{"id":669751,"date":"2026-07-07T23:54:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T03:54:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=669751"},"modified":"2026-07-07T23:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T03:54:24","slug":"ambition-hustle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/07\/ambition-hustle\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambition &#038; hustle."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ambition-hustle-3.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Ambition &amp; hustle 3.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-03611ce6-f253-407e-82c6-b7dadb4dbf5d\" href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ambition-hustle-3.pdf\">Ambition &#038; hustle 3<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ambition-hustle-3.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-03611ce6-f253-407e-82c6-b7dadb4dbf5d\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m never satisfied can\u2019t match my hustle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps this is the funny thing about\u2026 Sometimes when you have enough, it\u2019s not enough. And sometimes when it is not enough, actually\u2026 It is enough?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">what\u2019s in your power and what is not in your power?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So certain things which are not in your power: macro economics, the stock market, bitcoin, price, etc. Therefore, as a simple principle\u2026 Economic, wealth, and power is maybe like 50% in your control? Because you do have agency you do have a choice in control, however\u2026 You do not have 100% power over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do you have 100% power over? \ufffc\ufffc you have 100% ambition, and control of your hustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The principle of life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the principle of life is overcoming any and every obstacle, the deepest of hells, the most sublime tragedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dionysian ecstasy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OK, I\u2019m not gonna lie\u2026 This might be one of the most difficult points to make:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What if\u2026 The worst most extreme tragedies in real life, magnified by 1 million\u2026 Or in fact, the stimulus is for supreme Joy gratitude and Thanksgiving\u2026?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">is life about gratitude?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some ways\u2026 There are many unknown unknown\u2026 Unknown tragedies, like the loss of life\u2026 Which is in fact, the most supreme tragedies of them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I used to think that economic loss was the worst, but it is not. Human life is the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even Marcus Aurelius meditated much on this &#8211;&gt; apparently he had like, lost almost all 10 of his kids , and if you think about it\u2026 Being emperor is no easy task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">do you want to be the emperor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I suppose the big question is\u2026 whether you would want to be emperor or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I suppose the good thing is when you think about the treasury of the empire\u2026 You depersonalize it\u2026 It is not your treasury or your wealth, but the both of the empire. And therefore, it is your task to manage it as Wesely as possible, not for your own benefit, but for the benefit of the empire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">a wise empire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marcus Aurelius was the last good emperor, maybe the only one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the reason why his meditations are so pure is because he just wrote them for himself, Autotelic, in order to give him some personal tranquility. Therefore everything he writes is raw and honest because these were not intended to be published, it was kind of more of like a private journal or diary he wrote for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">hyper stimulus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other day I did a trap bar deadlift of over 1000 pounds, and, obviously, I am very sore, the evening of, and onto the next day. Fortunately, I ate well, got some good digestive movements this morning, slept well, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the first thought is, the supreme thing to monitor is health, biological health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we think about money and wealth\u2026 It is almost like tokens or points or a measure of health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So when we established or frame a certain amount of wealth, as being like 100% health and vitality\u2026 That becomes our new anchor point, and any deviation from that weather up or down is seen as gain or loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Nietzsche ,,, if we think about this more deeply or more critically\u2026 <strong>Assuming a world of no gain or no loss<\/strong>. This is a powerful idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">how to reframe or re-anchor your thinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think this is where supreme thinking, philosophy comes into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, I don\u2019t really have a clear answer for you\u2026 The only advice I could give is try to walk 30,000 steps a day, think deeply about it, right about it, jot down some notes, maybe even vlog about it ,,, give yourself at least a month or two or three, or even more\u2026 Six months, nine months, a year\u2026 Four years, a decade or two. Maybe you\u2019ll never get over it and that is OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the grounding principle is, how to transform suffering pain into a positive obstacle for both and strengthening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weightlifting is an interesting metaphor because\u2026 You actually need a grand dosage of pushing yourself to the limit and also exceeding your limit, and then the pain actually ends up feeling good?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, as a bodybuilder\u2026 Bodybuilders only ever really feel satisfied if the next day they feel sore, delayed onset muscle soreness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, maybe then it is a reinterpretation of our pain. That, whenever we feel deep pain, or tragedy\u2026 For us to transform that into a Dionysian smile,,,, And the truth is, perhaps a little bit of madness, disconnection with reality, or sort of grim optimism is necessary here?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">the more extreme the circumstance, the more extreme the remedy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another thought from Marcus Aurelius ,,, honestly at the end of the day\u2026 You\u2019re not that important, nor does your biological flesh body self need much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s kind of interesting how a lot of our pain and suffering is situated in our brain, which I suppose is connected to the nerves, it must be 100% physiological in the body, our nerves, our hormones, our blood, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, I don\u2019t really think that thinking away your problems is actually an effective solution. It must be bodily and physiological. Once again, 30,000 steps today, insanely heavy, weightlifting every day, fasting, strong, coffee, and stimulants in the morning, 100% robusta or some really strong green tea or Matcha, sun exposure, heat exposure, cold exposure, hot sauna, hot yoga, cold showers, jumping into a swimming pool etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ambition for what<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think the desire to desire to be the best is a noble one. This ambition is what drove me to become the number one street photographer blogger on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you exceed a certain goal, then the next step is, maybe discovering or uncovering new domains to conquer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think a lot of people know me now as a philosopher and follow me for my stoicism, which I made a strong impact in, I\u2019m certainly not number one in this domain, but maybe I should strive to be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">hustle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hustle is interesting because, it\u2019s like having that burning ambition and fire, to do something grand, to do something great, to exceed yourself in your own expectations, for the sake of it? Once again\u2026 Autotelic. \ufffc<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">are goals a trap?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think, having some sort of general realistic goal or guiding principle is a good one\u2026 But certainly\u2026 Lacks something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even with economic financial goals, I could personally attest\u2026 Even when you set an ambitious goal, and you hit it, ,,, You never satisfied, you\u2019re not satisfied. You will always want more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obstacles, loss, downsides\u2026 Drawdowns, are precisely what you desire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, bitcoin\u2026 Without a violent 50% drawdowns, you cannot have a violent 50% rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe also thinking about this from a life, philosophy idea, <strong>we actually desire the drawdowns, the supreme tragedies, in order to hyper stimulate our growth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dionysian gratitude \ufffc<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So I suppose the closing thought is this: a Dionysian sense of gratitude is, tragic, but in a beautiful, joyful way? \ufffc<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LOVE THE PAIN &amp; TRAGEDY!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ERIC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/start-here\/\">START HERE<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/books\/\">BOOKS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/newsletter\/\">NEWSLETTER<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/workshops\/\">WORKSHOPS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019m never satisfied can\u2019t match my hustle. Perhaps this is the funny thing about\u2026 Sometimes when you have enough, it\u2019s not enough. And sometimes when it is not enough, actually\u2026 It is enough? what\u2019s \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ek_photo_artist_note":"","_ek_photo_thesis":"","_ek_photo_camera":"","_ek_photo_place":"","_ek_photo_human_moment":"","_ek_photo_sequence":"","_ek_photo_question":"","_ek_photo_canonical_claim":"","_ek_photo_ai_summary":"","_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-669751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"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=669751"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":669754,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669751\/revisions\/669754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=669751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=669751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=669751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}