Like a diamond.
Brilliance is something interesting. Usually, I'm reflective on my mistakes and shortcomings, not so much on the things that I am actually good at. In this case, brilliant.
What would you say you're brilliant at doing? List two or three (if you have any) and explain why. If you have none, what would you like to be brilliant at and why?
It's not an easy task. Yet, it's a very important one, needed to balance the self-esteem. But it does collide with the value of modesty which I apparently did absorb more than I had thought. Nevertheless, I will try my best - introspective might be the first thing I could be brilliant at, actually.
Am.
Not could. It is difficult indeed. I am very good at introspective, finding the flaws within my being, the incoherence between behavior and values, admitting errors before myself and constantly working on becoming a better person. The last year is a good example, where I came from and where I'm at now. But basically the last 8 years, since Lily was conceived and life pulled the starter's gun on the hard way. Very few carrots, many sticks, but I think it worked. No, it did work. I am a better person now. Wow, this is hard.
- Thucydides -
The quote of the day reminds me of my skills as a business leader. I think I'm brilliant at being fair. Finding the right balance between the mentioned sticks and carrots is difficult, but I am proud of the team that I have built over the years, the progress that they have made at my side. The work with me has helped them not only to acquire more skills, but caused profound learning experiences throughout their whole life. Not only through advice - but leading by example.
Recipes!
That's an easy one. I really have become brilliant in establishing recipes. It usually takes me 2 attempts to create something completely new, balance the flavors and get it ready to be a new product. For both the recipe, as well as working on improving the process. We're currently working hard on getting our bread better, extending fermentation times and making the process more technical. The outcomes are astoundingly good, if my orders on how to conduct the experiments are followed.
Anything else?
Good, yes. Brilliant - I don't know. I'm a very good father and boyfriend, now. But I don't think I'm brilliant. Maybe money. I'm really good with money, saving, investing, multiplying it. Yeah, that could be one. I managed to be financially free at 36 years old, not by inheriting, but by building my business, a somewhat frugal lifestyle and constant saving and investing. The only start capital I got was a $10,000 loan from my mom, so I could build another room in my ex-wife's house and buy the oven and the kneading machine. I paid it back within a year, as the quality of the bread skyrocketed and so did sales. Now, if everything goes down the drain, I have enough passive income (without the bakery!) to survive and keep Lily well. I do think I managed my money somewhat brilliantly.
That's it I think. Very interesting challenge. Felt weird.
I guess my strong point is that I buy and sell cryptocurrencies on time. I sold HIVE at $0.36 a year and a half ago, bought HBD and staked them at 15% per annum. My average selling price of HIVE is currently around $0.44 (including HBD interest). I will immediately buy HIVE when the markets drop significantly and the price is $0.05-$0.06. This way I will increase my stack many times and become a whale.
I am also a good father, just like you :)
Awesome! Does it feel weird in any way to "admit" that you're brilliant at that?
As for investments? I think very few people invest correctly in HIVE, SPS and other altcoins. For example, I consider Buffett a genius investor and there are very few like him.
No, I mean how do you feel when you have to present your strengths? For example in a job interview, or among friends. As I write in the post, it's feels weird for me writing about being "brilliant" as that's quite a strong word. But other people do not have that restraint.
There's also the balance to bragging, to being arrogant, showing ones skills excessively in order to build a protective wall around the ego. It's an interesting topic.
In a small circle I can afford it. After all, only a few people read our posts on Hive :)
I don't like to brag to my friends. I don't want to offend anyone or cause bad feelings. My friends are important to me, even if they are the poorest in my city, I value them not for their financial capabilities.
It's the same for me. It just doesn't sit right with me.
Interview. I have never been to an interview. I have never sold my abilities to anyone. I am me, a free man.
Lucky you!
I think that everyone has their own path in life. Of course, not everyone is lucky who does not have a hired job. But I was lucky to drop out of university and become a completely independent person at the age of 20.
Modesty is overrated! If you don't keep telling everyone how brilliant you are, how are they going to know?
Same way I always do - lead by example, not too many words 😅 Also, I like it better to build my empire in the background, without too much attention. It's easier that way. The moment people notice that you have something they could (ab)use, be it skill or material, they'll nagging you about it. Nasty little bugs, these humans.
Leading by example is all very well but if nobody follows, you end up doing all the work yourself.
Do as I say, not as I do, as my father was so fond of telling us.
Leading by example doesn't mean I don't delegate, just that I try to be as fair as possible about it. Basically "Do as I say and do" kind of thing.
Will you be posting anything about your bread making? It's seems to simple but there's so many variable involved. When I make a nice batch, it feels and tastes so good, but unfortunately it doesn't happen all the time. Still learning after so many years
I could. I don't really make much bread myself these days, but usually do the technical parts behind it. Experimental protocol, analysis, changes and of course testing the samples 🤣
If you need anymore testers, do let me know 😄
Lol, always!
If there's something in particular that you'd like to know about, let me know, and I'll try to make a post about it. But most is complicated as well - I live at 2,300m altitude, and that changes as lot. So does the quality of flour, water and such. But I could write about how exactly those factors change the dough. I have a book from Germany for recipes, but many of those just don't work like that here. So, I use it as inspiration and change the recipes according to my experiences.