Alex Honnold talks about his epic assault on El Capitan and climbing in general…
How I climbed a 3,000-foot vertical cliff — without ropes
The Power of Focus Themes
One of the most important concepts to learn as you figure out your 2024 plans comes from David Allen: “You can do anything you want, but you can’t do everything you want.” [Free Workshop this Monday]. Source: The Power of Focus Themes – The Sweet Setup
Bruce Lee’s Never Before Revealed Letters to Himself About Authenticity, Personal Development, and the Measure of Success
“This is the entire essence of life: Who are you? What are you?” So wrote young Leo Tolstoy in his diary of moral development. Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940–July 20, 1973) was around Tolstoy’s age when he turned to this central question of existence more than a century later and approached it with the same subtleness of insight and sincerity of spirit with which he approached all of life. Source: Bruce Lee’s Never Before Revealed Letters to Himself About Authenticity, Personal Development, and the Measure of Success
Keep Your Focus on What Is Important
Rick Hanson has always been one of my favorites. He says “the most important thing is to remember the most important thing.” (I prefer ‘the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” but you get it) Source: Keep Your Focus on What Is Important
How to Get Off to a Great Start at a New Job
I start a new job tomorrow for what I hope will be the last time. I asked AI to synthesize some thoughts on how to get off to a great start and this is what I got:
“Starting a new job can be both exciting and daunting. Here are some tips to help you get off to a great start:
- Prepare ahead of time: Familiarize yourself with the company culture, mission, and values. Research your new role and the responsibilities it entails. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and help you hit the ground running.
- Dress professionally: Dress appropriately for your new workplace. If in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Maintaining a professional appearance will make a positive impression on your colleagues.
- Be punctual: Arrive on time or a few minutes early. Punctuality shows respect for your new job and colleagues. It also helps you avoid unnecessary stress on your first day.
- Listen and observe: Pay close attention to your colleagues, managers, and the office dynamics. Listening and observing will help you understand how things work and how you can contribute effectively.
- Build relationships: Take the initiative to introduce yourself to your colleagues. Be friendly, approachable, and show an interest in getting to know them. Building positive relationships will make your transition smoother and create a supportive work environment.
- Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re unsure about something. It’s better to seek clarification than to make assumptions. Asking questions also demonstrates your eagerness to learn and contribute effectively.
- Set goals: Discuss your goals and expectations with your manager. By setting clear objectives, you can ensure you’re aligned with the company’s vision and work toward achieving success in your new role.
- Take initiative: Be proactive and take on additional responsibilities when appropriate. Show your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute beyond your assigned tasks. This will help you stand out and make a positive impression.
- Stay organized: Establish good organizational habits from the start. Keep track of deadlines, important information, and tasks. This will help you stay on top of your workload and ensure you’re productive.
- Stay positive: Adaptability and a positive attitude are key when starting a new job. Embrace the challenges, learn from your experiences, and maintain a positive mindset. This will help you thrive in your new environment.
Remember, starting a new job is a learning process. Embrace the journey, be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek…”
The Noble Art of Self-Deception
“How is it possible to deceive oneself? Wouldn’t one immediately recognize the trickery if attempted? In reality, we are surprisingly adept at deceiving ourselves, often unconsciously. Psychologists have long understood that people live with various kinds of life lies, but self-deception manifests in many more contexts.” Source: The Noble Art of Self-Deception | Psychology Today
Stop drinking, keep reading, look after your hearing: a neurologist’s tips for fighting memory loss and Alzheimer’s
When does forgetfulness become something more serious? And how can we delay or even prevent that change? We talk to brain expert Richard Restak: Stop drinking, keep reading, look after your hearing: a neurologist’s tips for fighting memory loss and Alzheimer’s
Learning how to learn via Barbara Oakley
Engineering professor Barbara Oakley is co-teaching one of the world’s largest online classes, “Learning How to Learn”, https://www.coursera.org/course/learning.
I learned about Barbara reading David Amerland’s excellent book ‘Intentional’…
Your attention didn’t collapse. It was stolen! via @abrianclark
My brother from a different mother down under Brian Clark shared this article with me to kick off the new year and I think it’s worthy of your attention as well: “social media and many other facets of modern life are destroying our ability to concentrate. We need to reclaim our minds while we still can”. Sounds like a worthy endeavor! Read the article here: Your attention didn’t collapse. It was stolen
If you really want to drill down on this issue, here’s a book from the author of the Guardian article that could help:
Bright, shiny objects! 