Merit is subjective
We tend to hold onto the notion that people are given rewards based on how deserving or worthy they are. Unfortunately, merit isn’t a primary motivator for many decisions, and even when it is, each person defines merit in their own way. So even when people are acting with the purest of intentions, individuals vying […]
A podcast or a book?
Since writing the Quarter Life Framework, many people have asked about the process because they’re wondering if they should write a book or launch a podcast. A big downside to writing a book is it’s released in a completed state. It takes a lot of time and effort to write a book, and it could […]
Intuitive design
Alright, fun post today! You may have heard of a small indie game called Super Mario Bros. that became a global phenomenon. A reason it became so popular is how well the first level served as its own tutorial. Everything you need to know about the game is included in World 1-1. Yet no instructions […]
Get the deal done
It’s exciting when two parties see mutual benefit from transacting or working together. Unfortunately, this excitement can wane as discussions about the engagement progress. Negotiations can focus too much on minor details, and the more this is drawn out the more likely things will stall. If both sides can gain from an arrangement and have […]
Improving your networking
Networking is more than just walking into a room and meeting as many people as you can. It’s about making connections which will build into meaningful relationships. Here are a few ways you can improve your networking. Choose settings for ongoing engagement. Meeting someone multiple times will build a stronger connection than meeting them once. […]
Meeting end times
You’ll be surprised how many meetings you have that are open-ended. When this happens, it can draw out the discussion and actually prevent a conclusion from being reached. People will anchor themselves to an end time when it is set, which helps concentrate the discussion and keeps the agenda moving forward. If the time set […]
Embracing the lows
When I decided to buy a business, I did so with full awareness that the journey would involve low points. While I couldn’t predict what these lows were going to be, I was willing to embrace them in whatever form they took. Because of this, when these moments happen, it brings an appreciation that this […]
Genuine change
When you change your behaviour, people may challenge your intentions because their assumptions about you haven’t changed. During these moments, try to be as considerate as possible. Think about how long it took you to make this change. Why would you expect others to shift their understanding of you so quickly? It will take time […]
Your work commute
The commute to work is changing as work arrangements grow more flexible, but it may not be for the better. When work is tied to a physical location, it provides an important space to move between mental states. You can more easily leave your mental load at work and process the day that was, such […]
Urgent decisions
Whenever a problem arises, I tend to overestimate the urgency to respond. This isn’t a good system, as too often I will narrowly focus on resolving the problem quickly without considering their relative importance. What I’ve found very helpful in working through this bias is reflecting on the research of Paul Nutt, who showed that […]