Ego Is The Enemy

I don't know how I haven't read Ryan Holliday's book sooner, but I think this book is great for any young professional wanting to make an impact.

I'm going to be outlining the lessons I've taken from the book and how I'm applying it to my life.

Shut Up And Do The Work

Holliday made the point that people like to talk about doing work, and not actually doing it... He makes the point of an author writing on their blog/Twiiter, without writing a single sentence to the MOST important project which is their book.

It made me realise how I'll get into a mental masturbation of doing video edits. That, rather than actually sitting down and cranking out an edit, I'd rather think about starting.

Holliday also mentions that the brain cannot distinguish between doing the activity and saying you're going to do the activity.

That's why, when someone tells you their grand plan, they don't seem to do anything about it. The action threshold has been satisfied because it was turn into words and said aloud.

This also leads to the idea of thinking your work is something to boast about. It's not. Again, people want the glory for the work they've never done.

With this point, I've made a conscious effort to not say anything about my editing work.

When my father asks,

"What's your plans for today?"

I will always stick to my one worded answer,

"Editing."

I can see the my ego wants to say to the world,

"I'm an editor! I work hard! Look at my work!"

Tough, in a line of work that requires to look at metrics.

Ryan also makes the point that in the start of our careers, we're going to suck. Because we suck, I might as well upload my edits.

Reading his book, he makes the case that there is no grand narrative. That all your efforts is not for some pre-destiny. Yes, there is God's plan. But, the kind of pre-destiny that is filled with glory and boast is not.

We've romanticised the ambitious, egotistical entrepreneur. Believing their days and nights of struggles were predestined for fame and fortune.

You are not important.

I've sort of made the effort in prayer to distinguish myself from me and my work. I am merely the vessel for the creative to manifest myself. I am not the cause of it.

Thus, we lower our own self importance, the work takes the forefront. Its the driving force.

During the Overland Track, the guide commented how my leadership style is more quiet. Staying at the back. Not at the forefront or centre stage.

There Is Nothing Productive In Getting Mad

A while back, I had done a self-recorded video interview with a prestigious marketing agency in Brisbane.

I didn't get a response back. And I kept following up every week trying to grab a hold of someone from the HR department.

Finally, I gave up. I wasn't getting the job. If they wanted a follow up interview, they would have done it by now, not four weeks after the fact.

Let me be honest, I felt shitty about it.

Ryan illuminated on Jackie Robinson's story. How he would be spat at, shouted racist remarks while on the field, etc. Before his career in baseball, he was convicted on crimes involving brawls with other people.

His coach told him he couldn't react back. You might ask,

"Jackie is in his full rights to fight back."

Ryan makes the point that Jackie won in the long term because he didn't let his emotions take a hold of him.

Learning from that, I will get back on the horse by reaching out to the same agency.

If money is a game, why would I say I am better than them? They're worth millions, I'm not. They're doing something right.

Now, rather than getting pissed off about something, I just cope by taking action.