02/22/24

Brazil's biggest problem.

And no, it’s not politicians.

No beating around the bush, let’s cut to the chase.

Brazil’s biggest problem is this:

Carnival.

Kidding, it’s not carnival.

It’s reality TV.

Nah, It ain’t that either.

It’s reggaeton/Brazilian funk.

Nope, not that either.

Hate or love all of the above—it doesn’t matter.

Our real biggest problem is this:

9 hours and 12 minutes¹ and 3 hours and 37 minutes².

Don’t get it?

That’s how much time we spend on the internet (9h12) and on social media (3h37) every single day.

And no, the problem’s not the phone or the internet.

The problem is we don’t understand one fundamental truth:

Time is never spent—it’s invested.

And if you want to change your life, you need to understand what I’m about to say next.

Every action you take is an investment.

Every time you pick up your phone, you’re investing your time.

When you open an app, you’re investing your time.

When you watch a video, comment on a post, or scroll through your feed, you’re investing your time.

The question is: what return will this investment bring you?

Because every investment generates a return.

Time invested in studying returns knowledge.

Time invested in training returns a stronger, more capable body.

Time invested in building something returns a better future.

But if you invest your time mindlessly, there’s only one return:

A life that doesn’t change.

And that’s Brazil’s biggest problem.

Living a life without reflection, on autopilot, being thrown here and there like a victim without realizing you’re investing in the same place every day and reaping exactly the same results.

So, if you want a better life, ask yourself this question constantly:

What is this investment bringing me in return?

And if the answer is “nothing” or “I don’t know,” maybe it’s time to change strategy.

Now comes the most important part:

How to know where to invest your time?

I recommend using a concept called Ikigai.

It’s a Japanese word that means “reason for being.”

And no, this isn’t life coach talk.

It’s an ancient Japanese concept.

Ikigai is the intersection of 4 elements:

  1. What you love to do
  2. What the world needs
  3. What you’re good at
  4. What can pay you well

To find yours, first thing:

Stop scrolling and grab a paper.

Yes, actual paper, no phone notes.

Make 4 columns:

  1. List everything you love to do
  2. List problems you observe in the world
  3. List your skills (be honest)
  4. List ways to make money from this

Now look for connections.

“But I’m not finding any…”

That’s normal.

Ikigai doesn’t fall from the sky.

It’s built.

If you love something, you can get better at it.

If you’re good at something, you can find who needs it.

If there’s a need, there’s a way to monetize it.

The question is:

Are you going to invest time in this?

Or will you keep scrolling?

The idea of finding your Ikigai to have a more conscious and productive life is to align these 4 points with content related to them so that you invest your time on the internet the right way and reap the benefits.

Because while you watch another TikTok video…

…someone is building their Ikigai.

And guess what?

That person will reap the rewards.

While you reap… likes.

Time is passing.

Right now.

As you read this.

So decide:

Will you invest in a more conscious life and find your purpose?

Or will you continue investing in reels?

And remember

Ikigai isn’t a destination.

It’s a journey.

And every journey begins with a first step.

Start today

Start now.

You can do it, my friend.

References:

  1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1258232/daily-time-spent-online-worldwide/
  2. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-deep-dive-the-time-we-spend-on-social-media

Who is Jonatha Koeller?

I'm a self-taught polyglot, fluent in 6 languages and on my way to the next ones. For 9 years I have been helping people unlock their natural ability to learn languages and achieve fluency in their target language in a matter of months.

I've worked as a language mentor for companies such as Sony Music, Vale, Globo, Accenture, Scrumlaunch, helping everyone from base employees to CEOs.

I don't know what you'll find more surprising: that I did all of this, or that I'm bald at 26. Either way, you can be the next person I’ll help become fluent by unlocking your natural ability to learn languages.

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