Test, Test and Test

How often do you test things?

How can you test more?

How can you make a big decision into a test?

How do tests help you?

We often forget that we can test things.

We don’t have to make a final decision.

Most big decisions can be tested.

At least crucial parts of it.

Some cannot, which makes them significant.

Test what you can, guess what you can’t.

You Created This

What in your life do you despise right now?

Whose actions are annoying you?

How are they annoying you?

Why do you despise the things you do?

Our decisions in life lead to consequences.

Often, it is many years after the decision point.

Sometimes they come immediately.

Whatever you face in life, remember,

At some level in life, you have created this.

Your current situation and reality are up to you.

The only way to get out is to own it.

Love & Hate

How often do you despise someone you love?

How do you feel when this happens?

Why does this happen when it does?

What do you think about it?

People we love can drive us crazy.

They can be moody and annoying.

They have bad days, just like us.

It is normal to despise them on some days.

It is normal that they despise you some days.

Take a deep breath and rock it through.

Shapes and Sizes of Mistakes

How many mistakes do you make?

How big are the mistakes you make?

What type of mistakes are they?

How does this add up?

Some mistakes are small,

Some mistakes are big,

Some are bad timing,

Some are faulty understandings,

Some are wrong decisions,

They come in all shapes and sizes.

They all add up, big and small.

Many small ones are worth a big one.

Or a small one will make all the difference.

Or it will not matter at all.

Observe and find the mistakes you can,

then correct them one by one.

Intent, actions and outcomes

How do you react to an action you dislike?

How aware are you of the person’s intent?

How aware are you of the potential outcomes?

What intent do you interpret into it?

Often, we will be furious with another’s action.

Yet, we will not know their intent.

We will not even know the outcome yet.

We often interpret a malicious or egoistical intent.

It helps to have a conversation first.

It helps to embrace the action and maximise the outcome.

Control the Narrative

How well do you control the narrative about you?

Are you aware of what it should be?

Who else tries to control your narrative?

How can you gain better control?

What is the narrative you want to communicate?

Most of us are not in control of our narrative.

Often, other people control it.

Your friends, your family, your colleagues, society or the media.

However, you can gain control of it.

Think about what the narrative should be.

And start to communicate it proactively.

Unwanted blessings

How often do you receive blessings?

How often do you not want them?

Why did someone try to help you?

How did they try to help you?

Why did you not like it?

Often, people will do something good for us.

Yet, we do not appreciate the help.

People help for many reasons,

not always for your benefit, but theirs.

When you help another, ask first,

act after you have received permission.

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.