Three weeks ago, I got promoted. And I still haven’t properly celebrated. Here’s why.
At first, I was ecstatic. The promotion felt like a milestone. Yet, working in a startup, you actually learn to be apathetic of these news. Promotion is worth nothing, everything. But soon after, instead of sharing the good news, I dove headfirst into something I always loved: side projects and learning something new. Somehow, the thrill of the next discovery kept me from pausing to celebrate.
Richard Feynman once said, "I don’t have to know an answer… I don’t feel frightened by not knowing things." This idea, that the pleasure lies in the chase rather than the trophy, resonated with me deeply. Instead of resting on anything, I found myself chasing the next “aha!” moment. Whether it was mastering a new skill or tackling a challenging problem, the pursuit of knowledge kept me engaged and eager to learn. In many ways, my delayed celebration wasn’t a sign of indifference, but a reflection of my commitment to lifelong learning.
I often feel pressured to achieve, celebrate, and then immediately move on. But what if that delay wasn’t about laziness at all? For me, it was about engagement. Diving into new things was, in itself, incredibly rewarding. Exploring local language models and tinkering with my Raspberry Pi for a range of projects gave me unexpected clarity and joy. These moments reminded me that sometimes the journey, filled with exploration and experimentation, can be more fulfilling than the achievement itself. There are tiny rebellions against the idea that worth is measured in titles. Growth isn’t linear; it’s messy, playful, and infinitely more interesting.
Reflecting on this experience, a lesson stands out. Curiosity > Validation. This was a milestone, but the true reward was the personal growth and the learning process that got me there. I do not need anything to proxy my worth. I know that, my shiniest tool in my toolbox is my curiosity and the pleasure I got from diving headfirst to anything. it’s the itch to tear things apart just to see how they work.
Embracing uncertainty isn’t a weakness, it’s a sign of a vibrant, inquisitive mind. I’ve grown to adore friends who say, "I don’t know, let’s figure it out," more than those who posture with answers.. I don’t know things, I can learn things. I can try things.
Feynman’s Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! gets its title from a witty comment by a woman at Princeton University after Feynman requested both cream and lemon in his tea, unaware of the proper etiquette. Well, being curious does not always mean asking questions in a safe space. It’s a reminder that in the grand scheme of learning, it is about never feeling frightened by not knowing something.
Life is an endless series of questions and challenges. There are some checkpoints along the way, but they are not the final destination.
I encourage everyone around me to embrace their own “pleasure of finding things out,” whether in your career, hobbies, or everyday life. Being passionate about toy trains is more rewarding than just going with the flow. I’d love to listen to a friend talking about a 1983 made toy train that is a gem to find rather than listening to someone sharing some work related stuff they are dealing with.
This blog is heavily inspired by one of Feynman’s book titles and my recent hyperfixation on him over the past week or two.
Let me know if this works for you!
Cheers, berkem