Random Walk Newsletter, Issue 13#
Turning the other cheek, a phrase in Christian doctrine, refers to responding to harm without retaliation and allowing more harm.
Observations & Reflections#
Looking back, it has been a month since the last issue. Once again, I realize that it is difficult to consistently do something, even if it is once a week. I recently came across a saying: Consistency is key: consistency is crucial in mastering something. It's not about investing 20 hours in one thing, but spending about 15 minutes or an hour on it every day.
About Layoffs#
Now, let's get to the point: layoffs. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say, unfortunately, I happened to experience it. During the day, I pretended to be calm when talking to HR, but I started to overthink at night, especially when I heard various negative news around me, such as large-scale layoffs in many big companies. This means that there will be a lot of job seekers out there. In addition, I asked a few former colleagues who either were being laid off or had no headcount, which made me anxious and worried that I might not find a job for several months. Although I kept saying that I have little pressure and it's okay, the actual state of mind cannot be easily brushed off with just a few words.
Summing up my job search experience later, I found a good way to alleviate anxiety is to schedule interviews every day, keeping myself occupied. In total, I participated in interviews with 5 companies, with only two being one-round interviews. The remaining three interviews went quite far, which was relatively lucky. However, it is important to note that two of these interviews were referrals, and only one was from my own application.
Finally, I received an offer and have already started working. I won't say much more, I just hope that this job can last for a few years and get through this terrible period.
During the interview process, I had another realization. Since around 2020, I started listening to audiobooks and taking notes using Obsidian. I record daily notes, including what I learned that day or what I reviewed. These notes played a significant role during the interview process, eliminating the need for last-minute cramming. I remember when I received a call to schedule an interview, they asked if I needed time to prepare and suggested arranging the interview one or two weeks later. I said it could be done as soon as possible, and that I didn't need to prepare. Although I was a bit worried, the final interview went quite well. So, going back to the point mentioned above, consistency is key.
Audiobooks & Books#
A Thousand-Year Sigh#
I haven't been listening to audiobooks as much recently, but I'm still keeping up with reading. I recently finished reading "A Thousand-Year Sigh" by Professor Yu Qiuyu. The reading process was enjoyable. Professor Yu retraced the routes of all ancient civilizations, such as Egypt and Greece, and recorded his observations and feelings along the way. It's funny that the only thing I can remember now is the name of a river, the Euphrates River. Many people may be unfamiliar with it, but it corresponds to another river, the Tigris River. This name is well-known, as it is mentioned in lyrics from before the Common Era. These two rivers flow through the Mesopotamian plain, which nurtured the Sumerians. Ancient Babylon is now Iraq, near Baghdad, located in the Mesopotamian plain, also known as the Tigris-Euphrates river valley. The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing.
I used to be very familiar with these lyrics. It's all knowledge.
Avoiding Secondary Harm#
This is the most insightful point I have come across recently. It's a bit long, so let me summarize: The person who harms you causes you harm twice: the first time with the actual harm, and the second time by occupying your time for reflection. If you learn to ignore the harm, you can at least avoid the second part.
So the best way to avoid secondary harm is to let go. Now I finally understand that in certain situations, ignoring is the best response. Some things that are not worth it don't deserve to occupy your mind.
The Impossible Triangle#
I forgot where I read this in a newsletter, but I'll share it with you. In the creative process: originality, high frequency, and high quality. In work: high pay, less work, and close to home. In investment: risk, return, and liquidity. The point is, you can only gain what you want by giving up something. Or in other words, you need to figure out what you truly want.
Backup Options#
Before making a decision, prepare backup options, which can be understood as the lower limit of acceptable results. In the end, it's often not about the upper limit, but about the lower limit. For example, the lower limit for successful people is often higher than the upper limit for ordinary people.
That's all for this issue of the newsletter. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Thank you for reading.