Random Walk Newsletter, Issue 13#
Turning the other cheek, a phrase in Christian doctrine, refers to the response of not retaliating to harm and allowing for more harm.
Observations & Insights#
Looking back, it has been a month since the last issue, once again realizing how difficult it is to consistently do something, even if it's once a week. I recently came across a quote: Consistency is key: consistency is crucial. Consistently doing something over and over again can help you master it. It's not about dedicating 20 hours to something all at once, but rather spending about 15 minutes or an hour each day.
About Layoffs#
Now let's get to the point, layoffs. Unfortunately, or maybe I shouldn't say unfortunately, let's use a different word, it happened to coincide with me. During the day, I pretended to be calm when talking to HR, but that night, I started to overthink, especially with all the negative news around, such as large-scale layoffs in many big companies. This means there will be a lot of job seekers out there. Additionally, I asked a few former colleagues who either said they were currently experiencing layoffs or that there were 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, take it slow, my actual state of mind cannot be easily brushed off with just a few words.
Summarizing my job search experience later on, I found a good method 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 basically reached the final stage, so I was quite lucky. However, it is important to note that two of these interviews were referrals, and only one was from my own resume submission.
Finally, I received an offer and have already started working. I won't say anything else, I just hope this job can last for a few years and get through this tough period.
During the interview process, I had another realization. Since around 2020, I started listening to audiobooks and reading books, and after using Obsidian, I began recording daily notes. One part of my journal is about what I learned or reviewed that day. These played a significant role during the interview process, eliminating the need for last-minute cramming. I remember when I received a phone call to schedule the interview, they said if I needed time to prepare, we could arrange the interview for one or two weeks later. I said it's fine to do it as soon as possible, no need to prepare. Although I was a bit worried, the final result of the interview was quite good. 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, recording his observations and feelings along the way. It's somewhat funny that the only name 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. Both of these rivers flow through the Mesopotamian Plain, and this region nurtured the Sumerians. Ancient Babylon is present-day Iraq, near Baghdad, located in the Mesopotamian Plain, also known as the Tigris and Euphrates River Valley. The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing.
I used to be so proficient in memorizing those lyrics. It's all knowledge.
Avoiding Secondary Harm#
This is the most insightful point I've 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 harm itself, and the second time by occupying your time for reflection. If you learn to ignore the harm, you can at least avoid the latter 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 space in your mind.
Impossible Triangle#
I forgot where I saw this in a newsletter, but I'll share it anyway:
In creation: originality, frequency, quality
In work: high pay, less work, close to home
In investment: risk, return, liquidity
The point is, you can only obtain 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 outcomes. In the end, it's often not about aiming for the upper limit, but rather considering 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.