Stoa Digest #104: ⏯️ Pause & Ponder ⏯️
Sometimes taking a break can lead to breakthroughs.
Hey there, Stoans!
Sharing something I read yesterday which made me stop and reflect.
Figure out your 1%.
Most of us fail at our big goals because we try to change our habits all at once, and too drastically. We, humans, need time to adjust.
So, on this half-year mark, I’m going to start something new. Rather than deciding what I want to change 100%, I’ll identify what I can change 1%, today.
One small gesture at a time.🌼
Ready to join me?
This week’s spotlight falls on Edvin Varghese from Cohort 12 brought to you by Sankalp Mehrotra from Cohort 11 -
What’s your WHY in life?
I am a 20-year-old purpose-driven individual with a passion for creating, building and making a lasting impact on people's lives in various aspects such as lifestyle, passion, art, and belief. I have already played a major role in taking up the initiative to lead a team that provided electricity by installing solar panels for 26 families and over 150 individuals in the village of Walshet, Asangaon. I am also the founding treasurer of a Leo Club. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference in the world and I remain committed to exploring new avenues where I can make a meaningful difference, while always staying true to my values and maintaining a strong sense of integrity and professionalism.
What is something Stoans are unlikely to know about you?
I am a complete extrovert with an artistic flair. I’m comfortable in the spotlight and I love to connect with people. I have been playing the keyboard for 10 years and I taught myself how to play the guitar. I also enjoy dancing and a little bit of singing. I am always looking for new ways to express my creativity and I’m passionate about using my talents to entertain, inspire and connect with others. I believe that music and art have the power to bring people together and create a sense of community.
What did you enjoy most about Stoa?
From day one, I have been impressed by the attention to detail that Stoa provides in its prompts and workshops. This was evident even in the 3-day induction program in Bangalore, where each game we played had a hidden meaning that challenged us to think differently about our lives. I am excited to see how I can leverage the diverse range of professions and age groups in the Stoa community to learn and grow. As the youngest in my cohort, I have never felt like a kid or been treated with anything other than respect. I appreciate the comfortable platform that Stoa has built for us to approach them with any problem. One thing that is common among Stoa members is our shared mindset of growth. This pushes us to be better every day.
What industry are you keen on exploring and why?
While I am open to exploring any industry that allows me to use my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on the world. But if I have asked for my preference, I have a particular interest in the apparel/clothing industry. I have always been fascinated by the intersection of fashion and art and I believe that the apparel/clothing industry has the potential to be a powerful force for good in the world.
Edvin has a lot of interesting stories and ideas. If you resonated with his thoughts, don’t forget to drop him a ping on Discord.
🐝 Community Buzz 🐝
We hosted a super fun board games night for the Bangalore fam over the weekend!
L-R: Akash Agarwal, Param Shah, Chethan Srinivasa, Sambhav Parmar, Shruthi Ganesan, Vilas K H, Rohit Nambiar, Goutam Naik
C10 Bangalore folks met on Saturday night to catch up over dinner with their program manager, Abhiram
L-R: Param Shah, Sambhav Parmar, Lalit Dash, Rohit Nambiar
Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Pune folks, where you at??
⏯ For Stoans by Stoans ⏯
Read this Twitter thread if you feel you’re struggling with self-discipline.
Check out Dileep Krishna’s (C2) songwriting skills here. (Do reach out to him for a collab)
An interesting read on how Good Synthesis is the Start of Good Sensemaking.
Here’s a well-crafted piece by Devain Bansal (C12) on his weekend at Stoa.
A unique read on the Differences in Desire and Attainment.
adios famo!