Given our incentive structure our time is very valuable. Thus we are good at doing things to people, such as procedures, but we are not good at doing things for people, such as attentive listening and discussion.
Category: Growth
- Theme: Growth
Pac-man Your goals
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1–2 minutesIf your small goals lead you on a path to your larger goals, great! Pac-man your way to success.
If you are more interested in points (completion over speedy achievement) your small goals are eating your larger goals.
- Theme: Growth
Moving the needle
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1–2 minutesThe action that moves the needle (really makes you productive and moves you forward in life) is seldom the thing you enjoy doing.
Yet, by undertaking it, you can ensure deeper fulfillment and joy later.
- Theme: Growth
2 years to wisdom
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1–2 minutesIt only takes two years of being hurt and frustrated to come across as suddenly wise and resilient.
Perhaps wisdom is derived from suffering manifested as empathy. Shared pain opens us to listen and respond with vulnerability. Not that others need to listen, but merely offering an ear and commiseration while people are in despair might draw them out of themself for a moment, and from there perhaps they can find a bit more light. - Theme: Growth
The Lion’s Den
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1–2 minutesGoing into the lion’s den is entering a space of performance seeded with risk: a situation where you cannot be who you are.
It is a space where victory is survival. Yet the lion’s den can function as a crucible or oracle of insight: this is the world and us within it. - Theme: Growth
Awakening from comfortable convenience
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1–2 minutesConvenience becomes routine. The comfort of convenience robs us of the space and opportunity, as well as the time, to engage with the world.
If you always drive, decide to walk. If you only go outside during the daylight, take a walk at 3 AM.The way the world operates outside of your norm is surreal, and your attention will be engaged.
Introduce some micro-challenges by taking the third or fourth option, the more uncomfortable option. - Theme: Growth
Don’t-ignore-me Tantrum
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1–2 minutesSometimes we push back against things simply to push, to flex and feel real. Our internal wiring (ego) acts out, asserting itself in the world: recognize I am a force to be deferred to and included.
Having a voice is good, sharing unique insights that help is good. Reminding people you exist by throwing a wrench into their life isn’t. - Theme: Growth
Pursuing purpose
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1–2 minutesWhat if you should not seek meaning or purpose? What if that quest to find your passion keeps you chasing something that cannot be caught?
Instead, what if you live as well as you can, here in the present, and one day awaken to find that passion and purpose have found you?
- Theme: Growth
Conversational Cadence
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1–2 minutesThere is a cadence to conversation, but to learn the cadence doesn’t have to be equal and you don’t have to pepper people with interrogatory questions: you can speak less and let them reveal their nuanced depths.