I’m not into status symbols. But I do like symbolism. Especially the sort of symbols others won’t “get,” but mean something to you.
For example, I used to have three humanoids prominently displayed in my living room.
I’ll explain. As a 31-year old bachelor, all I knew about decorating was that things on the wall should be hung in “3s,” never “2s” or “4s.” And if I’m going to have things hanging on the wall that I have to look at everyday, I want those things to have meaning.
Some of my buddies had bucks mounted and other trophies on their walls. But at the time I preferred my trophies prancing around the room. So I bought these humanoids for the wall.
One faced left; the middle one looked straight ahead; the right one faced right. They were the first thing you’d see after walking upstairs to the second floor.
They represented, at least for me, the past, present & future. Some days I’d stop atop the stairs, look at the left humanoid and reflect on all it had taken me to get to this point.
For instance, I’m a former “walk-on” who eventually got a scholarship. Got my degree, then had no job prospects. But I managed to hold 2-3 jobs throughout most of my twenties, worked a lot and faced more rejection than anyone I know. Not to mention broken promises, betrayals and countless failures.
Humanoid in the middle reminded me to be present. I knew someday that those days, much like these days, would be considered “the good old days.” Here I’m reminded of what my friend Chase said on the most-listened to podcast episode of 2022: “You want to be where your feet are.”
While the first humanoid served as a reminder to reflect on and appreciate what got me to this point, the second reminded me not to avoid the present with too much future-thinking. Or worse, dwell so much on the past that it starts to dwell on me.
“We were taught 21 years back (Apartheid ended 1994) to forget about the past, move on, and to focus on the future. If you dwell too much on the past, the past will dwell on you. And some, they even miss the opportunities at hand because of that. So whatever is the good that has happened since the Apartheid, we have learned to embrace it equally.” – our South African Township Tour Guide, 2015
The third ‘noid’ was for motivation. Every time I glanced up at him on the wall, I’d remind myself with a smile: “I’m just getting started.”
I do this because it’s important what to say when you talk to your self. The right guy also served as a reminder that there’s a time for reflection and a time to be present, but there’s also a time for future-planning.
On this last day of 2025, I’ll do what I do every year—set my timer for 90 minutes and place it in the other room. That’s when I plan and set goals.
When finished, I’ll look over at the army figures climbing the wall of my staircase (pictured). They serve as a subtle reminder to get after it while aiming up. Ask any hiker—the view from the top must be earned.
I also had a framed quote in my study that read, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
It’s a phrase I started internalizing after reading The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. It’s my go-to when life inevitably gets hard, as it does for all of us.
I find it easier to stay motivated with the right reminders displayed throughout the house. Reminders that can be used to help fuel your ambition. Not to wallow in the past. To build your career early. To pay down debt so you can invest for the future. And to never allow your current appetite to spoil your chance at a future feast.
When you’re young, tell yourself it’s ok to be a little selfish and focus on your mission. And while wall symbols don’t confer any status, they can be used to attain the ultimate status—opting out of status games altogether.
