"This is an attention economy. I do not wish to give one person total control over my thoughts. I’m choosing not to be distracted from opportunities where I can make a difference. I am choosing to focus on the chance to support and inspire someone who may need it, to elevate a worthy project, and to be a sounding board for someone else’s nascent ideas. I am placing my agency in that context and acting accordingly."
I am so pleased you are asking yourself that question. It is with intention.
My personal choice to invest in my aging parents is one that I will never regret. It came at a cost. But, a cost that I see as a different type of wealth - I chose to trade a sure-thing life in corporate for a journey that gave me control over when and where I spend time with my own family.
That may not work for everyone, but I was able to make peace with the trade-off.
I think this is why I resonated so deeply with the work of Tim Urban (Wait but Why) and Sahil Bloom (5 Types of Wealth).
Now THIS is worth keeping in my attention.
"This is an attention economy. I do not wish to give one person total control over my thoughts. I’m choosing not to be distracted from opportunities where I can make a difference. I am choosing to focus on the chance to support and inspire someone who may need it, to elevate a worthy project, and to be a sounding board for someone else’s nascent ideas. I am placing my agency in that context and acting accordingly."
Horray and bravo Karena.
Glad you agree, Rick. It is the only way I maintain my sanity. How about you?
Writing, performing, speaking, teaching, learning—those are the worthy projects I focus on.
The amount of quality time you carve out for your family is inspiring. You always prompt me to go "How can I do more of this?"
I am so pleased you are asking yourself that question. It is with intention.
My personal choice to invest in my aging parents is one that I will never regret. It came at a cost. But, a cost that I see as a different type of wealth - I chose to trade a sure-thing life in corporate for a journey that gave me control over when and where I spend time with my own family.
That may not work for everyone, but I was able to make peace with the trade-off.
I think this is why I resonated so deeply with the work of Tim Urban (Wait but Why) and Sahil Bloom (5 Types of Wealth).
Lovely that you've found a way to focus on what nourishes and enriches you so that the stuff that doesn't isn't crowding out those things that do.
Thank you, Eric. And thank you for setting the example in your own journey.
Thank you Karena. My compass points - most of the time - towards effortlessness. A big part of that for me is meandering towards what nourishes me.
"Ask the right question" feels particularly resonant. Such a good reminder that paths that look like dead-ends actually just need a restated question.
A question turned on its head unlocks completely overlooked possibilities. Thank you for this piece Karena!