got me thinking of all the teachers I’ve had in my life. How terribly compassionate and patient they have been with me. Even though at times their ways have felt Fletcherous. I’ve taught little kids once. I was a kid too, honestly. Perhaps 10 years older — okay that’s big enough. But that taught me much about breaking things down, being patient with people, trying multiple approaches to see what lands, reading the kids’ moods and how they want to be treated that day, all that. Sweet times. Would definitely recommend doing it for a bit.

Three. I must friends with baby steps and slow progress.

The thing about work and life — especially today — is that you’d be good at some things. Bad at others. And terrible at a lot more. There’s always a learning curve. And when you’re actually learning things, you might fail. And do things badly. And I’ve always hated it.

I had never learnt how to sit with myself knowing I’m not brilliant at whatever I’m doing, but be at peace because I’m also leaning. I’ve stuck to things I felt good at at. And when they seemed hard, I’d often give up. In fact, that’s the one thing most of favourite teachers have tried to put into me —- push myself a little harder. Be comfortable sitting with the ugly feelings of discomfort, not being the best, feeling incompetent if I have to, all that. But to do the doing.

Which is also why I do not enjoy board games. I hate learning the rules. Because the first few times, I’m still learning and making silly mistakes and not winning. But the thing is: Apart from being a fun and happy experience, the first few times are just learning how to play. And then actually playing. And then, you win some, you lose some.

What I have also learnt is, when I have assumed for myself that I must know how to do things, it feels harder. On the other hand, give me a something that I have no business knowing. And I will gladly be patient and learn. Grok, psychoanalyse this for me. (I made it psycho-analyse this. Obviously. Here.)

Lastly. Micro-thoughts from the day.

1. Went in with a pen to color the cirles in my blog post tracker. And I realised, I had forgotten which day I was on. More like, it didn’t matter. It finally felt like a habit, instead of doing something for a reward. On days I don’t feel like writing, I still write. Because I don’t want to lose progress. Must streak-ify my life.
2. Not feeling the best in my mind lately. I often feel this way when I know I haven’t done enough at work. Must choose better + do more.
3. Oh, also, been spending way too much time on Instagram since I’ve deleted the One Sec app. Guess I’ll get it back. Or else, delete Instagram altogether. It’s silly the chokehold this app has on me. Lord, can I please have better problems?
4. Was telling Saurabh how I don’t think I’ve done much to be proud of. I wonder how people think about this feeling. Shall DM some friends.
5. And yeah — that’s pretty much it.

See you tomorrow!