Observe Archives - Page 57 of 69

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.

Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

That Is The problem!

Posted on January 10, 2021

Or is it? I am sure it could be a problem but maybe not the one. It may just be the one you perceive. From your perspective. That is the problem!

You know many, though not all problems. And many, though not all solutions. However, you have selected one to focus on and declare that that is the key to it all. But maybe it isn’t.

Notice when you use generalisations and definite, or all-encompassing, statements or words. It is too easy to make broad, general statements. So be careful when you are speaking, to not do that.

Even specialists will have a limit on their expertise. They may know a lot more, and in greater detail, than most other people. However, they probably don’t know all the exhaustive problems and options or solutions.

Be curious when you are looking at the options you think you have. You may find options you didn’t even know you had. Consult friends and family to see what they can shed some light on. This is important. If you get this assessment wrong, you hurt your chances of success.

The worst point is, that if you diagnose the situation wrong, you could be solving for the wrong problem. Then the solution will be resolving a problem that may not exist.

That is the problem!

Action Observe Progress

Live Where You Want

Posted on January 7, 2021

For most people, living close to their work has been essential. That started to shift in the 20th century. Now, live where you want, is becoming an ideal that is open to more people.

Many people still find a house based on the proximity to their workplace. And the work is required so you can pay for it. It is almost a catch 22.

Famously, one of the world’s greatest investors, Warren Buffett, chose Omaha, rather than Manhattan, to live and work. Then, people that could work from a computer, or laptop, began to drift away from expensive metropolitan centres.

More people could work from home a few days a week. People would call it, “working from home” with those finger air quotes and that tilted head expression. Those that could do it, loved it. But it wasn’t widespread.

Now, however, wfh has become a bit of a phenomenon. No more air quotes. It’s a serious shift. Some people are even moving and changing their lifestyle to make it easier. A little more space and privacy is important if you have frequent video calls and children schooling from home or even coming home after school.

People are even leaving historically attractive locations like New York and California for open spaces, sunshine, lower taxes and a better quality of life. For those who can, it can make a lot of sense.

Now is the time to live where you want.

Action Observe Reframe your thoughts

Look To Nature For Answers

Posted on January 6, 2021

When I am not sure how things naturally happen, I look around. I consider how things are in the Animal Kingdom. I look to nature for answers.

Look at the trees, butterflies, monsoons, fires, lions and gazelles. You will see things play out naturally. No human interference or political interest group. There are no TMO, VAR or other instant replay opportunities.

Many species move in groups, though some are solitary. Some groups, like zebras will hang around gazelles or water buffalo. Elephants and giraffes can be found together too. But you don’t see the lion, leopard or cheetah chumming with the vegetarians too much.

Vultures are a unique bird of prey. They clean things up. Every animal plays its part in the ecosystem. You may like some more than others but they all have a unique contribution.

Is life fair? Should the lion attack, and feast on, the weakest gazelle or youngest zebra? Or should the herbivores be left alone and therefore the lion and lion cubs starve to death?

If people were to get involved, they might have the lion go vegetarian. But that might have other consequences such as over population of herbivores.

Things tend to evolve naturally, both good and bad. And they tend to naturally self-correct if things go too far in either direction. So we may be best to live and let live.

Look to nature for answers.

Financial Observe Time

Save Time Or The Environment

Posted on January 4, 2021

When you have a hole in your clothes or a button pops off, do you mend it, have it mended, recycle it or bin it? Do you save time or the environment?

We have a skateboard which has stiff wheels. Maybe the ball bearings need replacing. Or maybe it is the wheels. More lubricant does not seem to do the trick. The options are to get rid of the skateboard and buy a new one for £30, or keep it and try to fix it.

If we keep it and fix it, we need to spend time on finding and ordering new parts. Then we need to go collect the parts or have them delivered. Once we have them, we need to get tools out and spend time replacing the parts. Hopefully that solves the problem.

The parts might cost £10 and then there is delivery or pick up costs, such as petrol. Then it depends on what you consider your time is worth. You may see it as a monetary value per hour or simply the value of having an hour of time to yourself in a busy week. Either way, there is a cost to you.

So whether it is mending a shirt or a skateboard, we all make these assessments about our time, money and the environment.

Do you save time or the environment?

Action Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Everything Has A Process

Posted on December 29, 2020

If you want to achieve anything in life, you are well advised to find out how successful people before you have done it. Everything has a process and it is your job to find out, or figure out, what it is.

Every process fits along a spectrum. Some processes can be quite ineffective while others can be exceptionally useful. Your task is to find one for what you want to achieve. Ideally you will find one that is closer to the exceptional end of the continuum.

Regardless of where you start, you will then want to look for better processes to adopt and build into your life. Continual search and personal improvement would be a good personal mission to run with.

So take a look at the processes you are using, that have become habitual, and see if you can improve upon them. If you are looking for a new job, or a promotion, see what has worked for others in your field of interest. Look at the top 10 people in your field of interest and dissect their careers backward.

What schools did they go to? Did they apprentice or intern?

For others, how did they lose weight, improve fitness or gain muscle? Look for a book that helps you achieve anything you are interested in.

Everything has a process. Find it and use it.

Financial Observe

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2020

Good tidings to you, your family and community. Around the world, people may be celebrating a little differently this year. Merry Christmas!

I hope this note finds you healthy in body, mind and soul. Be thankful for what and who you have in your life. For many, Christmas Day will be a little quieter this year. Though there may still be immediate family together, which could cause some extra hubbub.

I hope you have a card to open, a gift to unwrap, or a call from a friend, or distant relative, to liven up your day. May you have inner calm and fond memories to keep your mind filled with joy. Enjoy this one day of the year for any and all that it brings you.

You may be in a warm country or cold, without snow or with it. You could be experiencing very few hours of sunlight or it could stretch for all your waking hours. Your experience may be in the mountains or by the sea.

Wherever you are, may your day unfold with peace and serenity. Keep your spirits high and know that this is your day. Enjoy every moment of it. There are people thinking of you right now.

Merry Christmas! ?