Chào các bạn, Hello Friends,
I’ve been reflecting a lot over the last couple of weeks and it’s funny how sometimes the simplest lessons are the ones we need to revisit.
It’s not that I’ve forgotten them, but the weight of life makes me forget how important they are until I have to confront them again. It's like they sit quietly in the back of my mind, waiting for a moment to surface and remind me of their truth.
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I think this is something a lot of us go through, especially as entrepreneurs or creatives. We often think we’re just one big breakthrough away from clarity, but sometimes, the real breakthrough is simply in returning to what we already know.
Lately, I’ve been feeling the tension between rest and action. I think we often mistake rest for laziness, especially in the entrepreneurial world, where the pressure to “always be on” can be suffocating.
For me, the past few weeks have been a reminder that rest is part of the process, not a detour from it. I’ve been taking more time for myself than usual, but I’ve had this inner conflict where I’ve felt guilty about it. I mean, I know that rest is necessary, but somehow, there's always this voice in the back of my head telling me to push harder, to go faster.
I’ve been working through this internal tug-of-war between doing and resting. I don’t know if you ever feel this way, but when I let myself slow down, I start questioning if I’m being “productive” enough. The culture we live in makes it hard to embrace slowing down. We’re constantly bombarded with the idea that we need to hustle harder, wake up earlier and work longer hours to get where we want to go.
But I’m learning (or should I say, reminding myself) that the work we do when we’re rested is far more effective. And if I really want to show up for the people I’m building with and for, I need to take care of myself first.
For me, this has meant really listening to my body. There were a couple of days where I just didn’t have the energy to get out of bed. And instead of pushing through, I let myself sleep. I didn’t feel guilty about it, though I almost always do at first. The tension between wanting to do and needing to rest is something I constantly struggle with. But I’ve come to realize that rest is more than just physical. It’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. It’s about honoring the pace that’s right for you, not the one that everyone else seems to be going at.
And then there’s doubt. Oh, how it shows up, especially when you least expect it. I think every entrepreneur goes through this cycle of doubt, sometimes it’s subtle, like a nagging feeling in the back of your mind. Other times, it’s more obvious, like when you question every decision you make or wonder if you’re just spinning your wheels.
Doubt isn’t something that magically disappears when you hit a certain milestone or “make it.” If anything, it morphs into new forms. The doubt I’m experiencing now doesn’t feel like it did when I first started out. Back then, it was more about the big picture, about whether I could make it at all.
Now, it’s more about the fine-tuning, the how, the small decisions that pile up. And I’ve realized that doubt doesn’t have to be a negative force. In fact, it can be a compass that guides me to question assumptions, think deeper, and challenge myself.
I also found myself reflecting on the importance of showing up, even when things don’t go according to plan. Take yesterday for example. I had a session for Founders Pause and I made every rookie mistake in the book. I forgot my headphones, the sound was off, and I was sure that everyone in the session was frustrated with me.
It was awkward and uncomfortable.
But here’s what I’ve come to realize: despite all of my anxiety about that session, people were still connecting. They were still engaging. And by the end, I saw how the format worked, how the vulnerability and honesty in the conversation created a space where others could open up.
That experience made me think about imperfection, about how we often try to avoid mistakes or hide them. But, the reality is that the most authentic connections happen when we embrace our imperfections. I’ve always been so hard on myself, but I’m learning that mistakes are part of the journey.
They’re not just obstacles to overcome, they’re lessons in real time. They help me refine my approach, test my assumptions and adjust. That’s where the real growth happens.
And let’s talk about connection, because, in all this reflection, that’s been the thread that’s held everything together. Lately, I’ve had some beautiful experiences of genuine human connection.
One of them was with my cousin, Trang. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate in a way that felt almost effortless. She really listens, and there’s something so grounding about that. It reminded me of the power of truly being present with people, even if the conversation isn’t perfect, even if there’s a gap in understanding. That’s the kind of connection that matters most.
I’ve had similar moments with friends, like Tuong, where we spent the whole day climbing, talking, and just being with each other. It wasn’t planned or forced, it was natural and effortless and those moments of connection have been some of the most fulfilling.
Energy is everything when it comes to relationships. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with people who inspire me, who challenge me, and who make me feel understood. It’s easy to get caught up in the business of things and forget the importance of these human connections.
But as I move forward, I realize that the best collaborations happen when there’s mutual respect and understanding. It’s not just about what we do, it’s about who we’re being when we show up.
This has led me to reconsider my approach to relationships in both my personal and professional life. I’ve made the mistake of pushing for things that weren’t aligned, trying to force connections where they didn’t exist. But now, I trust the process more. I trust that the right people will show up at the right time and the best collaborations are the ones that feel effortless, grounded in trust and respect.
I’ll leave you with this: there’s no one-size-fits-all journey. There’s no one “right” way to move through life or business. But as I’ve reflected on everything that’s been happening over the last few weeks, I’ve learned that growth is often messy, that doubt doesn’t mean I’m failing and that rest is just as important as action. All these pieces fit together. They aren’t separate, they’re part of the same process.
So, what about you? Have you had moments lately where you felt unsure or disconnected? How do you manage those moments? I’d love to hear what’s been on your mind.
Keep it simple, keep it fresh, smile and let it go.
Yours truly, Trung
