Problems, everywhere
There are always going to be problems. Long term satisfaction isn’t found in the absence of problems. It’s in tackling the problems you care about solving. Continue reading Problems, everywhere
Tag: open mindset
Junk on content
I really enjoyed Beau Miles’ new film: Junk Films. One line made really stood out for me – “being present, which I think is code for being content and curious”. Beau’s films give such beautiful lessons in perspective and expectations. Continue reading Junk on content
Excel at questioning
The key to tackling new challenges is learning. To learn, it pays to be open-minded and willing to admit how much we don’t know. Bluster might carry the day, but curiosity will carry us further. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Excel at questioning
Progress and loss
Reading an account of the difficulty of moving ideas forward, I was struck by this sentence: ”It is a very false radical politics that thinks progress comes without loss.” It reminded me of the this more widely quoted sentiment: “You can have everything you want, but you can’t have it all at once.” Work out what you want and consider carefully what the cost of … Continue reading Progress and loss
Critical uncertainty
I’ve started reading some of George Soros’ lectures given in Budapest after the 2008 financial crisis. A billionaire philanthropist with remarkable influence notes: “I hope that my ideas will be received in the same spirit of critical thinking in which they are offered” His first lecture is an open acknowledgement of how much is uncertain when people are involved. While we aim to provide the … Continue reading Critical uncertainty
Most useful question
What’s the most impactful, helpful, or powerful question you’ve ever been asked or asked yourself? Do please share with me – privately if you prefer. For me, it’s been “is this a useful response”. It’s not an answered and done question. It’s a recurring nudge towards better behaviour. It reminds me of the difference between reaction and response, and to choose the latter. It reminds … Continue reading Most useful question
Thank you mind!
I’m getting a lot from reading The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris. Yesterday I read two variations on the same thing, each of which resonated so strongly. “We feel our thinking, not our circumstances.” It’s just thinking – it’s not necessarily how it is. “What we think, we feel.” So if you want to feel better, you can work on your thinking – easier than … Continue reading Thank you mind!
It happened, so own it
I related my meandering career path to a mentor I’ve just started working with yesterday. I say ‘career path’, but it doesn’t feel it’s had enough direction to call it a path. Their advice – own it. Whatever we’ve been through has given us some benefit or insight, if we looked closely enough and with curiosity. We might prefer to live without it, but there’s … Continue reading It happened, so own it
Status and contribution
In some ‘effective communication’ training today, we were encouraged to examine people’s status on two different scales of 1 to 10. black: external, positional, formal red: internal, emotional, personal For example, black status might be afforded by a person’s job title and red status by their confidence in that role. The combination of these scores determines their effectiveness. No matter their position, someone scoring low … Continue reading Status and contribution
Where to inquire
Having established that inquiry is more important than certainty, it’s worth thinking about where to inquire. Be wary of folks whose answers support only their own conclusions. Be pleased when you’re given the scope to probe, interpret and challenge. Be alert when opinion is dressed up as fact. Be content when your answer is a deeper, more meaningful question. Genuine inquiry is a challenge and … Continue reading Where to inquire
