Simplicty

 Having a deep understanding of a subject allows you to express your knowledge in simple way.

'Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication' as they say.

Taking away the superfluous. Understanding how something truly works can lead you to a final end state that is a pure expression of its intrinsic value. 

Those are the best writers*, the best products and best conversations. It gives you the big ideas, delivered in simple ways and does not add anymore than necessary. 

If lack of knowledge is the father of complexity then ego is the mother. 

Ego feels the need to add on unnecessary concepts, hype, or adjectives to demonstrate wanting value.

A PhD dissertation in a STEM field is about 200 pages. In Social Sciences it's closer to 300.  Einstein's paper on that had the Theory of Relativity in it was 30 pages. 

The more complicated someone tries to make a concept indicates either their lack of understanding or their lack of humility. 

Be the person that wants to constantly take away the unnecessary. Minimalism is mastery. 

----

*I am roughly 4 billion miles away from being a good writer but I enjoy reading them.

Power of Tinkering

As a trained Intelligence Analyst for the US Army we have a motto - "Jack of All Trades, Master of None"

We know a little about a lot and that makes us more useful than most. 

The question is did that training incept my lifestyle or was I this way and found a way to apply it professionally?  

I enjoy learning new things. Going from zero to one. 

Applying energy towards something for short bursts is enjoyable.  

So I find myself in life that can kinda, sorta do a lot of very different things but none of them as well as the best professionals.  

That makes me better in a lot of ways but with some very serious tradeoffs and limitations. 

Most people cannot be a PhD or a speciality MD. It is a rare breed to be able to have a drill deep on a small surface area. Thankful those people exist. 

Most people can do what I do. Learn a little about a lot. The more areas, tradecraft, abilities you can learn a little in makes your circle of competence a touch wider. 

Before you know it you find yourself in the company of one. A person who only has your experiences, abilities, skillsets, and knowledge. 

That can be very valuable. 

DNB

 Ronda Rousey said in an interview "I'm not a Do Nothing Bitch".  She was referencing that she works out so she can win fights not to look good but once I heard this (and laughed) I have said it a lot.  

Mallory said to me the other night at the dinner table something to the effect of 'I'm really happy you didn't just become a typical stay at home. You keep pushing yourself to learn and do new things. I am happy for you but really happy for me that you are still growing'. 

That made me happy to hear. It was a great compliment. 

The cost to this behavior is routine can get boring and disengaging for me if there is not some growth or production I am putting my energy towards. 

I like learning new things and I am thankful for her support because I am sure this is non-optimal in ways. 

But I am not a Do Nothing Bitch.  

Trust

 I have made handshake deals with people that ended up costing me 100's of thousands of dollars. 

First there is a bit of shock when it doesn't turn out but I settle on the feeling of graciousness. The breaking of trust was always going to go that way (I just didn't know it at the time). I was thankful it didn't happen sooner and I was able to achieve nominal amounts of success. Grateful that it didn't happen later when even more money was on the line. 

I continue to operate from a trusting place. I only want to find and work with people that have the possibility of trust. The goal is to achieve decades of trust with as many people as possible. The longer those relationships the more leverage.

In attempting to find those I need to put myself out there but maybe I hedge a little more.

Be A Gentleman and Don't Lie

When arriving in an unfamiliar situation it is solid advice that while waiting to acclimate "Be a gentleman and don't lie". 

While we are figuring out a new situation like a job it is advisable that we do not know enough of the work procedures or social dynamics to let our personality fly full force.  But what does a person do in the meantime because first impressions are important. 

Be kind and courteous to people, show up on time, and do what you say you will do. This is a great foundation to be able to pivot from in the future.  

Even if this is your final version of your work personality it will get you far. 

So if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and need a maxim to anchor on to then "Be a gentleman and don't lie"

Virtue Signaling Vs Effort

There are protests happening across the USA regarding the Israeli/Palestinian war.  

I fully support the right to peaceful protests and free speech.  

I just think it's dumb for the kids to do and especially if my kids were doing it. 

When it comes down to virtue signaling vs putting in effort it seems like virtue signaling wins most of the time. 

Instead of sleeping in a comfortable sleeping bag in the a secure part of the world. Go join the fight, enlist in a foreign legion, or volunteer to be part of the first responders in that part of the word. That moves the needle.  

Maybe it is going too far to ask people who can't open a pickle jar to fight or help directly. There are probably lower non-remunerative cost options. 

Join the PeaceCorp and build stoves for people in need. Join AmeriCorp and help disadvantaged communities right here at home. Instead of protesting for the afternoon, volunteer at a homeless shelter. Build a trail for your community to take walks. There are so many things are are infinitely more impactful and helpful.  

The kids that are keeping their focus, putting in the work to better themselves and maybe even their communities will find this time of their lives to have a high compounding rate of return.  Those that actually want to put in effort vs virtue signal will be in high demand. This has always been the case but it is a lesson that is constantly relearned. 

Failing Small

Human nature seems to abhor failure.  

Paradoxically, failure is critical to our growth.  

People need to try new things, push the boundaries on ability, push the rules both written and unwritten in society. 

This is not the same as breaking the law and ruining your life. Some rules can bend and some can break. 

As a parent maybe one of the bigger struggles is to allow your child to fail small. Sounds easy until you find yourself in the day to day. The want for one's own life to go smooth means micromanaging or helicoptering over your kids. Suppose all of us parents are guilty to some degree. 

As my oldest gets older, the realization that he needs to be pushing the boundaries more before he leaves the house. Life can be a little cold. Boss's don't want excuses, landlords need the rent. 

Allowing our kids to try and fail to see the consequences allows them to not fail BIGGER later in life when the stakes are drastically higher. 

The importance of us individually to keep getting out of our comfort zones as we age and keep trying things that we are likely to fail at but may pay off later. The roots of life have a way to grabbing hold. 

Scott Adam's book 'How To Fail At Almost Everything and Still Win Big' does a good job of explaining this benefit. 

If the goal is to grow as a person or raise a person who will grow - failure is the only path.