Think About It Archives - Page 36 of 91

Close Loops

Posted on May 19, 2024

Each time we start something we are best to finish it or cancel it. We need to close the open loop.

You see, when you start a conversation, a project, a task or even an idea in your head, you open a loop. Your mind will keep coming back to this loop until it is closed in some way – completed, cancelled, accepted.

This revisiting of these open loops can drain you of energy and decision making power. That is not good. It leaves less energy for current important things. So every time you can, Close an open loop. You’ll feel lighter and be more effective.

Action Gratitude Reframe your thoughts Think About It

Do Something Nice For Someone

Posted on May 18, 2024

Phone a friend. Help someone cross the street. Help lift a baby carriage or pram. Fill a car with petrol. Give a compliment. Send them a message or write them a card. Send flowers.

It doesn’t need to cost anything or much but it could mean the world to that person. Practice kindness every day.

Action Health & Fitness Observe Reframe your thoughts Think About It

Go With Your Gut

Posted on May 17, 2024

Many people will say different things. Hear them. Weigh their words. But what is the sense in your gut? Many people get things wrong, even if they are experts. You must question and get second or third opinions.

Action Observe Think About It

What We Say About Others

Posted on May 14, 2024

We tell people what is important for us about the other person. We do not describe the other person in an unbiased way. We describe them based on our bias and what we want to convey.

So when news reports come out, be sceptical about why the reporter is using those words and in that order. What picture are they painting and why?

When a friend describes another friend, where are they positioning them in your mind?

If you liked Margaret Thatcher, you might describe her as a strong woman, the Iron Lady, who rose from humble beginnings, with a common background, to the halls of power. If you were less of a fan you might just say she was anti-union and destroyed coal mining in the UK.

Both are descriptions that people could use about the same person. So we don’t simply describe the other person, we describe the characteristics that we want to highlight about the other person. So why did we choose those specific highlights?

Action Financial Reframe your thoughts Think About It Time

Tidy Up Your Financial Affairs

Posted on May 13, 2024

Have you got anything outstanding? Is there an invoice you should have sent? Or perhaps some taxes that are due to be filed? Maybe you have an insurance claim or credit cards to attend to.

Whatever it is, it will take longer than you think to do and won’t get done until you sit there for several hours and sort it out. Don’t let it keep drifting along. Complete the work today!

Action Gratitude Reframe your thoughts Think About It Time

Never Miss An Opportunity To Show Appreciation

Posted on May 10, 2024

Time flies. Life is short. Moments go by so fast. When you have the opportunity to show your appreciation, make sure you do. It can mean the world to someone and it is so easy to do. Make it a habit of a lifetime.

Action Health & Fitness Reframe your thoughts Think About It

Get Out For A Walk

Posted on May 6, 2024

Walking is such a great exercise. It’s also a great way to have a chat while moving. Great for your health, great for your relationships or even doing business.

Action Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts Think About It

Define The Question

Posted on May 5, 2024

Do you want the world to be a better place or do you simply want it to be run the way you currently feel it should be? These can be wildly different.

Wanting the world to continue to get better is next level politics. Unfortunately, most people would rather trash every opposing or slightly different (could we say diverse) viewpoint, just so they could lead and be in charge.

Most people (maybe 80%) would probably agree with great policies, if they didn’t know which side had suggested them. Unfortunately, our tribal instincts and cultures have us preferring the tribe over the policy.

This happens in global and country politics but also in garden variety conversations with neighbours, family and friends.

Find common ground and notice the nuance. Give and take a little. The world could be a much better place if we noticed that the vast majority of people, deep down, want very similar things.

Action Observe Think About It

Who Is Influencing You?

Posted on May 2, 2024

Have you considered who is really helping your mind make decisions? You may think it is you. But is it?

Where did you get the information? Did you get the opposing view in an unbiased way?

Is your info coming from the radio, tv, print media, family or friends? Have you reflected on that information and given it a sensibility test?

Are people using sample sizes of one to get you to believe something is very widespread when it isn’t? Something may be terrible but if it happens just 0.001% of the time, though very unfortunate, it is not a national crisis of epic and massive proportions. Remember that.

Action Progress Reframe your thoughts Think About It

Learn Something Today

Posted on April 30, 2024

Learn something you didn’t know or that you thought was the opposite. Improve your understanding of money, relationships, friends, fitness, health or philosophy.

Have a deep think about something. Reflect on things you’ve said or done. Note what you believe went well and those things that didn’t. Prepare how you might improve on both the next time.