Right Attitudes

After Action Reviews: The Heartbeat of Every Learning Organization

June 15, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The After Action Review (AAR) is a formal group reflection process used by the military and other organizations to analyze critical decisions or moves.

At its core, the AAR seeks to answer four questions: What was planned, what actually happened, why did it happen, and how can we do better next time?

The focus isn’t on grading success or failure but on identifying weaknesses that need improvement and strengths that should be sustained. The knowledge gained from the AAR can then be shared with others who’re planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating similar efforts.

Conducted in an open and honest climate, the AAR involves candid discussions of actual performance results compared to objectives. It requires input and perspectives from all stakeholders involved in the project or activity. The goal is to ensure everybody feels part of the solution, not the problem.

AARs are a powerful tool for continuous improvement that enables organizational learning through reinforcing personal and organizational accountability and continuous assessment of performance successes and failures. They’re an excellent way to identify best practices (what should be spread) and errors (what shouldn’t be repeated.)

The wisest and smartest people and businesses can reflect ex post facto. As the saying goes, “He that will not reflect is a ruined man.”

Learning from Amazon: Getting Your House in Order

June 12, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Jeff Bezos is known for his far-sighted perspective and willingness to take bold risks that may not pay off for years. One of his most noteworthy ideas, which we can all learn from and integrate into our own mental frameworks, is the importance of streamlining processes and systems and preparing for expansion.

During the dot-com crash, Amazon’s stock price plummeted an astonishing 90%, hitting a low of just $6 per share in September 2001, down from its peak of $107 per share in December 1999. Bezos remained resolute despite the market’s instability and decreasing confidence in tech startups. Instead of losing his nerve, he doubled down on his long-term vision for the company. He saw an opportunity to reevaluate Amazon’s strategy and focus on achieving financial sustainability.

To this end, Bezos made numerous changes to Amazon’s operations, abandoning the “Get Big Fast” mentality of the startup culture in favor of a new approach focused on “Getting Our House in Order (GOHIO.)” According to Eugene Wei, who worked at Amazon as a strategy analyst from 1997 to 2004, Bezos insisted that his team concentrate on improving the company’s internal systems and processes, eschewing quick fixes or superficial solutions implemented during the company’s early, rapid growth phase. Every decision was aimed at achieving scale, discipline, and efficiency. Bezos also hired new managers to help guide the company toward financial stability.

Thanks to this strategic shift, Amazon weathered the dot-com crash and emerged as one of the most successful corporations in the world. And Bezos came to be widely regarded as one of the most brilliant and accomplished entrepreneurs of modern times.

Idea for Impact: By taking advantage of lull periods to get your affairs in order, you can set yourself up for success in the long run. Whether yearly, monthly, or even weekly, taking the time to get organized, clarify your vision, and establish efficient workflows can help you stay focused and achieve your goals more effectively. And by preparing your physical and digital spaces, mindsets, and personnel, you can create an environment that supports your aspirations and helps you reach your full potential.

Inspirational Quotations #1001

June 11, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi

Decisiveness is often the art of timely cruelty.
—Henri Becquerel (French Physicist)

Reality is not always probable, or likely.
—Jorge Luis Borges (Argentine Writer)

All the joy the world contains
Has come through wishing happiness for others.
All the misery the world contains
Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself.
—Shantideva (Indian Buddhist Scholar)

Certainly it is a heaven upon earth to have a man’s mind to move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth.
—Francis Bacon (English Philosopher)

Resolution is omnipotent.—Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something.—Aim at excellence, and excellence will be attained.—This is the great secret of effort and eminence.—“I cannot do it,” never accomplished anything; “I will try,” has wrought wonders.
—Joel Hawes (American Clergyman)

He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.
—George Herbert (Welsh Anglican Poet)

There is no fact that cannot be vulgarized and presented in a ludicrous light.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Russian Novelist)

When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.
—Cynthia Heimel (American Humor Columnist)

A small but brilliant advance made today by someone’s awareness may for the moment reach a very small audience, but insofar as it’s valid and beautiful, it will make its way and become part of the whole world of consciousness. So in that sense it’s all working toward this huge audience, and all working toward a better man.
—Conrad Aiken (American Poet, Novelist)

The soul’s impurity consists in bad judgments, and purification consists in producing in it right judgments, and the pure soul is one which has right judgments.
—Epictetus (Ancient Greek Philosopher)

It’s of no use to look back and say, “I should have been different.” At any given moment, we are the way we are, and we see what we’re able to see. For that reason, guilt is always inappropriate.
—Joko Beck (American Zen Teacher)

The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter.
—Dashiell Hammett (American Crime Writer)

Beauty must appeal to the senses, must provide us with immediate enjoyment, must impress us or insinuate itself into us without any effort on our part.
—Claude Debussy (French Composer)

Decluttering: Getting Rid of the Stuff Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Getting Rid of Everything

June 8, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Marie Kondo the renowned Japanese organizing consultant and author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (2010) presents a radical approach to decluttering. Her philosophy challenges us to reassess the value we attribute to our belongings and discard anything that fails to “spark joy.”

However critics argue that Kondo’s minimalist approach can detach us from sentimental attachments and oversimplify the decluttering process. They particularly question her suggestion of limiting books to a maximum of 30. Yet Kondo emphasizes that her approach is tailored to her own preferences and that the critical aspect of tidying is discovering our individual sense of value. In a recent interview with IndieWire Kondo explained,

The most important part of this process of tidying is to always think about what you have and the discovery of your sense of value what you value that is important. So it’s not so much what I personally think about books. The question you should be asking is what do you think about books. If the image of someone getting rid of books or having only a few books makes you angry that should tell you how passionate you are about books what’s clearly so important in your life. If that riles you up that tells you something about that. That in itself is a very important benefit of this process.

Ultimately the purpose of decluttering is not to let go of possessions that hold meaning for us. It’s about creating space for the things that genuinely bring us joy and contribute positively to our lives. If your personal library brings you happiness there’s no need to limit it.

Idea for Impact: Sort sentimentality from satirical simplification. If certain items hold sentimental value such as mementos a record collection or family heirlooms it is perfectly acceptable to keep them. The important principle is to let go of possessions that no longer serve a purpose and make space for what holds greater significance in our lives.

Addition Through Subtraction

June 5, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Humans are obsessed with adding extra elements to attempt to solve our individual and collective problems. When companies want to change, for example, they almost always add something to the mix: a new department, new requirements, a new business strategy, or new ways of doing things.

Strangely, we’re drawn to complexity even if it’s far simpler to make things difficult and far more difficult to make things simpler. Sometimes it’s to signal that we’ve done something to build upon what was. According to Leidy Klotz’s Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less (2021,) “The problem is that it can be harder to show competence by subtracting. When we transform things from how they were to how we want them to be, we need proof—to show mates, competitors, and ourselves. … . No matter how beneficial an act of subtraction is, it’s not likely to leave as much evidence of what we’ve done.”

Simpler solutions are often harder to spot. Many great inventions made things simpler, not more complex. Besides, the most creative people thrive not by devising intricate complexities but by exploiting overlooked simplicities—splitting stuff up into its constituent parts to reinterpret, reduce, reconstitute, or even eliminate them altogether.

Idea for Impact: Addition through subtraction can be an exceptionally effective mental model in business as in life.

Actively pursue subtractive changes. Relentlessly look at everything in your work- and home-life to discover if there are simpler options and fewer “moving parts” to achieve the same goals. Subtract your priorities. Subtract obstacles to our goals. Subtract jargon and complexity from your presentations. Subtract barriers to a more engaged team. Subtract to eat better with more nutritious, less-processed foods. Subtract your software of unnecessary features. Subtract all clutter for faster, clearer decision-making.

When it comes to building more fulfilling life practices, addition through subtraction doesn’t always work, but it surely won’t work if you don’t even consider the possibility.

Life’s much easier when kept simple and streamlined.

Inspirational Quotations #1000

June 4, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi

If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, it will but grow, and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everything in its way.
—Emile Zola (French Novelist)

However big the fool, there is always a bigger fool to admire him.
—Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux (French Literary Critic)

It is useless to talk with those who do not understand one and troublesome to talk with those who criticize from a feeling of superiority. Especially one-sided persons are troublesome. Few are accomplished in many arts and most cling narrowly to their own opinion.
—Murasaki Shikibu (Japanese Diarist, Novelist)

The hardest decisions are the ones that don’t maximize upside, but merely avoid a greater loss.
—Jeffrey Immelt (American Businessperson)

A man in good health is always full of advice to the sick.
—Menander (Greek Comic Dramatist)

Youth is not the age to seduce, it’s the age to be seduced.
—Colette (French Novelist, Performer)

All the fallacies of human reason had to be exhausted, before the light of a high truth could meet with ready acceptance.”
—Max Muller (German-British Orientalist)

A nation’s strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own, and not in what it can borrow from others.
—Indira Gandhi (Indian Head of State)

Any committee that is the slightest use is composed of people who are too busy to want to sit on it for a second longer than they have to.
—Katharine Whitehorn (English Journalist)

A good conscience is a continual feast.
—Robert Burton (English Scholar, Clergyman)

The danger inherent in all force grows stronger when it is likely to gain success, for then it becomes temptation.
—Rabindranath Tagore (Bengali Poet, Polymath)

Society presses upon us all the time. The progress of the last half century is the progress of the frog out of his well.
—R. K. Narayan (Indian Novelist, Short-story Writer)

The enemy is at home.
—Karl Liebknecht (German Socialist)

A man that hath no virtue in himself, ever envieth virtue in others. For men’s minds, will either feed upon their own good, or upon others’ evil; and who wanteth the one, will prey upon the other; and whoso is out of hope, to attain to another’s virtue, will seek to come at even hand, by depressing another’s fortune.
—Francis Bacon (English Philosopher)

It is a mark of wisdom not to kick away the very step from which we have risen higher. The removal of one step from a staircase brings down the whole of it.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (Indian Hindu Political leader)

When overwhelmed, after doing any needed planning, just stay in the moment and put one foot in front of the other.
—Marty Nemko (American Career Coach)

Chastity is not chastity in an old man, but a disability to be unchaste.
—John Donne (English Poet, Cleric)

How Thought-Stopping Can Help You Overcome Negative Thinking and Get Unstuck

June 1, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

To avoid getting trapped in negative thoughts such as “No one will hire me,” “I’m so angry,” or “I’m an imposter,” thought stopping can be a lifesaver. This technique is particularly effective in preventing your mind from fixating on distressing situations. The more frustrated and irate you get, the more likely you are to avoid thinking about it. But then you end up blaming yourself for remaining stuck.

When you catch yourself indulging in unproductive thoughts, immediately shout “STOP!” and shift your focus to a productive task. You can take a small step toward your goal by reading an article, watching a video, or reaching out to a trusted friend for suggestions on how to enhance your situation.

It’s also vital to assess if the negative thought is justified or if there’s anything you can do to improve the situation.

While it’s true that thought-stopping alone may not be adequate to address all causes of being stuck, it can still be a potent tool to help you identify negative thoughts that play repeatedly in your mind. Once you become aware of these thoughts, you can break free from the cycle of negativity and move forward positively by taking small steps to get unstuck.

Potluck Perfect: The Dos and Don’ts of Etiquette

May 29, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Potluck parties are a great way to bring together friends and family on a budget, but just because they’re casual doesn’t mean etiquette should be forgotten. Here’s what both hosts and guests need to know:

For hosts, it’s essential to be clear about what guests should bring, pre-plan the menu, and ensure expectations are within guests’ abilities and budgets. Ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Non-cooks and visitors-to-town should be allowed to bring a charcuterie tray or bakery dessert.

Give guests small, simple jobs, but make sure they’re easy and convenient.
Encourage socializing. Introduce guests to each other and plan some group activities to get everyone interacting. Plan fun activities, such as lawn games, music, or a bonfire (if weather permits.)

For attendees, let the host know in advance what you’re bringing and check what others are bringing. Let the host know if you want to prepare or bring something else.

Bring enough food for everyone to try some and put some effort into it; don’t show up empty-handed or with something as simple as a bag of chips. Put some effort in. Don’t be disrespectful to those who’ve slaved over the stove.
Don’t bring a dish or dessert with a serving missing. If your family demands a taste test, divide your preparation into individual servings and transfer them onto a decorative plate.
Don’t bring something only you can eat or something super exotic. Stick with what you know and opt for creative dishes from your family or tradition.
Don’t bring a dish that needs to be finished or heated in the oven; bring everything you need to serve your dish.
Put your dish’s ingredients on an index card and place it next to your pot, so guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions will know what they can eat.
If you have dietary restrictions, don’t make a big fuss; bring something you can eat.
Arrive on time, offer to help wash up, and try to taste a little bit of everything. Don’t double-dip when eating appetizers or touch all the rolls in the basket.
Complement other dishes, ask for a recipe if you’re interested, and don’t expect to leave early with your dish or leftovers unless the host suggests it.

Idea for Impact: A successful potluck gathering is akin to a warm embrace that envelops all in attendance, making them feel right at home and where there is plenty of delicious food and drink to go around.

Inspirational Quotations #999

May 28, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi

The sure sign of a weak man who ascends to glory is that he can’t tolerate having strong men around him.
—Clive James (Australian Writer, Broadcaster, TV Critic)

Regrets are idle; yet history is one long regret. Everything might have turned out so differently!
—Charles Dudley Warner (American Essayist)

Anyone who has ever scanned the bookshelves of a new girlfriend or boyfriend- or peeked inside his or her medicine cabinet- understands this implicitly; you can learn as much – or more – from one glance at a private space as you can from hours of exposure to a public face.
—Malcolm Gladwell (Canadian Journalist, Author)

You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.
—Jim Rohn (American Entrepreneur)

Nobody likes to be criticized, but unless their faults are pointed out to them every time, football players just don’t develop, regardless of how much talent they have.
—Harland Svare (American Football Player, Coach)

Yet one thing secures us what ever betide, the scriptures assures us the Lord will provide.
—Isaac Newton (English Physicist)

Anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity.
—Thomas Merton (American Trappist Monk)

In every branch of knowledge the progress is proportional to the amount of facts on which to build, and therefore to the facility of obtaining data.
—James Clerk Maxwell (Scottish Physicist)

In our factory, we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope.
—Charles H. Revson (American Businessman)

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
—Sun Tzu (Chinese Military Leader)

Each of the arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a muse, no god being found worthy to preside over them.
—Eliza Farnham (American Reformer)

My principal method for defeating error and heresy, is, by establishing the truth. One purposes to fill a bushel with tares; but if I can fill it first with wheat, I may defy his attempts.
—John Newton (English Clergyman, Writer)

Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening-those which, when shared, multiply. Our least valuable possessions, on the other hand, are those which, when divided, are diminished.
—William H. Danforth (American Businessman)

Some of the best navigators don’t know where they’re going until they get there, then they’re still not sure!
—Jimmy Buffett (American Singer-Songwriter)

Availability Heuristic: Our Preference for the Familiar

May 27, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that can lead people to rely on readily available information or emotionally charged and inherently interesting examples when making decisions or judgments. Essentially, individuals tend to overestimate the probability of events that are easy to recall or that they’ve personally experienced, while underestimating the likelihood of less memorable or less frequent events.

In other words, the ease of retrieval of a misleading cue may make people rely on evidence not because it is dependable but because it is memorable or striking and thus psychologically available to them. They may do so even if the evidence is not logically acceptable or does not logically support their decision.

Doctors often depend on recalling their past dramatic cases and mistakenly apply them to the current situation. People may overestimate the crime rate in their community based on news coverage, even though crime rates may be relatively low. People may dismiss the reality of climate change if they’ve recently experienced a cold winter or heard of a cold snap in a particular region, even though global warming is a long-term trend. Individuals are more likely to purchase insurance after experiencing a natural disaster than before it occurs. In each of these scenarios, the vivid and emotional evidence feels more persuasive rather than it being the most accurate or reliable information.

The availability heuristic can also shape people’s perceptions of air travel safety and lead them to believe that flying is more dangerous than it really is. Airplane accidents are often sensationalized and highly publicized by the media, making them more memorable and more prominent in people’s minds. This can cause individuals to perceive the risk of flying much higher than it actually is, leading them to avoid air travel even though it is statistically one of the safest forms of transportation. In reality, many less vivid and less memorable (i.e., psychologically unavailable) things are much more dangerous than air travel, such as falling down stairs, drowning, choking, and accidental poisoning.

Avoid falling prey to the availability heuristic and making serious misjudgments about the risks associated with different situations. Acknowledge that personal experiences and recent events may not accurately reflect the overall reality of the situation.

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Idea for Impact: Addition through subtraction can be an exceptionally effective mental model in business as in life.

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