Today, I conducted a review of my first quarter this year (January - March)… and here are my Top 10 Highlights.
Side note — I find it all too easy easy to look at what’s wrong, what needs fixing… so it took extra effort to come up with a list of things to celebrate.
- Worked on ‘Getting 1% Better’ Everyday ?? — On January 1, embarked on a plan to improve my self, my life or my work… every single day.? And I’ve done so.? Even on days when it seemed really hard — I would think of one thing to do, literally at the 11th hour (close to midnight), and I would do it. https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/can-you-really-get-37x-better-just-one-year-melvin-yuan-ps2wc/
- Published Daily Newsletter (this one) ?? — I wanted to get back to the habit of publishing daily, as a forcing function to sharpen my writing.? And I wanted to sharpen my writing, because it would sharpen my thinking.? That, is the real goal.? And I’ve done this daily for 3 months straight. It helps when I set a public commitment to punish myself if I missed a day that I commit to — https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/im-raising-stakes-us10000-when-i-skip-post-melvin-yuan-vkwxc/
- Visa to Live in Malaysia ???? — I applied for, and received, a 5-Year Visa for my whole family to live and work in Malaysia.? My team and I operate in the US, Singapore and Malaysia.? My family and I shuttle between 3 cities.? The cost of living is significantly lower in Malaysia (compared to Singapore).? And we like creating multiple options in multiple cities.
- Purchased an Apartment in Malaysia ?????? — I started the process at the end of last year, to purchase an apartment in Malaysia.? We applied for, and received, state content to purchase (as foreigners); and we’ve almost completed the purchase process.
- Partnership Program for Stellar — I set up, and set in motion, a program to enable Stellar Partners to create significant value for their communities (of Startup Founders).
- Learned How to Podcast & Created the Concept for One ??? — I learned how to run a podcast, when I was invited by a friend to be his guest on one.? And I created the concept for my own podcast (The Naming Convention) — which I aim to kick-off in Q2 (next 3 months). https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/naming-convention-melvin-yuan-bfjlc/ https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/scale-ordinary-conversations-starting-podcast-melvin-yuan-r2sne/
- Embarked on a Structured Study Program in AI ?? — I committed to completing 3 certificate course in AI within 2 years.? I completed the first one in mid-February (it was the shortest course), and continued to spend some time every Sunday to work on the other two.? I made exceptions on two Sundays to study something else (SEO) that had a more present and practical requirement. https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/ai-certification-my-roadmap-non-engineer-melvin-yuan-9uefc/
- Intentionally Increased Quality Time with Wife & Children; and with Brother, Sister-in-Law, and Friends! ?? — Why is this near the end of my list?? It’s one of the most important.? But it’s also the least interesting to others.? After a very mindful day of reflection on my birthday in February, and after a chance conversation with an older friend — I determined that, despite all that I wanted to accomplish at work, and in the area of personal growth — I was first going to work on relationships with the most important people in my life… my family, brother/sister-in-law and close friends.
- Reverse Aging & Increase Longevity ??? — I am grateful for a relatively healthy body that has not presented any significant issues to deal with.? However, I recognize that this could cause me to be complacent.? So I decided to get really serious about the process of anti-aging.? I started tracking health measures closely, and I’ve taken steps to improve most of them.? The goal is to achieve (as a proxy measure) a biological age of 28 by the end of this year.? https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/set-moonshots-kill-small-goals-live-120-years-melvin-yuan-knidc/
- Got Better at Ultimate (Frisbee) ?? — Ok, I don’t know how this was helped by my ‘1% Better’ Project.? But since the start of this year, I’ve experienced noticeable improvement in how I played my favorite sport.? So yes, it’s a highlight!
There are many days — when I feel tired, or discouraged, or overwhelmed from having set too many goals to accomplish.? But despite all that — I experience a sense of compounding personal growth that I’ve not experienced? so tangibly before. ?
Most of the highlights I listed are not directly related to my work.? 2 of 10 are related; and 1 of them indirectly contributes to my work.? But I have actually experienced significant progress with matters at work too.? And to realize that all the above can be achieved, while ‘juggling all the balls’ at work — is an incredible feeling.
As I transit to the next calendar quarter (a new ‘season’), I will review how I run my ‘1% Better Daily’ Project.? And possibly make some improvements based on some learnings from the past 3 months.
I’ve also enjoyed connecting with some new friends, and re-connecting with old friends — all of whom are on the same journey of personal growth.? For that reason, if this project intrigues you, please connect, subscribe to the '37x Better Life' newsletter, or PM me… I’d love to get connected!
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11 个月Congrats Melvin! You are a true inspiration! For persisting to write daily while balancing other accomplishments and commitments to a work-life balance. I feel bad that I couldn’t even keep up with your daily writing. ?? can’t wait to read your new adventures for the rest of 2024! ??