ChatGPT: When Is A TOOL NOT A THREAT

ChatGPT:  When Is A TOOL NOT A THREAT

Today, please DON'T think our thread is a boring one because it touches on technology.  We'll dissect it from a layman's perspective, that's all.  This is WHERE ChatGPT comes into the picture.  When Is A TOOL NOT A THREAT?  Is this a legitimate question?  YES it is, because some of us see a THREAT in ChatGPT whereas many of us see a TOOL in ChatGPT.  BUT way beyond this discourse about ChatGPT, such is life, there are always two sides of a coin📗📙📘

Before anything else, let's align for the definition of ChatGPT wherein in the technology space, it is defined as the tool in OpenAI [WHICH means it is NOT proprietary] and anyone can develop a ChatGPT script as it indeed revolutionizes the way we interact with technology, making it possible for people to communicate with machines in a more natural and efficient way.  So, this has led to significant improvements in the way we consume and process information, as well as enhanced customer service experiences.  Seriously, it has changed the way we work, the way we reach out to the customer service hotlines of our banking and service providers, giving birth to entirely new industries and somehow is perceived to be threatening to replace workers in many sectors💎💎💎

This should bring us to a safe alignment that indeed, whether ChatGPT is a TOOL or a THREAT, this is a legitimate discussion worth our time and effort.  BUT without favoring technology instantly, the fact is that ChatGPT has significantly matured the past year because currently, it has that ability to take text that has a lot of 'NOISE' in it, like text from voice-to-text software WHICH tends to make a lot of mistakes OR texts from chats between people that has a lot of back and forth and stops like um, and hmmmm.....💧💧💧

Given all these, amongst us within the technology community, we are asking this blunt question, WHETHER some in the fields of customer service, finance, entertainment, and even programming may become obsolete BUT it's a very IFFFY speculative statement and the looming consensus is that this ChatGPT arising from generative AI [artificial intelligence] will NOT make many of these jobs obsolete.  Instead, it is likely to improve a lot of jobs, taking the mundane aspects of the job away and freeing people to deal with more complex and interesting aspects of the jobs to be impacted by ChatGPT💦💦💦

Our takeaway:  All these technology progress we are now witnessing are definitely more TOOLS than THREATS to us, by and large.  And there is an ongoing 'debate' as to whether large language models will replace humans in these industries OR augment their productivity and even open up to new opportunities.  Taking a step back, the insight here is for us to embrace all these POSITIVES instead of being cynical because ChatGPT is more of a TOOL than a THREAT to us all💥💥💥

When Should We Be SILENT?

When Should We Be SILENT?

Yes folks, there is a fine line between expressing opinion and letting silence do the talking.  The difference often lies in wisdom.  Speaking out is about voicing your thoughts BUT often, the art of remaining SILENT can speak volumes without even uttering a single word.  We all encounter situations in life WHERE SILENCE is indeed recognized as GOLDEN.  The trick is figuring out WHEN to zip it and let the SILENCE work its magic.  In brief, this is a dilemma which we can preempt.  So, When Should We Be SILENT📙📘

Yes, navigating life is a bit like dancing, it's all about knowing WHEN to step forward and WHEN to take a step back.  OR even in some cases, WHEN to stay completely 'STILL'.  And by 'STILL', we're referring to SILENCE.  And I believe it is NOT difficult as to WHEN should we should be appropriately SILENT:  

WHEN emotions are high - Been there, done that.  We've all been there.  Tensions are rising, voices escalating and the air is practically humming with emotion💎💎💎

Researches show that emotional arousal impairs our ability to process information and moreso, make balanced decisions.  You see, WHEN we're heated up, our brain really goes 'BERSERK' or for analogy, it's like your iPhone going in AIRPLANE MODE.  In the end, we're more likely to say things we DON'T mean OR make decisions that we later regret.  It's a primal instinct that DOESN'T serve us well in most scenarios.  That's WHY experts vouch for the power of SILENCE in these moments💧💧💧

WHEN you're not informed enough - This is quite straightforward BUT experts claim that this is often overlooked.  If you AREN'T well-informed about a subject, it's best to remain SILENT.  As we live in an age of instant opinions and fast facts with information that seems to be overflowing in fact, it is easy to feel pressured to have a say in everything BUT let's be honest that's NOT always the best approach.  I've learned this the hard way.  In my early days of exploring mindfulness, I'd often jump into discussions with half-baked knowledge.  Then I realized that speaking without understanding muddles the waters💦💦💦

WHEN your words may harm others - This is quite difficult to swallow BUT experts advise that this is so vital.  While the right of speech is one of our fundamental aspects, it means abstaining from LYING, DIVISIVE SPEECH, HARSH SPEECH and even IDLE CHATTER.  If ever you find yourself in a situation WHERE your words may cause pain OR harm to another person, regardless if it is intentional OR not, it is wise to HOLD YOUR TONGUE.  

WHEN you need to listen - We're often so focused on being heard that we forget to listen.  Active listening is a skill, one that requires mindfulness.

WHEN SHOULD WE BE SILENT?  We should know❗❗❗

SINCERICIDE

SINCERICIDE

SINCERICIDE.  Yes Yes Yes. My reservoir of vocabulary increased by one today after stumbling across SINCERIDE which briefly, it's meaning is somewhere between AUTHENTICITY and SINCERITY.  Which is a tough call because personally, in real life, NOT everything you see or witness is AUTHENTHIC.  Neither are all people SINCERE.  This is NOT to bad-mouth but this is the stark TRUTH.  And the TRUTH is that there is a difference between telling the TRUTH and committing a SINCERICIDE.  Unfortunately in life, we DON'T always have this subtlety so WHEN we use the sword of TRUTH, we may possibly cause 'damage' [think about the offense of hurting someone [even if it was an unconscious one and NOT meant in bad faith]]📗📙📘

Honestly though, it is likely that everyone of us [and it includes moi] acted as SINCERICIDES on some occasions in the past [if NOT till now].  However, if saying the TRUTH so brazenly, hurting others, becomes our 'NORMAL' behavior, it would be good wondering WHY we have become that sort of 'KAMIKAZE OF TRUTH'.  And experts opine that on many occasions, this sort of suicidal attachment to TRUTH is the expression of something much deeper, WHICH may be the desire to 'punish' the other or even themselves💥💥💥

Psychologist further opine that SINCERICIDE is usually a person WHO believes he is being treated unfairly, OR feels he is NOT sufficiently valued OR being trampled.  And in these cases, it uses TRUTH as a 'legitimate' weapon to attack the world, which deeply disillusioned him.  Further studies show that there are those WHO might be called as 'BORN SINCERICIDES', those WHO think they are the only ones to be right and that their attachment to TRUTH allows them to pass on any type of social subtlety💦💦💦

And furthermore, these SINCERICIDES feel that the fact that it is a TRUTH that seems 'brighting like the sub' is a sufficient reason NOT to make unnecessary rides.  After all, these people are convinces that they are the only ones to be honest and that everyone else is lying, even just to 'adorn' the TRUTH and subtract part of its impact.  The disconnect here is that SINCERICIDES [wrongly] believe that they think that 'BEING HONEST' is equivalent to 'BEING GOOD', which is NOT❌❌❌

Our takeaway:  Let us NOT be one of those SINCERICIDES that being 'DIRECT', saying things as they are and not joking is an expression of consistency but actually seeing the damage they cause with their SINCERITY, their actions reveal a destructive intent, WHICH means they have a double moral since they do NOT act in accordance with WHAT they say to be.  The fact that a TRUTH is good for us does NOT mean that is good for the others as well, NO sirrrrrrrrs❗❗❗

YOLO, Life Is Too Short

YOLO, Life Is Too Short

True, we frequently hear all these and say these things that are supposed to be motivating and inspiring [OR at least make us feel better about the choices made in the quest for happiness] but if we dig deeper and take more than just a cursory look, they may be simply glib sound bites designed to take you away from the best parts of being alive.  Indeed, Life Is Too Short.  BUT life only feels short in retrospect, WHEN we look back and reminisce about the time that has passed.  Factually, it is a collection of moments.  How often have we noticed how frequently almost everyone utters the word 'YOLO', often to hype-up those "CAN'T MISS" opportunities.  'YOLO', the short for YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE and it's true if we think about it📗📙📘

Glancing at the above chart of 'FAMOUS DEATHs', NOT because dying makes us famous, The above chart is courtesy of 'waitbutwhy.com' and each of the dots represent ONE [1] week in our lifetime.  You can observe that most of the boxes are not fully filled.  Some of them have barely occupied even half of the little boxes on this table.  It implies that, WITHOUT THEM REALIZING IT, they had only a limited number of weeks in their lives.  In fact, NONE of them managed to fill all the tiny boxes and make it to age 90.  Sadly, they NEVER realized this.  And YES, that hit me like a truck running over me.  They, LIKE MOST OF US, often assume we have an abundance of time BUT the reality is that we NEVER truly know HOW much time we have OR HOW many little boxes are left💧💧💧

You may disagree [BUT I'll staunchly argue on this], more often than NOT, our time is limited.  Yes, that's all we got, our lives are those little boxes that will run out eventually and we may NEVER know WHEN that will happen.  All we have is a limited amount of time.  And as a procrastinator [before], I found that conclusion incredibly unsettling.  Often, we assume that we have tomorrow, BUT we overlook its uncertainty💥💥💥

All these made me reflect back on my life because admittedly, I had some dreams that I've left unfulfilled [BUT hey, LIFE IS TOO SHORT].  About a list of things I've always wanted to do, BUT I've been hesitant to start them.  WHY?  Because, long time back, I did often succumb to procrastination.  And NOT just about dreams.  Sometimes it's the smallest tasks that should be done right away.  Something I believe many can relate to.  TRUE, we all have a bit of PROCRASTINATOR in us, and there's likely at least one thing we delay, even in our daily lives.  HOW often have we told ourselves "I'LL WORK ON THIS TOMORROW" only to open your laptop and end up just scratching the surface❌❌❌

Our takeaway:  Remember even those seemingly casual situations WHEN you wanted to clean up your room then you ended up scrolling on your phone, ending stuck and glued at that Kevin Hart compilation on YouTube.  Thing is, we often delay tasks by saying "I'M FEELING LAZY TODAY, I'LL DO IT TOMORROW" BUT.... are you aware of the possibility that TOMORROW MAY NEVER COME?  THAT it's an uncertain concept and even a minute from now, we CAN'T predict WHAT will happen next.  Indeed, YOLO, LIFE IS TOO SHORT😌😌😌

Oversharing Gone Overboard

Oversharing Gone Overboard 

Long time back, what is personal, it's private and what is public, it's there 'wide open'.  This is where even museums were popular before because that's where things publicly shared are officially out there for your naked eyes.  Fast forward today, the line between private and public information has never been more blurred, whether you blame it on social media, reality TV or is it all because of that Covid-19 pandemic that caused Oversharing Gone Overboard📗📙📘

Chances are high that at one point or another, you and me have been guilty of OVERSHARING which, in literary parlance, is described as 'exclusively talking about personal matters and neglecting to volley the conversation back and forth'.  How many posts do we witness whether in Facebook, Instagram or elsewhere?  Do your friends and even co-workers know every intimate detail about your last [previous] relationship!@#$%?

OR worse, does every conversation somehow turn into a personal monologue?  It's great to be authentic and personable BUT you might be going too far with HOW much information you unload on those around you?  BUT we might hear from many naysayers like, WHAT'S WRONG WITH OVERSHARING?  There are simple, logical and practical [call it 'common sense'] reasons WHY OVERSHARING is really a NO-NO❌❌❌

YOU could be putting yourself at risk [or worse] in danger by revealing too much to the wrong person.  YOU could be treating someone as your FRIEND now but WHO knows if NEXT month, NEXT year[s], he/she has turned into your ENEMY?  And WHEN that happens, WHAT happens to everything you 'trustingly' SHARED to him/her during those times WHEN you were 'chummy-chummy'?  YOU may even tend to alienate people WHO would feel uncomfortable with the amount of 'personal' information you are SHARING.  At worst, YOU could even be taken advantage WHEN recounting problems to people WHO DON'T have your best interest in mind😌😌😌

Our takeaway:  Dig up the most probable reasons you're OVER-SHARING.  Is it because of your FALSE sense of intimacy?  OR is it because you're finding solace in a stranger? In that case, that could be a case of MISPLACED trust.  OR is there a misguided attempt to kind of 'fast track' a relationship?  OR there are just poor [call it blurred] boundaries between you and that supposed TRUSTED one?  All these indeed point us to OVERSHARING GONE OVERBOARD❎❎❎

Would You Believe? There Are Problems With TIME MANAGEMENT?

Would You Believe?  There Are Problems With TIME MANAGEMENT?

Would You Believe? There are tons and tons of TIME MANAGEMENT best practices.  And YET,  as time flies, fleets and floats away WHEN we have so much to do, there are TIME MANAGEMENT Problems.  Unfortunately, TIME can be equated to money, although NOT the kind you can deposit at the bank.  But hell no, TIME is perishable.  You have to make the most of it while it lasts.  And that's WHAT TIME MANAGEMENT is all about, right?  Your ability to maximize every minute of your day.  So, Would You Believe?  There Are Problems With TIME MANAGEMENT!@#$%?

Sadly, some people often feel robbed of it WHILE it still lasts.  Many people also feel impoverished WHEN it comes to TIME.  Ironically, many rich people feel this way too, that they have less TIME than they need.  TIME poverty OR feeling that we lack critical TIME is a sign of poor TIME MANAGEMENT and it can lead to unhappiness and productivity.  So, we got to stop wondering WHY TIME isn't as abundant as you want it to be.  Instead, let's hone our TIME MANAGEMENT skills, if we may please💧💧💧

Now, rather than we discuss the mechanics of all the tons of TIME MANAGEMENT best practices, the bottom line has always been HOW you waste your TIME and HOW to fix to be more productive.  And since we CAN'T discuss productivity without coming across TIME MANAGEMENT, it becomes a MUST within our sustainable productivity system and a mandatory tackle on your journey for self improvement.  Despite all these, HOW COME many of us still do it WRONG❎❎❎

It seems many of us still see TIME MANAGEMENT as a way of cramming up as many tasks as possible in the shortest amount of time.  They tend to see productivity as a quantitative success instead of a qualitative one.  And that is where it is fundamentally WRONG.  From a productivity perspective, you should analyze your goals, prioritize them based on your personal values and break it down into even the smallest steps that are more OR less valuable❗❗❗

Our takeaway:  IF you're using TIME MANAGEMENT to fit in as many tasks as possible, it probably means you DIDN'T prioritize your tasks and you DON'T know the value of each of them.  BUT there CAN'T be all that valuable.  So, you DON'T need to take them all in your TO-DO List.  Experts in TIME MANAGEMENT recommend that the 'WINNING SPLIT' should be something like 3 valuable tasks, 1 medium value task and 1 or 2 tasks that are NOT valuable BUT need to be done.  So, Would You Believe?  There Are Problems With TIME MANAGEMENT❓❓❓

WHAT IF Everyone Thinks You're Wrong BUT You're Right [Or Otherwise]?

WHAT IF Everyone Thinks You're Wrong BUT You're Right [Or Otherwise]?

WHAT IF Everyone Thinks You're Wrong BUT You're Right [Or Otherwise]?  We've all been in the circumstance WHERE we're having a conversation [OR sometimes, an argument] with someone and they're convinced you're wrong about something even though you know you're right.  WHETHER it's trivial facts OR serious issues, HOW you react to the accusation can turn the course of the whole conversation.  Of course sometimes we can fall into such infallibility battles even WHEN we're NOT arguing with a know-it-all.  We often slide into them and gradually, even with reasonable people💧💧💧

Sometimes, we do get exasperated with each other and even impatient to prove our point.  And to keep our boats afloat, we start rocking each other's boats.  Then, pretty soon the goal is sinking each other, proving once and for all that the other person is a complete nincompoop.  Psychologists have even coined the 'winner takes all, loser still pays' pattern.  Indeed, that goes a long way toward explaining WHY when we're in a hole we keep digging.  Experts confirm that those patterns show up even in wars, elections keeping up with the Joneses, gambling, investing and even informal arguments.  We invest then, having invested are unwilling to let go.  We're willing to pay almost anything to keep from losing but so are our competitors.  NO ONE willing to surrender❌❌❌

Experts have practical recommendations:

CHECK YOUR OWN ARGUMENTS FIRST - Just because you know you're right it DOESN'T mean getting into an actual argument is worth it.  As our forefathers shared their wisdom, CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES

DON'T BE EMOTIONALLY OVERWHELMED - WHEN you're opposed by someone, you tend to have an emotional response which is normal BUT experts advise it's best to keep calm💥💥💥

IT'S NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO CHANGE SOMEONE'S MIND - Sometimes it is just plain NOT worth it to try and change someone's mind.  UNLESS an issue is that serious enough, it's occasionally best to just agree to disagree and move on

SOME ISSUES ARE OBJECTIVE, SOME ARE SUBJECTIVE - With concrete issues, like the height of the tallest mountain], it's very possible you're right provided you have observable, objective and verifiable facts✅✅✅

Our takeaway:  Your relationship should dictate HOW you respond.  WHEN a friend OR  a family member says you're wrong about something you know HOW to temper your response because you've known them for a long time.  WHEN it's a stranger OR worse, a boss OR co-worker, it's important to weigh the usefulness of a response.  If your boss is vindictive, it's likely best to accept their wrongness and move on IF you want to keep your job [UNLESS their wrongness is a high risk and perilous to you OR even to your organization.  And IF you think you're CORRECT, make sure you're CORRECT.  It seems obvious to you that you're right BUT that DOESN'T mean you're NOT making assumptions.  And once you've decided it's actually worth reacting WHEN someone says you're wrong, it's time to formulate that response in a way that will actually get your point across❗❗❗

Multitasking, REALLY?

Multitasking, REALLY?

Today, the vast majority of us multitask while using our smartphones.  Checking our emails, surfing social media, texting, launching a long list of mobile apps, and then, you add in Netflix streaming at the background of the wall-mounted SmartTV, then you're grabbing some foodies while working OR while engaged in a conversation.  MULTITASKING has  become such a regular part of our lives that most of us that most of us believe we do it well.  Multi-tasking, REALLY❓❓❓

BUT here's a not so good news from neuro-scientists.  In their most recent studies, it found that people WHO were frequent media MULTITASKERS had reductions in their brains' grey matter, those areas related to cognitive control and the regulation of motivation and emotion.  They linked up their most recent study with a 2016 research WHICH found that chronic media MULTITASKERS manifested weakness in both their working memory [that ability to store relevant information while working on a task] and long-term memory [the ability to store and recall information over longer periods of time]💦💦💦

When the Covid-19 Pandemic broke out, there were studies covering people's MULTITASKING at home over a seven-day period and the common conclusion is that the more people MULTITASKED, the more likely they were to exhibit behavioral distractibility.  And the prevailing assumption is that by responding to so many distractions, one loses the ability to distinguish between important and unimportant interruptions💧💧💧

These days, WHAT's the common dilemma whether you are in Ankara [Turkey], Moscow [Russie], New Delhi or Mumbai [both in India], Jakarta [Indonesia] OR Manila [Philippines], MULTITASKING can make you walk into traffic.  Researchers compiled information of 1,400 pedestrians in New York City WHO were hit by a car, and discovered that 20 percent of teenagers reported being distracted by a mobile device WHEN they were stuck [as compared to 10% adults] in traffic💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  MULTITASKING hurts and impacts a lot.  Call it COLLATERAL DAMAGE.  A study in the classroom concluded that students WHO MULTITASKED scored lower in their exams.  From a health perspective, experts concluded that MULTITASKING can lead to falling and breaking bones.  A recent study of the elderly found that MULTITASKING was likely to affect women's gait, leading to a significantly greater number of falls and broken bones.  So, let's revisit the viability of MULTITASKING😕😕😕

When You Can't See The Forest

When You Can't See The Forest

This may NOT be happening 100% of the time BUT how often is it When You Can't See The Forest?  Should be QUITE OFTEN.  Thing is, in life, we're often upset by many annoyances and frustrations.  If only we can broaden our perspective to expand our mindfulness, strength and resilience.  Back to our lives, DIDN'T you observe how we're often bothered by many 'little things' and we end up NOT realizing their insignificance in the greater scheme of things.  Sadly, most of WHAT annoys us WON'T even be remembered hours or even weeks later.  Instead of dwelling on minor incidents and letting them ruin your day, consider the big picture and allow your broader, wiser perspective to shape your outlook.  So, WHY do we need to see the WHOLE FOREST?  The LARGER PERSPECTIVE?  The benefits are one too many and it's worth to take a sampling📗📙📘

These days, the velocity of CHANGE is moving at an increasing pace.  In fact, everyone of us would feel the immense pressures to deliver on our accountabilities while we continue to juggle the realities of today's world.  The problem is WHEN we constantly operate in this state, it can become too easy to lose sight of the BIG PICTURE.  Now, for a moment, let's consider the BIG PICTURE is a mountain top.  Picture yourself having hiked up to the top of the mountain and looking down at the valley below WHERE you live💎💎💎

While most of your time is spent in the valley living your everyday life, solving common problems and overcoming challenges, WHEN you do climb to the top of the mountain, you would then gain a new perspective.  From that perspective, you then can see things clearly that may have otherwise been so obvious.  Roads are NOT straight, homes and shops might NOT be ideally located.  Going to the top gives you that ability to observe and correct OR improve things that might otherwise be missed. So, the question to you will be, HOW can you be better💦💦💦

So, for us to see the BIG PICTURE, experts encourage us to ask these questions:

WHY are things occurring as they are?

WHAT is really necessary?

HOW do the various pieces fit into the grand scheme of things?

Still, the question bugging us is:  WHEN we get pulled in so many directions, with shifting priorities, and the never-ending pressure to produce the results💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  WHY should we aim for the BIG PICTURE instead of that narrowed view?

To ALLOW us to see opportunities to improve.

To ALLOW us to bring the BIG PICTURE view to be communicated across.

To REINFORCE the real reason for the activities you perform daily

Dude, moving forward, let us endeavor for the BIG PICTURE so we can holistically get the clearest picture possible😀😀😀

Don't Forget To Live

Don't Forget To Live

Don't Forget To Live.  Yes dude, many of us are guilty about being so engaged and focused making a living to the extent that we FORGET TO LIVE?  Or have we ever got so excited about what's to come in the future that we completely forgot to live in the present?  Oh, I was guilty of this in the past as well and I know for sure that many others either have dealt or are still dealing with this problem.  It's easy to forget about living life itself.  I remember when I was in High School, all I could think of was going to college and in turn, I admit I missed quick a chunk of my High School life.  Those are the days I'll never get back📗📙📘

Sure, many of us have the grandest visions about our future.  BUT here's the BUT.  BUT I didn't take the time to fully enjoy where I could have savored my moments.  During those times, I admit I DIDN'T take ownership but instead I was guilty for neglecting the present.  So why do we need to live life?  It's because the PRESENT is here to help develop and mold us into the individuals we need to become💦💦💦

Day by day, LIFE is fleeing from us.  It's NOT just youth that needs to be reminded of this.  We as adults and workers and entrepreneurs need the same reminder.  It is so easy to get caught up in the activities we're engaged that we completely forget to LIVE fully in the NOW.  Decades from now, you will look back thinking what a mistake it was to NOT be as PRESENT as you could have been📌📌📌

So, how is it WHEN sometimes, deep inside you feel like SOMETHING IS MISSING?  Oh Oh, maybe that's because we are living someone else's life?  Maybe we allowed other people to influence OR determine our choices OR worst, WHEN we are trying to please the expectations of others.  Social pressure is deceiving, we all become prey without even noticing it💥💥💥

Our takeaway:  Yes, sometimes we seem to have lost that passion.  Our FIX: Regain that passion for the life you want.  You need to recover the 'OWNERSHIP' of your choices.  True, expectations are hard to overcome.  So, WHY don't we sweep under the carpet that tendency to be pleasing others because that's like chasing a moving target.  In the end, people will even have multiple 'HOPES' for you.  So, let us agree that by trying to please everyone, we will likely end up pleasing no one [and that includes ourselves because by then you get frustrated of yourself]😌😌😌