Paul Kramar's Alphabet: The Perils of Laziness and the Path to Progress

Paul Kramar’s Alphabet: The Perils of Laziness and the Path to Progress

In this issue, we welcome Paul Kramar, the mastermind behind the online project Koko.by, a true breakthrough in the digital world. Five years ago, Paul started by sharing his genuine and engaging thoughts about various restaurants and cafes. Today, he is arguably the most renowned food hunter in Belarus, with over 500,000 subscribers who eagerly await his daily gastronomic updates and witty commentary. “City of Women” invited Paul to reflect on the “alphabet” of his name.

P. Progress

Progress is synonymous with development, which is of utmost importance to me. It involves engaging with intelligent individuals, much like in chess: to improve your game, you must play with professionals. Development also comes from reading, as it enriches vocabulary and broadens horizons. I am an avid reader, and one of my recent reads is “The Way of the Samurai,” a fascinating yet challenging book. Japanese philosophy can be complex for someone with a Belarusian mindset. I admit, I had to reread some pages multiple times, which is a rare occurrence for me. Additionally, development encompasses movement and sports.

A. Adequacy

We live in a unique time that demands adequate responses to various situations, words, comments, statements, and actions. It is crucial to assess situations beforehand, calculate risks, and consider the consequences of heated conversations. Sometimes, it is better to pause and think before speaking, as toxicity is on the rise. Adequacy in perception is vital, and in my project, it takes precedence second only to truth. Before writing, I always consider whether my words might offend someone. For instance, instead of saying “everything is terrible,” I might say, “the service was not great, but the food was delicious.” I often reread my reviews multiple times to ensure they are pleasant to read, adequate, and inoffensive. I strive to be tolerant yet witty, aiming for maximum adequacy.

V. Faith

Faith can be interpreted in various ways. For some, it is faith in God; for others, it is faith in people or in what they do. I believe in a combination of all these aspects. It is essential to have faith in people and their ability to change and improve. The key is to have the desire to do so. However, the most important is to believe in oneself, as others will not believe in you if you do not believe in yourself.

E. Eating

There is a saying, “You are what you eat,” which holds true. I interact with many people and observe how their eating habits reflect their character. If someone is accustomed to eating low-quality food, it shows a lack of self-respect. While I am not advocating for truffles and smoked sour cream, it is crucial to eat healthily. Recently, many have turned to fast food, which, although convenient, should be consumed in moderation. Four years ago, food philosophy became a part of my life, initially as a hobby. Stepping out of my comfort zone was my primary goal, as it is the first step towards development. It was uncomfortable but interesting.

L. Laziness

Laziness is a person’s primary adversary. When one succumbs to laziness, they begin to regress, avoiding development, relationships, and new experiences. Fortunately, I am unfamiliar with this state. Yes, I do take breaks, such as turning off my phone and relaxing in front of the TV all Saturday. However, this is not laziness but rather an emotional release. On other days, I am highly active. I wake up early, plan my day every evening, and although I may not accomplish everything, I strive to complete at least 60% of my tasks. I advise everyone to combat laziness, and creating plans and checklists can be very helpful.

K. Brevity

We live in an age of information overload. In all my reviews, I strive for brevity to respect the reader’s time. The reader should quickly grasp the information and decide whether to visit a place or try something. Today, there is a lot of noise, so I recommend cutting off unnecessary channels, unfollowing toxic people, and negative pages to narrow down information sources. You can keep only what is essential. For example, if you collect stamps, subscribe to a channel about it. I recently eliminated 30% of such communication, gaining an extra 2-3 hours daily for family, sports, etc.

R. Work

I love to work, and it holds second place in my life after family. A person without work regresses. For me, it is crucial to love what I do. As they say, the best job is a beloved hobby. In this regard, I am fortunate: I wake up in the morning without dreading the day ahead. If you feel otherwise, it might be time to consider a career change. I have always loved my work, whether it was in a collective farm, a factory, or real estate. While money is a significant motivator, the atmosphere in the team also plays a crucial role and sometimes takes precedence. Atmosphere, communication, and relationships are vital.

M. Peace

Peace in the world and peace in relationships is something calm, without worries and inner anxiety. To create it, one must set themselves up for it. Autogenic training helps in this regard. Standing in front of the mirror in the morning and saying: everything will be fine, do not worry, you are doing great. This truly works, as I have experienced it myself. Thoughts are material, so it is essential not to dwell on the negative but to focus on the positive.