Guiding Principles
Overview
Section titled “Overview”These are the principles that guide how I approach software development, tool selection, and problem-solving. They help me stay focused on what matters and make better decisions.
“Being brave isn’t the absence of fear. Being brave is having that fear but finding a way through it.”
— Bear Grylls
My Takeaway: I love this perspective because it humanizes bravery. People without fear are terrifyingly detached (a little psycho, even!), but for me, acknowledging my fear confirms I’m fully alive and aware of the risk or the challenge ahead. True confidence doesn’t come from pushing fear away; it comes from accepting it as a vital signal and then deciding to act anyway. Whether driven by love, responsibility, or purpose, the act of moving forward despite being afraid is the most authentic form of strength there is.
“Chase the vision, not the money, the money will end up following you.”
— Tony Hsieh
My Takeaway: This is such great life advice, because it’s all about keeping your eyes on the True North. Look, it’s super easy to get sidetracked by those immediate, shiny things, like a quick buck, or chasing approval, or just trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses.’ But for me, chasing the “vision” means dedicating your energy to the stuff that genuinely matters. Are you aiming to be the best parent you can be? Are you mastering that tricky skill? Are you building something meaningful for your community? (And yes, this absolutely holds true for work or business, too!) If you focus on that core purpose with passion and real quality, all those other good things, stability, recognition, great relationships, aren’t things you have to chase. They just show up! They are the natural result of living a life focused on deep value, not just high returns.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
— Wayne Gretzky
My Takeaway: This quote is my favorite reminder to just start. It’s the ultimate antidote to procrastination, overthinking, and waiting for the “perfect moment.” We spend so much time calculating risks, drawing up perfect plans, or worrying about failure that we often forget the simplest truth: inaction guarantees zero success. Whether you’re sending that intimidating email, applying for that ambitious job, or attempting a difficult personal goal, the moment you decide not to try, you’ve already failed. The only way to open the door to any possibility, even a long shot, is to actually step up and take the shot.