How to Choose the Right Tool for Growth Change doesn’t happen on its own. But the way we approach change can make or break whether it sticks. Sometimes we need a clear target. Other times, we need to move forward without knowing exactly where we’ll land. That’s the difference between SMART goals and iterative change. […]
SMART Goals & Iterative Change Read More »
When people think about spies, they probably imagine secret meetings, dead drops, disguises, and surveillance. But behind the mystique lies something more useful that we can use in our day-to-day lives. In counterintelligence, one of the most powerful tools for evaluating risks from spy’s is the Access, Motivation, and Control (AMC) framework. It helps us
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A lot of time and money is spent on frivolous things in the vain hope that they will help us feel “good.” Here’s a shocker. This will not work… and feeling “good” might not be what you actually need. Pushed & Pulled to the Un-Necessary The basic idea used in marketing is to establish a
Few of us will ever face the harsh realities of being imprisoned or enslaved, but we are at risk of being captured by the undue influence of others through emotional targeting of our needs and desires. Let’s talk about how to protect ourselves from this type of maligned influence. Needs and Desires Everyone has basic
You are Free to Choose Freedom Read More »
The “World” is a crazy place and at times it can seem like it is spinning out of control… because it very well might be, and usually is… At times like this, my resolve to stay focused on what I can control is pushed and tested. It is tempting to get into the headlines, the
The World Will Spin, but We Can Stay Steady Read More »
I’m a fan of Jocko Willink, especially the idea he espouses that “Discipline equals freedom.” In this context I’m not thinking about discipline as a form of punishment, reprisal, or consequence. It is more akin to self-control and personal mastery. It is the use of willpower to exert a sense of order onto the presence
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I really like the idea of thinking about our emotions as the fuel that powers our motivation engines. When you look at the fundamental principles for how an engine works it is basically a controlled explosion pushing a piston to generate mechanical force. For this process to work you need three critical components. Start with
Fuel for Motivation Read More »
From the Stoic perspective there are three main areas of our lives that require dedicated attention and energy to develop. They are our desires, our motivations, and our ability to reason. Increasing our capability and capacity in each of these areas enables us to make decisions that enable us to live the life we want
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Here are the three key principles underlying Stoicism – Perception, Action, and Will. Perception: How do you see and interpret the world? Action: What are the right things to do at this moment? Will: Have you willingly accepted what is outside of your control or influence? If you aren’t living the life you want to
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