Derek is the cofounder of Viddsee, a creator platform for premium short form content with over 3B+ views, 40M+ monthly reach, and 5K+ filmmakers.
With 15 years as a media and technology leader, Derek has worn multiple hats – from developing products to selling content IPs. And his passion lies in growing communities around content, building empathy with IPs and characters, and driving action through impactful storytelling to shape culture.
Guest Author: Derek Tan
Have you felt hooked to auto-piloting your life?
For the longest time, I gave my excuse that there’s no time. I would struggle with time and then the balance between work, family and self.
I can be in my own bubble in work;
Grounded by my family to come back;
Torn with sacrifices to self development;
To be better for myself, family and team around me.
I go on this loop – this auto-pilot in finding this balance.
I didn’t like that, so I left work.
Thinking I will have all the time.
But I was rushing to fill it up to be busy again.
Closing the chapter, taking a ‘break’, and finding what’s next
Everything everywhere all at once.
I was back with my struggle with time again. I was back on auto-pilot.
I couldn’t stand the thought of doing nothing, of not doing anything ‘productive’, it was how I was wired for the past many years.
Wait, I realised that I don’t struggle with time. I struggle with saying no.
It’s the discomfort of feeling guilty when I say no, so I try to make things work and try to balance it all. But it can crumple and create tension with work, family and self over time.
I’m reframing myself again today. Instead of saying no, I want to consciously say yes to what I need to do to move towards my intent/goals, then the no becomes easier.
In this way, I’m saying no to auto-piloting my life.
There’s no excuse of no time, don’t know how to say no, etc.
It’s the intention that counts. This intention to act towards what I want to do in life. We have a choice, we don’t need to be hooked to our auto-pilot life.
But, it’s a work in progress.
PS What is an inner struggle you overcame, or still working on?
#struggleisreal#reframing#growthmindset#personalgrowth
