Advice for Young Adults from the Wisdom of I-Ching

When considering career choices as a late teen or young adult, the sources offer a wealth of wisdom from the I-Ching, emphasizing foundational principles, continuous development, strategic action, and the importance of relationships.

Here is NotebookLM's advice based on the provided material  (See: The Wisdom of I-Ching Organized for Success in Life)

I. Laying the Foundation for Your Career

• Embrace Lifelong Learning and Humility:
• Learning is a lifelong process; cultivate a growth mindset. Seek to become responsible and capable to contribute to society.
• Learn to break folly and darkness and increase your discernment.
• Be childlike, have curiosity, purity, and eagerness in your learning.
• Develop your abilities and build resources without boasting about them; instead, use them to do good things.
• Learn by following good examples and by teaching and caring for others.
• Observe far and wide, and in depth, like an adult, looking beneath the surface. Observe your own life to make wise decisions, and then apply what you learn to transform and improve.
• Cultivate Character and Self-Reliance:
• Develop your character by doing the right and wise things.
• Be self-reliant and do not expect handouts. Focus on building your own capabilities.
• Don't waste time hoping for handouts from the rich; instead, build yourself up.
• Righteous living is presented as the best way. Your moral character is shaped by practice and strengthened by adversity.
• Integrity is a crucial foundation for accomplishing big things. It means being able to deliver promises, judging rightly, and not giving in to pressure. True integrity involves delivering according to your ability and never over-promising.

II. Strategic Approach to Your Career Path

• Be Proactive and Visionary (Heaven - Creative Power):
• Be proactive, an innovator, and an initiator. Start a good project and take steps to make a better world with a great and meaningful vision.
• For a student, the advice is to "don’t show off – get ready – prepared well -wait for opportunity Do it when time and opportunity is right."
• Understand Stages of Growth and Progression:
• The "Dragon" stages offer a metaphor for career progression:
• Hidden Dragon: Get ready and prepare well, waiting for the right opportunity.
• Appearing Dragon: Excel in your work and find mentors.
• Running Dragon: Be diligent and watchful.
• Leaping Dragon: Be ready to take a leap to higher ground.
• Flying Dragon: Soar higher by building a network of influential people.
• Parenting Dragon: Focus on self-management and developing others.
• Be Practical, Realistic, and Patient (Not Bizarre, Needs):
• Face reality and follow principles. There are no shortcuts; success comes from consistent "step by step" progress.
• Be watchful, practical, and realistic. Don't be fooled by short-term success that breaks principles, as it will lead to calamity.
• You may need to wait for the opportune time, but this is not passive. Use this period to prepare and walk in integrity. Celebrate small successes while waiting.
• Be prepared for challenges and opposition, as bigger opportunities often bring greater challenges.
• Move Steadily and with Purpose (Walk, Gradual):
• When putting your plan into action, "walk your talk" and conduct yourself with proper protocols, especially with people. Understand cultural differences to improve teamwork and productivity.
• A long journey is completed by taking many small steps. Progress may feel slow, but steady, progressive movement in righteousness will lead to great heights.
• Don't rush. Be teachable, adaptable, and agile.
• Embrace Passion and Adaptability (Enjoy, Follow, Wind):
• Direct your enthusiasm and joy towards enjoying and doing the right things with a meaningful purpose.
• See change, learn, and adapt to it. Be open-minded and prepared for new experiences, but always hold on to unchanging principles of integrity and righteousness.
• Learn to discern between good and bad and follow the good from your heart.
• Look for opportunities and "gaps" to fill. Seek out wise and righteous leaders to follow, and engage in a "plan-learn-grow" cycle for sustained success.

III. The Importance of Relationships

• Build Relationships with Integrity (Union, Integrity, Affection):
• Building relationships is key to a successful life. It starts with righteousness and integrity and comes from mutual support.
• Extend your scope of relationships and build connections with key people.
• Integrity is the foundation for strong bonds; it draws people to accept you and can transform an organization.
• Engage people emotionally, care for them, and build pure and righteous relationships. Don't hesitate to do the right things openly, as others will follow.
• Teamwork and Companionship (Companionship, Family):
• Companionship is built on shared conviction of mission, vision, and values.
• Be transparent and do not have hidden agendas or betray trust.
• For external affairs, careers, and business, it's important that each member of a "family" (or team/organization) knows and plays their role well for the whole to prosper. Extending this concept of family to your organization and society can bring blessings.
• Seek Mentors and Wise Counsel:
• Excel in your work and get mentors.
• Seek a strong mentor to break impasses.
• The congregation (group) should be guided by wise leaders who lead by example and report to a board of mentors.
• When meeting obstructions, always seek and follow the advice of the wise.
• In times of abundance, find and follow a wise master.

IV. Navigating Challenges and Sustaining Success

• Overcome Obstacles and Manage Risks (Boxed-In, Quake):
• When faced with adverse circumstances, rejoice, maintain positive attitudes, stay calm, and seek help and wisdom to find a way out.
• Be prepared for unseen events and disasters by developing mental alertness and practicing risk management. Righteousness should be at the center of your preparation.
• Pay Attention to Details and Small Improvements (Small Accumulation):
• Don't ignore small details; strength is built through their continuous accumulation.
• Detect and fix defects as early as possible and be open to corrections from others.
• "Do a Little More" and Go Beyond Expectations (Little Excess):
• For righteous and good things, do a little more than expected to create delight.
• Correct small mistakes before they become disasters, and be watchful for little signs of deviations.
• The source quotes Art Linkletter: "Do a little more than you’re paid to. Give a little more than you have to. Try a little harder than you want to. Aim a little higher than you think possible, and give a lot of thanks to God for health, family, and friends."
• Perseverance and Sharing:
• Persevere in righteousness, especially when facing opposition, as it brings progress and powerful connections.
• Success comes from principles-centered endeavors.
• When you achieve abundance, it comes from wisdom and execution; share your wealth and influence. Do not hoard resources.
• Everyone giving and contributing results in a better and richer world where everyone gains.

 The Mindmap:

Here are additional advice I got from asking DeepSeek using the same i-Ching source.

Here are the essential career principles for young adults, distilled from I-Ching wisdom into timeless guidance — no numbers, no rigid steps, just foundational truths to navigate your path:

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I. The Inner Compass Principles

1. Master Humility, Not Hype
   → "Have ability → use it quietly for good → never boast." (Hex 15)
   Why it matters: True competence speaks louder than self-promotion. Let your work earn trust.
2. Build Character Before Credentials
   → "Integrity is your career currency." (Hex 61)
   Why it matters: Skills open doors; character keeps you in the room. Deliver what you promise.
3. Embrace Naive Curiosity
   → "Observe like a child; analyze like a sage." (Hex 4 + 20)
   Why it matters: Stay open and ask "why?" constantly. Surface-level understanding breeds mistakes.

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II. The Navigation Principles

4. Start as Clay, Not Stone
   → "Be moldable early; become unshakeable later." (Hex 2 → Hex 1)
   Why it matters: Early career = exploration phase. Stay flexible before specializing.
5. Follow Rhythms, Not Hype
   → "Seasons change; principles don’t. Align with enduring needs." (Hex 17)
   Why it matters: Trends fade. Focus on timeless human values (e.g., care, creativity, problem-solving).
6. Progress Through Pitfalls
   → "Adversity reveals your true path." (Hex 29 + 47)
   Why it matters: Every "failure" shows you what to fix, avoid, or pursue next. Don’t fear detours.

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III. The Relationship Principles

7. Seek Mentors, Not Saviors
   → "Learn from those ahead; never outsource your growth." (Hex 48)
   Why it matters: Mentors provide wisdom, not shortcuts. Own your journey.
8. Collaborate Beyond Cliques
   → "Diversity of thought prevents blindness." (Hex 38)
   Why it matters: Work with people who challenge you. Growth lives outside echo chambers.
9. Serve Before You Lead
   → "Solve invisible pains → build unshakeable trust." (Hex 19)
   Why it matters: Those who uplift others become indispensable. Leadership is earned through service.

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IV. The Sustainability Principles

10. Do 10% Extra Consistently
    → "Small excellence compounds." (Hex 62)
    Why it matters: One extra effort daily (e.g., refining work, helping a colleague) builds legendary reputations.
11. Guard Your Energy Fiercely
    → "No success justifies self-betrayal." (Hex 27)
    Why it matters: Burnout, moral compromise, or toxic environments destroy futures. Walk away early.
12. Share Your Harvest
    → "Abundance hoarded rots; abundance shared multiplies." (Hex 55)
    Why it matters: Credit others. Teach what you know. Generosity attracts opportunity.

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When Lost, Remember This

The Mountain & Valley Law (Hex 52 + 29):
"Careers are not ladders — they’re mountain ranges. Some peaks demand climbs; others require valleys of rest and redirection. Respect the terrain."

Your North Star Question (Hex 64):
"Does this choice let me become more truly myself while serving others?"
— If yes → Proceed.
— If no → Pivot.

These principles aren’t rules — they’re anchors for your intuition. The deeper you internalize them, the wiser your choices become. Go shape your legacy. 🌱

 

BVITS - Business Value Innovative Thinking Symbols

Business Value Innovative Thinking Symbols
BVITS is a systematic thinking method for creative and breakthrough ideas on demand. By following BVITS, users can come out with breakthrough ideas easily. BVITS is easy to learn, but it is extensible to suit the domain of your problems or business. BVITS is an integration of many creative and innovative thinking methods, visual and mind mapping, axiomatic design, system thinking, and others, for breakthrough innovative thinking. It is useful for generating new innovative ideas, problem solving, process re-engineering, new products and services, and even Business Strategies and policies. Innovative thinking differs from just creative thinking in that the thinking must result in providing business value to the users of the methods, services, or products. BVITS is shown in the diagram below: BVITS has 3 Key Steps and Components System & Environment: Relate the System-Object to its environment. Operator Symbols: Apply the Operators to System+Environment. BVITS has 10 thinking operators represented by the simple symbols of   - take out,+ combine, x multiply, / divide, ζ irregularize, ←adopt, →outsource, ~ invert, ∞ intensify, v drop-in or pictorially shown later. Dimension of space, time, transformation and others. The Thinking Symbol Operator when applied to System+Environment can be done across the Dimension of space, time and transformation. BVITS can be used for ideas generation or problem solving. In this overview, we will use it for idea generations. For the first example, we use a product for illustration. Let's take a desktop computer.  Relate  The first step is to identify the system and relate it to its environment. 1a. System Components: CPU, Storage, Monitor, Keyboard, and mouse. 1b. Environment: Printer, Power, Table, TV, Tape-Recorder, Network, Lights We need not be exhaustive at first. BVITS is an iterative method. We can analyze the system and its environment more when we reach a jam. The system does not exist alone. It is related to its environment. The boundary and interfaces between the systems and the environment, and the components in the environment, provide opportunities for new innovations or answers to the problems faced in the system. As proponents of the Triz method like to say "the solution to the problems lies in its environment".  Step two is to Apply the Operator Which operator to start with is not important. We are also encouraged to combine the operators. The generate ideas through the various combinations are to challenge our mind and break our thinking inertia. Hence it is important not to throw out the ideas immediately as nonsense or impractical. It is to challenge to think of possible uses and value of the proposed ideas. Operator + Combine Combine is to merge two or more parts into one part while still providing the same functions as before. Other wording for combine is converge,  unify or consolidate. Product ideas: Merge CPU+Monitor+Keyboard+Mouse into one unit .... that is a Laptop. Combine Keyboard+Mouse into a single piece .... keyboard with a trackball, keyboard with button type joy-stick, touchpad (no mouse but achieves the function of a mouse). Combine Storage + Monitor ? Combine CPU+Storage... the Brick Computer - A cheap portable.   Operator - Take Out Take away, minus, one or more component of the system. Computer without CPU .... a modular computer with easy CPU upgrades. Computer without Storage ... a network Java computer. Computer without keyboard and mouse monitor... server farm. Computer less CPU, keyboards etc with only storage.... network storage system or thumb drive.   Operator / Divide Divide is to segment the system or components further and/or make it removable/pluggable from fixed disk storage to removable storage. divide the disk storage further --- multiple disks, USB disk, cd-rom, etc. divide the CPU further - special processors for Disc IO, graphics processor, etc. divide the keyboard further ... folderable keyboards, numeric pad only, etc. divide the monitor further .... the multiple windows system (by software), multiple monitors handle by one cpu.   Operator x Multiply Create multiple copies of the components and/or change some properties of copies. multiply cpus .... dual core, quad core, multiple processors multiply Computers... grid computing multiply monitors... newer laptop now can support extended window on another screen. multiply keyboards... multi-users shared one computer. This is great savings.  Operator → outsource Replace a component/function from the system by an object in the environment. replace the monitor by the TV in the environment instead.... Apple II c micro-computer, the US$100 pc. remove the storage and use the Network for storage .... network storage, internet storage; or Disc Storage by Tape/VCR. remove the keyboard and use finger or pen of the operator ... touch screen input, the tablet PC. outsource CPU to the environment ... Biocomputing ?    Operator ← Adopt Take a function presently done the Environment and get it done by the System. This is the opposite of outsource. Bring TV into the computer - Computer with TV-add on allowing watching TV on computer screen. Bring Tape recording function into the computer - ability to play and store music with mp3 software/media player. Bring Printer into the Computer - New HP computer with printer incorporated. Bring TV, tape-recorder, etc into the computer - Media Center PC, Apple.   Operator ζ irregularize Make the properties of the system or its components non-uniform or irregular. Symmetry is a typical psychological inertia of our mind. Making it irregular breaks this inertia. Symmetry means unchanging with respect to certain axis or property. To break the symmetry, just create a dependency relationships between properties of the system components or the system and its environment. Create a dependency between Computer and Table - furniture tailored made for computer or vice versa. Make computer a decoration piece of furniture. Create a dependency between TV and computer. Let the computer control the TV or vice versa (Invert Operator) Create a dependency between computer and lights - the LCD panel light is dependent on the environmental lightings e.g. Acer ambient light sensitive LCD Laptop.   Operator ~ invert Reverse the relationships between the components of the system or its relationships with the environment. The relationship can be relative spatial, time or other physical attributes as in the Dimension described above. Invert Operator is the most common operator taught in Creative Thinking. Inversing the Desktop components spatial relationships into all integrated one give rise to the laptop computer. We can also split out all the components of the computer into separate single function standalone portable components e.g. portable drive, thumb-drive. monitor of different types, keyboards, mouse, etc.   Operator ∞ intensify Change a parameter of the system or its component and increase it to the extreme value either positive or negative direction. Intensify CPU - have super-computing power. intensify Storage - unlimited storage on one end or no-storage on the other. intensify Monitor - super large monitor or super-small monitor (wearable spectacle's visor) intensify Keyboard - super large keyboard, special keyboard, or no keyboard for disable Changing the size of the Desktop computer gives portable, laptop, ultra-laptop, PDA, wearable. The wearable computers uses many operators described in BVITS (keyboardless(voice command), small visor for monitor, power by motions, clothing as conductor etc.)   Operator v drop-in Learn from the best practices of other industries, countries & cultures or living organisms and apply it to the system and its environment. Learning from the Aircraft industries to ensure secured and reliable software and to make reliable hardware. Learning from different languages such as Chinese Input to enhance English input methods with picking from a list of possible words.   Step 3 Introducing Another Dimension In step 2 when we apply the operator on the system & environment, we tend to think in terms of physical objects or group of people if we use BVITS for management. Dimension tells us there are more ways to look at the issue. For those familiar with Triz, this Dimension thing provides of breaking of contradictions (A Contradiction is a dilemma that requires two conflict attributes to exist at the same time. See Triz literatures for physical and technical contradictions). When we can't say Divide an component into physically, we can divide them across the time dimension, or change its physical state of solid into say liquid or gas and so forth. We could applies the dimension together say at the beginning it is liquid and later it is solid (e.g. Concrete).  Dimension can be Space:  where, location Magnitude 2 D Shape & Area Size 3 D Volume or Another Dimension Relationships between 2 or more objects inside, cover, outside, Nesting left, right, top, bottom upside down tilt at an angle, from horizontal (on table), mount it on wall from vertical relationship to horizontal relationship centralized, decentralized first -> last speed Mobility continuous improvement dynamic teams vibration - resonant frequency Time: start, duration, end pre-action, in-action, post-action stages of a life-cycle frequency time of day, week, seasons, states change sequence, timing concurrent actions Transformation: color and its transparency solid-liquid-gas fixed, joints, multiple joints, flexible smooth, holes, porous gravity, mechanical, thermal, chemical, sonar, electromagnetic Others: optimization, introduce intermediary, self-serve  Consolidating and Actualization  The Operators can be used in conjunctions to generate many ideas. The ideas can be consolidated into new innovative product.  Ideas Generator Program The BVITS methods described here can be easily computerized. In fact, it is better for a machine to generate ideas than for us to manually go through them. It will prevent our bias and inertia from stopping the seemingly ridiculous ideas.   The program is written with the Axon Idea Processor   It is included as a program in the Generator Demo Section of the Axon software.  You can try it by downloading the trial version and test it out. It is also my pleasure to introduce Axon Idea Processor to you for your other thinking work.      A Summary by DeepSeek: Here's a concise breakdown of the key elements of your BVITS (Business Value Innovative Thinking Symbols) framework: Core Philosophy Purpose: Systematic generation of business-value-driven innovations (beyond pure creativity) Foundation: Integrates TRIZ, systems thinking, design axioms, and visual mapping Applications: Product/service innovation, process re-engineering, strategy development, problem-solving 3-Step Framework System & Environment Analysis Deconstruct the System (core components) Map the Environment (external interfaces/influences) Key Insight: Solutions often emerge from system-environment interactions Apply Operator Symbols (10 Core Tools) Operator Symbol Action Example (Desktop Computer) Combine + Merge components Laptop (CPU+Monitor+KB+Mouse) Take Out - Remove elements Network computer (no local storage) Divide / Split/Modularize Removable drives, multi-monitor setups Multiply × Replicate/enhance Multi-core CPUs, grid computing Outsource → Delegate externally Use TV as monitor, cloud storage Adopt ← Internalize external functions PC with built-in TV tuner/printer Irregularize ζ Break symmetry Ambient light-sensitive screens Invert ~ Reverse relationships Laptop (integrated vs. desktop separation) Intensify ∞ Maximize/minimize attributes Wearable computers, supercomputers Drop-in v Cross-domain inspiration Aircraft reliability standards in software   Apply Dimensions Space: Location, size, orientation (e.g., wall-mounted PC) Time: Lifecycle stages, sequencing (e.g., upgradable modules) Transformation: State/phase changes (e.g., solid→liquid) Other: Optimization, intermediaries, self-service Key Differentiators Visual & Tactile: Symbols create intuitive mental triggers Anti-Inertia Focus: Forces breaking of assumptions (e.g., "How could this be worse?") Iterative Process: Encourages cyclical refinement of ideas Business-Value Anchor: Filters ideas by practical impact Computable Design: Framework designed for digital implementation (e.g., Axon software) Workflow Summary   Strengths Turns abstract innovation into structured, repeatable process Scalable from physical products to services/strategies Democratizes complex methodologies (TRIZ/system thinking) Explicitly links creativity to business outcomes This framework provides a rigorous yet adaptable toolkit for driving innovation where it matters most: tangible value creation.     An Improved View by DeepSeek: BVITS: Business Value Innovative Thinking Symbols A Structured Framework for Breakthrough Innovation Core Purpose BVITS is a systematic method that guides individuals and teams to generate business-focused innovative ideas by deliberately overcoming cognitive biases and blind spots. It transforms abstract creativity into repeatable, scalable outcomes. The Challenge It Solves Human thinking naturally defaults to patterns and assumptions, limiting our ability to see novel solutions. BVITS provides: A disciplined process to break psychological inertia. Visual symbols as neutral thinking triggers. Business-value alignment to ensure ideas are actionable. The BVITS Framework 1. System & Environment Mapping System: Deconstruct the focus area (product, process, service) into core components. Environment: Identify external elements it interacts with (users, tools, context). Why it works: Reveals hidden connections and solution opportunities beyond system boundaries. 2. 10 Operator Symbols Apply these visual triggers to reconfigure the system-environment relationship: Symbol Function Example + Combine Merge elements Laptop = CPU + Monitor + Keyboard - Take Out Remove components Cloud computing (no local storage) / Divide Split or modularize Removable smartphone batteries → Outsource Delegate to environment Using AI APIs instead of in-house development ζ Irregularize Break symmetry Adaptive UI based on user stress levels All 10 operators act as focused "thinking lenses" to force perspective shifts.                          3. Dimensional Exploration Reinterpret ideas across dimensions to avoid dead ends: Space (Size, location, layout) Time (Phases, duration, evolution) Transformation (State changes, energy types) Example: Applying / Divide across time → Subscription-based product upgrades. Key Strengths Bias Mitigation: Operators like ζ Irregularize and ~ Invert systematically challenge assumptions. Team Collaboration: Symbols create a shared language—reducing conflicts and democratizing ideation. Business Alignment: Built-in value filters prioritize viable innovations over novelty. Scalability: Works for solo creators or cross-functional teams; adaptable to any domain. Workflow Overview Practical Applications Scenario BVITS Approach Product Innovation ∞ Intensify + v Drop-in → Hyper-efficient design inspired by biomimicry Process Improvement / Divide tasks across time → Phased automation rollout Service Design ← Adopt + + Combine → Bundled customer solutions Why Teams Choose BVITS Structure Over Chaos: Replaces unstructured brainstorming with guided, productive exploration. Blind Spot Illumination: Mandatory environment analysis and operator application reveal overlooked opportunities. From "Crazy" to Viable: Channels unconventional ideas into business-relevant innovations (e.g., → Outsource + v Drop-in = Airbnb’s model). Integration-Friendly BVITS complements existing frameworks: Design Thinking: Operators fuel ideation phases. Lean Startup: Rapidly generates testable hypotheses. TRIZ: Resolves contradictions through dimensional thinking. "BVITS turns creativity from a mystery into a method—equipping teams to consistently deliver value-driven innovation." This version retains BVITS' unique mechanics while positioning it as a practical, professional toolkit for organizations seeking repeatable innovation.