Live by a Compass, Not by a Map - (Bonus Topics: the 80% Energy Principle, Four Tendencies Quiz, etc...)
Savvy Saturdays (5/22/21)
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 doesn’t tell us where we are, but where we are headed.
Since life’s terrain is constantly changing, a map can become outdated too quickly at any moment in life. Whether it’s a career change, starting a family, experiencing a financial crisis, etc…, 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 what’s 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: 🤔
Do you follow a compass or a map in life?
What are your ultimate priorities in life? (money, family, friendships, etc…) Knowing your priorities can help you build a compass for life.
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Weekly Collections
A collection of resources for you to enjoy… 📰 🎬 🎙️
80% Energy Principle
There is an old Confucian practice called hara hachi bu.
Roughly translated it means: “eat until you are 80% full.”
As Westerners, we believe in pushing up against the limits, and going over them: we’re pedal to the metal, giving 110%, and our amps go to 11.
[Instead] I try to pace myself, to "eat until I'm 80% full."
It’s a state of being mindful. 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 don’t require as much energy.
When I maintain this practice, the benefits are clear:
First, and most importantly, I have space for a crisis. If something unexpected and urgent comes in, I have the mental wherewithal to deal with it.
Second, I do better work. 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. I’m 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 😅 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)
Don’t call someone more than twice continuously. If they don’t pick up your call, presume they have something important to attend to.
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.)
Never order the expensive dish on the menu when someone is giving you a lunch/dinner.
Weekly Tidbits
Learnings, verses, & quotes to chew on… 🧐
Verse of the Week
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
—Proverbs 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."
—Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler Ross on how beautiful people are made
Weekly Update
Personal life stuff… 🔔
Hello friends,
Greetings from Austin! 👋 Let’s jump right in!
Wanted to update y’all that lots of life change/transitions/stressful moments have been happening this past week. Things like:
Closing out and transitioning to a new year of college ministry as potentially the oldest college small group leader
Making the first steps of a career shift from software engineering to product management (research and networking phase)
Stressing over a project deadline needed to be completed by next week before Memorial Weekend
And researching into buying a car while mentally preparing to spend, for the first time, 5 figures worth of cash. (ahhh, I don’t want to even think about homeownership with rising prices in Austin)
If only adulting was easy…
Even though it’s been tough, I’ve been learning a lot through it.
It has challenged me to surrender my anxiety about the future to God, and recognize that there’s only so much I can do.
All that aside, it’s 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 I’m still doing research on it, but hopefully will update if I do get one.
Anyways, here are several pictures from this past week: 📷
Thanks for checking in on the newsletter! I appreciate y’all taking the time to read, skim, and go through what I have to share.
Let me know if there’s a way I can be praying for y’all!
With that, stay safe 😷, keep it savvy 😎, and I’ll see y’all in the next update 😊
Eric
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