Monthly Archives: June 2013

#174 Limitless

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Stories about a super hero can be fun to read, movies about a super hero can be exciting to watch. The most critical moment is how the super hero became one. It involves some chemical change that grants incredible physical and mental strength, which then results in magical abilities.

Limitless

Limitless

The movie Limitless has a similar theme. The protagonist benefits from a magic pill that transforms his life. As is typical, his life goes thru ups and downs and his dependence on the pill is almost pitiful to watch. He is advised towards the end of the movie that he has a gift and he has not earned his powers. I’ll let you watch the movie and not spoil the ending.

Our lives have ups and downs. Sometimes it feels we have more downs that ups. Don’t waste time keeping score. Just be in the moment.

The only magic pill you need is called “hard work.” Watching a super hero or anyone with magical powers is relaxing. Nothing wrong with relaxing. Embrace that fact that excellence in your point of performance will come not by watching a super hero, but by being one. Without pharmaceutical solutions.

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#173 The balance sheet

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From time to time the thought crosses my mind, “I’ve had a few victories recently, a loss is not going to matter.” When a stakeholder complains, I think to myself, “I’ve worked really hard and done some really creative work, you need me more than I need you, why are you complaining? Don’t you appreciate what I am doing for you?”

This line of thinking does not reflect an understanding of the balance sheet approach to work outputs. I may have a lot of assets, but if I have an above than optimal set of liabilities, I will be a danger to myself and to others.

Guard against a feeling of entitlement, a sense that the world owes you something. The world appreciates the good things you do, it even appreciates your efforts, willpower, and resilience. What the world will not appreciate, and you will lose points for, is the expectation that your mistakes are excusable, and can be ignored.

Whether you do something well, or you commit a blunder, just observe them, learn from them, and move on to the next adventure.

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