Keep It Simple, Sirrrrs [KISS]

Keep It Simple, Sirrrrs [KISS]

Frankly, this was NOT my intended heading for our blog today because I wanted to borrow that infamous one-liner of Former U.S. President Bill Clinton when, in the midst of economic policy discussions at the White House, he blurted,Keep It Simple, shit [KISS] but lest I get flagged down by our hosting portal, I didn't want to take a risk.  BUT our thread today revolves around making things AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE💴💷💵

BUT many argue that SIMPLE ISN'T SIMPLE.  BUT hey, way back 500 B.C., Chinese Philosopher Confucius was quoted that 'LIFE IS REALLY SIMPLE BUT WE INSIST ON MAKING IT COMPLICATED'.  With the influx of massive amounts of information, and the unabated explosion of technology [NOT to mention SOCIAL MEDIA], SIMPLICITY has become difficult to remain as such📗📙📘

Let's NOT look farther.  Let us consider all of the elements we're bombarded with each day.  A slew of calendar INVITES, metrics-based reporting, measures tracking, admin approvals, online forms for compliance, security compliance and so on.  So, many times, it is us WHO do create that COMPLEXITY arising from SIMPLICITY.  How did we create it📌📌📌

Sadly, we correct things by OVERCORRECTING  with absurd workarounds.  We also take SIMPLE intent and often over-engineer solutions to make people feel better about being included in a process.  Much of this is SIMPLY not that necessary.  The problem is from within us.  And the downsides to this approach?  Fatigue.  Lack of results.  Frustration.  Destroyed passion.  Added costs of execution.  Extended decision-making processes, and so on❌❌❌

Years back when I was heading the Pre-Sales Solutions Team, I presented before the managing director and the CFO.  NOT to overblow things, after my presentation, they verbalized that they will signoff BUT and here's the catch.  I had to rerun the same presentation to their Shared Services Center management team and rerun again to their Audit and Security Team.  Whew!  Of course, eventually I WON the deal but at what expense?  By having the client tripling their decision-making process.  Dude, let's NOT forget to always KEEP IT SIMPLE Sirrrrrs [KISS]✅✅✅

What Explains Our WRONG DECISIONS?

What Explains Our WRONG DECISIONS?

WHO has not made WRONG DECISIONS???? Of course, everyone of us made such NOT SO RIGHT decisions from time to time in the past [and maybe till as we speak now]. Question is What Explains Our WRONG DECISIONS?  To put things in perspective, researches show that, on average, a typical person makes about 2,000 DECISIONS every hour, whew!  BTW, most DECISIONS are minor and we make them instinctively, like should I take my meal💵💷💴

BUT let's face it, many of the DECISIONS we make throughout the day needs and takes REAL thought, and have serious consequences.  And, consistently making good DECISIONS is arguably the most important habit we can develop, especially at work.  Our choices and DECISIONS will likely affect our health, our relationships, our safety, our well-being, and a lot more.  BUT here's the ALERT: Be incisive if you will manifest some mindsets that can trigger a RED FLAG for you📗📙📘

The most common of these alarming mindsets is the DECISION FATIGUE.  That's when even the most energetic people DON'T have endless mental energy.  Our ability to perform tasks and make decisions wears thin when it is repeatedly exerted.  With so many DECISIONS to make, especially ones that have a big impact on other people, it becomes inevitable to experience decision fatigue.  To counter it, identify the most important decisions you need to make and PRIORITIZE💎💎💎

Then comes our steady states of DISTRACTION.  With the technology tsunami from the past decade [and TILL NOW] ushering in unprecedented convenience.    Researches how that our brains process five times as much information as much information today as in 1986.  Consequently, many of us live in a continuous state of DISTRACTION and struggle to focus.  How to fix this?  EACH DAY, FIND TIME TO GO OFFLINE❕❕❕

There's this interesting study by Author Susan Cain that many introverts are reluctant to speak up in a meeting UNTIL they know precisely WHAT they want to say.  Another culprit is MULTI-TASKING.  Unfortunately, there AREN'T many jobs left in the world today that DON'T require MULTI-TASKING.  And while that's the reality, studies show that performance and DECISION-MAKING suffer up to 40% when we MULTI-TASK.  So, now we know WHAT EXPLAINS OUR WRONG DECISIONS❗❗❗

Do You LIVE LIFE? Or Do You REACT to LIFE?

Do You LIVE LIFE?  Or Do You REACT to LIFE?

Do You LIVE LIFE?  Or Do You REACT to LIFE?  Sometimes, does it happen that others DON'T seem to understand your pain while they seem to live a HAPPY LIFE?  BTW, that is a common predicament and the hard TRUTH is that HAPPINESS takes a lot of HARD WORK  and even learning how to live life to the fullest takes a hell lot of stretched patience.  I can state this straight to your eyes because I went through this gauntlet📗📘📙

And there's a lot more bagful of not so shocking surprises in life, spelled S-T-R-E-S-S.  STRESS comes in many forms, shapes, and colors.  And sometimes they creep in, incognito.  WHAT's our trick?  Once you see that "STRESS", prick it like the party balloons.  WHEN we stumble across people who smile in public, many of them would likely have been through every bit as much as people who cry, frown OR scream📌📌📌

As our LIFE IS SHORT [and mind you, we only LIVE ONCE], learning to LIVE LIFE to the fullest is an important step to making the most of every day. But HOW?  Words seem easier but let's try it out:

• DECIDE what's important to you via PRIORITIES
• TAKE RISKS.  Every reward in life carries a RISK
• SHOW YOUR LOVE to the people you care about
• LIVE IN THE PRESENT.  Just learn from your past
• IGNORE HATERS.  Such is life.  Just IGNORE them
• DON'T compromise VALUES if something is not right

Having and keeping an OPEN MIND is important in our daily life.  Just because we seem RIGHT about something DOESN'T mean there AREN'T other ways to look at it.  Listening to ideas you DON'T agree with OR understand keeps your brain active and healthy.  As learning is a lifelong process, we'll continue to learn as long as we STAY OPEN even to difficult conversations.  We just should NOT assume that we know everything about another person as they always have more to teach you and us.  And to crystallize our words and intentions, TAKE ACTION for WHAT matters to you.  How often you hear people say "I HAD THAT IDEA" when someone creates something.  BTW, everyone had that IDEA for Facebook first❎❎❎

Borrowing this quote from Christian Pastor Charles Swindoll, 'LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU AND 90% HOW YOU REACT TO IT'.  So, our takeaway for today is fairly straightforward.  What LIFE IS NOT.  It's NOT 100% of what is actually happening but just a measly 10%.  The remaining 90% of it, it is HOW you handle WHAT's happening, HOW you contain the impact, HOW you react to it, HOW you respond to all the unexpected.  Sadly, there is no 'ONE SIZE FITS ALL' solution for this reality in life because every situation will require us to formulate with the best possible containment until you got to get over the hump.  Let's LIVE LIFE by living MORE THAN we react to it❗❗❗

Our Most Common Nemesis

Our Most Common Nemesis

Do we have Our Most Common Nemesis?  Yes, we do have and it's those MISUNDERSTANDINGS triggering OR worsening conflicts.  When a MISUNDERSTANDING occurs, guess WHO caused the problem?  Of course, it's a no-brainer, everyone involved in that conversation.  Even in good faith, anyone can be party to a MISUNDERSTANDING💵💴💷

If you have something to say, it's up to you to ensure that the person you are imparting OR delivering your message to have it understood as clearly as WHAT you said and WHAT you did intend the message.  And many times, with our best intentions we say something BUT ending up NOT finding the most appropriate words OR phrase.  And that usually results in either a misinterpretation OR being quoted out of context📗📙📘

At the same time, if you're being spoken to, it is up to you to ensure that you clearly and fully UNDERSTOOD what's been said.  If anything is said that you're NOT 100% certain you did understand, it's crucial that you ask questions to clarify.  Not asking the right clarificatory questions either because you missed OR you hesitated will end up with the same result, that you might end up NOT getting the message as meant and intended❎❎❎

All it takes are 5 simple steps to avert OR avoid MISCOMMUNICATIONS:

• ASK PERMISSION TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION - DON'T hesitate
• ASK QUESTIONS & REALLY LISTEN TO THE CLARIFICATORY ANSWERS
• FIND THE SOURCE OF THAT MISUNDERSTANDING & CORRECT IT
• CHECK THAT UNDERSTANDING HAS BEEN REACHED 
• CONFIRM THAT ALL IS CLEAR

So, WHAT's our takeaway today?  THAT there is more depth to communication than what most people understand. It is easy to assume that if you're comfortable talking to people, that means you have excellent COMMUNICATIONS skills.  BUT looking back my experiences, that is NOT the case because as you begin to break down COMMUNICATION and look at WHAT's actually involved, it could be far more complex than people you realize.  Let us pounce now on OUR MOST COMMON NEMESIS, dude✅✅✅

Why Do You Get UNDERESTIMATED?

Why Do You Get UNDERESTIMATED?

Why Do You Get UNDERESTIMATED?  A recent study in the United States shows that 27% of Americans think that they are NOT well understood, and as such, UNDERESTIMATED.  Are you one of that 27%?  BUT before we go berserk with this topic, let's deep-dive and understand WHY people UNDERESTIMATE us [and maybe you yourself you're UNDERESTIMATING yourself💵💴💷

And before we get bogged down with other arguments, let's look FROM WITHIN.  Let us LISTEN to our own feedback as to WHY we're UNDERESTIMATING ourselves.  MAYBE you're NOT getting enough feedback?  Are others reaffirming how well you're doing?  Science tells us that FEEDBACK MATTERS.  In one study, people performed tasks equally well when given FEEDBACK or NOT.  However, those who were left in the dark actually UNDERESTIMATED their abilities📗📙📘

The thing is, we constantly need an INFLUX of FEEDBACK.  And if you're NOT given one, go, ask for it, look for it.  And we got to be sharp for that 'LIKING GAP'.  STRANGER BIAS is when we meet someone and automatically assume they DON'T like us.  This makes us THINK they've UNDERESTIMATED us BUT in reality, science says otherwise.  Apparently, that 'LIKING GAP' doesn't only apply to strangers BUT even personal relationships as well.  Oh oh, this one should be a relief if you're neurotic like me.  And sometimes, UNDERESTIMATION is nothing but an ILLUSION💎💎💎

There was even a survey of undergrad students and asked them a series of questions about grammar, logic and even jokes.  They then asked the students to score themselves.  Interestingly, the students who OVERESTIMATED their score actually scored the lowest.  As for the students WHO UNDERESTIMATED themselves?  They actually scored the highest✅✅✅

So what's our TAKEAWAYS here?  Let us start a 'SUCCESS FILE'.  Your 'SUCCESS FILE' will be a collection of all your strengths, capabilities and SUCCESSES.  These include commendation emails, endorsement, positive feedback, and even THANK YOU notes.  Just to share, till now, those colorful small stars I received from my 'Mission Impossible' workshop colleagues [hosted in Hong Kong years ago] are posted on the wall fronting my home workstation.  WHY?  Because that constantly reminds me of those best moments wherein my colleagues coming from various countries have given me their votes of affirmation.  So, WHY DO YOU GET UNDERESTIMATED❓❓❓

BREAKING NEWS: Inside Job Unraveled

BREAKING NEWS:  Inside Job Unraveled

Yesirrrrrrs here's an early BREAKING NEWS:  Inside Job Unraveled.  And it is the fact that HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB.  HAPPINESS is something that everyone strives for.  Unfortunately, we often look for it in EXTERNAL FACTORS such as relationships, careers OR possessions.  Have you ever heard yourself say 'I WILL BE HAPPY WHEN.....?'  This kind of thinking implies that our HAPPINESS is dependent on some EXTERNAL FACTOR or circumstance that may OR may not be within our control💴💷💵

When we say "I WILL BE HAPPY WHEN I GET A PROMOTION AT WORK', we are essentially saying that our HAPPINESS is contingent on something that may OR may not happen.  Even if we do get a promotion, it may NOT bring us the sustained HAPPINESS that we expect.  If we are always looking towards some future event OR circumstance to bring us HAPPINESS, we will be sure to miss out on the joy and contentment that is available to us right now and we will NEVER feel truly fulfilled OR satisfied in our lives📙📘📗

So, while circumstances can certainly impact our mood and well-being, our HAPPINESS ultimately comes from within us.  This means that we have the power to cultivate HAPPINESS regardless of our external circumstances.  One way to cultivate HAPPINESS from within is to practice GRATITUDE💎💎💎

By focusing on the things that we are thankful for, we can shift our perspective and find joy in the present moment.  GRATITUDE also helps us to appreciate the positive aspects of our lives even when things may NOT be going as planned.  Another way to promote HAPPINESS from within is to practice SELF-CARE💙💛💚

Taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally can help us feel better overall.  This includes things like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and taking time for ourselves to do things that we enjoy.  Our takeaway for today is a no-brainer.  Let us NOT depend on external factors for our HAPPINESS.  It has to be within our control❗❗❗

You Need BOREDOM To SUCCEED

You Need BOREDOM To SUCCEED

In our society, getting BORED is almost always LOOKED DOWN upon as there's always a CONSTANT PUSH to do more, and have more.  So WHAT'S your take on this dude?  The thing is, we are confusing being productive with being reactive.  So many of us fill ever spare moment, whether we're waiting in line for coffee, for the elevator, with a quick email, a tweet OR a 'LIKE'.  Hey, You Need BOREDOM To SUCCEED💴💷💵

These two boys seemingly idle at the window, would you agree there is a higher probability that in the midst of that BOREDOM, a very raw [and seemingly silly] idea could pop-up in their minds and voila!  The problem is, we adults [wrongly] think of those spare moments as WASTED TIME and opportunities to respond to family, friends, colleagues, OR just the headlines.  BUT actually, waiting in line and allowing yourself to get BORED ignites a network in your brain called 'THE DEFAULT MODE'.  This is where we can do our most original thinking, problem solving, and future planning📙📗📘

WHY don't we consider to take back those spare moments for deeper thinking about your work and life?  Can we consider to try skipping that EXTRA TWEET or SMS/text message that you WON'T even remember come next day?  BUT most of our iGen/Gen Z and Millennials will all blame technology for their behaviors that become FILLERs to their BOREDOM.  Then BOREDOM dissipates, no thanks to SOCIAL MEDIA💎💎💎

Balancing the PROs and CONs of technology might be our BIG personal and societal issue of our time.  We love being CONNECTED and having access to a global wealth of information BUT yes, many of us are weary of the constant interruptions, news and SOCIAL MEDIA overload, and privacy issues.  So WHAT's our FIX for this dilemma?  Primero, when you go to your apps OR platform, ask yourself whether that tap is just a reflex OR an action that will actually help you at that very moment.  Segundo, encourage yourself and the people around you to get BORED more often✅✅✅

NOT only can it ignite CREATIVITY, BOREDOM can help people be more empathetic and imagine WHAT it's like to be in someone else's shoes.  If we all collectively rethink our digital habits and ignite our DEFAULT MODES more often, maybe some of our best brains can find solutions to our problems.  Our takeaway today:  value that slack time to induce that BOREDOM that will ignite your CREATIVITY❗❗❗

When SAMPLE SIZES Are Not Enough

When SAMPLE SIZES Are Not Enough

Our piece today is NOT on statistics or probabilities [as that's NOT my domain] BUT we'd like to take stock of things when we start counting our SMALL WINS versus When SAMPLE SIZES Are Not Enough.  WHY does the SAMPLE SIZE matter?  Yes dude, much as we want to avoid statistical jargon, truth is a SAMPLING SIZE makes OR unmakes our off-the-cuff analysis OR post-mortem.  In brief, the principles of statistics prevails even in daily life📗📙📘

WHAT IF after I graduated from university, I landed a plum job and I scream that I have a SUCCESSFUL life?  WHAT IF after I settled down and started raising my family, I'll scream that I got a SUCCESSFUL family life?  WHAT IF after I finally opened my personal bank account for the first time and I claim that I am financially stable already❓❓❓

Sun Tzu, the well respected Chinese military general and strategist way back the Eastern Zhou period [from 771 to 256 BC] said:  'VICTORIOUS WARRIORS WIN FIRST AND THEN GO TO WAR, WHILE DEFEATED WARRIORS GO TO WAR FIRST AND THEN SEEK TO WIN'.  BUT the harsh truth is, most people celebrate too early [I committed that Faux Pas in the past]💵💷💶

Let's NOT look farther back.  That Covid-19 pandemic hit us badly for almost three years and when the blinding dusts from the 'sandstorms' stabilized, many of us [TILL TODAY] were [and still are] celebrating because finally the Covid-19 pandemic is behind us.  NOT SO FAST.  Go around countries, starting with China, the Covid-19 infections are coming back❌❌❌

At work, it's true you would have achieved legitimate SUCCESSES but hell, have you etched your name in your organization's portals on the basis of one or two small and minor WINS?  Our takeaway here is that, sustain that winning streak and you're on the way to achieving the coveted laurels of a perennial performer who worked like a 'DAWG' year-round.  Our human failing here is that some of us are NOT aware that SMALL SAMPLE SIZES are NOT enough and sufficient for you to beat your chest.  Got to grind more, dude❎❎❎

DON'T Overplay Your Hand

DON'T Overplay Your Hand

How Often do we Overplay our hand?  I'm sure NOT too often but nevertheless, from time to time, let's admit it that we tend to Overplay our hand and at times, unconsciously.  So you might retort, am I making a mountain out of a molehill?  NO sirrrrs, there is enough mountains all over the landscape caused by us.  This explains why we DON'T Overplay our hand💴💷💵

So, you might wonder under what scenarios do we Overplay our hand?  Let's start with social media, everybody's staple food these days.  HOW much time we spend in social media when we got too much stuff to work on, whether in school, at home, at work OR in our own business?  ISN'T it a no-brainer, many of our SCREEN TIMES are way beyond the roof?  So, we do Overplay our hand📙📗📘

How many times we heard of high-rollers in the casinos end up kaput?  Simple story.  It's because they Overplay their hand.  On to the job hunter, here he comes about to receive a job offer BUT before he signs on the dotted line, he OVERPLAYS HIS HAND and start for asking a salary rate way above his pay grade, whew.  What happens next, that you can guess.  He goes home empty handed.  Heard of someone selling either properties and finally here comes a very serious buyer.  And guess what, the seller UPs the price.  Guess what happened next?  The buyer goes off.  WHY?  Because the seller OVERPLAYED HIS HAND📌📌📌

Over in the labor market, there could be well organized unions like the powerful AFL-CIO in the United States.  And NOT to downplay the labor unions in the U.S., they deftly handle negotiations so well, playing their cards close to their chest.  And while their organized labor will egg them to PLAY THEIR HAND, the negotiators are well cautioned NOT to OVERPLAY THEIR HAND❎❎❎

When we move to NEGOTIATIONS 101, we are well advised to be very sharp in the negotiations to discern when they have the UPPER HAND and even WHEN they should be talking about the celebratory cocktails.  Our takeaway for today.  BE pragmatic.  BE realistic.  BE reasonable.  BE in control.  HOW?  DON'T OVERPLAY YOUR HAND❌❌❌

Your Face DOESN'T Make You Beautiful

Your Face DOESN'T Make You Beautiful

There's this overly over-used one-liner which says:  THE SHINY GLORY FACE DEFINES BEAUTY AND THE OLD WRINKLED FACE IS NOT CONSIDERED BEAUTIFUL'.  Of course, except for a misguided few, surely most of us will NOT buy that one-liner, right?  Your Face DOESN'T Make You Beautiful.  Exactly, that's what is being popularly peddled across, regardless of culture, standing in social strata or even gender.  Since ancient times, we have been considering beauty to behold by, fair skin, fit body, and those WHO DON'T have this is mocked up in society by body shaming and telling to use creams to increase their tone.  Baloney💴💷💵

The more we hear like, GO TO the gym, and workout and lose fatty layers, and to thin to eat more food to add more fat to the body because their eyes DON'T find it attractive.  The children's book differentiates between beautiful and ugly based on color, age.  Even the children's brains are like mud, we give it shape to make it beautiful structures.  So, if it is rather told that GOOD deeds and GOOD heart are beautiful, NO age, NO colors, and NO shapes have the power to degrade it📙📗📘

Reality is, beauty is PURE just like a beauty in the HEART.  Beauty is one which does NOT go by ages nor by skin color and neither by the body.  It is always within the HEART, that feeling of humanity is WHAT is beautiful.  The old people are told to go to a religious place and chant the mantras as they are on the door of death , to eat food which is NOT full of spiciness.  Wear light colors because the color of their life is even fading📌📌📌

BUT the death is NOT localized to old people since death can come to anyone anywhere.  So, let's NOT define beauty by white shiny hairs and wrinkled faces OR by skin color BUT rather the purity of the HEART.  This will bring HAPPINESS in the world if one understands the meaning of being beautiful.  NO one will be disheartened OR broken.  Moreover, they will love themselves and will give back the same love and respect.  As the old cliche goes, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, so let's behold the beauty by the feelings and spread immense HAPPINESS and LOVE❎❎❎

So what's our takeaway today?  It is that people tend to fall for beauty and face in seconds.  People DON'T judge others when they are beautiful by face and NOT by heart.  And we follow that definition of beauty defined by people and NEVER get to know what real beauty is.  BUT when you fall for someone's heart, they DON'T judge you BUT instead, they will try to understand you.  And let's face it, there's a very thin line between love and attraction.  When you love someone, you DON'T try to force it.  You try to understand instead.  NOT to downplay the importance of beautiful faces but let us NOT pish into oblivion the beautiful heart from within❗❗❗