Who Have I Lost To Most Of The Time In My Life?

I asked myself: Who have I lost to most of the time in my life?

It didn’t take long to realise that I have often lost to myself.

I lost when I didn’t keep my promise to commit. I lost when I wavered from the decisions I made. I lost when I knowingly distracted myself, even though I knew I should be focusing. I lost when I chose short-term pleasures over sustained effort toward my goals. I lost when I prioritised ego-centric goals over service-oriented ones.

I lose to myself many times every day, hoping to lose less often over time.

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There are countless books on leadership, thousands of podcasts streaming, and blog posts published every day. Yet, when I sift through all this information, the advice often boils down to the same common-sense principles. And yet, good leaders remain rare. It’s a...

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Measuring customer satisfaction and service quality within local governments is a multifaceted challenge due to the sheer diversity of services and communication channels involved. Citizens interact with local governments across a wide range of services, from service...

What is the definition of a successful project? Often, we define success too narrowly, measuring it only against budget, time, and quality. But why not broaden the perspective and take a more holistic approach? The success of a project is about more than just...

There was a time when community engagement meant sitting across from real people, hearing their voices, and understanding their concerns face-to-face. Councils relied on traditional methods like community meetings and public forums, paper-based surveys and...

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Shallow songs, loud drums, and flashy headlines dominate over deep poetry, classical music, and meaningful essays. Quick snapshots and surface-level engagement have taken the place of rich, nuanced content. Our minds are naturally wired for efficiency, often seeking...

Customer-centric solutions are achievable only when we genuinely put customers at the core of our analysis. This begins with understanding them—their needs, problems, and the scenarios in which they interact with us. For instance, in local government, customers might...

Some people speak up, say things as they are, and confidently tell others what to do. We often perceive them as bold. Then there are those who adapt to their surroundings, prioritise peace over confrontation, let go of trivial matters, and allow others the freedom to...

From letters and faxes to SMS, phone calls, emails, social media interactions, client portals, and in-person meetings, the need for effective communication management has never been greater. With advances in technology, customer expectations are also rising, demanding...

Ratepayers are the cornerstone of a Local Government's existence; without them, the Council's purpose would be questioned. They are the centre of the Local Government universe, yet we often overlook the critical focus on customer experience. Typically, customer...

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It’s entirely possible that we’re not yet ready to invest in automation or major technology initiatives within our business. Perhaps there’s no immediate need for a large-scale transformation effort. But the path of continuous improvement must never stop. We must keep...

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Apple products like iPhones, MacBooks, Apple TVs, iPads, and AirPods work seamlessly together. But try connecting Apple devices with Android or Windows platforms, and you’ll experience the frustration of incompatibility. Enterprise software isn’t much different. To...

When budgets are tight, we often ask ourselves: How can we do more with less? But this is a question we should consistently consider in everything we do. How can we achieve more with fewer resources? How can we optimise the investment of our time and money? How can we...

If you think that developing reports for your organisation is expensive, then you need to know how much the following are costing you: Making decisions without factual information Cost of reactive decision-making because you don’t have access to real-time information...

The good old ways have always been working and may continue to work. But that is no reason to avoid change. If those methods take enormous time and resources yet deliver little value, then as leaders, we must take the initiative to transition to better ways of...

Business improvement and technology implementation projects are inherently challenging. When forming project teams, we often rely on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from the core business. These employees, while deeply knowledgeable, are usually engaged in their...

If my business outgrows the software we implemented last year, I would view it as a sign of progress and success. Dwelling on the cost of software we’ve outgrown is unproductive. That very software likely played a crucial role in moving us forward and enabling our...

To make a difference, I must take consistent action—regardless of how small, imperfect. My present actions shape the possibilities of the future. They are the foundation of hope. I am committed to the long game. In this journey, every day becomes a lesson—a chance to...

Achieving substantial outcomes within Local Governments often feels like an uphill battle. With limited budgets, resources, and in-house skills, and sometimes a lack of unified commitment from leadership, each department seems driven by its own priorities....

Local governments often struggle with limited budgets, aging IT infrastructure, manual processes, and legacy reporting solutions. Here are a few thoughts for leaders to make a difference in the current environment: Invest as if It Were Your Own MoneyApproach every IT...

Many smaller shires and local governments face challenges when investing in projects due to limited budgets and tight resources, making it difficult to prioritise strategic initiatives. One effective approach is to map all projects based on their benefits and effort...

In essence, process improvement aims to standardise procedures to reduce deviations from an established standard, creating consistency and efficiency across operations. For example, in a Local Government setting, standardising the application process for building...

The long-standing debate between Best of Breed (BoB) and All-in-One (AiO) software solutions is often revisited, yet for many established local governments, this discussion has lost its original weight. Moving from one approach to the other isn’t a straightforward...

I can always earn more money, but I can’t buy more time. Or can I? In reality, I can use my financial resources to reclaim my time by outsourcing tasks, hiring help, or automating routine activities. Money can buy things but it cannot buy happiness. Or can it? When...

Processes surround us in everything we do. While they are often unseen and rarely documented, they underpin every task, whether large or small. When we seek to improve a process, any enhancement is often only temporary unless there is a structured approach to...

We are bound by our own blindness, deafness, and muteness. The deeper issue is our unawareness of these limitations. Even when we become aware, it’s all too easy to let that awareness slip away. True liberation may lie beyond this—where my conscious mind attentively...

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Change begins from within. Often, we recognise a problem but see it as overwhelming and complex. We might hold onto the hope that someone else will step in and solve it for us. Take, for instance, the quality and efficiency of service delivery within our team. The...

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Improving efficiency often comes at a cost. Sometimes, there’s no budget for it. Other times, it’s simply not a priority. But stakeholder pressure to improve service is a constant. As decision-makers, this can add stress to our roles. That’s when we can get creative...

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One powerful way to become a game changer is to redefine the game itself. When we shift the rules, it impacts everyone—players, stakeholders, and the entire ecosystem. A new rule alters the environment, and that change forces everyone involved to think and operate...

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We are lazy by design. We conserve energy and use the minimum possible brain power. We like to be well-fed and keep ourselves entertained. We crave security and safety. There’s nothing wrong with this. For most of us, it’s simply part of being human. However, to truly...

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Alcohol, drugs, and other substances that can alter your state of mind are just one form of poisonous consumption. They are substances, and excessive intake is called substance abuse. However, we are exposed to many other forms of poisonous consumption. The following...

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Business-As-Usual (BAU) work is like engaging in ongoing warfare. Day in, day out, the troops are busy maintaining the front lines, managing the constant demands and challenges. Project work, however, operates like a special task force: its mission is to develop...

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Distance can strip away feelings of joy, pain, and sorrow. Over the phone or web, I may pretend that life is fine, even if deep inside I feel miserable. Those feelings, though hidden, are real and affect my work and family life. That’s why it’s essential to...

If given the choice, we often lean toward laziness rather than proactivity. We conserve our mental energy and focus on tasks only when they seem significant. Tasks become meaningful when our name is attached, when we’re clearly accountable for their success, when we...

Our fate is shaped by our decisions, actions, and what we learn (good or bad). It's entirely possible that luck could override all of our efforts, making our deeds seem irrelevant. Similarly, we might work hard and still be too unlucky to see the rewards. The reality...

The goals, desires, and aspirations I had in the past seem to hold little value today. Once achieved, I found myself searching for more. Their importance lasted only until the moment I reached them. This makes me wonder: things that feel essential to us now may lose...

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“When I earn over $150K, I will be happy.” Vs “I am happy and will earn over $150K.” “I want a leadership position so that I can lead people.” Vs “I lead people and will be in a leadership position.” “I will retire early and live my life to the fullest.” Vs “I am...

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Firefighting in business is becoming the norm. Managers and executives are constantly fighting fires lit by shortfalls in services, employee issues, the sales pipeline, systems and change management issues, and much more. It is a vicious circle as well. When capable...

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Decisions require mental resources, and because our brains naturally seek to conserve cognitive energy, we often stick with past choices, even when we have the option to change. This tendency is evident when selecting service providers, like banks, insurance...

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I can truly give back to the community only when I genuinely own something. To truly own it, I must have complete control. But the highest form of service may come when I lose myself and recognise a single master within everyone I serve.

Many things we are obsessing or stressing about would not matter in a few months. Most people around us are busy with their lives and pay little attention to our failures and shortcomings. Even if they know, they will forget in a few months. Most of the decisions we...

Consider these questions: Should I invest in real estate? Should I quit my job and start my own business? Should I invest in automation within the business? All significant decisions are difficult. There are too many moving parts and many things we don’t know....

For goal setting, we are conditioned for ‘more’. For example, we may have targets in gyms to lift more weight. However, learning different sets of exercises may be more beneficial. Alternatively, we may gain better results by sticking to the exact weights, increasing...

Today's results stem from our past input and decisions. If the outcomes are positive, it doesn't necessarily mean we're on the right path. It doesn't mean we should immediately change course if they're negative. Instead, results provide a valuable opportunity to...

Many of us are sacrificing today to have a secure and prosperous tomorrow. I am referring to the sacrifices of not living fully today but hoping to live tomorrow. These sacrifices are to push on with time, play safe, and not take risks. This could be our plan. But...

I may claim my good deeds are for others, but often, they are for me. They are likely to keep me happy and fulfilled, boost my ego and pride, and make me a little happier after thinking about them. While they may appear noble and service-oriented, they can often be...

As leaders, we cannot directly change our people, but we can change the working environment that may influence our people. When it comes to changing environment, the change must start from within. So, we practice what we are preaching to others. If we want others to...

It is easier to be vague and add multiple disclaimers in one sentence. With some practice, anyone can learn to be slippery so others cannot get us on their hook. Committing to the outcome with definitive time and deliverables isn't easy. But this commitment and...

I am blessed with the trait of getting uncomfortable in a comfortable position. When things become repetitive and simple, my mind starts to ponder new challenges. This keeps me on my toes and helps me become a better version of myself. It's not always a good story...

Our level of arrogance is directly proportional to our level of success and inversely proportional to our level of maturity. This could explain why: Companies that were once on top are seen nowhere now. Top performers found themselves out of touch and out of the...

On the path to achieving goals, I work hard and try to do the best I can. However, I've learned that it's crucial to maintain a balance. When I stretch myself too thin, other parts of life, such as health and family, start to suffer. It's a constant juggling act, but...

The history of craftsmanship is a testament to the inevitability of technological advancement. Those who failed to adapt and effectively use tools in their trade were eventually left behind. Tools are designed to make craftsmen more efficient, effective, and creative....

I may dismiss high achievers by thinking, 'What sets them apart? After all, we all breathe the same air.' But their distinction lies in what they do with the opportunities they have. Their actions, habits, values, and even luck have shaped their success. They are...

It is convenient to open the door closest to where I am now. After all, it makes sense. Why search for new paths when I can try to open the door in front of me to move on? However, when the door does not open, I have a perfect opportunity to grow. This growth can...

Every day, I get into hand-to-hand combat with these champion time busters. Procrastination Boredom Allowing work to expand to the timeline without adding additional value Postponing major decisions Active distraction by (mobile, emails, shopping sites) Doing...

When decisions and judgments are complex, over-analysing does not improve our situation. We are likely to be better off first understanding our current state of affairs: What is at stake? For example, software projects, company acquisitions. What can we lose? For...

Ideas constantly fall out of conversations. Some are ordinary, others can be good, and a few are great when we get lucky. As leaders, we are not listeners, but miners. We keep mining until we get some good or great ones out. We mine by controlling the discussion...

As leaders, rational decisions are expected of us. However, our choices are biased by our moods, environment, recent wins/losses, personal preferences, love/hate, most recent decisions, time availability, and countless others. Hence, let us not assume that we are...

If I am not here forever and leave everything behind, then there is nothing I can achieve. After all, I may only attain something if I can keep it with me forever. I would instead learn to be more present and utilise life fuel efficiently because that is perhaps all I...

Saving money is good, but often it is silly to save on: Investing in cheap software Finding stingy workarounds to optimise software licenses Holding payment of vendors and pushing ways for additional discounts Finding the cheapest possible resources and consultants...

One thing that binds us together is our ability to demonstrate that we care. We care about the well-being of members of our team. We care about their personal goals and aspirations. We understand their circumstances, limitations, and constraints. We know where they...

Enterprise software is an expensive endeavour. There is a considerable cost involved in licensing and implementation. Sometimes, it may be overwhelming. We may question whether investing in and committing to implementing enterprise software is wise. To reach any...

Make a selection from the following: Learning to play: Guitar Vs Clarinet To be: CEO vs. Small Business Owner Buying watch: Rolex Vs Grand Seiko Most likely, you will pick the first option. Why? Because they are more cool, raise our status, boost our egos, and make us...

My indecision in improving my business is a form of self-harm. While I may have excuses like being busy or thinking business improvement projects can wait, this lazy decision-making costs me. Our businesses need our love, care, and sacrifice. It’s not wise to keep...

Who I am and what I can be are fundamental questions that I must consider seriously. The first can enlighten me about myself, and the second can remind me of the opportunities I might miss if I don't explore the path of possibilities. This introspective journey is...

What I did yesterday looks ordinary today. The artifacts I delivered a few weeks ago need updates, and there's much room for improving our current processes, software, and tools. I am not one to settle for doing what we've always done. My commitment to constantly...

We service our vehicles per the set schedule to ensure they function correctly. We check many things before going out on a journey. Similarly, it is good to consult a doctor occasionally to ensure our wellbeing. But how about our organisation? An independent health...

Good listening is not enough. Before we listen, we need to have an environment where others can speak comfortably. They open up and talk from their hearts. They express themselves with full faith and trust in us. Getting to the positions where others open up to us...

Yes, I can see that others are better players. They have been more successful and privileged. They are blessed with natural strengths and skills to succeed, and I accept and respect that. I have been sad about this for some time, but I have learned to admit and adopt...

One of the most common requests I hear is the desire to have everything in one system. While this aspiration is understandable, the ideal approach is to create a seamless working environment that integrates existing business systems. This practical solution allows...

We often test the patience of our most patient teammates. Hardworking employees often get more work. We often get lazy while reviewing the work of perfectionists. The above examples have one thing in common: we are lazy by default. It's important to recognise when our...

Exhaustion is a real thing. It not only affects our thinking, patience, and decision-making, but if it lasts too long, it can raise our stress levels and cause burnout. This should be a concern for all leaders. Technology projects are a battle against the status quo....

If you have an important meeting at a new place, you research the route and prepare for the journey. Similarly, when it comes to selecting and implementing enterprise software (ERP/CRM), learning from others who have been there before can be invaluable. However, we...

In business, the BAU (Business-As-Usual) work keeps the lights on, while the project work is the key to making the lights shine brighter and pocket more. It's crucial to strike a balance between these two. Businesses often struggle to keep the lights on because all...

Before making hiring decisions, we follow a set process to ensure that the new employee is capable and fit for the job. Similarly, with defined criteria for business projects, we can significantly increase our chances of success. However, we do not appear to have any...

Our decisions, seemingly insignificant in the present, have the potential to shape the lives of those who will come after us. We are not just making decisions for ourselves, but for the generations that will inherit our choices. Inheritance of material and wealth is...

It's easy for me to make choices based on my past experiences. I've developed a preference for certain dishes and coffee, and I've found comfort in the same restaurants over the years. I stick to clothes of known brands, sizes, and styles, all based on my past...

Effective communication is akin to crossing a bridge to the other side and connecting deeply. Often, we remain on our own imaginary islands, leading to communication gaps. To mitigate this issue, we must cross the bridge and understand others before seeking to be...

When I think of others as superior, then my energy is likely to be spent on impressing the other person. When I think of another person as inferior, my energy is likely to be wasted on boosting my pride and ego. When I am at a stage where I see all as one, my energy...

I have no control over my birth or death. Much of what I do aligns with what others in my age group do, suggesting that the aging process influences the broad direction of my evolution. My environment, genetics, and experiences shape my thinking. Overall, I may have...

Working with great leaders is like riding a powerful tide; their presence propels us forward seamlessly. They alleviate our burdens, like painkillers, helping us forget our struggles and reach our full potential. These leaders leave an indelible impact on us,...

Our common perception of an organisation or team is a top-down hierarchical structure. The executive and management sit at the top and actual workers are at the bottom of the hierarchy. While it is a typical representation, it is often too wrong. Maybe we need to...

After working hard to attain reasonable positions of power, status, wealth, and luxury, I realised that they are reasonable goals to aim for. These goals are good because, when I attain them, I realise that they are not the end. They are rather a manifestation of my...

My Karate Sensei teaches us to always be in a stance. As we move around, kick, and punch, we transition from one stance to another. A stance represents power and stability. When we maintain our stance, we have a better chance to protect ourselves, attack, and win....

Business capability development requires our capacity. In other words, we must have the capacity to work on the business to improve its capability. However, if the entire staff is fully utilised in operations, we will continue to stay where we are today. So, if we...

While playing it safe, taking little risks, saving cents but losing dollars, sweating the small stuff, keeping things secret, and trying to get more from others than we give, we are likely to make little progress. Big leaps of progress require a clear goal and the...

You may have come across many labels, like: ‘99% fat-free’ on a juice bottle. ‘Dermatologist tested’ on skin care products. ‘Low carb’ on cheese products. These marketing labels are always true and misleading at the same time. Similarly, the software industry has a...

Good leaders care about two things: the set goal their troops The troops have the potential to attain the set goal. So, the leader servers the troops to be at their best to reach the destination with minimum possible effort and damage. Perhaps, this gives a clear...

What is the cost of my rigidity? The cost of advice that I ignored because I thought I knew more. The cost of not paying enough attention to listening while I was preparing my response. The cost of pretending to be busy and not giving my full attention. The cost of...

Small, consistent positive actions have the potential to manifest big, transformative changes over time. These changes often appear sudden, like when a kid suddenly seems to behave like a grown-up, a player gains instant fame, or a performer becomes famous overnight....

As professional problem solvers, our first task is to define the problem, even when faced with preconceived solutions or impatient stakeholders. This task is very tricky because when we are busy formulating problem statements, other stakeholders are ready to implement...

'Creativity' sounds too positive. For example: The Project lead is creative in managing the expectations of stakeholders. We have to work under the given constraints and get creative in developing a solution. We cannot do what we have always done, it is time to get...

Creativity is in scarce supply. We often talk about it, hear and lecture about it, but seldom experience it in our day-to-day lives. Why? Maybe because our society likes us to fit in with what we have. Maybe because our education system is busy teaching the rules of...

Things, either good or bad; happen to us because of our luck. We have little or no control over our luck, so we may have to accept our fate. Things also happen to us because of our decisions (either a decision or a stack of decisions over time). This is where we have...

When things go south, we are well equipped with the reasons. The reasons tend to be everything else, but not us. For instance: Projects took a long time because of vendors, consultants, and technology, but never due to our lack of project management skills. Similarly,...

Life is constantly pushed and pulled in two directions: day and night. One side urges me forward to do the right thing, make the best use of my time, and achieve steady progression. The other side tempts me towards the dark abyss of boredom, lethargy, and...

Influential individuals who lack the necessary depth of expertise can pose significant risks. While their ability to tell persuasive stories might initially impress us, they can ultimately lead the organisation/project astray, sometimes without notice. They are not...

The best wins are the ones where we achieve our objectives without a fight. So, elimination should be our keyword. Before planning to improve a process, we may want to assess if the process can be eliminated. Before hiring a new resource, we may want to assess if we...

When I make others wait for me in meetings, when I constantly change my mind on decisions, when I keep altering the rules of the game, when I force others to act on my directions, when I speak more than I listen... I may be fooling myself by thinking I hold a position...

We are here to play the game of life. There are wins and losses along the way, but what matters is progression, not winning. We may desire to be at the centre stage of the game, but our position will change over time. What matters is the spirit with which we play, not...

If I am decisive, focused, and hardworking, then I have much to be grateful for. These virtues are blessings, not earned, so there is no reason for pride. Comparing myself to others can lead to a roller coaster of emotions such as pride, jealousy, or envy. This is a...

When I am in a position of power, I clearly see what’s not right. So, I put controls in place to make sure others do the right thing, or can’t attempt to do the wrong thing. However, I keep assuming that I am fine and don’t need checks in place for myself. Who knows,...

Often, in my pursuit of executing and perfecting tasks, I overlook the importance of asking fundamental questions: Why is this activity important? How does it add value to the project, task, bottom line, or risk mitigation? What may happen if I eliminate it? Who truly...

My best friend is the one who opens my eyes to the obvious that I don’t see. They hold my hand, lead me from the front, and push me to notice vital things I might find uninteresting. They make me uncomfortable for my benefit, spot my biases, false assumptions, and...

When we adapt and learn to live with problems, we become part of them. The longer we have them, the deeper they engrave themselves into our lives. After a while, we don’t see them as problems; they become part of us. At some point, we may be lucky to have an outsider...

The question is not that if we can improve something, the question is that if it makes business sense and we have the appetite for improvement. The improvement can be in any dimension. For example, process, automation, communications, efficiency, customer service...

I often hear this: "We want to get a new system that processes payroll (or any other process) with the click of a button." In summary, customers want an easy-to-use automated system. However, achieving this is not just a procurement aspiration but a procurement and...

Sometimes, I find it hard to convince people to act on rational things. I wonder why they do not understand basic questions and address the problems in front of them. I often get perplexed by the thought that people cannot see what is in their best interest—losing...

Common sense is overrated. In theory, most of the world around us can be functional using basic common sense. However, we need processes, procedures, rule books, communications, contracts, legal bindings, and systems to operate smoothly. We may organise massive chaos...

If it's clear that the work needs to be done, then we should start it promptly. Sitting on the fence and merely raising issues and risks is easy and unproductive. While learning from past experiences and making informed recommendations is important, these actions...

If the result of helping others is feeling happy about myself, then the help is still superficial since it is based on internal happiness and perhaps pride. A deeper level of help comes when we help not out of volunteer service but out of a sense of duty. When it is...

We all make sacrifices for various reasons. Some of us sacrifice time to earn more money, while others give up money to gain more time. We might also sacrifice our resources for justice, status, legacy, or other goals. Often, we aren't fully aware of what we're...

Perhaps we are all blessed with countless treasures. Perhaps one of the purposes of life is to identify and explore these treasures, using them to make a positive impact.

I'll do it tomorrow. It's not that important. All right, I'll get to it eventually. This pattern of slow responses and procrastination isn't harmless. Lethargy comes at a significant, often unquantifiable, cost. How can we measure the price of missed opportunities,...

As a child, I learned from my environment, teachers, and parents. As I grew older, I sought counsel for guidance and support, knowing I didn't have all the answers and needed help. Upon reaching adulthood, I mistakenly believed I knew everything and began ignoring...

We live in parallel worlds. What is considered right in one country may be deemed wrong in the neighbouring country. It may be primarily influenced by differing cultures and societal norms. These cultural and societal frameworks shape our perceptions of morality,...

Workarounds can be appealing because they provide quick solutions to immediate problems. However, if we rely on them without thoroughly understanding the underlying issues, they can proliferate rapidly, leading to more significant challenges. Over time, a habit of...

The critical KPI for my work is the degree to which I have moved the needle. I may spend time demonstrating the value I add or my knowledge or skills. I may choose to showcase how others are not doing the right things. My critical KPI is the degree to which I have...

When I view the present through the rosy lens of the 'good old days,' the present may disappoint me. However, life continues to move on. Things continue to expand, contract, start, and stop. While it may seem disappointing, perhaps, this is how the world has always...

My achievements give the impression that I am a winner. It could be delivering a successful project or scoring a goal in soccer. It is natural for us to focus on the person closely associated with the final action, whether it's a successful project or a soccer goal....

The pressure of what others think of me often seems unnecessary. My default response is often, 'So why should I bother?' This mindset gives me the freedom to do what I think is right without worrying about impressing others. On the surface, this approach makes sense....

In searching for more, we often overlook what we already have. In routine matters, we fail to understand how to capitalise on our existing skills, relationships, and resources. For example: I may not need new customers; instead, I could find opportunities to offer new...

Self love: When I put myself at the center of the world, my decisions are driven by my desires and comfort. I choose options that are favorable to me. Sometimes I feel a sense of achievement, although it is often short-lived. Love: When I put others at the center of...

Being present allows me to see through other people’s eyes, read their minds, feel their heartbeats, and observe their body language. It guides me to know when to slow down and when to trust my instincts. In moments of presence, I understand my emotions better and let...

The real damage is done by people who do exactly what we ask. For example, they design software the way we want, follow our instructions like a rule book, and act without asking questions. On the surface and in the short term, this approach seems ideal. However, over...

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