Read on Twitter
As we close out the year and start the journey of another 365 days, the question that has been running through my mind is one asked by Derek Sivers
"What are you optimizing for?" https://twitter.com/DavidAlade__/status/1211982732693295104?s=19
"What are you optimizing for?" https://twitter.com/DavidAlade__/status/1211982732693295104?s=19
The question has got me thinking for the past couple of days. In fact, I've had to go back and read the source article dating as far back as 2016.
http://Sivers.org/why
http://Sivers.org/why
What are you optimizing for is a question of purpose.
It is an attempt to get you think about why you do what you do. To what end are doing what you are doing?
To be free?
To have money?
To have influence?
To retire early?
To make a name for yourself?
To what... exactly?
It is an attempt to get you think about why you do what you do. To what end are doing what you are doing?
To be free?
To have money?
To have influence?
To retire early?
To make a name for yourself?
To what... exactly?
What you are optimising for crucial to know.
Most people don't know and just move with the flow.
I am just working and working because, after university that is the next thing to do, I am just in school because it is the...
Most people don't know and just move with the flow.
I am just working and working because, after university that is the next thing to do, I am just in school because it is the...
...it is the next cause of action.
I am doing the work I'm doing because that is what is available to be done.
Well, it 's a pity a lot of us live our life that way. Without direction and a sense of purpose. But 2020 that most change.
I am doing the work I'm doing because that is what is available to be done.
Well, it 's a pity a lot of us live our life that way. Without direction and a sense of purpose. But 2020 that most change.
You must know what you are optimizing for; why you do what you do.
I was a victim as well.
I was a victim as well.
A victim because I never had a couple of things spelt out.
What you are optimising for must be spelt out and irrevocably committed to.
What you optimize for in the short term must add to your longer-term optimization.
What you are optimising for must be spelt out and irrevocably committed to.
What you optimize for in the short term must add to your longer-term optimization.
You can optimize for more than one thing at a time.
The important thing is that you spell out what you optimising for and shun other distractions that may come by the way.
The important thing is that you spell out what you optimising for and shun other distractions that may come by the way.
Once you spell out what you are optimising for, you pursue it thoroughly for that is your responsibility.
Optimization requires sacrifice. You will let go of some things to gain some things.
If you want Influence, for example, you may need to give up money or material things. When you do, people allow you to have a say.
That's the way of the world.
If you want Influence, for example, you may need to give up money or material things. When you do, people allow you to have a say.
That's the way of the world.
Reminiscing about 2019, I realised most of my optimization was for identity or say brand.
A lot of my work was geared towards "David Alade".
I never realized this until I was having a conversation with a friend and I uttered the statement...
A lot of my work was geared towards "David Alade".
I never realized this until I was having a conversation with a friend and I uttered the statement...
"I am working on 'David Alade'"
That statement has got me thinking since then.
Indeed, I have been working a lot on "David Alade".
Today, the name has a lot of perception attached to it. The perception I have deliberately shaped over the cause of the year.
That statement has got me thinking since then.
Indeed, I have been working a lot on "David Alade".
Today, the name has a lot of perception attached to it. The perception I have deliberately shaped over the cause of the year.
But I bet my effort would have been more targeted if I had recognized this early on.
Thanks to Bukunmi for helping me to realize this. As I've said you must know what you are optimising for per time.
Thanks to Bukunmi for helping me to realize this. As I've said you must know what you are optimising for per time.
What have I leant from optimizing for "David Alade"?
1. Optimising is a long term game with short term realities.
2. Whatever you choose to optimize for is a thing of your making and you must admit that and work tirelessly for it.
1. Optimising is a long term game with short term realities.
2. Whatever you choose to optimize for is a thing of your making and you must admit that and work tirelessly for it.
3. Optimising must have the element of accumulation and compounding embedded in it. You optimize for influence, your influence must compound love time, marginal increase is not enough.
4. Admitting what you are optimising for gives more clarity to your endeavour.
5. Methods / Principles exist for different things you may be optimising for. You only need to figure it out.
5. Methods / Principles exist for different things you may be optimising for. You only need to figure it out.
Well, 2019 is ended already and 2020 is just beginning.
What will you optimise for?
What have you been optimising for?
What will you optimise for?
What have you been optimising for?
You need to be clear about those things and determine what your next course of action will be.
Thank you for #ListeningToDavid yet again.
Happy New Year in advance.
Thank you for #ListeningToDavid yet again.
Happy New Year in advance.
