#3 | An Endless Flow of Inspiration

Rahul Rangnekar
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

Self-motivation and inspiration is tough, especially when you don’t know what to do and whether or not it’s worth it.

I had this problem throughout my first two years of college. I was an active member with leadership roles in campus organizations: the American Red Cross (Blood Committee coordinator) and the ASUC student government (Chief of Staff, Campaign Manager). I eventually left both after my sophomore year.

I felt as though I was doing busy work. I love the people in the organizations and I still stay in touch with them. But the work was just. so. monotonous. Post on social media, hand of flyers to students walking trough Sproul, annoy people until they do their work, and so on. Anyone could do what I did.

My perspective changed when a close friend told me:

“Your college career is short. Don’t spend it doing things you don’t enjoy.”

And since then, I’ve been trying my best to stay true to that. If I don’t like something, I’ll let people know. If I find I’m not learning through my work — that it’s straight-up waste of time that can be outsourced to anyone else— I’m not going to do it.

Life is so much easier when you do things you enjoy.

Every project I’m working on right now is an absolute blast.

I’m exercising daily (or was at least, before a nagging back injury), including weightlifting and running, so that I can finally get that 6-pack I’ve wanted and run the Berkeley Half Marathon in November.

I’m writing daily for this 100-day challenge, in the hopes that I become a better, more consistent writer.

I’m writing a weekly summer reflection about life lessons I’ve learned that week, my mental/physical progress, random thoughts, and more.

I’m reviewing restaurants on Yelp so that I can become Yelp Elite and give back to the foodie community.

I’m building a website (yet again) for my business fraternity in which I’m teaching myself React.

I’m critiquing and grading computer science students on their application research, designs, and implementations, setting myself up to be a student teacher for the course in the fall semester.

I’m meditating, doing yoga, smiling, and consciously making an effort to be a better and happier person.

In essence, I’m working on fail-safe projects that inspire me and bring me value

In each of these projects, what’s the worst that can happen? I’m a little less consistent than I want to be? Some things arrive a little late?

I’ve also been listening to Tim Ferris’ podcasts on my walk to work every morning. One of the most interesting things he said (and I’m paraphrasing) was how he chooses his projects:

Which projects will allow you to develop new skills and relationships, even they fail? Those are the ones I’ll do.

Each project above will make me a better person. There’s little to no busy work involved.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to work on these projects. I’m thankful that I (finally) discovered projects that inspire me, that I enjoy spending my time and energy on, that bring me value in my life, and push me forward on my journey to make the world a better place, one way or another.

Beyond Limits

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Rahul Rangnekar

Written by

Software Developer && Writer, UC Berkeley Computer Science & Economics graduate

Beyond Limits

Life’s perspective from a 21-year-old. A 100-day challenge to push myself beyond what I thought was possible. To be as inquisitive and uncomfortable as possible. To find and follow a life of peace, courage, determination, and gratitude.

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