End of the month — taking a short rest, so no lengthy essays today.
Half a year has passed once again, so let me jot down a few concise thoughts. Some points remain unchanged at their core; others have been lightly updated:
1 - A reminder once more: throughout all of 2023 and into early 2024, this is not the time to charge ahead aggressively in your career. Don’t agonize over the future. If you’re not losing ground and you’re holding your footing steady — that alone is something to be grateful for.
2 - Don’t let your pride keep you putting on a strong face in front of family. Be open with them — going forward, the household needs to be practical. Cut costs where you can, and look for ways to bring in more.
3 - Likewise, don’t let pride push you into overselling your success to friends. A little honest talk about hardship, a small complaint or two — in the current climate, people relate far more to those who show vulnerability than to those who appear invincible.
4 - If your career has stalled this year, take the opportunity to do a full review of your past decisions. Identify the problems, correct and refine them. Break free, once and for all, from the trap of grinding away mechanically without ever stepping back to think.
5 - For reasons I can’t fully go into, I strongly encourage you to spend these two years seriously learning some practical life skills — basic home renovation, repairs, basic medical knowledge, and the like. Even better if you can find opportunities to practice and reinforce these skills hands-on.
6 - If you have cash on hand, I’d advise you to start positioning it into quality assets. The guiding principle is: stability first, growth second.
If you have existing assets, get rid of the junk as soon as possible and optimize your asset structure. Do this well, and within three years your total net worth could easily double.
7 - This year and next, don’t harbor grand expectations about outcomes — in either direction. Don’t assume things will go smoothly. Always think through the failure scenario first and have a fallback ready.
That said, maintain the daily habit of moving the pawn one square forward. Push things ahead just a little each day. You can go slowly, do little, start late — but keep moving forward.
8 - This year’s summer will be scorching and its winter brutal — that’s just how cycles work, and you have to grit your teeth and endure it.
So simplifying your life in these two years is genuinely important. Four things: love your family, commit to your craft, cultivate a reading habit, stay fit. Keep yourself occupied with these, and you’ve made the best possible choice.
Still unclear? Look at the image accompanying this post.
9 - In the comments, I’d love to hear how you’re arranging your summer life. Even better if you share some fun or creative ways to beat the heat — or a few unforgettable summer memories. That works just as well.
Summer may be sweltering, but the way you welcome it should still be joyful and auspicious. ☀️