Bamboo In The Wind

It means two things. We desired something with hope instead of skill and effort. Or we chose something by backing it up with skill and effort, yet external parameters needed to be more conducive to achieving the outcome. Both reasons may surprise us, but they are real. The sooner we adjust the reality, the better we are off. But does it reflect poorly on the self? Surprise is a function of not knowing the possibility that we may not get there. Not knowing that puts us in a blind spot. When we are caught in a blind spot, outcomes hurt.  Surprise dramatically reduces when we accept that an uncertain outcome is possible for our desire. We must be okay with it. This means our internal state of what we expect and external state of results are sincere failures that we must learn from without beating ourselves. Having a fall is fine! In fact, it may be avoided altogether because we are okay with the possibility! Get ready first!

A vital part of progressing is keeping patience when we are in the midst of an act. Things may look out of control, but it must feel that way because of the memory of what happened in the past. Things can go out of control, but it may be because we get suddenly disorganized during the act and lose control of our script. Both situations warrant being patient and remaining calm. And focusing on the next few steps and holding guarding rails while you do is the best rather than imagining the valley some distance away. The road to a safe climb depends on whether we are watching our steps. If we do, the valley never arrives!

We always like to use filters before we want to associate with anyone or anything. We want to be in a position to be satisfied with the decision we make. The desire to be happy invokes the filters to use. Satisfaction may come from rage, deception, self-flagellating, helping, supporting, transacting, promoting, encouraging, etc. - from numerous things we are unaware of. Then our search begins to classify our experience from the lens of achieving the desired end state. The best place to use filters when dealing with people is during the interaction. Interactions may be planned or unplanned, but we use filters that help us uncover the traits that define us. Usually, we use filters close to our own characteristics, preferences, and biases. The interaction represents a fight in the ring with the fierce attack, exchange of pleasantness, testing of skills, and an art of negotiation all on display.  They are filters to assess the long-term potential of our association. Only some know filt...

Often, abundant opportunities are around us. We don't see them because we focus on what is trending. What trends  end up   making an impression on us. By nature, trends only last for a while. They fizzle out as interest dies. And yet, we end up giving out special attention to what trends. It wastes our energy and results in nothing of substance in the end. We must learn that what we encounter near us is worthwhile and engage with it with enthusiasm. Something covered with dust may turn out interestingly engaging, provided we have an eye for it.  If it can be helpful to us and also to many around and near us, it ought to be cleaned and offered as a precious little serving. Often trends are nothing but events that hold the polish of our aspirations. Once we realize tremendous work is involved between aspiring to the trends and achieving in the real world, the value of what is trending begins to dissipate in our minds. So finding something trivial and unstructured is a gift....

We tend to think that experience is the savior because it helps with pattern recognition, which supports our intuition. When pattern recognition and intuition are at play, we are in the best position to make decisions. But sometimes, experience also stands in our way! And we must recognize that. We usually get better with experience with specific tasks. While we may get a little better with other jobs, we might learn patterns and build intuitions that make us a lot more confident. So, it is critical to know the environment we are in.  In accommodating learning environments, repetition of tasks is commonplace, the work environment remains unchanged for an extended period, and feedback is predictable. With experience, we get better at performing tasks and become better at judgments about solving problems.  In a disruptive learning environment, on the other hand, the tasks do not repeat; the work environment overhauls and continually changes over time. We are required to figure o...

One fine day rarely arrives accidentally. There are many days, in fact, every day of work behind the day that showed spectacular results. The trouble is there is no sign that we are on a spectacular journey.  We are heading down a path that is ordinary and stoic yet consistent. It builds patience, confronts us with what is right, and resolves our fears. It turns us into bold explorers. The journey leads us to dense forests with the rare sign of sunlight, surroundings barely visible, but senses become alert as days pass. It moves us to more apparent land. And one fine day, we are in the open with arms embracing the challenges with no fear, full of confidence, and clear purpose!

It is an essential aspect of one's progress and is routinely ignored. It is a significant contributing factor to how the journey ends up becoming.  Recognizing support demonstrates our generosity. Accepting that others were responsible for nudging us to take steps that yielded our achievements. Others will never expect us to acknowledge the part they played. If we do, it will build a trusting association and burst into opportunities. If we don't, their contribution is still responsible for who we are and where we are. The danger is that the association will deteriorate into a forgettable transaction. It is a trap that leads nowhere.

Disconnection is the state where the inability to see the continuity, comprehend and respond is weak. The state of disconnection makes us insensitive no the needs that nurture a lively, meaningful coexistence. As simple as it appears, disconnection is due to accumulated emotions closing the route to sensitivity that triggers the affirmative input for action. We have long been told to rely on other people for help, but we need to figure out how to find whom to rely on. And then, even if we did, what if the person we tried depending on did not offer the expected support. Incidentally, people who are willing to help share a comfortable position with themselves and have good navigation of their outbound interactions - both positive and negative. They are more inclined to help with position interactions and more introspective about the negative ones.  And thus, a person with a comfortable self is like to be more open to listening, comprehending, and responding to a weak signal from some...

Abundance drugs. When it does, everything appears within reach. We rarely see a shortage. And we get used to availability. Abundance is a drug because it changes our worldview to think hard work and achievements deliver a lasting surplus requiring no further work. Material and emotional excess, w ith the hope of turning that into lasting equity. Equity, by definition, participation of a kind, brings an understanding of equality. Preservation of value has priority. Yet, equality begins to fade when abundance sets in and erodes trust resulting from hard work, accommodation, and understanding. Abundance brings a sense of franchise, entitlement, ignorance, and preference for how things must be in the present state. Scarcity, on the other hand, is grounding. It reminds us of our past acts to connect the journey to its present state. 

As someone working towards a good cause, you must routinely form agreements with others through influence. This involves persuading them to support your ideas, collaborating with other organizations, or recruiting volunteers to help with your cause. Firstly, ensuring that everyone involved knows what you're trying to achieve is crucial. This means clearly explaining your cause and communicating it effectively to others.  Secondly, building trust and rapport is essential when trying to influence others. This means being honest, reliable, and respectful in your interactions with others. Thirdly, it's essential to be flexible and willing to compromise to reach a shared understanding. This could mean finding common ground, defining problems together, brainstorming alternative solutions, or prioritizing specific goals.  Lastly, holding yourself and others accountable is essential. This means following through on your commitments and ensuring others do the same. Forming an agreement...

Have you ever met someone with a fantastic ability to handle challenging situations? Someone who never gives up and always keeps going, no matter what? Those people have something that we call "mettle." It's a combination of courage, resilience, and focus that lets them power through anything that comes their way. So what makes these people so unique? For starters, they don't give up easily. They keep pushing forward even when things get tough. They also have a remarkable ability to bounce back from difficult situations. No matter how hard they get knocked down, they always get back up again. Another important quality of people with mettle is their courage. They're not afraid to take risks or face their fears. They stand up for their beliefs, even if it means going against the crowd.  They can stay focused and not get distracted by what's happening around them. They know what they want and go after it with everything they've got.

Reactions are constraining, and actions freeing. And thus, we choose action building habits. Habits are often forced behaviours that trigger us to act out of need to do something in place of something else. The real question is whether it is habits lead to actions which create huge internal friction. While we think habits are disciplining, it still has an opportunity cost of avoiding doing something else better. The sweet spot of fine performance lies in determining habits that are close to frictionless and natural for us to adopt and continue for a long term.

Focus on something other than the obstacle. If you do, you often get bogged down by the obstacle. If you focus on the task, your mind focuses on that instead, and the obstacle is avoided inadvertently. Life is perceptive, wherein positive conditioning of the mind is required.  What you focus on is what you end up doing. Focus on the positive, and you'll get positive results. If you focus on avoiding the negative, you'll get sucked into the negative regardless of the negative perception. Credit - TAB

It is such a great thing to have. Expressing the actual state of mind is impossible when the pathways are choked. Are pathways choked by default? Never. First and foremost, pathways get choked in our own minds. Then the surrounding environment interprets our state and decides whether to shut our entry into the path they are standing on. Discerning both scenarios and negotiating them takes skill. Acknowledging blockades in our own minds takes introspecting. If we embark on it, we might be surprised  by what we discover about ourselves. Negotiating situations with introspection is a powerful way to put the onus of work back on ourselves. It is hard to gulp to accept that others see us as a nuisance on their pathways and not in real danger or need.  We feel emptied of all our privileges to ask for help, like when we are in the dust after a fight.  It  takes immense guts to realize these sentiments. Showing the guts to see things as they are is a tremendously effective w...

Work or life leads us to turns where the unexpected stares at us. In fact, we are caught unaware results of the unexpected.  We are unaware when we are in denial about the possibilities of where we are heading. Many things that look like an ordeal - sometimes harrowing - are merely the outcome of an unprepared mind accepting that there will be a range of experiences.  Many of those are unimagined and leave us with no counter. Being in denial is the biggest enemy. Being in denial is also a sign of abundant clutches surrounding us. We feel safe with those clutches when we are in fact, dependent on them. The only way out is to recognize the fall and wait for it to bottom out! The way out of denial is rarely about using literary advice! It is through knowing that we are oblivious!

Occasionally, we get a chance to participate in an exciting cause. We wholeheartedly want to be part of it, yet we remain noncommittal. We either say no to stay on the sidelines. The trouble with this approach is we lost an essential part of our experience journey and regret being so naive to decline an opportunity to network, listen and learn. Careful introspection will reveal a couple of contributing factors that drive this behavior.  1. We are not volunteering to initiate causes of our own. When we do, we might feel the urge to make it worthwhile for others to join us. And when they do, it enthuses us. When we know what to initiate, we realize what others seek. Ferocity to join, contribute and offer them our enthusiasm and attention. We will notice their point of view. 2. We constantly gauge our interests, circle, and position in someone else's. This is a particularly troubling aspect of the way we think about where to involve ourselves. We know it is a matter of trust and grapp...

It is natural to feel lost when things don't go as we want. We make every effort, and we land defeat. We are working on every aspect of preparing to attack the enemy, yet we are easily overpowered. Our "all is lost" moment pushes us into the dungeon. The reason for the state does not lie in what more to do and prepare. The reason often lies in our mental engagement in indulging in the enemy's psyche. We must understand the mentality of who we are against to engage them. It is precisely the reverse of how we are played by the enemy with our own psyche. Why, otherwise, would we think and prepare so much about defeating the enemy? They undoubtedly have inserted themselves in our minds. Our preparation to defeat should not focus on the enemy but mostly on upping our game bit by bit. That is the way we get ourselves into enemies' minds.

As much as we wish to operate in an uncontrolled environment, it is rarely like to be the reality. A controlled environment poses restrictions, input limitations, and expectations on expected outputs. As much as we get the freedom to operate and make decisions, a controlled environment makes it possible to look for opportunities to nudge all actions and test them against the restrictions. Restrictions and limitations provide necessary boundaries. Constraints open visible opportunities or requirements for what must change to make efforts worthwhile. We tend to think we thrive in uncontrolled environments, but we will soon discover that controlled environments make us produce! What we produce then busts the myth about the utility of an uncontrolled environment .

In our minds, we learn to balance things that sit opposite to each other.  We equate equillibrium, evenness, and being at par as something that brings balance. In reality, assimilation and absorption of things, thoughts and action makes the concept of what we are opposite against disappear. That is the real balance. Combining diametrically opposite ways into one and ensuring the merged ways are absorbed and retained reflects a culture that comes from balanced leadership.

I s there a difference, really? Being Interesting and Being Interested sound the same. Nearly. But they are not. Being Interesting is intently about presenting self. It portrays self-credentials, looks, skills, specialties, status, fame, impressions, effects, and inadequacies. All actions center on improving each of these things.  It helps to be conscious of how self comes across to others so that they find you Interesting. It is protective of self at all times, and thus it can have the flavor of masking who we really are.  Being Interesting tasks oneself to force an impact on one's actions, aura, or identity. It is disappointing when the effect is dismal. Being Interested, on the other hand, is about the willingness of self to indulge with the world around. It is inquisitive of surroundings and people. It is keen on understanding others' skills, specialties, credentials, effects, impacts, and interests and drawing input to benefit self-development. It reflects an open mind an...

Nothing we encounter as a stumbling block is too small or trivial if we can do something about it. How often are we tempted to go after a big problem and find that even after herculean efforts, we are still looking for a solution? We feel feeble and incapable. A sense of failure grips us. Choosing to climb a mountain is a fair decision. Getting to the mountaintop depends on our inclination, courage, skill, surrounding environment, and the help we seek. Solving any problem requires similar attributes. So it should not be surprising that sometimes we fail to achieve results. Accomplishments, on the other hand, often sit on top of picking something small and trivial and starting with it. Persisting on it until it turns into something worthwhile that draws other journeymen! The joy of solving something easy exposes us to the happiness of what it means to succeed and generates excitement that what we stumble upon is familiar to journeymen - something they, too, encounter themselves. The joy...

Self-preservation is an act of hiding behind something to protect ourselves, in fact, our ego. There is a battle inside us to show ourselves in the right light every time.  The reason we do so is relatively simple. What we imagined, thought, and took place have little correlation. And our surprise that the outcome is not what we wanted makes us find the hiding place. We often use excuses, reasons, pointing fingers at someone, or external factors. That is a total cop-out from taking responsibility. So what if the outcomes are unfavorable, we still have the responsibility to make further efforts to move closer to what we imagined and thought. That is the best part of going closer to or further from the outcomes we want.  It is easy to blame others for where we are; it is simpler in action yet harder in our mind to figure out the next best step we need to embark on. Stop self-preservation. Accept that you need to do more work. Figure out your next best step to get your acts in or...

We must inspect every thought, action, and decision to find out why the thing is the way it is for us. And that is fair in the microcosm of our world. But in the macrocosm, environmental effects, unpredictable forces, and external influences, in addition to our efforts, contribute to a particular state of our situation. What counts towards better positioning ourselves in work or life is the dialogue we have with ourselves in the context of knowledge we possess from our surroundings. The more vague, foggy questions we ask ourselves, the more confused and directionless we find ourselves. The way to be heading in a better direction with uncommon clarity is to ask ourselves more specific and precise questions. That is the door to uncommon results! The difference between winning and losing is the let our mental dialogue be probing enough to emerge with multi-faceted obstacles and options to navigate those. Staying in the game long enough and making sense of what the ecosystem brings upon re...

We can keep it all in the box. Stealth mode has the unique power to create a private universe.  And it can feel powerful in isolation. But there is also danger in keeping things under wraps. It will be starved of oxygen necessary to take roots. The ecosystem offers essential care and attention for it to grow healthy.  Growth begins by sharing ideas! They undoubtedly thrive, ignite, and spread when we offer them a conducive passage! The ecosystem learns from them and builds on top!

Optionality is a good thing.  It represents the possibility of tackling the situation of a possible blockade with bravado!  Preparedness for the routes to navigate in the face of stalling situations is always a good idea. It is an indicative map for recovery when we are lost. It is only sometimes possible to have options. Fast-changing circumstances and rapidly evolving environments make it impossible to be ever prepared.  Hence most of us stumble upon reactions that seemingly look like the best responses when they actually are defensive steps taken after a surprise before us. The milestones, the progress measurements, and the optionality are essential to what we pack in our toolbox before embarking on an expedition. Should we run into anything unexpected, we have the comfort of knowing what to inspect and the option to choose!

We do a fine job putting out our stories, accomplishments, and progress. In fact, we are eager to make ourselves heard. We are out there to wrestle for attention, to stand out! That is the norm! We look odd if we don't follow it! But what about the reverse traffic our way? Are we hearing anything? Any penetrating feedback, input, constructive suggestion, an idea, a problem, or anything? We care about positioning so much, often leading to posturing what we are not, and yet do not care as much about learning about ourselves. Awareness and culture never happen by fluke. It is built by building channels that create an inward and outward flow. As critical as learning new stuff is, knowing what lands us to notice it is an art.  That is also the whole grail of building a position that is respectable and worth following! That is a solid alternative to just keeping up appearances.

It is easy to feel clouded, lost and derailed. This happens when we cannot build a coherent picture of everything around us.  It takes some profound ability to serialize the information flow by sequencing it in the order of best comprehension.  However, it takes patient tokenizing of the information flow we take in and parsing it into a much more comprehendible grammar that builds context that makes sense to us. We ought to feel the imbalance, confusion, and directionless until things make sense. Composure is a great asset that helps with assimilating inputs, turning them into information, and making us go through the building of context.  Composure is how to begin our search for the compass and regain a sense of direction!

There are many intricate decisions we want to make but are unable to. We feel entangled until we fully understand the web of an interlinked impact our action might create. In the real world, we are often required to make the best decision given the information on our hands.  We make those decisions trying to comprehend the possible omnidirectional impact of those everything around us - people, relationships, unit dynamics, and organization priorities. Although rare, our actions can sometimes create social ripples, culminating in irreparable cultural disruptions. It is impossible to understand where all your actions will touch. Our best tool is to test our decisions for inclusion, care, respect, understanding, contributing, and sharing aspects of human emotions. By using the test, we are likely to minimize the adverse part of the impact of our decisions.  When in doubt, that is the best way to simplify the web of decision conflict instead of spiraling into indecision followed b...

The rush to see the progress takes learning to take small, incremental steps. We need to know how to take steps to comprehend what does not work. A few ways to know that things are not working and what to do about them require internalizing their reasons. 1. We are still determining whether the path will lead to a dead end. Remedy: Learn patterns of thinking and follow on steps yield poor outcomes. 2. We are hesitant about whether we are taking the ethically correct steps that coincide with our values. Remedy: Our value system is a source of long-term satisfaction and happiness. Learn if the belief system can be modernized with new information and experiences without shaking the core foundations. 3. We fear the adverse judgment of us if we run into failures. Remedy: Understand the difference between constructive opinions and sweeping, stalling judgments about our actions. 4. We know we will be adjudged to require no help, and it might feel like a lonely battle. Remedy: Learn to build a...

  Courtesy:  WaitButWhy