3rd edition

Hi Fam, Sulakshay this side. ??

Welcome to the latest, and this year’s last edition of the most irregular newsletter.

I hope you folks are healthy, happy, and spirited as we end this year.

I pray your family is doing wonderfully well and your friends are rising.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned this year (besides how life-changing pre-sleep rituals can be ??) is how to build identity capital.?

No, it has nothing to do with accounting or finance.

Coined by Dr. Meg Jay, a clinical psychologist and author of The Defining Decade, identity capital is ‘the currency we use to metaphorically purchase jobs and relationships.’

In simple words, it’s what we do to invest in ourselves.?

Dr. Jay first introduced the idea of identity capital when a 20-something patient of hers found herself deliberating between two job options: one as a barista and one as a “floater” at an animation agency.?

The 20-something gravitated towards the coffee gig (who doesn’t enjoy free cappuccinos) but Dr. Jay encouraged her to go for the floater job instead.?

That’s because the job at the animation studio offered something the barista job didn’t: identity capital. While working as a barista is a great way to support oneself, the 20-something had an opportunity to pursue her goal of working in a creative field.?

Identity capital isn’t just stuff that goes on a resume. It’s where you go, what you learn, and whom you meet. It could be…

?? Traveling around the world to explore cultures

?? Playing sports as part of your daily fitness regime

???? Joining a community and meeting like-minded folks

?? Investing in a course to upskill?(hint to build on your skill set)

Ultimately, identity capital is composed of experiences that shape you and help expand your life choices down the road.?

But the real beauty of increasing your identity capital is that it encourages you to embrace unique experiences.?

Whatever road your quest for identity capital leads you down, just remember that investing in yourself is always an investment that reaps return in the long run.

There is GREAT power in starting. You might be ALONE at the beginning.

Yet, fortune favors the devoted. And destiny supports the brave. It just DOES.?

Eventually, happiness follows helpfulness, not an obsession with becoming happy.

Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.?Read it again. ??

Time for some of my personal reflections this year:

[1] A super strong family foundation is the bedrock of productivity, building the satisfaction that brings us peace.

[2] Being out in nature refuels the energy that makes us great in society. Balance wilderness with worldliness and you've got it made.

[3] Being the most honest person you know makes you faster. Because a clean conscience removes psychic drag.

[4] Worrying about your social capital takes your focus off the beautiful work that will build your legacy.

[5] Saying no to certain opportunities allows you to say yes to the best ones.

[6] Dream like a child yet operates like an adult.

[7] Think big yet start now. Because you’re built to be legendary.

That's all for this year folks ??

If you’ve made it this far - thank you so much!?

Your thoughts, feedback, and questions matter to me. Don't hold yourself up from sending them right away. Shoot me a one-line reply and tell me which part of this edition you found most interesting.

See you around soon. Until our next edition…

Much love.

SD