Why I Started A Newsletter
Those that have known me since my days in Arizona and California, know that I've been in a long search for meaning in my life since then.
That's not to say that what I was doing back then (or even now) was not meaningful. It's just that, along the way, I realized that there are two types of work:
- The one that you do primarily to pay the bills and meet your financial obligations. This type of work may also be one where you apply the skills you’ve learned, pick up new ones you are excited about and maybe even challenges you intellectually in a way that is fulfilling from a career perspective.
- The one you do because it brings meaning to your life. Because you feel a deep connection to it. Because you are being called to do so.
Ideally, one's occupation should be both in the same. And if that is your current situation, then consider yourself one of the few lucky ones who have achieved this milestone.
For me it's been a constant struggle ever since I left college.
Because, while I've been blessed in having had the opportunity to earn two degrees in engineering; I have not been equally as blessed in finding work that allows me to apply the skills I learned while at the same time finding meaning in what I do.
So for me, it's been a lot of doing work type number #1 while being in constant search for #2.
For the longest time I've been working on side-projects and creative endeavors. But had never really found something that truly resonated with me and had even grown frustrated and demotivated about the whole thing at times.
In retrospective, I see this period in my life as having been an exploratory phase for me: I knew I wanted to build and create value for others, but didn't know what or where to start, so I was just going with whatever came my way.
For some time I applied my skills and built in the silicon technology space. Then pivoted and tried some ideas in the sports, e-commerce and even in the journalism spaces but, while I feel there's a lot of work to be done in everyone of these markets, I did not feel like they were the right fit for me, my interests and what I had to bring to the table.
For one reason or another, however, I've always found the topic of investment finance and stock trading both fascinating and intimidating at the same time. Fascinating because of the incredible amount of data that revolves around this space and the fact that if done efficiently and correctly, it can be used to create wealth for you and others. But at the same time it has always just felt to me like a foreign concept and a conversation that only people who have degrees in finance and the filthy rich can participate in.
In recent times, however, I’ve sensed a shift both internally and external caused by the rise of platforms like Cash App, Robinhood and Webull (which aim to democratize participation in the stock market). To me it is as if the universe has given me a signal that maybe I am not alone. That there are other people like me who want to participate in the conversation, but don't know how or maybe are overwhelmed by the complexity of the subject. I want to help change that. For me and for others.
For once, I feel I have found in this a creative endeavor that brings me both excitement and meaning. One where I can be helpful to others, while at the same time opening an opportunity for me to (as Ray Dalio says in his book "Principles") create meaningful work and meaningful relationships.
This is the backdrop in which I came up with the idea to start a newsletter about the topic, and with the support of my friend and partner Jose, launched it along with a companion YouTube channel.
Although to be honest, the whole launch and announcement has me feeling nervous and kind of going through impostor syndrome.
The reason being because I feel like people are going to say "Well, who is this jackass I’ve never heard about and what makes him think he can lecture me about trading in the stock market?" And, honestly, they would be right! I have no right or reason to claim any expertise whatsoever in the field, and neither do I intend to do so.
But what I am certain about is that I have an intense curiosity and desire to learn how to invest/trade in the stock market efficiently using the skills I have picked up throughout my journey and share what I learn along the way with those who choose to stick around for the ride.
Having this in mind, if people are interested in following me and Jose as we do this, then I believe the newsletter and YouTube channel provide a great way for them to do so.
Setting announcements and motivations aside, as I reflected about how this whole event in my life unfolded, I thought it was interesting that it happened in the middle of a 1-in-100-year pandemic. A period of time many people would consider to be the most interruptive in their lives.
In a way, it has been quite an interruption for me as well. However, it has played out in a way that allowed me to be fully present to myself and my surroundings.
It was in the isolation that the quarantine provided that I regained perspective of life and the priorities I want to focus on, and what matters most to me. I found that even though I was physically isolated, the context of the situation allowed me to connect at a deeper level with those people I care about. This context allowed me to see that my physical location has nothing to do with my ability to connect with those people I want to reach and the work I want to do.
This was a momentous shift for me and one where I'm finding tremendous strength to keep going.
I leave you with the following reflective thought and recommended soundtrack> (If you want to skip the awesome intro music and go straight to lyrics, fast-forward to ~1:00) for this post:
It's moments like this pandemic that have the power to define you for the rest of your life. You can either use it to propel yourself to new highs or allow it to sink you into perpetual depths. Your choice. Like one good friend of mine once said: "Are you happening to life or letting it happen to you?"