On Mentorship, Philosophy, Missed Trips, and the Messy Beautiful Journey of Building Yourself
Happy New Month, dearest reader.
Your retired poet comes bearing good news from the past month. Pull up a chair. Let us talk.
Why You Need a Constant Reminder
It is remarkably easy to forget why you started something. Life gets busy, obstacles pile up, distractions multiply, and before long you are moving through your days without any real sense of direction or purpose.
This is precisely why we all need something or someone to anchor us. A person, a place, a practice that consistently pulls us back to what matters and reminds us not to relent, not to settle, and not to lose sight of where we are actually trying to go.
One of my goals for this year was to find a mentor for my tech journey. And I am glad to tell you that I finally did. We have already had our first session together and I can feel the difference that kind of focused guidance makes.
Mentorship is important in every field, at every stage. A good mentor helps you see beyond the moment you are stuck in because they have already stood where you are standing. They help you focus, they open doors, and they save you from making mistakes that would otherwise cost you years.
Let me be clear about something though: not every mentor is the right one for you. Take your time. Seek someone who genuinely knows their craft, someone with real, visible, and tangible results that demonstrate they have walked the road you are trying to walk. That discernment matters.
And do not limit yourself to just one. Different mentors can serve different areas of your growth simultaneously.
Get a mentor. Do the work of finding the right one. It will be worth every effort.
On Religion and Knowing Yourself
Religion is widespread. At its core it is a belief in something or someone, a way of life that shapes how we see the world and, in many cases, who we become within it.
For most of us, our religion was something we were born into rather than something we consciously chose. Only a relatively small number of people ever take the time to truly examine what they believe, test it, question it, and ultimately decide for themselves where they stand.
I have done that work with my own beliefs. I examined mine. I tested them. I understand them. And I walk in them with full conviction because they are genuinely mine.
At some point in life, you have to make certain decisions for yourself rather than simply inheriting them from others. Know thyself. That is not just ancient wisdom. It is one of the most practically useful things you can do.
On Stoicism and the Philosophy Worth Studying
Many people classify stoicism as a religion. I see it as philosophy, and a profoundly useful one at that.
I have spent a meaningful amount of time reading the works of great stoic thinkers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca. These were people whose lives are genuinely worth studying, not just their ideas but how they lived, how they led, and how they navigated the immense pressures and uncertainties of their time.
Their writing brings a particular kind of clarity. The kind that makes you stop and reconsider how you are spending your attention and your days.
Two phrases from stoic philosophy sit at the center of how I try to think about life:
Amor Fati: love of fate. The practice of not just accepting what happens but genuinely embracing it as necessary and good.
Memento Mori: remember that you will die. Not as a morbid thought but as a clarifying one. When you truly internalize that your time here is finite, your priorities sharpen almost immediately.
One of my favorite quotes, from Marcus Aurelius in Meditations, captures it beautifully. He wrote that he escaped anxiety, or rather discarded it, because it was within him in his own perceptions and not outside of him.
That reframe changes everything. If you want to explore stoicism further, I recommend following Daily Stoic and subscribing to their daily newsletter and podcast. It is a consistent and worthwhile investment of a few minutes each day.
The Trip That Was Not Meant to Be
I promised to tell you about my trip to Benin City. Here is what actually happened.
I made every preparation. I paid for registration, booked my accommodation, and sorted my transportation. Everything was in place. And then, on the exact day I was supposed to leave, a business interview came up.
I tried every angle to reschedule the interview. It was not possible. So I went, thinking it would not take long.
Eight hours later, plus transit time, I arrived home knowing the trip was off. The money was gone and Benin was not happening.
I will not lie, that stung. But with final exams and a project to focus on right now, it is probably the universe telling me to stay put for a while. I still have a long list of places I want to visit. If you share that love of travel, let us connect one day and make some memories together.
On Love
In the ongoing episode of love and life: my crush asked me to design an invitation card for her wedding.
I cannot even cry about it properly.
Nevertheless, I have found something. What exactly? We will not discuss that here.
Heartbreak is practically a rite of passage for everyone at some point. It is apparently not my turn yet though.
Hard guy. Strictly. (Winks.)
Where I Am on the Product Management Journey
Right now, I am deep in the work of building out my resume, polishing my cover letters, and putting together my portfolio.
If you know of any product manager openings, please remember me. I would genuinely appreciate it.
Gracias.
Music for Your Ears
Before I wrap up, here are a few artists whose voices are genuinely worth your time:
Zayn, Giveon, Lewis Capaldi, and Shawn Mendes. All four of them do something special with a song. Go find out for yourself.
And on that note, my TED talk is officially over for this month.
If there is something you want me to write about in the next letter, or if you have questions, send a message or leave a comment. I read everything.
Thank you for lending me your attention. It means more than you know.
One day or day one. That choice is still yours.
Talk soon, friend.
Ready to take your product management journey from where it is today to where you actually want it to be? Join the next cohort of the Career2Founder Program, built specifically for aspiring and transitioning product managers who are serious about landing their dream role with the right skills, the right support, and a clear path forward. Click here.
