Being a hiphop fan, this Drake song ("Started from the bottom now we are here") always resonated with me as it is a classic motivational personal development story. Contrary to the song and its accompanying video in which the bottom is illustrated as being an employee at a drug store (every job is important!) and the goal is sitting in a white mercedes and getting fake snow blown in your face (okay, also a nice villa at the end), my bottom and goals are a bit different.
This brings us to Maslow. Everyone has probably heard at one point in their life of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Although Maslow never himself drew the famous pyramid, the bottom of the hierarchy is physiological, i.e. food, shelter, warmth, sleep, and the top is self-actualization, i.e. personal growth, achieving potential, and self-fulfillment. In between we find the layers of safety, belonging, and esteem. Let's not kid ourselves, the fact that you have the means and time of reading this blog article, and I had the time to write it on a Sunday morning, probably means it is all about self-actualization. A typical criticism of this hierarchy is that it is too strict and in modern life many of the needs can also exist on the same level or might be even reversed. For example, in current dating culture it is more appreciated if you and the other partner already know who you are and where you want to go (self-actualization, level 5) before committing to a serious relationship and starting a family (belonging, level 3). Or putting it in a more fun way: just because I am not in a relationship with a partner doesn't mean that I don't want to have a beautiful sofa (aesthetic needs, somewhere in level 4).
So I would like to mix elements from Drake and Maslow with another architectural style: the ancient Greek temple.
In its essence it consists of a platform and stone columns that support a beautifully ornamented roof. Inside this beautiful and sturdy building, life can be celebrated (love and friends).
My platform (habits -> measurement):
- weight -> scale
- movement -> activity tracker and steps
- healthy food -> calorie in calorie out tracker
- good sleep -> sleep tracker
- meditation -> daily 15min
- a clean home -> daily 30min
- financial safety -> income / expenses tracking
- reading -> book pages read
- writing -> this blog ;)
My columns:
- a (mixed) martial arts fight: probably this will first be a Muay Thai fight, I dabbled with MMA in the past but wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are core parts of it and they need a lot of commitment and training to get a reasonable level to defend takedowns and submissions.
- a PhD thesis proposal in economics and/or economic history: maybe you need to read something about this from time to time.
- speaking a third language: currently I am envisioning Italian (for sure the most beautiful language in Europe!).
- Stand-Up comedy: I have done a course in the past and really liked the feeling being on stage but it took a long time and it was quite stressful to write this short five minute set. However, I really think everyone needs an art to express their inner feelings.
My roof:
- the best version of myself I can be.
So what is the 'bottom' this 'Office Potato' is starting from?
Generally, I am happy with my current career path, the amount of books I am reading and my location (Berlin + my flat). What I could improve is my social circle in Berlin.
But my main concern at the moment is my health. Over the past I have had many excuses why I couldn't start my fitness journey already. It was always after the next project was prepared, kicked off, close to finalization or, when the new person starts joining the team, when I have bought this magic thing that suddenly will eliminate all my problems and make me less uncomfortable, when I have the vacation, when I had the vacation, when the flat is clean, on Monday really... And so forth. You get the idea. A limitless stream of excuses on why not to start just yet.
This has taken a toll on me and my body. Since I arrived in Berlin 2019 and Covid-19 hitting in March 2020 I gained nearly 20 kgs (44 lbs) from 76 kgs (167 lbs) to 96 kgs (211 lbs). Of course this has not only a physiological component but also a psychological one that I want to explore and dive into over the next months.
Let's take the steps to the platform of the temple together! :)