While applying to Ycombinator, there’s a super intriguing question that makes me thing about one of the best hacks in my life.
Please tell us about the time you, miminiverse, most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.
Around the age of 17, a pretty unconventional thought crossed my mind: what if I were to lose the use of my dominant right hand? What am I gonna do with my life! Then another idea popped up – what else could make me belong top 10% in the world!!! Being ambidextrous! From then I embarked on a journey to train my left hand and not giving up is the first word I wrote down in my long list. My objective was to become mastering of using both hands with equal proficiency in any kind of performances.
The initial stages were incredibly challenging, but I persevered. It took me 3 years to eventually be able to effortlessly switch between my left and right hands for all daily activities. This transformation has been one of the most remarkable hacks in my life, and this is just a reminder to myself that limitations are real but are meant to be challenged, and meaningful rewards take time to build.
And now I’ll never look at using a mouse in the same way again!
Tam Pham's Blog 