Tag: values

As little as possible

FabrizioLeave a comment

We worry about outcomes, about others, about our thoughts, about others’ thoughts. About projects and plans. About the world, the media, and the result of elections thousands of kilometres away. About feelings, about effects. About the presentation we are giving tomorrow. About the email we are about to send. About the future of our kids and of humanity in general. About the pandemic. About our favourite team. About the next job. About not having a job.

We worry about this and much more. And we gradually wear off.

Make worry last as little as possible.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of its strength.

Corrie Ten Boom

First, then

FabrizioLeave a comment

First perfect the making of the dough, then go buy the perfect oven and tools to cook the best pizza.

First learn to communicate transparently and effectively, then go buy the app that makes your company more open and inclusive.

First establish a practice of running, then go buy the equipment that will make you feel more like a pro.

It’s easier to start with the details that embellish the core. It makes us feel as if we are doing something important, as if we are going in the right direction. But if you do not get the core right, you have nothing to fall back onto when you realize details are just details.

Creatures of habit

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The place where I usually do grocery shopping recently changed the small bags for fresh produces. They used to have a type with strap handles, and now they have one with no handles. That bothered me. Because before it was easy to close them, while now they are left open, and fruit and vegetables come out when I am at the counter.

Today my 7-years old daughter came with me. She took a small bag with no handles, put pears in it, and closed it with no efforts. She took another one, put tomatoes in it, and again closed it with no efforts.

The point is that we are creatures of habit.

We tend to do things the same way we always did, even when things change, even when it does not work anymore. And that’s why it is valuable to have somebody who does things differently around, somebody who has a different background, who thinks in a different way, who never before had the chance to get used to small produce bags with handles.

The first step is to recognize we do not have all the answers. It is easier said than done.

The most important person

Fabrizio1 Comment

The most important person in the world is you.

There is no job that will make you feel great, successful, complete if you are not well.

There is no relationship that will make you feel appreciated, rewarded, loved if you are not well.

There is no friend that will make you feel important, happy, improved if you are not well.

Take good care of yourself. Before you reach out, before you help, before you start, before anything else.

Take good care of yourself and make a practice of it.

You will always be ready.

Compromised

FabrizioLeave a comment

When you underplay a problem that was brought to your attention, you are compromising the relationship.

You might have very good reasons to do that. Perhaps the problem is not a problem to you. Perhaps you are scared the problem might jeopardize your status. Perhaps you just have no idea what to do about it. Perhaps you are set on your goals and targets and do not want to get distracted.

You pretend it is not there, and the other person is impatiently waiting for your response.

You just have to ask yourself: is it worth it?