Scott's Thinking - Page 74 of 172

So You Think You Know It All

Posted on September 22, 2022

And then you learn something new. Maybe you stumble upon a new idea or you hear something differently then ever before.

The quote attributed to Albert Einstein springs to mind, “The more I learn, the more I realise I don’t know”. Something similar is also attributed to Socrates. Mark Twain and most parents have also said something along those lines, especially in the direction of their children.

To learn more, pause. You should pause more and consider what is being discussed. Does it make sense to you? What about to people who think differently to you? How could you see this differently if you wanted to learn something rather than celebrate being right?

10 billion people have walked this Earth. Every single one of them have had different experiences and interactions. Until we’ve seen everything through 10 billion lenses, we still have an opportunity to learn new things.

Action Observe Reframe your thoughts

Just The Policy

Posted on September 21, 2022

Calling people names, noting who they married, referening their hair, skin tone, partner preferences or where they went to school, are all weak reasons to like or dislike someone or their point of view.

Listen to the policies they advocate for. Think through the short term implications and the associated longer term ones. Watch what they do. Do they live the policy?

If you reference any of the above external, non-policy points in a discussion, you’ve lost. You may win in popularity, if your followers allow weak arguments. However, you’ll know that you’re not improving the group, yours or the wider societal one.

Keep your points focused on the pros and cons of the policy. It may get less audience reaction, but it will help us all improve our thinking skills and make an actual difference in peoples lives.

Action Progress Reframe your thoughts Time

Plan In Detail

Posted on September 20, 2022

You can start with a generalisation. When you imagine an amazing future or visualise the realisation of an incredible dream, it can be big and broad.

But then you need to get deeper into the detail. Like planning a holiday, you start with skiing, beach or camping and then add the key details next. You need to know where, with who, when and how. You’ll also need to know how much so you can have the right cards with you or funds in place.

After the big details are in place you need the next level details. You’ll need to know which airline, which gate, which row and which seat. Maybe even what to bring with you on board and what you can’t bring.

The more precise you can be with the details, the more likely you’ll get what you want. I understand Queen Elizabeth II was very keen on the details. She understood the importance of the slightest thing.

You don’t need to be royalty to dress and present yourself well. And focusing on the details can be done by anyone.

Upgrade your skills in this area. Put the effort in. If you’re currently a five in the detail department, learn how to become a six or even seven. Search it up on the internet. Watch some videos. Practice. Get better at it. Your life will improve in many areas and you’ll be surprised at the benefits you find around you.

Action Observe Progress Time

Era’s End. And Also Begin.

Posted on September 19, 2022

The Queen’s passing marked the end of an exceptional era. I stood at the side of the road Monday and watched her cortege pass right in front of me. Like time, The Moment passed and more moments after that.

But time stops for no one. Things continue to progress. This happens whether you want the event in question to be happening or not.

It really did feel like the end of an era though. It has been an exceptional era that kept getting better. Many people did not want it to end or they believed it never really would.

The Queen was a common thread in a lot of people’s lives, both in the UK and around the world. This may have helped us feel more united in our grief and the uncertainty for the future.

Now our new future begins. With a new King, we will begin a new era. We don’t know how this era will go, nor do we know how it will end. But we do know a new one will begin after this new one. And on it will go.

Action Gratitude Progress Reframe your thoughts

Appreciate What People Do

Posted on September 18, 2022

It is so easy to gloss over people’s contribution or even ignore it or joke about it. You are a better person if you see someone’s contribution, no matter how large or small and regardless if you think it was enough or how you would do it or want it.

Give people some kudos. Do it as often as you can and for whatever you can.

Monday is a day people can do this when referencing The Queen. Appreciate all that she did and didn’t do to make the world a better place. Such leadership from a 26 year old woman, in a very different world in the 1950’s.

Your appreciation will make you and the world around you better. Find the good in people and things. You’ll be happier for it.

Action Think About It Time

Start Simplifying

Posted on September 17, 2022

Remove things from your life. Narrow your focus down to a few things that are very important to you.

Remove items you don’t need or that aren’t bringing you benefit or joy. This might mean cancelling a newspaper subscription or tv package. It could also mean stopping an activity that is a habit but no longer as enjoyable.

Simplify your wardrobe, your files, your bookshelf, your schedule, your social media/communications and your thinking.

Keep removing items until you feel calm and more able to enjoy the things that really matter.

Action Health & Fitness Reframe your thoughts Time

Get Good Sleep

Posted on September 16, 2022

Take an evening and go to bed by 9pm. Stop getting more things done. Turn off the entertainment (tv, phone, etc). Just go get yourself to bed and have a great nights sleep. You’ll feel great in the morning: Refreshed and pleased with your self discipline.

Action Financial Health & Fitness Reframe your thoughts

Remember To Smile

Posted on September 15, 2022

This one thing will win you more friends, interviews, promotions, sales and romantic relationships than just about anything else you could think of.

Smiling is fun, contagious, exciting, uplifting and joyful. Is hard not to smile if someone smiles at you. So if you train yourself to be the first to smile, you’ll get people smiling back.

Since our body state helps inform our mental state, if your body is holding a smile, you are more likely to be happy inside too.

So remember to smile, all the time, every day. Not just in photos.

Action Gratitude Observe Progress Reframe your thoughts

Believe In Yourself

Posted on September 14, 2022

Look what you have achieved so far in life! You’ve mastered walking, socialising, some sports, learning, reading, eating, toilet time, tests, exams, paying bills, earning an income, holding a job, dealing with stress and travelling somewhere new.

Of course, you’ve managed to do all sorts of other things too! And just because others have done it, doesn’t reduce the validity that you did it too.

You are an amazing group of cells doing quite exceptional, though sometimes mundane, things. Things a giraffe ? couldn’t even imagine doing. So well done!

Now everything else is quite simple. So go make it happen. I believe in you and you should too!

Action Financial Think About It Time

What Will Be Your Legacy?

Posted on September 13, 2022

Events define people. Actions speak louder than words. And, what people broadly say about you when you are not in the room is your defining brand (for that group of people).

Have you given it any thought? What would you love your legacy to be? Will it be raising a wonderful family? Reaching certain heights in your job, career or business? Will it involve charity work or a specific level of philanthropy?

It is never too late to consider this concept, nor too late to take some actions to bring you closer to the legacy you would like to have or leave. Time will continue to march on though. So you best get on with your thoughts, plans and actions so that you can complete your legacy in your lifetime.