%% date:: [[2023-04-11]] parent:: %% # [[My Core Principles]] These are principles that define who I am. When faced with a decision, there are the principles that will guide me to choose a path. ## Connections [[Creating meaningful connections with people is one of my core principles]] ## Authenticity I don't express thoughts or emotions that aren't true. I actively volunteer information that I think people I'm speaking to would like to know, even if it paints me in a worse light. I am unapologetically myself, aggressively honest, and openly intense. I do not enter in, or knowingly maintain, relationships of any kind (including employment, friendships, and romantic relationships) that cause me to consistently breach my core principles. What it looks like when I'm practicing this - I tell people candidly when I've just learned something, and I [[Learning in public|learn in public]]. - I present myself as a [[Be a guide, not a guru|guide, not a guru]]. - I ask "stupid questions" that others are too timid to ask. - I always seek to improve my [[Communication]] skills. - I confront people rather than compromise my morals. - I use [[Steel man arguments]]. What it looks like when I'm not practicing this - I use language that implies I have more knowledge or experience than I actually do. - I make abstract claims I can't back up with facts. - I evade difficult topics to spare people's feelings. - I apologise for presenting my true opinion tactfully. ## Hard work I'm not afraid to put in the hard work to get something I find valuable. I respect others' work and the time and effort they have expended. I know that happiness takes time and effort. What it looks like when I'm practicing this - I set regular intervals for [[The ability to do deep work is the strongest predictor of success.|Deep Work]]. - I [[Productivity|work as efficiently as possible]] on predetermined priorities. - I find worthy projects that inspire enough passion in me that I lose myself in work. - I [[Min-Maxing|min/max]] my life by relentlessly seeking to improve things that are [[Essentialism|essential]] to me while I reduce the things that aren't. - I routinely assess people, things, and commitments in my life and remove the ones that I don't get enough value out of. - I build things I'm proud of. What it looks like when I'm not practicing this - I spend a lot of time and energy working on things I didn't prioritize for the week. - I expend a lot of time doing something that could have been automated. - I clearly communicate my priorities and say no when asked to do something that falls outside of them. - I have more things than places to put them on/in. - I feel [[Burnout|burnt out]]. - I do repetitive and unpleasant tasks rather than take some time to [[Principles of improving work performance|improve my performance]] for the rest of the work. ## Compassion I default to compassion. I try to remember that everyone has problems they're dealing with that I may never fully understand. I treat everyone with respect and humility. I believe that all forms of [[Love]] are valuable. I believe in [[Relationship Anarchy]]. I am open-minded: I believe there are different ways to live than mine, and that mine isn't inherently better. I believe people can change. What it looks like when I'm practicing this - When someone wrongs me and apologises and means it, I say it's okay and mean it. - I notice when people are upset and ask them how they're doing. - I try to bring quiet people into the conversation. - I regularly and publicly change my mind when someone makes a sound argument. - When a motivation is unknown, I give people the benefit of the doubt and treat them accordingly. - [[Separation|Ending a relationship]] is preferable to being unkind to myself or to another. What it looks like when I'm not practicing this - I make people feel bad for opening up to me. - I say things that are unnecessarily harsh. - I interrupt people or monopolize the conversation. - I jump to conclusions. - I attack groups of people or make generalizations. - I stay in relationships that are unhealthy. ## Joy I seek joy unabashedly. ## Giving I haven't learned something until I've created work out of it. Writing, making a video, and programming are activities that I enjoy and make time for. What it looks like when I'm practicing this - I have dedicated times during my week for creating. - I regularly produce work and have a following of people who find my my work valuable. - I spend time thinking about my craft and improving upon it. What it looks like when I'm not practicing this - I spend more time consuming others' content than producing my own. - I feel that creating is a chore. - I go for months without any sign of life online.