Good morning, afternoon, & evening to you all. Welcome back to the most random newsletter on the internet. Got a few mins? Let’s dive in.
The last 7 days have been pretty cool…
I turn 35 this month, which means I’m heading towards the back 9 of my 30s. I’ve never been a believer in “bucket lists” (as in, I don’t actually have one) but in the last 2 weeks, I definitely got to “check” two off of that imaginary list!
The first,
I got to hold the physical copy of the patent that we’ve been working towards for the last 5 years. It was very cool to hold that in my hand, it doesn’t change anything but super cool to say that I’m an inventor. While a patent only lasts 20 years, to me this is me being part of history, just a random person trying to invent something that can help others. I like to imagine that is why every inventor actually invents anything. Pure intentions to improve society. Now is that actually the reasoning for most inventions? Probably not.
This is why we need more people like YOU inventing, building, creating, helping, and solving the problems around us.
I can’t describe it, but holding that document was very bittersweet. Thankful for the learnings during the journey but you always wonder, what sacrifices did you make to accomplish that goal. The human brain is weird, in a moment where there should be no self-doubt, it finds a way to creep in.
The second,
I have officially received confirmation from the University of St. Thomas and I will officially be an adjunct professor next semester. Pretty surreal that I can say I’ll be teaching at a university at this stage of my career. There is definite imposter syndrome but being uncomfortable brings out the best in people.
Be comfortable being uncomfortable, and unlock your true potential.
I can distinctly remember having conversations with my buddies about how it would be “cool to teach at some point in my life”. Well, I guess that point in life is now, and it still feels cool.
I’ll be teaching a capstone class in entrepreneurship to undergrad juniors and seniors. My goal is to put their skills to the test. They will probably be uncomfortable but I hope when they look back on the class they say it was one of the best classes they’ve ever taken.
That’s it, that’s the goal. Be the best professor.
As sad as it sounds, I’m at the back half of my career.
Back half of career at 34.9 years old you say? Yeah, the world is moving fast and it’s only a matter of time before the zoomers zoom by. I also don’t want to work until I’m 70, at least not in the traditional way.
It’s time to start focusing more of my attention on the future generations of leaders, creators, and risk-takers.
2020 was rock bottom for me. My investment accounts all go destroyed by the black swan event. My company was put on life support. My family was put to the test of cancer.
But when you’re at the bottom, there is only one option, and that’s to start climbing. I’m definitely not at the top, and my goals are lofty but when you have the perspective of what bottom feels like, you never want to feel it again.
My new goals in life are pretty simple.
You thought my goals would be slightly different huh? ;)
If you asked me 24 months ago I would have said my goals are: unicorn startup, global domination, space cowboy…
Funny how it takes a traumatic event or three to change your perspectives on life.
More messages like these are my goal. No amount of money or fame can beat it.
Same time next week?
You’ve made it this far on my word vomit newsletter? I appreciate you! I’ll be back next week with the next edition of the most random newsletter on the internet.
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Much love to you all,
~Adam