Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Sharpening Your Skills

Curiosity Doesn’t Age, It Grows

By Leave a Comment

Curiosity Doesn't Age, It Grows Age and creativity aren’t closely linked. Many assume that youthful energy drives innovation, but experienced folks bring a treasure trove of knowledge and fresh perspectives that can really spark creativity.

Keep pushing yourself, even if you’re not quite where you want to be, and embrace a little uncertainty. It helps you avoid burnout.

Staying creative and curious as you age means staying open-minded and engaged with the world. As we get older, it’s tempting to fall into a routine and let our interests shrink, but keeping a sense of wonder alive is what keeps those creative sparks flying.

Idea for Impact: Stay curious, keep evolving!

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Plan Every Detail or Ride the Wave of Serendipity
  2. Intellectual Inspiration Often Lies in the Overlap of Disparate Ideas
  3. Challenge the Cult of Overzealous Time Management
  4. Finding Potential Problems & Risk Analysis: A Case Study on ‘The Three Faces of Eve’
  5. Four Ideas for Business Improvement Ideas

Is Ethics Just About Getting Caught?

By Leave a Comment

Is Ethics Just About Getting Caught? A surgeon friend of mine often quips, “If you think you can ‘get away’ with something, you probably shouldn’t be considering it in the first place.”

A reliable rule, no doubt! But rightness or wrongness isn’t as clearcut.

In philosophy, there’s a school of thought called virtue ethics. It suggests that moral behavior comes from cultivating a virtuous character and living in alignment with virtues like honesty, compassion, and courage. If you’re even thinking about deceitful behavior, it’s a sign that your character might need a bit of a tune-up.

On the flip side, while deliberate wrongdoing should never be condoned, sometimes ethics shifts to focus on practical utility. Utilitarianism, another philosophical approach, judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on its consequences. From this viewpoint, wrongdoing might be seen as justifiable if it leads to a greater good, with the consequent focus on artfully dodging repercussions.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Making Exceptions “Just Once” is a Slippery Slope
  2. Ethics Lessons From Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’
  3. The Poolguard Effect: A Little Power, A Big Ego!
  4. The Truth Can Be Bitterer than a Sweet Illusion
  5. Power Corrupts, and Power Attracts the Corruptible

Curate Wisely: Navigating Book Overload

By Leave a Comment

Curate Wisely: Navigating Book Overload Most books are trash—seriously. Most could be condensed into booklets, booklets into essays, essays into articles, articles into paragraphs, and paragraphs into tweets.

To handle the avalanche of books published each year, get picky—grab the ones that really speak to you, match your vibe, and have solid recommendations. Don’t trust those internet best-seller lists; they can be manipulated through “leapfrogging.”

When you crack open a new book, start with the intro. It sets the stage, tells you what to expect, and usually gives examples. Check out the table of contents and scan through a few sample chapters to see if it’s your jam before committing to a full read.

Also, consider old favorites—they stick with you better after a few rounds. Trust me; it takes a few passes to really get those ideas to sink in.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to Read Faster and Better
  2. A Guide to Intelligent Reading // Book Summary of Mortimer Adler’s ‘How to Read a Book’
  3. How to … Read More Books
  4. How to Process that Pile of Books You Can’t Seem to Finish [+ 5 Other Reading Hacks]
  5. Rip and Read During Little Pockets of Time

Let Others Think What They May

By Leave a Comment

Let Others Think What They May It’s not entirely up to you to control how others see you. People will think what they want, that’s just how it goes. You just be you. You have nothing to prove.

What’s best for others might not be best for you, and what’s best for you might not be best for others. And that’s okay. We’re not all cut from the same cloth.

While it’s natural to seek validation from others, remember that your worth isn’t tied to their opinions. Instead of constantly trying to fit into other people’s molds or fretting over perception, focus on staying true to who you are.

Idea for Impact: Embrace your true self, flaws, quirks, and all. When you’re comfortable in your own skin, outside validation doesn’t matter as much, and unconstructive criticism rolls off your back.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to … Care Less About What Other People Think
  2. Let Go of Toxic Friendships
  3. Be Comfortable with Who You Are
  4. Could Limiting Social Media Reduce Your Anxiety About Work?
  5. When One Person is More Interested in a Relationship

Get Started, Passion Comes Later: A Case Study of Chipotle’s Founder, Steve Ells

By Leave a Comment

Get Started, Passion Comes Later The notion of directly pursuing your passion can seem daunting, particularly if you’re uncertain about identifying your true calling or how it could translate into a feasible career path. The tale of Chipotle and its founder Steve Ells serves as a fitting illustration of this dilemma.

After graduating from arts college, Ells headed to the Culinary Institute of America, where he fell in love with cooking. Initially, he dreamed of opening a fancy restaurant, but the funds weren’t there.

During the early 1990s, Ells embarked on a culinary journey, starting as a sous chef under renowned chef Jeremiah Towers at San Francisco’s upscale Stars restaurant. It was during this time that the idea for Chipotle began to take shape. Inspired by the delectable “mission-style” burritos he savored in San Francisco’s Mission District taquerias, Ells seized the opportunity. With an $85,000 loan from his father, he ventured to establish the inaugural Chipotle eatery in 1993, nestled in Denver, Colorado.

Ells’s father, crunching the numbers, estimated that his son would need to sell 107 burritos daily to break even. However, the response exceeded expectations. Within the inaugural month, Chipotle was churning out 1,000 burritos a day. This swift success unveiled Ells’s true calling. He realized his passion lay not in haute cuisine but in the realm of delivering delectable, freshly-prepared Mexican fare swiftly. Chipotle garnered a devoted following for its scrumptious offerings, rapid service, and unwavering commitment to sustainable sourcing.

Idea for Impact: Starting with an exploratory approach is often wiser than waiting for the perfect alignment with your passion. Dabble in different areas, adapt your goals over time, and stay open to new opportunities. Sometimes, passion emerges along the journey, leading to unexpected yet fulfilling paths.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Risk More, Risk Earlier
  2. The Myth of Passion
  3. From Passion to Pragmatism: An Acceptable, Good Career
  4. Beyond Money’s Grasp: A Deeper Drive to Success
  5. “Follow Your Passion” Is Terrible Career Advice

Don’t Keep Running Hard If You’re Not Making Progress

By Leave a Comment

Don't Keep Running Hard If You're Not Making Progress - Avoid Working Hard Without Progress Do you really understand how you’re spending your time?

A lot of folks think they’re putting more hours into strategic work than they actually are. Check your calendar from the past month. If you’re anything like the managers I work with, you’ll probably find it’s easier to justify your daily grind than to explain why you’re doing everything you shouldn’t be.

  • Make time audits a habit. Add up the hours you’ve spent on your strategic priorities. Was it enough? Most people end up scrambling with urgent tasks instead of focusing on what really matters.
  • Identify your top three priorities for the year and ensure you’re dedicating enough time to them each week. If you’re falling short, it’s time to cut back on other commitments, delegate more, and clear some space in your schedule for what truly counts.

Idea for Impact: Your time often drifts away from your intentions. Don’t just run hard without making progress. Get your priorities straight. Be disciplined with your time.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Personal Energy: How to Manage It and Get More Done // Summary of ‘The Power of Full Engagement’
  2. Ask This One Question Every Morning to Find Your Focus
  3. Stop Putting Off Your Toughest Tasks
  4. The Mental Junkyard Hour
  5. A Guaranteed Formula for Success: Identify Your #1 Priority and Finish It First

If Mindfulness Meditation Isn’t for You, Try This Focusing Exercise

By Leave a Comment

If Mindfulness Meditation Isn't for You, Try This Focusing Exercise Many folks who could seriously benefit from a bit of contemplative meditation somehow never quite get around to it. Mindfulness meditation offers real, tangible benefits, but like any skill, it requires regular practice. Without it, you can only expect minor improvements, which is where many people stumble.

If Mindfulness meditation seems too elaborate, here’s a simple way to start:

  1. Pick a regular daily task.
  2. Perform it at half the usual pace—slowly and deliberately.
  3. Tune in to the moment by observing your sensory experiences.

That’s all there is to it. There’s no need for intricate poses, calming playlists, or scented candles. Forget about searching for a zen-like sanctuary. Just stay present and plod through a daily chore.

For example, during a shower, slow things down. Turn the faucet gently and savor the sensation of the water on your skin and the temperature change. Then, pick up the shampoo and apply it to your hair with a deliberate, calm touch.

Similarly, on a casual stroll, walk with purpose and at a slow pace. Pay attention to each step, listen to the birds, and appreciate the blooming flowers to stay grounded in the present.

By slowing down, you highlight the physical and sensory aspects of your actions. You’ll notice more details and experience the richness of even the simplest tasks. Slowing your pace shifts your focus, helping you become more aware of how you perform and coordinate your actions with intention.

When your mind starts to wander, slow down. Check in with what you’re doing. Refocus on the present. It’s surprisingly effective.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Niksen: The Dutch Art of Embracing Stillness, Doing Nothing
  2. Zen in a Minute: Centering with Micro-Meditations
  3. Learn to Cope When You’re Stressed
  4. A Quick Way to De-stress: The “Four Corners Breathing” Exercise
  5. Busyness is a Lack of Priorities

The ‘What-the-Hell’ Effect: How Minor Slip-Ups Trigger a Cycle of Giving Up

By Leave a Comment

The What-the-Hell Effect: How Minor Slip-Ups Trigger a Cycle of Giving Up Sticking to goals can be challenging, and it’s easy to give up. Researchers use the term “What-the-Hell Effect” to describe how a minor slip-up—like skipping a workout after committing to daily exercise—can trigger a larger compromise. You might think, “I’ve already missed one workout, so I might as well skip the rest of the week.” This mindset often leads to abandoning the goal entirely.

A small lapse can trigger the belief that further deviation is acceptable, causing a pattern of greater indulgence or negative behavior due to a sense of hopelessness and loss of control. This cycle reinforces the negative behavior, making it difficult to stay on track.

Idea for Impact: Understand how the “What-the-Hell Effect” triggers a cycle of setbacks and develop strategies to maintain self-control. Since setbacks are inevitable, planning for them can help prevent minor issues from derailing your progress entirely.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Just Start with ONE THING
  2. The #1 Hack to Build Healthy Habits in the New Year
  3. Half-Size Your Goals
  4. Why Settle?
  5. Small Steps, Big Revolutions: The Kaizen Way // Summary of Robert Maurer’s ‘One Small Step Can Change Your Life’

Ditch Sarcasm—Don’t Hide Hostility Behind Humor

By Leave a Comment

Ditch Sarcasm---Don't Hide Hostility Behind Humor Sarcasm often masks hostility with a veneer of humor.

Even if you’re smiling, people on the receiving end of sarcastic comments can feel belittled and think you’re being a jerk.

The term “sarcasm” comes from the Greek “sarkázein,” which means “to tear flesh, bite the lip in rage, sneer.” It’s no surprise that intentional sarcasm is sometimes preceded by the word “biting”—it can hurt.

Plus, since our actions shape our thoughts and feelings, consistently using sarcasm might only increase your underlying hostility and insecurity.

I’m not saying all sarcasm is bad. When used sparingly, it can give a conversation a little extra zing, like a splash of lemon juice in a dish. But just as too much lemon can overwhelm the flavor, too much sarcasm can overshadow the conversation and make the mood sour. Even with the best intentions, sarcasm can sometimes come off as hurtful, condescending, or dismissive.

Idea for Impact: If you can cut back on the sarcasm, you might be well advised to do so.

Go for clever wit instead—humor that’s straightforward and harmless, like poking fun at the little ironies and quirks of daily life, without picking on anyone personally.

You’ll be happier, kinder. And your relationships will improve.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Avoid Control Talk
  2. How Small Talk in Italy Changed My Perspective on Talking to Strangers
  3. Avoid Trigger Words: Own Your Words with Grace and Care
  4. Thanks, But No Thanks: Well-Intentioned Reminders Can Resurface Old Wounds
  5. A Trick to Help you Praise At Least Three People Every Day

Fear Isn’t the Enemy—Paralysis Is

By Leave a Comment

Fear Isn't the Enemy---Paralysis Is So, you’re asking, “How can I overcome my fear?”

Alas, this isn’t the right question to consider.

Most of what you avoid is because you fear the fear itself.

Fear can be overwhelming or unpleasant, tempting you to stay in your comfort zone and avoid risks, like putting yourself out there or doing work that matters.

Remember, fear is not the enemy—paralysis is.

Facing fear doesn’t make you brave or fearless, but acknowledging it and pushing through does.

Ask yourself, “How do I embrace my fear?”

Fearlessness isn’t about having no fear; it’s about being aware of it and managing it.

Let it guide you rather than act as a barrier.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to Turn Your Fears into Fuel
  2. How to Face Your Fear and Move Forward
  3. A Mental Hack to Overcome Fear of Rejection
  4. Ask For What You Want
  5. Resilience Through Rejection