R3ciprocity: Research Life, Innovation, Business Growth, & Strive Towards Being Happy

It's a journey familiar to many PhD students and researchers: working tirelessly on something often discounted or ignored by others.

Yet, it's this very perseverance that leads to groundbreaking moments of recognition and success.

I'll explore the reality of pushing forward despite the silence, the importance of believing in your work, and the strategies for creating mental boundaries to keep going.

Whether you're in the early stages of your research or on the cusp of a major breakthrough, this episode is a reminder that YOUR work matters.

Join me as we celebrate the resilience and determination that drives innovation and discovery in #academia.

Hearing the simple words "I am proud of you" can transform who you are. There is something profoundly validating about having your struggles acknowledged. When someone recognizes the challenges you've faced, it can change you in significant ways. I'm convinced that receiving this acknowledgment, no matter what you do, is essential for everyone. It validates our efforts and strengthens our resolve to keep going.

You can dwell on the negative, but it’s going to happen anyways. Instead, focus on the opportunities and try to make positive things happen. In my experience, success often comes from concentrating on what you can control and creating a simple plan to achieve it. Work towards your goals every day. Focusing on the negative only brings the same results, but you'll feel terrible the whole time. Make the choice to focus on the positive and watch how your outlook and outcomes improve.

Create a nurturing support system during the uncertain PhD journey. In academia, where uncertainty and challenges abound, having a circle of empathetic and encouraging people is crucial. I'll share personal insights on how to identify and nurture relationships with those who uplift you, and why it's essential to distance yourself from negativity and drama. Join me as we discuss strategies for building your community of support, ensuring you're surrounded by positivity as you navigate the complexities of PhD life.

I often feel the internal pressure to respond to emails and tackle work tasks outside of my working hours. But I've learned that to lead a fulfilling and balanced life, I have to intentionally switch off from work. Spending time with family and friends, and focusing on my personal growth, are essential for my well-being and longevity. These are the activities that create core memories, unlike work, which rarely does. Join me as I share my experiences and strategies for prioritizing what truly matters for a long, joyful life.

Do we need to be at 100% efficiency and think about success all the time?

The truth is, striving for constant top performance isn't achievable or sustainable.

Instead, real long-term success often means operating at 80% and sometimes not doing anything at all.

It's about stepping back, giving yourself grace, and understanding that a healthy, balanced life leads to true, lasting #success.

How do you be okay with imperfection?

What do you do so you can get back up and keep going day after day.

The “contentment” is muscle that needs to be trained.

Despite its glamour in popular culture, entrepreneurship is often a risky financial choice. Statistically, investing in established, large companies tends to yield better returns. So why do many still choose to start their own businesses? For me, it's about looking beyond the financials. It's about a larger purpose and valuing other aspects of life more than just money. In this video, I'll explore how embracing non-financial rewards can redefine success in entrepreneurship.

It’s important to remember to keep yourself being embarrassed every day.

These emotions that you feel often prevent us from doing things that are important.

Seek out embarrassment, so that you can grow and learn how to forgive yourself when things don’t go right.

Because things never go right.

One comment that I have to hear is that people are unwilling to trade off their youth for the future, but they don’t realize is that everything is a trade-off. In order for you to improve who you are, you have to trade off and make some sacrifices.

But the process is not about feeling bad about the sacrifices, but it’s about enjoying each sacrifice you make along the way. It’s about training yourself to realizing that the journey of making sacrifices is the journey of life.

Why your first job isn't going to be your last, and that's a good thing! We often stress over landing that perfect first job and shy away from roles that seem less glamorous or 'beneath us.' But here's a secret: those jobs can be stepping stones to amazing opportunities, as long as you're willing to keep learning and reinvesting in yourself. Join me as I share why embracing these beginnings and continuously developing your skills can set you up for a fulfilling and dynamic career.

What initially attracted me to business with the sense of sensibility and orderliness to it. There was an algorithm nature, but I’ve since learned that may not necessarily be the case.

Ever dreamed of turning your academic genius into a billion-dollar empire? Join me as we uncover the jaw-dropping journeys of PhD holders who defied all odds and transformed their doctorates into obscene wealth.
In this mind-blowing podcast, I will dive deep into the strategies, mindsets, and relentless determination that propelled these scholarly rebels from the hallowed halls of academia straight into the billionaire's club.
You'll discover how the critical thinking, problem-solving prowess, and sheer grit honed during their PhDs became the ultimate weapons for building colossal fortunes. From shattering industry norms to disrupting entire markets, these PhD billionaires will shatter every preconception you've ever had about the limits of academic success.
Whether you're a current PhD student, an aspiring scholar, or just someone who dreams of turning knowledge into unfathomable riches, this podcast is your ultimate guide to unlocking the secrets of the billion-dollar PhD.
Prepare to have your mind blown as we reveal the untold tales of academia's wealthiest rebels. Subscribe now and get ready to redefine what's possible with a doctorate!

I am diving into a common concern: Will AI replace our jobs? It's a topic that stirs up a lot of speculation, especially with rapid advancements in technology. However, the integration of AI and machines in industries is often slower than anticipated. This lag isn't just about technological challenges; it's deeply rooted in human nature and our responses to change.

While the fear of AI replacing jobs is prevalent, the real impact of AI in the workforce isn't about job elimination but transformation. In the long run, AI is unlikely to replace a significant portion of what we do in the foreseeable future. Instead, it's set to enhance our capabilities and open up new avenues for creative work. AI promises to make our work life more interesting and fun, shifting our roles rather than eliminating them.

So, what does this mean for you? Whether you're in a heavy industry or a creative field, understanding the pace and nature of AI adoption can help you better prepare for the future. Let's explore how AI is currently being integrated across various sectors and how it can be leveraged to enhance, not replace, human effort. Stay tuned as I uncover the exciting possibilities that AI brings to our professional lives.

It’s either you drop one ball today, or all of them in the future.

Taking time out for “Me Time” is as important as “work time” and “family time.”

Remember to keep some time for yourself, and protect it with all of your might.

Despite the pressure to run as fast as we can “all of the time,” it’s OK to drop some balls once and a while to focus on yourself.

What’s the alternative?

Become angry at the world and lash out?

Taking a step out is what healthy parenting and healthy management looks like.

#Education often measures people based on their outcome. But, in reality, we should be measuring people based on their action.

This is a simple problem.

Success in one’s life has a little to do with how you perform on test.

Success is everything to do whether you are willing to show up, and being a kind and generous person every day.

This is a simple problem. success and one slice has a little to do with how you perform on test. Success is everything you do are you willing to show up and being a kind and generous person every day.

Welcome to “Academic Affirmations: Unveiling My Need for Validation,”* where I explore why I constantly reassure others of their worth in academia. In each episode, I'll share personal stories and delve into the psychological reasons behind these affirmations. Join me as I uncover how this practice not only impacts those I praise but also mirrors my own quest for validation and acceptance within the high-pressure environment of academia. Tune in to gain insights into the dynamics of validation, understand the emotional undercurrents of academic culture, and discover how we can foster a healthier, more genuine approach to support and recognition in our professional lives.

What’s important is that you keep working through things, and continue to make positive changes in your life. Eventually, when you make enough positive changes in your life, people start noticing, and they make positive changes in their own life.

You will not listen to this because I talk about money.

People either think that money doesn’t relate to them or their hyperfocused on getting ahead.

If you talk about money in a calm fashion, where it’s part of your life, nobody cares. If I talk about it in the sense that, you will gain “success,”only a small group of people will listen to it, and it’s likely the wrong group of people.

Just open, honest, and authentic conversations about money, and you’ll be surprised where it gets you.

If you focus on the negative and the cost of things, you will never see just how wonderful it actually is.

There are miracles happening every day, and people are making them happen, you simply have to be the person to see it.

Focusing on just the cost in the negative side will prevent you from ever seeing the world of possibilities that are closer to you than you think.

There is a dramatic difference between theory and the practical environment and the key issue is because the practical environment contains context that is unique to each individual participating in that context.

I just want to say thank you to the good Samaritan in my life.

You often need to accept people as they are.

Despite clear evidence, not everyone is open to accepting it. There are many reasons why people may feel uncomfortable with evidence, and it's important to recognize these factors.

Your role is to connect meaningfully with a few individuals and hope that those who don't accept the evidence still lead long and healthy lives.

Keep moving I’m feeling good about yourself well into your 100s. If you don’t make it there, at least you spent a lifetime smiling and playing.

"I don't know how to say no," often stems from fear and judgment about their past decisions. You may feel shame about how things turned out.

Remember, you can't control all the outcomes in your life; many factors are beyond your control.

From my experience, it's better to focus on how you felt when you made the decision, rather than the outcome. Often, making the decision was a positive moment in your life.

Consider ways to assert yourself or find compromises where you can be more proactive without feeling guilty about your actions.

Be lighter—saying yes or maybe is a beautiful thing.

Let go of the guilt associated with decisions that were meant to have positive results.

How things turned out was not because of you.

Persistency is key—just keep moving forward, one step at a time, day after day.

Often, the difference between those you complete their goals and others is simply the ability to rise each day and persist.

BLOCK OUT distractions and stay focused.

Progress might seem slow; most days can be frustrating, and it often feels like nothing is changing. However, it's the cumulative effort, consistently applied, that eventually transforms your endeavors.

having a career outside of your career is healthy, and it allows you to continue to grow as a person.

It allows you to continue to do great things for yourself, while other people are standing on the sidelines.

Starting and growing a #business, doing #phd research, or any idea is a challenging journey for everyone.

It begins with a simple step, acknowledging that the path ahead will often make you feel inadequate and filled with self-doubt.

Doubt is a natural part of the process.

You may never feel fully prepared or confident.

You to feel like a failure.

You’re never gonna feel good enough.

Self-doubt is common, and external criticism can exacerbate these feelings. Remember, if someone looks down on you, the issue lies with THEM, not with your age, size, or intelligence.

Often, these negative perceptions are shaped by limited interactions; perhaps a ONE individual whose opinion has weighed heavily on you. So?!

Initiating your #venture opens opportunities to meet like-minded individuals who will offer the encouragement and support you need, cheering you on with a resounding 'hell yeah!'

Don’t let yourself get in the way of a good idea.

I used to wonder why people often give up on tough tasks. It's not about their productivity. In fact, focusing too much on productivity can actually backfire.

The real issue is how they see themselves. If people feel good about themselves, they're more likely to keep trying day after day.

Simple solutions like getting up early, rewarding productivity, or using productivity hacks might actually make things worse.

It truly is amazing to see older people that do things together as a couple. It’s important to have somebody to share your life with, and to get out of the house as much as he possibly can.

we talk about how to change research with the R3ciprocity Project, and what might that look like.

The #1 lesson I learned from creating the #R3ciprocity Project: YOU DON’T CARE.

What you must understand with all things in your life is this:

Ultimately, you are on your own.

It is solely up to you to rise again and persevere.

When I embarked on the R3ciprocity Project, I naively believed that rallying support would be straightforward. Given the project’s significance—creating a platform to help create non-rejectable #research papers and grants, I assumed diverse groups would eagerly contribute.

#Scientists, #researchers, #universities, and #students would be driven by the universal struggle with research papers and grant proposals.

Yet, I was vastly MISTAKEN.

While these issues are widely acknowledged, I’ve learned that people primarily look out for their own interests; they are not as eager to change the world as they might claim.

The reality is that many shy away from being part of the solution.

You get simple responses, “You are a nice guy for doing that,” or the most common, the hollow stare.

Faced with this hard reality, you have two choices:

Wallow in frustration or adapt to meet people where they are.

I choose #resilience.

Screw ‘em. I will see you in a decade.

I will continue to stand strong and push forward. Persist in your efforts and release any expectation of assistance.

It’s up to YOU to forge your path and make things happen.

Making sure that you always win at all costs can lead to problematic behaviors. It is very easy to want to impress other people as there is often a lot of benefits that come from these positive impressions.

However, it often leads to challenges in the long run where you do not match with what is expected of you.

Keep being you, my friends!

Help me thank a #PhD today by rethinking what success means in academia.

Traditionally, we view success through a narrow lens, often defining it in ways that favor our personal achievements. This perspective can lead to significant biases, particularly when we choose benchmarks of success that highlight our strengths and ignore the broader spectrum of academic contributions. Furthermore, we often base our evaluations on the actions of individuals whose circumstances or attributes differ markedly from our own, skewing our understanding of what success truly entails.

Instead of fixating on these conventional metrics of success, let’s shift our focus towards being genuinely good individuals.

It’s about putting up our blinders to the relentless “competition” and reframing our definition of “success.”

By emphasizing #kindness and generosity, we redefine what it means to be successful in academia. It's not the accolades or the recognition that truly count but the positive impact we have on others through our work and interactions.

Let’s celebrate those who contribute meaningfully to their communities and fields, not just through groundbreaking research but also through acts of kindness and mentorship.

Let’s redefine success to reflect the virtues of compassion and contribution.

This is a call to redefine academic “success” to encompass the full breadth of what it means to contribute to society and to each other’s lives with generosity and kindness.

We almost always default the thinking that our time is actually worth something. The truth is is that it’s only worth some thing when you reach out and begin something that makes no financial sense in the first place.

Think about the things in your life that you’re just doing because of impression management. Is it OK to do impression management? Absolutely.

But, you have to learn to control it so it doesn’t get away from you. It’s easy to get caught up in the competition of life, and we all struggle with it.

It’s OK to realize that many things in life actually do not improve with experience. Not everything is malleable and not everything can be learnt

That’s where you have to learn to love yourself regardless of the fact that known everything can be learnt, or that you will change.

Have a healthy dose of walking past people that do not want to support you in the first place.

They know that they can support you, but they choose not to.

Remember that.

You just smile and nod as you walk past in your journey in life. You can accomplish a lot, with a wink and a smile.

You will mess up, and things will not work out as planned. If you assume this is the case, you will be a lot more humbler about the future.

Always bet on the fact it’s not gonna work out, but work towards the fact that it might.

do things in your life that other people won’t understand and have no economic value in other peoples lives.

Most things that matter in our lives would not be considered rational to anybody else. Those are the little things and big things that allow you to get up every morning to do the rational things in your life.

I’m excited to talk about some of the interesting features that we are currently working on with the R3ciprocity platform for 2024.

How do you deal with an #academic #career that is unfair?

How do you deal with a career where you will inevitably push a rolling stone uphill?

You can either accept that you are a #failure, or you can either try to fight the system.

I choose a third alternative.

I choose to focus on how I can feel grateful for myself and other people near to me. I choose to encourage other people that are going through the same feelings of failure everyday.

I choose to ignore outcomes as much. I never want to overvalue the success, because the failure hurts more.

Learn to laugh at the silliness of pushing a rolling stone up a hill, just to have it roll back onto you.

Learn to smile at those who idolize the stone.

It is just a stone.

You never push that stone to the top, but you can laugh as you try.

Enjoy marching uphill today. 😂

If you want positive #change in your life, it often requires a great deal of effort. It requires collective agreement that you are going to put an effort to do the challenging thing that you’re thinking about.

Change is not an easy thing, and it requires you to be uncomfortable with uncertainty.

If you want to change to happen, you WILL have to make it happen. If you don’t, nothing will happen.

How can I make others feel better inside?

Identifying the effects of education is very difficult, and I would be skeptical, if anybody outlines that they can see a one-to-one relationship between education and performance.

What does this mean? For many people education is going to be a bad idea, however, for some people it’s going to be immensely important.

We will just never know who will actually benefit from education, and who will not.

And, you’ll never know at what point education is actually gonna matter for you.

Doing things right takes an awful lot of time.

Don’t worry about whether the external world things that you’re making progress, rather focus on doing things right.

It’s one of the harder lessons I’ve learned, but doing things right is slow. The outside world will not appreciate or think about all of the small steps along the way.

But, you do.

You are already #remarkable—You don’t need to “perfect” or improve anything.

Rather than look for ways to be more productive, succeed, or any other performance metrics.

Look for ways to leverage who “you” are and continue to be you.

Despite what the outside world says, you are already remarkable.

Negative events will happen in your life. The more that you disassociate and detached from these negative events, the more likely that you’re gonna laugh them off.

Disassociate as much as you possibly can and don’t take yourself so seriously. I’ve learnt to better laugh off the seriousness that we assigned to ourselves.

You are just not that important.

Don’t forget that you need a lot of positive self-talk and a supportive group to allow you to be successful.

Doing well is not just about getting things done, but also feeling good about yourself and others.

You will surprised how much it matters.