k_def_of_success

See also

• 4 def@success #胸怀大志 .. a framework
• burn=materialisticROTI +selfDiscipline
• adapt [naturalSelection] to environment||nature #dhost

This blogpost is about a shared[5] but often vague sentiment of 江河日下 [plateauing]. (This blogpost is therefore non-distinctive, hard to remember , despite the graphical phrases ..)
This blogpost is a serious (perhaps too serious) effort to identify a specific type of personal goals [追求] underneath that sentiment. These goals are primarily defined in terms of CC) successC i.e. measurable–n-steady progress including “batteries” of accumulation. If such a definition is inappropriate [1] then my personal goals are defined in terms of ZZ) successZ i.e. zqbx 自强不息. This blogpost should be mostly about successC.

[5] Remember the timetable in [[Midlife crisis]]?

One clarification about the definition … The antithesis of progress/accumulation/自强不息 is stagnation/decline ,  surrender, passive_acceptance, fat-n-happy… Despite my best effort, this definition is still abstract and unintuitive. The big list below helps clarify it but is not extremely effective. So we need both the definition and the list.
——- end of the lengthy definition ——–
Background: During my HibernateInSingapore phase, frequently I feel /lousy/[4] and would occasionally lament[2] that my personal growth, as defined above, has slowed down, plateaued, past the peak, 江河日下 or 下坡路.  Don’t get me wrong — I’m still pushing myself hard on absorbency, on personal improvement, on plowback,,, as I still hate wasting my precious time and energy in “cruise mode”.

As we age, hopefully some earlier domains of (personal) growth would be replaced by new domains of growth. “One door closes, another one opens.” Crucially, the progress we make are often impermanent … Imperfect batteries of accumulation.

[2] the lament is a paradox because at the same time, my family livelihood is actually improving towards a carefree ezlife. Mellowing up, letting go, loosening up, /unwinding/.. The paradox reflects the conflict between successE and successC.
[1] The two parts are actually interdependent. In more and more domains like BMI, stretch, Dram-refresh,,, I can’t make real, lasting progress. Quite often, the defining features of “burn” [materialistic gain + self-discipline ] are fundamental to both successC and successZ.

Also fundamental: my absorbency (and time) continues to be a scarce resource. 鱼与熊掌. As I shift my focus to wellness, I choose to let go and defocus on successC [localSys, coding drill, Dram-refresh ..].

One of the best analogies — A start-up, an emerging economy, a young athlete/artist/writer .. also experience the same slow-down, plateau, or apparent decline (as in Japan) after years of fast growth. Hopefully some lessons can be shared. Re A.Brooks article.

— the list of personal goals (as defined above) giving rise to the lament
[m=measurable … not always a “progress”]
[b=battery or progress]
[a=absorbency]

• [ abm] BMI .. the best type of tough goal — measurable, easy to monitor, strategic leverage. BMI is my #1 goal. I am able to keep my weight below 65, but trying hard to bring BMI to deep green zone.
• [E am] chin-up .. kinda measurable but progress is easily lost.
• [D a] stretching .. I target 1 minute/day. Real effort to maintain a few minutes a day. Not measurable .. I once had some hope of improving range of motion, but has given up completely.
• [C am] weekly workout .. frq improving towards 4. Targets are well-chosen.
• …. [C = decent effort or decent progress]
• [  abm] coding drill [D] and [C] QQx .. including Dram-refresh.. now a LGlp.
• [  am]  quant study .. not comparable to MSFM years or the earlier self-study years, but in hindsight, what’s the long-term value of MSFM? SuccessZ, successC [branding]
• [E ab] localSys .. [including Dram-refresh] no target; some effort once a while
• [D b] wider recreations .. to pre-empt boredom or loneliness in retirement (re grandpa). No target, but I try to /cultivate/ writing, music, stock-picking, workout variety. 

List above are the the ^^ improvement goals ^^. I tend to focus on “room4improvement”, subconsciously motivating myself. However, nowadays I like to focus more on the positive factors, so below is the 2nd list of personal goals (same definition).  I have done well on these celebrated goals:

• [B] dental health, memory aging, mentalPower .. reasonably well-maintained
• [C-] stress prevention/reduction/protection .. improving gradually as we mellow up (and gain introspective insight), and transition to maintenance mode.
• [C-b] family bond .. [marriage, parenting] not bad at all, improving. Fruitful (rather than wasteful) family time
• [C+b] DIY skill .. (crucial in U.S.) improving progressively
• [B-b] preparation for U.S. relocation .. (financial++) improving fundamentally
• — career, finance #the familiar domains
• [B  b] IV competitiveness .. Not growing but staying in  shape; well-maintained.
• [B+b] (long-term) career and (current) job security
• [A-bm] salary .. well-maintained, much better than feared. I now care less about exclub. By livelihood target, my salary is A++++.
• [A-bm] NAV and FullerWealth .. growing at a steady pace from strength to strength, hitting my targets
• [A m] brbr … well-maintained.
• [C bm] stock picking .. enjoyable, not tough burn. Targets are LGlp.
• [B+b] brbr recon .. improving
• [C bm] rental mgmt .. BGC improving; Cambodia excellent

The two lists have to be well-defined to be meaningful. Some other items don’t require _effort_, therefore out of scope: sexual health; heart health; work/life balance;

— [4] (A partially related topic) over short-to-medium term I have been feeling lousy, partly due to burn [absorbency] , partly due to laser, partly due to measurable progress (mostly successC)

• [z] too many movies .. either in cinema or at home… improving
• [cz] AMB .. limited _visible_ progress, but I don’t want to feel guilt or inferiority
• [cz] coding drill .. Recently, I didn’t help friends’ CIV
• [z] diet .. real achievement to maintain discipline
• [cz] BMI .. no improvement since Apr 2020, but real achievement to reverse the decline
• [cz] math coaching sessions + father/daughter bonding .. visible progress
• [c] communication channel with boy .. visible progress
• [c] new HDB .. Something important to wife. I did put in lots of serious effort.
• [c] MOETF .. the recent incremental acquisition is a key feature of recreational stock investing

[c=successC]
[z=successZ]

— Grandpa’s corrective comments.. I told grandma that compared to my cohort, I feel too fat-n-happy 沒有追求. He corrected me .. 沒有过分的追求. He is right. I still work hard towards my goals。

I also told grandpa about my feeling 懒散, 无为之道. Again, he corrected me — I’m a responsible professional, and dedicated father.

I am basically comparing with the earlier self, but things have changed in terms of priorities, vitality (energy level), career runway ..