William Liao @williamliao
Taiwanese American, daily blogger of ideas about impactful work in service of others, photographer (ephemera.photography)
William Liao last shared their writing
spotting weeds
To be “lost in the weeds” is to be so caught up in minor detail as to completely miss the point.
Imagine two people getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
One person spends this opportunity scanning the painting while admiring da Vinci’s creation;...
Imagine two people getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
One person spends this opportunity scanning the painting while admiring da Vinci’s creation;...
William's Pantry
🍺
40
Beers
🥟
46
Dumplings
🧇
29
Waffles
🍪
29
Cookies
🍵
49
Teas
🍣
38
Sushis
☕️
38
Coffees
🍫
41
Chocolate Bars
🍍
36
Pineapples
🥓
36
Bacons
🥚
36
Eggs
🥩
26
Steaks
🍊
45
Tangerines
🍓
25
Strawberries
🥃
28
Whiskeys
Collections
a reminder
You get one life.
But you already know that.
The relationships you cultivate and the impact you make will likely matter more than anything else in the long run.
But you already know that.
Doing is often more helpful than thinking about doing.
But you already know...
But you already know that.
The relationships you cultivate and the impact you make will likely matter more than anything else in the long run.
But you already know that.
Doing is often more helpful than thinking about doing.
But you already know...
Making space for important stuff
In his book Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman presents a sobering reality when he writes, “the problem with trying to make time for everything that feels important — or just enough for what feels important — is that you definitely never will.”
Meaning: trying to Do It...
Meaning: trying to Do It...
untitled story
Periodically throughout life, we’re asked by our peers the strangely existential question: “who do you want to be?”
When my college counselor asked me this question during my freshman year, I felt for the first time an enormous pressure to have an answer.
I responded with gusto, “a neuroscientist!”...
When my college counselor asked me this question during my freshman year, I felt for the first time an enormous pressure to have an answer.
I responded with gusto, “a neuroscientist!”...
bearing the how
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche
The ability to take on challenges, and to be resilient and persistent often boils down to being able clearly to answer one question: why are you doing what you’re doing?
A pursuit...
The ability to take on challenges, and to be resilient and persistent often boils down to being able clearly to answer one question: why are you doing what you’re doing?
A pursuit...
who are you building for?
Today Canadian-Chinese actor Simu Liu posted ‘Happy April 12th’ on social media.
April 12th of this year is the 10th anniversary of the day that Liu was laid off from his accounting job at the prestigious consulting firm, Deloitte, which ultimately sent him down another path filled with confusion,...
April 12th of this year is the 10th anniversary of the day that Liu was laid off from his accounting job at the prestigious consulting firm, Deloitte, which ultimately sent him down another path filled with confusion,...
choices
The choices we make in life can sometimes feel like a balancing act between what we wish to do and what others expect us to do.
When these wishes and expectations are in alignment, there’s no issue.
But when we find ourselves pulling away from who we are...
When these wishes and expectations are in alignment, there’s no issue.
But when we find ourselves pulling away from who we are...
context, for better or worse
Have you ever taken a trip, gone to a concert, or participated in something that you don’t usually do, and walked away having a new perspective?
It could be a new perspective about the meaning of life (deep, I know), goals, values, work, relationships — anything.
Have you also...
It could be a new perspective about the meaning of life (deep, I know), goals, values, work, relationships — anything.
Have you also...
no thanks
To anyone that tries to bring negativity into your life,
To anyone that tries to put you down or shame you for being you,
To anyone that tries to mind your business in front of you without an invitation,
Two words: “no thanks.”
Say it, think it —...
To anyone that tries to put you down or shame you for being you,
To anyone that tries to mind your business in front of you without an invitation,
Two words: “no thanks.”
Say it, think it —...
Pay attention to what you pay attention to
Your emotional experience is closely tied to what you focus on.
If 90% of your attention is focused on a mistake you made at work that you feel embarrassed about, guess what? You probably won’t feel great.
On the other hand, if 90% of your attention is focused on...
If 90% of your attention is focused on a mistake you made at work that you feel embarrassed about, guess what? You probably won’t feel great.
On the other hand, if 90% of your attention is focused on...
a solution better than willpower
It’s much easier to remove a sugary desert from your pantry than to resist eating it every time you enter your kitchen.
It’s much easier to delete a social media app than to consciously remind yourself to avoid using it every time you unlock your phone.
It’s much...
It’s much easier to delete a social media app than to consciously remind yourself to avoid using it every time you unlock your phone.
It’s much...