A big theme that’s been emerging is the antithesis of FOMO (fear of missing out). This is known as JOMO, which is the “joy of missing out”. As fund managers & investors, it can easily seem like there is never enough time to connect with other investors, review thoughtful content, and look at enough deals. FOMO often creeps in to push time sensitivity when there might not really be any. FOMO pushes us to have a perception that we would be missing out on an amazing opportunity if we don’t act fast. The downstream impacts is the rush to complete due diligence, making mistakes, doing bad deals just because the heard does, and losing sight of your independent thought due to a nebulous fear.
It often takes a critical period like the Coronavirus or a transition in life where we ask ourselves “what is the point of it all”. If we are not living while we are doing this, we are practically also being the robots that we are hiring in the future to do this type of work. We are human because we are creative. We dare to take risks and can introduce chaos that might not always be as easy to programmatically instill into a principle or strategy. But it’s the unexpected free will and power to enjoy the present that can set us free.
Psychology Today states some very great color on JOMO. They advise the following insight which I really resonated with.
“JOMO (the joy of missing out) is the emotionally intelligent antidote to FOMO and is essentially about being present and being content with where you are at in life. You do not need to compare your life to others but instead, practice tuning out the background noise of the “shoulds” and “wants” and learn to let go of worrying whether you are doing something wrong. JOMO allows us to live life in the slow lane, to appreciate human connections, to be intentional with our time, to practice saying “no,” to give ourselves “tech-free breaks,” and to give us permission to acknowledge where we are and to feel emotions, whether they are positive or negative. Instead of constantly trying to keep up with the Jones’, JOMO allows us to be who we are in the present moment, which is the secret to finding happiness. When you free up that competitive and anxious space in your brain, you have so much more time, energy and emotion to conquer your true priorities.
Be intentional with your time: Schedule things that are important to you whether it is working out, meeting a friend for coffee, writing that book or completing a work project. Make your time your priority instead of wasting time worrying about what other individuals are doing or thinking.
Give yourself permission to live in the present: If you are having a bad day, be easy on yourself and treat yourself to a relaxing evening. If you just received good news, then take a moment to embrace it and celebrate. If you feel that you are in constant competition with someone on social media, then re-assess why you are feeling this way.
Embrace tech-free time: Unsubscribe from social media accounts and un-follow individuals who trigger your FOMO or cause you any type of negativity. Set daily limits to how long you can spend on social media or delete certain social media apps from your phone so you can only status scroll when you are at home on your computer.
Practice saying “No”: You do not always have to go to that event or take that phone call. Sometimes saying, “no” is the best kind of self-love. Even if you want to help someone but feel it will have a negative impact on yourself, say “no,” in order to protect yourself. Self-care and self-love start by saying, “no.”
Experience real life (not social media life): JOMO allows you to have more free time by eliminating wasted time spent scrolling social media feeds. Instead of spending your free moments by the drama of social media, email and text messages; what if you chose to disconnect and do the things that you enjoy such as cooking, spending time outdoors, and spending time with your family.
Slow down: Take time to think before you speak, embrace the quiet, use time driving in traffic or waiting in lines to sit with your thoughts or listen to a book. Slowing down can increase our creativity, which we can harvest into other productive avenues and projects in our life.
Disconnect with technology, reflect on your thoughts and emotions and reconnect with yourself and with people in your life who truly matter.
Don't die with regret
Plant that rose bush, learn a new recipe, write in a journal, and get to know your neighbor instead of worrying about your social calendar on Facebook or what you are missing in cyberspace.”