Zayn's Digest - April Edition
š Hey! I'm a 17 year-old from Seattle, WA. I'm currently in growth mode - thinking, building, and prospering in public.
Weāre killing millions of animals a year. Weāre digesting 11,000 pieces of plastic each year.
We all deal with this problem yet the dialogue around it is invisible.
I spent the majority of this month working on a moonshot project - Durata. The focal mission of the company is to eradicate plastic waste.
This month also featured tons of learning in public + thought sharing through Twitter and LinkedIn.
Iām all about efficiency so this is what you can expect in this newsletter.
Eradicating Plastic Waste Through a Closed Loop Technology System
Content on my work with the UN + an interview with the CEO of Kadama
April Projects
Eradicating Plastic Waste Through a Closed Loop Technology System š
Background: We're using microbial fuel cell technology to breakdown plastic waste from the ocean and turn it into more plastic so we can reach a net plastic zero society.
How does the new recycling process work?
Weāre focused on breaking down different bacterial compounds to create more compounds that can create an electrical current to be self-sustaining.
What are the next steps?
Iāll be pitching to founders + investors of top companies on May 2. The goal of the session is to understand more about pre-seed funding and operations and how to elevate the idea. This project is currently a moonshot which means that itās not feasible now but it can be in 2-5 years if the technology evolves as predicted.
Content - Work with UN and CEO of Kadama šļø
Background: I post my thoughts + ideas in public on a monthly basis. Theyāre blogged about on medium or talked about on my podcast! In April I released 2 podcast episodes and 5 articles.
Work with the UN - Reflecting on the Biggest Project Iāve Ever Worked on
TL;DR
Reflection is a š to future success. The article contained 15 of my biggest takeaways from the project and actionable insights into how you can 10x the next project you work on.
Episode 44 -Ā CEO of Kadama - Amin Shaykho on Building a Sustainable Company + Developing Life Frameworks That Stick
TL;DR
Mission of a company x (multiplied) by your personal values is the best.
What does this mean?
Aminās method of success in business is the ability to help others. Part of his values is to embrace the virtue of servant leadership and make the lives of others better. The more projects you can find that intersect a project and your values the more attached youāre going to be to a project and subconsciously the more youāre going to want to help other people.
Mission multiplied by values is also more sustainable and measurable then a passion.
April Projects š”
Tweeting
Background: I love creating and thinking. Twitter offered me the ability to think in small bytes and type them onto a platform and release them to the world for consumption.
Why I ā¤ļø it?
It optimizes for micro thinking for macro ideas which creates more clarity around the overall message someone is trying to portray.
2nd Newsletter Launch
Background: Iām thinking + growing in public. It keeps me accountable to share my progress, struggles, and insight and is a constant repository of where I was at yesterdya + where Iām at today.
Why I ā¤ļø it?
Iām optimizing for growth. One metric. Iām challenging myself to think more 10x than before, push the boundaries of unconventional thinking, and generate personal systems that compound over time to accelerate my growth further.
Hosting a Panel on Maximizing Summer Internships
Background: Tech Pod is empower young professionals to break into the business side of tech. This event featured tons of actionable insights that will level up your summer internship + help you gain a return offer.
The Conversationalist Podcast
Background: Iām currently an advisory board member at The Conversationalist and recently had the opportunity to be featured on the company podcast.
TL;DR
I shared my experience breaking out of my social media echo chamber and losing my voice during a life-threatening allergy which helped me find his purpose. I also offers advice for channeling gratitude in all areas of your life and why difficult conversations are essential.
Progress on My Book
Background:Ā Iāve been developing a book with the Creator Institute atĀ GeorgetownĀ University. The working title is:Ā Gamifying Education, and the premise of the book is centered around introducingĀ incentivesĀ into the classroom that focus on studentĀ growth, relationship building, andĀ project-based learning.
April Progress
- Worked on reverse brainstorming to understand where the system is currently failing.
- Conducted research interviews with students at lab + project based learning schools.
- Developed version 1.0 of my chapter format.
š
Hey, hey thanks for reading the newsletter! I would love to hear your thoughts on March and some items you worked on! Check out myĀ calendly,Ā LinkedIn, andĀ podcastĀ to get in touch and reply to this email if you want to chat!