The Matthew effect

Today I looked into a sales job in AI. The company was large, but its product did not excite me, much like several products I have seen elsewhere. The role relied on phone sales. I assumed that would be draining. After the interview I watched the sales floor: instead of the feverish atmosphere I had imagined, people spoke on the phone calmly, much as I do. There is a performance target behind the base salary. I still do not know how hard it would be to reach.

I traveled early this morning and felt how fresh the air and light can be. The energy lasted into the day. It also reminded me how badly a night of overthinking can affect the following morning. Sleep is a foundation for getting anything done.

Four months ago I set a goal to finish reading the Bible by the end of June. I am working hard to keep it. I cannot linger over every verse while trying to make that deadline, but I have learned from the stories and from the use of parables to teach.

The parable of the talents in Matthew stays with me. A master entrusts different amounts to three servants before leaving. Two put what they receive to work and earn more; the third, afraid of losing it, keeps it hidden. When the master returns, he rewards the first two and takes the third servant’s share. The line about more being given to those who have something has made me think differently at different stages of life.¹

I now see a small version of that Matthew effect in my own sleep and energy. A night spent worrying about uncertainties does not solve them and takes away energy from the next day. A rested morning, by contrast, helps me meet one challenge and then another. Good energy can build on itself. I felt that in the air this morning.