Multitasking Is A MYTH, Period

Multitasking Is A MYTH, Period

Good day folks.  For our thread today, please allow me to kickstart off with this declarative statement that regardless, Multitasking Is A MYTH, Period, and this is NOT even a conditional statement.  What's frustrating is that MULTI-TASKING continues to be peddled and advocated by many of us when in truth, we can debunk MULTI-TASKING anytime we want💴💷💵

Way prior to even that Covid-19 pandemic did hit us hard, across all industries, we all hear MULTI-TASKING.  Let's be cautious, though, that there are cases when the GREEN LIGHT for MULTI-TASKING illuminates from the top of the organization, by and large, let us NOT drag management and our bosses into that MULTI-TASKING conundrum📗📙📘

In these frenetic times, the hustle, hurry and bustle have become a regular way of life for many of us, so much so that we have embraced a word to describe our never-ending efforts to respond to the many pressing demands of our time, spelled as M-U-L-T-I-T-A-S-K-I-N-G.  Let's blame the computing industry for this one and you can QUOTE me on this.  I can make this statement without batting an eyelash because back then, as I was working in IBM mainframe-based environments, that thing on MULTI-TASKING was supposedly in reference to the computing power of those mainframe computers at that time❌❌❌

With MULTI-TASKING coined for decades to describe the parallel processing power of the high-end computers, MULTI-TASKING has now evolved to be the shorthand for that human attempt to do simultaneously as many things as possible, as quickly as possible, preferably marshalling the power of as many technologies as possible, ALL-IN-ONE, where possible❎❎❎

Of course, way back the 1990s and 2000s, one sensed a kind of exuberance about the possibilities of MULTI-TASKING.  Even those advertisements for electronic gadgets celebrated the notion of using technology to accomplish several things at once.  BUT at what price?  FOCUS.  QUALITY.  And, even ironically, PRODUCTIVITY.  WHY?  Where QUALITY has been compromised, obviously PRODUCTIVITY dips, obviously.  So, it's a given that MULTI-TASKING IS A MYTH❗❗❗

Does Opinion of Others Matter?

Does Opinion of Others Matter?

I've known people close enough WHO were like in a recurring STATE of STUPOR simply because they got kind of "PARALYZED" or stalled to make a decision OR to take a concrete action simply because they continue to weigh the OPINION of others.  Nothing wrong to listen to others' OPINIONS but for your decisions OR actions to get stalled because of others' OPINIONs is a NO-NO💵💴💷

But here's a WHAT IF.  WHAT IF the OPINION of others are hurtful and/or harmful?  That ugly tail will start to weave you out of your logical and/or practical senses.  Now, the reality is, sometimes, we really DON'T want to care WHAT others think or say about us.  And sometimes, we do succeed at that.  Sadly, more often than NOT, we fail.  Even one completely ridiculous and untrue OPINION that borders more of being rubbish or thrash does hurt📗📙📘

Though most of us [and that includes moi] would deny it, people's OPINIONS do matter to us.  WHY?  Simple.  Because people matter.  BUT there is one study that equates others' OPINION = PAIN and somehow I agree, literally it is a PAIN.  Think of the SOCIAL PAIN we've been enduring, caused by bullying [especially cyber bullying these days], rejection, breakups.  And when you factor in SOCIAL MEDIA, those tons and tons of UNSOLICITED OPINIONS would come in like an unabated avalanche during the harsh winters❗❗❗

Now let's face it and admit it, some of us [and I was guilty of this too several times in the past], to avoid that PAIN coming from others' OPINIONS, become people pleasers.  Kow-towing, personality-less-yes-men and women who give other human beings too much power, treating them like GODS or Semi-GODS.  Others go to the opposite extreme though, locking up their hearts, pulling out their masks of meanness and cynicism, looking down on human beings as either stupid, narrow-minded, worthless creatures whose thoughts are worth NO more than those of a cockroach.  But personally, me thinks that this kind of mindset is a stretch, seriously✅✅✅

Many of us, though, alternate between looking at those opinions as either coming from GODS or cockroaches.  BUT be forewarned that without being ill-intentioned, sometimes, OPINIONS of others could end up as a POISON.  Sometimes, the wrong words have killed more dreams than self-doubt ever will.  Just a word is ENOUGH to bring you away from one's desires.  High performers NEVER react to WHAT people say.  WHY?  Because their mental belief acts as a shield to protect their dreams where they are focused.  Now, DOES OPINION OF OTHERS MATTER❓❓❓

Be Wary of WORDS

Be Wary of WORDS

For most of us in our daily lives, WORDS are just part and parcel of the totality of the snippets in our daily lives.  Be Wary of WORDS.  Watch out WHAT you speak.  Human beings are blessed with a unique ability, a distinctive talent to communicate with each other.  It is such an extraordinary blessing that we can govern this world because of this unique benefit.  This boon is the capability to speak.  The words that come out of our mouth may seem too light BUT they are heavier than the brawniest object in the world.  The words spoken by a person can either make OR break another person💴💷💵

It is said that the BULLET SHOT FROM A GUN and the WORDS SPOKEN can never be taken back.  This explains why it is indispensable to use the most appropriate words possible.  As human beings, we need to use them in a way that they should be appreciated.  A word of encouragement spoken in the right way and the right tone are the best ever📗📙📘

Whereas, if we end up 'spewing words' that are least fit, it can even break a heart, cause friction OR worse, even sour relationships.  The wounds caused by the words are more resonant and painful than the injuries caused by anything else.  Impolite words NEVER miss the target of shattering the heart.  Choosing them wisely is the least we can do✅✅✅

Many great personalities have come and gone in this world.  They could 'RULE OUR HEARTS' just by the way they spoke and held us together with affection and perseverance.  Verily, even a fair and ethical discourse can drastically turn a monster into a saint.  Always think a thousand times before you speak.  It influences the one who hears it.  The worst of it, it can cause friction or even trigger an argument even on a NON-ISSUE❌❌❌

Now, for the 'ICING ON THE CAKE'.  Be most wary of the UNSPOKEN words but instead are manifested with ACTIONs because as that very old cliche goes, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.  True, sometimes we are outraged or frustrated.  The best way is to keep mum and be silent because silence can ward off and pre-empt problems that are just waiting to be ignited.  The fact that we have our fair share of problems in our daily life, the last thing we want is to unnecessarily create problems easily avoided❗❗❗

Are We EFFECTIVE Enough?

Are We EFFECTIVE Enough?

Are We EFFECTIVE Enough?  Or are we so effective enough that this topic is NOT worth spending another 5-10 minutes?  Unfortunately, EFFECTIVENESS seems like a boring and dry word, devoid of the excitement that triggers human interest.  BUT while in the business world, inefficiency is monitored and quantified in almost precise numbers, in our personal life, WHO would take pains to collect and log our EFFECTIVENESS data on a day to day basis💵💴💷

The downside of EFFECTIVENESS is that it is more a buzzword that you'll often hear on the list of criteria prospective employers would look for when seeking a new talent.  It is also an attribute that is frequently linked to people WHO are that motivated, organized and know WHAT they want and consistently set out to get it📗📙📘

Now, here's my soft-selling. Understanding EFFECTIVENESS and crafting a plan to implement it in your life is really the best way to pursue both personal and even professional growth.  So, what really is EFFECTIVENESS at least from a personal context?  In the shortest words possible, EFFECTIVENESS means getting the best out of yourself no less❗❗❗

It is our approach to SUCCESS that entails utilizing all of our energy, skill and motivation to develop and reach the goals you pre-set for yourself.  WHY is this important?  It being a trait often linked to positive well-being, it will likely lead to a successful and fulfilling life✅✅✅

Please note that EFFECTIVENESS is NOT limited to our technical capabilities and skills.  It covers even our COMMUNICATIONS skills.  Do you know that at least 20% of the problems we face are either caused OR worsened by disconnects or lapses in COMMUNICATIONS between parties? So, what's our takeaways?  Develop your CONFIDENCE, understand your STRENGTHs and LIMITS, be OPTIMISTIC, be PERSISTENT, focus in fixing [and NOT just patching] problems and never stop in building your good habits in TIME MANAGEMENT and SELF-MOTIVATION.  All these encompass the EFFECTIVENESS we need to focus❗❗❗

When Transparency Comes At A Price

When Transparency Comes At A Price

I admit I am one of the most vociferous ones when it's all about TRANSPARENCY but this is NOT something we're preaching unconditionally.  There are always circumstances and situation When Transparency Comes At A Price and a classic case are your pre-set GOALS.  Thinking of sharing OR announcing your pre-set GOALS to others?  Think about the ramifications💴💷💵

Swinging back to my own life, I expect transparency whether it's at work or at home.  And I can assure you that I do WALK THE TALK.  But when and where my pre-set GOALS are concerned, I am adamant that I keep it closest to my chest, NOT even my BFF's, NOT even my trusted friends, NOT even my closest relatives are made aware.  In the first place, WHY should I be prematurely spilling my pre-set GOALS to anyone else📘📙📗

Common belief tells us that publicly announcing your GOALS increases the chances of SUCCESS.  WHEN you tell everyone that you're going to jog everyday, then you would feel the pressure of having to follow through on your GOAL, OR otherwise let everyone down.  At least, that's WHAT we believe so.  Early in life, I did that twice OR thrice.  After all, it feels nice to 'ANNOUNCE' all the things I want to achieve in the future BUT researches show that this action leads to results that are otherwise unfavorable to you📌📌📌

Studies and researches extensively covered this debatable action BUT the results confirm that those whose intentions were known tended to act LESS on their intentions than those whose intentions were left UNKNOWN.  So, what's wrong kind of 'ANNOUNCING' your pre-set GOALs?  Researches confirm that telling people of what you want to achieve creates a PREMATURE sense of completeness❎❎❎

Studies further show that when you write down OR think your intentions, there's a GAP between WHERE you are and WHERE you want to be.  The compelling need to close this GAP helps you to act on your intentions.  BUT when you let others know about it, the GAP closes because you [artificially] feel the same way you should after completing your intentions.  Indeed, this is WHEN TRANSPARENCY COMES AT A PRICE❌❌❌

Can We Be A BAMBOO In Life

Can We Be A BAMBOO In Life 

That bamboo out there is NOT one that captures interests or attention.  UNLESS we  are asked if Can We Be A BAMBOO In Life at all?  Are you a bamboo?  Maybe.  Maybe NOT but there are over 1,000 species of bamboo.  However, the story of the Moso bamboo is the closest to our own and has the most to teach us.  Most plants will begin to germinate in 1-2 weeks.  BUT bamboo doesn't even shoot after four years.  So, you're that bamboo, I guess💵💴💷

As the bamboo builds its foundations for the first four years, it still appears that it all came at once, it DIDN'T.  The seed was always growing , just beneath the surface.  BUT we didn't see that.  Our eyes lied to us.  Somehow we're blind to the reality of things.  We fixate on the wrong things because expect to see the fruition of what we do within a given timeframe.  If there is something we can pick from this, it's that we DON'T reap in the same season we sow.  The price we pay for this we allow doubt and disbelief to creep in📗📙📘

Then, we become fearful and begin to lose faith and give up.  If we DON'T see the shoots after long enough, that's enough for us to believe that the seed is dead OR deduce something went wrong and give up.  Ultimately, the bigger the building, the deeper the foundations.  The taller the tree, the deeper the roots.  We've all seen a construction site that suddenly becomes a full-fledged skyscraper✅✅✅

The thing is, you CAN'T trust what you see OR don't see.  Studies show that 90% of the time, there's more to see OR you CAN'T see what you need to.  You only REAP AFTER YOU SOW.  So you might ask, is it worth it?  The best-efforts answer is, IT DEPENDS.  WHAT are you trying to grow?  Your expectations have to be relative and proportional to your desired outcome❗❗❗

What's our takeaway here?  It's that the development time is proportionate to the size of the output.  If you want to grow a patch of grass, then fine.  You DON'T need to do much.  DON'T expect it to take too long.  BUT you CAN'T have the same expectations if you want to grow an oak tree, right?  If you want to build a tent, maybe in 10 to 15 minutes, you're done BUT that won't withstand a storm.  Rain and cold, that is NOT a long-term solution.  A long-term solution is a brick house but it will take 100 times the effort and time to finish it.  CAN WE BE A BAMBOO IN LIFE✅✅✅

Be Soft OR Be Stubborn In Life?

Be Soft OR Be Stubborn In Life?

Be Soft OR Be Stubborn In Life? No sirrrrs, NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL.  There is no YES or NO to this question.  We can be either SOFT or STUBBORN depending on WHAT is warranted, reasonable and just.  And the boundary that separates this HUGE DIVIDE is a very thin thread which sometimes sways and wavers to either side💴💷💵

Even the horse has its moments and reasons when to be SOFT or STUBBORN.  In the Third World, especially in Hispanic countries, it is normal to see a subservient horse pulling the rickshaw, all for the daily earnings of the rickshaw driver.  BUT there are times when even your most subservient horse can be that stubborn.  Figure it out before letting the horse bear the brunt of your harsh treatment📗📙📘

If you swing things to me, with alacrity, I'll swear that I'm as soft as the marshmallow when it is warranted BUT when shove turns to push, I can be as hardened as the stones and the concrete walls.  And many times, where principles might get compromised, I'll stand pat on what I firmly believe and looping arguments WON'T deter me till I gain headway✅✅✅

Either way though has its downsides.  Often, being SOFT is tagged as a 'bad thing' because it implies weakness, BUT people love SOFT things.  Beds, clothing, blankets, stuffed toys. We just DON'T crave for sharp edges.  What we crave is comfort.  BUT as humans, we're expected to be HARD.  To be TOUGH.  To develop a thicker skin and learn NOT to cry when life hurts.  And life does, inevitably, hurt❎❎❎

The world will sharpen our edges.  It's certainly sharpened mine.  It used to be I was a people-pleaser, NO THANKS to my culture who, generally, hates confrontation and I watched that quality taken advantage of time and time again.  My lack of boundaries was [wrongly] seen as SOFTNESS so I got tougher.  I turned them into sharp edges.  I learned a bit back.  Our takeaway today?  Consider giving the BENEFIT OF DOUBT because that gives both parties the mutual upsides as to when to be SOFT or be HARD and STUBBORN❗❗❗

When Do You Sharpen Your EDGES

When Do You Sharpen Your EDGES

When Do You Sharpen Your EDGES? All along, we are told that our EDGES in life will naturally sharpen as they get honed.  YES and NO indeed.    By the natural evolution of things, indeed we do get our EDGES sharpened but it could cut both ways.  I've known people with sharp EDGES but whose bluntness eventually losing its luster NOT by accident BUT because the incumbent DIDN'T leverage the EDGES of his sharpness💵💴💷

When we grow up, we began to discover our abilities, these things that we're capable of doing.  For example, we start to sharpening our skills to communicate, to draw, to write, and just a lot more of our interests.  In my own humble opinion, I believe the same thing happens in the professional area when we start to study at a university begin to acquire some skills, as time advances, we can improve them📗📙📘

Having said this, there is a notable difference between the skills that we improve because they are essential for daily life and those that we improve because we want to.  It is really important to recognize certain things, one of them is that as worker equipped with specific skills, there is enough room for us to improve on it and it's true it could be a little confusing to find on which to focus to continue working on them, for this, we must know ourselves and look for the aspects that we should improve📌📌📌

Word of caution.  If you are contemplating to be GOOD AT EVERYTHING, be cautioned as you might end up GOOD AT NOTHING.  That is NOT to cast aspersion on one's good faith and sincere intentions BUT I've personally known on first-hand basis more than a dozen people who had the BEST INTENTIONS but WHERE are they today?  Sad to say, they're somewhere rock bottom.  Really sad because I knew they had the BEST INTENTIONS❗❗❗

Any GUESS as to why even those with the BEST INTENTIONS ended up fumbling?  Simple.  They knew they had the EDGE, that capability but over time, through wear and tear, that EDGE does wear out, its bluntness losing out gradually.  Our takeaway today:  Your EDGE could be as sharp as ever today BUT you got to CONSISTENTLY sharpen it✅✅✅

What Can We Learn From FAILURE

What Can We Learn From FAILURE

WHAT word in the dictionary has been most associated with NEGATIVITY?  Yesirrrrrrs it is FAILURE.  Whenever we hear it, our mind, which has been conditioned is already sending some signals to our body that something NEGATIVE is coming up.  Through different networks, communications, advertisements or media, our minds get used to associating failure with a NEGATIVE experience.  BUT FAILURE ISN'T bad.  So, What Can We Learn From FAILURE❓❓❓

BUT the wisdom of learning from FAILURE is incontrovertible.  Yet, organizations that do it well are extraordinarily rare.  This gap is NOT due to a lack of commitment to learning.  And in the corporate environment, when a FAILURE hits their operations, tons and tons of man-efforts are spent as part of the post-mortem, never giving up in digging for the very RCA [root cause analysis].  BUT hey, many managers may be thinking of FAILURE the wrong way📗📙📘

To be frank, FAILURE is actually a necessary recipe in our life.  FAILURE gives us the answer we really need.  It gives us WHAT is wrong and WHAT is right.  Again, to forewarn everyone, FAILURE hurts and at times it can be that ruthless.  BUT it is pure.  It DOESN'T judge based on your physical looks.  Like nature, it is pure💎💎💎

NOT to piggy-back on this posterized quote from NBA great, MICHAEL JORDAN but looking back, I credit all my past failures for the successes I achieved.  I could NOT have done it any other way.  WITHOUT the past FAILURES I had to suffer the brunt, I would have NOT been able to help and touch lives.  WITHOUT FAILURES, I wouldn't be able to have the courage to pursue my goals and dreams.  I remember how ambitious my goals were✅✅✅

So, how do we manage FAILURES? Primero, ACCEPT whatever feelings and emotions you are now struggling with.  Remember that FAILURE does NOT mean that your life is going to be OVER.  And if you FAIL to learn from your FAILURES, that's a huge letdown as you'll be the sore loser for missing those LEARNED LESSONS❗❗❗

Whoever Taught Us INVERSION?

Whoever Taught Us INVERSION?

Whoever Taught Us INVERSION? I'm sorry BUT no one, not even in the Ivy League, were we ever taught INVERSION.  The fact is, typically, we think and solve problems in a forward-looking way, e.g. HOW do I have a good life?  HOW do I get out of debt?  HOW do I have a great marriage/relationship?  HOW do I get rich?  HOW do I get rich❔❔❔

Psychologists claim that it is NOT enough to think about difficult problems one way.  Which means we should look at and approach them both forwards and backwards.  Arising from their studies, they define INVERSION as the process of addressing problems BACKWARDS.  INVERSION helps us to uncover our HIDDEN BELIEFS about problems and allows us to avoid WHAT we ultimately DO NOT WANT.  It is much easier to avoid WHAT we DON'T want than to get WHAT we do want.  In the simplest words, FORWARD says 'HOW DO I GET X?' whereas BACKWARDS says 'HOW DO I NOT GET X'❓❓❓

Surprisingly, INVERSION was introduced long time back by Stoicism way back AD 63-65s by Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire.  So, how do we use INVERSION?  The recommended simple 3-Step guide can be applied in different situations.  Firstly, DEFINE THE PROBLEM YOU WANT TO SOLVE.  Secondly, INVERT THE PROBLEM TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN and thirdly, AVOID WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN📌📌📌

In practical terms, let's look at small-scale investments we're considering.  A FORWARD approach is for us to ask HOW CAN I INVEST $10,000 and have a reasonable return of investment in one year.  By applying INVERSION, we'll ask ourselves, if I invest $10,000, how can I avoid NOT earning a reasonable return of investment from that money?  See the stark difference between FORWARD and INVERSION approaches❎❎❎

Now, walking the talk, allow me to share that I have been applying INVERSION in my life, at least for the past three decades.  By taking that pre-emptive step of figuring out pitfalls I can avoid up front, initially, INVERSION felt like unnatural as previous to INVERSION, I was used to confidently defending my own positions, NOT scrutinizing them from the other side.  BUT the more I explored it, the more I pushed myself to INVERT my thinking.  Let's walk the talk dude❗❗❗