The Basics

How well do you practice the basics?

How aware are you of the basics in what you do?

What happens when you fail at them?

What happens when you nail them?

The basics are the key to anything we do.

If we lack in the basics, we will struggle.

Fancy performances are a sliver without the basics.

The basics form the foundation for great things.

How Hard?

How hard is hard enough?

Up to which point can you learn?

How much can you learn?

How is the rate of diminishing returns?

We learn from hard things.

Yet, if it is too hard, we learn nothing.

If it is too hard, we break ourselves.

There is a tipping point - don’t cross that.

Yet, life is hard, and we will cross the point.

Then, it is about survival, not learning.

You can try to learn thereafter.

Expensive or not?

What is expensive?

How do you gauge price points?

What is the actual trade you enter?

What might you forget to consider?

Often, the expensive option is not expensive,

yet we might not realise.

Usually, we buy more than what we realise.

We might buy peace of mind.

We might buy better access.

We might buy efficiency.

The list is long; remember to consider wisely.

Dance more

How often do you dance?

Why do you dance when you do?

Why don’t you dance if you don’t?

How do you feel when you dance?

We all can dance more.

Be it alone at home or in public.

Dancing celebrates life.

Dancing makes one happy.

It does not matter if you are good.

It only matters that you enjoy yourself.

Helping others

How often do you help others?

How happily do they let you help?

How badly do they need help?

How do you know it is time to help?

People often need help, yet don’t accept it.

Often they will come screaming for help,

yet only on their terms.

When you help others, do it on your terms.

Succumbing to others’ terms is a recipe for trouble.

Preserve the relationship: help on your terms or not at all.

To act or not to act

How do you know you need to act?

How do you know you'd better watch?

Where is the point of action?

What emotions do you feel?

With many things in life, we face two options:

to act or not to act.

If you have a feeling of potential regret,

it is a sign you might want to act.

If you have a feeling of complete resistance,

it is a sign you might want to watch.

Push through vs Staggering

How do you deal with big workloads?

Do you push through or stagger the load?

How do you feel once you are done?

Which delivers the better results?

Faced with huge workloads, we face two options:

Push through or stagger it.

I wish I could tell you one is always right.

Yet, in truth, they both have merit.

It depends on the situation and your stamina.

Be aware of what is possible, or face the consequences.

Our Start Into Life

How was your start into life?

What was your family like?

How many opportunities did you have?

Which burdens were put on you?

Which environment did you grow up in?

What talents were you born with?

We often forget the hand we were dealt.

We often forget how this influences our decisions.

We often forget how we try as best as we can.

We often forget to be kind to ourselves thereafter.

Be kind to yourself — life is not easy.

Meltdowns

How often do you have meltdowns?

When do you have them?

Why do you have them?

How do they progress?

Meltdowns happen to all of us.

To some more frequently and for different reasons.

Some key ingredients are needed:

Physical exhaustion, mental strain and task overwhelm.

When all three conditions meet:

Stop what you are doing and get some rest.

The alternative is not pretty.

Externally Determined

How many of your activities do you decide?

How much control do you have over your calendar?

Who else determines what you do?

Why is it the way it is?

Being in full control of what you do is bliss.

Most of us, however, are not.

We tend to be externally determined,

at least for part of our lives.

Self-determination is the path to self-empowerment.

Start with small steps and work up.

Not everyone can have full control,

yet every little bit counts.

What we do and don't do...

How often do you regret things that you have done?

How often do you regret things that you have not done?

How often are you happy about things you did?

And how often are you happy about not doing something?

Sometimes we don’t do things, and it is a pity.

Sometimes we do things, and that is a pity.

Life is one big learning experience.

We and we don’t; and this is the game.

Dwelling too much on this is pointless.

Learn from your past and execute now for the future.

Life is a game

How serious do you take life?

How stressed and anxious are you?

How do you feel while playing a game?

How could you make life feel like a game?

We tend to perform the best when we have fun.

We tend to be relaxed when we have fun.

Who is an expert at fun? - children are!

When we take things too seriously,

we end up stressed and anxious.

Life is a serious matter,

yet is a stressful life worth living?

Be more like a child and enjoy the ride.

Reaching Out

Who will you regret not reaching out to?

Why would you regret it?

How often are you prepared to reach out?

How should you reach out?

We all have conflicts in life.

We all have broken relationships.

Some of these lie heavy on us.

These are the ones we wish to fix.

It takes both parties to come together.

Yet, you can signal your readiness.

Often for years before it finally comes true.

And sometimes it might never be so.

Inheritance and Shame

How do you feel about your inheritance?

What do you feel ashamed about?

How many assets vs liabilities did you inherit?

What, apart from money, did you inherit?

Many people feel shame for what they inherit.

Yet, not all is good that is passed down.

Not only money and assets are passed down.

Don’t waste time with shame; it is useless.

Look at what you can do with what you receive.

Look at who you want to be — and be.

Rules and Community

How important are rules to you?

How important are rules to communities?

How often does breaking rules impact you?

How do you feel when it does?

Functioning communities have rules.

Rules that help the group live together.

Rules often reflect values and create boundaries.

Breaking rules breaks the values of the community.

And encroach on the personal space of others.

Think twice before breaking a rule.

Obligations and Liabilities

What do you think about obligations?

How many liabilities can you stomach?

When do you take them on?

Why do you take them on?

Obligations and liabilities are part of life.

For the most part, we can choose them.

And each of us has a personal threshold.

Some of us need more of them to succeed.

Others have the luxury to do it on their own.

Take on as much as you can carry.

Your gut will tell you where to stop.

Rushed Decisions

How quickly do you decide?

How often do you rush a decision?

Why did you rush any decisions?

What was the outcome of doing so?

Sometimes, we are put in a position to rush.

Usually, when we rush, we make mistakes.

Large stakes call for careful consideration.

Inconsequential decisions can be rushed.

When time is short, think very hard.

When you are pressured, think why.

The show stops here

When do you know it is time?

When do you know your limit is here?

How do you react when it arrives?

What should you have done?

We all have our limits.

Often, we don’t stop till it arrives.

However, we should take breaks before.

But, we do not feel the need.

Not till it is too late.

The show must go on…

Yet the show stops here.

The wrong Train

How often do you get on the wrong train?

How quickly do you realise?

How soon do you get off the train?

How expensive is each extra stop?

Is this really only about trains?

This is from a Japanese proverb.

It rings true for everything in life.

We often realise quicker than we think.

We often act later than we should.

The faster we act the cheaper the return.

Past, Present and Future

Where is your mind right now?

In the past, present or future?

How well can you focus on the now?

How well do you plan for tomorrow?

How well do you reflect on the past?

Living in the future causes anxiety.

Living in the past causes regret.

Yet, living solely in the present,

leaves you without a plan,

leaves you without learning.

Be 90% in the present, 5% in the future and 5% in the past.

Conscious time travel is the way to go.