We don’t often really consider what we do before we do it. We simply do things.
If we stop to consider the best next step, it may be absolutely nothing.
Category: Growth
- Theme: Growth
The reward is reality
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1–2 minutes"Attention is rewarded by a knowledge of reality."
To be led away from yourself towards some alien thing is to encounter something independent of your consciousness. You cannot take it over, deny it, or swallow up.
(Quote and paraphrase of Iris Murdoch.)
- Theme: Growth
Flexible Systems
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1–2 minutesSystems are good, but if your system doesn’t adapt you are wasting time and energy.
You don’t need to treat a fluff book like a research paper, or a practical guide like a deep novel.
However, with people we should fight the willingness to categorize and treat them in efficient, prescribed ways. By listening we can almost always find value, which enriches us both.
- Theme: Growth
Living vs Achieving
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1–2 minutesThe paradox: we know that the "right thing to do" is to think long-term, which tends to be a costly upfront sacrifice, but it incurs the greater benefit (and less heartache and loss) in the future through less living now.
As a slave to the future we increasingly aggregate metrics on a weekly, daily, or hourly basis. Our new "living in the present" is the hyper-granular metrics of productive achievement for the future.And yes, getting 1% better daily, aggregating marginal gains, and system optimization can get you to your goal. But even if you have to schedule it in, put down your system and return to the land of the living at least once a day.
- Theme: Growth
The question is the answer
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1–2 minutesIf the question arises on it’s own: should I do this? Then it is probably the answer. The cue is the context, the question itself is the guide.
- Theme: Growth
Workplace tactic
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1–2 minutesNo problem gets solved until the last minute. Up to the deadline people freely offer feedback and concerns, criticisms. But in the last hour they abdicate responsibility and criticality, tending to become suddenly otherwise occupied, especially if pushed to expound or do actual work.
Knowing this, you can use it to your advantage to strengthen social alliances and become the hero rather than being repeatedly upset at the folly of it all. - Theme: Growth
Creativity is expensive and brave.
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1–2 minutesGiven a real world situation there are a set of constraints leaving maybe 2 or 3 realistic, rational, and cost effective options open.
Thus, we all end up looking, doing and thinking the same way because of the "rational efficiencies" we are surrounded by.The more creative you try to be the more costly the effort in terms of time, money, and trust extended. Kudos to those who undertake the challenge.
- Theme: Growth
The sin of neutrality
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1–2 minutesTo remain neutral creates a vacuum.
We often stay neutral out of respect for individual sovereignty (freedom of choice or preference). Yet, without articulating an alternative, substantive vision our friends/family are left to the predation of marketed mantras that divide: "to each their own." - Theme: Growth
Skills over Debate
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1–2 minutesWhile others engage with criticism and gossip, spend your time learning skills.
Take feedback, but don’t argue, don’t ruminate: just work on yourself.