cannonalexander

Today marks the first day of my #100DaysToOffload challenge.

These first posts will not be good. The last ones probably won't be either (lol). I am going to just try and do it. I have a really hard time with being a perfectionist, paralyzed by my indecision, fear of failure, and various other emotional and intellectual issues.

Some posts might be long. Some (like this one) will be short. But I'm here. I'm trying. The garage door is open.

If you stumble upon this post, hi! I want this space to be sort of like a wood cabin. Filled with hygge and full of love and authenticity. A cup of warm tea, surrounded by people who genuinely love you. Playing board games on a cold winter's night. Being able to speak what is tumbling around inside you out to people who won't dismiss you, look away and nervously laugh, or get mad at you. I'm looking for this in real life, so I decided to try and create some of that here.

Wow, that turned into a therapy session a little. But that's alright. If you're reading this, I love you. We need to say that more.

Finished before midnight! Starting the year on track.

Working Principles

I strive to be as open and honest as possible in the work I do. These are some principles I found have served me well over my work experience.

1. Process over product: while products are important, focusing on process lowers the bar to starting and eases my struggle with perfectionism.

2. Authenticity: I can only be myself. I don't overshare, but I am a (mostly) open book*. I make mistakes as I learn, but rarely make the same mistake twice.

3. Openness: Related to Authenticity, I try to “work with the garage door up”. Collaboration and diversity of input mean a more resilient product.

4. Work is a game, but it's a crucial game: This is a modified principle from a foundational book I read long ago. The work I do is usually helping other people, to the best of my ability. This is a serious mission; but taking myself so seriously all the time only serves to hinder the flexibility I have as a human.

• Despite this, I am a privacy advocate :)

Also, thanks to Icons8 for the Biotech favicon :)