12 pieces of advice
…from Nabeel S Qureshi, Oxford University graduate, Start-Up Founder, Software Engineer, Visiting Scholar at George Mason University
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
Nabeel S. Qureshi,
Software Engineer, Visiting Scholar,
George Mason University
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
“…the most important life lessons you learn are the hardest to communicate to others. They always sound like clichés. In any case, these are a few things I’ve learned from experience and that I try and keep in mind…”
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
1
Environment matters a lot; move to where you will flourish. Put yourself in environments where you have to perform to your utmost; if you can get by being average, you probably will.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
2
You don’t do anyone any favours by lurking. Put yourself out there. Most people are nervous about cold-emailing their favourite author or researcher or whatever, not realizing that: (a) the person would probably love to hear from them (b) it's a pure-upside bet (worst case they ignore you!)
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
3
Stop asking for approval and permission from others. School and work trains people to have this mindset. Instead, figure out what you want to do, and plant the “this is happening” flag. People will come along for the ride.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
4
Think in writing. Write Google Docs, scrawl in notebooks. This extends working memory arbitrarily and allows your thoughts to compound on each other.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
5
You are probably too risk-averse. Write out the worst things that can happen, realize they’re not that bad, then take the leap.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
6
Figure out what gives you new ideas, and make sure you incorporate that into your routine. For me this is talking to people, writing in my notebook, long conversations with friends (especially late night). Make sure you harvest these ideas too - write them down somewhere so they don’t get lost.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
7
Be honest about whether something is learning or entertainment. Real learning is extremely hard and effortful.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
8
Luck isn’t a constant, it increases with surface area: be in the right places, have lots of conversations, put yourself out there, ask for what you want and be optimistic and positive.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
9
There are some people who, after you talk to them, you feel more energized and you want to conquer the world or climb a mountain or something. They’re rare but they exist. Go find them and make friends with them.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
10
Working with people you really respect – and are secretly worried are much better than you and will figure out how dumb you are – is the best.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
11
Doing things is energizing, wasting time is depressing. You don’t need that much rest.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
12
Do a review of your year, every year, write it out, figure out what was good and what was bad, use this to make your goals for the next year.
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
If you had to pick one to consider more closely, and perhaps take some action on this year… which would it be?
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy
copyright Steve Oakes and Martin Griffin info@vespa.academy