In the book “100 basics of life”, the Japanese essayist Matsuura Yataro has proposed writing down your kihon - the core basics, or guiding principles of your life. Kihons are the fundamentals of oneself. A kihon doesn’t change with your job title or external identity, but remains the part of you that always shines through regardless of where you are, what you do, or whom you’re with.
As I think about the significance of kihon with the lens of software developer, I notice these benefits of establishing a kihon:
- acts as your anchor and guidance, so you immediately know what to do/not to do without expending on precious cognitive resources to decide upon everything
- serves as a living document for reflection during uncertain times
- Like a changelog, it allows you to trace your important changes as you continue to learn and evolve
Here’re my kihons:
curiosity
My curiosity is like an inner flame that is always supplying energy to propel me forward. I practice what advertising legend James Webb Young taught in his classic book “A Technique For Producing Ideas” about constantly observing and collecting general ideas. Everything we encounter has a why/what/how behind and if we are curious enough, our idea repository (from where we can extract, link, combine and create new ideas) will never be empty. Moreover, things seldom exist in isolation, but are somehow connected. The mental model of transfer learning, both in human and machine learning, guide my approach in acquiring new skills. In life’s dips, it’s my pursuit for intellectual adventures that lifts me up, giving me purpose to keep going. My role model Wakamiya Masako is my North Star in lifelong learning.
confidence
Believe that whatever lies ahead, we can turn it into a good experience. This is not brainwashing ourselves, but an intrinsic trust and faith in our ability to prevail and adapt. It is also a trust in our community for looking out each other. With this trust, we can take comfort into the belief that we are never alone in suffering, that we can find solace in others who have walked the same path before (whether via books on historical figures, or talking with living examples), and support from contemporary professionals.
agility
There are multiple ways to cook a fish, likewise there are multiple ways to see something. Not locking us down to a particular view or identity free us to explore more opportunities beyond our knowledge. We just need to be humble and embrace continuous growth by taking up challenges that are both intellectually stimulating and rewarding. My role model Nakano Yoshihisa is my North Star in staying in the present and not being afraid to reinvent.
inner awareness
Always on the look out, but never forget to look in too. We can be our biggest champion and our meanest beater at the same time. I have to thank Thay (Master Thich Nhat Hahn) for his teaching in helping me to calm my inner storms and reorient myself through all the ups and downs.
integrity
Do what you say, and say what you do. The Chinese motto 知行合一