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Communication

189 – Be Brief and Get Read

by Jill

In today’s information-saturated world, mastering the art of brevity can significantly enhance how we communicate. The book “Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less” by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz, offers invaluable insights into the utility of conciseness. This discussion revolves around how brevity not only makes communication efficient but also ensures it is impactful.

Despite the avalanche of words we face daily—through emails, social media, and incessant notifications—it’s evident that our attention spans are dwindling. Research cited in “Smart Brevity” highlights a shocking reality: on average, individuals spend about 26 seconds on a piece of content. This shift in reading habits underscores the importance of getting to the point quickly.

“Smart Brevity” argues that the secret to effective communication lies in the ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly without sacrificing depth. This approach is about enhancing readability and engagement through structured, precise language. The book emphasizes four key strategies to achieve smart brevity:

  1. Muscular Tease: Begin with a compelling headline that accurately reflects the content’s essence, avoiding misleading or clickbait titles.
  2. The Lede: Your opening sentence should capture the essence of your message, ensuring it’s the takeaway if the reader goes no further.
  3. Context: Quickly pivot to why the message matters, anchoring the reader’s interest based on relevance to their needs or curiosity.
  4. Depth and Detail: For those interested, provide a deeper dive without veering off into verbosity. This part is about enriching understanding while staying concise.

“Smart Brevity” also delves into the cognitive aspects of why brevity is essential. Our brains, bombarded with information, often default to skimming rather than deep reading. Therefore, clear and concise writing helps penetrate the noise, making it more likely that our words are read and remembered.

Moreover, the book challenges traditional norms of communication, where verbosity was often mistaken for thoroughness. In professional settings, this can mean transforming how emails are written or how meetings are conducted—focusing more on bullet points and essential facts rather than prolonged narratives.

Implementing the principles of “Smart Brevity” could lead to more effective email communication, more engaging articles, and even more concise meetings. It’s about respecting the reader’s time and attention span by delivering information in a manner that is both quick to read and easy to understand.

In conclusion, as we navigate through vast oceans of content daily, “Smart Brevity” serves as a crucial guide to making sure our words count. By embracing brevity, we not only enhance our ability to communicate effectively but also improve our chances of truly being heard in this fast-paced world. Remember, in brevity, there is clarity—and power.

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Tools

188 – Sharing Creativity with Others

by Jill

In today’s bustling world, creativity often feels like a finite resource—hard to find and easy to lose. However, “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon presents a refreshing and encouraging take on how to nurture and sustain creativity in any field. We explore pivotal lessons that promise to unlock the creative genius within us all.

The Essence of Creativity: Austin Kleon’s central thesis is disarmingly simple yet profoundly impactful: creativity is for everyone, and it thrives on the act of borrowing and remixing ideas. We reflect on how this concept resonates and transforms our approach to content creation. Rather than waiting for a muse, Kleon encourages us to actively seek inspiration by engaging with the work of others and combining disparate ideas into something new and unique.

The Unifying Power of Personal Voice: A key takeaway is the importance of personal voice in creative work. Kleon argues, that the unifying element of any creative endeavor is the creator themselves. This perspective is liberating. It suggests that diversity in our interests—be it productivity, nature, or the Bible—can coalesce into a cohesive whole when filtered through our individual perspectives and passions.

Embrace Hobbies and Share Generously: Kleon champions that hobbies are not just leisure activities but vital to our creative health. There is joy in exploring new skills and learning without the pressure of monetization. This leisurely exploration can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and restore our creative energy.

Furthermore, Kleon stress the significance of sharing work with others. The act of sharing is not just about seeking validation but about entering a dialogue with the broader creative community. It’s an opportunity to receive feedback, find collaborators, and refine one’s voice.

Navigating the Creative Process: The book delves into the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies creative projects, as outlined by Kleon. From initial excitement to inevitable doubts and eventual breakthroughs, understanding this cycle can prepare us for the challenges and help us push through to completion.

Living Creatively Beyond the Work: Perhaps the most resonant message from both Kleon’s book is the emphasis on building a creative life, not just creating works of art. This means keeping a day job to remove financial pressures from creative projects, using obscurity as a learning phase, and constantly seeking rooms where you’re not the smartest person. It’s about embracing a lifelong journey of learning, sharing, and growing.

Conclusion: “Steal Like an Artist” doesn’t just offer a methodology for creativity; it gives permission to be unabashedly curious, to make mistakes, and to find joy in the act of creation itself. Its longevity in success as a testament to the book’s enduring relevance and power. As we move forward, let’s carry Kleon’s insights with us, emboldened to steal, remix, and share our way to creative fulfillment.

https://austinkleon.com

Steal Like An Artist
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Tools

187 – The Art of Creative Borrowing Inspiration

by Jill

In the realm of creativity, the line between inspiration and imitation is often blurred. Austin Kleon’s seminal work, “Steal Like an Artist,” challenges us to rethink this boundary, arguing that all creative work builds on what came before. This concept isn’t just liberating; it’s a call to action for anyone seeking to inject originality into their work, be it writing, art, or any form of expression.

Kleon suggests that nothing under the sun is truly original, echoing the ancient wisdom of Ecclesiastes. This idea might seem disheartening at first glance, yet it’s incredibly empowering. Recognizing that all creative endeavors are interconnected allows us to freely draw on the vast expanse of existing work for inspiration. The key, however, lies in how we use these influences.

“Steal Like an Artist” offers a roadmap for transforming borrowed ideas into something uniquely ours. Kleon advocates for a creative process where borrowing is not merely copying but a deep engagement with the works that move us. By dissecting what we love and why we love it, we begin to understand the underlying principles that can be adapted to our own creative pursuits.

The book also emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with a diverse array of influences. This eclectic collection becomes a personal toolkit from which we can draw when forging our path. It’s not about mimicking one hero but rather absorbing a spectrum of ideas and styles to fuel our creative fire.

Moreover, Kleon encourages us to embrace our influences, seeing ourselves as part of a broader creative lineage. This perspective not only helps us find our voice but also connects us to a community of thinkers and makers, past and present. It’s in this communal exchange of ideas that creativity truly flourishes.

“Steal Like an Artist” isn’t just a guide for the creatively perplexed; it’s a manifesto for a more open and interconnected approach to art and innovation. By acknowledging that all creations stand on the shoulders of giants, we can boldly venture forward, adding our voice to the chorus of human creativity.

https://austinkleon.com

https://austinkleon.com/steal

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2024Happiness

186 – Embrace Adventure And Live Fully

by Jill

In our quest for a fulfilling life, Bear Grylls’ book, “How to Be a Scout,” offers a treasure trove of wisdom that extends far beyond the wilderness. This reflection is not just about embracing the outdoors but also about integrating the spirit of adventure into our daily lives.

Grylls’ philosophy centers on the STOP acronym—Stop, Take a moment, Observe, and Plan. This principle is not only vital for wilderness survival but also serves as a powerful metaphor for facing life’s challenges. When confronted with difficulties, instead of yielding to panic, taking a moment to assess the situation can often reveal a way forward. This approach encourages a mindset of resourcefulness over despair, a valuable lesson in both nature and the corporate jungle.

Moreover, Grylls emphasizes the importance of protection, rescue, water, and food (P-R-W-L), a hierarchy that can be adapted to any crisis situation, reminding us of the fundamental priorities in moments of peril. His advice to dream big but start small and the importance of a ‘shakeout run’ before embarking on significant ventures resonates well with both adventurers and entrepreneurs alike. It’s about testing the waters, learning from the minor setbacks to prepare for the grand journey ahead.

The essence of Grylls’ message is about pushing beyond our comfort zones. The comfort zone, while safe, often becomes a barrier to growth and fulfillment. Grylls encourages stepping into the fear zone as a gateway to the learning zone, where real growth happens. This transition is crucial for setting new goals and embracing life’s adventures with a growth mindset.

But perhaps the most striking aspect of Grylls’ philosophy is the emphasis on being true to oneself and the power of positivity. He champions the use of positive language not only to uplift oneself but also to inspire those around us. This approach aligns with the spirit of scouting, urging us to see life itself as an adventure filled with endless possibilities. In conclusion, Bear Grylls’ insights from “How to Be a Scout” remind us that adventure is not just about exploring the wilderness but about embracing the vastness of life with courage,

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Uncategorized

185 – Unveiling Life’s Blueprint Through Scouting

by Jill

In the tapestry of life, few threads are woven as intricately and with as much care as the lessons learned through scouting. It’s an odyssey that transcends the mere act of tying knots or pitching tents under the starlit sky. Instead, it lays down a blueprint for building character, fostering resilience, and nurturing a profound connection with the natural world. Bear Grylls, a name synonymous with adventure and survival, attributes his scouting experiences as foundational to his journey. This article explores the essence of scouting and how it shapes individuals into exemplary human beings, drawing insights from Grylls’ narrative and personal anecdotes from those touched by this timeless institution.

Scouting, at its core, is about preparation. “Be prepared,” the scout motto, is more than a catchphrase; it’s a philosophy that equips individuals with the skills to face life’s unpredictabilities with confidence and grace. Grylls’ adventures, both on and off the screen, echo this principle. From navigating treacherous landscapes to surviving extreme conditions, the ethos of scouting sunshine – or the ability to find light in the darkest of times – has been his guiding star.

But scouting’s curriculum extends beyond survival. It’s a holistic education in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Scouts are taught to lead by example, to set clear objectives, and to work collaboratively towards common goals. These lessons in leadership and teamwork are invaluable, translating seamlessly into personal and professional spheres. Grylls himself is a testament to this, seamlessly stepping into roles that demand these very skills, whether it’s leading expeditions or guiding celebrities through wild terrains on his shows.

Perhaps the most profound lesson scouting imparts is the cultivation of values. Kindness, bravery, gratitude, determination – these are not just words to a scout; they are virtues to live by. Grylls emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and extending a hand of friendship and support to those around us. This ethos fosters a community of individuals who are not only prepared for life’s adventures but are also compassionate and empathetic, making the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.

Moreover, scouting instills a deep respect for nature. The principle of leaving no trace teaches scouts to tread lightly on the earth, preserving its beauty for generations to come. This environmental stewardship, coupled with a hands-on education about the flora, fauna, and celestial bodies, nurtures a lifelong bond with the natural world. Grylls’ respect and understanding of nature’s laws are reflective of these early lessons, guiding his survival strategies and environmental advocacy.

In conclusion, scouting is more than an extracurricular activity; it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Bear Grylls’ narrative is a vivid illustration of how scouting’s lessons in preparation, leadership, values, and environmental consciousness can sculpt individuals into well-rounded, resilient, and compassionate beings. It’s a call to action for all of us to embrace these principles, to be prepared not just for the wilderness but for the unpredictable journey of life itself. Whether it’s facing challenges with optimism, leading with kindness, or safeguarding our planet, the blueprint for a fulfilling life can often be found in the simple yet profound lessons of scouting.

https://www.beargrylls.com/

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2024Happiness

184 – The Power of Curiosity and Connection”

by Jill

In this episode, I share with you my thoughts on Brene Brown’s book “Braving the Wilderness”. I was particularly struck by the concept of ‘true belonging’, which Brown explores in her book. She argues that true belonging comes from standing in one’s truth, even when it’s uncomfortable or different from those around us.

Brown also talks about ‘braving’ as an acronym, with each letter representing a different aspect of the process of learning to stand in one’s truth. I found it really helpful to break it down like that: setting boundaries, being reliable, holding myself accountable, not sharing information that isn’t mine to share (the ‘vault’), having integrity, being nonjudgmental, and being generous in my interpretations of others.

But it’s not just about standing in our truth – it’s also about reaching out to others, even those we might not understand or agree with. I think it’s so important to ask questions, be curious, and truly listen to understand others, rather than simply picking a side in a conflict. It’s a crucial aspect of braving the wilderness and being able to stand in our truth.

Of course, braving the wilderness isn’t always easy or comfortable. But I believe that kindness is key in all interactions. Despite the difficulties, it’s important to always bring kindness to our interactions with others. If you think of someone with whom you’re having difficulty understanding, ask them, “Tell me more.” Let’s bridge gaps and build connections!

https://brenebrown.com/book/braving-the-wilderness/

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Happiness

183 – The Power of Your Authentic Self

by Jill

I talk about the book from Brené Brown Brave the Wilderness which about the importance of being brave and bringing everyone in, even those we don’t agree with. She explained that true belonging is about standing in our own opinion, presenting our authentic selves to the world, and having the courage to stand alone when necessary. She also mentioned that belonging is an innate human desire to be part of something larger than ourselves, which often leads us to try to acquire it by seeking approval and fitting in. However, true belonging can only happen when we have self-acceptance and present our authentic selves to the world.

She went on to say that true belonging is not something we can gain or something that someone can give us. It’s something we carry in our hearts. Once we believe thoroughly in ourselves, true belonging becomes ours. She challenged us to think about a situation where we feel ourselves trying to gain admiration, appreciation, or a sense of belonging from someone else. She suggested that we can start small and show ourselves that we can stand as our true selves and be okay with it, without looking towards others for validation.

In conclusion, Brene was inspiring by telling us to connect with others and to be kind. It reminded me of the importance of being authentic and standing in our own opinion, even if it means standing alone. It’s only when we have self-acceptance and believe in ourselves that we can experience true belonging. I hope you take the challenge and think about a situation where you can be your authentic self and stand alone.

https://brenebrown.com/book/braving-the-wilderness/

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2024Work

182 – Turn Your Ship Around

by Jill

In this podcast episode, we’re delving into the world of leadership, through the experience of a commanding officer plays in shaping the culture and morale of their ship. We will review the book It’s Your Ship, Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff. We’re exploring how the principle of “ownership” can transform a low-morale ship into a thriving, successful vessel. Captain Abershoff allows his crew to take ownership of their areas of responsibility, allowing them to make decisions and solve problems independently unless it would cause significant monetary loss or harm to the ship or crew. This way, the crew members feel more involved and responsible, which increases their overall morale and productivity.

We’re discussing how he fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the crew is vital in improving their morale and productivity. He enabled small gestures, like improving the quality of food or organizing beach barbecues, to make a significant difference in boosting the crew members’ spirits. The commanding officer also encourages personal growth among his crew by helping them improve in their areas of interest and promoting them based on their performance.

But leadership also means knowing what your company, country, ship, its mission and your boss needs for you to do. You should be aware of their goals in order for the ship to fulfill those goals and to create trust between you and the leadership. Once you have built that trust, you will have more ability to make changes for your team.

We’re examining some of the challenges and potential pitfalls of this leadership style. While it successfully turned the ship around, it created some animosity among other ship commanders who felt threatened or uncomfortable with the unconventional approach. The commanding officer reflects that he could have been more diplomatic in dealing with his counterparts and built bridges instead of alienating them.

In conclusion, a commanding officer, family leader or any leader can significantly influence their team’s morale and productivity. Fostering a sense of ownership, community, personal growth, and fun can profoundly impact the team’s performance.

https://www.mikeabrashoff.com/

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2024Happiness

181 – Get out of the Rut of Overthinking

by Jill

In this episode, we explore the topic of overthinking and how it can negatively impact us. We discuss the book ‘Overthinking’ by Daniel Michaels, where the author suggests that overthinking is a safety mechanism that helps us make decisions. However, it can often lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. 

Overthinking can have both mental and physical effects. It can cause us to perceive patterns that do not exist, leading to insomnia and undue stress. This can escalate to the point where we jump to conclusions that may not be true, such as thinking that people dislike us or are against us. 

I share strategies to break out of this cycle of overthinking, such as identifying and aligning with our values, journaling to get ideas out of our heads, and taking action. Finding hobbies or activities is important to help shift our focus away from stress. We also highlight some cognitive distortions associated with overthinking. Lastly, we emphasize that gratitude can help combat overthinking by fostering a positive outlook. 

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2024RelationshipsWork

180 – Great Opportunity in the Cave of Fear

by Jill

 We wrap up our conversation on Joe Polish’s book “What’s in It for Them? Nine Networking Principles to Get What You Want by Helping Others Get What They Want.” and highlight the fact that many jobs, especially in retail, require such an ability. Even if your current job isn’t your dream job, getting it right is necessary for growth and finding your ideal role. I stress the importance of bravery in dealing with difficult people and situations.

Joseph Campbell talked about our fortune being inside ‘the cave of fear,’ a metaphor for challenging situations or difficult people. It is easy to work with nice individuals, but when you can resolve an issue for someone who is challenging, it makes you stand out.  I also emphasize the significance of understanding people’s preferences, likes, and dislikes. Treating others as they would like to be treated can build stronger, more effective relationships.

Be memorable in a positive way. Being memorable doesn’t necessarily mean being flashy or showy; it could be about your unique experiences, skills, or problem-solving ability. Meet in person wherever possible and treat every conversation as important. 

People want to feel special and cared for and that their problems matter. Thus, every interaction and conversation is an opportunity to make someone feel valued. The goal is to try and understand what makes that person tick. 

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