A Reminder About Apple's Success

In Simon Sinek’s first Ted Talk - he draws out why he thinks Apple is so successful.

Simon argues that Apple simply believes in thinking differently and thus because of that - they consistently challenge the status quo.

This gets me thinking that if I really believe in living a fulfilled life - then I would consistently look at anything I am doing that is not fulfilling.

Because, as Simon says - “What you do is simply proof of what you believe.”

What do your actions demonstrate about what you believe?

1 Reminder for How to Deliver Tough Feedback with Ease

When delivering feedback, remember to advocate for the person to whom you are giving the feedback.

So often, we are frustrated with someone or we are a bit nervous about delivering challenging feedback, that we forget that the point of the feedback is to help the person grow.

Often, when delivering feedback, I will explicitly say to the person that I care about them and that I’m sharing these things with them with the intent that it enables them to grow.

I’ve found this to be massively resourceful and creates better outcomes in these types of conversations.

2 Books to Read this Holiday Season

If you know me at all, I love to recommend books. I love reading. I love sharing books that move me.

This past year, I read 2 books that changed my perspective on the world quite dramatically.

Both of the books I recommend here are written by people who, respectively, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. One with stomach cancer, the other with brain cancer.

I chose to read the books because I wanted to see the perspective of people who knew they had a certain time left to live. I was intrigued.

I was not disappointed. Both books changed me.

Note: Both are emotional books, as you can imagine. They will most likely make you want to hug your loved ones and soak up life’s moments.

The Keys Were There The Entire Time

When I’m talking with someone, whether at a dinner party or with a client - I often see things with the following approach. I find this approach really fun and interesting.

I assume that the person I am speaking with has a future in mind that would really excite them beyond their wildest imagination.

I also assume, that to some degree, that future is happening, and to some degree, it is not happening.

Sometimes I visualize that the person has locked themselves in a prison cell and has dropped the keys, yet somehow forgotten that the keys are laying there on the ground. (At any point, they could pick them up and let themselves out).

But for some reason, I find that people struggle to let themselves out.

The prison cell provides a bit of a comfort zone.

Picking up the keys and letting oneself out comes with responsibility.

And often, I think I am in conversations with people to remind them that they have the courage to leave the prison cell.

Because I hope you are there to remind me of the same.

The Dark Thought, The Shame, The Malice...

I came across this poem from Rumi recently and wanted to share it here with a few thoughts:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)

__________

My favorite part of the poem is when he tells us to “meet them at the door laughing…” - the dark thought, the shame, the malice.

In just the past year or so, I have learned that it is possible to honor, to respect, and even to laugh at the dark thoughts that come through us. Previously, I’d often be paralyzed by the shame and the malice.

I’m created systems in my life to now honor these things. To sit with them. To respect them.

When I do this, I find they have less of a control over me.

And I’m more free.