Life is 1s and 0s

Life, much like binary code, is a mix of ups and downs. Sometimes we're at 1, riding high on success. Other times, we're at 0, facing challenges that seem impossible. But here's the beautiful truth: both states are equally important in creating the full picture. Just as binary code needs both 1s and 0s to create something meaningful, our journey is shaped by victories and setbacks alike.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, a superstar in the NBA, explained this perfectly. In April 2023, after the Milwaukee Bucks' surprising first-round exit against the Miami Heat, a reporter asked him, "Do you view this season as a failure?"

Giannis delivered:

"You asked me the same question last year, Eric. Do you get a promotion every year at your job? No, right? So every year, your work is a failure? No. Every year you work towards something, towards a goal. It's steps to success. Michael Jordan played 15 years and won six championships. Were the other nine years a failure? No. It's not failure; it's part of the journey. There are good days and bad days. Some days it's your turn; some days it's not. But you always work to come back better."

Giannis highlighted a truth we all face: failure is not the opposite of success—it's a necessary part of it.

This perspective ties perfectly into the idea of life as 1s and 0s. The 0s—our struggles and setbacks—aren't defeats. They're building blocks for the 1s, the victories. Both are essential for progress. As Giannis said, if you stay on course and keep working, success will eventually come.

Similarly, James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, talks about progress in terms of elections. To form a new habit or identity, you don't need unanimous votes; you just need a majority. Even if there are a few "no" votes—negative moments or setbacks—the "yes" votes, like positive actions and small wins, are what count in the long run.

Think of it like this: each positive action is a 1, and each setback is a 0. As long as the majority of your actions are 1s, you're moving in the right direction. The key is consistency, not perfection. Just like binary code requires both 1s and 0s to function, our lives are enriched by the interplay of growth and struggle, success and failure.

Giannis, Michael Jordan, and the philosophy in Atomic Habits all remind us that life isn't about eliminating the zeros. It's about recognizing their value and ensuring that, over time, the ones prevail. Whether it's building a championship career, forming a new habit, or creating a meaningful life, the process is the same: embrace the whole picture.

Because in the end, every 1 and 0 in life matters—they all write your unique story of success.