What’s your Obsession(s)?
I’m typing this on the MTA train ride back from a hike, my first one this fall before Climate Week takes over NYC. These stories I write have become more than notes for my future self, its lately helping me declutter my mind, to create new Obsessions.
The last couple of weeks have been amazing, spending time with family and working remotely. Its given me answers I seek. Do I want to contribute to address climate change? Do I want to contribute to cancer research? Well, the answer is NO. My obsession is FREEDOM. Freedom to do what I want, when I want, how I want to, which is progressing SCIENCE.
Do I want to address climate change, NO. I want to learn science to better understand changing weather patterns, energy access for all at anytime. I want to use science to help patients with access to healthcare, I want to help patients better understand the drugs they put in their body. Innovation, software/ hardware has the potential to give us all & more. Unfortunately, it also has to the power to amplify our materialistic greed. Those with leverage in this system, like wealth, equity and obsession(s) have the power to advance science.
These 50 investments, yup what a number to have achieved, have given me leverage to build a strong foundation to pursue my obsessions. I’m sure lots have, continue to and will attempt to do something similar in this world. I mean, I don’t think theres anything authentic left in our system, maybe I haven’t experienced something sure, I think everything is a copy now in today’s times. To be clear my obsession is more like a self improvement to learn, maybe to find a way to give society what it wants at scale. I do think my obsession is connected with my instincts, not sure how as yet how. That realization was last summer towards the end of my chemo treatment, the way I managed my cancer diagnosis — treatment and remission journey without consulting 1000’s, only a few like my wife. I realized my philosophy is NEVER GIVE UP and I went with my instincts on that journey.
This might sound crazy, fun is a very big part of my journey of obsession. Trust me, I hit my lowermost point last year where the chemo treatment kicked mine and the cancer’s ass with it, regardless I had fun last year. I would carry my spotify account along with my headphones everywhere I went, jamming in public places like the hospital or in my bedroom while asleep, it simply motivated me to get back up. Fun is easier when you have likeminded people around you, who obsess with you what drives them, are bold/ brave and are not afraid to take on the system, who know how to replace greed with wealth (not the reverse).
There’s no right or wrong, good or bad, just truth or lies. That filter has worked amazingly for me on who I surround myself with, I mean I am defined by the people I surround myself with. Truth is every time I hit the gym, keep off any alcohol and build my immunity & strength, my remission journey has been smooth, when I don’t its been quarterly recovering from covid- influenza cause alcohol worsens my immunity further, suppresses it further. Truth is I do not have a filter and say it the way I see it, and that gives me peace from mind. Truth is transactional relationships do not interest me, Love does. I worked with 1 person consistently by my side last year, and the previous 6 years, he’s family now, the success we enjoyed this year has been down to a non transactional relationship. He’s always been honest with me. I learn so much everyday from folks like him around me, could be a founder/ investor, trust is the start of it. Transparency always, not the systemic bureaucracy or the red tape.
I have been repeatedly told “Venture Capital is taking & giving money to founders” I’d say on my terms: not without cultural alignment. That’s my biggest learning these last few years, applying the filter on who I take money from and who I give money to. There will be ups & downs cause its a long journey to advance science, if we can’t grab a coffee together after work for a decade or more regardless of our views, then its just not a fit.
I wish they did teach this during or after Climate Week, I mean its more than just presentations/ cocktails/ networking at dinner, right? 😀😀
Happy Climate Week, 1st day of Fall or like my Wife would say Witch Season.
