Re-Thinking Hustle Culture
Re-Thinking Hustle Culture
3.14 | "What you do today can improve all your tomorrows." - Ralph Marston
News and Numbers
Markets this Week:
S&P 500 is down 1%.
NASDAQ 100 is down 2%.
Bitcoin-USD is down 1%.
Ethereum-USD is down 1%.
Headlines from this Week:
Jake Paul defeated Nate Diaz by unanimous decision.
Disney owned ESPN has entered an agreement with PENN Entertainment to launch ESPN BET, a branded sportbook in the USA.
WeWork raises “substantial doubt” about staying in business.
Ecuador presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated at a political rally.
Finance
By Vlad Estoup, B.Comm. (Finance); working in Ethereum cybersecurity
GICs and T-Bills Over the Stock Market for Short-Term Cash Needs
When urgency meets financial planning, investors seeking short-term liquidity and substantial returns are finding Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) and Treasury Bills (T-Bills) increasingly alluring. With the potential to deliver returns exceeding 5%, these alternatives are gaining favor over the stock market for those with cash needs within a year.
GICs and T-Bills shine with their emphasis on capital preservation and low risk. GICs offer a guaranteed return over a fixed period, shielding against market volatility. Similarly, T-Bills, backed by government credit, provide a virtually risk-free haven. This stability contrasts sharply with the stock market's unpredictable swings that can erode capital at a short notice.
GICs and T-Bills shine with their emphasis on capital preservation and low risk. GICs offer a guaranteed return over a fixed period, shielding against market volatility. Similarly, T-Bills, backed by government credit, provide a virtually risk-free haven. This stability contrasts sharply with the stock market's unpredictable swings that can erode capital at a short notice.
GICs offer a fixed interest rate throughout the investment, while T-Bills mature at face value, ensuring clear returns. Conversely, stock market gains are uncertain and influenced by many variables. While stocks boast long-term potential, GICs and T-Bills assure short-term predictability.
It is also important to consider that the stock market is already near a new all-time high (about 10% or so away). But the macroeconomic (and micro as well) picture is not looking too good, with major layoffs, record credit card debt (crossed $1T for the first time ever), and immense geopolitical tensions around war, the status of the dollar as a reserve currency, and the downgrading of US debt.
This is not financial advice and you should always do your own research before investing in any securities or cryptocurrencies.
Sci-Tech
By Keyann, Software Engineer in Web3
Master learning
The pivotal moment for me came in Grade 7. I can still vividly recall my teacher revealing our scores, cautioning me about the dire consequences if I didn’t elevate my efforts.
Remarkably, in the subsequent math exams, I achieved a perfect score in geometry and an impressive 105% in algebra, thanks to the bonus questions. This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: with dedication, you can achieve greatness.
However, as life progresses and challenges intensify, this simple principle might seem insufficient. But don't worry, here are some additional strategies I've cultivated over the years:
1. Nourish Your Brain for Growth: Adopt a balanced diet, maintain a regular exercise routine, and practice meditation. Manage your stress and discipline. Embrace the neuroplasticity of your brain by providing it with the right conditions to grow and evolve.
2. Broaden Your Horizons: While mastering a specific domain is commendable, diversifying your skills can magnify your expertise. This could mean picking up a musical instrument, learning a new language, delving into literature, mastering culinary arts, or honing athletic abilities. Such varied experiences enrich your cognitive functions and enhance your learning capacity.
3. Think Deeply and Connect Concepts: When introduced to a new idea, such as derivatives in calculus, push yourself to understand it beyond the provided information. Reflect on its real-world applications, its interrelations with other knowledge you possess, or even try associating it with familiar objects, like a city or a tree. Using mnemonic devices or creating patterns can also facilitate recall. Think about what you don’t understand and allocate time and focus towards that.
4. Practice makes perfect: A close friend once shared a golden piece of advice with me during my calculus days: "Merely an hour or two of daily study won't cut it. Engage with the material until you understand it. Once you grasp it, do it again three more times. Then, revisit the concept the following day." It may sound tedious, but this method has proven its efficacy time and again.
5. Time management, discipline, and accountability: It’s easy and common to have goals that you’d like to achieve, but it’s much harder to create a routine to learn something and actually be accountable to that routine. Have set times during the week to work towards your goals, and hold yourself accountable to that time.
Remember, learning is a continuous journey, and these strategies have been my trusty companions. May they guide you to your own path of success.
Paradigm Shift
By Roman Kuittinen-Dhaoui, BBA, CPHR Candidate; working in Human Resources
Time to Rethink Hustle Culture
Workers across generations are facing burnout and decreased motivation due to increased work responsibilities and the challenges of balancing home-life priorities. Gen Z is leading the charge for change by advocating for improved mental health support, setting boundaries with employers, and rejecting the “hustle culture.”
"Hustle culture" refers to a societal and work-related mindset that emphasizes constant busyness, overwork, and the idea that one's worth is measured by their level of productivity and the number of hours they dedicate to work. It often promotes the notion that success is achieved through non-stop dedication and a relentless pursuit of goals, even at the expense of one's well-being, health, and work-life balance. In a hustle culture, individuals might feel pressured to work long hours, take on excessive responsibilities, and constantly strive for more without allowing themselves proper breaks or time for relaxation. This can lead to burnout, stress, and negatively impact physical and mental health. The concept has gained criticism for its potential to undermine holistic well-being and discourage a healthy balance between work and personal life.
It’s important to work hard. Money provides access.
But, keep the end in mind. When you’re old and retired, what will you wish you did more: worked, travelled, prioritized your health, spent time with family and friends?
Don’t get caught in the daily grind and hustle of life.
(Head)Space
Long Distance Relationships
By Roman K-D
Globalization, the internet, and the ease of travel have created more opportunities for people to move around for better work and education. Along with that comes more long-distance relationships. Below are 3 pros and 3 cons of long-distance relationships.
Pros of long-distance relationships:
Personal Growth: Long-distance relationships often require individuals to develop stronger communication skills, patience, and independence. Being apart allows each person to focus on their personal goals and interests, leading to individual growth. As you get older, you enjoy the peace of being alone more and more.
Stronger Emotional Connection: Distance can make the heart grow fonder. When you're apart, you might value your partner's presence more and cherish the time you do get to spend together. This can lead to a deeper emotional connection.
Trust Building: Being in a long-distance relationship requires a high level of trust. Overcoming challenges related to distance can strengthen the foundation of trust between partners. It's an opportunity to learn to trust each other fully and build a solid relationship base.
Cons of Long-Distance Relationships:
Communication Challenges: Misunderstandings and lack of immediate communication can be problematic in long-distance relationships. Time zone differences, busy schedules, and differing communication preferences (e.g., texting, calling, FaceTiming) can lead to frustration.
Emotional Strain: Not being able to physically be with your partner can lead to feelings of loneliness, sadness, and even jealousy. Celebrating special occasions or milestones separately can also be emotionally challenging.
Limited Face-to-Face time: Face-to-face time is a vital aspect of many romantic relationships. Long-distance couples may struggle with the lack of physical touch and the spontaneity that comes with being together in person.
Every relationship is unique, so while these pros and cons offer general insights, how they play out in your specific situation can differ. The success of a long-distance relationship often depends on the individual's commitment, communication skills, and willingness to overcome the challenges presented by the distance.
Company of the Week
PolyMarket
PolyMarket is a cutting-edge decentralized platform that taps into the wisdom of the crowd to predict real-world events. Users buy and sell shares corresponding to specific outcomes, with share prices translating into the event's perceived probability. Built on blockchain technology, it offers a trustless environment, ensuring transparent and fair payouts. Leveraging the UMA (Universal Market Access) protocol, PolyMarket decentralizes the prediction process, minimizing manipulation and middlemen interference.
While some view it as speculative, others appreciate PolyMarket's potential as a forecasting tool. Historical data suggests that such prediction markets can occasionally outperform expert-based predictions, making PolyMarket an intriguing tool for those wanting to gauge or bet on global events.
Written by: Vlad Estoup, Keyann Al-Kheder, and Roman Kuittinen-Dhaoui