Who’d have thought to combine Schumpeter and Smith! Oh and what lovely turn of phrase in “perpetual Munch’s Scream mode”, and reading “Smith with Schumpeter glasses”. :)
I am definitely biased because I never understood annual reviews either. I decided to think of it as part of living an examined life. And your insight on creative destruction will stay with me, as I try to continue living an examined life. I enjoyed this one so much Silvio. Love to Bruschetta!
"Growth happens in a non-linear fashion, but it happens. And it happens in increasingly greater upcycles because the lessons learned in every downcycle are the propelling force that will push things higher than they were before. "
I love that and the Patti Smith quote! Great essay/reflection, Silvio!
Creative destruction! It reminds of the contrast between Shiva, the destructive aspect of divinity in Hinduism (and I believe has heroic/positive connotations), and the Western view which typically has negative connotations associated with death, decay and rot. As Francis Weller (an interesting thinker) observes, we in the West are a culture of ascension. Everything must grow and progress, all the time! Another great piece, Silvio. Send my warmest regards to Bruschetta.
Tai! So much to unpack in your comments. Thank you, first of all, my friend. I'll have to check out Francis Weller, as what you wrote resonates big time. And Bruschetta says ciao back to you! :)
A follow-up observation I recalled around the Patti Smith quote -- maybe the whole self-assessment of doing well is the actual house of cards? I recall Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, observing that the project of life is realizing we are continually free-falling without anywhere to land.
Interesting. What I liked in Patti's quote is the positivity of knowing that, yes, we go through these phases where everything seems to tumble down like a house of cards, but then we are always able to rebuild was got destroyed, and then some. I found this an energizing thought.
Your best piece so far Silvio 🙌 Bringing to my attention that Patti Smith quote that will forever accompany me, and then adding the Schumpeter layer (or glasses?) just made it so memorable and useful. Keep this beautiful articles coming!
Thank you so much Oscar. Your comments are always so encouraging and true. Happy to have given you something to think about and remember. I linked the whole interview in the piece, I'm sure you will like it. :)
This is packed with semi-serious wisdom :) You remind me to keep calm and put on my Schumpeter glasses. Cycles of many types come and go -- economic, professional, emotional. Reading this is well-timed as I (think) I'm emerging from a down cycle.
A beautiful and terrible post of great honesty and insight. It reminds me of the US General Sherman's remark, "It is well that war is so terrible, or men would love it too much."
Agreed on being repelled by the idea of an annual review. Still haven't done it, but still thinking about it. I enjoyed your thoughts on the matter, but honestly what stands out the most in the end is the visual of the rescued kitty with her cord still dangling from birth. Only saying so because you asked if anyone is interested in such things, and I think the answer is yes. These little stories bring so much nourishment, and even fodder for creativity. Umbilical Brushetta. If I were a musician I'd adopt it as my band name.
Rick! Always so thoughtful and “precise” with your comments. And from a master storyteller like you I’d expect no less. Love that you found those details worthy. Thank you so much! :)
Not easy. I zoom out and try to view things from above. Clients are more difficult to manage, and many of them are discouraged, but they’re all still there (for now lol). I guess what helps is that I’ve known them for many years (and viceversa), so I can be as direct as I am with a friend, sometimes. To answer your question, though, I believe the most effective tool is to helicopter up, zoom out and see things from many thousand feet above.
This ‘annual review’ piece is exceedingly insightful and well written. (I was startled to discover that you were/are involved in the financial investment world!)
2022 did have awesome upside: you & your children were chosen by the cat distribution system! 🤗
Who’d have thought to combine Schumpeter and Smith! Oh and what lovely turn of phrase in “perpetual Munch’s Scream mode”, and reading “Smith with Schumpeter glasses”. :)
I am definitely biased because I never understood annual reviews either. I decided to think of it as part of living an examined life. And your insight on creative destruction will stay with me, as I try to continue living an examined life. I enjoyed this one so much Silvio. Love to Bruschetta!
Thank you, Malavika! Such nice words. Happy to see my words resonate and that you found something to think about. (Will pass on your love to Brus :))
"Growth happens in a non-linear fashion, but it happens. And it happens in increasingly greater upcycles because the lessons learned in every downcycle are the propelling force that will push things higher than they were before. "
I love that and the Patti Smith quote! Great essay/reflection, Silvio!
Thank you, Sandra! Glad you liked it :)
Creative destruction! It reminds of the contrast between Shiva, the destructive aspect of divinity in Hinduism (and I believe has heroic/positive connotations), and the Western view which typically has negative connotations associated with death, decay and rot. As Francis Weller (an interesting thinker) observes, we in the West are a culture of ascension. Everything must grow and progress, all the time! Another great piece, Silvio. Send my warmest regards to Bruschetta.
Tai! So much to unpack in your comments. Thank you, first of all, my friend. I'll have to check out Francis Weller, as what you wrote resonates big time. And Bruschetta says ciao back to you! :)
A follow-up observation I recalled around the Patti Smith quote -- maybe the whole self-assessment of doing well is the actual house of cards? I recall Pema Chodron, a Buddhist nun, observing that the project of life is realizing we are continually free-falling without anywhere to land.
Interesting. What I liked in Patti's quote is the positivity of knowing that, yes, we go through these phases where everything seems to tumble down like a house of cards, but then we are always able to rebuild was got destroyed, and then some. I found this an energizing thought.
Your best piece so far Silvio 🙌 Bringing to my attention that Patti Smith quote that will forever accompany me, and then adding the Schumpeter layer (or glasses?) just made it so memorable and useful. Keep this beautiful articles coming!
Thank you so much Oscar. Your comments are always so encouraging and true. Happy to have given you something to think about and remember. I linked the whole interview in the piece, I'm sure you will like it. :)
This is packed with semi-serious wisdom :) You remind me to keep calm and put on my Schumpeter glasses. Cycles of many types come and go -- economic, professional, emotional. Reading this is well-timed as I (think) I'm emerging from a down cycle.
Glad you found it interesting (and semi-serious), Rachael. :) Just wait for the turbulence to pass -- blue skies lie ahead.
You’re always thinking, Silvio!
It’s meta-thinking :)
A beautiful and terrible post of great honesty and insight. It reminds me of the US General Sherman's remark, "It is well that war is so terrible, or men would love it too much."
Thank you, Chris! And what a quote you just pulled out there. I know it will make me think for days! :)
Agreed on being repelled by the idea of an annual review. Still haven't done it, but still thinking about it. I enjoyed your thoughts on the matter, but honestly what stands out the most in the end is the visual of the rescued kitty with her cord still dangling from birth. Only saying so because you asked if anyone is interested in such things, and I think the answer is yes. These little stories bring so much nourishment, and even fodder for creativity. Umbilical Brushetta. If I were a musician I'd adopt it as my band name.
Rick! Always so thoughtful and “precise” with your comments. And from a master storyteller like you I’d expect no less. Love that you found those details worthy. Thank you so much! :)
Haha love the semi-serious tone of the story! ;)
Thanks Helen. Glad to know it gets across :)
I know this is not the point of the story...but I am so curious how you manage to calm your clients/yourself through this period of economic downturn!
Not easy. I zoom out and try to view things from above. Clients are more difficult to manage, and many of them are discouraged, but they’re all still there (for now lol). I guess what helps is that I’ve known them for many years (and viceversa), so I can be as direct as I am with a friend, sometimes. To answer your question, though, I believe the most effective tool is to helicopter up, zoom out and see things from many thousand feet above.
This ‘annual review’ piece is exceedingly insightful and well written. (I was startled to discover that you were/are involved in the financial investment world!)
2022 did have awesome upside: you & your children were chosen by the cat distribution system! 🤗
Thank you! (I know, right? lol) I love this cat distribution system idea! :)