Stepan Parunashvili

Notes on dealing with bureaucracy

Bureaucracy is essentially the opposite of what my mental model of the world is like. Follow instructions, participate in politics, exercise superficial power.

At first I thought I’d just ignore it, but something odd started happening. I was…

Listening

The way you want to be heard is the way those you love and respect want to be heard.

The way you have great ideas and you want to share it and be proud, those who you love and respect have great ideas that they can’t wait to share with you and be proud

My favorite books

Yesterday at lunch, our teams interns and me started talking books, and the hour flew by. At the end a task was opened up to share some favorites. Here it goes 😊

Books that have influenced my thinking the most

• Antifragile by Nassim Taleb — goes…

Arguing with my mother

This woman, who nurtured me, who made me, me. Who would hold me when I was 6 and warm my hands when I was cold. This woman, who when I feel anxious and I question everything, it is only her undying belief in me that I don’t question.

Life is not a story

of being a nerd in school, and then rising up and kissing the cheerleader.

of struggle until you win and show your doubters wrong

of battles with others, of intense love.

10 Offers, 100 Days. The Journey

In November I kicked off a job search that lasted 100 days. I went…

Sensible person principle

Always assume that if someone did something, it’s something that a sensible person would do.

As a corollary, this is for things that you have no experience in. i.e if you haven’t had a 20 year relationship, don’t assume you know what actions you would take in that position.

Be okay with thinking

Bertrand Russell once wrote a piece that I am about to bastardize, but it has been hugely impactful for me since I read it. He said, when working on complex problems, think as hard you can about it, then stop, and go about your day. Be okay with not being able to produce an answer, or do…

It’s not about what you want

Many people want to be successful in business. Many people want to be excellent coders. Many people want to have great relationships. When I look at those that are the best in their craft, it is not their desire that sets the apart from the crowd. It is their clear understanding…