On mindset, Carlos Castaneda has written: “The trick is in what one emphasises. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” In better times I’d be keen to stress this. Right now it feels very much that this is wrong. When the mind is in the grip of depression, with chronic negative thinking apparently inescapable, the … Continue reading Emphasis and choice.
As I thought about short messages to send to each of the folks on the teams I lead, I reflected on what I’m most proud of this year. Lots of thoughts came and went, though what remained was simple. “I didn’t give in.” To unhelpful thoughts and feelings; to petulance and heartache. An accomplishment need not be glamorous. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading What I’m most proud of
When you’re low on hope and with a poor expectation about the outcome, it’s hard to push through uncertainty. Sitting around feeling hopeless and fearing the worst doesn’t improve the chances, though. That’s not to say you can magically feel better and crack on. Regardless of how you feel, the important thing is how you act. Take the next step that’s in line with your … Continue reading Pushing through uncertainty
“When you’re convinced you’re stuck, when you’re convinced there’s no way forward, just remember: there’s a staircase you’re not seeing. Trust it’s there, right in front of you, and that it leads to exciting new places. Have the courage to believe in this one thing you can’t see.“ Quoting Neil Pastiche’s book ‘You Are Awesome’, this is a reminder that the dots get joined up … Continue reading Life is a staircase, and you’re climbing
I loved this video from Joma Tech, and particularly this line that followed in the comments: “It’s not about getting 6 in dice with first roll, it’s about rolling the dice until you get 6”. It’s disheartening to roll a lot of ones, or at least to feel like you have. Doesn’t change what you’ve got to do though. Kindly, keep rolling. Continue reading Keep rolling for the six
A good friend asked me a question about goals and the danger of spiralling thoughts if they’re not reached. In replying I thought about the Stockdale paradox and noted that I’ve been that broken optimist around some of my own desires. If setting a goal that isn’t entirely within your control, or is a remarkable stretch, it might be better to choose merely a direction … Continue reading Goals and direction
From a student I’m mentoring I heard that “COVID has ruined our working years”. They didn’t mean it quite as it sounded, though talking it through the young person’s words highlighted, for me, some over-dramatised thinking of my own. Have unfortunate events had an impact? Certainly. Will I really never reach my goals? Very unlikely. Is the future bleak and my working life for nought? … Continue reading Perspective from unexpected quarters
I’m in a trough. Deep in one, as it happens. If I look closely and work hard at dismissing the noise though, I can just about see the trend line is actually going up. Doesn’t mean I magically feel better – I’m still deep in a trough. But it does seem a reason to keep going. That said, the trend line, even if it’s clear … Continue reading Peaks, troughs, and trends
Every day I make a note on what I’m excited by and what’s currently a frustration. Having a poor memory, I find this really helpful as I occasionally look back. It prompts action. To do more of some things and less of others. There’s a pause for thought if the same frustration is coming up time and again – what am I doing to tackle … Continue reading Noting frustrations
When you’re waiting on the boss and what you’re hoping for isn’t materialising, it’s easy to be disheartened and feel knocked back. It might be just a nudge that’s needed for them, though. It’s not that it’s not going anywhere or your ask is unimportant. It’s merely that there are lots of things to move forward and many of them are important. Don’t get bitter, … Continue reading Not going anywhere
Sometimes You Learn 