{"id":32150,"date":"2016-10-11T17:27:46","date_gmt":"2016-10-12T00:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?page_id=32150"},"modified":"2016-10-11T18:02:25","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T01:02:25","slug":"happiness-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/happiness-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"55 Tips to Be Happier in Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_31883\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31883\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31883\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/24\/hanoi-diary-6-living-in-airplane-mode\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1325\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1474658827&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31883\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Hanoi, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-color-0000752.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31883\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanoi, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dear friend,<\/p>\n<p>For the longest time \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve tried to find \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in my life. And I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found it.<\/p>\n<p>Of course this is not a formula that works for everyone \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily work for you.<\/p>\n<p>However I hope these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tips\u00e2\u20ac\u009d can give you some insight in how to find happiness in your life. Pick and choose and scan through the list to stimulate your thinking.<\/p>\n<p>This is partly a letter to you, but also a letter to my 18-year-old self. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve also included some actionable \u00e2\u20ac\u0153assignments\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which I help can help inspire, motivate, and uplift you:<\/p>\n<h2>Download<\/h2>\n<p><strong>PDF<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dl.dropboxusercontent.com\/u\/3105959\/Downloads\/Blog\/55%20Tips%20to%20Be%20Happier%20in%20Life\/55%20Tips%20to%20Be%20Happier%20in%20Life.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Dropbox<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0BxslI7nEWY93NWlVOHZtaW9YejA\" target=\"_blank\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Text file (.txt)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dl.dropboxusercontent.com\/u\/3105959\/Downloads\/Blog\/55%20Tips%20to%20Be%20Happier%20in%20Life\/55%20Tips%20to%20Be%20Happier%20in%20Life.txt\" target=\"_blank\">Dropbox<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0BxslI7nEWY93aG9TZzdUSXIyVzA\" target=\"_blank\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Count your blessings<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything happens for a reason\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Buy experiences, not things<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t maximize, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153satisfice\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>All black everything<\/li>\n<li>Seek absence of pain, not abundance of pleasure<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do<\/li>\n<li>Get strong<\/li>\n<li>Moderate your drugs<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consume sugar<\/li>\n<li>Be in a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as often as possible<\/li>\n<li>Everyday do one less thing<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take your emotions too seriously<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t skimp on sleep<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consume; create<\/li>\n<li>Share what you learn<\/li>\n<li>Write down at least 10 creative ideas a day<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ask others for advice<\/li>\n<li>Forget favors given; never forget favors received<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tomorrow is never\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Spend less time on social media<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at advertisements<\/li>\n<li>Never half-ass anything<\/li>\n<li>Subtract superfluous technology from your life<\/li>\n<li>Avoid \u00e2\u20ac\u0153dualism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d; don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t classify things as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Practice \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wu-wei\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Procrastination is a good thing<\/li>\n<li>Compliment people more<\/li>\n<li>Realize that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is never \u00e2\u20ac\u0153enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look ahead; look behind<\/li>\n<li>Spend money on others<\/li>\n<li>Spend more time with fewer people<\/li>\n<li>Walk more<\/li>\n<li>Marry your best friend<\/li>\n<li>Avoid optimization in your life<\/li>\n<li>Value your time, attention, and energy over everything else<\/li>\n<li>Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t adapt to the world; let the world adapt to you<\/li>\n<li>Ask yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What if the opposite were true?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>See yourself from a third-person or birds-eye view<\/li>\n<li>The reward is the action itself<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hell fucking yes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Traveling won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fix your life problems<\/li>\n<li>Decrease time, increase intensity<\/li>\n<li>K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid)<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change others; change yourself<\/li>\n<li>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re angry, wait 1 day before responding<\/li>\n<li>You can create your own luck<\/li>\n<li>Emulate 5 people you admire<\/li>\n<li>Remove distractions to focus<\/li>\n<li>Imagine the other person is going to die tonight<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try to control your reputation<\/li>\n<li>Avoid debt<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compete with anybody (except yourself)<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do unto others as you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want others to do unto you<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>1. Count your blessings<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_32073\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32073\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32073\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/10\/sydney-diary-2016\/e0001078\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?fit=2000%2C3020&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,3020\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1475396549&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric kim street photography portrait melbourne\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-32073\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Melbourne, 2016\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/E0001078.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-32073\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Melbourne, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The world is a phenomenal place. It is easy to get jaded if we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t count our blessings.<\/p>\n<p>Happiness isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t having everything you want in life. Rather, happiness is having gratitude for what we have.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever I am feeling shitty, I always try to count my blessings. I count my blessings by saying what I am grateful for.<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful to be alive, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful for my friends and family, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful for modern technology, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not starving on the streets, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful that I have the opportunity to do meaningful work to help empower others.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to find more happiness in your life, try to write 3 things you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re grateful for everyday (no matter how shitty your day was). If you have a partner, you can share your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153favorite 3 things of the day\u00e2\u20ac\u009d before you sleep.<\/p>\n<h2>2. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything happens for a reason\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_32025\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32025\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32025\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/02\/melbourne-diary-2016\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1325,2000\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1475330572&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-0001001\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Melbourne, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-32025\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Melbourne, 2016\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1.jpg?w=1325&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-photography-0001001-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-32025\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Melbourne, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m getting older, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m getting less religious and more spiritual.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs\u00e2\u20ac\u201d there is great solace that comes from the idea: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything happens for a reason.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Everything might not happen for a reason \u00e2\u20ac\u201d but think of how you can benefit from any negative life situation.<\/p>\n<p>Did you not get that promotion at work? Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to work that extra 20 hours a week, for a modest raise, and you can focus on personal projects instead.<\/p>\n<p>Did you lose a limb? Perhaps this can give you an opportunity to build your other artistic interests or skills.<\/p>\n<p>I also love the idea that no matter what, the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153universe conspires in our favor\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (from the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAlchemist\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 by Paulo Coelho).<\/p>\n<p>By believing that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153everything happens for a reason\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you will be a lot less anxious in life. Not only that, but you will build resilience to gain a positive out of every negative thing that happens in your life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time something shitty happens to you, think of yourself in 2 years \u00e2\u20ac\u201d how will you look back on this experience? How will this negative experience make you a stronger experience?<\/p>\n<p>And what benefit can you get from this negative experience?<\/p>\n<p>Always think positively.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Buy experiences, not things<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31974\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31974\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31974\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/travel-photography-tips-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31974\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Marseille, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-2-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whenever we buy something new and shiny, it excites us and brings us temporary pleasure. However generally after 2 weeks, this effect wears off. Psychologists call this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hedonic adaptation.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you buy a new car, the appeal will wear off after around 2 weeks. If you buy a new camera, smartphone, or device \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the same will happen.<\/p>\n<p>Also no matter what, all our physical possessions will disintegrate into dust one day. What used to be new and shiny becomes old and outdated.<\/p>\n<p>What never gets outdated? Experiences.<\/p>\n<p>By investing in experiences, we grow and learn as human beings. Experiences include having a cup of coffee with a friend, traveling, or trying some new extracurricular activity.<\/p>\n<p>I never regret any money I spend on experiences. Why? No matter what, the memory will always live with you. I might buy an expensive car, but if I get into an accident or someone steals it \u00e2\u20ac\u201d it disappears forever.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Whenever you get the urge to buy a new item, try to buy an experience instead. Buy a plane ticket to visit a place you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always wanted. Sign up for a workshop. Invite a friend to dinner and pick up the bill.<\/p>\n<p>The more meaningful experiences you accumulate in life, the happier you will be.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t maximize, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153satisfice\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31905\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31905\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31905\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/portfolio\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1444922689&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Orleans, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31905\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"New Orleans, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-portrait-color.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There tends to be two types of people:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maximizers: Want the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153best\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of everything<\/li>\n<li>Satisficers: Wants \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Maximizers tend to be a lot more miserable and less satisfied than satisficers (\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsatisfice\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 is a combination of the word satisfy and suffice).<\/p>\n<p>Personally, I am a maximizer. I want the best of everything. I want the best car, the best laptop, the best smartphone, the best camera, and the best clothes. However this leads me to just becoming more miserable \u00e2\u20ac\u201d because \u00e2\u20ac\u0153best\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is never the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153best.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d There is always something newer and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153better\u00e2\u20ac\u009d coming out every year.<\/p>\n<p>What has helped me instead is to seek to satisfice. Nowadays, I aim for 80% \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and I will say \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a lot happier. When I am buying clothes, it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to fit perfectly. When I buy a camera, I know there will always be upsides and downsides. When I buy any device, I know there will always be a newer model that will come out.<\/p>\n<p>The beauty of being a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153satisficer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is that we save money, time, and effort. We aim for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (in terms of our physical possessions) which allows us to have more energy, time, and attention to do our life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work (whatever that may be).<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>What is your personal barometer for 80% \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d? Try to satisfice more in your life decisions.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re choosing a restaurant, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t aim for the best. Aim for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Remember, who you eat food with is more important than what you eat.<\/p>\n<p>The next time you want to buy a new camera, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have 100 tabs open reviewing different cameras. Limit yourself to reading reviews and testing out 3-5 cameras, and then settle for the one that is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Also remember\u00e2\u20ac\u201d if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the best, it will force you to be more creative and resourceful.<\/p>\n<h2>5. All black everything<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_32156\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32156\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"32156\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/happiness-tips\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-photographer-by-luis-donoso-2016-profile-headshot-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-photographer-by-luis-donoso-2016-profile-headshot.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-photographer-by-luis-donoso-2016-profile-headshot\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-photographer-by-luis-donoso-2016-profile-headshot.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-32156\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-photographer-by-luis-donoso-2016-profile-headshot-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Portrait of Eric Kim by Luis Donoso\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-32156\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Portrait of Eric Kim by Luis Donoso<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote><p>\n  \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Colors blind the eye.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Tao Te Ching\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In modern society we are overwhelmed by \u00e2\u20ac\u0153choice anxiety.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d We fall victim to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153paralysis by analysis\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we have too many things to choose from.<\/p>\n<p>I used to own close to a hundred shirts, about 20 shoes, and tons of different jackets and outfits. Every morning was stressful \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I had to always choose my outfit of the day.<\/p>\n<p>Even more stressful \u00e2\u20ac\u201d shopping for clothes. So many different cuts, fits, and colors.<\/p>\n<p>One thing that has helped me simplify my life: wear all black everything.<\/p>\n<p>Black shirt, black pants, black socks, and black shoes. This will help limit what you need to wear, and wearing \u00e2\u20ac\u0153all black everything\u00e2\u20ac\u009d allows you to wear the same outfit everyday.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>If you find yourself overwhelmed by choosing between different colors and options, limit yourself to just black (or your personal favorite color).<\/p>\n<p>You can apply this to different things. When choosing a digital device, just buy the black one. Buy the black backpack. Buy the black camera.<\/p>\n<p>Limit your choices, and you will have less stress \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and more energy to be creative.<\/p>\n<p>There is a reason why Steve Jobs wore the same outfit everyday \u00e2\u20ac\u201d one less choice for him to make a day, and more energy for him to do creative work.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Seek absence of pain, not abundance of pleasure<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31878\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31878\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31878\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/24\/hanoi-diary-6-living-in-airplane-mode\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1325\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1473823185&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31878\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Hanoi, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000202-2.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31878\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanoi, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One lesson I learned from the Greek philosopher Epicurus is that happiness isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always feeling pleasure. Rather, happiness is the absence of pain.<\/p>\n<p>For example, happiness isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always eating the finest food, always having sex, always gambling, and always drinking and taking drugs.<\/p>\n<p>Rather, happiness is absence of pain. The absence of physical pain. The absence of emotional pain. The absence of feelings of guilt, anxiety, frustration, and anger.<\/p>\n<p>Think of happiness as a subtractive philosophy and concept. This will revolutionize your life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Rather than seeking to add more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fun\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153exciting\u00e2\u20ac\u009d things in your life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d how can you <em>subtract<\/em> pain and misery from your life?<\/p>\n<p>For example, can you subtract your commute time to work? Can you subtract your headaches by sleeping more? Can you subtract your negative emotions by subtracting negative friends and influences from your life?<\/p>\n<p>What can you subtract to add happiness to your life?<\/p>\n<h2>7. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31879\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31879\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31879\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/24\/hanoi-diary-6-living-in-airplane-mode\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,1325\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1473830719&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31879\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Hanoi, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-hanoi-cat-0000228.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31879\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanoi, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Life is short. Why do shit you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do?<\/p>\n<p>Granted, we all need to pay the bills, pay our taxes, and fulfill some social obligations.<\/p>\n<p>However, there is a lot we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to do \u00e2\u20ac\u201d yet we still do, because we are afraid of being ostracized, judged, or criticized by others.<\/p>\n<p>Do you really want to go to that party? Do you really want to network and spend time with people you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to? Do you really want to drink and take drugs when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re forced or pressured by your friends?<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week make an experiment: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do (without getting fired from your job).<\/p>\n<p>As a good rule of thumb: it is either a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hell fucking yes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Practice saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as a default answer \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and see how liberated you feel.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Get strong<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31527\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31527\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31527\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Istanbul, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31527\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Istanbul, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Istanbul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mental toughness and physical toughness is desirable. Mental toughness will help you get through emotionally stressful or difficult times. Physical toughness will help build your ego and mental well-being.<\/p>\n<p>I believe in the mind-body link. When our mind is healthy, our body is healthy. When our body is healthy, our mind is healthy.<\/p>\n<p>We can build mental toughness by expecting the worst, by learning how to deal with rejection, as well as doing things which are outside of our comfort zone.<\/p>\n<p>We can build physical toughness by doing bodyweight exercises (pushups, bodyweight squats, chin-ups) or by lifting weights at the gym (benchpress, squat, deadlift).<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Build your mental toughness by trying to do one thing a day that scares the shit out of you.<\/p>\n<p>Build your physical toughness by seeing how many pushups you can do in a day, and trying to do 1 more pushup everyday.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Moderate your drugs<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31518\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31518\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31518\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1442063589&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31518\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31518\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We all have drugs which affect our moods. This can include caffeine, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or any other drugs out there.<\/p>\n<p>An excess of any drug will fuck us up. Too much caffeine will give us headaches, and prevent us from sleeping at night. Too much smoking will kill us (or just smoking in general). Too much alcohol will give us massive hangovers and ruin our next day. And of course, too many of other illicit drugs will damage our brains and screw with our hormone balance in our bodies.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Moderation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is a tricky thing. It is different for everybody. For one person, 3 coffees in a day can be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153moderate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (it might be 1 coffee for someone else). 3 beers can be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153moderate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to one person, while 1 beer might get someone else drunk.<\/p>\n<p>Trust your own gut.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>As a rule, consume less of the drug than you think you should. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at a coffee shop and have a decent caffeine buzz, say no to that next coffee. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at a bar and feeling a nice alcohol buzz, say no to that next beer.<\/p>\n<p>When in doubt, say no to the next dose of drug.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consume sugar<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31520\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31520\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31520\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1465231984&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31520\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31520\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If there is one substance we can all remove from our diets (without any adverse affects) it is sugar.<\/p>\n<p>Sugar leads to weight and fat gain, diabetes, a multitude of diseases, and causes our insulin levels to spike. So whenever we consume sugar, we get a temporary high, then we crash.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is sugar is in almost everything (often disguised as high fructose corn syrup). Sugar is in energy bars, smoothies, sauces, granola, sweetened beverages, and almost everything in the grocery store.<\/p>\n<p>We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re generally happier when we have minimal body fat, when our energy levels are high, and when we feel healthy.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Try an experiment and cut out sugar for a week, or preferably a month. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drink calories. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have desserts. Avoid any foods with added sugars.<\/p>\n<p>Track your mood, your energy levels, and mental performance. I can guarantee all aspects of your life will be improved, and you will feel happier as a result.<\/p>\n<h2>11. Be in a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as often as possible<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31525\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31525\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31525\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;LA, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31525\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"LA, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31525\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LA, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You know the feeling of being in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d state (also called being in the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153zone\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). We feel in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d state when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re focused on a creative task which pushes us. We lose track of time, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel hunger, and we feel like we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re never going to die.<\/p>\n<p>You can feel a flow state when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re hiking, rock climbing, playing music, making photos, writing, reading, or having an engaging conversation.<\/p>\n<p>The opposite of being in a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d state is being in a state of apathy. That feeling when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bored, and feel like there is no point to life. You aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t engaged. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re passive, and not doing anything.<\/p>\n<p>The common mistake a lot of people think is that they think \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is retiring, making a bunch of money, sitting home, and doing nothing. They think being happy is sipping a Corona at a beach.<\/p>\n<p>However research has proven that we are often the happiest when we are in a flow state. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re happiest when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re engaged, creative, and pushing our boundaries.<\/p>\n<p>Try to be in a flow state as much as possible. Even the small daily things can put you into a flow state\u00e2\u20ac\u201d cooking simple meals, tending your garden, and having a lovely conversation with a loved one.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Avoid boredom and apathy for a week by focusing on doing creative work whenever possible. Focus on active activities, rather than passive activities.<\/p>\n<p>For a week don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t watch any TV, uninstall all the social media apps from your phone, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at any blogs or news websites.<\/p>\n<p>Take more time to write, read, reflect, meditate, paint, draw, photograph, dance, or any other creative activity.<\/p>\n<h2>12. Everyday do one less thing<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31523\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31523\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31523\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1469036018&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-6\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31523\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"SF, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-6.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31523\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What causes us a lot of anxiety in life and stress? The feeling that we always need to be doing more.<\/p>\n<p>My suggestion: everyday try to do one fewer thing. Then once you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re left with only 2-3 activities\u00e2\u20ac\u201d focus on those things.<\/p>\n<p>We cannot achieve anything great in our life when we are distracted by a multitude of activities. We need to cut out the superfluous activities from our life, and we need to focus on the few things which brings us happiness and value.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>There are many ways you can apply this concept of removing 1 thing a day.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps remove 1 junk food everyday, uninstall 1 app from your phone everyday, unfollow 1 person on social media everyday, think 1 less negative thought everyday.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than thinking of what to add to your life, think of what you can subtract.<\/p>\n<h2>13. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take your emotions too seriously<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31530\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31530\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31530\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31530\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"London, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-14.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31530\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Happiness isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t an emotion \u00e2\u20ac\u201d rather, it is a mindset.<\/p>\n<p>There are days we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to feel shitty (when we are sleep deprived, when we get into a fight with our significant other, when we are jet-lagged, or when we are sick or have food poisoning).<\/p>\n<p>But just because you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in a negative emotional state doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unhappy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>To me, happiness is how you value your life as a whole. How you feel about your contribution to society. How you feel about your personal morals and ethics. Whether or not you feel like you have a sense of purpose in life.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take your emotions seriously. There are days your emotions go up and go down. Not only that, but the human brain is wired to be in a constant state of dissatisfaction (or else we would have died off a long time ago).<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time your emotion is in a negative mood \u00e2\u20ac\u201d don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153my life sucks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Rather, just say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I feel shitty because of _______.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Blame the negative emotion on a lack of sleep, of something negative you heard that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like, or some pain you feel in your body.<\/p>\n<p>But then take a step back, and make an honest evaluation of your life. Are you doing work you enjoy? Do you have personally meaningful relationships? Do you feel a sense of purpose in life?<\/p>\n<p>If the answer is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153yes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the questions above, you probably have a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d life. If \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d figure out how to change the more systemic problems in your life.<\/p>\n<h2>14. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t skimp on sleep<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31522\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31522\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31522\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1457783398&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;560&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31522\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31522\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all sleep deprived. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all addicted to caffeine, and trying to figure out ways to sleep less.<\/p>\n<p>But if there is one thing we can do to increase our happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u201d it is to increase our sleep.<\/p>\n<p>Simple ways to improve your sleep: cut out caffeine past a certain time of the day (for me, that is around 2pm). Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at a computer screen or your smartphone screen after 8pm. Do some sort of physical activity during the day to help you fall asleep at night. Sleep in a slightly cold room in the evening (helps you fall asleep earlier). If you really have bad insomnia, try experimenting between 1-5mg of melatonin in the evening to promote natural sleep.<\/p>\n<p>The better you sleep, the more energy you will have to do meaningful work, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just feel less shitty during the day.<\/p>\n<p>So if there is one thing you can optimize for in your day, it is your sleep.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, make sleep your #1 priority. Say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to activities that will cause you to stay out late, drink, and will ruin your sleep. Cut out looking at your devices after 8pm.<\/p>\n<p>Also on the weekend, abstain from caffeine for 24-hours. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t turn on an alarm clock on the weekend, and see how much sleep you really need to feel fully re-energized.<\/p>\n<h2>15. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consume; create<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31524\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31524\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31524\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1469724152&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-color-7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31524\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-color-7.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31524\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Consumption is for suckers. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re happiest when we create.<\/p>\n<p>Try to replace consumption with creation.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of consuming YouTube videos, create your own videos (with your smartphone video camera, or with your webcam).<\/p>\n<p>Instead of consuming books, write your own.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of consuming art, create your own.<\/p>\n<p>Consumption of media, art, and inspiration is good to give us ideas. However in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s society, we consume far more than we create. And when we consume, we tend to be in a more passive state. When we create, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in a more engaged, and happier active state.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, replace all your consumption habits with creation. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t read books, watch TV, or browse social media for a week. Instead, try to use all that time to create.<\/p>\n<h2>16. Share what you learn<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31504\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31504\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31504\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1464349946&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Garden Grove, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31504\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Garden Grove, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31504\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Grove, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What is the point of learning if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to hoard it all for yourself?<\/p>\n<p>The more we share, the happier we are.<\/p>\n<p>The great thing about sharing what we learn is that it helps us learn better. Because we need to truly understand a concept or theory before sharing it with others.<\/p>\n<p>As a human species, we succeed when we share. We share stories, information, money, food, and other resources. If humans weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t social beings that shared\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we would have died a long time ago.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>What can you share? What skills do you have that others don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know?<\/p>\n<p>You can share it by teaching it to a friend 1:1. Or by writing a blog post, or making a YouTube video. Or by volunteering some time to teaching at a local community center or school.<\/p>\n<p>The more you share, the more empowered you will feel, and the happier you will be.<\/p>\n<h2>17. Write down at least 10 creative ideas a day<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31506\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31506\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31506\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1312045078&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0.33333333333333&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;1\/0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hollywood, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31506\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Hollywood, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-1-jazz-hands-flash-hollywood.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31506\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hollywood, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I got this tip from James Altucher \u00e2\u20ac\u201d try to write at least 10 creative ideas a day. You can do this in a notepad, in your smartphone, or any other device.<\/p>\n<p>The point isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t to have the 10 most creative ideas. The point is practicing your idea muscle. The more creative ideas you write, the more motivated you will be in life. And the more ideas you come up with, the more you will innovate.<\/p>\n<p>For me, I need at least 99 bad ideas before I get 1 good idea. And you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to pursue all your ideas. Steve Jobs says that innovation is deciding which ideas to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to.<\/p>\n<p>By having a lot of ideas, you will never grow stale in life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>If you want to keep it simple, just use your smartphone to write down at least 10 ideas you have a day.<\/p>\n<p>Write down ideas regarding what makes you happy, or what makes you unhappy. Write down a quote that you heard during the day. Write down something that you wish you knew if you were 18 years old again.<\/p>\n<p>And down the road, look at all your ideas, and select the few good ideas you have to take action upon.<\/p>\n<h2>18. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ask others for advice<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31507\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31507\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31507\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?fit=5212%2C3468&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5212,3468\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1317490769&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31507\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-2-nails-downtown-la.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nobody knows you as well as you do.<\/p>\n<p>I generally believe in asking others for advice. But the problem is that whenever we ask others for advice, they give you advice based on their own worldview.<\/p>\n<p>The sum of human knowledge is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Know thyself\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d uttered over 2,000 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than consulting others for advice, ask yourself for advice. That means taking a step back, and thinking to yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What advice would I give my past self, or my future self?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>This means having the courage to giving yourself advice which might seem contradictory to others.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ask anyone for advice. Rather, follow your gut. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t share your ideas with others, because they might just shut them down.<\/p>\n<p>Follow your own intuition for a week, and do what feels right to you. And really ask yourself for advice. You can ask yourself advice in the third person, or imagine your future self giving your present self advice.<\/p>\n<h2>19. Forget favors given; never forget favors received<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31508\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31508\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31508\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1420341190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Pinnochio nose. Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31508\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-3-pinnochio-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whenever you do a friend a favor, immediately forget it. However when someone else gives you a favor, never forget it.<\/p>\n<p>The problem of human psychology which leads us to misery is that we over-value the favors we give others, and under-value the favors others have given us.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t blame yourself\u00e2\u20ac\u201d it is human nature. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re more prone to seeing the negative in life, and rarely the positive.<\/p>\n<p>Another problem we have \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we think that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really nice, while others are assholes. Try to switch that up \u00e2\u20ac\u201d imagine yourself as meaner, and others as nicer.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time you do a favor for a friend, pretend like it never happened. And never keep \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tally\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153score\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for the favors you have done for others. And never expect for that favor to be returned. Then you will never be disappointed.<\/p>\n<p>However the next time someone does something nice for you, never forget it. This will help us be more grateful for our friends and family. And never stop saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thank you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or showing gratitude.<\/p>\n<h2>20. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tomorrow is never\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31505\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31505\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31505\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1464349817&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.011111111111111&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31505\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-wedding-black-and-white-ricoh-gr-ii-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31505\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Grove, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If something is truly important to you, do it today, or better yet\u00e2\u20ac\u201d right now.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever we say we will do something \u00e2\u20ac\u0153later\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we will never do it.<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not saying procrastination is bad. In-fact, it is good to procrastinate on things which aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t important to you.<\/p>\n<p>However, only procrastinate on things you are comfortable being left undone if you died tomorrow.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Imagine that you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wake up tomorrow. When you go to bed, you will choke, and die in your sleep (peacefully).<\/p>\n<p>If you knew that you wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wake up tomorrow, what would you do differently today \u00e2\u20ac\u201d without quitting your job and doing something crazy?<\/p>\n<p>What art project would you work on or complete? What words of gratitude would you share with someone else? Who is an individual you would forgive?<\/p>\n<h2>21. Spend less time on social media<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31510\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31510\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31510\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?fit=3916%2C2634&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3916,2634\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;19&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;a Camera AG&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1448117664&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;640&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?fit=2000%2C1345&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31510\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la-2000x1345.jpg?resize=2000%2C1345\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?resize=2000%2C1345&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?resize=660%2C444&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?resize=768%2C517&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-5-nails-sweat-downtown-la.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31510\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The more time I spend on social media, the more dissatisfied I am with my life.<\/p>\n<p>The problem with social media is that your friends and family will only show the good things in their lives. Therefore we have the wrong impression of reality \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we think that everyone else is always having a great time.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but people like to show off and peacock on social media. They like to show off new things they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve bought (a new car, home, or device). Then we instantly feel envious, as we compare ourselves to them.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Go a week without checking social media. Then check your mental state. Do you feel more calm, less anxious, and less envious?<\/p>\n<h2>22. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at advertisements<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31509\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31509\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31509\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?fit=5212%2C3468&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5212,3468\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1317937423&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.33333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31509\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-4-street-portrait-hearts-tattoo-downtown-la.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The modern consumerist society works by creating a sense of desire through advertising. Advertising makes us feel incomplete. Advertising makes us think that if we only had \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X\u00e2\u20ac\u009d we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d finally be happy in life.<\/p>\n<p>But things don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy us happiness. Buying that new car won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make you happier (for longer than 2 weeks). Buying that new smartphone won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make you happier (past those 2 weeks). Buying that new designer handbag won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fix any of your life problems.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to feel less desire for superficial crap in life, cut out advertisements from your life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Install an ad blocker for your browser. Avoid any media which has advertisements (TV, newspapers, magazines). Avoid going to the mall for fun.<\/p>\n<p>Of course we cannot avoid all advertisements in our life. But try to subtract as many advertisements as you can, and you will feel less desire\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and therefore will have more satisfaction in your life.<\/p>\n<h2>23. Never half-ass anything<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31511\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31511\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31511\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1447516033&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31511\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-the-city-of-angels-black-and-white-6-eye-shadow-downtown-la.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31511\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Either \u00e2\u20ac\u0153whole-ass\u00e2\u20ac\u009d something, or don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do something at all.<\/p>\n<p>Life is short. Why pick up a new hobby or activity that you will only half-ass?<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn that new foreign language\u00e2\u20ac\u201d either try to master it, or don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother at all. If you want to be really good in photography, seek to master it, or don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother.<\/p>\n<p>We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re happiest when we are really good at something. We aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happy when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re only \u00e2\u20ac\u0153moderately\u00e2\u20ac\u009d good at something.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Apply this concept to every part of your life. Think about the extra-curricular activities that you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153half-ass\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in life. Then subtract them, completely.<\/p>\n<p>Then focus on the few things that brings you true happiness in life, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153whole-ass\u00e2\u20ac\u009d them with even more enthusiasm.<\/p>\n<h2>24. Subtract superfluous technology from your life<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31503\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31503\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31503\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1463298706&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31503\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-12-self-portrait-ricohgr-car.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31503\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>That new smartphone won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fix your life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s problems, neither will that new laptop, or new digital camera.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than trying to constantly add technology and devices to our lives, see how you can subtract superfluous technology from your life.<\/p>\n<p>Do you really need that tablet device? Do you really need that new app on your phone? Do you really think that upgrading your smartphone will improve your life?<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found that subtracting technology from my life has helped me become happier and more creative. By having fewer apps on my smartphone, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m less distracted\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and have more focus to writing and doing creative work. By having fewer digital cameras, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stress about which camera to shoot with (I just stick with 1 camera and 1 lens, and have mastered my camera).<\/p>\n<p>Even with my creative writing, I write best when I turn off wifi, and spend long periods of time not looking at social media or email.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Experiment subtracting superfluous technology from your life. Do you really need an iPad and a Kindle to read e-books? Everyday, try to remove one device from your life, by locking it in a cupboard, and trying to go a day without having it.<\/p>\n<p>Fewer devices=fewer things to charge=fewer things to worry about.<\/p>\n<p>Spend more time turning your phone to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153airplane\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode, and limiting your internet use. By subtracting technology from your life, you will add more time and focus to your life.<\/p>\n<h2>25. Avoid \u00e2\u20ac\u0153dualism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d; don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t classify things as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31501\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31501\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31501\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1456395478&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Fort Bragg, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31501\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Fort Bragg, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-10-beach-silhouette-water.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31501\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fort Bragg, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the West we believe in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153dualism\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we classify things as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>But can we truly classify everything in life as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d? Is a spider \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d because it catches flies? Is cock-fighting really \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d when you compare them to chickens which are stuck in cages their entire lives, fattened up, then slaughtered?<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to morality\u00e2\u20ac\u201d we can always find a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in everything.<\/p>\n<p>So next time something happens in your life, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t classify it as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Just say it how it is.<\/p>\n<p>Did you lose your wallet? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t call it as a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d situation. Just say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I lost my wallet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Did you accidentally get hit on the head? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel upset. Rather, just state the facts: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I got hit on the head by accident.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>The more we practice describing what happens in our life (without classifying it as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) the less angry we will be in our lives. Which will help us be happier and more grateful.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t call anything \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h2>26. Practice \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wu-wei\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31502\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31502\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31502\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1460548750&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31502\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-11-stress-anxiety-hand-glass.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31502\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In Taoism, there is a philosophy of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wu-wei\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (action without action).<\/p>\n<p>For example, it means living a life where you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not forcing anything.<\/p>\n<p>Do you have that email you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been procrastinating on? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t force yourself to respond to that email \u00e2\u20ac\u201d only respond to it when you feel like it. In-fact, most emails are worth not responding to.<\/p>\n<p>Do you feel like working out? Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t force yourself to work out\u00e2\u20ac\u201d only exercise when you feel like it, and exercise in a manner which is fun for you.<\/p>\n<p>In photography, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t force yourself to make photos. Only take photos when you want to take them.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fight any resistance in your life. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the energy to do something, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do it. Only do it when your body and mind is ready.<\/p>\n<h2>27. Procrastination is a good thing<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31500\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31500\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31500\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1453918428&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31500\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-9-motion-curve.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31500\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In modern society, we see procrastination as a disease to be remedied. But in-fact, procrastination is a good thing.<\/p>\n<p>I once heard that the work we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re procrastinating should be the work we should always be doing.<\/p>\n<p>For example, when I procrastinate on doing my taxes, I end up writing blog posts. Because writing blog posts is what I enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>For you, you might procrastinate on studying for your exams by reading, painting, or taking photos. Perhaps that is what you should spend more time on.<\/p>\n<p>Do you procrastinate on calling a certain family member or friend? Perhaps your body is naturally procrastinating on calling them\u00e2\u20ac\u201d because you have a negative feeling associated with that person. Perhaps that person is toxic. I never procrastinate on calling my mom (it is effortless), but I procrastinate calling certain family members that I have a toxic relationship with.<\/p>\n<p>Even going back to the example of taxes\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I always procrastinate on it, but it somehow always gets done at the end.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, listen to your gut and procrastinate as much as you can. Procrastinate on what isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t important to you \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and rather, only focus on doing things you want to do.<\/p>\n<h2>28. Compliment\u00c2\u00a0at least one person a day<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31498\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1452789031&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;560&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft size-large wp-image-31498\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-7-headband-portrait.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>We rarely compliment others. But a compliment is something that can bring tons of happiness to someone (and it is free).<\/p>\n<p>Whenever I see someone who is wearing an outfit, an accessory, or has something that is interesting\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I compliment them on it. It brings them happiness, and it cost me nothing.<\/p>\n<p>The more (authentic) compliments you give others \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the happier you will make others feel. And that will make you feel happier too.<\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to just be material things. Compliment people on their bravery, courage, tenacity, or character.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a friend who did something tough in their life tell them: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dear friend, I admire you for your courage for doing that thing. It really shows the strength of your character.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, give at least 1 compliment a day. It can be to your local barista, waiter, co-worker, boss, partner, or kid. It will help you find the positive in everybody.<\/p>\n<h2>29. Realize that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is never \u00e2\u20ac\u0153enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31496\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31496\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31496\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1453652861&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0028571428571429&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31496\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-5-berkeley-hand-shadow.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31496\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Happiness isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about having everything we want. Rather, happiness is about putting a limit to our advancements \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in terms of the stuff we have, and our lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how many things we own, we will always want more. No matter how much money we earn, we will always want more. If anything, the more we own, and the more we have, the hungrier we become to have more.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than seeking to desire more, seek to desire less. The truly wealthy person isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t someone who owns everything he\/she wants. The truly wealthy person is someone who only desires what he\/she already owns.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy anything new for a week. And make a mental practice of only desiring what you already own.<\/p>\n<p>If your passion is photography, and you desire a new camera\u00e2\u20ac\u201d stop. Rather, re-read old reviews of the camera you already own, and try to re-live the excitement you had when you bought the camera you currently own. Apply this same technique to anything else in your life.<\/p>\n<h2>30. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look ahead; look behind<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31490\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31490\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31490\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-12\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?fit=2970%2C4484&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2970,4484\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1420334039&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-12\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31490\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/tattoo-neck-downtown-la-santee-alley-side-2015-ricoh-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-12.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31490\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As humans, we always compare ourselves with others. The problem is that no matter how successful we are, there will always be someone more successful than us.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, no matter how \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unsuccessful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d we are\u00e2\u20ac\u201d there will always be someone more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153unsuccessful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d than us.<\/p>\n<p>For example, when it comes to social media \u00e2\u20ac\u201d there will always be someone with fewer followers than us. When it comes to money, there will always be someone out there who earns less money than us.<\/p>\n<p>To be truly happy, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look ahead \u00e2\u20ac\u201d look behind.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Always count your blessings by considering all the people who are in a worse situation than you.<\/p>\n<p>Consider all the people who earn less money than you. Consider all the people who are starving, who are living in a worse home than you, and who has more family members who have died.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gain joy from the suffering of others\u00e2\u20ac\u201d but use it as an opportunity to count your own blessings.<\/p>\n<h2>31. Spend money on others<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31488\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31488\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31488\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-23\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1462004162&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-23\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31488\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"SF, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-bart-candid-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-23.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say someone gave you $20. What would you bring more happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u201d if you spent that $20 on yourself, or on someone else?<\/p>\n<p>Psychological studies have proved that money brings you more happiness when you spend it on others, not yourself.<\/p>\n<p>For example, whenever we spend $20 on ourselves, we quickly forget it. We might buy ourselves a shirt, dinner, or something else. But when we spend money on others, we gain social gratitude from others\u00e2\u20ac\u201d which brings us happiness.<\/p>\n<p>Try it out next time \u00e2\u20ac\u201d when you go out to dinner with a friend, buy their dinner. Buy their beer. Buy their cup of coffee. Buy them a present. See how much joy it will bring them, and observe how that joy will transfer over to you.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time you go out with a friend, pay for their dinner (surprise them by pretending to go to the bathroom, but sneaking off to pay the bill instead).<\/p>\n<p>Then the next night, go to dinner yourself and spend the money on yourself. Compare the two experiences, and see which brings you more happiness.<\/p>\n<h2>32. Spend more time with fewer people<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31493\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31493\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31493\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kettleman City, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31493\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Kettleman City, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-2-inandout-gas-stop-kettleman-sunset-chevron-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31493\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kettleman City, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One big lesson I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned in life is that happiness is having a deeper relationship with fewer people, rather than having shallow relationships with a lot of people.<\/p>\n<p>I feel as human beings, we crave depth in relationships. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rather have 3 very close friends, rather than 30 so-so friends.<\/p>\n<p>With very close friends, you can share your lives with them on a deep level. You can treat them like yourself. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to censor yourself with them. You can spend money on them, and not feel any regret. You can share deep secrets, without any fear.<\/p>\n<p>However with so-so friends or acquaintances, you always limit yourself. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how much you can trust them. And not only that, but you end up wasting time on people who aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t your real friends\u00e2\u20ac\u201d who can end up being parasites.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Write down a list of your 3 best friends. And for a month, only meet these people. Check up on them \u00e2\u20ac\u201d text message them, call them, meet them for lunch or dinner. Embrace a depth in that relationship, and cut out all the so-so friends or acquaintances you have in your life.<\/p>\n<h2>33. Walk more<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31481\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31481\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31481\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-16\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-16\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Prague, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31481\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Prague, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/prague-2015-layers-pointing-finger-trix-1600-film-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-16.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31481\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Humans are designed for movement. When we sit all day, we get lethargic and depressed. There are even theories that the reason why organisms have brains is because it helps us with movement. Organisms without brains don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t move.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but walking is great for your mind. Whenever I walk, I come up with great ideas, and conversations with friends feels more engaging while walking. Some of the most thoughtful philosophers in history have got their best ideas while walking.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Try to sneak in more walking into your daily life. Try to walk to the local grocery store instead of driving. Do a brief walk during your lunch breaks, or after work. Or perhaps after having dinner, take a walk around the block.<\/p>\n<p>Even more drastic of an idea\u00e2\u20ac\u201d get rid of your car and see how much you can get away with taking public transit, walking, and Uber. I personally went car-less for a year, and it forced me to walk more, and made me happier. I talked with more strangers, took more photographs, and got more fresh air and exercise.<\/p>\n<h2>34. Marry your best friend<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31492\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31492\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31492\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-photography-cindy-project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Amsterdam, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31492\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Amsterdam, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-photography-Cindy-Project-black-and-white-1-amsterdam-leading-lines-trix1600-film.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31492\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amsterdam, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The thing that has brought me the deepest happiness is marrying my best friend, Cindy. She constantly challenges me, shows me love and support, and helps me become the best version of myself.<\/p>\n<p>If there is one thing that is consistent \u00e2\u20ac\u201d a marriage can make or break your life. A good marriage is like eating cakes and honey for the rest of your life. A bad marriage is like eating glass for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be marriage\u00e2\u20ac\u201d you can have a committed relationship instead. But choose your life partner wisely.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in a toxic relationship, cut it immediately. You only have one life to live, why spend it with a person who brings you down, who disrespects you, adds stress and anxiety to your life, and makes you into a worse person?<\/p>\n<h2>35. Avoid optimization in your life<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31487\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31487\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31487\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-24\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1462019525&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-24\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31487\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"SF, 2016\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/sf-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-24.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31487\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Optimization will ruin your life. Trying to optimize your life will add more stress, anxiety, and frustration to your life. Why? Because nothing ever goes according to plan, no matter how well you try to plan.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, try to add more buffer time, redundancy, and add a margin of safety to your daily life.<\/p>\n<p>For example, plan <em>fewer<\/em> things in your schedule. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try to cram more appointments into your schedule.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re deciding what time to meet a friend, always expect it to take you <em>longer<\/em> to get there. So if you think you can meet a friend at 1pm, tell them to meet at 2pm instead. That extra 1 hour of buffer time will add less anxiety and stress to your life.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, if you have a scheduled meeting, try to aim to arrive 1 hour early. For me personally by doing this, I end up only arriving 30 minutes early. And I end up reading a book or something else to pass the time, instead of rushing in traffic and feeling anxious.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re traveling, add more buffer time to your schedule. Arrive a day or two earlier than you think you need to (because who knows, you might miss a flight, a flight might get rescheduled, or you might get sick).<\/p>\n<p>In your personal finances, add a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153margin of safety\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Have more money in your savings than you think you should. Take fewer risks financially.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Add a 25% buffer time to anything you schedule this week. Try to arrive an hour earlier, and schedule your appointments an hour later.<\/p>\n<h2>36. Value your time, attention, and energy over everything else<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31484\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31484\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31484\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1405522356&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;23&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Saigon, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31484\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Saigon, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/saigon-fujifilmx100s-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-9.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Saigon, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The 3 most valuable things in your life are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a) Time<\/li>\n<li>b) Attention<\/li>\n<li>c) Energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Why? All of these things are non-renewable resources.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how rich you are, you can never \u00e2\u20ac\u0153add\u00e2\u20ac\u009d time to your lifespan. No matter who you are, once you have lost your attention by a distraction, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gain \u00e2\u20ac\u0153more\u00e2\u20ac\u009d attention. Your energy levels are like a gas tank \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you start with 100%, but your energy will always go to 0% as the day progresses, and nothing will \u00e2\u20ac\u0153add\u00e2\u20ac\u009d energy to your day (except perhaps for caffeine, which ends up causing you to crash anyways).<\/p>\n<p>Therefore as a personal rule, I try to prioritize my time, attention, and energy above everything else.<\/p>\n<p>When I have a choice, I will trade money for having more time. For example, if I can take the bus for $1 and it will take me 1 hour, I would prefer to take a $10 taxi that only takes me 10 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>I know I am easily distracted, so I avoid anything that might take away my attention \u00e2\u20ac\u201d so I can focus. Therefore I never check email, social media, or blogs first thing in the morning. I always reserve those attention-sucking distractions towards the end of the day.<\/p>\n<p>With energy, I prioritize all my important work earlier in the day. For me, writing and blogging is the most important work for me. So I prioritize always doing it at the beginning of the day, when my energy levels are high, and I do all my chores and small tasks for later in the day.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>When you have an opportunity, trade money for time. Avoid distractions and energy-sucking activities which aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t important for later in the day.<\/p>\n<h2>37. Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31483\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31483\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31483\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-10\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1410979442&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;27&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0071428571428571&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Provincetown, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31483\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Provincetown, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/provincetown-the-old-colony-jukebox-2015-fujifilmxt1-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-10.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31483\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Provincetown, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The only way to stay inspired and to keep learning in life is to always retain a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Once we become an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153expert\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d we become blind to other options. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t challenge our pre-existing notions. We become rigid, then we die.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Try to be a beginner in more things in life. Even if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an expert in photography, imagine yourself like a beginner photographer again. What questions would you ask? What would you do differently, or the same?<\/p>\n<p>Try to learn a new art or craft that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re totally a beginner in \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and it will help you humble yourself in what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a master at.<\/p>\n<p>And as you get older, try to become more child-like and more of a beginner. This way, your options and creativity will always be unlimited.<\/p>\n<h2>38. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t adapt to the world; let the world adapt to you<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31478\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31478\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31478\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-19\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-19\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kyoto, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31478\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Kyoto, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/kyoto-car-old-school-2015-film-trix-1600-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-19.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31478\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kyoto, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whenever we try to do something new or innovative, we will always experience a push-back. Why? Because human beings love following the status-quo. We hate doing things which are contrary to our traditions or culture.<\/p>\n<p>But once again, life is short. Why live a life according to the rules of others? I suggest you to be more unreasonable \u00e2\u20ac\u201d let the world adapt to your morales, principles, and way of living.<\/p>\n<p>By living an unreasonable life, you will live a more authentic life. You will make a greater impact in society, and find more innovative ways to help others. Not only that, but you will be happier.<\/p>\n<p>Sure you might alienate people, but that is the price of living an authentic and true life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>What are some beliefs that you have, that everyone else thinks is crazy or unreasonable? Write them down, and try to live according to your own principles for a week. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t budge \u00e2\u20ac\u201d let others adapt to your schedule.<\/p>\n<h2>39. Ask yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What if the opposite were true?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31474\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31474\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31474\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?fit=4616%2C3072&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4616,3072\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;a Camera AG&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1322604171&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31474\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-silhouette-suit-2012-leica-m9-21mm-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-4.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31474\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the best ways to be more rational in life, to be more innovative, and to be more open-minded is to realize that everything you believe in can be right and wrong at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>For every \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d there is always an exception. They say that money doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy you happiness, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure that there are some billionaires who are very happy.<\/p>\n<p>They say that having a family is the key to happiness. But I know many people out there without families who are happy.<\/p>\n<p>For every notion we believe in, try to ask yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What if the opposite were true?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This will help us expand our minds, find holes in our thinking, and help us come up with more creative ideas.<\/p>\n<p>What works for you doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily work for others (like everything in this article). But finding real happiness and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153truth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in life is discovering your own preferences, and what brings <em>you<\/em> personal happiness.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a day or a week, assume that all of your beliefs are wrong. If that were the case, how would you live your life differently?<\/p>\n<h2>40. See yourself from a third-person or birds-eye view<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31475\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31475\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31475\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-18\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-18\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Portugal, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31475\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Portugal, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/film-trix1600-portugal-windows-repetition-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-18.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31475\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Portugal, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the best ways to find happiness in life is to kill your ego\u00e2\u20ac\u201d to not take yourself too seriously.<\/p>\n<p>What I do is imagine myself from a third-person perspective, or a birds-eye view.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine yourself in a airplane, high in the sky. When you look at people from that high of a perspective\u00e2\u20ac\u201d they are like ants, or like sand in a beach. It is hard to imagine that all these little ants have stresses, anxieties, hopes, dreams, and many things happening in their lives.<\/p>\n<p>By detaching myself from my body and seeing myself from a birds-eye perspective, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take my stupid problems in life so seriously. Who cares if I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get that pair of shoes I wanted? Or who cares if I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sleep that well the night before? The world doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care if my family member or loved one died. It happens to everyone.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Sit in a chair. Then visualize your soul detaching from your body. See your soul hover above your body, and looking at yourself from a third-person perspective, or from a birds-eye view.<\/p>\n<p>What would you find less important in your life, and more important? This will help you realize how tiny and insignificant you are, which will remove stress from your life. But then also encourage you to do work to help empower others, not just your tiny body.<\/p>\n<h2>41. The reward is the action itself<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31472\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31472\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31472\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-22\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;MPANY,&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1458992998&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-22\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31472\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"NYC, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/candid-eye-nyc-2016-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-22.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31472\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Many of us do things in life for an external reward. We go to work to earn money. We help a friend to get a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thank you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and a pat on the back. We make photographs to get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on social media.<\/p>\n<p>But what if the only reward was the action itself?<\/p>\n<p>For example, what if you did favors for your friends not to get gratitude from them, but because doing the favor in itself brought you happiness?<\/p>\n<p>What if you made photographs not to have them admired by others, but because clicking the shutter itself is what brought you joy?<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seek any affirmation, thank you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, or external rewards like fame, money, or attention for the work you do. The only reward you deserve is the action in itself.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time you do something nice for someone, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect a thank you. Give $100 to a charity organization anonymously. Make photographs without publishing them online.<\/p>\n<p>Then ask yourself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did doing this action in itself bring me happiness?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Or am I only doing this for the affirmation from others, or some sort of external reward?<\/p>\n<h2>42. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hell fucking yes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31470\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31470\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31470\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/19\/100-photography-tips-for-beginners\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?fit=3430%2C2272&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3430,2272\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1393877190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-monochrome-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31470\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Amsterdam, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/amsterdam-william-klein-tokyo-2015-eric-kim-street-photograpy-black-and-white-Monochrome-8.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31470\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amsterdam, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There are a billion decisions we can make everyday. How do we know what to do and what <em>not<\/em> to do?<\/p>\n<p>Easy: ask yourself whenever you need to make a decision \u00e2\u20ac\u201d is it a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hell fucking yes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (credit Derek Sivers).<\/p>\n<p>Your life is built upon what you decide <em>not<\/em> to do in life, not what you decide to do.<\/p>\n<p>Once again, life is short. Why spend doing your valuable time on this Earth doing shit you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do, or waste on? How could you concentrate your effort, time, and talents on things that will actually make a difference in your life and the life of others?<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, only make decisions based on the criteria if it is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hell fucking yes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n<h2>43. Traveling won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fix your life problems<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31331\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31331\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31331\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/18\/why-unlearning-trumps-learning-in-photography\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1249185127&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Seoul, 2009&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31331\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Seoul, 2009\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-black-and-white-1-seoul-2009.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seoul, 2009<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I think traveling is great. It gives you the chance to meet new people, experience other cultures, and expand your mind.<\/p>\n<p>But traveling won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fix your life problems. I learned this the hard way.<\/p>\n<p>My first bug for traveling bit me when I was around 18. I was dissatisfied with my life, and I thought that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d was somewhere else\u00e2\u20ac\u201d perhaps in Paris, or somewhere in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>But when I finally traveled to Europe, I found out that it was a lot more similar to home than dissimilar. And none of my mental illnesses or dissatisfactions were cured when I traveled abroad. The only way I was able to find more satisfaction in my life was from studying philosophy, and getting encouragement from loved ones in life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Consider\u00e2\u20ac\u201d if you never traveled for the rest of your life, could you still be happy?<\/p>\n<h2>44. Decrease time, increase intensity<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31170\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31170\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31170\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/14\/simplicity-and-persistence\/cindy-project-3-erickim-photography\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cindy-project-3-erickim-photography\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31170\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-3-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31170\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This is another tip I learned from Nassim Taleb \u00e2\u20ac\u201d with unpleasant tasks, decrease the time you spend on doing it, but increase the intensity.<\/p>\n<p>For example, if you have a bunch of work you need to get done, try to get it done as quickly as possible, in as short of a period as possible (rather than just doing a little bit over a long period of time).<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found a short period of intense stress to be more desirable than a long period of moderate stress.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Try out the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153pomodoro\u00e2\u20ac\u009d technique \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the next time you need to do something unpleasant, set a timer for 25 minutes, and only focus on that task for those 25 minutes without getting distracted. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be surprised how much you can get done.<\/p>\n<h2>45. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple, stupid)<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31175\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31175\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31175\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/14\/simplicity-and-persistence\/cindy-project-8-erickim-photography\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cindy-project-8-erickim-photography\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Marseille, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31175\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Marseille, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Cindy-Project-8-erickim-photography.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31175\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whenever you have the choice of the more complex plan or the more simple plan\u00e2\u20ac\u201d always opt for the simpler plan.<\/p>\n<p>Simple is hard to attain. Simplicity is about removing superfluous decisions, and about subtracting complexity.<\/p>\n<p>In your life, always opt for the simplest option or process possible. It will make you more effective, less stressed, and fewer problems will arise.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>How can you make your life simpler? How can you get 90% of the results of an activity with only 10% of the effort?<\/p>\n<p>Embrace laziness to be more effective. Seek to do <em>less<\/em> work while being <em>more<\/em> effective.<\/p>\n<h2>46. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change others; change yourself<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31082\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31082\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31082\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1428877607&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2016 &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31082\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"NYC, 2016 \" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-nyc-laughing-lady-5thave.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31082\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change others, but you can change yourself.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make your partner more patient. But you can make yourself more patient.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make your kids less bratty, but you can make yourself more compassionate.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make others more generous. But you can make yourself more generous.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine you lived a life where you knew that you couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change others, but that you can change yourself. How much more empowering would that be?<\/p>\n<p>And I can guarantee you that the more you seek to change yourself, the more you will end up actually changing and influencing others (via your actions).<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t complain (at all) about others. Rather than trying to criticize the actions of others, only criticize your own actions.<\/p>\n<p>If you thought someone was an asshole, blame yourself (I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t patient enough). If someone insulted you, blame yourself (I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compassionate enough). If someone got angry at you, blame yourself (you did something wrong).<\/p>\n<p>Of course you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not the root of all the problems in the world. But if you only ever blame yourself, and never blame others, you will be a lot happier in life (because you realize you have more power than you realize).<\/p>\n<h2>47. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re angry, wait 1 day before responding<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31080\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31080\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31080\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1426141678&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31080\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"SF, 2016\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-portrait-ricohgr-2015-bart-sf.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of my worst vices is my anger. Whenever I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m angry, I feel my face turn red, I feel my blood pulse in my body, and I end up saying or doing things I regret.<\/p>\n<p>The best thing I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned for myself is to wait at least 1 day before responding when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m angry. I do this with Cindy, and 99% of the time, my anger is gone by the next day. And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m grateful that I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do or say anything that I might end up regretting.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, if you feel any anger towards your spouse, kids, co-workers, boss, whatever \u00e2\u20ac\u201d wait at least 24 hours before responding. When you feel anger, say that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to go on a walk, go take a cold shower, or make yourself some food. Then 24 hours later, see how you want to respond.<\/p>\n<h2>48. You can create your own luck<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31072\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31072\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31072\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-san-diego-lobby-suit-hat-old-school\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;San Diego, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31072\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"San Diego, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-13.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31072\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Diego, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A lot of life is luck. Our destinies are shaped by our parents, our upbringings, where we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re born, the time in which we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re born, and the random encounters that happen to us in life.<\/p>\n<p>Many people complain about their lives because they say they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not lucky. They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realize that happiness is in their power \u00e2\u20ac\u201d that they can create their own luck.<\/p>\n<p>Realize that you can shape your own future. You can control your own emotions, and outlook in life.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to gain some sort of success in your life, know that action is the most important thing. If you want to become a successful photographer, you need to take action by going out and making more photos. If you want to become a successful writer, you need to take action by writing, publishing, and sharing more of your stuff. The more you create and share, the more luck you will create in your life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a month, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell anyone your dreams, plans, or ideas. Rather, only focus on action. See how much luck comes your way.<\/p>\n<h2>49. Emulate 5 people you admire<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31066\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31066\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31066\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7-downtown-la-layers-portra-400\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31066\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-7.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31066\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>They say you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the average of the 5 closest people to you. I also think that if you want to find happiness or success in life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d try to emulate the 5 people you admire the most.<\/p>\n<p>For me, those 5 people include Seneca, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Marcus Aurelius, and Kanye West.<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read all their interviews, books on them, and consumed their ideas. I try to internalize their ideas, philosophies, and try to mimic their actions.<\/p>\n<p>Those 5 people are different for everyone. Who are the 5 people you want to become the combination of? This will help you raise your ambition, and accomplish what you truly desire in life.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Write down a list of the 5 people who you most admire. Then everyday try to read at least 1 interview with each of these people. Try to ask yourself, if that individual were giving you advice, what would they tell you? Always keep them in your mind, and help them inspire you to become the best version of yourself as possible.<\/p>\n<h2>50. Remove distractions to focus<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31042\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31042\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31042\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Lansing, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31042\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Lansing, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-13.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31042\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lansing, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how to focus. But I know how to remove distractions.<\/p>\n<p>We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re generally unhappy when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re listless, restless, and unfocused. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re happiest when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re focused on what is important to us, and in a concentrated \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d state (or in the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153zone\u00e2\u20ac\u009d).<\/p>\n<p>What distractions can you remove from your life? Some ideas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Remove social media<\/li>\n<li>Remove toxic people<\/li>\n<li>Remove blogs\/news websites\/media<\/li>\n<li>Remove TV\/Netflix\/movies<\/li>\n<li>Remove advertising\/marketing\/spam<\/li>\n<li>Remove technology\/internet\/email<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The next time you need to do creative work, turn off your phone (completely), and turn off your wifi. See how much more focus this will give you.<\/p>\n<h2>51. Imagine the other person is going to die tonight<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31036\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31036\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31036\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31036\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"London, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-7.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31036\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I like the idea of living everyday as if it were your last. But also try to imagine the opposite\u00e2\u20ac\u201d whenever you meet others, imagine like they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to die tonight.<\/p>\n<p>If that were the case, what would you say to them? What would you appreciate about them? What would you <em>not<\/em> do to them? How would you treat them differently?<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>For a week, whenever you meet a friend, loved one, or someone \u00e2\u20ac\u201d imagine like it is the last time you will ever see them.<\/p>\n<h2>52. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try to control your reputation<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31049\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31049\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31049\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31049\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Paris, 2014\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-19.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31049\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control our reputation. We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control what others think of us. Ultimately others will judge us however they like.<\/p>\n<p>But like my friend Greg Marsden says, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What other people think of you is none of your business.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>The more we try to control our reputation, the more we ruin our reputation\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and the more miserable we feel.<\/p>\n<p>The solution: live a life authentic to yourself, and be kind. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let anxiety pervade your life, because you think others are constantly judging you.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Stop thinking of what others think of you.<\/p>\n<h2>53. Avoid debt<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31037\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31037\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31037\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2012&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31037\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"London, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-8.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31037\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Debt is slavery. Avoid debt at all costs. Debt will force you to doing things you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to do. Debt will force you to stay in a job you hate. Debt will force you to follow a lifestyle that you hate.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>If you have debt, aim to pay it off as quickly as possible. Never buy anything that you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy in cash. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t invest or buy anything that will put you into debt.<\/p>\n<h2>54. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compete with anybody (except yourself)<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31050\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31050\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31050\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015. Decapitation Technique &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31050\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-suits-project-kodak-portra-400-film-20.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31050\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>All of life is comparison\/opinion.<\/p>\n<p>All the sources of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d we find in life comes down to how we compare our lives with others, and also for our own opinion of our own lives.<\/p>\n<p>This means don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compare yourself with anyone, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compete with anyone (except perhaps yourself). Strive to become a better human being everyday, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compare your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153success\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with others.<\/p>\n<p>There will always be people who are better looking than you, richer than you, and with more awards than you.<\/p>\n<p>If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t compete with anyone, you will find more satisfaction in your life. And to continue to grow in life, just compete against yourself from a year ago.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>Try to improve yourself 1% everyday (however you judge that). Seek to be 1% smarter, 1% more hard-working, 1% more creative, 1% stronger, or 1% less jealous, envious, or angry.<\/p>\n<p>Aim for steady progress in your life, and you will never grow stale and die.<\/p>\n<h2>55. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do unto others as you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want others to do unto you<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31061\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31061\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"31061\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-gallery-portfolio-eric-kim\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2-tucson-arizona-red-hair-yellow-lady\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tucson, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-31061\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Tucson, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31061\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tucson, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ethics is tricky. Not everyone else in the world has the same preferences as ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>So it is a mistake to treat others as we would like to be treated. Because not everyone wants to be treated like we want to be treated. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an extrovert, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t treat an introvert how you would like to be treated (going out to a party). Similarly, if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an introvert, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t treat an extrovert how you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to be treated (staying at home alone).<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment:<\/h3>\n<p>The easiest way we can prevent ourselves from harming others is this: <strong>don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do unto others as we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want others to do unto us<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This means never hurt anybody else, insult anyone else, or purposefully do anything evil to someone else. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t treat others how we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like being treated.<\/p>\n<p>Simple, to the point, yet so difficult to follow. But follow this rule, and you will find a lot more happiness and tranquility in your life.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30948\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30948\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"30948\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/05\/hanoi-diary-3-the-privileged-life-of-an-expat\/r0005214\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1472965914&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.022222222222222&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0005214\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-30948\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/R0005214.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30948\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hanoi, 2016 #cindyproject<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>None of these tips will probably apply to you. But they have helped me tremendously in the last 10 years of my life. All these tips are advice I wish I could have given my 18 year old self.<\/p>\n<p>None of the information above is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d They are all suggestions and tips.<\/p>\n<p>I hope you might find some of these tips helpful in your own life.<\/p>\n<p>Never forget that your life is short and limited. Your most valuable assets in life include your time, attention, and energy.<\/p>\n<p>You were born for great things \u00e2\u20ac\u201d why limit yourself to pettiness and the bullshit of everyday life?<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid. Have confidence and courage in yourself. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seek to pleasure yourself, seek to find the minimum necessary to sustain yourself\u00e2\u20ac\u201d then devote the rest of your energy for empowering the rest of the human race.<\/p>\n<p>You got this.<\/p>\n<p>Always,<br \/>\nEric<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn more on happiness, read all <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/happiness\/\">Happiness Articles><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear friend, For the longest time \u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve tried to find \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in my life. And I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found it. Of course this is not a formula that works for everyone \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily work for you. However I hope these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tips\u00e2\u20ac\u009d can give you some insight in how to find happiness [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-32150","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32150"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32150\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}