We tend to associate
progress
with forward movement.
But forward movement
is not necessarily
progress
if in the wrong direction
In fact,
it may be
the opposite
of progress.
May we check
our direction
before assuming
progress.
Quotes
Same Thing
When someone says
the same thing
over
and over
and over again.
There lies an opportunity
to explore the depth
and nuance
of the supposed
“same thing”
with the realization
of empathy.
The Other Side of Cannot
“That’s not
something I can do…”
may simply be
an incomplete sentence,
implying the ending
“…without support.”
Exit
“This
will be
your second exit.”
I remarked.
“What will you do
next?” I asked.
“Now
I want to live
my own life.” answered
the founder.
“Whose life
have you been living?”
I asked.
“The investors’.”
he answered
without hesitation.
Big Lesson
“What has been
one of the biggest
lessons you’ve learned
this year
as a coach?” he asked.
“That it’s ok
to cry
with clients.”
I replied.
For Your Own Good
At first,
I assumed people hurt others
with malicious intent.
Then I learned,
most people are hurt
by people
with good intentions.
People
who cared
and had compassion
for them.
People
close to them.
People
who told them
“This
is for your own
good.”
Privilege
One way
to discuss privilege
is to focus on the burden of gifts
others
have given us.
Wealth,
Opportunity,
Access…
Another way
to discuss privilege
is to focus on the gifts
we have
to give.
We cannot always force others
to give their gifts
to people
other
than ourselves.
But we can give
our own gifts
to anyone
we choose.
Misunderstanding Perfection
Perfection
is a feeling.
What is perfect
to one
is imperfect
to another.
What is perfect
one day
is not perfect
the next.
We can misunderstand perfection
if we focus solely
on clarifying the measurement
of perfection.
We can better understand perfection
by clarifying the tension
underlying the drive
for perfection.
It wasn’t the Culture
He thinks
he cultivated a company culture
that motivated me
and brought out
my best.
In reality,
I thought he was the father
I never had.
I was motivated
not to work hard,
but to get his _love_
instead of my father’s.
Why?
Because it was easier.
After all,
all it required
was to work
hard.
Working hard
was not enough
for my father.
I’m glad
the culture didn’t block me
from seeking his love,
but it wasn’t the culture
that motivated me
or brought out
my best.
Flow and Empathizing
Apr 4th 2014 12:55pm ET
Dear Dr. Csikszentmihalyi
It occurs to me
that the sense of “oneness” we feel
when we empathize
may be related
to the sense of “oneness” we feel
when we’re in flow.
Have you ever wondered
if they were related?
Would be an honor
to hear from you,
with much gratitude
slim
Apr 4th 2014 2:33pm ET
Hi Slim,
That feeling
is something you can experience
as a result of different ways
of organizing your attention:
By feeling a sense of awe
looking at the ocean or the starry sky,
by meditating,
or by engaging in an activity
that produces flow.
I don’t know
whether these are exactly the same
— we have no way to measure “oneness”
except by relying on subjective accounts —
but they sure sound very
similar . . .
Best,
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi