Why NARRATIVES Are Damn Important

Why NARRATIVES Are Damn Important

Do we buy it that of all things in life, our very NARRATIVES Are Damn Important?  Even APPLE, the giant company founded by Steve Jobs, hosted a special event last September 12th in Cupertino, California but as events hosting seem so trivial and mundane, APPLE, more than any other company, seemed to have mastered the ART of NARRATIVES📗📙📘

And as APPLE launches iPhone15, the very core of their 'STORY' is focused on how its products affect people's lives.  It has become an essential part of the way it launches its new products.  One of its favorite genres involves the stories HOW the APPLE WATCH has saved someone's life.  APPLE CEO Tim Cook has talked how the company gets letters from people WHO were wearing the APPLE WATCH, notifying them of irregular heartbeats, as an example  👠👠👠

Last September 12th, APPLE's iPhone15 Launch started with a four-minute film titled 'ANOTHER BIRTHDAY' and the film featured eight people [including a mom and her unborn daughter] who celebrated another birthday because their lives were SAVED by a feature on an APPLE device.  Just a snipper of the four-minute clip, there's the mother whose APPLE WATCH warned her of a high heart rate, causing doctors to rush her to an emergency delivery, SAVING both her life and her daughter's❗❗❗

Oh, that was incredibly effective [and that is NOT speaking hyperbole].  It was NOT the company saying 'BUY OUR STUFF OR YOU DIE IF YOU USE GALAXY PHONE' but instead, its NARRATIVE says "WE THINK THESE FEATURES ARE CORE PART OF GIVING PEOPLE PEACE OF MIND [AND THAT EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR BRAND].  Swinging over to our life, we got to admit that, as early as NOW [OR was it YESTERDAY], we should be crafting the narrative💎💎💎

Why did Hollywood's 'WALK OF FAME' become such an annual ritual so much so that it is a MUST-DO event for celebrities?  Simple.  It's because the NARRATIVE tells us that Hollywood celebrities are part of our lives in our living room, when we go for a movie binge, when we relish our 'lazy' weekends with movie streaming.  So, dude, do start crafting your NARRATIVE [in case you have yet to start it]❗❗❗

What Sets Apart FINISHERS Versus QUITTERS?

What Sets Apart FINISHERS Versus QUITTERS?

What Sets Apart FINISHERS Versus QUITTERS? Wowoweee, this should be an interesting question which seems so trivial but hey, we need to realize that is the tipping point between FAILURE versus SUCCESS.  Simply put, the basic difference between QUITTERS and FINISHERS is more often in their mindset and subsequent actions [OR inactions]. QUITTERS tend to give up easily when faced with obstacles or challenges while FINISHERS [a.k.a. WINNERS] tend to be utterly persistent and eventually will overcome such obstacles they're facing. So, are you a FINISHER?  Or a QUITTER❓❓❓

Before I get whacked, let me qualify that this 'small debate' is neither black nor white.  Fact is, at some points in our life, we do end up as a QUITTER.  Real life examples, in pursuit of one's lofty ambition to be a pilot, he is so focused UNTIL one day, there is an air mishap in his on-the-job flying school classes.  And that pushes the flying school student to quit because of a traumatic experience.  That's an outlier💎💎💎

A glaring difference between FINSHERS and QUITTERS is that the former would tend to learn from their mistakes and use/apply them as opportunities for growth or to make a headway for a breakthrough, even if that is a very 'small opening' towards an opportunity.  Whereas, QUITTERS, on the other hand, tend to dwell on their FAILURES until it lets them get discouraged from trying again❎❎❎

So, what's the ultimate difference between QUITTERS and FINISHERS?  It is there in their intestinal fortitude in the way they do approach and handle the challenges in life.  As a personal testament, several times in my past, I was on the verge of really QUITTING [as I felt I have exhausted everything I could from my reservoir and I [wrongly] assessed at those super-down times that I had to raise the WHITE FLAG because there is nothing else I can summon from the deepest recesses of my inner self❗❗❗

Oooops, there are EXCEPTIONS though, things that we encourage you to QUIT.  IF social media is gobbling you up, IF smoking is wreaking havoc deep inside your lungs, IF drugs and alcohol would seem to turn your life upside down, IF your character and discipline are the very ROOT CAUSE[s] when you are in deep turmoil, then please do QUIT pronto.  Other than those exceptions, let's think about it, being a FINISHER [and NOT a QUITTER] is NOT a tall order.  BTW, it is NOT a huge sacrifice and definitely NOT a steep mountain to climb for us to be a FINISHER [a.k.a. WINNER] and NOT a QUITTER✅✅✅

[Unless You're Driving] DON'T Get Glued On The Rearview Mirror

[Unless You're Driving] DON'T Get Glued On The Rearview Mirror

[Unless You're Driving] DON'T Get Glued On The Rearview Mirror.  Oooops, our thread today is neither about SAFETY nor DRIVING.  Instead, this is how we live our life and as much as possible, minimizing or even avoiding to look back at our past if looking back would mean that you will end getting 'hostaged' by your past, delaying or worse, disabling you to move forward in life💊💊💊

It is more first asking ourselves if we are more tied up by our past instead of looking forward in our future.  And while we all have made mistakes in our past, that is a given but the bigger question looming over us is, WHAT DO WE DO DIFFERENTLY IF WE HAD A CHANCE? We could ask someone about their regrets and surely we will learn a lot.  That's because everyone can think of at least one thing they wish they had done another way📌📌📌

But as we all committed mistakes in our past, the guilt over past mistakes can become paralyzing if it 'CONSUMES' us.  Regrets can either burden our life OR motivate us to move forward.  Unfortunately, we CAN'T just UNDO or REDO what has been done OR not done.  We can, however, take steps to get over the guilt and move past regrets.  So, culling from our past experiences, let's find pronto our FIX.  Primero, it is still a MUST that we do a look-up at the rearview mirror because we need to understand our mistake[s].  True, remorse follows but it is important to understand the source of our remorse and acknowledge our rationale for either doing OR not doing, at that point in time💎💎💎

After all the remorse for such mistakes in our past, let's face it, we need time to GRIEVE if it is not too late to alter the feeling of REGRET by taking some kind of action like reconciling with that other party, whether it is your partner/spouse, a family member or a work colleague.  And sometimes, we do have that opportunity to apologize if we REGRET how we handled a situation with another person.  Then, if there is something you can do now, DO IT❗❗❗

Where an aggrieved party is involved, if you need to FORGIVE, do so, make amends, and convey your REGRET.  We DON'T always have the chance but we still need to express these upsetting emotions that could be limiting our present happiness.  And that's when we got to grab the chance to EXPRESS our feelings.  Bring those swarming, remorseful feelings out of your head.  Bottomline is we should CUT & CUT CLEAN because we CAN'T GET GLUED WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR because our focus should be driving forward✅✅✅

Do We OWE It To AWE?

Do We OWE It To AWE?

Not felt or seen on the surface but maybe the science of AWE is worth our talking point today.  Do We OWE It To AWE?  The majestic falls in Niagara., the splendor of Taj Mahal, the cliff-hanger game-winning shot of Lebron James, the breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon, a child being born, what else will induce our deep feelings of AWE?  And as AWE is a complex emotion that can be difficult to precisely define, we have to be aware that feelings of AWE can either be positive OR negative.  And Psychologists call AWE as self-transcendent, something wherein it shifts our attention away from ourselves, making us feel as a part of of something greater than ourselves💎💎💎

Studies also show that quite instantly, AWE can change our perception of time, and even may make us more generous toward others.  Dr Dacher Keltner's research says that AWE does NOT only make us FEEL GOOD but effectively it is also good for our well-being.  And a key influence of AWE is that we feel a SENSE OF CONNECTION to something larger than ourselves.  And AWE encourages us to be more compassionate even as it makes us healthier📌📌📌

What we can cull from studies and researches is that cultivating experiences of AWE is especially important and helpful now as we renew our energy and make plans for a much hopeful future.  Experts further claim that beyond physical effects like tingling and goosebumps and a lowered heart rate under stress, AWE also affects us emotionally.  Studies have also led to believe that people who experience AWE report higher levels of overall life satisfaction💎💎💎

At this point, you might still be puzzled if it seems I'm making a mountain out of a molehill BUT experiences of AWE have been associated with lower levels of reported stress.  That AWE can actively help reduce stress even goes well beyond simply stress relief because apparently. by experiencing SOMETHING BIGGER than us helps us transcend our frame of experience by expanding our mental models and stimulating new ways of thinking✅✅✅

Listening from experts how we can cultivate experiences of AWE, for us at work, a simple and powerful way to experience AWE is to step away from your desk and take an 'AWE WALK',  Take time to wander and be curious and observe the everyday beauty around you, even if it's your yard or neighborhood.  BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.  Awhile ago, I stepped out and I was in AWE when I saw my neighbor [for more than 10 years now] repainting his home, and that AWE experience even seemed very effortless.  For us locked in our laptops working remotely, take advantage of the wonders at your fingertips on the web.  Whether you go to Instagram or elsewhere, please do because that AWE experience will do you wonders❗❗❗

Finding Our PURPOSE Is Our Common Dilemma

Finding Our PURPOSE Is Our Common Dilemma

Finding Our PURPOSE Is Our Common Dilemma whether you're fresh out of college OR in your 30s OR just retired.  Trying to figure out your new DIRECTION in life can be Xtremely tough and that's a tall order.  This is also relevant if you are living a life you're NOT satisfied with and hope to change your life's DIRECTION.  So let us NOT dilly-dally and beat around the bush because we got to figure this out PRONTO because time is fast slipping past us and sometimes what we seem to hear is a ticking time bomb about to explode anytime soon📌📌📌

Primus inter pares, first among equals, you got to DRAW THE LINE [asap please] between THINKING and OVERTHINKING.  Unfortunately, there is no hard baseline you should NOT breach because things become circumstantial and situational.   Studies also show that 73% of 25 to 35 year olds and 52% of people between 45 to 55 years do chronically OVERTHINK💎💎💎

While taking time to think about big life decisions is important, OVERTHINKING leads to paralysis, deferred DECISIONS and even SELF-DOUBT and in the end, INACTION.  With every obstacle that comes up, let us ask ourselves:  IS THIS A GENUINE CONCERN OR AM I USING THIS AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO FOLLOW MY PASSION BECAUSE I'M SCARED❓❓❓

Once you have hurdled THINKING versus OVERTHINKING, do TAKE ACTION.  Finding the right DIRECTION in life is NOT something that happens to us everyday.  Instead, it is something to create.  This means that some point, we have to STOP THINKING about taking action and simply START ACTING. One of the reasons we DON'T act is FEAR.  We're scared of messing up, scared of things NOT working out✅✅✅

One thing we often miss out is that TAKING ACTION does NOT mean we're committing to that path FOREVER.  Were allowed to change our mind.  We CAN deviate or even CHANGE COURSE if need be. If things DON'T work, reboot, reset and re-map your ACTION PLAN.  Let us throw away in the window thinking that FINDING OUR PURPOSE IS OUR DILEMMA📗📙📘

What If OPINIONS DIFFER?

What If OPINIONS DIFFER?

What If OPINIONS DIFFER?  But hey, that's the stark and naked TRUTH.  OPINIONS will always differ because per se, they are OPINIONS.  Whether you are at home OR at your workplace OR at your business operations site, OPINIONS will move across all directions, of which are a combination of solicited and unsolicited OPINIONS.  In short, differing OPINIONS will be here to stay with us✅✅✅

The worst situation to be in is if one or more of the 'players' in a particular setup would expect him/herself to have a monopoly of what is RIGHT or WRONG when OPINIONS will matter.  No sirrrrrs.  So WHY are different OPINIONS important?  From a workplace perspective, studies show that different OPINIONS reduced risks by 30% while improving innovation by 20%📘📙📗

On the other hand, NOT all OPINIONS are OPINIONS.  Some of them are FACTS BUT articulated AS IF it is an OPINION of the speaker.  And that scenario is common for us to witness clashes when someone articulates his 'OPINION' vociferously when in TRUTH, what he is spewing out is NO less than a FACT and TRUTH at that💎💎💎

So, how do we avert such unnecessary conflicts arising from discussions?  SIMPLE.  If what you're stating is a FACT, say so, state so.  It will be an act of BAD FAITH if you keep articulating AS IF it was your own OPINION [when in truth, you were lifting your statements either from policy statements, documents or factual information].  Let us swing into our private lives at home.  You can be the family breadwinner BUT you DON'T have the monopoly of the correct OPINIONs.  In the confines of your homes, a healthy discourse with your partner/spouse is the least you need📌📌📌

When all things are said and done, more often, we CANNOT tag a YES or a NO to each OPINION because in almost all cases, nothing is enough for a conclusive end to tag a specific OPINION as either RIGHT or WRONG because sometimes almost all OPINIONS are partly correct.  So what's our FIX?  Get the best of both worlds.  Find the 'MIDDLE GROUND' because more often than NOT, we got to 'marry' various OPINIONS together❗❗❗

When Is Midlife Crisis?

When Is Midlife Crisis?

When Is Midlife Crisis?  Is this a silly question?  No sirrrrrs.  WHY?  Because for some, 50s is the MIDLIFE.  For many others, midlife defaults to 40s.  But of late, many are claiming that midlife kicks in @ 30s ?  Oh oh oh.  Do you have a conjecture why some are claiming 30s as the MIDLIFE ?  Probably, it's because crisis after crisis is hitting those who get into the 30s cycle, just maybe

But of late, I realized that it could surprise us BUT it shouldn't shock us to hear MIDLIFE CRISIS @ 30s.  With many woes we hear from the 30s generation.  ANXIETY. BOREDOM. DEPRESSION.  And even SLEEPING issues that exacerbate from struggling to sleep to waking up in the wee hours OR [frequently we hear this], sleeping less than six hours a night.  Now, we have a ballgame for our thread today❌❌❌

Worst of things when we get hit with increased feelings of nostalgia, ruminating over past experiences and spending $$$$$ EXCESSIVELY or just utterly irresponsibly.  Studies show that that INNER TURMOIL about reaching MIDLIFE could begin with a specific TRIGGER IN LIFE OR simply stemming from feelings of dissatisfaction OR disconnect with reality❎❎❎

Often, our midlife crisis kicks in after stages of grief, usually beginning with some feelings of DENIAL followed by ANGER.  The crisis phase may next include constant ruminations about WHAT COULD BE and replaying the past or impulsive and reckless behaviors, the stress of which may result in feelings of DEPRESSION or WITHDRAWAL.  The biggest question is HOW LONG will that midlife crisis linger in our life❓❓❓

So how long will our midlife crisis last?  Good grief.  The amount of time a person experiences the symptoms of a midlife crisis heavily hinges on the FREQUENCY of FEELINGS and HOW they chose to resolve them.  In brief, there is NO fixed timeline, NO prescribed dosage, NO guaranteed formula.  Everything is in our hands.  Up to us when we want ourselves to be over the hump with that MIDLIFE CRISIS❗❗❗

Just Never Give Up!

Just Never Give Up!

Please allow me to re-post this one from Quora.com [by Dasha Taran].  "151 DAYS AGO, I FOUND MYSELF SHAKING IN MY KITCHEN TRYING TO COOK EGGS.  I TURNED THE OVER OFF AND COLLAPSED ON MY KNEES WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN.  I LOST THE GAME OF LIFE AND THINKING THIS IS WHO I AM.  AN ALCOHOLIC TRYING TO RAISE TWO KIDS AS A SINGLE FATHER.  I WAS CONSISTENTLY DRUNK EVERY NIGHT.  MY LIVER WAS SHUTTING DOWN AND FELT DYING INSIDE OUT.  THEN I TOLD MYSELF: Just Never Give Up❗❗❗

To cut that narrative short, he dumped away his pride and started calling his mom, his sisters [and even his ex-wife] for HELP.  Not for money though BUT to tell them that come one morning, it was the first time he woke up with NO hungover.  BUT to quote him: "LOOKING BACK, I'M PROUD OF THE JOURNEY I WENT THROUGH.  Just Never Give Up❗❗❗

This "Never Give Up" attitude is the one that we need to carry and live life with, NO matter what the situation is.  In fact, experts claim that we should keep struggling and fighting with the odds.  Failure is NOT even an option for anyone.  Even though we might have failed in any process, we should STAND UP and do it again, but in any case, we should Never Give Up on our dreams, regardless if the point-to-point journey from where you're standing now may take donkey years because to Never Give Up is a virtue that NOT many people really have as part of their arsenal.  Truth is, SUCCESS is NOT everyone's CUP of TEA.  It requires lots of sleepless days nights, lots of sweat and a great amount of hard work BUT only if you Never Give Up❗❗❗

Always make sure that no matter what the situation is, you Never Give Up in your life WHEN nothing seems to go the way we planned, and even if the future looks bleaker than bleak.  During those times, we CANNOT help but feel that there CANNOT be a reason to keep on trying.  After all, WHAT is the point in working on something WHEN we know it is going to be futile in the end?  BUT to be fair, it is NEVER a good idea to Just Give Up, NOT until we have given our 'BEST SHOT' for the situation at hand✅✅✅

A year ago, my immediate nephew was going nowhere.  He never successfully graduated from the university DESPITE being fully [financially] supported by his father for close to 10 years.  So, I committed to help him to be referred to our company's HR on one condition.  I will mentor and practice him until I'm convinced he's fit and read to file his job application.  To cut the story short, he was a NO SHOW for two schedules of our no-nonsense job role playing and practice.  As much as I Never Gave Up on him, he himself Gave Up so soon.  Alas, I woke up with that bitter realization that you can only do so much to push people to Just Never Give Up❗❗❗

Will You Settle To Be An 'UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE'

Will You Settle To Be An 'UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE'

Talking about RELEVANCE, Will You Settle To Be An 'UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE'.  To my surprise, statistics show that there are thousands of UNCLAIMED BAGGAGES whether it is at the world's busiest airport @ Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, @ Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, @ LAX, @ Dubai or even @ Heathrow Airport.  BUT that's NOT our talking point today.  Instead, it is about remaining RELEVANT and avoiding being IRRELEVANT like those thousands of baggage @ airports📗📙📘

Instead, our thread today is all about ensuring that we remain RELEVANT in life [regardless the state of your life now].  BTW, are we now into cultures more of DOING rather than of BEING?  It seems so.  Seriously, we DON'T analyze it much BUT indeed it's quite astonishing what we do to stay RELEVANT.  The flip side to this treadmill is our innate FEAR of suddenly NOT being RELEVANT.  Nothing hits our self-esteem harder 💎💎💎

Unfortunately, some of us get mixed up with RELEVANCE with FAME.  While RELEVANCE lasts virtually forever, FAME shines brightly then turns OFF just as abruptly.  Which is how RELEVANCE has come to wrap itself superficially. It has become all about throwing the most lavish party, building a mansion that reaches the sky, winning election after election [and when the incumbent politician has reached his term limit and ineligible to run for re-election, he will push his spouse and children to run for the same political office to ensure that his family does NOT relinquish that political office [Oh, does this sound familiar [especially in the Third World]❓❓❓

Factor-in social media and RELEVANCE gets blurred.  Does it sound familiar to you the fact that some [OR I'm afraid, many of us] are even so obsessed garnering as many LIKES as possible in social media.  All because of boosting one's RELEVANCE?  What we fail to realize here is that the 'TALK OF THE TOWN' rarely stays the course.  Yes they are talked for awhile BUT shortly, they FADE AWAY❎❎❎

The thing about this RELEVANCE is that it is akin to jogging hard to stay in the same place.  Those WHO become RELEVANT, those WHO acquire fame and its corresponding weightage, NEVER get used to being out of the limelight. , NOT being RELEVANT anymore,  So, that bid to become RELEVANT becomes a frantic one.  As our world continues to move in its frenzied spin, can we take stock of things and realize that RELEVANCE is no one-off thing.  Else, the question to our own selves is:  WILL YOU SETTLE TO BE AN UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE"❓❓❓  

Keep An Eye On The Ball

Keep An Eye On The Ball

Funny sharing in Quora.com [Posted by Rebecca]:  Two croupiers are sitting bored at the roulette of THE CASINO.  Suddenly a very attractive blonde woman enters and bets $20,000 on a roll, saying "I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND, BUT I FEEL VERY LUCKY WHEN I PLAY NAKED".  With that, she unbuttons the zipper, takes and dress and underwear off, throws the dice and yells "COME ON BABY, MAMA NEEDS NEW CLOTHES".  She looks with agony and as soon as the dice stops, starts jumping UP and DOWN screaming, "YES YES YES I WON !"  She embraces one by one of the dealers, taking on her profits and clothes and disappears.  The guys  are looking dumbfounded at each other.  Eventually, one asked, "DID YOU SEE WHAT DICE SHE ROLLED?"  The other guy retorted, "I DON'T KNOW.  I THOUGHT YOU WERE WATCHING".  Whew, can we just Keep An Eye On The Ball PLEASE💎💎💎

Yes, even when you play Pokemon, you got to Keep An Eye On The Ball, so to speak.  In fact, way and beyond gaming, in life itself, we got to keep an Keep An Eye On The Ball unless you got to catch a nap or really go on a full break from your work or chores.  Otherwise, this very old mantra Keep An Eye On The Ball Keep An Eye On The Ball is as relevant practically anything anywhere anytime📌📌📌

Rule of thumb here is that for you to Keep An Eye On The Ball, you got to figure out WHERE TO FOCUS.  Whether it's a work task or even if you're playing baseball or even a board game like chess, figuring out WHERE TO FOCUS just CAN'T CANT' CAN'T be compromised at all.  A big chunk of slip-ups, mishaps and even failures in life are attributable because less than 100% efforts were exerted for the FOCUS📗📕📘

Thing is, it's NOT just in competitions and sports events where you are really expected to Keep An Eye On The Ball.  It could be giving the full FOCUS when cooking at the kitchen [lest miscues may happen therein].  OR when you're driving, the FOCUS just CAN'T CAN'T be less than 100% because the safety measures will be compromised.  OR you could be drafting the monthly report to be submitted to client.  Client demands an error-free report, period❗❗❗

if you're in the service industry, whether you a front sales counter personnel or a Bank RM [Relationship Manager], your pinpoint FOCUS on the accounts you manage just CAN'T be compromised. Swinging to our relationship with our partner/spouse and our families, your FOCUS on them just CAN'T be less than 100%.  Shave off your focus, expect a consequence that will likely be NOT favorable to you.  In a nutshell, whatever you undertake,  Keeping An Eye On The Ball should be your mantra✅✅✅