#personal growth

Doug notes that spending one's days doing what feels easiest can have consequences, and it is essential to find a balance, or the golden mean, to achieve a happy life. He references Annie Dillard and Aristotle to illustrate the importance of balance in daily life, citing the need to avoid both excess and deficiency. By finding this balance, individuals can create a better future for themselves.

Doug had his third coaching session with Annalise Lewis, where he acknowledged his undiagnosed neurodivergence and explored reframing his "scattered" attention as "inspired enquiry." He discussed the concept of "credential armour," where he seeks credentials for activities he wants to do intrinsically, and pondered questions about avoiding burnout, expressing his archetypes, and unlearning narrowing habits.

Personal reflection on avoiding "cringe" due to upbringing gives way to the realization that leaning into activities perceived as cringey, such as bird identification, can unlock personal and professional growth. Drawing on Cate Hall's concept, the note argues that existential cringe signals where the most progress can be made, and that freeing oneself from the fear of being cringe is creatively and motivationally valuable.