Why I'm writing Good Verbs
Our first issue is coming soon. To all our early and first time readers, here is why we’re writing for you.
Risk, self-awareness, curiosity, and kindness cast the foundation for Good Verbs.
It is with these simple ingredients that empowers our readers to make value-based, data-driven decisions guided by strategies and tactics stemming from business and philosophy.
Employing product management methodologies to thrive in an era where we continue to be lured away from our own virtues, Good Verbs invests in you by sharing tools and knowledge that can be applied immediately, allowing you to find peace in the process of thriving in the 21st century.
Because of failure 🤦♂️
In 2016, I quit my job as an engineer to found a startup. It was the best failure of my life. No business model. No coding chops. No funding. Just pure, raw ambition.
As you could imagine, that kind of maneuver didn’t impress anyone with business acumen. It did however, give me a sense of validation as my courage was praised by my friends and family.
It’s through the recognition of my motivations in retrospect that helped spark the creation of Good Verbs, specifically, in realizing how wrong they were.
Because of ego 🙄
I’ve wanted to blog, podcast, public speak, advocate, and educate for as long as I can remember. The desire to do these things has not changed, but what has, is the reason why I care to pour time an attention into these activities.
I can reflect on my past and see ego ruling my world around me. As many times as I would give a thoughtful ear or make some altruistic gesture, I could count 10x the instances of behaving in a way where I sought to be validated, appreciated, and endeared.
In becoming aware of this, my mindset has shifted from doing things that make me look good, to doing things that make others look good.
Because of mentors 😇
Over the past few years, some names that carved a crucial path jump front of mind. Each as brilliant as the last in their own ways, I gradually became more prepared for the lessons each had to share.
First, finding solace in the motivations of Tony Robbins, then…
the leadership lessons of Simon Sinek,
the identity of the entrepreneur embraced by Arlene Dickenson,
the hustle of Daymond John,
the virtue of Ray Dalio’s principles,
the primitive forces Yuval Noah Harari has dedicated a lifetime to study,
the drive for human optimization and performance as tested by Peter Attia,
the observation of the mind guided under Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg,
the hacking back of our lives Nir Eyal demonstrates makes us Indistractable,
the stoic philosophies Ryan Holiday wisely advises in finding inner peace,
this chronological list of influencers (and countless in between of equal significance) is tell of the guidance I sought along my journey that gave me what I thought I needed at each checkpoint along this crucial phase of my life.
How I interpreted their messages was limited to my competence at the time.
From the striving rise to be the next Steve Jobs, to the humble placement of a monkey man living in a world much more grand than one can comprehend, this journey is only one that continues to unfold, and I am glad to have not left the seams crisp.
Because of you 🤲
Good Verbs is fuelled by parting way with egoism, and making way with value-based and data-driven decisions that stem from a growing list of principles.
It’s about living as a canvas; to clear the way for others.
It’s about doing the verb, not being the noun.
I invite you to join in on this journey as I promise it will be one that gives much more than it takes.