There are two problems with writing in a way that is complex and self-serving.
The first problem is that people will not understand.
The second problem is that people will not raise their hands to tell you they did not understand. You’ll go home thinking everything is clear. And you’ll be left wondering why you are not achieving what you were expecting to achieve.
Keep things simple.
Simple is also what you like to read, after all.
We are experts on how to live the lives of others.
We know exactly what others should do, say, wear. We know how they feel and what motivates them. We tackle their problems better than if they were our own. We plan, argue, debate for them. We know everything, we hear everything, we understand everything.
And when it is our turn, we are stuck.
We are wonderful spectators and mediocre actors.
Because being under the spotlight is never easy. It is not for us – and indeed, we come up with many excuses when that happens -, it is not for those around us.
Start here to develop empathy.
Start here to get going.
What you do is always going to be met with criticism.
Not everybody is going to like it, not everybody is going to agree with it, not everybody is going to want to hear, read, listen more.
The way you approach this basic fact is going to determine how much you are going to achieve. Make it a focus, try to change minds, invest in proving them wrong, and you will be depleted in no time. Take it as an assumption, filter what can help you, muscle through the rest, and you’ll have a real shot at unleashing your potential.
You are not here to please everybody.
Can you ask somebody to help you?
Can you put your ego aside and recognize that somebody else might have a perspective on a matter that would actually improve your own understanding?
Can you step on your fear and embarrassment and ask a simple question that might unlock tremendous progress?
Can you suspend your judgment and assumptions and open yourself to listening to what the other has to say?
Can you accept that somebody would care as much as you do?
Help is the most precious thing there is, for all the parties involved.
We do not leverage that enough in business and organizations.
If you want to get everything done today, you will most likely end up doing nothing.
If you keep your queue open to the latest request, you will most likely end up doing nothing.
If you force yourself to do a task when you are just not in the right mindset, you will most likely end up doing nothing.
If you put yourself at the center of a mass distraction, you will most likely end up doing nothing.
If you are asked to explain what you do as you do it, you will most likely end up doing nothing.
There are plenty of ways to do nothing, and arguably just one to actually achieve something.
Take control of your attention.
You've got this 