5 Pillars of Me: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Growth

Introduction

Lately, I’ve been pondering on the significant facets of my life that take up the majority of my time and energy. I have identified these facets as Spirituality, Career, Music, Fitness, and Community, collectively referring to them as the 5 Pillars of Me.” This piece serves as a deep dive into each pillar, offering an assessment of their current states, pinpointing areas for improvement, and formulating solutions to reach my goals with them.

Pillar 1: Spirituality

Current State

My spiritual practices are consistent, with daily breathwork and sound practices, enriched by podcasts, books, and occasional group retreats.

Challenges

Maintaining regularity in my practices and safeguarding against disengagement are areas that need attention.

Goals

To deepen my spiritual connection and enhance mindfulness in everyday life.

Strategies for Growth

Engaging more actively in retreats and practicing mindfulness consistently.

Pillar 2: Career

Current State

As a software engineer, I am building a strong foundation in both technical and social skills, accumulating valuable career capital.

Challenges

The next step is to grow into a senior engineering role, which requires honing my communication skills and developing expertise in a specific domain.

Goals

To weave a safety net from building career capital and actual capital to allow me to take on more ambitious projects such as building a non-profit or high impact startup.

Strategies for Growth

Continue excelling in my current role while keeping an eye on opportunities in prestigious tech companies, despite the uncertain industry climate.

Pillar 3: Music

Current State

I love listening to music, so I started taking weekly singing and piano lessons.

Challenges

I need to establish a routine for structured practice outside of my lessons to expedite my learning and make it more cost-effective.

Goals

To become proficient in singing and piano, eventually branching out into songwriting and composition.

Strategies for Growth

Dedicate daily 30-minute practice sessions for both singing and piano.

Pillar 4: Fitness

Current State

My fitness routine comprises 5 days a week at the gym, alternating between cardio and strength training, alongside a daily step goal.

Challenges

Reestablishing consistency after a brief hiatus and revamping my diet are my current challenges.

Goals

To reduce body fat and return to a healthier, more fit state.

Strategies for Growth

Cut back on eating out from three to one meal a week and delve into meal prep guides to streamline my cooking process.

Pillar 5: Community

Current State

My community engagement is predominantly with family and relatives, with minimal contact with old friends.

Challenges

Expanding my social interactions and finding ways to connect with others in the GTA are pressing needs.

Goals

To broaden my social network and rekindle old friendships.

Strategies for Growth

Seek out events and activities that interest me, and reach out to university friends for potential meet-ups.

Conclusion

I’m curious to see the progress I can make. I’m considering running an experiment to track my activities and their alignment with the 5 Pillars of Me.’ Perhaps this can be the topic of a new post. Time will tell.


Date
October 30, 2023