Ridwan's Rough Notes

Macro Thoughts & Meditations on Intentional Living

I’m embarking on a new project. It’s very simple. Post one photo a day along with a short reflection.

Testing out the Halide app whilst making beetroot juice.

#project365


Ridwan Always happy to Discuss... or Reply via email

I came across the below commonsense financial advice in James Clear’s newsletter.

Sasha Aickin, former CTO at Redfin, shares some financial advice from his grandmother:

“When you buy something cheap and bad, the best you’re going to feel about it is when you buy it. When you buy something expensive and good, the worst you’re going to feel about it is when you buy it.”

Source: Groupon's Success Disaster

Is this true? Sasha’s grandmother seems to have hit something profound.

Written on 2022-06-28.

#personalfinance #money


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When I got introduced to GTD, one of the wrong assumptions I made was that if I capture something then I must do it. But, slowly I'm learning to look at my “captured” list as an “options” list.

These lists give me an overview of my commitments and I have the option to do something about them. i.e. engage or eliminate. This was such a relief!

Now, when I review my tasks (including the projects list), I ask myself – “Really? Do you still want to do this? Be Honest, Ridwan!”

I get the answer straight away and trust my intuition. This helps me either engage or eliminate the item. I hope it helps you too.

Written on: 2022-06-15

#gtd


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One of the golden rules to live by from Robert Greene’s masterpiece The 48 Laws of Power is Always say less than necessary

Adhering to this rule will:

  • Keep you out of trouble.
  • Stop you from saying stupid.
  • Make you come across as intelligent and powerful.

Written on: 2022-06-14

#principles


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I stumbled upon this video on the reaction of an Imam during an earthquake in Kuwait. Just watching his response softens my heart and humbles my soul in remembrance of the All-Wise.

Written on: 2022-06-11

#gratitude


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I stumbled upon this YouTube Shorts on how to own 75 suits from Steve Harvey.

My man recommends the below items for every man:

  • Suit/Trouser colours: Black, navy, grey, brown & tan.
  • Shirt colours: 2-white, 2-cream, 2-powder blue.
  • Couple of ties

You can mix and match to create multiple outfits.

Written on: 2022-06-08

#lifehack #fashion


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I was listening to an episode of the Hurry Slowly podcast a few months back. Podcaster Jocelyn K. Glei asked a deep question that left me pondering for quite some time. The question is:

Who are you without the Doing?

Who are we when we are not doing our job? When we are not being a spouse? When we are not being a son or a daughter? Who are we?

This is such a deep question to ponder.

Written on: 2022-06-07

#journal


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Jim Rohn talked about curating three things to leave behind as part of one’s legacy. These are:

  • Journals
  • Books
  • Photos

I think it is a piece of solid advice to tell our personal and family stories to our future generations.

Written on: 2022-06-04

#journal


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A few years back, I watched a YouTube video of Henry Rollins where he talks about one decision that his life. At that time, I did not know who Henry Rollins was and even now I do not know who he is.

After many years, the YouTube algorithm recommended the same video. I chuckled and watched it. The “one decision that changed his life” wasn't what resonated when I watched it years ago, these words did:

I don't have talent. I have tenacity. I have discipline. I have Focus. I know, without any delusion, where I come from & where I can go back to.

Written on: 2022-06-03

#talent #tenacity


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I was reading James Clear's Atomic Habits where he shares his interaction with an elite weightlifting coach on what makes someone successful in training.

The coach responded: “At some point it comes down to who can handle the boredom of training every day, doing the same lifts over and over and over.”

James Clear also shares a valuable piece of information on what makes someone successful:

Professionals stick to the schedule; amateurs let life get in the way. Professionals know what is important to them and work toward it with purpose; amateurs get pulled off course by the urgencies of life.

I suppose it's essential to become comfortable with boredom and remember to keep doing the reps.

Written on: 2022-05-29

#habits


Ridwan Always happy to Discuss... or Reply via email

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