At first, I don’t think minimalism fits into something I truly love which is anything that has to do with entrepreneurship and a startup culture. I love the fast paced life, being a go-getter and always finding more opportunities to generate wealth and solve a problem. I used to see this minimalism as an anti thesis to something I really love which requires a long hours of work and sometimes, working is a hobby itself.

For most people experience and testimonial about their minimalism lifestyle, they are often escaping the rat race and away from the noise. Personally, I like a certain noise and the rat race. I thrive in that kind of environment. In fact, the lack of it is actually frustrating to me.

Today's minimemo is actually some type of coming-out and a form of acceptance to me that it’s OK to love that kind of life and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Hustling & Minimalism

The truth is, sometimes I still struggle with the idea of being a perfect a minimalist because by definition and all things considered, I am not a minimalist at all. I do want to be a minimalist through and through yet there are also parts of me that is contrasting to this life. So, I certainly have to find some type of merger between the two. Throughout my entire adult life, there are some things that I have actually tried, incorporating aspects of minimalism to worklife/productivity. Some of them are listed here;

Research First, Data Driven Approach

Whenever I am starting something, be it a new business, projects, short term business, I rely on research. I don’t do things because others have done it or is currently the trend. Rather than jumping quickly into something, I do my own research. Trust me, as much as it seems like a common sense, you’d be surprised most people don’t do it.

Fun fact, to this day, I actually get paid to give people insight and business ideas. For someone who likes to research the market and see trends, people find my input valuable and for some reason, even when I don’t ask for payment, I am often generously paid.

Through thoughtful decision making, I always find the chance to fail lesser than if I were to jump into something without thinking things through. This is a part of minimalism that has influenced me personally. Perhaps you’re like that too.

Fail and Try

This method isn’t a shortcut. It takes quite a bit to actually find the sweet spot of things. I am sure those who has business understand that to not overcomplicated options. Start small and expand. It takes quite a bit of time but it’s always worth it in the end as you know what to do/don’t do.

There’s one thing that I still struggle and safe to say, still struggling....

Not knowing what and when is enough....

From all I know, minimalism principle also focuses on balance and more meaningful lifestyle. For me, I struggle with the idea of being enough as in if I’ve worked enough for the week and actually deserve a break. Sometimes, the scale tipped to the other part where I am being so unproductive and borderline a sloth.

These days, with the schedules I have made, I felt like despite I tried maximizing my time, I didn’t work hard enough. I know it’s all about working smart but all that has been on my mind is basically, I’ll get more time to do certain things and even take more opportunities to generate more income.

That being said though, I’ll just ride the wave and maybe I’ll find the balance eventually. That’s all for my minimemo this week.