Placebo
The placebo effect points to the notion that what we think really matters. If the doctor gives us a pill and says it will make us better and we believe his authority, then we will likely feel better. Even if it's a sugar pill.
The “no”cebo effect is the opposite. Oftentimes we focus on the negative and it produces a negative outcome. Most golfers know what happens when they focus on the tree they want to miss.
Pay attention to what you DO want.
Pro Tip: Our brain doesn’t process the “don’t” in “don’t hit that tree.”
Warning to Tacticians
Scaling your business by searching for tactics and hacks can actually get in the way of real work. Tactics are vital but must align with your principles. Making tactical moves that don't align with the fabric of your mission will set you back.
Take a deep breath and calmly evaluate your principles. Confirm they are durable and make the world a better place. Then and only then will your principles inform useful tactics… Tactics that advance your mission.
Pro Tip: Every single durable principle is in the Bible. Look for yourself…
(Proverbs is a great place to start…)
How’s Your Reputation?
Working on your reputation by "showing off" good behavior is kind of like working on losing weight by wearing a bikini. It works a little but the energy and focus is misplaced.
The timeline of outcomes starts way earlier. Your reputation is a result of your character and your character is the sum of a million decisions. Decisions are mostly made while all alone.
Habit Paradox
A “bad” habit is typically defined as a consistent action that solves a short-term problem but has long-term negative consequences. At the time the action seems like a reasonable solution.
If the problem is stress or anxiety the short-term relief might be junk food or alcohol. The long-term effect is a debit to your health. At first, it's a credit because it feels great which makes the action reasonable at first glance.
The transaction has a “fools gold” effect because you’re fooled on the front end. The paradox is that the “credit" of a good habit isn't realized on the front end. This explains why bad habits are easy to start and good habits are hard to keep.
Pro Tip: It's worth paying attention to the habits you have been sold to solve recurring problems.
MG: Atomic Habits
The Rut
When you find yourself in a rut there's an unexpected culprit. The culprit is comfort. Comfort is sneaky. Sneaky because we tend to be sucked towards the same things over and over… even if they are the wrong things.
Overtime we find ourselves in a rut of dysfunction. Surrounded by people, circumstances and patterns that keep us stuck.
It's worth taking a hard look at what's comfortable. The rut is staying in the familiar just because it's what you're used to.
Make a list of comfortable things that keep you from your best and take steps to move away from them.
Pro Tip: sometimes your comfort zone can be people.
Talent or Work?
Talent is only part of the story. You hear a new friend sing and play the guitar like Eric Clapton. Afterwards you say…
"Hey man, that was incredible… You are so talented.”
You might mean well but that comment is likely not music to his ears. "Talent" suggests that the music came naturally… Or that he was born with it… like he didn't have to do a thing to sound like that.
Perhaps admiring the WORK would feel better.
"Hey man, that was incredible… I can tell you've worked long and hard on your craft. Thanks for playing.”
….my guess is he will be more eager to play for you again.
Threshold
It's the point at which change can occur with momentum.
On a bike, it's that point where you might "blow up” but probably won't. It's the last stop… The razor's edge. The crossroads where if you pedal any harder you will not be able to continue and if you stop it will be hard to get momentum again.
Threshold is the moment where psychological change can occur. The pain of staying the same is equal to the pain of change. It's the point of inflection. Notice when you were at threshold… It's where personal growth lives...
Roomba
When someone asks you for feedback first ask what kind they want. Clarifying this upfront will save time. Assuming they want direct (more harsh-leaning) feedback might cause a tailspin.
People who are taking action and bumping into stuff are the ones who are eager for growth. Helping someone who is at a standstill can be like pushing a rope. Those who are not taking action will likely eat up your time.
Don't allow it. Find the action takers who are in motion.
It's worth noting… The floor gets vacuumed because the Roomba isn't afraid of feedback.
Feedback That Stings
Showing your creation to someone for feedback is a scary notion. It's scary because they might have some helpful feedback that will likely sting. Our ability to grow and improve is directly tied to how much feedback we subject ourselves to.
A few ideas to consider:
Frame your request as if you are in the process. If you've “completed” something then you're likely not seeking useful feedback. Allow space and invite input.
Some feedback will be useful and some won't. Practice building a courageous filter. The goal is growth and enhancement.
When it starts to sting take a deep breath, listen and avoid defending. Don't expect your filter to work when your lizard brain is activated. Give it some time.
The wise people in your life will be direct… If you don't use their feedback they will stop giving it and leave you with your blind spots.
Horsepower
Horsepower is the power a horse exerts while pulling…unless you’re talking about a vehicle or a person. One horse equals 746 Watts. It's a measure of effective power
With people though, the power comes and Goes. Creative, mental, and physical power is contingent on a million things…a million things we can control, and likely another million we can’t.
One aspect worth your attention is how emotional health relates to your horsepower. Your horsepower to create and make the world a better place.
Pro tip: Hiring a therapist to unpack your crap is the fastest way to access more horsepower.
“Yeah, but…”
An optimist sees the glass half full, but a successful person takes it to the next level. People typically see the world in two frames...
Opportunity frame
Problem frame
We need both frames to grow consistently. Inaction can be the result of a perpetual problem frame.
The growing person can transition between the two frames and still keep momentum.
Pro Tip: be present with what "is" and move forward with an "as if" mindset. If you catch yourself saying "yeah, but…”, you're likely stuck in the problem frame.
Increment
It’s been said we grossly overestimate what can be done in a year and grossly underestimate what can be done in 10.
Increment has no sizzle. The math behind moneyball points this out. It’s hard to choose the guy that has no flash… much less build a team of plain jane performers.
Base hits add up. They add up because you get on base. Over time, consistent action on a fixed scale outperforms.
Increment quietly wins.
Some Armpits Stink
Solving problems requires getting to the root. The root is camouflaged by the symptoms. Going on a witch hunt to assert blame pushes people into a corner and leaves no room for solutions.
The root is hard to see because the domino of ancillary outcomes can hide it.
If we stink we think it’s because we’re sweating so we use antiperspirants.
Perspiring is an outcome… an outcome of the body trying to stay cool. If you consume alcohol, bbq, cheese enchiladas, and bacon, don’t blame the sweat.
Stay curious about the root.
Clear Path
Finding clarity is relieving. Who likes confusion? Knowing where you’re going and what path to take is only half the battle. The other half is choosing the right destination. A clear path might not be a good trade.
Don't end up settling for a clear path to a lesser goal.
Stuck to Unstuck
When you’re stuck it’s often time to ask. Asking is vulnerable when your mind is in neutral and the only options you’re able to see are undesirable. Leaning on yourself to get unstuck is the slow way.
You likely know a visionary that can help. Call them up, give them a little background on the options you don't like and ask:
Will you give me a few new options using your fresh perspective?
When you’re out of options ask a visionary.
She will likely have a half dozen options and one of them will help.
“I’ll Try”
“I’ll try” is a sign that they aren’t committed. It’s often a less courageous way to say you’re not interested. Less courageous because in many cases, the person has almost no drive to take action unless it’s easy.
The other kind of “try” is hooked to experimentation or adventure. “I’ll give it a try” suggests an open mind and willingness to explore.
The first try is the safest. The 2nd try is where the growth hides.
You’ll never know until you try.
Buzz Words
How do certain words get popular? They move from rarely used to ubiquitous in a flash.
As humans we want acceptance, we want to be perceived as valuable. Words are a powerful tool to get us there. Deep down we know that we are often judged by our vocabulary and how we describe our version of the world.
Buzz words give us a shortcut to acceptance?
Pro Tip: Avoid using them to increase status because it will only impress the wrong people.
But It Itches…
In search for “better”, the natural response is “more”. More is connected to improvement… More of a good thing at first glance seems like a reasonable aspiration. If I had a little more scratch maybe I wouldn’t itch so much.
It turns out more isn’t better but better is better. Better will likely drown by adding more.
Pro Tip: When things aren’t adding up… start subtracting
Man - VS - Dog
There is a paradox of power. Some dogs are alpha and some need to be treated as such. It’s common to see someone be walked by their dog. The harder they pull back the harder the dog charges forward.
It’s a miserable arrangement full of tension and strain. Strain that can be eliminated with properly timed power. A dog trainer solves the paradox by giving a quick correction and then letting the leash go slack.
The power is in the slack. It gives the dog a feeling of power. A feeling that a relaxed walk around the block was his idea.
Go walk your dog :)
Rule of Thumb
Some people get a little antsy about them because they aren’t accurate. The literalist will struggle with a rule of thumb because it’s a general specification not a perfected specification.
It turns out they are right. Judging a rule of thumb with a critical magnifying glass misses the value.
Momentum is the reward for trading exactness for rules of thumb.
They are never perfect but very useful… useful because they keep you moving.