Scott's Thinking - Page 136 of 173

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.

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 Gratitude Time

Reaching A Milestone

Posted on January 9, 2021

I’m about to hit another milestone. It sure does feel good when that happens. I’m sure you would agree. Reaching a milestone can be quite an exciting, enjoyable or reflective event.

I started my daily blog on the 10th January 2020. My goal was to write and release a blog post every single day for one year. That would include weekends, bank holidays, and yes, even Christmas Day.

This is number 366 so I have realised that goal! I will have written about 81,000 words during this interesting year. I’ve learned many things about writing, posting, social media, people and myself.

12 months of writing every day seemed like a big task. For 366 consecutive days I would need to spend about an hour per day writing, releasing, posting to social media channels, monitoring metrics and interacting with people online. But now, looking back, it seems to have gone so quick and been so simple.

I’ve loved getting feedback on my posts, especially if it has helped people consider a different perspective. Sometimes it seemed to reinforce one they already had, which can be a real positive too.

What milestones are you about to reach? Which ones are you setting for the weeks and months ahead? What will keep you on track and focused?

Reaching a milestone feels great. Good luck and best wishes.

Action Health & Fitness Progress Reframe your thoughts

Push Yourself Further

Posted on January 8, 2021

You may be doing quite a bit. But could you do more? Life is quick and you need to squeeze it all in. Push yourself further than you think you can.

Get down on the floor and do as many press ups as you can. Maybe you did 5, 15 or 63. Is that all you can do? Have another go. Perhaps you did three, eight or 20 this time. Add that to your previous count. Now try one more time. Did you complete two, six or nine?

Sometimes you need a moment’s rest before you can continue onwards. You should exert yourself as much as you can and then you will be able to do more. You can do this with studies, sport and thinking, to name a few categories.

You know you can do more. You don’t fall into bed exhausted at the end of every day. You have a greater capacity to perform. Though you may just be nicely comfortable. You have a routine. Two hours of relax time each day.

I’m all for relax time. Though 90 minutes could be plenty. Use the other 30 minutes to really push harder on something that matters to you. Learn, apply, start, complete, aim and achieve.

Decide this is your year and push yourself further.

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.