Friday's Digest Podcast

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Table of Contents

1. Preface

2. Main Article

Preface

Today's newsletter will be brief.

I'm writing it from the TKTS line in Times Square, New York. I plan to buy half-priced Broadway musical tickets today, hopefully for Aladdin (kids’ stuff, you know).

So, while my dear wife and kids explore Times Square, I'm waiting next to the TKTS booth an hour before it opens. And I'm not the only early bird! There are at least 100 people ahead of me.

So, why the short newsletter?

Unexpectedly, I must retake the TOEFL exam in a week.

For those unfamiliar with this exam (consider yourselves lucky), it measures English communication skills.

I took it two and a half years ago before moving to the US, but the score expires after two years. It's absurd, I know.

But in a nutshell, I need to retake the exam to visit a cancer center in the US before returning home.

Here are my thoughts on doing this sort of thing (retaking an annoying test) instead of giving up and enjoying life some more.

Number 87!

Main Article

I took the TOEFL test in 2022 as part of what I had to do to get accepted into a fellowship program in the US.

It made sense at the time — to embark on a 2-year journey in an English-speaking health system, I needed to prove my English proficiency.

I even published a YouTube video and a tip sheet to help others prepare for this exam.

But now, as my fellowship program is almost over, I need to retake the test. It seems so unnecessary!

I proved my English proficiency two and a half years ago, and I have been living and breathing English ever since.

However, rules are rules.

This brings me to my point: the 0/1 principle.

Let's use this test as an example. When I found out I had to retake the test, I was already on vacation. The feeling was crappy. I thought I was done with exams.

But then I realized, do I really HAVE to take it?

The answer is no. I could choose not to visit the center and avoid the test.

Nobody will care.

Nobody except me.

So, we have two options: retaking the test (the “1”), and not taking the test (the “0”). If I choose the 0, I may end up regretting it. And I can’t live with regret.

I just can’t.

So, I'm taking the test. I'm practicing answering TOEFL questions while standing in line at TKTS.

Before my family wakes up in the morning, I will be awake and practicing. When they go to bed, I will stay awake and practice. It's a crappy feeling.

But it's better than regret.

I’m choosing “1”.

And I recommend you do the same. Sure, It could be a waste of your time and money.

But the alternative is regret.

And regret will last a lifetime. Long after time and money are forgotten.

So, I’ll return to practicing for the TOEFL speaking section. To do that, I must talk to myself while standing in line to buy tickets. But in New York, nobody cares.

See you next week!

(With the good old structured newsletter)

Epilogue

If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to join Friday's Digest, visit: https://newsletter.shaysharon.com

That’s it for this issue.

Hope for better times.

Shay