A higher-up is someone higher up than you in a company. They could range from a (senior) vice-president, program manager, managing director, or a c-suite executive (CEO, CIO, CTO, etc.) Even your direct manager is a higher-up, but for this blog, think >2 levels up. Why > two levels up? Because when you start your career, depending on your goals, you'll want to climb the ladder at some point to see how far you can go. If you hear of promotions, this is such. To ascend the ladder, you'll want to find people who are where you want to be, most of whom are higher-ups. They've done the work, they're making bank, and it's now your chance to learn from them. Why do you like reaching out to higher-ups? #1 - Higher-ups make for good mentors Many people at the upper echelons of their careers acknowledge that they had support from their network and mentors, creating a repetitive cycle of paying it forward. Thus, it would make spiritual sense to pay it forward to someone in need and eager to learn. Even if they don't mentor you per se' because of what's on their plate, they're happy to occasionally catch up to check in with you and ensure you're doing okay. One of the superiors at my company said something I like: "Titus, thanks for stopping by; it's always great getting to know you. Now my schedule is all mixed up and my calendar is crazy these days, but if you find me at a hallway and have something burning to say, just ask for a quick five-minutes to listen through. Or you can have my secretary throw something on my calendar for next month." They care and are happy to see you grow. Best case you make it in life - they'll be glad to have been part of your journey. #2 - They see opportunities you don't Depending on how well the senior knows you, they can keep you in mind for fitting opportunities that come their way. The more you converse with them, the more they'll know your interests, strengths, and capabilities. If that opportunity comes up by happenstance and you fit it, they'll let you know. Similarly, if you're looking for something that's not within their parameters, they can then refer you to their network. Part of it has some self-interest, of course (since everyone wants the best talent on their team). Still, it becomes a trifecta win-win situation - the higher-up gets a capable person under them, the team has yet another competent member, and you get a better opportunity. #3 - They have a plethora of experience you can borrow Some of the higher-ups I've talked to have been in their jobs for over a decade; others have had theirs for 26+ years, and they like it. Some are industrial experts in their game; others are highly sought-after speakers during conferences. By scheduling 30 minutes with them, I can condense 20+ years of experience into half an hour. Sure. They can't tell you everything in that span, but they'll give you the highlights to consider in accelerating your career. All the better reason to approach these meetings with carefully drafted questions that you'd like answers to, else they'll see it as a waste of time. Plus no guarantees that you'll get another chance with them. Once you establish camaraderie with them, you can then meet them during other times (e.g., outside work, during events) to continuously learn from them. Since I like talking to people who are where I want to be, chatting with them is a good precursor for what "up there" feels like. And since they won't tell me everything, I'll have to figure out the rest of the dirty work myself. They have varied perspectives They think differently. They've experienced a lot. I like to see how they think because that provides insight into what they do, what they've been through, what's at stake, and how that's evolved over the years. How Peter, some VP, thinks now is vastly different from how he did 20 years ago as an associate. By knowing how they think, I can also position myself on how to interact with similar people with that mindset. This is more like prep work for tolerating divergent schools of thought and perspectives at work. How do you approach your higher-ups? With courtesy, genuineness, and curiosity. Courtesy - Being humble and acknowledging that you're in front of someone who has achieved a lot in the firm is akin to knowing your place. That should put things into perspective. Genuineness - Being real and authentically yourself, hiding no ulterior motives (e.g., looking for a promotion and such.) Curiosity - There is much to learn from someone who has achieved a lot career-wise. Grab a pen, paper, and an open mind to soak it in. A mentor recently told me, "Complement and ask," so I'll twist it to "Complement genuinely and ask." So if I meet a higher-up, it would look something like this: "Hi Sir/Ma'am, I genuinely appreciate your leadership and the results you've brought to the engineering team this quarter. I was wondering if I could schedule 30 minutes with you next month to learn more from you." Many of them are happy to meet with juniors and disseminate their wisdom. Sometimes, during their busy schedule, you conversing with them is a breather in between projects. You don't know if you don't ask, so shoot your shot. The worst case is they could say no because they don't have the time. What are some good questions to ask? Depends on what you're looking for, but for purposes of career growth, I like to ask the following questions: What are some ways I can contribute to the company? Seniors have different perspectives on how employees can increase their value to the company and themselves, so asking this question to different execs can give you a scope of where the company is and the direction it will take. By asking different superiors this question, you can connect the dots from the answers you get and follow up with similar insights you heard from them. "Thanks for mentioning this. I was talking to manager Y who suggested this, and I thought both of your insights make sense because they touch on this. What do you think?" From what I've seen, you impress these higher-ups with your initiative and networking ability, so not only will they share more, but they could also recommend you to other colleagues within their network to learn from. Before you know it, you know four higher-ups at the price of two. If you could talk to your 23-year-old self today, what would you tell them? This is probably the most interesting question I could ask anybody - it presents some of the most interesting answers I've ever heard. The people I could talk to lie between ages 35-68; the older they get, the deeper the answer. By asking this question, I get profound one-liners that, at times, help me rethink life. I asked this question to an ex-CEO and a major general, both retired and in their early and late sixties, respectively. "Don't take yourself so seriously." The CEO said. "I would mortgage a duplex, triplex, or quadruplex, live in one room, and rent the others. That would pay my mortgage and build home equity." Said the army general (pretty much househacking.) If it were a peer mentor a few steps ahead of me (3-5 years), I'd ask them a variation of the question. "What would you tell yourself if you could go back five years now?" "Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently in your senior year of college?" They haven't lived it out yet, but that's a good enough timeframe to provide some critical answers. Neats out a good perspective in mind. Asking the good questions - works like a charm. 😉 Did you ever imagine being where you currently are today? Another good one. Most of them will say no - they did not. Those who did probably worked their lights off to get it. For those who did not, they certainly had a mid-career realization that they could make it big in a different industry elsewhere - think of a career pivot like from construction to tech or nonprofits to consulting. So they probably sought an advanced degree (usually an MBA) and worked up the ranks in a few companies that gave them a chance before settling on where they are today. Many higher-ups barely imagined themselves being at their current point today, so they have a mix of hard work, lessons, realizations, grit, determination, and circumstances that all propelled them to their current situation. This question should also elicit unique answers. Do you have mentors you look up to? Another good question. As previously mentioned, your higher-ups most likely have a dependable support system from inside and outside the company, plus influences from their personal lives. They share their stories with them, some of the best advice ever received, and perhaps connect you with them...if you want. Conclusion Go for it. Shoot your shot - you may be surprised. They may or may not remember you, but if you authentically maintain the relationship with them and demonstrate your enthusiasm towards keeping it, they'll remember you for a minute and appreciate your audacity. Education is eternal, and to learn it from career veterans can propel your career a hundredfold in half the time. And best of all, one day, you'll be at that point where someone looks up to you - then you'll know. Peace, . . . ~T.K.K

A mental note to self to focus on learning this year because I'm not there yet. Reality checks I must learn. I'm not there yet. I don't know a lot. I have a long way to go. I don't know everything. There is a lot for me to learn. I'm not at an end-all-be-all state. I'm not where I want to be at yet. There is a lot that I indeed don't know. Times are changing - I can't stay stagnant. I probably won't know everything forever. I'm no longer a student in school, but I am forever a student of life. I must learn if I'm to stay relevant to the times and self-actualize myself. I shouldn't be entitled as a college grad making real money for the first time. As a recent college grad, you aren't entitled to it all. Making more money than in your undergrad doesn't imply that you've made it yet. I have a predestined destination that I want to reach, and to get there, I must learn all there is to it. Mantras Learning is an underrated superpower. We start out of necessity and then gravitate towards luxury. We all start somewhere; small beginnings are pivotal to our greater success. I must know my place always: In my job, my relationships, within myself, and with God. For now, I must know where exactly I want to go within X years, and so far, I have an idea of that. 2025 or sooner (Fall 2024) will be a season of execution - executing on what I've learned. No guarantees, of course - we'll see when we get there. Until then, I must learn. Peace, . . . ~T.K.K

What's it like to know a lot of things and be really good at them, but specialize in none? Imagine what it would be like to know everything...or pretty much many things. Imagine being so well-versed across vast domains that it's easy for you to not only hold a conversation but also show your prowess and understanding in it. Concurrently, imagine existing amongst people who are so good at one thing and go all in on it, leaving you questioning your niche. Sometimes, I feel that way. I'm a Generalist. Define "Generalist" A Generalist is simply a versatile person knowledgeable in many fields. What's interesting about a generalist is their breadth of knowledge in these fields; though a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none, the generalist knows a lot more than the average Joe. So...not that I just realized that I'm a generalist, but rather accepted myself as one. How did it feel growing up as a generalist? Interesting, to say the least. I've always had this intrinsic sense that I'm interested in many things, and this psyche originates from my early days...say Class 2 (2nd grade) when I was seven. Math, Science, History, Social Studies, Geography, Physics, Biology - I loved them all. What's more interesting is that I didn't quite feel 'mentally settled' in a class since some of my knowledge surpassed it, and the rest only caught on a decade later when others knew what I knew. I credited this mindset to the early conversations I had with my Dad on our way to school, plus the broad exposure to many subjects at a young age. Those were perhaps the formative years of my generalist self to be. Generalist or Polymath? I wouldn't consider myself a polymath yet, though, I'd be humbled if I was considered one. Essentially, the difference between a polymath and a generalist is the depth; while the generalist knows, a polymath knows, does, and contributes. Plus, a polymath doesn't contribute for contribution's sake, but rather to make significant, impactful contributions that potentially revolutionize the entire field. Generalist x Depth = Polymath Leo da Vinci, for instance, is a classical polymath in the fields of art, architecture, and literature. Another would be Galileo Galilei, a polymath in physics and astronomy. Some modern-day polymaths would include Elon Musk, a mega-entrepreneur, investor, and engineer, and Mark Cuban, also an entrepreneur, Shark Tank investor, and media mogul. I wouldn't consider myself a polymath yet because I can't determine my domain depth of expertise to qualify me as so. Like, I know a lot (and I know I know a lot - perhaps why I'm a generalist for the time being), but I don't know how much "a lot" is enough to classify myself as a polymath. Furthermore, a polymath contributes to these fields; a generalist needn't; I have yet to contribute to these domains, and only God knows the humongous effort it takes to do so. Good thing I don't mind any of that. Again, you'll be the judge of that. Until then, I'm happy to be a Renaissance Man, though. 🤗 What would you say are the pros and cons of being a Generalist? Let's start here: We can't change who we innately are, so we all come with our gifts and our shortcomings, though it's our gifts that we use to make meaning of ourselves in this world. The same applies to being a Generalist - it has its blessings and its not-so-blessings. Pros You're gifted (or at least knowledgeable) in a lot of fields, obviously. You possess several attributes that build up your character: creativity, curiosity, and open-mindedness, to mention a few. You're an innate problem-solver; you love to solve problems with your creative acumen and your interdisciplinary approach. I call this crossdimensional problem-solving. You're agile. Agility can be quite useful in your career, especially when you want to pivot between fields, e.g., from human services to tech to education to consulting. As Indeed puts it, you have an array of transferrable skills that cut across multiple jobs. Cons You're in the shadow of the specialist. A Specialist is so good at one thing (two at most) that they make up for their weaknesses by being ultra-world-class in it, gaining most, if not all, of the limelight. Like, you probably won't want to take financial advice from Cristiano Ronaldo. Subpoint: Generalists are likelier to be the behind-the-scenes person to a Specialist. I've been there - a #2 or #3 in places where I could (and should) have been a #1. Generalists are not (and might possibly never be) as super knowledgeable in one specific domain as Specialists. If a Generalist is in the top 5%-20% of a field, rest assured the Specialist is in the top 0.05%-1% of the same field. Career-wise, Specialists get paid more than Generalists because the higher (and often more pressing) job roles require solid expertise to thrive. Thus, in a high-stakes job, a Specialist is preferred due to their assuredness in delivering as opposed to the Generalist. Jack of all trades, master of none, is an actual depiction of a Generalist. How do you like it so far? I like it a lot, not gonna lie. I like the sensation of always learning new things and satisfying my curiosity about them. By my standards, unless I put my heart into it, I wouldn't yet consider myself a subject matter expert in the topics I'm talking about, and I'm readily happy to admit so whenever I opine on something. What's interesting, however, is that others praise me for my expertise. Many say that they've either learned something new or considered a perspective they never considered before, and that humbles me. I will attribute that to two things: My self-awareness to admit that I know a topic to an extent- the Dunning-Krueger effect. I will do my best to candidly explain something from a first-hand perspective. In other words, if I've done something and others ask me about it, I'll first explain what the thing is, then exactly how I did it, and lastly, valid takeaways from it. Understand that I'm not selling myself short nor underselling myself here - no. Rather, I'm being consciously self-aware and keenly sharing what I learn unless I'm 1,000% confident I'm an SME, in which case I'll let you know. I'll do what needs doing and teach what needs teaching; I'll let you be the judge of that. How is it helping you in your career? A lot. My skills are not only cross-sectional but also highly transferable, as I can apply them in multiple settings. For instance, if my team needs help with database analysis and I'm the only one with that experience, then I can gladly help them out with whatever sorting is needed. If my group is making a presentation and they need a video, and I'm the only one with such skills, then I can create a video that adds depth to the presentation. Being a Generalist also encourages my career prospects because I can seamlessly play in different fields. For instance, I remember before I got my current job, when I was considering anywhere for a job; I had prospects in tech, finance, business, and consulting, and finance took the day. As aforementioned, I can decode my hard skills into soft skills. If I have hard skills in coding, computational math, and team leadership, I can correspond them to soft skills such as rational thought, attention to detail, and communication. So long as I can clearly show (and not just tell) these trajectories, then I can cut it in any field I delve into. How is being a Generalist helping you build Carerra's Chronicles? This is the best part. :) For six years now, Carerra's Chronicles has been my brainchild where I share my ideas and learnings. The only problem was (which now isn't) that I couldn't specialize on what to talk about. Again, we're in a Specialist's economy, and that's a good thing - you need extreme A-gamers to make the world go round. On the flip side, Generalists aren't super niche, so it can be hard to stand out. When building Carerra's Chronicles, I could specialize in topics I'm fervently interested in, if I wanted - leadership and personal development. The only problem is that I would be limiting myself to what could be. One moment, I'm ideating on why technology leadership is important today, and the next could be me dissecting my favorite Alex Hormozi quotes. One minute, I'm exploring the NFT-AI intersect, and the next, I'm imagining a unified Goldman Sachs-JPMorgan transactional blockchain. I don't want to miss out on what else could interest me, and that bothered me for a long time. A serial blogger would reprimand me for this (that is, after they read this article), but my settling on the fact that I am indeed a Generalist is liberating in itself. I now find satisfaction in knowing that I have diversified interests, and I can thus share my insights on them. And, in the meantime, that's what Carerra's Chronicles is all about. Role Modelz: Sahil Bloom & Ali Abdaal I like the examples set by Sahil Bloom and Ali Abdaal. Ali started as a medical student at Cambridge University to become a doctor, which he eventually became. Over time, he shared his academic study tips and guides on acing med-school tests, but as his YouTube channel grew during the pandemic, he sought to diversify his interests. Ali would then go on to become the world's leading productivity expert as he shares advice on how to be more productive in your daily doings. Through his YouTube channel, Ali is more than a productivity expert - he does tech reviews, book summaries, finance and investment tips, and life lessons learned along the way. He is also an avid podcaster as he hosts Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal where he interviews successful people to learn their strategies towards success. Finally, Ali also hosts the Part-Time YouTuber Academy (PTYA) where he teaches aspiring YouTubers to kickstart their channels and grow their niches on the platform. Needless to say, Ali is a Generalist (and probably a Polymath) in his own right. Sahil Bloom would be another person I can consider a Generalist. Currently an investor, entrepreneur, and creator, Sahil is one who likes exploring his curiosity and sharing his knowledge with the world. Interestingly enough, he started out as a baseball pitcher in his Stanford Baseball Team (I'd assume he still plays today.) He also had the privilege of being a mentee of Tim Cook, the current Apple CEO. Sahil has extensive leadership experience, having served as a board member in four companies and the current Vice President of Altamont Capital Partners. Sahil is also an educator whose mission is to demystify financial concepts and make them available to everyone. He believes that the current financial education system is set up to protect insiders, creating structural inequalities. This is why he is mostly pervasive on X where he mostly educates the masses on his learnings. He is one to condense complex financial information into understandable and digestible tidbits. Sahil would be considered a generalist in the sense that not only are his interests diversified, but he is excelling at them - finance, venture capitalism, investing, education, content creation, and leadership. He crafts his brand around these subjects and leverages that to share his ideas and inspire the world that way. By these criteria, I feel like I relate well enough to both Ali and Sahil. Any advice to other Generalists? Honestly, just be yourself. It's an interesting spot to be in because the world is radically advancing daily, creating room for specialists to thrive in. However, when you think about it, you as a Generalist are in a good spot too. Hypothetically imagine that if a specialist is in the top 0.01% of experts in doing something, consider yourself in the top 5% of the same category (or 20% at worst.) I also learned that it's good to be a 'specialized generalist' as per Tim Ferriss. By this, you have an advantage in choosing two distinct fields you're interested in, finding the intersection, and capitalizing on it. Think: Computer Science and Law to be a Legal Tech Consultant Biological Research and Art to be a Medical Illustrator Mathematics and Music to be a Music Data Analyst And so many more. What's more interesting is that a Generalist is one to thrive (and survive) in the upcoming digital renaissance because of the need for interdimensional problem-solving. Like, the world will evolve so rapidly that not only will one need field knowledge in different domains to connect the dots, but also hone the adaptability needed to navigate uncertainty as per HBR. In the upcoming digital economy, one will need massive skills to sustain oneself through the ever-evolving economy - a testament to why self-education remains a must-have today. I'll leave you with some additional videos for reference, but yeah, being a Generalist is a good position to be in, so kick it! How Generalists Win in the Information Age - Till Musshoff Generalist vs Specialist: Which is Better? - Freethink Become a Digital Renaissance Man (And Join The New Rich) - Dan Koe Conclusion Now that that's out of the way, I'm finally happy to be a generalist. I'll hold on to my generalist ideals and use that to tune Carerra's Chronicles. If I'm to specialize in anything, it's to specialize in generalism or weirdly specializing in as many things as possible. It may be unreasonable to some extent, but it won't stop me from sharing what I learn in all that I learn. Other than that we'll see how things emanate he has to come from this decision. Cheers to all the generalists in this world; the best times are yet to come. 🥂💯 . . . ~T.K.K

You don't know what a mentor has been through. Appreciate them while you can. In this day and age, having a mentor is crucial for one's personal and professional development. A mentor guides you by advising you, relaying their experiences, and providing options for the mentee's growth. And on the other hand, a mentee enacts the provided advice (within reason) and does what they can to avoid the mentor's mistakes and misgivings. One thing that many mentees overlook, however, is the actual collection of failed life experiences a mentor has gone through. A mentor has probably made some mistakes, most of which the mentee wasn't present to see. See, a mentor is happy to pay it forward because: It's personally enriching to impact someone else's life. It's naturally built in them to pay it forward. To some extent, they don't want others to experience what they've been through. This may (not) happen. The sweetness of providing first-hand insights is unbeatable; a mentor is primarily a "directly from the source" kind of person. What's interesting about a mentor's crucifixion is that a mentor could be going through something right now that you may (not) know about, and even if you do, don't know how to help. If you do, great, but if not, don't sweat it. It hits different knowing that your mentor is openly suffering and in the middle of something, and there is merely nothing you can do to help since, after all, you're inexperienced. The best thing you can do is to learn. What's even more valiant is their dedication to the relationship nonetheless and their commitment towards enacting your growth; that is not only commendable but also rare. As a mentee, here's what you can do: Take their advice seriously. If a mentor is still fulfilling their parental mandate despite their current ongoings, take their advice seriously because it comes from the heart. It also dictates their commitment to the relationship. Appreciate the time they have. Even 30 minutes with them is a bargain. Reassurance. Remind them that they're doing a splendid job in whatever they are doing. Remind them, especially about their positive impact on your life, and let them know that you appreciate their investment in the relationship. If you're religious, pray for them that they may willfully traverse whatever they're going through. Be the best mentee possible. That's how they know their energy in the relationship is paying off. To all the mentors around the world doing the most, thank you. Sincerely, . . . ~T.K.K

Generative AI trains you to ask the good questions. If you've avidly used ChatGPT and co the past year, you might have noticed something. Generative AI trains you to ask the good questions. No one does that for you; you must learn to ask the good questions to get what you want from GenAI. It explains the classical concept of GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out. What you give AI is what you get, so the quality of an answer you get from ChatGPT reflects the quality of the question received. This phenomenon explains the magic in the prompts; the more specific your prompts are, the more you get what you want out of them, and the converse holds true too. And this translates to real life - Asking the good questions: in class, at work, in your ventures, etc. "Asking the right questions is as important as answering them." ~Benoit Mandelbrot. Another testament to why AI won't take your job - someone who knows how to use AI will. Curious to hear your thoughts on this. . . . ~T.K.K

Central Bank Digital Currencies: what are they? What is a CBDC? A Central Bank Digital Currency is a digital replica of a country's currency issued by the central bank. Unlike cryptos, CBDCs have the government's backing because the government produces them and can be used for daily transactions. CBDC = Digital Fiat CBDCs combine traditional money with digital transactions. While they're still in their premature stages, they have the potential to revolutionize the entire monetary ecosystem alongside blockchain. Also, unlike cryptos, you can't trade a CBDC - it's not profitable; this would only be possible if and when the forex market starts entertaining multiple CBDCs across their exchanges. The CBDC's Purpose A CBDC's uses are similar to its paper counterpart: making payments, storing money (in a digital wallet), investing, and accessing government services. According to the White House, a US CBDC should: Boost economic growth Facilitate efficient and low-cost transitions Support the continued centrality of the U.S. within the international fiscal system and Foster greater access to the financial system for people across all economic spectrums and CBDCs also reduce the risk associated with cryptocurrencies simply because of the federal government's backing. They would also provide financial inclusivity to those without banking mechanisms, i.e., those still using money orders and mail. The CBDC Chronology The earliest sign of a CBDC dates back to 1974 when Swedish economist David Langefors proposed one. And while the concept of digital currencies has existed since then, digital currencies have rapidly generated steam in the last five years. And interestingly enough, more countries are developing them as others have already implemented them. By the numbers As of June 2023, there are over 100 countries actively conducting CBDC research. By June 2023, 130 countries (98% of the world's GDP) are exploring a CBDC - an uptick from May 2020 when only 35 countries were doing it. 79 countries are in an advanced exploration phase - developmental, pilot, or launch. 11 countries have a fully-fledged digital currency: The Bahamas, China, Nigeria, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vicent and the Grenadines, and Ukraine. What's the big deal if the U.S. launches a CBDC? Being the superpower that it is and holding the global reserve currency, the U.S. would bring considerable attention to the CBDC space if it digitizes the U.S. Dollar. Massive adoption - A U.S. CBDC would be monumental in the global adoption of other CBDCs since the U.S. commands the global economy. Interestingly, a US CBDC itself would be catalyzed by the emergence of the Digital Renminbi. Bank disintermediation - Just like blockchain, a U.S. CBDC would threaten the banks' role of money storage. As quoted from Crowdfund Insider, "Why hold your money at a bank when you can park it directly on the Fed's Balance Sheet?" The same applies to local and international banks where you store your money. Competition with cryptos. As 4% of 65+-year-olds openly adopt crypto, a U.S. CBDC provides a safer alternative for the majority of the same demographic who want to transact digitally but not through Bitcoin or Dogecoin. Crypto adoption. Adopting a U.S. CBDC would escalate global crypto adoption as both are digital coins, and the public wants various transaction choices. Pros and Cons Pros Improved security. CBDCs have cryptographic techniques that make hacking, penetrating, or counterfeiting much harder. This also reduces the risks of fraud thanks to preconceived security considerations. Financial inclusion. CBDCs can reach traditionally underbanked folks through digital wallets. For instance, 33% of the Nigerian population doesn't have a bank account. Reduced transaction costs. Like blockchain, CBDCs can reduce the costs associated with traditional payment methods, such as bank transfers, withdrawals, and credit card payments, while also eliminating the middleman in some cases. According to the World Bank, remittance costs are currently 6.20% per transaction. Economic Stimulus. CBDCs can catalyze the economy through rapid stimulus so that central banks can send funds quicker to citizens during financial crises like during COVID. Enhanced efficiency and payment speed. One can use CBDCs to make instant payments regardless of people's localities. This is a faster way to transact goods and services both locally and globally. One question that is not answered by the paper is what is the value of a CBDC, and does technology already exist that can capture the desired benefits now? ~Crowdfund Insider Cons Financial exclusion. Funny when you think about a pro being a con, but in this case, it may be out of reach for those without internet access or a mobile phone. Privacy concerns. In increased government surveillance, central banks would have access to your transaction data and spending courtesy of a CBDC. Cybersecurity risks. Because a CBDC is a digital currency, it opens yet another avenue for cyberwars and unethical hacking. Monetary policy balancing. The Central Bank must balance the CBDC supply and public demand to avoid economic disruption or monetary shock. CBDCs can offer extensive benefits as seen, but it's also best to assess their risks before considering further implementation. My thoughts I think CBDCs are a tech worth watching. It makes sense that governments all over are taking on digital payments and services - 'twas about time they joined the bandwagon. My only worry is privacy concerns; for instance, imagine the government continuously monitoring your bank account, watching it 24-7, and all the transactions that go through. Assuming you broke the law (please don't) or evaded taxes, you could incur a freeze on your accounts and assets. From a social standpoint, people might not fancy government surveillance over their finances, hence the switch to crypto, which the government is also trying to break into. I suppose there will be a lot of conflict in digital payment preferences, so probably the government would have to reassure its citizens of their respect and right to privacy over their finances. Additionally, cyberwars could evolve to become more creative. If they're stealing from banks right now, what's not to say they won't devise new ways to conquer CBDCs? Conversely, CBDCs could also ease some processes like taxes. I imagine that since the government has e-records of your income, they can then file your taxes for free without you having to do them or meet a tax professional, threatening the existence of some occupations. Also, this oversight would highly reduce money-related illegalities - if you know you acquired your money legally (e.g., not doing drugs, trafficking, etc.), then you have nothing to worry about. Exciting times and innovations today, but we'll see more moving forward. Conclusion CBDCs are revolutionizing how we see money and banking. From payment transactions to storing value, they are revolutionizing finance as we know it. It remains to be seen how widely CBDCs will be adopted globally. Striking the balance between convenience, privacy, and security is crucial to focus on during these assessment and implementation stages. Adopting CBDCs and digital currencies is essential for creating a more digitized world, and as with every new tech, we must proceed with caution and ensure it's implemented in a way that best serves humanity. Until then, there's a lot left to see about this space. References What Is a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)? (investopedia.com) Technical Possibilities for a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency | OSTP | The White House D-Cash - Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (eccb-centralbank.org) DCash launched as Digital currency and Legal Tender in the Caribbean – Citizenship by Investment Journal Central Bank Digital Currency Global Interoperability Principles | World Economic Forum (weforum.org) The Ascent of CBDCs (imf.org) Central Bank Digital Currency Tracker - Atlantic Council A Wide Range Of Outcomes: U.S. Federal Reserve Paper Researches Impact Of CBDCs On Financial System | Crowdfund Insider Central bank digital currencies for cross-border payments (bis.org) Adoption of Cryptocurrency in the U.S. (banklesstimes.com) What are Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org) The Rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Impacts on the Crypto Market (financemagnates.com) China Is Doubling Down on its Digital Currency - Foreign Policy Research Institute (fpri.org)

My Communication Greatly Improved What happened in the last month alone: Threads, Twitter's supposed killer, came to life. Meta saw 10 million users sign up in seven hours and 100 million in five days. (Read more here.) Elon challenged Mark after Musk freed the bird.s which I highly doubt will happen - Why would billionaires do this? Twitter changed to X after Musk freed the bird. Speaking of X, Elon knew all along. Up to you if you want to join Threads. Anyway, here's how I've grown over a month of consistent online writing: I communicate better I noticed that my communication improved in all three aspects: verbally, nonverbally, and written cues. I now communicate clearer and more succinctly. Improving my communication was (and still is) a big deal for me. I noticed that I sometimes lose my train of thought, which then translates into nonsensical words, and before I know it, I've spoken more than I need to, half of which makes zero sense. Les Brown would probably be proud of me. My main communication goal is to get my message across in as few words as possible while hammering home the main point - 'saying more with less,' if you may. While I still have a long way to go, I'm generally happy with the improvement. Any metrics to show for it? Not really...at least not for any hard numbers. The only metric is intrinsic; I know this because I've yearned for the feeling, always imagining how it feels when my communication improves. Extrinsically, I can tell from others when they understand my point - they mostly agree with me. Not to say that all my ideas are necessarily correct, but if I can clearly articulate my reasoning, others either agreeing or responding vindicates my articulation. Perhaps for some hard numbers, my coherence, flow of ideas, articulation, and even vocabulary have developed...if my Grammarly insights are anything to go by. I relate more to my role models I realized that from how I communicate, I resonate more with my role models because they, too, speak similarly. I admire the likes of Alex Hormozi, Ali Abdaal, Nicholas Cole, Vusi Thembekwayo, and Shade Zahrai et al., whose content I appreciate and how they articulate it. With how they are going with their lives, running their businesses, and communicating as they are, I believe I, too, am on the same path to success. Now for my take, which is a hot one, by the way. Hot Take: X > Threads After a month of exploring Threads and reliving Twitter (now X), there isn't much fundamental difference between them. In terms of their user interfaces (UIs), X still leads here, and for the obvious reasons: Twitter (or X) has 237.8 million daily users, whereas Threads' daily active user base fell 82% to eight million users using it daily. Twitter is best suited if you want to connect with a large audience. You can log into X on the desktop or the mobile app. Threads is still limited to an app. You can sign into X with an email, phone number, and Google or Apple account, but you can't sign into Threads without an Instagram account. X has many features and a subscription plan for more visibility. Threads has limited features and no subscription model - hashtags aren't even a thing yet. X has ads; Threads doesn't. This could go either way with personal preference, though advertisers and big brands would choose the former over the latter. X is a juggernaut in the instant-replying social media ecosystem, which motivated Threads to become a thing. Threads, however, started on hype which died down after two weeks. Again, optional on which platform you want to use. Conclusion I'm glad I'm back into online writing, courtesy of Threads, which also made me return to X. I think it will take a while before I return to Quora and Medium, but for whatever it's worth, the momentum is there. I currently don't have any expectations with my X-Threads writing - at least not for now - but I am optimistic that it will help build my brand online from the social media standpoint: that, and more personal improvement, as mentioned above. . . . ~T.K.K

Continuous Improvement: The Core Essence of the Japanese Kaizen Philosophy Kaizen Definition The Kaizen Philosophy, originally from Japan, highlights the importance of continuous improvement in all aspects of life by making small, incremental changes to achieve significant progress over time. Kaizen is the brainchild of Masaaki Imai (1930 - 2023), a Japanese management expert who believed that long-term success was possible through minor, constant improvements in all facets of life, including work, personal character, and organizational culture. Kaizen is also critical in the Toyota Production System, which explains the company's lean approach to continuous developments in its fleet production. Kaizen's primary focus is process improvement - analyzing each step in accomplishing a goal while identifying growth areas. It's the small tweaks that generate massive growth, vindicating Kaizen as a beacon of powerful transformation. "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out." ~Robert Collier Kaizen isn't all just about business - one can apply it anywhere, from personal productivity to business operations. Either way, long-term success is guaranteed. With a Kaizen mantra, problems are nothing more than opportunities for advancement, hence another embodiment of the growth mindset. Change is gradual, whether big or small, fast or slow. The underlying constant is to "always progress, never regress." Kaizen also emphasizes teamwork and collaboration in achieving a common goal, with everyone growing professionally and personally in the process. The small, incremental changes, whether in a group or out of it, create the most sustainable progress, helping you build momentum while sticking to the process. Principles of Kaizen Kaizen Mindset: Adopting a mindset that embraces change and growth. It is being proactive and open-minded towards improvements, regardless of scale. Continuous Improvement: Kaizen aims for ongoing enhancements in every area of life, from the workplace to personal development, fostering an environment of perpetual growth and innovation. Respect for People: Kaizen values every individual's contribution to the improvement process. It involves all employees, recognizes their insights, and empowers them to contribute to change. Standardization: Establishing standard processes helps measure the effectiveness of improvements and creates a foundation for further advancements. Elimination of Waste: Kaizen eliminates wasteful practices and processes, streamlining operations and optimizing resources. Examples of Kaizen Applications Kaizen in the workplace Identifying, automating, or streamlining repetitive tasks for efficiency purposes. Regular training and skill development to empower employees to adapt to evolving challenges and contribute to the improvement process. Kaizen is also a utilized competitive strategy in many successful companies today. If you do not improve and grow individually or as a company, you will eventually fall behind. Fostering a culture of constant adaptation, learning, and innovation to stay with the trends. Kaizen in your personal life Creating a weekly cleaning schedule at home to keep your place organized and tidy. Starting a budget to track your finances. Walking everyday for 30 minutes to improve your fitness. Learning a new language to engage with a new culture. Reading a few pages of a book daily to gain intellectual breadth. Meditating for five minutes to cultivate mindfulness and living in the present. Goal Setting: Breaking down large goals into smaller chunks and celebrating progress along the way. Mindful Reflection: Regularly reviewing your actions and outcomes to identify potential areas of improvement and adapt accordingly. It's all in the habits - adopting small, positive changes into our daily routines. How to apply Kaizen in any aspect of your life Identify a potential area of improvement. There will always be gaps in our lives - identify the ones worth filling. Break down the area into smaller, manageable tasks. Trying to achieve massive, instantaneous goals is severely unrealistic - break the goal into bite-sized tasks accomplishable in shorter timeframes. Plan on how to improve each task. Until the ultimate and most straightforward way to complete a task is reached, there is always a way to improve the process more efficiently. Execute your plan and track your progress. Once the plan is in place, execute, then mark your performance from the start, through midway, and to the finish. Adjust if needed. Depending on the scenario, make the necessary adjustments - it could be in your goal, timelines, or even methodologies. Benefits of Kaizen Improved productivity: Your input/output ratio improves, and you get more essential stuff done. Increased efficiency: You articulate processes better and achieve more with less effort and time. Enhanced product quality: You can better identify and correct defects in your products because you're constantly tweaking them. Increased customer satisfaction because they receive better products from the above. Improved morale: Employees feel like they own the improvement process, making them proud of their work and thus wanting to contribute more. “Never stop investing. Never stop improving. Never stop doing something new. Make it your goal to be better each and every day, in some small way.” ~Bob Parsons. Carerra's Take I like the Kaizen Philosophy a lot, and it was not until I recently learned its name that I realized I've been practicing it for a while now. My main Kaizen application was (and still is) in building Carerra's Chronicles - my thought wagon - and how I did it is as follows: I first analyzed the website and noted many things to be done - front-end design, layers, mobile outlook, etc. Next, I realistically concluded that the website couldn't be finished in weeks - it would probably take months at the worst case. Third, I divided the workload into small, workable bits, then attacked each every last hour of the day. Through these workable bits, I can tweak them in a never-ending, always-developing process. No sooner than later, the website that took me four years in school (which remained unfinished, by the way), I completed it in three months, an hour a day; astonished is an understatement. Now, I'm done with the website (for now), but not with Carerra's Chronicles. For starters, I'll keep writing stuff till infinity, so Kaizen will be dominant here. For instance, it's taken me five days to write this blog, and I split the work by days: Day 1 = Content Generation, Day 2 = Piecing & filling the gaps, and so on. Throughout the journey, there'll be ways to improve my writing, content delivery, efficiency, and other factors that will improve Carerra's Chronicles. There will definitely be ways to improve the process, so until then, I'll be doing the best I can progress; I discuss it more here. I'll continue applying Kaizen in my life, so you might as well consider me a Kaizen Philosopher already. Conclusion Kaizen is a beautiful philosophy that embodies the wisdom that greatness is achieved through continuous, incremental improvement. It's powerful for personal and professional growth, providing a rational and stoic approach towards achieving success. Individuals and organizations can progress significantly over time by continuously improving and collaborating to achieve common goals. Through Kaizen, people embrace change, value each other's contributions, and commit to lifelong learning and growth. Whether applied in the workplace or daily life, Kaizen creates a culture of excellence and innovation, plus lasting personal and professional transformation, thus being a guarantor of long-term success. If you want to improve your life, try Kaizen - you'll be in it for the long haul. . . . ~T.K.K

Bit by bit, and slowly by slowly, I'm headed somewhere...and I know it. So...I graduated from school, finally. And for all the right reasons, school was an impediment to my constructing Carerra's Chronicles. I'm now free-er than ever...for now. Still, I'm determined to build this thing. I'm currently adopting the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement via small, consistent, and incremental changes over a long time, thus motivating me to take this process slow by slow. I'm not creating something drastically huge or implementing humongous changes instantly...but rather fine-tuning stuff bit by bit. If it's the website, one small section per day. If it's a blog, one paragraph per day. Worst case: one edit, sentence, or idea per day. I noticed two things: The bits are stacking up. The best part is that it's all unconscious & 'behind-the-scenes' growth while I focus on what I can do. By the time I realize it, it's already a significant change. It's molding a subconscious habit. Since I'm well over my 21 days of cultivating a practice, it's now ingrained in me that I must tweak Carerra's Chronicles daily...and I've done this for four months now. From this habit, I've improved my skills repertoire of web development & design, writing, communication, and vision, among other skills. Slow progress > no progress. This is self-explanatory. When I work this way, time is on my side; it's only a matter of time until this blows up - compounding will play its bit in the meantime. I'm playing the long-term games - the infinite games. My goal isn't to win, but rather to keep building and inspiring people alongside me. That will get me ahead, God willing. Rome wasn't built in a day, but over decades. Similarly, I'm making my own Rome. I'm optimistic about how all this will turn out. While I don't know how long it will take, I'm ready to embrace the journey. What I know for a fact is that bit by bit will get me there...one day. Until then, I'll take it slow. And take it easy. . . . ~T.K.K

Tips for a Successful Loan Application Running the numbers Personal loans typically range from $1,000 to $50,000 or $500 to $100,000. Forbes Advisor recently surveyed 1,000 US consumers, revealing that more than 80% of Americans borrow less than $20,000. Subsequently, the most common reasons for taking a loan are debt consolidation (22%), covering living expenses (21%), and home improvement (20%.) A 2021 FDIC Survey on Unbanked and Underbanked Households unveiled that the number of households with personal loans had decreased from 10.8% in 2019 to 8.0% in 2021. Additionally, 72.5% of households in 2019 and 72.3% in 2021 had a personal loan. According to the Federal Reserve, the average interest rate for a 24-month personal loan was 11.48% in February 2023. Consumer Affairs states that the average rate on a personal loan is 10-32%. According to the Motley Fool, new borrowers take out an average of $6,656, while the average loan is $9,896. How exactly do you apply for a loan? Know your "Why?" Create a budget Scout for options Assess and compare your options Submit your application Receive your funds Pay it back 1. Know your "Why?" Why do you need a loan? It could be one of the following reasons: Covering an unexpected expense For a significant purchase - a house, car, etc. Starting a business. To fund your education (student loan.) Debt consolidation - using a larger debt to pay smaller debts. Betting against your investments - something rich people do. Miscellaneous - weddings, home improvements, medical bills, etc. Understanding your need for a loan is crucial to examining the rest of it. 2. Create a Budget After understanding your why, create a budget that evaluates how much you need and have a reasonable (over)estimate for unexpected costs. You'll also want to mind your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to determine if you have enough cash flow to sustain new debt. Typically, a DTI of 30-36% is feasible; anything less is much better. Rule of Thumb: Round each cost to the next $100 and hike your budget by 20-30%; any surplus would be the first instalment towards repaying the debt. 3. Scout for options Search for different lenders whose options match your needs by inputting relevant info such as your name, address, and income. Lender-searching is now possible through some one-size-fits-all websites that do the weightlifting for you - Bankrate, Experian, Forbes Advisor, and Credit Karma. Just input your basic info, and they'll shortlist your options. Factors to consider when searching for a loan Loan Purpose: As explained in "Knowing your Why," consider why you're applying for the loan and gather the lenders specific to your need: the more specific the lenders, the more your options. Interest Rates: It's important to compare interest rates from different lenders and understand the terms associated with each loan. Defining each term below: i) Interest: Percentage of a loan you'll pay as a fee for borrowing that money. ii) Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The total cost of borrowing money, including interest and fees, expressed as a percentage of the total loan cost. Lenders MUST disclose their APRs on their websites as part of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) that discloses their interest rates as APRs. Rule of Thumb: Always consider the APR; it's greater than the interest rate. Fees: Be mindful of additional fees as listed below: i) Origination Fee: A one-time fee for initiating the loan, usually 1-8% of the loan amount and deducted from it. ii) Prepayment Fee: This is a penalty you'd pay if you pay off a loan too soon. Lenders do this mainly to compensate for the lost interest they would have earned from the loan's entirety; good thing most of them don't do this. iii) Late Payment Fee: Self-explanatory. Usually 1% of the monthly payment or $15, whichever is greater. iv) Returned Payment Fee: A fee charged if a scheduled payment is cancelled because you don't have funds in your bank account. This fee covers the cost of processing the already-cancelled monthly payment. Note: Interest Rates + Fees = Total cost of the loan. Evaluating this cost will help you rate its affordability. Loan Amount: AKA the Principal. Chances are that you won't get the exact amount you want because of origination fees, so borrow a little bit more to cover that cost. Repayment Terms: A term is how long the loan lasts. Also called the period, it's how long you'll take to pay off the loan. Terms vary in 12-month cycles and can go for 12 - 84, lender-dependent. Each term has its monthly instalment, so choose the one that makes sense for you and fits your budget. Note: Terms and APRs are directly proportional. The longer the term, the higher the APR..and vice versa. Rule of Thumb: Lenders have different loans with different APRs at different monthly payments lasting different terms. Credit Score: You'll need a decent credit score to apply for a loan. Most lenders will consider a fair score of 630 - 689, with others looking at an excellent score of 690. According to Nerdwallet, the typical minimum credit score to apply for a personal loan is 560-660. Lenders will scrutinize all ends of your credit score (amount of credit, number of accounts, credit history, etc.) to determine your creditworthiness. Thus, the higher your credit score, the better your approval odds and the lesser your interest. Review your credit report for accuracy beforehand, improve it if needed, and apply for your loan. Lender Reputation and Customer Service: Know your lender before selecting one; read their reviews, analyze their reputation plus customer satisfaction, and gauge their reliability. Considering their customer service standards is vital, as fast and responsive support can ease the loan process. All in all, a reputable lender with excellent customer service guarantees a smooth borrowing experience. Flexibility: A minor consideration but still pivotal, a loan's flexibility can help you make extra or deferred payments, especially during unforeseen events. Prequalification: See below. Depending on how fast you need the cash, the approval and disbursement times can be another decider, and though uncommon, autopay discounts are another. 4. Assess and compare your options You'll receive multiple options from several lenders depending on your qualifications. Comparing loans among lenders helps you evaluate your choices and determine which fits you best. You'll compare the above-listed factors to choose your preference. Prequalifying An ideal way to check if you qualify is by prequalifying - seeing if you qualify for particular loans. Just like you know when the food is ready by tasting it, you know you're eligible for a loan by prequalifying for one. ("Tasting" the loan.) Prequalifying calculates your loan options, terms, and providers. This way, you decide which lender best suits your needs, the principal you can access, and interest rates, among other factors. The best thing is that prequalifying doesn't hurt your credit score. Note: Most lenders prequalify their applicants - a difference-maker that filters out those that don't. Prequalifying helps for three reasons: The lender soft-checks your credit to determine eligibility without implicating your credit score. From a soft credit check, you'll know where to improve your credit - amount of credit, history, accounts opened, etc. A lender that does not prequalify will automatically hard-inquire your credit, denting your credit score, with zero approval guarantees; nothing to gain and everything to lose. 5. Submit your application After comparing your offers and settling on the most appealing one, finalize and submit your application, ensuring all your info is correct. Sometimes lenders might ask you to clarify some information or request additional documents, so ready yourself for that. After applying, the lender will perform a hard credit check which will temporarily dink your credit score, regardless of whether they approve or deny your application. Depending on the lender, you'll get your decision within seconds, minutes, or days. Review the loan agreement The loan agreement can come immediately before you apply or after they approve you, and it's one that you'll sign electronically. It basically spells out, "This is what you're getting yourself into with this loan." The agreement details your APR, loan term, instalments, penalties, and other information. Upon agreeing, hit "submit." 6. Receive your funds Once approved (hopefully), you should receive your funds on your lender's stipulated timeline. Approvals range from minutes to hours to days, while disbursements occur within minutes to 24-72 hours after approval. Ideally, direct deposit is the best way to receive your funds once disbursed, so set that up in advance. If you're not in a rush, mailing a check is another option, though slow and unsafe. 7. Pay it back Lastly is to pay back the loan as set in the agreement. You can do this either through instalments or lump sums. If you have any loan surplus, use that to start paying it off, and also depending on how long the loan is, include your payments in your monthly budget. Recall the APR and other fees - they come into play here. About the APR, you must pay off the loan ASAP before interest accrues on your account. About the fees, while most lenders don't have prepayment fees, they might have origination, administration, and late fees, all of which you pay in your adjusted APR. Automating your payments immensely helps; you always pay on time (racking up your credit score) and might qualify for autopay discounts, lender-dependent. Carerra's Take Personally, I'm not a fan of getting into debt in any shape, form, or manner, but times happen when the inevitable happens and getting into debt is a reasonable choice. Plus, there's good debt and bad debt. Maybe you're moving across the country for a job relocation. Perhaps something tragic happened that your emergency savings aren't enough for. Perchance, you need a short-term student loan to finish your degree. Whatever you need the debt for, ensure it's for a sensible reason. Have a straight budget, plan to pay it back ASAP, and the rest will work out. And, of course, not financial advice - do your due diligence and consult an expert for a personalized solution. All the best, . . . ~T.K.K References How to Get a Loan from the Bank in 5 Steps - NerdWallet How To Get A Personal Loan In 8 Steps | Bankrate Personal Loan Calculator: Estimate Your Payments – Forbes Advisor 5 Personal Loan Requirements And How To Qualify – Forbes Advisor Best Moving And Relocation Loans of 2023 – Forbes Advisor How to Get a Personal Loan in 6 Steps - NerdWallet

Some deep secrets about life… Purpose At almost every stage of life, we’re constantly finding something greater than ourselves. It could be either pursuing a meaningful career or excelling in personal relationships, and funnily enough, no two people’s purposes are similar. Until when we strike our graves, life is a continuous journey of refining and rediscovering our purpose. Mortality Despite our brain’s wiring to think that we are immortal, the reality is the opposite. At some point in our lives, we constantly contemplate “the other side.” But, until then, it’s our temporary existence on planet Earth that reminds us to enjoy the present more and cherish the moments with our dear ones before they, too, expire. Interconnectedness We are more connected to the greater universe than we think; from the ecosystem to animals and finally to humans, the cycle continues. Understanding this can breed empathy and more understanding of one another and the entire universe. Free Will How much are we free to do what we want? How much is too free? How much freedom is harmful? Will my “freedom” hurt others, myself, or both? Finding the balance in between is vital…and hence our decision-making ripens. Gratitude and Positivity It’s easy to wrap ourselves in negative self-talk and overwhelm ourselves with challenges. It happens; we’re human. Focusing on what we’re grateful for and harnessing positivity can transform our lives and create a sense of peace and inner tranquility. Connection and Community Naturally, we’re social beings, and our relationships with others are fundamental to our well-being. Whether spending time with family and loved ones or connecting with like-minded individuals, strong relationships are vital to living a fulfilling life. . . . ~T.K.K

A Q&A would be a good way to get me started on an intro: What's your main life philosophy? I'd say...doing my best in the best way I can in everything that I do, living a life as per the Will of God. Something I would change about myself more spiritually and emotionally? Being in the moment. It’s easy to become too future-oriented too soon that you miss out on the little things happening now and the people that matter to you. It’s best to have a balance of such. Introvert or extrovert? Intro. Favorite pastime as a child? I enjoyed creating dominos from videotapes stacked alongside each other - hitting one end with a ball, and the rest follows. That experience had me considering a career in Physics - the good old days (chuckles.) Is what you’re doing now what you always wanted to do growing up? If not, then what did you always dream of doing as a child? Apparently not. As a child, I dreamt of being a pilot (as almost every child does), but that was only for two months. Then again, high school showed me that Geography and I were a mismatch. I then wanted to be a doctor, but that also lasted two months; I mean, the sight of blood doesn’t quite sit well with me. What's your favorite book of all time? The Rising by Ryan D'Agostino. Covering the life of Bill Petit - a man who had it all going well for him in life -, the book teaches about the resilience of the human soul despite the deepest of transgressions faced. Bill faced a life-changing moment that nearly killed him, only for him to resurface as a completely transformed human being trying to make sense of how he strengthened his soul from a crushing ordeal. The Rising is a must-read for all. I'm proud of how original and authentic I remain in all circumstances. I don't fold to the rest just because, but instead, I can always stay true to myself no matter what. Favorite movie? Disney Pixar Soul. It made me rethink life. Favorite artist? Damma Beatz. He's not your typical DJ, but rather one who makes awesome beats without necessarily needing credit. He's one of those DJs mainstream trap fans find underrated, but I think that helps because that's more masterpieces for me. :) When, to you, is a person ready for marriage? Good question; I recently asked my parents this question. I believe that a couple is ready for matrimony when their values coincide - they shouldn't compromise their own value systems but rather complement each other. I also consider getting their houses in order first, figuring out all other aspects of their lives first - their careers, finances, and other priorities - then marriage is a feasible next option. What are you most thankful for? The gift of life and just living in it. I'm also grateful for the wins and lessons accomplished in between. The wins reflect how far I've achieved and grown as a person, and the Ls show me my gaps in growth, encouraging me to learn and develop myself more. What are some hobbies you like to do when you’re alone? I'm one to play Chess and the piano. I'm also reading the latest financial articles on the stock market and the state of the economy and also listening to some motivational and personal development podcasts. Physically, I play a lot of football (what Americans call soccer.) What's one thing people misunderstand about you? People generally mistake me for a rich person because I can afford most of the stuff I want. Though flattered by that, I'm not rich (yet); I'm just another commoner hustling to get the next dollar. :) What would your one-sentence biography sound like? Here's my LinkedIn headline: || Founder & CEO, Carerra's Chronicles | Business Analyst @ BNY Mellon | B.A. Mathematics, University of Washington, 2022 | The GOAT of NSBE | Takeoff Institute Fellow, Summer 2022 | Leader, Visionary, Optimist, Son of God. || What would you say are you most proud of as well? I'd say that I'm proud of how original and authentic I remain in all circumstances. I don't fold to the rest just because, but instead, I can always stay true to myself no matter what. Part 2 is coming soon.