The System That's Slowly And Quietly Destroying Us
It's costing money.It's costing time.It's costing headache and pain and frustration.The trouble is that it's the system we've used for so long.The trouble is that it does what it was designed to do, but we don't need it to do that anymore.The trouble is that it still works for some people.
Can you guess what I'm talking about?
It's the public education system.For some, the public school system is effective at doing exactly what it was designed to do.
It creates workers who know how to follow instructions, sit at a desk for 8 hours a day, and stay in their lanes.
The problem is that it's not creating workers for the jobs that don't exist yet.The problem is that right now, we're all spending lots of money UN-teaching new graduates so they can learn what matters in TODAY's workplace.It's rare that an employer needs their team to know Pythagorean theorem or that Neptune is a gas planet.It's more important that they learn how to lift others up, keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity, and how to create new solutions to problems that pop up on the job.I don't need you to know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell--I need you to know the consequences of not correcting global warming.I don't need you to know the date of the battle of Waterloo--I need you to know how to handle difficult personalities.I don't need you to know the names of the states and capitals--I need you to know how to use a spreadsheet to solve an inventory problem.It's not about the formula or memorization anymore.We've got technology for that.It's about solving human problems.
2 Minute Action
What's the skill or human problem that's causing 80% of your pain right now?How will you fix it?Some options include:
- Hiring a consultant/specialist who works with people/companies like you.
- Hiring a therapist to get through the personal or socio-emotional hurdles we all have.
- Building/anchoring a practice or habit into your daily routine.
The punchline is that school has failed many of us.It's up to you to identify and solve.Your clock is ticking so I suggest you make this priority and take action.
How To Fuel Your Motivation
There’s something special that happens when things go right.It happens when you see the magic happen in front of you and you realize that this couldn’t have happened the same way without your effort.And the tricky thing is that it’s super easy to just move straight through it without taking the time to realize the impact.Big no-no.Realizing the goodness you’ve created can provide you with long-lasting memories that fuel your motivation to do more and be more.
Consider it “stopping to smell the roses.”
In the end, it’s these memories that you’ll be left with.It’s your choice what they will be.The choice isn’t a big monumental one that you’ve got lots of time to think about, though.The choice is something that happens every day in small moments.The choice is something that you develop over time.The choice is a pattern of thinking.The choice is a habit you build with practice.Drip. Drip. Drip.
2 Minute Action:
What’s something you did really well recently?Score it in your mind as a win.Feels kinda good, right?Now what else can you do, today?Make it happen.The planet is counting on you.
How To Actually Do Less Stuff And Get More Done
Productivity is not about doing more work.
It’s not about turning gears faster in a gearbox.And it’s not about the hours you put in.
In fact, it’s just the opposite.
It’s about figuring out how to do less work.It’s about shifting gears to apply better leverage.It’s about reducing the time and resources required to get the job done by deadline.
2 Minute Action
Where do you spend 80% of your day or effort?What causes 80% of the headaches, pain points, or dollar drainage?If you can take 2 minutes to identify it, you can measure it.If you can measure it, you can alleviate it.Don’t try to fix everything at once, just focus on one big problem at a time.