Brilliance is something interesting. Usually, I'm reflective on my mistakes and shortcomings, not so much on the things that I am actually good at. In this case, brilliant.
What would you say you're brilliant at doing? List two or three (if you have any) and explain why. If you have none, what would you like to be brilliant at and why?
It's not an easy task. Yet, it's a very important one, needed to balance the self-esteem. But it does collide with the value of modesty which I apparently did absorb more than I had thought. Nevertheless, I will try my best - introspective might be the first thing I could be brilliant at, actually.
Am.
Not could. It is difficult indeed. I am very good at introspective, finding the flaws within my being, the incoherence between behavior and values, admitting errors before myself and constantly working on becoming a better person. The last year is a good example, where I came from and where I'm at now. But basically the last 8 years, since Lily was conceived and life pulled the starter's gun on the hard way. Very few carrots, many sticks, but I think it worked. No, it did work. I am a better person now. Wow, this is hard.
It is frequently a misfortune to have very brilliant men in charge of affairs. They expect too much of ordinary men.
- Thucydides -
The quote of the day reminds me of my skills as a business leader. I think I'm brilliant at being fair. Finding the right balance between the mentioned sticks and carrots is difficult, but I am proud of the team that I have built over the years, the progress that they have made at my side. The work with me has helped them not only to acquire more skills, but caused profound learning experiences throughout their whole life. Not only through advice - but leading by example.
Recipes!
That's an easy one. I really have become brilliant in establishing recipes. It usually takes me 2 attempts to create something completely new, balance the flavors and get it ready to be a new product. For both the recipe, as well as working on improving the process. We're currently working hard on getting our bread better, extending fermentation times and making the process more technical. The outcomes are astoundingly good, if my orders on how to conduct the experiments are followed.
Anything else?
Good, yes. Brilliant - I don't know. I'm a very good father and boyfriend, now. But I don't think I'm brilliant. Maybe money. I'm really good with money, saving, investing, multiplying it. Yeah, that could be one. I managed to be financially free at 36 years old, not by inheriting, but by building my business, a somewhat frugal lifestyle and constant saving and investing. The only start capital I got was a $10,000 loan from my mom, so I could build another room in my ex-wife's house and buy the oven and the kneading machine. I paid it back within a year, as the quality of the bread skyrocketed and so did sales. Now, if everything goes down the drain, I have enough passive income (without the bakery!) to survive and keep Lily well. I do think I managed my money somewhat brilliantly.
That's it I think. Very interesting challenge. Felt weird.
