9th Nov 2021
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On Blockchain, Cryptography and Cryptocurrency [WIP]

[Note: This post is a work-in-progress and will be added to as I continue to write my thoughts on this topic.]

I am often asked my opinion on “crypto”. Everyone who has asked me this has meant it in the sense of “cryptocurrency”. Usually following some big movement (either up or down) of BTC or Ethereum, or even Doge Coin due to tweet by a globally prominent technologist.

What they are really asking is “do you think I should put money into Cryptocurrency so I can benefit from the next price jump?” or “what’s the next Bitcoin?”. What they should be asking are the basics… what is cryptocurrency, how does it work, why is it important, why has it become a focus now, what problems does it solve?

If you begin to understand these questions you will find your answer. You will know for yourself, based on your risk-appetite and interests, if this domain is worth investment of your energy, time, and/or money.

Investing is simple, you invest when you believe the value of something now will be greater, or provide a great return, in the future relative to the risk of expending energy, time, and/or money now.

We invest time in our education (or our parents, teachers and society make us) when we’re younger because we know that it generates increased value in the future. You invest in the stocks of a company because you believe that the company will be worth more in the future.

With that logic, I invest in blockchain systems and cryptocurrency because I believe both will play an important role in how we operate in the future. I believe we are at the early stages of cryptography and decentralisation, I want to invest in the growth of this area and be rewarded in the future when it crosses the chasm and becomes a mainstay. 

What if I am wrong? Then I am wrong. It’s possible and that’s certainly where risk management comes in. I have allocated a portion of my investment portfolio to this domain, a portion relative to the risks of being wrong.

Okay, so, how do I learn about the this domain? Do I really need to deeply understand this to make informed decisions about it?

I think you need to know the basics but it’s okay not to know the detailed math and programming, I sure don’t. It’s possible to see the value and benefits of the internet without knowing how it works, same with a car or airplane or computer. 

The idea is to understand what problems it solves. You know a car helps resolve a problem of moving people between point A and B, how it works is less relevant right now if you believe that the problem is fundamentally worth solving for.

If you only learn one thing about blockchain, cryptography, cryptocurrency etc., let it be the answer to this question: What problem is it solving for?

9th Nov 2021
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Replace praise and rebuke with appreciation and gratitude

Praise makes us feel like we have value. Rebuke makes us feel like we do not.

The sincerest “thank you” can be the most powerful phrase for our inner selves to hear. Perhaps even more so than “I love you”.

Appreciation operates at a different level altogether. It helps us recognise and accept our value – it is more impactful to our sense of self-worth and self-acceptance than any amount of praise.

Let’s encourage and educate with gratitude above all else. Let’s lead with appreciation before the carrot or the stick.

9th Nov 2021
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Prayer

Prayer is the process of seeking for answers through internal dialogue.

In many cultures, a prayer is a conversation with God.

Whether you believe in God or not, prayer is at its core a conversation with oneself.

This introspection is what leads to enlightenment and self-discovery.

This is why those who do not believe in God can find answers just the same as those who do.

The answers truly are within us, we need only ask ourselves the right questions and give ourselves the permission to listen to our inner voice.

9th Nov 2021
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On being nervous

The opposite of being nervous is not necessarily confidence, it’s anticipation and eagerness.

We can manage our nerves by reframing a scary situation to think about the aspects of the event that you are anticipating or can learn to anticipate. Focus on the anticipation. Nervousness aims to scare you whereas anticipation aims to excite you.

This goes hand-in-hand with visualisation. Visualise facing your fears, so when you encounter them you will have the experience to overcome them – even if that experience is imagined.

Visualise the excitement so when the moment comes you can truly focus on just that moment and find the joy in it.

Be honest in your introspection and seek to understand what scares you and what excites you. This knowledge will allow you to hone the tools you need to have mastery over yourself.

Keep up to date with who you are and who you are becoming. You change slowly but often only realise the change long after it has taken place. Be prepared for who you are becoming and welcome your new self.

When you know yourself and anticipate what is to come (even if what is to come is scary), the nerves settle and you can face the future with courage.

11th Sep 2021
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Glass Doors

Have you ever seen a dog standing at a glass door, waiting for their owner to open it and let them through, yet not realising that it is already open? They’ve been trained not only to wait for permission but that there is a barrier between them and the outside world that they cannot pass through. Over time, they will accept the barrier exists even if the door is open and there is no real physical limitation.

We do the same thing with mental barriers we place on ourselves or we believe others have placed on us. The door could be open and we could see through to the other side but we don’t pass through, we don’t even try. We tell ourselves we’re not capable of it. We say…

I can’t move forward because I’m not good enough, smart enough or pretty enough.

I can’t move forward because I’m not fast enough or strong enough.

I can’t move forward because I’m not rich enough or popular enough.

I can’t move forward because I’m not confidant enough, funny enough or charming enough.

All we need to do is try, simply (but perhaps not easily) put one paw or hand forward in order to realise that the barrier we thought existed is in fact an illusion. We can then experience a beautiful moment of realisation – knowing that it was in us all along, that we’ve always been capable and worthy to move forward.

All it took was putting aside the mental barrier and taking one step forward.

Maybe like Buddy in the video below we’ve been hurt before trying to go through the door. Perhaps all we need is a bit of encouragement and a reward on the other side. Encourage yourself and your loved ones to walk through. Reward yourself when you do!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-KhOAgPlQ4