A fresh perspective led to a creative photoshoot at a skybridge in San Francisco
1. Be content with what you have and improve upon it. That’s my thoughts in regards to launching my blog kevinfelixchan.com. I’m somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to presentation, but blogs evolve over time so I’ll just have to tinker with it as I gain feedback and web skills. My blog is currently not custom designed nor search engine optimized, and it doesn’t have a solid theme nor does it highlight some of my other areas of interest/expertise (social media, international development, sports, leadership, lifestyle design, etc.), but it’s a start! I would love feedback!
2. Be content with where you are and focus on doing well in it. I told myself to basically shut up about wanting to try all the interesting pursuits my friends are doing (working abroad, applying to grad schools or fellowships, doing something good for the world, etc.) because I have a good opportunity already in front of me that I enjoy. However, I think it’s ok to be curious about the paths and experiences that others are pursuing.
3. Know someone not just for what they are doing or what they want to do, but also for what they have done. I had dinner with a friend I hadn’t seen in years and didn’t realize we had both completed around-the-world trips before until it came up in conversation. You may be surprised at the commonalities shared by friends beyond your immediate circle of best friends.
4. You know you had a great weekend when you say “I had a great trip too.” I had one of the best weekends ever playing tour guide to David, Julie, and Andrea in SF. It was almost like I was going on my own adventurous exploration of San Francisco.
5. Go back to places you’ve been but with a fresh perspective to diversify your creativity. It was refreshing to see the perspectives that David and Julie (both fellow photographers) brought to the places in SF that I took them to. I had been to all of the sites several times before, but the new perspective that they brought enabled me to see the creative and artistic values of each place that I had previously overlooked.
6. Take a break to appreciate the simple things in life. I hadn’t stopped to look up and appreciate all the leaves turning colors on my normal route to work until Julie and David pointed them out during the trip.
7. It’s more rewarding to buy something when you’ve financed for it. Personal finance gurus like Ramit Sethi advocate conscious spending plans via automated savings accounts divided into purchase goals, and I think that type of personal finance is not only more responsible but more rewarding. I think I will enjoy saving up to buy a DSLR a lot more than getting a good deal on the GPS I wasn’t planning to buy but bought anyway on Black Friday based off a recommendation and the discounted price.
8. Spinning situations positively makes life happier. My friend pointed out my positivity in my tweet about how I was at work on Thanksgiving and was missing Thanksgiving with family for the third time in four years, but was thankful for a job and thankful for my friend inviting me to Thanksgiving dinner.
9. Thank you Vikram for inviting me to Thanksgiving dinner! I really appreciate it.
10. How can Asian Americans best embrace “Asian American” as an identity beyond just a concept? I wrote my thoughts about this in a previous entry and I think this question requires some critical thinking and actions among our community.
11. Create (metric-based) boundaries for situations that you prefer not to tolerate. I believe in challenges that help you grow your persistence or endurance, but the lifestyle design side of me also believes that you have choices to make in life and that it’s ok to say no to something that’s not right for you. For me, I give uncomfortable circumstances three strikes before I decide that it has crossed the line and that significant change needs to be made.
12. I’m looking to take part in organizations that do good, particularly in social entrepreneurship or international development. I need to re-engage myself with global endeavors and since I’m occupied with a corporate job and community organizations, the next best thing would be to find one that’s online or periodical in involvement… something along the lines of Kiva, Wokai, Telecoms san frontieres, etc. Any recommendations?
13. Make some time to rest. I had work, conference, travel, or social engagements every weekend since October and quite frankly, I became exhausted and needed a break. People like me with optimized schedules should occasionally take a break from it all just to relax and recharge.
14. Start reflecting on your goals for next year. December will pass by faster than you know it, and if serious improvement goals are to be made, it’s time to use this upcoming month to analyze your life and lifestyle and make relevant goals so that you’re ready to tackle them starting in January 2010 (as opposed to making spontaneous goals on New Years that are not well thought out in purpose, commitment, and execution).
15. Finally, I will leave you with a good article for recent college grads that I came across from my friend about enjoying life.
2. I think I’ve started to fall helpless to the same symptoms. I agree with you here. I’m always trying to take on new and exciting things, partially for its novelty but it starts getting overwhelming. Maybe I just want more than science and photography (working on the videos but I think that’s an extension of photography)
4. I wanted to say thanks again for such an awesome week. I know we were on the go the whole weekend but I hope it was relaxing enough compared to your usually “optimized” routine. Btw, Julie and I should come visit in the spring. Just throwing it out there =)
5. From a photographer’s perspective, I seem to encounter this frequently. For example, I find myself going back to visit Huntington Library (it just so happens that it’s with a different girl each time) a lot. I’m always thinking, “how can I make this shoot different?” Granted, I think my photography has definitely evolved since last year and Tiffany’s first shoot but I think one of the keys to a fresh perspective is the people you go with =) It’s something I’m starting to investigate and I’m starting to allow the personalities of the people I’m with to dictate the types of shots I take rather than the other way around.
6. Right on brother. Those seldom instances I do take pause to appreciate my surroundings are refreshing whether it’s on the way to work or walking around the Cedar’s campus.
7. I can’t say too much here since I’m a bit guilty for impulse buying. But I will add that, as an extension of your philosophy, it’s also rewarding to buy something when you’ve felt that you’ve earned it and put sufficient effort in what you’re doing i.e. baby bear to mama bear to papa bear (over the course of two years)
14. I agree with you here. Maybe not as travel intensive as your schedule but juxtaposing science and photography has worn me out. I think ever since mid-October and my trip to Disneyland with Nancy, I’ve been shooting nonstop every weekend with the exception of one weekend. Not to mention videos on top of shooting. I think I need a break, phew…. at least until you come back =) Btw, we have to start planning that day soon. Another 2 South reunion/video???
15. We’ve been out for a while now but it’s still a pleasant article to read. I’m glad I discovered this notion prior to reading the article. It’s about the journey, not the destination =P
As always KFC, I look forward to these 15 lessons every month. Keep writing them because you’ll always have readers. See you in a week (or two?)