🍀 Are you pursuing a shadow career?

Hey there, it's Manav! Welcome to Early Adopters, my first-ever personal newsletter.

✨ Every Sunday, I'll be sharing my thoughts on productivity, life lessons, and helpful tips, all based on what I've learned throughout the week.

This weekly newsletter is my way of reflecting on life and keeping track of the fascinating things I discover or come to understand. It's also a promise to myself and all of you to stay mindful and curious and engaged with life's many lessons.

Each issue will dive into specific topics, and I'll be sure to add my own spin to them. So, grab a cup of tea and get ready for some weekly wisdom!

SHADOW CAREERS

Shadow careers. You ever heard of 'em?

They're the jobs we take instead of the ones we're meant for. The ones we settle for because they're easier or more acceptable. The ones that look like what we want, but they're not quite the same.

I came across this concept in one of Steven Pressfield's books, and it struck a deep resonance within me.

We all have a calling. A purpose. Something we're meant to do. But too often, we shy away from it. We let fear or doubt or society's expectations steer us in a different direction. We tell ourselves we're being practical or realistic. But really, we're just avoiding the hard work of chasing our dreams.

Take an artist, for example. She dreams of painting or sculpting or creating something beautiful. But instead of pursuing that, she settles for teaching art or designing logos. Sure, they're related, but they're not the same. And deep down, she knows it. She feels unfulfilled and restless, but she can't quite put her finger on why.

Or consider a writer. He's got stories to tell and a voice to share. But instead of writing his own books or articles, he becomes an editor or a publicist. He's still in the industry, sure, but he's not doing what he's meant to do. And he feels it in his bones.

Shadow careers can be a dangerous thing. They can keep us stuck and unfulfilled for years. But they can also be a blessing in disguise. They can teach us skills and give us experiences that will serve us when we finally decide to pursue our true calling. They can be the bridge that takes us from where we are to where we're meant to be.

So if you're in a shadow career. You're not alone. But don't let it become a permanent state. Don't let fear or comfort or anything else hold you back from what you're meant to do. Start taking steps toward your true calling, one at a time. You might be surprised at how quickly the path opens up before you.

I’m guilty of shadow careers as well. I have always wanted to make incredible videos but for years I have been giving excuses and chasing alternative careers. I finally see through the lies I have been telling myself and finally willing to pursue my calling.

💀 CHALLENGES  

I have been struggling with prioritization lately, as I've noticed that my energy levels - which are often fueled by caffeine - are being squandered on low-level tasks such as checking emails, social media updates, and taking phone calls.

This has become a source of frustration for me, as I know that my energy should be reserved for high-cognition tasks like writing, filming, and idea generation.

I've experimented with the Pomodoro technique in an effort to manage my time more effectively, but I recently realized that using my phone as a timer was counterproductive.

In fact, it has been a major source of distraction in my life. So, I've decided to invest in a dedicated Pomodoro timer from Amazon, and I'm excited to see how this will impact my productivity. I'll be sure to report back on my progress.

I FINALLY COMPLETED WINGWALKING

I finally got the chance to go wing walking.

Being a plane enthusiast, I had always been fascinated with the sport but never imagined I would get chance to try it out for myself.

To be honest, I felt a bit nervous the day before and couldn’t sleep properly, but after a half-day of training on the ground, we were finally ready to take to the skies and face strong winds.

Imagine being strapped to the bi-plane that will barrel roll, complete 360-degree turns, and even nose dive, all while you are hanging on for your dear life.

The rush of adrenaline and the feeling of accomplishment made it all worth it.

Watch the video by clicking the post below:

FAVORITE FINDS

🎥 Movie - Seabiscuit (2003)

"Seabiscuit" is an outstanding film that beautifully captures the spirit of determination, resilience, and hope. The movie is based on the true story of a remarkable racehorse, who defied the odds and inspired a nation during one of the most difficult periods in American history.

What makes "Seabiscuit" stand out is its superb storytelling and exceptional performances by the cast.

The film's cinematography, sound design, and musical score are all top-notch.

At its core, "Seabiscuit" is a story about overcoming adversity, finding purpose, and forging meaningful connections.

📱 Tech - Bose TV Soundbar Speaker

I have this soundbar on my desk and the quality of the audio is incredible

Article 🖼️ How to get new ideas by Paul Graham

The way to get new ideas is to notice anomalies: what seems strange, or missing, or broken? You can see anomalies in everyday life (much of standup comedy is based on this), but the best place to look for them is at the frontiers of knowledge.

Knowledge grows fractally. From a distance its edges look smooth, but when you learn enough to get close to one, you'll notice it's full of gaps. These gaps will seem obvious; it will seem inexplicable that no one has tried x or wondered about y. In the best case, exploring such gaps yields whole new fractal buds.