Ep 110.1: How do you measure your life? | Ian Lee (Co-Founder, Syndicate & Former Head of Crypto & Blockchain, Citi)

2023-02-25

Ian Lee is the co-founder of Syndicate: a decentralised investing protocol & social network by the likes of A16Z, IDEO, Kleiner Perkins, Uniswap, Coinbase, Opensea, circle & Ledger. He is also the former founding member of IDEO Colab and Head of crypto & blockchain at Citi.But before all that, he was an artist. Then a designer. Before pivoting into marketing & advertising, investment banking and finally, consulting.Where he ended up being diagnosed with cancer. His world shrunk into 3 month timeframes, because he just didn’t know if ...

But before all that, he was an artist.

Then a designer. Before pivoting into marketing & advertising, investment banking and finally, consulting.

Where he ended up being diagnosed with cancer.

His world shrunk into 3 month timeframes, because he just didn’t know if he would live beyond each three month period.

Ian’s worldview changed. He was and remains afraid to try new things.

In Part 1 of Episode 110, our discussion centres around the fundamental question of: How do we measure our life?

Opening with a viral Tweet that Ian wrote, inspired by a Harvard Professor called Clayton Christensen where he learned that:

The best strategy in life is an emergent one.

Don’t plan life in 5-10 year spans. Instead go all-in on what you have the most conviction, passion & excitement for in 12-18 month increments.

You’ll learn more, grow faster & outperform others not as into it as you.

You’ll learn how and why in this episode, and so very much more in this episode with Ian Lee.

Highlights:

2:41 Don’t plan your life in 5 to 10 year spans
3:49 Going to art school instead of science?!
6:07 Being diagnosed with cancer
7:43 Living in 2 to 3 month increments
9:26 Exploring rabbit holes
19:10 Life isn’t a linear progression
20:36 Letting go of his need for obsessive planning
22:15 Is there a place for long term vision and planning?
24:38 Would Ian really do anything differently?
27:59 Knowing when to quit
30:44 How to plan for a pivot
35:39 Juggling art and business in his CV
42:45 Mentors
48:53 Fostering relationships with mentors

P/S: Part 1 of the interview with Ian Lee comes out this Wednesday! Where we talk all about Ian’s deep dive into the world of investment banking & web3.

📍Show notes: www.sothisismywhy.com/110

💌 Weekly Newsletter that deconstructs how you can find success & purpose on your own terms: https://sothisismywhy.ck.page/acd5bd1062

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