Advice

Activation energy

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Sometimes the best way to start writing the next chapter of a book is to sit down and write. That sounds obvious, but it’s scarier to do when nothing is waiting to pour out on the page. Sitting down, creating space and time is sometimes the only activation energy required to break through the writer’s block.

It’s the same with exercise or getting some long overdue work project completed. Upfront activation energy is sometimes all you need to break through. A run around the block turns into a couple of blocks. Composing a response to one email you’ve been ignoring frees up energy for other things that need your attention.

Communication vs. connecting

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There’s no social media version for a face to face conversation with a friend. With everyone spread out across the globe these days the next best thing is a conversation over the phone. The best version of this is a video chat. Texting via Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, Snapchat are essential communication tools – they help you communicate, but they don’t connect you with people on a deeper level.

Even though our smartphones have the word phone in them, we use them more for other things like email, social media, work and entertainment.

To stay in touch, you’ve got to make the time to be there in the moment. Video chat, phone and face to face is the best way to connect.

Inflight safety

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Put on your oxygen mask before helping others. An essential air safety trip and a useful metaphor for everyday life.

In other words look after yourself first. If you are taking care of yourself, spiritually, mentally and physically, then you will be much better placed to listen and assist others.

The courage to make principle-based decisions

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Practice making principle-based decisions. The practice will keep you consistent, reliable.

When you are asked a question – frame your response around your core principles and then answer the question within the framework of the principles.

Loyalty might be one of your principles. If you are asked to betray a friend, then your loyal principle will help you get to a principle-based answer.

Honesty might be one of your principles. If you are asked to lie about something, then your honesty principle will help you answer truthfully.

The principles that govern your behavior are just words if you aren’t courageous enough to stick to your principles when the pressure is on, or when you have something to lose. We are seeing this happen in the current political climate where politicians lack the courage to adhere to their principles. That’s why people applaud so much these days when we see a CEO or politician stands by her principles even when it’s not in her best interest. That takes courage. Without courage, you’ll end up compromising when it matters most.

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality which guarantees all others.  – Winston Churchill

Write down your principles

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Your principles are the rules governing your behavior. We hear this a lot from politicians and companies.  Politicians love to talk about family values, and corporations paint them all over their website. You’ll hear words like honesty, integrity, truth, kindness, etc. These are all rules that govern the behavior of the company’s employees or form the basis for how a politician will govern.

Have you stopped to ask yourself about your own principles? What are the rules that govern your decision making and behavior?

Ethical principles are honesty, authenticity, humbleness, kindness, justice. Not all beliefs are moral or right. There is no universal set of principles that everyone subscribes to. Someone else’s actions or conduct may be founded on greed, domination, winning, selfishness, survival of the fittest. Before you work with people, make sure you have a good idea about their value system and the foundation for their decision making.  Principles matter when the pressure is on.

 

Slow motion

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In sports, there’s a theme: Slow down and don’t force it.

It’s like hitting a tennis ball, swinging a golf club, surfing a wave, swimming freestyle, snorkeling or cycling.

Slowing down is counterintuitive because we think speed means power, so we end up rushing. The truth is that speed is nothing without control.

The next time you are feeling short of time in the morning. Instead of rushing through an exercise routine and doing everything half-ass, pick three things and do them slowly and with maximum power. Maybe it’s one backbend, one warrior pose, and ten push-ups. That’s all. Three things done correctly, with your full attention will be more beneficial than ten things done in a rush.

 

 

 

 

Proficiency and Joy

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Work hard every day. Turn up and go deep on stuff, but don’t ignore what brings you joy and what you are proficient in. Listen for feedback. Do people want to work with you again, is it satisfying, is it valued, are you proud of the product?

Double down where your proficiency and joy intersect. There’s no point working away at something in a mediocre way that makes you miserable.

Use what talents you possess, the woods will be very silent if no birds sang there except those who sang best – Henry Van Dyke

I’m a lucky man

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The most important two steps to a successful career is to make sure you choose the right parents and country of birth!

I love working with people who acknowledge timing and luck as part of their story. They are the first people to pull others up and take a chance on someone who doesn’t have the pedigree or connections.

Calm and modest warriors

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“A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness.” — Albert Einstein

Calmness and modesty are character traits of fierce warriors. It’s strength, not a weakness.

It takes discipline and practice to remain calm when everyone else around you is restless and panicking.

Living a modest life in the age of consumption means looking for fulfillment in giving and service to others.

Take a breath, chill and wake up every morning with the intention to serve.

p.s. Smile first thing in the morning and pick something you are thankful for. It’s an effect starting block for the morning routine.

 

 

Ten dinner cooking tips

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Buy a nonstick saucepan. Replace it every year. It doesn’t have to be made of kryptonite or unobtainium. A new pan washes easily and makes cooking a pleasure. Throw out the old pan and rotate.

Wash the pan once it’s cooled down. Washing the pan when it’s hot will wear away the nonstick stuff.

Eat leftovers. They last longer than you think. Get tastier over time and make one meal into three

Use ghee over butter or oil. It doesn’t smoke like oil and adds flavor.

If you can lean, then you can clean

Vegetarian dishes are easier to clean up than meat dishes. The ingredients last longer in the fridge.

There’s nothing a fried egg or avocado won’t solve. Just plop it on t with a bit of salt and pepper. Same for heirloom tomatoes 🍅

Undercooking your meat is okay. Salmonella is a thing, but most meat should be on the rare side.

If you have the time, cook food on medium heat versus incinerating it on high. It’ll take longer, but it’ll be juicer and more flavorsome.

Eat early. It’ll give you more time to digest your food and you’ll sleep better.