by Gary Mintchell | Jul 24, 2023 | Personal Development
I picked up this list from a tweet by one of my favorite modern writers, Nassim Nicholas Taleb. He wrote Black Swan, Fooled by Randomness, among other books. This is one of those lists you can tape above your desk and contemplate often.
TRUE WEALTH (2nd Ed)
- Worriless sleeping
- Clear conscience
- Reciprocal gratitude
- Absence of envy
- Foamy coffee
- Crusty bread
- Inexperienced enemies
- Frequent laughs
- No meals alone
- No gym classes
- Gravel bicycling
- Good digestive functions
- No Zoom meetings
- Periodic surprises
- Nothing to hide: financial and fiscal tranquility
- Muscular strength & endurance
- Ability to nap
- Access to a hammock
Note: That was from a tweet, as on Twitter. By the time you read this, Twitter may be X. Elon Musk seems to think X is a manly character. He says he’s changing the name of the service this week. Some people have more money than sense.
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 20, 2023 | Personal Development
A group of academic psychology researchers conducted a longitudinal study of children. It wasn’t long term, but did take place over a time period. They were curious about growth versus static mindset. A task was given to a group of kids. Some kids were given feedback that involved verbs—you worked well, you did your practice consistently, and so forth. Another group was given noun feedback—you are so smart, you are a good athlete, and so forth.
Later, the kids were given a similar task. The ones praised with nouns, did not perform better. The ones praised with verbs continued to improve.
I’m standing on the mezzanine at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, IL. Soon competition at the Illinois club state finals will commence. I brought my granddaughter who made the 800 meter freestyle relay team for her club that qualified from the regional championships. There must be hundreds of young athletes here who have worked hard all season in order to qualify to be here.
Starting at the beginning of the season when as a younger person in her age group she didn’t think she had a shot at the regionals. I told her every week, just be a little better this week than last. I praised her work. And at the end of the season she swam in eight events at the regionals. I’m sure all of the other swimmers have a similar story.
How do you feel in your professional life or your personal life? How are you treating youth or colleagues?
Maybe you see an opportunity that you can grow a little at a time. Don’t believe the media hype of overnight success. “Overnight success” almost always comes after a period of work—one percent better over time. Are you mentoring someone younger? I hope so. Don’t tell them they are great. Tell them you appreciate their hard work or willingness to learn new things. Work on your relationships at home and at work. One percent better every day.
Practice. 1% better every day. Check in at the end of a month or a year. I can tell you from personal experience—it works.
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 14, 2023 | Personal Development
Is what you are doing—in your organization, workplace, family, community—significant work?
- Does it make a positive change in the world?
- A positive change in some other human being?
- A positive change in you?
As a leader, are you providing people with significant work? Or, just busy work? Maybe the work we’ve always done (and never thought about why)?
What significant work can you (and I) do beginning now that will make a difference?
Do it!
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 5, 2023 | Personal Development
“How did I get into this situation?”
I’ve pushed myself into many situations over my lifetime where I would ask myself that question. There I was, the guy with the whistle, about to signal for the kickoff of the boys big school state championship soccer contest. “What am I doing here?”
Many times I’ve pushed myself only to subsequently wonder what I’d done to myself.
I thought of that last week with my grandkids.
My grandson is just back from a tour of five European countries with 600 of his closest friends—well 600 other high school student musicians from Illinois. They toured and performed in England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. He’s already an experienced international traveler, but he put himself into an entirely new experience at age 15.
Meanwhile his 13-year-old sister went off for a week at a swim camp (she’s a competitive swimmer) in another state. She put herself out for a new experience.
Psychology research suggests two primary types of mindset: growth and fixed. A fixed mindset happens when you believe there are restrictions on what you can accomplish. A growth mindset looks at possibilities. We all experience both types of thinking, but spending more time in the growth mode creates changes in your brain that can increase your likelihood of success.
Studies suggest that those with more time in a growth mindset are better at goal-setting and decision-making. Additional research also appears to show that a growth mindset can build resilience that turns potentially frustrating moments into learning experiences.
It is often said that you are the sum of your six closest friends. You need to be around people who are more positive, encourage you to grow beyond what you think is possible, and provide specific positive feedback. So if you’re around too much negativity, it’s time to cut that loose.
Those with a growth mindset tend to be inspired by the success of others (rather than intimidated or defeated), and they focus on expanding their comfort zone.
Stepping outside the comfort zone to learn, teach (best way to learn!), serve boosts your confidence and your physical, mental, and emotional growth.
What’s holding you back?
by Gary Mintchell | Jul 3, 2023 | Personal Development
I wrote about how little things matter Friday. Then I received my weekly newsletter from Vitaliy Katsenelson, CEO of an investment firm who also calls himself “student of life.” He wrote this:
Just remember, little things matter; on their own, you may not notice them, but they all add up. Walt Disney once said, “You can feel quality.” Quality is the result of doing all the little things well, and with heart and soul.
I also receive a fitness newsletter five days a week. This morning they told of many responses they’ve seen over the several months since this newsletter began of people applying the 1% better approach. Just try for 1% better at something every day. Some people began the training with 15-lb. dumbells and are not at 30-lb. A little at a time. I encourage my granddaughter every time she posts just a little better time in her swim meets. At the end of this season, her times are remarkably better than at the beginning.
You think you cannot read something motivational or educational and meditate/pray every day for 30 minutes. But you start with five minutes you grab with early morning coffee. Soon, 30 minutes is nothing.
by Gary Mintchell | Jun 30, 2023 | Personal Development
Little things matter.
The small, almost incidental, decisions accumulate and lead to habits.
Teach yourself to be aware of little things you do, usually without thinking. Have you done them three days consecutively? Is it now a habit that will degrade your health–physical, emotional, or spiritual?
Think of the little things.
Making your bed when you get up. That begins the day with discipline and you are rewarded with a freshly made bed at night.
Flossing after brushing your teeth.
Not absent-mindedly scrolling through social media.
Having a good book laid out ready to read when the moment happens.
A smile and greeting to everyone you meet.
The little things accumulate. When you reflect at the end of the day, you’ll be amazed at the good.
