Courage is everything. It is my personal thought that “success“ doesn’t matter. What matters instead is the degree and the level of courage you’re willing to put out, in the context of your own life goals.
Your life
Your own life is only this one. A thought:
Let us assume that there is no afterlife, or no cognizant afterlife. If this were the only life you had, then, how would you live it?
Some thoughts include having kids, because most likely, your kids will outlive you.
Also, writing things down, and publishing them online. Or publishing them as open source PDF documents, or books, ensuring them online for free.
Or, making YouTube videos, and vlogs, and putting them online, no advertisements.
Your information will outlive you.
I think deep down, all humans have some sort of built in biological altruism. That is, we care about others. We care about humanity and the human race.
Therefore as a simple thought:
In this one life you have, what do you desire to do, create, make, innovate, and share?
For myself, at the first level I desire to empower other photographers. I remember when I started photography at the age of 18 years old, it was all so confusing. Also, all of the things that I read online, or in books were very unuseful. I seek to create the most motivational, helpful, and encouraging information in regards to photography. Thus my Photography 101 Series.
Also in the domain of street photography; once again, seeking to empower, motivate, and share philosophical and pragmatic information and knowledge to help other photographers become more confident, courageous, and more certain of themselves and what they do. Also I just want other photographers to become happier.
Physical courage and strength and photography
Am I the first person to have thought that there is a link between physical strength, physical courage, and photography?
For example, my 705 pound squat hold, atlas lift. As I have been increasing my personal physical strength, creating new personal records in my one repetition maximum list, I have become so insanely confident and strong, I am out of control.
Why conquer courage?
There are things in our control, and things not in our control. I believe courage is a muscle, which can and must be trained.
Nobody is born courageous. I also do not believe that it is some sort of intrinsic trait. Any human being, irregardless of their background, their genetics, their nationality, etc., can train their courage.
For example, I believe that the road to courage was first instilled in me by my mom. Socially speaking, she has the most courage I know. She has zero problems talking to strangers, asking for help, asking for directions, etc. I even have this vivid memory as a kid, maybe 10 years old, in which we were lost somewhere in a shady neighborhood in East Oakland, and my mom pulled up next to two guys who look like thugs, and nicely asked for directions. I recall being in the passenger seat, and being scared, and reclining down the seat, in order to hide. I was scared of these guys, but my mom wasn’t. And at the end, they ended up being insanely nice to my mom.
The vivid memory I had was this and lesson:
There are times in which we are scared and intimidated by certain people, and make certain prejudices. However, if we have the courage to ask, and attempt, they actually end up being really nice.
Another funny thing that I’ve learned; people with face tattoos tend to be the nicest people. Also, real life gangsters and thugs, also have a strong code of ethics and end up actually being pretty nice.
Game respect game
I also have another vivid memory of being in a shady neighborhood in Detroit, in the middle of the day, and being intimidated by two guys who are shadily walking towards me. What I did instead was just look at them, and wave my hand in a friendly manner, like they were my friends, and then they waved back, and then they just went back to sitting on the bench. Who knows if I might have gotten mugged, but, showing that you’re not scared will actually demand respect.
Mano a Mano
In modern day life, I think we are scared of metaphorical concepts and phantoms. For example, we are afraid of vague notions of “shame“, financial and social ruin, etc. Also fear and stress from our jobs, etc.
However, at the end of the day, the only things which are real:
- Paying rent: not getting evicted, and having somewhere to live.
- Having enough money to buy meat, at the Costco business center. Super cheap.
Am I the first person to ever realize that money is only good for these two things?
1v1
In Diablo II, there is a notion of PVP, player versus player. One versus one. The idea is that at the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to build the strongest character, with the best weapons and armor, and fight other players, one versus one 1v1. For example, it seem like the best PVP character in Diablo II was barbarian with whirlwind.
Ultimately, if you have fear, who is that one other human being, the one human face that you are so afraid of?
In the context of your job, is it your boss? However note, that your boss doesn’t have control over you, there are the human resources HR department which can handle things.
Or, let us say that you work for some sort of institution. There is no human face in an institution.
How to train your courage
There is physical courage, entrepreneurial courage, and also social courage.
Physical courage wise, attempt one repetition maximum types of lifts at the gym. I recommend rack pull and the atlas lift.
In terms of entrepreneurial courage, just do it digitally. The great upside of digital is that if you fail, there’s really no downside.
In terms of social courage, just wave at somebody, say hello, compliment them, and start chatting with them.
Stare at them
Something I’ve discovered when it comes to dealing with other people — If somebody gives you grief, annoys you, says something disrespectful, just walk up right next to them, stand up straight, and just stare into them. You don’t need to say anything. Just stare at them.
Modern-day people are not good at making eye contact. Also, they get intimidated when you stare straight into them. And the great thing about this is that you don’t even need to lift a finger, or say anything.
But isn’t staring at somebody, and making eye contact with somebody confrontational?
Oh it is. However, as long as you don’t raise your voice, or lift a finger, you’re not breaking any sort of legal laws.
And perhaps in modern-day life, one of the biggest downsides is that everyone is always so afraid of being confrontational, and thus, people fall into petty resentments, passive aggressive behavior, etc.
Better to be very upfront, blunt, and air out your grievances outloud, and also encourage others to do the same.
The notion of “clearing the air“.
This is a good behavior, because, whenever people have petty pent up resentment feelings, once they air it out, and they say it verbally, typically people feel better, and also, often times when people verbalize their grievances, they realize how nonsensical and petty it is.
Think above
I believe the best mindset two things in life is to be lofty, and think lofty.
What is lofty? Imagine like you are Zeus, chilling in Mount Olympus, and looking down at the rest of humanity, like silly little ants. If you want good visuals, watch the movie Clash of the Titans, etc.
Courage and street photography
My personal thought is that street photography is 99.9% courage. Also, the reason why street photography is the most fun form of photography is because it deals with other human beings, which requires the maximal amount of courage.
Let us consider how many things can go wrong in street photography. You might upset somebody, you might create some sort of confrontation, whether it be physical or verbal, and you got to use your courage and your guts to defuse it, or to just walk away.
The reason why so many modern street photographers are bad is because they lack courage. In the context of modern street photographers, at least all the modern ones I’ve met in real life, they are not very personable, and also they lack physical courage.
Stoicism and street photography
A very good mental mindset to approach street photography is stoicism. Basically stoicism is all about recognizing and realizing that life is all upside, no downside.
Some stoic strategies in street photography which are beneficial:
- Expect the worst, but be prepared for the best.
- Know that it is better to attempt to ask somebody for a portrait, and get rejected, instead of being a coward, and not attempting it at all.
- Know that when you’re shooting street photography, typically at worst, you’re just only minorly annoying somebody. This is not a big deal. 50 street photo tips.
- There is no such thing as rejection in street photography. There are only attempts, and the ways things manifest.
Courageous thinking
In order to think more courageously, some films and media which are useful:
- The movie 300
- John Wick
- Sayings of Spartans — Plutarch.
Essentially I think the only movies and books worth reading are the ones which augment your courage. Not fun, entertainment, comedy. These are all bad.
Also, I think the best movies are the ones which have a solo hero, and, the movie is all about him and his courage.
For example, it seems that the only good Marvel superhero movies are the ones which were created before Disney bought them out.
For example, the original Iron Man movie. I also like the original Thor movie. Also the original Captain America movie.
It seems that all the new superhero movies under Marvel, under Disney, are made much more weak, and anemic.
Courage exercises
How do you augment your courage? Some thoughts:
- Record and vlog you talking about some sort of topic which interests you, which may be considered controversial or touchy. Just stream your thoughts honestly, just do it on your iPad, your iPhone, GoPro, etc. And just upload it to YouTube.
- Have the courage to delete your Instagram. Burn the ships behind you, no looking back. And instead, just transfer everything to your own website and blog instead.
- Go to the gym, and have the courage to lift weights without music. Attempt a new one repetition maximum of any given lift which interest you. Attempt a rack pull and a squat hold.
Have the courage to be looked at like a fool
Another thing I have observed which is so funny at the gym; everyone is always trying to look so cool with your clothes. Yet, trying to fit in is the act of cowardice. To put yourself in a position in which you’re willing to be looked at like a fool or a laughingstock is a good idea.
For example, a hugely beneficial strategy I’ve discovered is when it comes to clothes, or workout clothes, it is best to buy the most supreme luxury clothing, on clearance. For example, I recently bought a bunch of Lululemon clothes, on clearance, for super cheap. The caveat is don’t buy black; by the flashy and bizarre uncommon colors. For example, I really like the Lululemon license to train Shorts, I bought it in neon green, faded zap. They are great.
Also, the metal vent T-shirt series, very good for working out. I bought it in wasabi, pink clay, and, I also have a high viz. orange tank top which I bought from ASICS while in Cambodia.
It takes more courage to wear an insanely flashy colored article of clothing, rather than to just wear the typical boring black, white, or gray.
Therefore, I encourage you to try it out. Buy the most bright, flashy, and loud colored piece of clothing, for your top and shorts, and just go to the gym and work out in them.
Or even next level; roll up your shorts to make them look like short shorts, show off your turbo thighs. Also, as a man, roll up your T-shirt and turn into a crop top and just hide behind your back with a hairband. Show off your belly.
Bend the gender norms
Another way you could become more courageous in life is to bend gender norms. For example, I am a heterosexual straight man, and yet, I like it when I do things which are considered more “feminine“. In terms of how I talk, dress, etc. For example, when you see all the girls in the gym with their sports bras and super tight leggings, let us realize, there is no reason why a man cannot dress the same.
I think in America, and in the states, straight heterosexual men are afraid of being seen as either gay or homosexual. Yet, a great way to build courage is to conquer the fear of looking like something else. And ironically enough, it is the men who are The most masculine are not afraid of acting “gay“.
Social activities
In modern day life, the best way to become more social is to do more fitness related things. Go to the gym, go to yoga, or just sign up for a CorePower membership.
I feel that fitness is the future; far more virtuous than going to the mall, or eating out.
Have the courage to share your artwork
It takes a lot of courage to have the courage to share your artwork. That means, know as an artist, when you share your artwork with others, you put yourself at the front lines potentially being criticized, ridiculed, etc. I think modern-day art school is really bad; it is a bunch of teachers and students trying to lower the self-esteem of others, it takes more courage to praise the virtues of some thing than to criticize it for something it is not.
In fact, to criticize or critique some thing is typically not very useful; I find it is superior to praise what some thing is good for, and to simply just keep encouraging the individual or student. This is the methodology and my personal approach to my workshops; Seeking to empower my students to the maximum.
A more courageous future
The empowering thought which should fuel our future ventures; seek a life of the maximum amount of courage, to do epic risk-taking in domains you care for.
RISK ON!
EK
Become more courageous
EK WORKSHOPS— designed to elevate your courage above and beyond:
- March 25: Conquer courage in Boston
- April 15: Conquer innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in Berkeley
- June 19-23rd: Conquer ZEN in Hadong South Korea
More Motivational thoughts
- In life, the only thing to be proud of is the amount of courage you exhibit for a given thing.
- Go solo and think solo.
- Think the web and internet. Infinite possibilities.
- Think like an entrepreneur — entrepreneurship is a mindset, not a money thing.
How to think like an entrepreneur
Also —
Essentially the growth and thriving of a free market economy and capitalism is predicated on marketing. Steve Jobs was the first genius to realize that computers are not just for nerds, but required sexy and motivational marketing materials. Even now when I look at Apple marketing, they are all boring, lame, and anemic. If Apple desires to continue to thrive, they need to quadruple down on their marketing.
Hyundai N
Hyundai N — the new 911 killer.
I see Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis as the future of automotive design. Also considering that there is a strong South Korea America tied in economy, to invest in Hyundai Kia and Genesis is a good idea.
EK CONSULTING
For consulting — hit me up at eric [at] erickim.com
Fitness for the new year
At the end of the day, what is everyone’s New Year’s resolution? It typically has to do with fitness, diet health nutrition and your body.
How to start weightlifting at the gym:
Essentially don’t use any machines. Only thing you should touch is the barbell, dumbbells and free weights. All machines are bad.
Also, don’t do any exercises which require you lying on your back or sitting down.
Some ideas include doing heavy renegade rows with the dumbbells, in which essentially you do a push-up with the dumbbells, and then just try to row it up. Just aim for a one rep max.
Also— rack pull, atlas lift.
More workout ideas for the new year >
Things to buy for the new year?
- Weightlifting chalk in tube or powder
- Lululemon clearance workout clothes — metal vent 2.0 shirt short sleeve in small, also get some Lululemon half short leggings.
- Gym membership or corepower yoga membership
- Cheap espresso machine — only black coffee.
- Death wish coffee
More ideas on EK BLOG
Fortune favors the brave
“Fortis Fortuna adiuvat.”
EK JOHN WICK
Feeling a bit more pumped? Feel free to forward this to a friend!