The TOUGHEST Moments Are The Most INSPIRING Moments
The TOUGHEST Moments Are The Most INSPIRING Moments. Yesirrrrrs, I hope this is non-debatable. Recall back your past failures in life that sent shockwaves deep within you, those moments when you thought the whole roof was about to crumble down, pinning you deep down. Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra recalls this back when one foot was 'in the grave' when they lost the first NBA Play-in game against Atlanta Hawks and when the Miami Heat team was in the cusp of bidding adieu to the 2023 Season in their final Play-In game against the Chicago Bulls until Miami Heat, behind star player Jimmy Butler, triggered a 15-1 run that ultimately led to the last nail on the coffin for the Chicago Bulls. As Miami Heat prepares for the Eastern Conference Finals, Spoelstra looks back at that heartbreaking loss to the Atlanta Hawks that pushed them against the wall. Fast forward, they are now NBA's Top 4, four wins away from the 2023 NBA Championship Finals๐๐๐No one size fits all. That explains why we're here, to share my 2-cents where it's worth it.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The TOUGHEST Moments Are The Most INSPIRING Moments
Monday, June 12, 2023
Coping With Loneliness, Anyone?
Coping With Loneliness, Anyone?
LONELINESS? Such a boring thread today you might blurt. Let me share an extract from the www.statista.com fact sheet: In the NOV 2022 global survey, 33% [that is 33%, whew❗❗❗] of adults experience feelings of LONELINESS. So, let's agree that indeed LONELINESS is impacting our global village. So, it makes sense that today, our thread will be about Coping With Loneliness๐๐๐BTW, this prevalence of this LONELINESS dilemma should NOT be attributed to the recent pandemic, NOT at all because in fact and in truth, these numbers tapered off during the pandemic [when we were all locked-out at home together with our families]. So, no thanks to the pandemic, LONELINESS is a legitimate issue we need to look deeper. The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. VIVEK MURTHY stated that this pervasive dilemma in the U.S. where MORE THAN HALF of Americans are lonely [inclusive of young adults]⏳⏳⏳Not to unduly blow-out this dilemma because majority of us still live within the urban and metropolitan suburbs but this is the ugly head rearing behind us. Factor-in social media and we end up with a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde problem because social media goes either way. Lo and behold, for those wired and connected, they can proclaim 'I CAN LIVE WITH IT' but for the isolated ones, it's kind of pushing them deeper in those trenches๐๐๐So, regardless whether you're out there in the countryside or within urban areas, we're all in the same boat, dude. What's our FIX? First of, RECONNECT. It's true social media can be toxic BUT hey, you DON'T need to get 'toxicated' right? If a classmate or teacher from way back sends an FB Friend Request, give it a serious thought [of course you must ASSESS + VALIDATE a request]. Next, let us try to be LESS DISTRACTED. How often do you look at your phone when someone speaks with you? For QUALITY, focus on the conversation, give justice where it's due✅✅✅Hey, while we're egging you to reconnect via social media, do SCALE BACK on social media because Virtual connection is NOT a replacement for IN-PERSON TIME [except if your BFF is 10,000 miles away]. Dr. Murthy says IN-PERSON TIME helps us understand others via the tone of their voice and read their body language. C'mon, LET'S DO IT, DON'T belittle LONELINESS❗❗❗
Sunday, June 11, 2023
IT's OK Not To Feel GOOD ENOUGH
IT's OK Not To Feel GOOD ENOUGH
Are you stuck looking at yourself across the mirror? Not literally though but from a SELF-JUDGMENT context? But not to dampen us, psychologists advise that if you have DOUBTS on yourself, you're NOT alone. In fact, a plurality of us do get into these SELF-DOUBTS from time to time. Experts tag those moments of our SELF-DOUBTS as "SELF-EVALUATIVE THOUGHTS" that rattle through our brain. Whether it concerns our performance at work, some boiling turmoil' in our relationship with our spouse/partner or that unexpressed nervousness if we are capable to climb a 'steep' challenge we doubt but again, as psychologists say, IT's OK Not To Feel GOOD ENOUGH
All these are NOT our faults according to experts because long way back, humans had to compete with others for STATUS. Comparing ourselves to others was then once a SURVIVAL SKILL. And during those tribal ages, being 'EXILED' from one's tribe was a matter of LIFE and DEATH. That explains why we humans ended up with that FEAR of REJECTION, until todayHumans are too hanged-up with so many WANTS. WANT to get good grades. WANT to have more monies. WANT to be attractive. WANT to be in the center of everything. Just one too many WANTS
At times, we try to do everything we can to PROVE to ourselves and others that we are the VERY THINGS we want to see ourselves: as GOOD, MONEYED, STRONG, ATTRACTIVE, INFLUENTIAL but again, things DON'T work that way. Bluntly, it is actually our relentless trying to FEEL GOOD about ourselves that causes much of our distress. Isn't that a gross irony? When it is ourselves causing it❓❓❓
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Anxiety Anyone?
Anxiety Anyone?
Oh Oh Oh this seems a NON-NEWS to us, right ? Once we raise up Anxiety as a topic, many will protest, that's NOT worth to be our thread. But c'mon, we can flip things around so that Anxiety may lead us to clues if only to improve and make our lives better. We know for a fact that ANXIETY can feel like a heavyweight that we DIDN'T ask to carry in the first place. Of course, WHO would NOT want to get rid of it. Anxiety Anyone❓❓❓Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki points out that Anxiety is a natural human emotion, one that evolved to serve a purpose. We feel anxious when there is some kind of danger as it seems to prime our body to FIGHT or FLEE from that danger, hoping that we'll end up BETTER off. In the same way, our modern anxieties can be a warning signal for things that are wrong. Not having enough rest, lots of multi-tasking, isolation from others. Our anxious energy alerts us to change our lives for the better, according to Suzuki but sadly, majority of us [and that includes myself] are NOT aware of this proven premise๐๐๐Apparently, if we simply approach it as something to AVOID, get RID of or dampen, we NOT only DON'T solve the problem but we end up actually missing an opportunity to leverage that hidden power of ANXIETY. From an expert viewpoint of Suzuki, to do that, we first need to turn down the VOLUME of our ANXIETY so that we can listen to what it [our ANXIETY] has to say. Now, it might help if we go back to the very basic definition of ANXIETY which is that FEELING of FEAR or worry typically associated with situations of uncertainty⏳⏳⏳Apparently, GOOD ANXIETY comes with a better awareness that ANXIETY is protective, and going through all the exercises to allow us to take advantage of what ANXIETY originally evolved to do, which is, to put into action that will give us a better outcome๐๐๐So what's our FIX? Let us know the difference between GOOD versus BAD ANXIETY in our body. Chronic anxiety and stress is VERY bad for all our systems in our bodies. High levels of stress hormones can damage THEN KILL cells in our brain. On the other hand, GOOD ANXIETY is that 'warning system' that helps put us into ACTION. We heard about 'FIGHT or FLIGHT' versus the 'REST & DIGEST' part of our nervous system. And that is what we need to activate to bring us back to equilibrium when stressed. ANXIETY anyone? Not for me, not for us✅✅✅Friday, June 9, 2023
Petulance Is An Ingredient for FAILURE
Petulance Is An Ingredient for FAILURE
Oh, this is a recycled one-liner, that "FAILURE IS INEVITABLE". And of course, generally speaking, that is true. But, as much as FAILURE is a normal part of everyday life, we owe it to ourselves to realize that you DON'T have to stay in that state [of FAILURE]. FAILURE being normal, but getting stuck in FAILURE should NOT be the case. So, for today, we got to pin down the most common causes and culprits of FAILURE but in the midst of things, please allow me to highlight that Petulance [itself] Is An Ingredient for FAILURE. Once we start rattling down the most common causes or culprits of FAILURE, we will realize that PETULANCE is indeed an Ingredient for FAILURE. And as per Mr Webster, PETULANCE is defined as either bad-tempered, ill-tempered, impatient and veering to being childish And surely, everyone of us have been petulant few times in the past but that's fine๐๐๐
So, what are our common behavioral manifestations either bad-tempered, ill-tempered, impatient and veering to being childish? Topping our all-time list are EXCUSES EXCUSES and EXCUSES and I vividly remember hearing this funny sharing that EXCUSES are like armpits. We all have them and they all stink, whew. Whether we're person-specific or organization-specific who makes EXCUSES will never be able to accept that their FAILURE was caused by something they did or didn't do❗❗❗A petulant Obama, yes the former U.S. President? Yesirrrrrs, to be tagged as petulant does not shield even world power leaders. Whether it's in their work performance or the execution of their executive powers. those are common areas where they could have been tagged as PETULANT. Now, have you heard of the BLAME GAME? So, when you fail, what's the first thing we do? Oh well, for each of us, the first thing we need to do is to face the mirror [but which we DON'T do]. Instead, many of us [and I'm guilty of this in the past] would blame someone else๐๐๐You might challenge me and ask, where's the beef when we blame? Unfortunately, BLAME creates animosity and burnout and may even ruin one's relationship[s] and even one's business Instead, when you succeed in something, credit that to others' contributions. When you FAIL, start with the only person you can change. Coming close to the heels of BLAME is DOUBT. There's just a lot to be said for confidence๐๐๐Now, "Try TRY" which means TIME TO REINVENT YOURSELF. To quote famous American writer Mark Twain, 'ALL YOU NEED IN THIS LIFE IS IGNORANCE AND CONFIDENCE AND THEN SUCCESS IS SURE'. But here's the catch. That does NOT come easy. If you find yourself in DOUBT, just realize that you are capable of faith. Meanwhile, throw out through the window that disgusting PETULANCE because you DON'T need that in your recipe for SUCCESS✅✅✅Thursday, June 8, 2023
Do You Need To IGNITE Your Motivation
Have we ever thought that we Need To IGNITE our Motivation? Too bad, many of us [and I'm guilty of it several times in the past] would give MOTIVATION that lip service it does NOT deserve. Sometimes, we [wrongly] believe that MOTIVATION is as effortless as the rain [when it pours]. BUT WHAT IF THE RAIN DOES NOT POUR❓❓❓
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
FOCUS Causes 80% of Misses [and even Mishaps]
FOCUS Causes 80% of Misses [and even Mishaps]
Failed grades in school. Wrong output at work. Strained relationship with spouse and/or loved ones, businesses teetering and in the brink of bankruptcy. Driving snags hit on the way from office to work. Or long-haul drive resulting in an accident This sampling can go on and on but again, FOCUS Causes 80% of Misses and that includes this sampling of exceptions. Strange but all these share its commonality to a lost or weakened FOCUS๐๐๐Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Reading The Ball Off The Ball
Reading The Ball Off The Ball
Many of us get it so wrongly. Many [wrongly] think [until today] that we got to have that 'EYES TO THE BALL' because our whole life revolves around that ball. They got this absolutely wrong because in life, it constantly revolves even without the ball in proximity. In NBA basketball jargon, the best bench tacticians are so focused in Reading The Ball Off The Ball because by the time that ball gets right within you, time could be so fleeting, before you know it, it's OVER before you thought it has NOT started yet. Those are the fatal stories that end up prematurely all in flames because they failed to Read The Ball Off The Ball✅✅✅In the competitive world of sports, the very core of the trainings zero-in to Read The Ball Off The Ball. Breaking this colloquialism in the simplest terms, this means that we need to be STEP AHEAD and be able to paint all the possible iterations and scenarios so that whatever scenario happens, you have your scripted action plan. To be a STEP AHEAD does NOT need gargantuan efforts, if at all. This is all about being proactive and pre-emptive before thing turn south๐๐๐Off the ball means constantly plotting things out WAY BEFORE D-Day comes. It means plotting an action plan that covers Scenario A, B and even C. It means planning based on a list of WHAT IFs. And those WHAT IFs must revolve around the pitfalls and risks that may happen ahead of what you expect. By Reading The Ball Off The Ball, you draw that parallelism to the great chess grandmasters who spend even an hour or more to list each possible iteration and craft a plan of action based on assumptions. When and if a 1st assumption ends up wrongly, there must be a 2nd set of assumptions, a 3rd set and even a 4th set๐๐๐In the world of soccer sports, 80% of their trainings are designed OFF THE BALL. WHY? Because in the real game, 80% of the time, the soccer player does NOT have the ball. So, he has to run circles even to test his stamina. In the grueling NBA games, a player can NEVER be stationary, else the coach can bring you back to the bench to warm things all over again. start Reading The Ball Off The Ball dude because there's no other way for you to go❗❗❗Oh yes, this is a given, that indeed, BALL IS LIFE but that's not enough for us to fathom. We got to extend life before it gets snapped and at best, we need to pre-empt multifarious UNKNOWNS based on KNOWN assumptions. Common lesson here is that life is very IFFFFY and if you end up a step behind unfolding events in life, you could be dead in the water unless you Read The Ball Off The Ball⏳⏳⏳
Monday, June 5, 2023
That STEEP Road To Recovery
That STEEP Road To Recovery
Anyone there who can mentor us to avoid FAILURES? No way, Jose. The roads we're travelling are peppered with trenches and foxholes a.k.a. PITFALLS. Sooner or later, everyone FAILS at something. But does everyone really learn from their FAILURES? Sadly, so many studies have shown that most people struggled to grow from mistakes and defeats. Psychologists proved that most of us 'UNDERLEARN' from each FAILURE in our respective lives. Talking about That STEEP Road To Recovery๐๐๐
Effectively, experts are telling us that WE tend to avoid the LESSONS in FAILURE. Reality however is that FAILURE indeed bruises our ego. that metaphorical seat of our SELF-ESTEEM and importance. When we FAIL, we feel threatened and that sense of threat can trigger a 'FIGHT or FLIGHT' response 'FIGHT' in the context of FAILURE looks like a wholesale dismissal of our value of the task or criticism⏳⏳⏳
Whereas, 'FLIGHT' might be the more common response to FAILURE. When we flee FAILURE, we disengage our attention from the task that threatens our sense of ourselves as effective people. The challenge we have at hand is removing that EGO from FAILURE as much as possible by looking at other people's failures first before you take on a task yourself. In simpler terms, if you want to learn how to SKI or SWIM, it makes to sense to watch videos of people making mistakes before you hit the slopes or dip into the waters๐๐๐If negative emotions are getting in the way of your understanding, experts recommend SELF-DISTANCING TECHNIQUES. This involves thinking of your personal experience from the outside perspective of a neutral third party. Like WHY DID HE FAIL instead of WHY DID I FAIL? Research shows that when people adopt a SELF-DISTANCED perspective while discussing a difficult event in life, they make better sense of their reactions and end up experiencing less emotional distress and display fewer psychological signs of stress. In the long-term, they also experience reduced reactivity when remembering the same problematic event๐๐๐Ooooooops, experts encourage us to SHARE OUR OWN FAILURE STORY. But human nature dictates that we hide our own FAILURES [out of a sense of shame] but there are ways to turn FAILURE into SUCCESS by transforming it into a story of growth. Topping our bucket list is to RECOGNIZE our SUCCESSES. There are many ways to shore up our own ego. Now what comes next? THINK BEYOND FAILURE. Beyond that emotional challenge to our ego, FAILURE also presents a cognitive challenge, meaning that information from FAILURE can be harder to process than successful experiences. Indeed, THAT STEEP ROAD TO RECOVERY may seem so far and unachievable. But we got to roll with the punches, dude❗❗❗
Sunday, June 4, 2023
The Odds of Winning That Giant Stuffed Panda
The Odds of Winning That Giant Stuffed Panda
Surely, everyone of us have been to either a carnival or a leisure/gaming zone offering tons of games and that includes bringing hom te the bacon [that Giant Stuffed Panda] if your sot is 'spot on' But do we agree that The Odds of Winning That Giant Stuffed Panda is so low such that it's very likely you will run out of tokens till you 'TOP UP' and 'TOP UP' till you run out of pennies. Surely many of us [and that includes me several times in the past] tend to be so enamored with the glittering prize at the end of the road. Problem is the probability of winning over the prized reward was NEVER assessed. Hence, more often we often find ourselves STUCK IN THE MUD. No thanks to The Odds of Winning That Giant Stuffed Panda๐๐๐Straight from my thought processes...
Listen MORE To Yourself [MORE Than Listening To Others]
Listen MORE To Yourself [MORE Than Listening To Others] Fear and anxiety about life are challenges for every individual. And talking about ...
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