Observe Archives - Page 55 of 68

Looking Back

Posted on January 23, 2021

Did you spend your day well? What about your week? How well did you spend your time in 2020? Or 2019 for that matter? Looking back is a useful exercise, especially if you do it well before the final curtain.

There are days that seem to slip through my fingers. Like yesterday. I had planned out the whole day before going to bed the night before. From my alarm ringing in the morning, until my head hit the pillow in the evening, I was scheduled.

But some random events threw me off course in the morning. Then the afternoon was all playing catch up. But then a couple of other unexpected situations arose. Some of these I could have averted with slightly better communication and time management. However, the others were just a little dose of, “That’s life”.

I really only got back on track at 7pm. Yet, I had missed so much in the day. Even with decent planning, you can be blown off course occasionally. But try to resist. Set your environment up in a better way. Then you can stick to the plan and make great progress.

This is a good analogy for life. You don’t want to get to the end of a time period and wish you had been more efficient with your time and more focused with your intent.

Looking back helps us look forward.

Action Observe

Changing Teams

Posted on January 19, 2021

The way people shift from group to group fascinates me. Not only due to the values based decision making but also the prioritisation. Changing teams is an interesting study.

Let’s use a simple example using sport. Let’s say I start following baseball. Somehow I become a supporting fan of a specific team, like the Pittsburgh Pirates. While watching I will become even more engaged with some players more than others. I was a huge fan of Willie Stargell, MVP of the 1979 World Series.

I then decide to go to a game that sees them square off against the Chicago Cubs. This happens to be my friend’s team.

So throughout the day, I feel closest to my friend. This friendship deepens as we head to the ballpark to watch our favourite sport of baseball. But in the stadium our allegiance shifts. He cheers vigorously for his Cubs while I cheer for the Pirates. My priority is now to my team and he feels the same for his team.

Let’s say Willie then hit a home run. My friend is unhappy and lets me know it. I defend Willie. The conversation moved from big picture to individual from the start of the day until now. Friendship, baseball, game, team, player.

We leave the ballpark and head home. Some soccer fans are celebrating the result of their match, on the streets. My friend and I are laughing again as we got over the game, remember our love of baseball and unite against the soccer fans and their chosen sport.

Changing teams again.

Financial Observe Time

Education V Entertainment

Posted on January 18, 2021

This battle for our minds was brought up a few times in a room I was in on Clubhouse on Saturday. Education v entertainment was a good way to express the point.

How you spend your time is important. What you do with it is your business in a free society. So you can choose to educate yourself further or you can decide to enjoy the vast array of distracting fun things to do.

Fun things satisfy our desire for that moment. Though it takes longer to get a result when learning. So which one will you choose? Which one is more important overall?

The great thing about education is that you get to keep the knowledge. With entertainment you keep that memory of fun. Though sometimes we forget about the fun we had.

I believe the folks talking about these two words would like more people to be educated. That’s a great ambition. Though it can be difficult. Being entertained is so nice. And it is usually easier than trying to learn and become educated.

We, as the adults of the world, need to help children getting accostumed to learning. Hopefully they will enjoy it most of the time too.

Education v entertainment. On balance, which one are you focused on?

Financial Health & Fitness Observe Reframe your thoughts

Enjoying Lockdown

Posted on January 17, 2021

There are some elements of this whole thing that have a positive component for me. I understand other people may not feel the same. Enjoying lockdown depends on your circumstances and your mindset.

We’ve had some impact on our business but fortunately not too severe. And I am conscious some people have had a terrible experience and worse. These are very sad circumstances and my heart goes out to people who have been impacted in a seriously negative way.

However, today’s post is about trying to find the silver lining in a challenging time.

So some of the things I am grateful for in this time of lockdown are as follows. I get to spend time with our lovely kids at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I grew up on a farm so when school was out in the summer, we would work on the farm all day but eat meals together as a family.

Also, there is no running around to all kinds of events, sports, social engagements, etc. I don’t have to contend with congested roads either. A calmer life can be enjoyed, without the fear of missing out.

The third reason is that currently people are pretty empathetic and forgiving if things aren’t going quite to plan. If things take a little longer or are a little more casual than professional, then that is ok. This is a nice thing to have.

I may not be on a beach in the Caribbean but for many reasons, I am enjoying lockdown.

Health & Fitness Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Getting Stuck

Posted on January 16, 2021

Sometimes I can’t think of anything to write. Other times, I write 15 topics down in two minutes. I prefer the flow rather than getting stuck.

Flow is great. It feels energetic and exciting. So many possibilities and so much promise. Having your mind go blank or trying to force a topic is a lot less fun. It just feels wrong, uncomfortable and even frustrating. When that happens, I do a few different things to shake it up.

One easy tip is to simply move. Get up and walk into another room. I will wave my arms around, run on the spot or do some press ups. This gets the blood flowing and may spark some inspiration. Secondly, I will flip through a magazine or favourite book. If this doesn’t do it, I may also head to Instagram or YouTube and see what headlines are showing up there. Looking through different media often sparks some ideas.

If I am still getting challenged and nothing is coming through I do some other task for a set period. It may be something to do in the house or some admin, but usually away from screens. Sometimes you just need a break from working completely.

Getting stuck is temporary. And you can influence the outcome.

Action Gratitude Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Lift People Up

Posted on January 15, 2021

It is so easy to be dismissive of people with a different viewpoint or life circumstance. Initial reactions can be harsh. But lift people up and you can help to make the world a better place

If you are a level 10 person in your field, you may find it frustrating that a level 2 person is giving inferior advice. This could be especially true if they were giving the advice to a level 1 person. We might even think there is an injustice that the level 1 person is getting inferior information.

However, from the level 1 person’s perspective, they may be delighted that they are getting any useful information at all. It may not be precise, perfect, expert level information, but at least it will help move them forward. As they get wiser, they will be able to seek out level 5, 7 and eventually level 10 advice.

Level 10 people might be frustrated with this natural evolution. Though, they could help the level 2 person improve their offer. Presumably all level 10 people were once level 2 people. So there should be some natural empathy there.

The world is imperfect. We can rail at its imperfections, or we can work together and bring others to the top of the mountain. The more we reach back and help those still coming up, the better society will be as a whole.

Lift people up.

Action Financial Observe Progress Time Uncategorized

Clubhouse Changes Things

Posted on January 14, 2021

Are you looking for the next big thing? You need to checkout this new app. It has the potential to really shake things up. Clubhouse changes things.

It is a fascinating platform. For those that don’t know, imagine a virtual radio talk show format. Anyone can create a room and speak on their favourite subject. Then, anyone can enter that room and either listen to the host or speak with them. Meanwhile more people enter the room and listen. Some may also join in the chat, or leave to go to another room they just heard was starting.

So, like talk radio or a conference, someone is the host. On this platform, they are called moderators. You can have one or many. And when people join the room, you can tap their photo and read their bio. This way you know more about the person who is there, whether they speak or not. Then you can follow them if they are in a space you are interested in.

It is a fascinating mix of speed dating, conferences, talk radio and social media connections. It looks like it has the opportunity to change everything. If you have something to say, that others are interested in listening too, you can gather a large audience and build your brand. It totally levels the playing field for everybody everywhere.

There is no investment in technical kit like a podcast or YouTube. You can have exposure to 100’s or 1,000’s of people in just a couple of hours. What is exciting, is it is with voice only. No distracting text messaging or over-sensory video. Just listen and speak. It may be much more effective as a communication tool.

Clubhouse changes things.

Action Observe Reframe your thoughts Time

Build Your Best Ecosystem

Posted on January 13, 2021

Your habits, and the people you allow in your life, will have a bigger impact on your mindset than anything else. Build your best ecosystem. Be mindful of what you add to it.

Like building a house, car or office building, be clear with what you want the outcome to be. Visualise to start. Consider whether you want things to be fun, functional, quirky, mundane or exciting.

Then, create a blueprint. Write it out. This will help you understand where you want to end up. Do this as soon as you can. Because once you drift in a direction you will pick up speed and mental mass. Then it is harder to reverse or alter course.

As you write out your plan and ideal future situation, consider the blueprint again. Yes, it is challenging and sometimes frustrating to get into the detail, but that will save you time and anguish in the future. If you have clear directions to get somewhere, you won’t need to make frequent stops to check the map. Nor will you need to try to view the map while you drive – very bad idea.

Be conscious of the habits you have and those you want or would prefer. Also, be aware of who is influencing your thinking. Are they good for your mindset and the direction you want to go?

Build your best ecosystem.

Observe Reframe your thoughts

Mindset Inequality

Posted on January 12, 2021

Perhaps it is not a wealth, race, religion or gender issue. What if the main reason for societal imbalances is our thought process? Mindset inequality may be the real issue we need to address.

If you are taught to find problems in society, you will find them. In contrast, if you believe that nothing will stop you, then nothing will. In addition, we will all have speed bumps in our life. They will be there to test our patience, resilience, good nature, desire and determination. However, everyone will have different bumps along their path.

How we have people approach those bumps may determine how well the people succeed. Do you want people to approach obstacles as a victim or a victor? Would you rather tell people not to try, because the deck is stacked against them, or to go prove it is possible to the world?

Great mindsets tend to win. A great and empowering philosophy transcends challenges and withstands substantial body blows. You can see the type of mindset successful people tend to have. They believe it is possible. And, even if they aren’t sure, they train and work hard at it, just in case it could happen for them.

Do you want to give your child, friend, family member or anyone else a hand up in this world? If so, then teach them to be resilient and unstoppable.

Do your part to eliminate mindset inequality.

Action Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Be More Positive

Posted on January 11, 2021

There are a lot of opinions flying around about everything. Oftentimes I hear, see or read argumentative positions. Be more positive from now on.

Loads of people say they want calm. So many people supposedly want peaceful days ahead. Yet, when they communicate, they create a division and fire up hostility.

Being online the last few days, I really looked at the way people interacted. There are a lot of people on there that just want to drop bombs into conversations. They don’t think about their actions, or if they do, their intent is not coming from a good place.

There are the clever quips, flippant retorts and angry comments. Lots of name calling and frustration. Does this ever help? If a child saw the world a little differently than you did, would you berate them? Would that help?

Treat your conversations like you’re speaking to a 10 year old. Not in a condescending way, but in a helpful, curious and empathetic way. Perhaps they have a different religion, had a tumultuous childhood or are feeling unheard, uncertain, or alone. Why add to their distress?

This isn’t some war of attrition. If you take the time to comment, make it positive and build the other person up. Yes it can be hard when you have spite on the tip of your tongue. But if you can’t make a helpful comment, just keep scrolling.

Be more positive.