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I walked away from the jazz community for 20 years. When I came back, I realized it had given me several unfair advantages. Jazz had been building a strong foundation I didn’t even recognize—until now. I grew up in a small town with a thriving performing arts culture. While each music director set high standards, our jazz band director demanded our very best. His expectations required the highest levels of musicianship possible—pushing us to play at professional levels in high school. Little did I know that he was helping each of us craft a rock-solid foundation that would serve us in the long term. After high school, I took a detour. My interests shifted towards other genres of music: indie, rock, pop, alternative, and CCM. While I made great friends in these communities, it always felt like something was missing. In my mid-30s, I found my way back into the jazz community. This time, I was entering with a whole new musical voice: the saxophone. The saxophone trifecta. As I returned to the jazz community, I noticed something unexpected: it felt familiar, like I hadn’t missed a beat. Unlike most other forms of music, jazz doesn’t follow what’s trendy or hip. It just carries on as musicians shape their communities. Twenty years ago, I was a trumpet and double bass player in a small town. Now, I live outside Los Angeles and play saxophone. Outside of that, everything felt familiar as it did 20 years ago. Despite being absent for two decades, I was welcomed by others—even those who were more established. I wasn’t viewed as a competitor. I was a member of the community. Many people assume it would be too late to return 20 years later. That’s when I realized what makes jazz truly special—it’s a community that plays by different rules compared to other genres. Just because jazz doesn’t change much doesn’t mean that it’s embracing old traditions or dying out. I once held that belief as well. As I dug deeper into the community, I discovered how jazz offers advantages unlike any other. These advantages are not trendy. They are timeless and constant. Jazz’s 5 Major Advantages As I resumed my training after 20 years away—learning more licks, mastering more standards, and playing in all 12 keys—I noticed the spark that I once had as a young musician returned: I didn’t feel stagnant; I was getting better. I wasn’t wondering what was missing; I felt more fulfilled. I wasn’t questioning my musical choices; I was happier with myself. I didn’t feel restricted; I had my creative freedom back. Through these realizations, I remembered that jazz musicians had massive advantages over the rest. These advantages apply both within and beyond the music industry. 1 | Jazz Demands Advanced Musicianship It’s no secret that jazz requires a high level of musicianship. Compared to other genres of music, jazz contains the widest variety of chord changes, rhythms, phrases, and voicings. For instrumentalists, it demands full technical mastery alongside musical expression. When I played in other genres, only a fraction of that was required. Chord changes and voicings were predictable. There were a handful of rhythms and phrases that were standard and recycled often. Unlike jazz, other genres have a lower barrier to entry. Their predictability creates a musical atmosphere that feels simple and safe. Listeners crave catchy melodies supported by predictable chord changes. Jazz is the honey badger of music genres—it doesn’t care about safety. It goes off the deep end and makes sharp turns. Performers and listeners are required to ride these musical rollercoasters. Most importantly, jazz doesn’t care whether you are pretty, rich, or well-connected. It simply asks one question to musicians and listeners alike: What can you contribute to this community? 2 | Jazz Training Is Highly Transferable This is an advantage I recognized long before returning to the jazz community. I started as a jazz musician and ventured into other genres after high school. Jazz expanded my skills and abilities to the point where they overlapped with those of other genres. All I had to do was learn the best practices for each genre. For most musicians, transitioning from jazz to other genres feels effortless. Jazz is a musical gym where the weightlifting is heavy and the gymnastics appear randomized. In comparison, other genres represent musical gyms where the lifting is lighter and the gymnastics are more orderly. Even if they are not the most well-known performers, jazz musicians are regularly called upon to contribute to other genres. These genres might not ask for Giant Steps in full, but there are small bits and pieces from a jazz musician’s repertoire that make them catchier and tasteful. Outside the music industry, jazz training provides enormous advantages. Applied correctly, it produces more creative, resilient, and adaptable people across all other industries. It’s one of the few genres that requires continuous improvement at all times. 3 | Jazz Has No Age Limit Most modern music genres are focused on optics. That’s not to say that optics are bad or aren’t a part of jazz either, but they don’t hold nearly the same weight they bear in modern genres. Every five years, pop musicians phase in and out. Older, seasoned pop stars “age out” to be replaced by newer, younger pop stars. Talent management is constantly on the lookout for the next new, hip, and sexy act that draws in the big bucks. It doesn’t matter how much seasoned pop stars contributed. As markets change, new pop stars rise. Every pop star has their own hourglass for their career. Jazz has no age limits. It accepts both young and old musicians. It doesn’t say “you’re too late.” It just cares whether you’re willing to contribute and continue growing in your abilities. It’s a musical trade school with no end in sight. While new voices in jazz are embraced, established musicians maintain their prestige. There’s no culture that phases someone out. Musicians enter and exit on their own schedule. There’s one differentiator that makes jazz special: it’s one of the few genres where late bloomers are made. Here are a few examples: John Coltrane didn’t become a defining voice until later in his career, after being fired by Miles Davis and through relentless practice and exploration. Clark Terry’s influence spanned decades, mentoring generations of musicians well into his late years. Thelonious Monk was ahead of his time. His unique style wasn’t widely accepted early on—but over time, it reshaped the sound of modern jazz. Marshall Allen dropped his first album at 100 years old. No, that’s not a typo. 100 years old. 4 | Jazz Has A Tighter Community It’s tempting to be part of a community with an army of followers. Massive communities feel safe and predictable. But these communities end up chasing trends. This behavior creates significant ebb and flow among community members. There’s a running joke that jazz musicians play many notes for a few people, while pop and rock musicians play a few notes for many people. This cliche isn’t wrong, but it’s incomplete—it doesn’t demonstrate the strength of those communities. Jazz has a smaller but tighter community compared to other genres. It is one of the most diverse communities, where members originate from different races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite their differences, there is one unifier: the music. This unifier points back to the same adage from earlier: Jazz doesn’t care who you are; it cares about what you can contribute to the community. 5 | Jazz Enables Greater Creative Freedom “Fear no mistakes; there are none.” –Miles Davis This is the greatest advantage of jazz music. Unlike other genres, which follow predictable patterns of melodies and chords, jazz offers the greatest creative freedom of them all. It is an expression machine that lets anyone train and explore their musicianship in almost any direction. How has jazz gotten away with this for so long compared to other genres? It’s the underlying driving force behind jazz itself: the musicians. Unlike other genres, the market doesn’t determine the music—it’s the musicians. Jazz creates the space necessary for creative explorations. Through exploration, musicians discover licks that work well, which can transfer into other genres. Jazz serves as the research and development department, producing innovations that can be applied across other departments of the music industry. Unlike other genres, jazz rewards risk. It is the genre that promotes breaking the rules. Everyone learns rules, but then they break them. In jazz, breaking the rules is not the exception—it’s the expectation from everybody in the community. These Advantages Are For A Lifetime It took me 20 years to fully appreciate jazz’s value. It wasn’t an old-school genre that remained stagnant—it’s a system and training ground that made the rest of my musical journey more adaptable and fluid. The five advantages have made me more creative, adaptable, and resilient. Jazz helped me connect my analytical and creative sides. Even though I later recognized continuous improvement as an engineer, I experienced it first through jazz. As I continue to embrace my return to the jazz community, it’s not my goal to become the next Miles Davis or John Coltrane. They serve as examples of what’s possible. The goal is simpler: to become a better version of myself. Jazz was the first true vehicle to reveal a fundamental truth: every day, you’re either getting better or getting worse. The good news is that jazz provides the community and tools needed to keep getting better, no matter how long it takes. And once you’ve trained this way, you don’t just become a better musician. You become someone who can adapt anywhere.

Note: The following story is based on a true story. Two Similar Guitarists, Very Different Responses   Jack and Tim are lifelong friends and passionate guitar players. While not exceptionally gifted at the beginning of their journeys, both guitarists worked hard to improve through practice, private lessons, and playing gigs. Their progress was noteworthy, but they had a long way to go on stage with B.B. King, John Mayer, and other guitar legends.   Both guitarists kept climbing ranks through their senior year. Feeling ambitious, they auditioned for Berklee College of Music – a prestigious music school in Boston – hoping to learn from the best guitar teachers in the world. They prepared day and night for their auditions before arriving and giving their all.  Unfortunately, despite their impressive accomplishments, neither was admitted to their dream school because the audition process was highly competitive. This news was shocking to both since Jack and Tim were revered as some of the best up-and-coming artists in their town.    How Jack and Tim responded to their rejections created a rift between their journeys.    Tim decided that if he wasn't good enough to learn from the best teachers in the world, he should hang up his instrument. It was game over in his mind, and his journey as a rising guitarist ended abruptly.    After wallowing in his defeat, Tim chose a safe career in mechanical engineering. He graduated and married his college sweetheart, for whom he played love songs but never went much beyond that on guitar.    From time to time, Tim would open the case where his guitar had long resided to strum a few chords in meditation, only to wonder what would have happened if he had gotten into Berklee . His what-ifs came in waves as he reminded himself each time that he wasn't cut out for being a guitar legend and was happy with his engineering career.  In stark contrast, Jack was disappointed but perceived the rejection as a detour to his original path rather than a roadblock. His commitment to continuing training and forging a new path made him one of the greatest guitarists of all time.   After his audition, Jack connected with the judges after their decision and collected notes on how to improve. He used the data as his basis to amend his deficiencies independently.    During his journey, Jack worked as a freelancer to control his time while perfecting his guitar craft. He tapped into free resources such as YouTube, local musician forums, and lesson books he borrowed from the library. Luckily, his lucrative side hustles afforded him access to additional private lessons to tackle problems he couldn't tackle on his own.    It took years of grinding, but Jack committed to the process. He posted videos of live and studio sessions on all social media platforms, his website, and music websites. He built momentum, little by little, through persistence until the right person noticed him at the right time.   It took Jack seven years after his rejection from Berklee to break through. It's true that his progress was a gamble with no guarantee of a favorable outcome, but the more he connected with his audience through his content production, the more he increased his odds of landing his lucky break.   Unlike his peers, Jack lacked an impressive alumni network to vouch for him. To compensate, he worked on connecting with his community through his artistry and approachable personality. He remained optimistic through various setbacks and plateaus, always asking himself and those he trusted how he could successfully differentiate himself from his fellow musicians.  Over two decades later, Jack received his first Grammy for his breakthrough solo album, which made him a household name among fellow guitarists. With no music school to his name, he carved a different path to success through continuous skill-building and personal branding.  Tim, now a wealthy executive at a Fortune 100 company, turned on the television that day, only to see his long-lost friend accept the Grammy. Despite having a loving family, a great house, and enormous wealth, there was still a void. Tim's reality sank in. Somehow, he missed the memo. He could have kept going even if he didn't get accepted into his dream music school.    A few months later, Tim reconnected with Jack and offered to fly him out and stay at his place. Jack accepted, eager to see his old high school friend. As they were catching up, Jack offered Tim some impromptu guitar lessons that turned into a jam session.    Despite the rust, the apex of Tim's playing returned quickly. Mentally, he felt the rust of decades of dormancy melt away as he communicated through his guitar rather than in presentations at board meetings. A subtle youthfulness in Tim's eyes revealed itself. Tim and Jack took turns showcasing their talents.  As Jack prepared to return home, he reminded Tim that it was never too late to return to his artistry. Tim felt inspired to play again, a look in his eyes his wife hadn't seen since his college days, when he played love songs. It didn't matter that Tim wouldn't win a Grammy—he only wanted to reconnect with his lost artistry.    Tim acknowledged that if he could try again, he would, but he had come to terms with his life decisions. After Jack left, Tim played his guitar a little more often until the end of his days. The haunting what-ifs returned in waves as he recognized that a single decision from his teens changed his trajectory forever.    This Force Separated Jack From Tim    Let's assume Jack and Tim started with nearly identical backgrounds and abilities. Following their stories, we witnessed two contrasting approaches to handling a major setback. What separated their fates was their response and how they carried themselves onward.   Tim decided to end his music career. In his mind, pulling the plug on his passions to pursue a safe career was his best option. He lived a good life, achieved economic security, and raised a loving family. Still, one thing remained in the back of his mind as the years passed: this love of playing guitar and being on the stage again.   In contrast, Jack chose a dramatically different response, going against the grain. Sure, it wasn't easy for him at first, as he had to accept that he didn't meet a certain deadline.  However, he met his timeline by continuing to learn and refine his skills. His achievement took longer than usual, but his persistence ultimately won him a Grammy.    In the end, both paid different prices for their paths. What distinct factor led to a chasm between their adulthood experiences?     The Deadline Illusion     What separated Tim's and Jack's responses boiled down to the Deadline Illusion : the belief that certain major achievements must occur at a certain stage of life. This relentless façade is a source of frustration, disappointment, and anxiety that weeds out aspiring dreamers prematurely.     Unfortunately, dreamers do not normally impose these illusions on themselves. In fact, most dreamers believe they have all the time in the world, which leads to unending procrastination and tire spinning. As a result, their urgency to act is often stifled by the question of where all the time went.    So, if the sources are not internal, what external sources cause us to believe in the Deadline Illusion ?      Parents, teachers, and peers are common sources that influence us to let go of our dreams prematurely.      Before we point fingers, we must recognize that it's easy to blame these people as malicious culprits. They are only doing what they think is best for our long-term well-being; in some cases, they are correct. However, they tend to overreach, causing many dreamers to second-guess their ambitions. After all, no parent or mentor wants to feel responsible for encouraging someone to pursue a goal that could worsen their position.    With parents and teachers, they were raised in a stricter world where making deadlines held significant merit. Because of their limited opportunities, their parents and teachers urged them to stick to straight and narrow paths to success. Although our options have opened exponentially, it's hard for them to fathom how different the world has become in the last two decades.     Our peers, on the other hand, will often antagonize us when our performance is lacking, whether in tests, auditions, athletics, or elsewhere. Depending on their intentions, their scathing remarks about our shortcomings may lead us to give up on our pursuits if they cause less mental torture in our interactions. We let our desires for short-term relief sabotage our long-term aspirations at a time when they can be best cultivated.     Instead of pursuing meaningful goals and dreams, these agents steer us toward secure, complacent lifestyles that avoid risk, confrontation, and drama. Usually, their experience comes through a path they were prescribed by someone else, one that provides security. In turn, they believe they have to pay it forward. However, there's a strange consequence that comes from pursuing the safe path:    Security often comes at the price of something we all desire: freedom.      Freedom to create. Freedom to dream. Freedom to try. Freedom to explore. Freedom to fail and learn from it.     As we swing the big leagues and give it our all in our younger years, these agents secretly hope we work it out of our system and eventually align ourselves with a more secure path.  They do not consider what's best for the people as they impose these deadlines.     Didn't get into a performing arts college by your senior year of high school? Maybe it's not for you, but at least you tried… now get a safe job. Didn't become an NCAA all-star? At least you can coach and watch others try their luck. Failed math in high school? Don't dream of ever engineering anything.    Extreme rationalizations of our failures are crutches we use to justify giving up on our personal goals and dreams. Part of the illusion transitions us to "someday syndrome", where someday becomes an excuse to put off further action because we believe tomorrow is guaranteed. And then, time slips by, and we wonder why we haven't achieved what we wanted yet.     Some Exceptions     In the spirit of transparency, there are some exceptions to the Deadline Illusion. Pursuits requiring peak physical condition are subject to a deadline: our physical peak or a certain age group. But everything else? No.     Here are a few exceptions:     – 1 – Playing Professional Sports     Playing sports professionally requires excellent physical condition. Some people may be genetically built to stay in peak condition for longer periods than others. Still, once that window passes, the likelihood that a younger, stronger athlete will take them rises.     However, peak physical condition doesn't guarantee victory. Tom Brady played football in his 20s and 30s before retiring in his 40s. Despite his impressive accomplishments, it's unlikely his body will be able to meet his expectations in his later years.     Others have proved themselves quite versatile in their later years. Sir Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in Star Wars, proved quite versatile by improvising the jump to meet Anakin and Obi-Wan without any props or help from the stunt team.     – 2 – Winning Awards Reserved For Younger Age Groups     There are awards out there reserved for younger age groups. These awards encourage younger generations to give their best to their craft. We must be careful not to let it be perceived as a threat to our abilities if we're past that age, but rather, just an opportunity for younger people to improve themselves.     Why Deadlines Once Mattered     The Deadline Illusion wasn't created by accident. There was a time when deadlines mattered because our society had fewer options than it does today. These changes have dissolved the circumstances that once made them true.     Unfortunately, despite the changes, the illusions linger far longer than expected. These illusions live beyond their years as we cling to familiarity, perpetuating their existence. The old saying goes: Most people fear change, even if it's for the better.     Acknowledging that reality has changed is the first step to overcoming these illusions. Before we discuss further steps, here are the major factors that influenced the prominence of these illusions:     Cultural Expectations & Traditions     Many of our expectations about life's trajectory are rooted in our immediate culture and upbringing. Growing up, we adopt perspectives on how the world works from encounters with adults and peers. It’s not uncommon for some cultures to predict the trajectory of their kids' lives from birth.      Could you imagine being told at birth that you’re supposed to be a doctor or a great ruler when you may not have the personality or capabilities to pull it off? In contrast, could you also imagine being told you’ll be a janitor for the rest of your life when you’re capable of much more?  The mismatch between capability and opportunity leaves millions leading unfulfilling lives, saturated with unnecessary friction.     In America, we have more freedom to explore our interests than other cultures, but with a catch. After graduating from high school, we're expected to pick a path for our careers and ambitions. Because of this pivotal moment, tremendous pressure around grades, extracurriculars, and other activities is imposed by teachers, parents, and guidance counselors to differentiate students from one another.     In Western culture, it’s common to assume that if we don’t receive admission into a prestigious school, nail an audition for a world-class performing arts program, or win prestigious awards when we’re young, we are doomed to mediocrity.      We watch our peers climb steep metaphorical mountains of achievement, only to leave us behind in the valleys of struggle. These achievements are outstanding for marketing ourselves for future opportunities, but are they worth it?     While competition is healthy in moderation, overreaching in every category creates undue hardships that sabotage meaningful progress. The endless quest to check every box and amend every deficiency has us running around a burning ship, which is unsustainable.    We’ve made it an expectation that we must achieve big in our teens, and from there onwards, we have nowhere else to go but up. But as most of us know, life doesn't work like that. Life has natural ups and downs that we're either fortunate to experience or must endure, but how we respond to each season is far more important than always being on the upswing.     Another type of cultural expectation blinds us to the mountains and valleys:     T he Reverence of Child Prodigies    One of the worst comparison traps stemming from the Deadline Illusion  is comparing our adult abilities to child prodigies. When we do this, we make the horrendous mistake of believing that talented children have nowhere else to go but up in their skills and opportunities. Reality contradicts this assumption with ample examples.    Social psychologists have dispelled these illusions for many child prodigies. Most prodigies end up far worse off later in life because they don't build resilience to life's turbulence. High expectations coupled with a lack of coping skills turn them to destructive influences such as drugs, sex, and entertainment to distract them from their struggles.     Even with the best guardrails, such as mentors, talent managers, and other adults in their lives, child prodigies are subject to the same influences as their peers. These guardrails may do more harm than good, prompting prodigies to rebel and tear them down to explore what lies beyond.     Regardless of our talents and dispositions, we are all subject to the rollercoaster of life. Where we start shapes whether we enjoy or endure the journey.  Starting too high only sets most of us up for a big fall, whereas if we spend more years climbing, we get stronger and appreciate the view even more as we overcome adversity.     Nowadays, late bloomers who prove it's not too late to get started are emerging. Grandma Moses painted her first painting at 76. Colonel Sanders started his chain business when he realized social security wouldn't cut it. Susan Boyle became known on Britain's Got Talent after her audition at 48.    These late bloomers have a wealth of experience to contribute, and despite the life problems that come with aging, they persevere.     Lesser Access To Information & Training     Several decades ago, significant barriers stifled educational opportunities for the public. To receive a meaningful education, people had to enroll in schools, use libraries, or seek out carefully guarded masters in a particular field. Often, gatekeepers determine who receives a golden ticket to access such private information.     Thanks to the Internet and its near-limitless resources, these barriers have dissolved. Anyone with an internet connection has access to an ocean of information. We can learn at our own pace and become masters in multiple fields if we pursue them.     While college is still required for a handful of higher-end professions, the rest only require certifications, on-the-job training, and/or a willingness to learn and adapt to a changing market. Even with lower barriers to entry, most of these fields have not yet reached peak saturation. Moreover, what these fields look for comes down to one thing: results.     Anyone can learn to code through training books and coding tutorials. A quick visit to YouTube can reveal how to set up a professional music production studio. Filmmaking is on full display as well. Want to learn how to become better at sports? Many tutorials will guide you on how to throw the perfect spiral with a football.     The key to harnessing this information is having an innate desire to learn, master, and improve current skills and knowledge.     Different Market Dynamics      Market dynamics greatly influence how we expect professional careers to unfold. The influences that were prominent a generation ago are not the same as those prominent today.     In the mid- to late 20th century, most professionals were committed to a single company for their careers. Job security was real, and most saw losing a job as a black mark on their record. At one point, a resume alone secured the job, and a college degree was a major differentiator in hiring, career advancement, and commanding respect in the industry.     Nowadays, these factors have taken a back seat to results, flexibility, and commanding attention. People have learned to look past vivid orators who paint rosy pictures without fulfilling their promises. Tech companies move quickly as they adapt to increasing headwinds in the marketplace. Job security is a career relic; its power to shape professional choices has diminished.     With these changes in the marketplace, the number of opportunities afforded to us has exploded. Still, some continue to believe these illusions because they make them comfortable, even though many stories and data points dehaze them.    Overcoming The Illusion     We can overcome the illusion in the same way we stopped thinking Santa was real– realization. In Buddhism, it's called enlightenment. In Christianity, it's discernment. Whatever you believe, the truth is what we seek.    To sober ourselves from the illusions and enter a world enriched with opportunity and adventure, there are several steps to dispel the illusion once and for all:     Analyze Your Mindset    This is the hardest step for many of us. It's easy to operate, assuming our actions perfectly align with our perceptions. Depending on the context, this strong sense of self can work for us and against us. Ultimately, we believe that perception is reality, even though our perceptions are often beyond their glory days.     The best way to overcome this illusion is to analyze our mindset. As we take inventory of our beliefs, we must recognize which beliefs aid us and which hinder us. It's difficult to know exactly which ones to let go of unless we have an emotionally charged experience that forces our hand.     The good news is that the mindset can be changed and recalibrated. Awareness and acknowledgment are catalysts for change. However, we must recognize that these transformations take time and patience with ourselves as we rewire our mindset.     To best overcome the illusion, we should do what comes next.     Examine Reality Objectively    Everyone has dreams and goals they want to achieve someday. These goals naturally distort our perception of reality as we work hard to transform the reality around us. There's nothing wrong with that, but we must differentiate when our perceptions are an asset or a liability.     Therefore, admitting that our perceptions aren't fully accurate is the first step to overcoming these illusions, especially the Deadline Illusion . Once we own it, we'll notice that our world won't end because we're several years past the deadline.    Instead, we'll experience a massive sense of relief as the pressure of hitting a subjective deadline lifts off our shoulders and leaves us free to progress in our own time. This kind of liberation lets us savor the journey rather than rush it.     As we own and transform misaligned perceptions, we should continue collecting data to verify that we're no longer subject to the whims of these deadlines. What we do next is also important to ensure that our corrections are concrete.     Read Stories     It's unlikely that we're alone in our struggles. A simple Google search returns thousands of stories from blogs and advice-based forums. These stories are told in one of two ways: either by recounting how they overcame their struggles, or by presenting a problem for other users to read and chip in their two cents.     While our circumstances and struggles will be unique, other stories can offer ideas for overcoming them. From there, we must piece together what we need to overcome the illusions that hold our dreams hostage. Whenever we get stuck, we can go back to old stories or find new ones to guide us as we change how we approach problems in life.     These stories inspire us with the energy to take control and change our perceptions, but we must keep the momentum moving by doing what comes next.     Get Creative     There's a great caveat about becoming free of the Deadline Illusion : our situation is unconventional. Unlike children who may not be burdened with adult responsibilities, we must acknowledge the realities we face. We may not have as much free time, so we must spend each spare second wisely.     We must recognize that most solutions in life are not obvious. We differentiate ourselves in the process by deviating from conventional wisdom to attempt uncommon approaches to life that aren't popular. In the right company, this is an asset; in the wrong hands, it becomes an annoyance and a liability.     By overcoming the illusion, we're already committed to an unconventional path, so it only makes sense to continue forward. Therefore, we must get creative in our execution while ensuring our actions are perceived positively.     There are numerous ways to be creative in our approaches, but we won't be able to discuss tactics here. The best advice to get started is to let your mind explore possibilities per your unique situation and commit to a starting point. Then, go and correct the course. Along the way, your results may not match your expectations.    Remember: If we try to swim with the fish and do things normally, we will fail.       Take Action    Being all amped up to overcome our illusions is meaningless without action. Anyone can become aware of it, but acting to transform our lives is the greatest differentiator. Unfortunately, most people recognize they've got it under control, only to slowly creep back into their old ways, wasting valuable days and weeks.     As we get creative with our approaches, trial and error are required to overcome our situations. We are always operating with incomplete information. Therefore, it's imperative to have the right balance between planning and execution. My mix is 20:80, but what works for you might differ depending on your situation and personality.     As we discover our breakthroughs, we should note them and find ways to amplify those small victories into larger ones. It takes time, and the best solution may not surface immediately. However, implementing a constructive solution that moves the needle forward is better than waiting forever for the perfect one, which might vanish in the blink of an eye.     Likewise, when failures occur, we must take note and learn from outcomes that yield unfavorable results. In these cases, acknowledging failure as a guardrail is crucial in trying better ideas. Failure is the best remedy because it shows that we're fighting the good fight, and we need to keep that momentum going rather than stall out and waste it.      As we continue, keep amplifying what works and redirecting what doesn't. Adjust, adjust, adjust. Before we know it, we'll get to our intended destination if we do not allow the illusion to return.     Overcome Through Action    The Deadline Illusion  is a persistent mirage engineered to keep telling us it’s too late to try. We believe for many reasons: getting older and becoming more responsible, recognizing that sometimes people younger than us have more skill and freedom, and other narratives that are not relevant to our lives.     Luckily, we have many more stories and resources to dissolve the illusion right before our eyes. Achievements once impossible in our mid-to-late years may now be within reach. We no longer need to work towards impossible deadlines for major achievements. Instead, we work at a sustainable pace that lets us savor the journey.     While recognizing the Deadline Illusion  is an important first step, awareness is not enough. To overcome the illusion once and for all, we must take action to prove to ourselves that this deadline is utterly meaningless. It takes patience, trial and error, and optimism to overcome it, but it can be done.     What has the Deadline Illusion  held you back from, and what's your first step to dispel it once and for all?

7000 miles. 19 states + 1 province. 25 days. 800 photos. 200 new ideas.   Up to this point, I had never done anything like this before. Either I would periodically take a one-week staycation, or I would travel to familiar sites: my parents’ house, my in-laws’ house, or see some friends from other cities I used to live in. When leaving the area, I would fly to my destination.   This time was different. It was time to pack my bags, see the country from the ground view, and connect the dots from coast to coast.   Up until this road trip, the longest road trip I ever took was after college. I drove from near Erie, Pennsylvania, to Kansas City, Missouri, and returned using a different route through Kentucky and West Virginia. The longest day drive stemmed from near Des Moines, Iowa, to Colorado Springs, Colorado.   It was time for another road trip. This time, my journey would be longer in both time and distance to properly visit states, cities, and landmarks that I would otherwise miss.   From California to New York State, I took my time exploring the country by limiting my driving time to eight hours per day. This decision enabled me to see some sites along the way, enjoy the places I was staying in, and visit a few friends without any hurry.   During my road trip, there were a few noteworthy highlights I hadn’t realized until they became apparent to me, including:   On my trip, I visited three new national parks that were dream destinations in my 20s: Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands. When I arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, I realized I finally had a continuous, connected vision from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. I chased and captured my first storm on a pro camera in Western Kansas.   To my surprise, there were no major interruptions or setbacks. Not everything went according to plan, but many good, unexpected surprises overshadowed any setbacks.   I packed lightly with only the essentials. Music is essential, so my guitar and saxophone were at the top of my packing list. During my stay at various places, I never received a complaint about playing either instrument.   Of course, I knew I had to pack my Sony Mirrorless camera to capture beautiful scenery, wildlife, and people along the way. I snapped over 8000 photographs and kept nearly 800 of the best ones.   Additionally, I captured 200 new creative, entrepreneurial, and technological ideas by having Siri take a note for me as I enjoyed the road, scenery, and lodging in strange and familiar lands.   My 5 Realizations From An Epic Road Trip   This reflection documents several key ideas and realizations from my road trip. The old saying goes that evaluated experience is far more valuable than raw experience.   Below are five of the major realizations I had throughout the trip that were reinforced time and time again.   -1- Worst Case Is Exactly That–Worst Case   The idea of a road trip brings mixed emotions: excitement for the thrills to come with bucket list items to knock out, and the horrors of the worst things that can happen.   When it comes to the worst case, it's easy to imagine everything going wrong:   The car could break down, lose a tire, get swept up by a tornado, or get into an accident, A thug could break into the car and steal hidden valuables, I could get hijacked from driving through inner city Chicago to get around a major accident on the interstate,   The list goes on. For all the worst-case scenarios that could happen, none of them happened. That's because worst-case scenarios have barely any probability of occurring.   Mostly, I had an enjoyable experience driving throughout each state. Other drivers were friendly, people enjoyed saying hello, and everybody wanted to get along their way. It was amazing.   While it’s possible that adversity can strike, as long as we do our due diligence to protect ourselves and treat others with respect, there is hardly any reason to believe that any road trip will encounter major adversities. Business operates similarly. We should be aware of possible worst-case scenarios, but we shouldn't spend precious time trying to prevent them when we could be generating revenue, improving our operations, ensuring our stakeholders' successes, and so on. Tim Ferriss, your words make far more sense than ever before.   -2- Every Destination Has An Opportunity Cost   While driving from coast to coast, there are endless opportunities for sightseeing and experiencing new things. There are two sides to the coin in any adventure: the expected and the unexpected.   This reality creates two equally valid temptations:   The first temptation is to spend more time in our current location because there’s no guarantee that the next place we visit will be as good. Here, the opportunity cost is losing time to enjoy hidden surprises. Additionally, we may underestimate how much we appreciate the next destination.   The second temptation is to get to the next destination faster to maximize the time spent there. Similar to the first temptation, the cost is the hidden treasures that may be missed along the way. More importantly, the next destination may not meet our expectations, and backtracking would be time-consuming and fruitless.   With these opportunity costs, is there a way to optimize the maximum enjoyment of a road trip? This question may become a classic in a microeconomics class.   The answer: No .   Complete information is unattainable, and there's no way to know without hindsight. When venturing into the unknown, we will never truly know what is out there until we experience it first-hand. Additionally, what one person perceives as boring may be adventurous for someone else. Therefore, the best course of action is to move forward by making the best decisions possible with limited information and actively embracing our experiences. It’s as simple as that.   However, there is one guarantee: precious time will be lost if we choose to overanalyze how to best enjoy the road trip before proceeding. As we all know, time is not a renewable resource.   Therefore, the best approach to a road trip is to adopt a flexible mindset that maintains reasonable certainty about planned activities while embracing the uncertainty of thrills that appear along the way. This mindset works well in business, too.   -3- Some Plans Wash Out, While The Surprises Make Up For It   Initially, I had about 60 potential destinations to visit. These were national parks, cities, homes of friends and family, and other desired destinations. However, not all plans worked out, while others were a real gamble.   In some unfortunate cases, the weather made enjoying outdoor destinations impractical. Other destinations were closed for maintenance, repairs, staff meetings, or other reasons beyond any traveler's control.   Even when I successfully reached some destinations, they didn’t live up to the hype. The visits, which I thought would be more involved, were short and sweet. In these situations, I found myself with surplus time. It didn’t necessarily make them bad; it just changed the flow of the anticipated game.   On the flipside, there were other destinations I had never heard of before, which turned out to be some of my favorite moments from the trip.   One of my favorite moments was towards the end of the trip. I arrived at my hotel in Goodland, Kansas, and the sun was setting and vivid in color, immediately attracting my attention.   I pulled up the weather radar and noticed some red in the cells 15 miles west of my location, which indicates heavy storms with possible lightning. In my mind, the thought of seeing my first tornado was a thrill. I pounced on the opportunity by grabbing my camera and tripod to drive west towards that vivid sunset. As I approached the Kansas–Colorado border, I noticed a windmill farm where the sun was setting and snapped the following picture:     As the sun disappeared, I noticed that the lightning was increasing in frequency. Sometimes, it was crackling through the sky, and other times, it was slamming the ground. It was scary but captivating.   Before my final moments of escaping the storm and not getting struck by lightning, I captured some pictures with my Sony. Here is one of my favorite moments:     After capturing Mother Nature's display, I bolted to the hotel to shack up and ride out the storm. The microburst brought plenty of lightning and thunder as the near 60 mph winds thrusted heavy rain and dime-sized hail on the town. While the storm was thrilling, there was no tornado. Luckily for me, my car fared just fine. Capturing the storm was a great reminder that plans are always subject to change in business. Adaptability is far more important than a rigid vision. When an opportunity presents itself, it's crucial to pounce before it passes.   -4- There Is Beauty Everywhere   Many people consider coastal states a photographer's paradise for scenic photography. In California, we have ample beaches, numerous mountain sides, and Mediterranean scenery that enjoys some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. The Pacific Northwest and Alaska bring their own natural treasures.   However, all 19 states plus the one Canadian province I visited had beauty. Whether it was wildlife or unforgettable landscapes, every place I visited had something to offer.   I will admit that becoming a photographer has trained my eye to look for perspectives that might be missed or taken for granted. However, it’s one of the most substantial rewards of being a photographer and a skill that enhances all other areas of life, including business.   If we know where to look, change our perspective (and perhaps our mindset), and adjust our focus, we may capture an epic and unforgettable shot. Here is a gallery of a few surprise landscapes throughout North America:     -5- On Average, People Love To Help Out   Many people love to poke fun at the middle of the country for being boring, flyover country. I am fortunate to live on one of the coasts, where I enjoy some of the best weather, food, arts, and technological innovation that life offers.   However, driving through the country–specifically the Rockies and the Midwest–reminded me of a life that goes to a much slower beat. At this tempo, people are more inclined to lend a helping hand for situations big and small. It was a nostalgic reminder of how much I appreciated the people of Iowa during my first two years of college.   Throughout my journey, I met numerous strangers who held doors with a genuine smile. Whenever I checked into a hotel, the front desk agents were terrific and always asked if I needed any additional accommodations. Waiters and waitresses asked thoughtful questions about my travels and life back in California.   People in these parts of the country are genuine and hard-working. Most of them are ordinary Americans with careers, families, and modest lifestyles that move at a far different pace. Others have big dreams and aspirations, as I did growing up, and they are leveraging their small-town roots to learn what's out there for them.   That’s when it hit me that these parts of the country generally value social currency more than anything else. The locals pride themselves on lending a hand to someone in need and ensuring they feel welcome.   While driving from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Omaha, Nebraska, I decided to take the back roads along the Missouri River to change the pace from driving on the interstate. It was only a 180-mile drive, so I figured I had ample time to enjoy the road and stop along the way. Within the first hour, I noticed a persistent clicking in the back of the car, which led me to suspect that something wasn’t right with the vehicle. Naturally, I pulled over to inspect the car to see if I could identify the problem. I discovered that one of my backpack straps was hanging out of the trunk, and the plastic piece at the end kept hitting the car.   It wasn’t even one minute after I pulled over when somebody drove from their driveway to ask if I needed help. She was a very sweet, retired lady who offered me a place to stay and leftovers from lunch.   As wonderful an offer as it was, I told her that I pulled over because a plastic part from my backpack kept hitting the car. She laughed at this and said she was glad to see I was okay. She revalidated the offer if I wanted a place to rest for a little while. I politely declined her offer, but I sincerely appreciated it.   Our encounter was a good reminder that offering to help others is what business is all about. Just remember to be a servant, and not a doormat.   A New Chapter In Business   Even though I didn’t get to do everything I wanted, I had the road trip of a lifetime. I was able to take time off from my business, do some things I wanted to do, and build some new, long-lasting memories that I’m using as a springboard to push me forward in my new chapter. There's something to be said about being able to walk away from the everyday grind and experience different walks of life throughout the country. It's a great reminder that we don't always need to go fast. In business, direction is far more important than speed.   As I return to the city lifestyle, these realizations will serve as cornerstones for moving forward. In my own city, I look forward to uncovering new opportunities with fresh eyes by building long-lasting relationships with my community. Since returning, I've visited new events and asked people about their interests. Perhaps Dale Carnegie is right: you can make more friends in two months by taking a genuine interest in someone else than in two years talking about yourself. Hopefully, I will be able to get my new ventures just right by ensuring they serve the needs of my immediate community.   Should You Do A Road Trip? Yes. Ultimately, I recommend that everyone take a road trip at some point in their lives. A great road trip doesn't need to span multiple states and several weeks. Something as simple as going four hours out of town for a weekend can bring new changes and direction. A road trip represents a break from our natural routines to teach us the humility needed to trust that unfamiliar situations will work out. Additionally, seeing new sites can trigger new ideas, which cannot be obtained from executing the same routines in familiar environments. Along the way, we will capture new ideas and memories that serve as a springboard to build a better future. We will see how the dots connect to identify similarities and differences of distinct cultures and lands far better than if we are anchored in one area.   In addition to the people, we see changes in the residents of Mother Nature along the way. In America, we're fortunate that the wildlife is bountiful. Here are some other wildlife highlights from my road trip:     The pictures seen throughout this article only serve as the tip of the iceberg. For the full photo album of my road trip across America, click here .   Thank you for reading. I hope this article has inspired you to take your own road trip someday!

Think back to a recent conversation, performance, or piece of writing that made an impression. What’s perplexing is that an impression lingers in our minds long after words were spoken, songs were sung, or scripts were performed. Details fade, but the impression remains.   The question becomes, “What was it about that experience that leaves an impression?”   At first, we can speculate about the details, even if they are difficult to recall. However, the details only serve to carry out our experiences. There's a reason that we forget what people say but remember how they make us feel. Therefore, it's how that experience ends that leaves the lasting impression we carry onward.     Even though first impressions set the stage for how we believe our experiences would unfold, the ending ultimately decides whether the impression is favorable or not. In many cases, an experience can start off oddly or unexpectedly, but the finale brings it all together to leave a final mark.   For musicians, this is something we know to be true as we land our final note. Therefore, there are techniques musicians rely on to ensure that songs end memorably.   This reality extends beyond music and has become a principle that applies to nearly all endeavors. From private, intimate conversations to worldwide shows and broadcasts, the final note bears the most weight in determining whether the experience leaves a beautiful memory or misses the mark.   From my experience across multiple disciplines, I know that music is the most effective vehicle to communicate the importance of powerful endings. We don’t have to be musicians or have any knowledge of music theory to determine whether a musician's playing or singing leaves a good impression or sours the experience. We just know. Intuitively.   Therefore, I will demonstrate the importance of the final note using a short and sweet passage on the saxophone. There will be variations of this passage with heavy emphasis on the ending. These demonstration videos will be embedded throughout the article and include graphs to incorporate a multisensory approach to my demonstrations.   The Tension & Release Principle   Many of us have seen thriller movies where suspense dominates the plot. In these movies, we lean in as we try to predict what will happen next, especially in horror movies.   The best thrillers glue us to the edge of our seats as we watch characters navigate mazes riddled with traps. We attempt to predict when these traps will be sprung and ensnare their victims. As tension builds, we brace ourselves for the surprise… whenever that may be.   Out of nowhere, the threat suddenly appears and releases the mounting tension through our screams and sudden gasps. We can't help but become hooked on the drama as we watch it unfold. Seasoned writers know to leverage an unpredictable pattern of tension and release to keep viewers hooked. Thrillers that leave lasting impressions on the audience are created by filmmakers, scriptwriters, and actors who inherently master the Tension & Release Principle . They understand the drama of anticipation and attempt to figure out ways to mount the tension while releasing it at the least anticipated moment. That pattern is visualized on the graph below:   Tension builds up until the release point, at which point tension can either sharply or slowly decline. The cycle often repeats itself multiple times in performing arts, such as music, stand-up comedy, and theatre.   The Tension & Release Principle  applies to our relationships, careers, and hobbies to make them more interesting and engaging. While it may not be as stark and dramatic as a thriller movie, its application significantly reduces dull moments.   In other words, the Tension & Release Principle  is a cornerstone of anything we find interesting.   Music is engineered to provide tension with catchy hooks, memorable melodies, and instrumentation that resonates with listeners. It can be as short as a simple 5-second jingle or a full-blown 1-hour symphony.   Demonstrations of Tension & Release   To better apply tension and release, let's analyze a handful of scenarios through variations of a short, two-bar jazz phrase to demonstrate the differences between utilizing the principle well and falling flat on its face.   Demo 1: No Tension, No Release   Ever had an experience so boring that watching paint dry became a much more appealing alternative?   It happens to the best of us. Unfortunately, life isn’t filled with masters of the Tension & Release Principle . Naturally, we are more inclined to excuse ourselves from these monotonous experiences as much as possible.   When the Tension & Release Principle  isn’t harnessed, the experience drags out and becomes lifeless. Think of when someone goes on numerous bewildering tangents that don’t add up. The incessant verbal droning does nothing but burn precious time.    This level of droning occurs in all types of experiences, including music. Here’s an example on the saxophone of what I mean:     While my saxophone playing was technically correct, its delivery was very flat and monotonous. The playing would pass a technical audition if that's what was required, but it doesn't emotionally connect with an audience.   For most listeners, those two bars became a passive experience. As a result, the listener’s attention shifts from “How will this end?” to “I hope this ends soon.”   Here is a visual curve of the experience:     The curve is flat because nothing happens. Naturally, when there's no buildup of tension, there's nothing to release. As a result, there is no memorable impression.   Here are some other ways where technical competency is demonstrated but doesn't connect emotionally:   A writer who delivers accurate, detailed facts for preventing deforestation but has no stories to use to make an emotional connection and a call to action. An actor who fumbles with the script cannot add relatable characterizations to their performance. A public speaker who delivers the words of a speech but fails to use vocal variety, hand gestures, and ingrained emotion to make an emotional appeal to the audience. A photographer who tells the subject to smile without a compelling reason. A teacher who delivers a monotonous lesson because "it's part of the curriculum."   In short:   No Tension + No Release →  Forgettable Experience   Therefore, we must add tension and release to the experience if we ever hope to capture the hearts of an audience and leave a favorable impression. Demo 2: Some Tension, No Release   We’ve all been in situations where the tension builds and builds and builds… and then, nothing.   We scramble to understand what happened or wonder if we missed something important. Questions run through our minds as we try to make sense of the cliffhanger.   Unfortunately, this is one of the most common experiences. Hype is built around a new idea, product, or service, only to never come to fruition. At best, the lack of delivery is due to negligence. At worst, a con artist who doesn't plan on delivering anyway.   Here's how this situation is demonstrated musically:     This musical phrasing improves on the first video. Some notes were changed, mixed with dynamics, adding some variety to elevate tension throughout the passage.   However, the final note felt like an airplane that wasn't ready to land yet. The tension increased throughout the phrasing, but without the release, it’s difficult for the listener to determine whether that was the end.   Here's the curve of the buildup:     It starts off well, and the experience builds tension throughout, but the final note doesn't release the built-up tension. Instead, it leaves listeners on a cliffhanger. This is why the final note truly counts in musical passages.   Here are other examples across different disciplines of when tension builds but does not get released:   A writer who writes a brilliant passage but has no closing paragraph or takeaway message. An actor who builds up a ton of drama but suddenly disappears, never to be seen again. A public speaker who commands a captivating message, only to say “oops, my time is up” as they step off the stage. A photographer who shoots a photo session but doesn’t deliver any photos. A teacher who asks a question, gets responses, but moves on to the next topic without acknowledging any responses.   In short:   Tension + No Release →  Cliffhanger     In all these cases, tension builds up to the final moment, but there is no resolution. This situation leaves an impression of bewilderment and incompleteness.   Demo 3: Build Tension, Land With Runaway Tension   Ever listened to a brilliant talk, read a beautiful passage, or listened to a talented musician who delivers a phenomenal experience throughout, but then the ending seems completely off from the rest of it?   Something as minor as a contradictory remark, a paragraph that doesn't belong, or a dissonant note can sour an otherwise world-class experience. It doesn't seem fair that such a small segment of the experience taints the rest, but it's the impression that sticks with us.   Here’s a quick example of what I mean:     In this take of the passage, everything was played well until the final note. It soured the mood because it was completely out of place. At best, it could have been a transition note into a different ending that was left incomplete. In either case, the tension spikes dramatically as shown below:     Here are additional examples where tension is built and aggressively throttled by an abrupt ending or incomplete performance:   A grant writer whose work builds a solid case for increasing educational funding, only to undermine it by claiming that its previous spending was wasteful. An antagonist in a movie who suddenly turns into the good guy at the end with absolutely no explanation. A public speaker who delivers a beautiful address to hundreds of salespeople in the solar industry but then pitches reasons to sell oil and gas products. A photographer who delivers a wedding album of distorted photos. A math teacher who cannot follow the simple rules of algebra to solve equations or simplify mathematical expressions.   In short:   Tension + Bad Release →  Agitation   These situations demonstrate that while building tension is part of the game, the release must decrease the tension at the end, not increase it. Additionally, if tension overbuilds, it risks distorting the experience while eroding credibility and professionalism. Given the choice between an abrupt cliffhanger and a tension spike, most audience members would choose the cliffhanger.   Demo 4: Build Tension, Then Release   Finally, after all the tension built into this article, here comes a good example of applying the Tension & Release Principle . Releasing tension that is built throughout is the key ingredient to leaving a lasting impression. Not only is it important to release the tension, but also do so at the right rate–not too slowly, and not too quickly. Additionally, tension must be built at the right rate. Mastering the optimal rate of building tension requires trial and error, high social intelligence, and an intuitive understanding of our workflow.   When tension is built wisely, its release provides a lasting impression that the audience remembers long after the details fade.   Musically, here’s what I mean:     As the tension builds throughout the passage, the final note releases it to emphasize the conclusion. It leaves the final impression that simmers in the listeners' minds. Additionally, a well-placed final note tricks us into thinking everything around it was relatively interesting.   Again, it’s more about the impression that lasts, not the details. Therefore, investing our best efforts into what lands the impression is vital.   Graphically speaking, here is our desired journey.     Across different disciplines, it's important to know how to treat the final note of our work to leave a favorable impression. Here are more metaphorical examples of how a well-placed final note resonates and compels the audience to act:   A writer delivers a thorough article on improving the state of a community, providing tangible action steps with immediate application. An actor delivers an inspiring performance throughout and defeats his adversary at the end. A public speaker leaves their audience with a tangible action plan that can be applied after the round of applause. A teacher has his students think through a problem and reveals the correct answer with a clear explanation. A photographer provides a great photoshoot experience, delivers sneak peeks, and then delivers the final album in a timely manner.   In short:   Tension + Release →  Impression   In each situation, the experience builds optimal tension that captivates an audience. Then, it releases the tension to leave a favorable impression that improves an audience's lives or unlocks peace of mind. That’s the best way to build tension and release.   Applying The Lesson   It’s time to turn our attention to ourselves and figure out how to apply the Tension & Release Principle  to achieve the best results possible.   Having a background in performing arts isn't necessary to master it in our own experiences. However, becoming a master requires creativity and patience through trial and error. For each of these steps, it's important to write it down for progress to become more clear.   –1– Begin With The Ending In Mind   In Stephen R. Covey's classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , the first habit introduced is to begin with the end in mind. Many eager people make the mistake of getting started without determining their ultimate destination.   In a world that values speed, what makes having the end in mind valuable? It's the direction. If the plan is to drive north from Atlanta to New York, we should not choose a highway that travels west towards Los Angeles. Remember this: No amount of speed will compensate for going in the wrong direction.   Therefore, determining our 'why' is the most critical delivery aspect. From there, we can shape the journey to build tension and land on the final note of the journey.   –2– Write Out The Desired Impression   Many beginners make the mistake of defining the end and not realizing the impression it delivers. It's not enough to have intention; execution matters. People are not mind readers, but most have enough social awareness to evaluate their experiences.   The best way to engage impressions is through using a multisensory approach. When landing on the final note and delivering an impression, we must ask:   What does it look like? What does it sound like? What does it feel like?   The more senses engaged, the better. Once these questions are answered, we can package it into one final question:   What should the audience take away at the very end?   –3– Connect Tension With Release   It's worth reiterating that tension and release are not isolated from each other. The mechanisms that lead to that impression must be aligned with its delivery. Otherwise, the misalignment may result in more unwanted tension and leave the audience agitated.   When determining how much tension is required, it's best to answer these two questions next:   How much tension should be built right before the release is delivered? How fast should the tension be mounting from start to finish?   For some, this will be intuitive, while for others, it requires explicitly thinking it out and documenting the steps as a recipe. We must use our best judgment on what works best for us and proceed accordingly.   –4– Put It All Together   Now that the impression has been formulated, it's time to build a roadmap from start to finish. Determine the actions that will build the necessary tension right before the punchline is delivered.   For those who use the intuitive approach, documenting the process is still highly recommended. While it might require a little more time and effort, it allows us to review what's going on and select aspects of the process to modify and improve.   An important aspect of building the roadmap is making sure it is practical and manageable. If we stretch ourselves too much, we risk building tension beyond what's tolerable for the audience and ourselves.   Therefore, we want to focus on getting it right first and then tweak it down the road as a stretch goal, where appropriate.   –5– Review The Impression   The final part of the journey requires us to imagine ourselves as statisticians. This is where the testing and review begin to further evaluate whether we're leaving the impression we desire on our audience. Once our planning is completed, we must deploy and practice it.   First and foremost, it's important to document and record our work for review. In the beginning, it's difficult to evaluate ourselves, especially if it's a video, because we're not used to seeing ourselves from a second-person point of view. However, the video doesn't lie and will capture everything we do.   Regardless of how cringy it may be, we need to muster the courage to review it to know how we're perceived.   As our own hardest critic, we want to catch detrimental aspects of delivery before others do. The easiest way to do this for ourselves is to have AI generate a list of yes or no questions relevant to our situation.   Once we've done our due diligence, it's time to test it on a smaller audience. Deliver the performance and ask for feedback, especially on the impression a few hours or a few days afterwards. While there may be specific questions we're interested in our own situations, there's only one question that needs to be answered:   Did the impression meet expectations?   If yes, continue optimizing it until there's no point to improving it or a ceiling has been hit. If no, ask what needs to be changed and fix it. Plan on testing the changes again in the near future.   Even if the desired impression landed the first time, repeat the test to ensure consistency. There's nothing worse than a false positive in the beginning. For those who enjoy flowcharts, consider this:   Land The Plane Smoothly   Our experiences will become more mindful with the application of the Tension & Release Principle . It feels good to end things on a good note to know we can focus on what's next. Not all parts of the journey are weighed equally in the eyes of the audience. While many producers become obsessed with making the middle of any endeavor as smooth and perfect as possible, it is often the ending that will be remembered by the largest chunk of the audience.   Therefore, more careful attention should be paid to delivering a smooth landing. Of course, the process of building tension is important, but it’s the impression that stays with us at the very end.   When the ending is mastered, try allowing it to resonate a little longer. Here's a bonus demo to demonstrate what I mean.     In this final demo, the playing was very similar to the previous demonstration. In addition to a few pick up notes, the musical phrase slowed down at the end. This gives the listener permission to breathe a sigh of relief as the music comes to an end. In the graph below, we can see that the green part of the journey lasts just a little bit longer.     Optimal Tension + Optimal Release  →  Optimal Impression As we come to a close on our journey of tension and release, think about how to apply it to our crafts. Becoming a master of the Tension & Release Principle can not only make us more effective in our craft, but enjoy life a little bit more. This combo will help us land our final note in each experience to leave an impression for all to enjoy. Enjoy the journey. Start well, build tension, and release your final note wisely so that you may leave a favorable impression.

Let's get one thing straight: creativity is not reserved solely for artists.  Everybody has some degree of creativity.  Sure, artists are bound to exercise creativity more often than others, but that doesn't mean they are the only ones who can do so.   Creativity is a mental muscle like our physical muscles.  When we exercise, it helps us get stronger.  When we neglect it, it experiences atrophy.  It's that simple.   There are countless instances where we exercise creativity without realizing it.  Rewriting sentences, rearranging the living room, and delivering more compelling presentations harness creativity to transform things from good to great.   Therefore, it’s up to us to find ways to recognize and use creativity more often. As this article explores, creativity doesn’t need to be flamboyant or awe-inspiring.  Little changes in our lives are valid applications of creativity.   Top Five Reasons   Here are the top five reasons why everybody should exercise creativity regularly, regardless of their gifts, skill sets, and professions:   1 – It Serves As Our Mental Gym   We all have thoughts and ideas that occupy our heads. The most important ideas will motivate us to make them a reality.   When we want to be in shape, we don't just wish for fitness. We get up, exercise, push ourselves, and rest.  Then, repeat with variations of exercises until we gradually see results.   Creativity is the mental equivalent of the physical gym. We must practice repeatedly to strengthen our creative muscles and abilities until we improve.  It’s unreasonable to believe that one creative session is enough to conjure, build, and polish our ideas.   When we devise new, innovative solutions, it is easier to do so when we have done the work ahead of time.   2 – Builds A Bank of Ideas   Music and the arts are not the only outputs for creativity.  Ideas are the easiest way to express our thoughts with unique twists and vantage points.   The beauty of creativity lies in its near-limitless potential.  However, we cannot generate millions of ideas and expect to remember them all.  This is where documentation becomes essential.   Depending on our skills and preferences, we can document our ideas on a notepad, digital notebook, or even an Excel spreadsheet. Our goal should not be to find the absolute best method but to find “a” method that works for us.   Begin by documenting one idea, then another, and continue this process. Soon, we will have built a bank of ideas to be stored, discarded, or continued.   Best of all, our bank of ideas can be combined to create unique twists.  Combination is the most common form of creativity.  Our ideas are ingredients in the stew pot; mixing them in the right proportions may yield flavorful results.   3 – Creativity Requires The Compound Effect   It's easy to believe that creativity automatically generates elegant solutions. However, extraordinary results emerge from years of hard work, refining, and determining what works for our target audience.   In Ed Catmull's book Creativity Inc. , the high-level executive of Pixar admits that everything conceived starts as an ugly baby. In other words, the initial idea must be workshopped repeatedly until it becomes presentable.   Famous Pixar characters weren’t created in a day. Buzz Lightyear, Dash, and other beloved characters required new iterations and updates to become what we saw on the screen.  While it may seem odd to those who only see the results, the process is great news because it shows anyone can do it.   Our best ideas are unlikely to be the ones we initially jot down. Sure, they have potential, but they’re unlikely to be presentable. However, that's okay, as harnessing our creative juices to produce remarkable results requires time and effort.   In the beginning, aspiring creatives should have only one goal: practice.   Practice generating, refining, and grasping what the audience seeks from our ideas.  This process strengthens our creative muscles.  Once we clear the clutter from the attic, genuine ideas with tremendous potential will emerge.   4 – Recognize Your Own Creative Patterns / Biases   Despite our preconceived notions and perceptions of creativity, everyone has unique patterns and biases regarding how it works. In other words, pure, abstract creativity does not exist because all the dots are uniquely connected.   As a result, when we consider some of our favorite artists, we acknowledge that they each have unique creative methods. No single creative method is inherently better than another; everyone has their own approaches to what suits their style.   Analyzing our creativity biases makes it easier to identify our creative affinities.  As an example, I enjoy producing instrumental shorts that feature stingers at the end.  In other words, I repeat the final note of the passage after a rest, but in a different octave.     Just because we recognize patterns in our creativity doesn't mean we are less creative. What’s important is that we realize how we approach creativity by the end of the day.  This awareness allows us to own our creativity, enabling us to challenge it later and explore new ways to be creative.   5 – Creativity Generates Happiness   This is one of the most critical points that is often overlooked.  Many underutilize their creativity because they believe it’s too big for them, which can lead to feeling stifled.   The purpose of being creative shouldn't be to indulge in an endless splurge all the time. Instead, it should focus on sharing ideas with our audience at a reasonable level. Once we achieve that level, we often experience greater satisfaction in our creativity than if we were to keep everything bottled up in our minds.   After a good workout, we experience the release of endorphins, which make us feel good about the hard work and pain endured in the gym. Similarly, mental workouts reward us when we devote our minds to bringing a project to life instead of binge-watching Netflix.   One final note: our intentions are just as important as our results. Engaging in creativity to become rich and famous may lead to failure and feelings of suffering.  However, if we pursue creativity to exercise our minds and explore our potential, we can discover many rewards, such as clarity, peace of mind, and new skills and abilities.   Build That Creative Muscle   The creative muscle lies within us.  Some may require a little dusting off to get back into creative shape.  The road might be much longer for others, but it is worth it.  The good news is that we all possess that initial potential.   When we were younger, our curiosity ran wild.  However, as we grew up, our creativity became stifled as we conformed to societal standards dictated by our teachers and employers.  Other events in life have further buried our creativity underneath layers of our minds.   The good news is that we all can dig ourselves out, and no one is unredeemable.  It all begins with a single step in the right direction.  Steps become yards, yards become miles, and miles become light years.  However, it is up to us to decide to go on that journey.  As we journey further, we will enjoy creative victories, big and small.   What are some ways you're going to explore your creativity? Share an idea below.

The human experience incorporates a broad spectrum of emotions that shape our lives. Some individuals are naturally wired to experience certain emotions more than others. These differences stem from unique biological and psychological factors that control how we perceive and interpret our experiences.   Most emotions are generally categorized as positive, neutral, or negative. However, some feelings are rooted in multiple categories due to their mix.   Positive emotions are instances that bring happiness and make us feel good. Naturally, we desire happy experiences to occur as often as possible. Joy, contentment, and love are among the range of emotions that we seek.   Neutral emotions appear to fill the void but don't sway the pendulum one way or the other. Feelings such as contentment, indifference, and calm are examples.   In contrast, negative emotions are feelings that challenge our comfort zone. As a result, we tend to want to alleviate them swiftly. While these emotions aren't inherently harmful, they can lead to adverse outcomes if left unaddressed. Common negative emotions encompass sadness, despair, and anger.   This article explores anger as a universal tool for change. When appropriately harnessed, anger compels us to act and make necessary changes. We will see how anger stems from our situations and unlocks the energy needed to correct them.   The Misconception About Anger   Anger serves as an emotional tool that drives change. It is not a singular emotion but a blend of frustration, hurt, disappointment, fear, and powerlessness. This emotional surge generates short bursts of energy and compels swift action to enhance our world.   Unfortunately, anger is associated with misplaced stigmas. Consequently, those who lack emotional mastery often offer misguided advice, particularly to children and young adults. One of the unhealthiest approaches to anger is to ignore or bottle it up.   Even religious scriptures guide their believers to manage anger appropriately. The Holy Bible reveals that God is slow to anger, not entirely devoid of it. The Qur'an states that the strongest person is the one who ultimately controls their anger. The Dhammapada provides its perspective on anger: the one who masters their rising anger is the charioteer.   Whether mortal or deity, there is a unifying theme in managing anger: it must be used responsibly.   If anger is not necessarily evil, what is it?  Anger is an amoral tool for change, and its presence isn't the problem.   How it is harnessed often determines the difference between creating constructive and destructive outcomes, winning and losing the game, and building trust versus breaking trust. Like most emotions in life, anger is inevitable.   Therefore, whether good or poor outcomes are experienced hinges on how it is directed.    The most significant changes in the world resulted from the righteous and constructive use of anger. Martin Luther King Jr. channeled his anger and that of fellow Black Americans and allies through peaceful protests in the streets of America. Gandhi expressed his anger through nonviolent protests against British rule in India.   However, history depicts these two as benevolent civil rights heroes. So, what differentiates these two leaders from others who use anger for change?   Ultimately, they harnessed anger to manifest better outcomes. Both MLK and Gandhi showed that anger provides the energy for change. Leading by example, others followed suit, utilizing their rage for the better.   Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to be afraid of anger. Everyone can become angry. We must be aware of how anger is managed. In the right hands, it can lead to powerful change. However, in the wrong hands, it may result in destructive outcomes.   How Anger Is Vital For Change   It's worth another iteration: Anger is an amoral tool for change, not always a destructive force. It’s an integral part of our emotional package. However, left unchecked, its consequences can be more dire than other emotions in the toolbox.    Therefore, it's essential to harness it responsibly as it arises. Here's what anger provides when channeled correctly:   Anger Provides A Burst of Energy   It's tough to enact change when feeling lethargic or powerless, which yields inaction. While it might not cause immediate suffering, doing nothing can lead to regret and resentment.   On the other hand, anger offers a surge of energy that enables swift change. We no longer need to dig deep or build momentum to access this energy–it is readily available.  We must harness it effectively to avoid unintentionally worsening the current situation or bottling it up, which can lead to long-term resentment.   The question becomes: how do we harness anger to manifest constructive changes to our situation?    Anger Compels Us To Act   Have you ever noticed that things tend to move more quickly when people are angry?  That’s the lightning effect of anger.  People act on instinct and navigate problems as if they are TIE Fighter pilots.  If they blink, they may crash, so they lock into their issues head-on.   The energy unleashed reactively must be directed swiftly toward constructive purposes. Most people struggle with anger through inappropriate actions. When anger targets a person instead of the issue they caused, it leads to disaster and resentment.   Mastering our emotions is the only way to manage anger wisely. Coping methods and if-then statements are two techniques that can improve anger management.    Anger Connects With Others   Everyone experiences anger at some point, with some feeling it more intensely than others.  In fact, some of us might be feeling angry while reading this article.   Our shared experiences of anger and the wish for change bring us together. Numerous motivational speakers and political leaders emphasize that feeling angry and upset about situations is a normal response. When people forge emotional connections, they are more inclined to collaborate in seeking solutions. Properly channeled, anger can drive profound change.   How we express our anger can evoke various responses, from respect to ridicule. Adults who shout and wave their arms are perceived as nothing more than overgrown children. In addition, many psychologists consider suppressing anger a red flag that can lead to disastrous consequences.   How To Harness The Anger of Others   Since anger is a common and universal emotion, leaders must strive to understand it thoroughly to connect with their followers. Identifying what provokes anger in others is not difficult. The real challenge is figuring out how to channel that anger effectively to generate constructive outcomes.   As leaders learn to harness the anger of others, they must take three important steps to better channel it:   Understand The Power of Anger   To utilize anger, we must first understand it.  As we’ve seen, anger is an amoral tool used to change our immediate circumstances through the energy that emerges in response to our situation.   As the energy rises, our bodies feel compelled to act swiftly in response to the sudden surge. One of two outcomes will follow: either anger is properly harnessed, allowing us to rectify the situation quickly, or we lose control and find ourselves at its mercy.   Many individuals lack sufficient training in emotional control, often resulting in negative outcomes. Examples of such detrimental effects include property damage, inflicting harm on others, and heightened conflicts.   Think of anger like electricity. Electrical power is neither good nor bad; it is just a phenomenon produced by both natural and man-made imbalances of electrical charge between two or more points.   When electricity is conducted correctly, it provides tremendous value. Engineers and physicists harness electricity through circuits and conductors.  These methods channel and regulate electricity to power electronics, send electricity across countless miles, and light up our homes.   However, when we lose control, it leads to destructive and potentially deadly consequences.  Some disastrous examples include dry lightning that starts forest fires, circuit overloads that cause fires, and industrial accidents.   Therefore, we need to engineer ways to harness anger properly. Once we understand its potential, what follows is critical to directing it.   Recognize What People Are Feeling   Now that we understand the mechanics of anger, we must recognize what triggers that emotion in others. While everyone is wired differently, we share common values and expectations for living civil lives. Anger emerges when these values and expectations are not met or when they become disrupted.   When misalignments occur, anger emerges from our awareness of the wrongdoing. However, because of societal norms surrounding the expression of anger, people feel conflicted. They are unsure if their anger is justified and–more importantly–how to express it appropriately.   This is where we, as leaders, come in.  Leaders coach people to harness their anger and improve their situations constructively.  We show them how to channel such a powerful emotion properly.  Most importantly, we remind them that feeling these emotions is okay.   When good examples of leadership are right before them, people feel comfortable replicating their characteristics.   Channel Anger For Constructive Purposes   Leaders must guide them through the process once people recognize that they can channel anger for positive purposes. Unfortunately, human nature shows that accepting change often takes longer than we would like to believe.   Depending on the situation, there are many effective ways to channel our anger. A typical example is elections. If we are dissatisfied with the politicians in power, we make our voices heard by voting.   The same principle applies to entrepreneurship. If we are dissatisfied with the economic solutions available, we can create a business around providing a better product or service.   Ultimately, properly channeled anger can help resolve conflicts between people.  This doesn’t mean that both parties should enter with iron fists, ready to fight. Instead, they need to harness their anger as a motivating force toward their desired outcome while remaining calm enough to communicate, listen to one another, and discover common ground in their disagreements.   As we coach individuals in their emerging skills, we must reward them when they excel and correct them when they veer off course. Ultimately, we need to serve as examples and encourage people as they learn to harness their anger constructively to enhance the world around them.   Embrace Anger As A Tool   Anger is a powerful tool, and learning to harness it constructively is a lifelong skill we must continually refine. Societal norms and misguided stigmas have hindered people's ability to channel their anger effectively. Consequently, many individuals suppress their anger, ultimately leading to destructive outbursts due to the tremendous pressure.   Leaders must exemplify wisdom in their use of anger. Moreover, anger should not be a default emotion; instead, it should emerge as a response to critical situations. Once we master anger as a powerful tool, we can manage it to achieve results more swiftly than by passively expecting the problem to resolve itself.   Now it’s your turn: What is one constructive way you’ll embrace anger and channel it toward improving your life or community? Share your thoughts below.

When I moved to the West Coast, I moved to Portland, Oregon–the multitool capital of the world. The city is home to two prominent multitool companies: Leatherman and Gerber .   As I settled into my new region, I noticed a handful of people who always carried multitools. At first, I thought they were strictly pocketknives carried in self-defense, but then I asked someone about it.  It was a risky move, I know.   The man I asked showed me some features of his multitool, including saws, screwdrivers, awls, knives, and more. Instantly, I knew I needed my pocket companion, which contained more than a dozen tools in a snug pocket device.   Naturally, most multitool carriers were passionate about the outdoors, which made sense since a vast wilderness surrounds Portland.  Mountains, beaches, and nearby forests are in every direction, making it easy to find recreational activities.   Both major manufacturers sold multitools at local markets and outlet stores, making it easy for me to acquire multiple multitools for my arsenal. Thus, my obsession began.   Multitools Are Great Investments   Let me begin by stating that multitools are like any other investment.   Cheap investments yield a low-quality multitool that could break early with regular use. However, higher-end investments are worth their weight in gold, and companies that produce them back them with excellent warranties.   Investing a bit more money in a multitool is wise for peace of mind. This doesn’t mean spending hundreds of dollars on something that fits in your pocket, but I highly recommend spending more than $20.   I’ve tested numerous multitools at home, at engineering job sites, and in the great outdoors. They have saved me multiple times in every environment. Because of their value, multitools are an essential component of my inventory.   I’ll explore a few of my favorite multitools below.   My Three Multitool Picks   While the perfect, ultimate multitool does not exist (yet), investing in different multitools with complementary functions can improve our adaptability to unusual situations.   It’s natural for multitools to have overlapping functions, as each unit includes the most common tools designed to tackle everyday scenarios. However, I believe it’s far better to have redundancies between tools if something happens.   Here are three multitools that have served me well since my obsession began:   Leatherman MUT   This multitool is rugged to the core. Its build is heavier than others, as it was made to clean guns and perform heavy-duty utility work.   Although I don’t use this on guns, it has been a reliable tool in my daily experiences for addressing minor issues that arise. The Leatherman MUT is equipped with the following:   Needlenose Pliers Regular Pliers Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters Premium Replacable Hard-wire Cutters Strandard-wire Cutters Electrical Crimper Combo Knife Saw Replaceable Cutting Hook Hammer Bolt Override Tool Replaceable Bronze Carbon Scraper Cleaning Rod Replaceable Firearm Assembly Carabiner/Bottle Opener Large Bit Driver   This multitool can be further enhanced by acquiring the drill bit pack and a drill bit extender, which provides additional torque when screwing and unscrewing different bolts.   Gerber Dime Don't be fooled by this thumb-sized multitool. Although an investment around $20, it is one of the most valuable tools in my arsenal. It is equipped with a dozen handy tools for emergencies.    Unlike the Leatherman MUT, the Gerber Dime has spring-loaded pliers, a critical feature in many cases where the grip on material needs to be reworked.    The features of this multitool include:   Needle Nose Pliers Spring-Loaded Pliers Wire Cutters Tweezers Bottle Opener Fine Edge Blade Retail Package Opener Scissors Medium Flathead Driver File Small Flat-Heat Driver Lanyard Ring   Victorinox Evolution S54 Tool Chest   Swiss army knives are famous multitools that have become the mainstay of survival in Swiss Culture. Standard tools that include the basics are great for curious people who wish to enter the field.   Additionally, Swiss produces much larger multitools with upwards of 100 tools built into them!   I have discovered that the larger Victorinox Evolution S54 Tool Chest Plus offers a high ROI due to its versatility. I must admit I bought this multitool before inflation, and its price has doubled over the past five years.   For the right user, that price remains an investment.    The tools on the S54 Tool Chest are as follows:   Key Ring Toothpick Tweezers Wood Saw Reamer (Awl) Metal Saw Magnifying Glass Can Opener Compass Serrated Edge Scissors Combination Pliers Fish Scaler Large Blade Corkscrew Nail File Universal Wrenches (M3, M4, M5) Phillips Screwdrivers (1, 2) Bottle Opener   Combining Multitools Is Key   Multitools are useful pocket-sized gadgets for handling life’s curve balls. While no one-size-fits-all multitool can do everything, thoughtfully choosing our multitool sets can prepare us for most circumstances.   Some multitools are made with care and require investment, while others are more generic. Based on your needs, it is beneficial to consider both options–budget versus luxury—and determine what is best for you.   Do you have a multitool you find helpful?  Leave a link in the comments section below!

Sometimes, All We Need Is A Few Seconds Life is filled with profound lessons, usually delivered as little, subtle reminders. Sometimes, we face significant events that deeply impact us and leave a lasting impression. These reminders often stem from falling short of expectations during major life milestones, such as a game, a relationship, or other important occurrences. Small lessons often accumulate in our memory banks. Initially, they may not seem significant, but as we navigate new experiences, the value of these brief yet impactful lessons becomes apparent. Here are some of life's quick reminders, presented in no particular order:   1 – People Come & Go It’s one of the most brutal truths to accept, but it must be repeated as long as we live. Generally, people come and go in our lives at intervals beyond our control. Some remain for our entire lives, some for a few seasons, and others only briefly. Everyone is the main character in their own story. Their aspirations take them to different destinations. Some are meant to settle down and live in a particular area, while others seek fulfillment by sailing the seven seas. Just think about what has happened to your friends since graduating from high school. Unfortunately, some people who enter and exit our lives are purely transactional. As long as they perceive some benefit to having us around, they will keep us. Once that benefit disappears, we are thrown out and never spoken to again.   We must value those we cherish in our lives. No one can predict what tomorrow may bring or if someone will choose to leave, pass away suddenly, or disappear completely.   2 – There's Always Something Better Than We Desire   It is admirable to have goals that motivate us to improve ourselves and achieve great results. Motivation is the cornerstone of progress, but without a reason to strive for continuous improvement, it simply doesn't happen.   However, there's a fine line between pursuing better and pursuing an ideality.   When we pursue an ideal, we aim to align our conditions with perfection. Any deviation from these conditions becomes a source of suffering; the greater the deviation, the greater the suffering.   Meanwhile, striving for improvement opens numerous possibilities. We may have some idea of what we wish to achieve, but we also have a variety of outcomes we would accept.  The results sometimes exceed our initial expectations, and nothing feels better.   3 – Better To Adapt Than Demand Perfection   Just as there is always something more desirable than what we currently have, it's wiser to adjust to our circumstances and improve them instead of insisting on perfection. We operate in the reality of incomplete information, which makes the definition of perfection arbitrary.   The old saying goes that everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. Therefore, the ability to adapt is much more important than demanding perfection. When we adapt, we learn from our current situation and adjust to its conditions to squeeze out a win.   Of course, there are exceptions. When inventing a new solution to a long-lasting problem, persistence is key to finding the path that brings the invention to reality. It may take longer than expected, but the rewards are tremendous.   4 – Don't Feed The Trolls   The Internet is an endless source of content. Some content is informational, some is entertaining, and some is collaborative among users.   Forums often attract individuals seeking solutions to their problems. However, these spaces also create opportunities for trolls to emerge, providing misguided advice that derails progress.   Naturally, some will seek to fight back against these trolls by attacking them verbally. However, trolls remain immune to keyboard warriors and will always find ways to sidestep their words. Furthermore, dealing with trolls can significantly damage a serious individual's credibility.   One universal best way to deal with trolls is to starve them out. A troll that receives no attention will become sad and leave to conduct their business elsewhere.   5 – Nothing Goes Up Forever   It’s thrilling to join a group, event, or business that’s on the rise. The view improves considerably over time when we hop on the roller coaster during its ascent. The stunning view along the ascent makes everyone feel optimistic about the future.   However, it is often naive to think that the roller coaster will continue to rise forever. Ultimately, what goes up must come down. Popular fads and brands from ten years ago have become obsolete relics today. Companies at the top of their game have fallen and serve as stark reminders that change is inevitable.   In nature, we know that a species' population growth cannot continue indefinitely. As the population increases, its members consume more resources, resulting in fewer resources available in the future. Consequently, those who cannot obtain the resources needed for survival will perish, leading to a decline in population.   The same reality of nature is reflected in businesses, organizations, and any long-term endeavors. Therefore, we should learn to enjoy the upswing when it occurs and embrace ourselves when things start going downhill.   6 – Calculated Risks Are Required For A Better Life   There's an unfortunate stigma passed down from generation to generation: risk leads to ruin. Everyone seems to be clamoring to uncover the easiest path to success. This misguided mindset is responsible for more regret than anything else.   Here’s the reality of risk:   A life without risk is not worth living and tells no story.   Unfortunately, people continue to believe they will ultimately be better off if they avoid risks, as nothing will emerge from the woodshed to threaten them. While playing it safe may keep most obstacles and challenges at bay, it also eliminates opportunities to improve and position us more favorably.   Nearly every business, idea, and success story involves risk. However, these risks are not taken haphazardly. The key to most success stories lies in taking calculated risks, where failure is possible, but success is significantly more likely and rewarding.   When risks pay off, we reflect on them positively, expressing our gladness for taking them. However, not all risks are guaranteed to succeed. When they fail, we shouldn't simply give up – instead, we should consider what we can learn from the experience, adjust our strategy, and try again.   7 – More Connections Mean More Options   Nothing is sadder than a talented hermit who cannot connect. The stories of such individuals—homeless musicians, penniless intellectuals, and other masters who are so focused on their craft that they struggle to communicate with the world around them—are poignant.   Often, the reason these people are not successful is not that their skills are inadequate. Instead, they fail to connect with the world around them.   The good news is that if they can master some form of discipline at a deep level, they can also learn to connect with others. To broaden their social circle, they simply need to adopt the same skills and philosophies as everyone else.   Most people don't connect with the world around them because they believe they have nothing to offer.  On the contrary, people love pleasant surprises, so those with rich skills need to add value to others and expand their network.   The return on investment is not immediate. It’s a lagging metric that takes time to take effect fully. Connecting with others requires time and trust, as most people who forge new connections want to ensure their new connections are genuine.   The good news is that most people outside our current social circle don't have an opinion about us. This presents an enriching opportunity for us to connect with them and start new, fresh relationships that lead to a better outlook in life.   As our social circles grow, so do our opportunities.   8 – The Compounding Effect Works Everywhere   This is one of my favorite concepts to teach students in precalculus, finance, and any other skill or subject: The earlier you start, the better off you'll be. This advice is a cornerstone of the stock market, but it applies well beyond investing. Early investment in skills, people, knowledge, physical well-being, and every aspect of a person's life reaps great rewards.   What makes the compound effect genuinely remarkable is that it isn't always related to our active efforts. Our actions trigger our subconscious mind to work on and resolve issues without our awareness.   Ever struggled with a problem, slept on it, and suddenly a solution made sense? There’s a reason why sometimes sleeping on our problems is better than worrying about them.   The compounding effect relies more on our subconscious abilities than on our conscious ones. However, we must try to engage our subconscious mind with that specific avenue.   Unfortunately, most people don't start early because they want an immediate reward from their investments. Since most things in life don't offer immediate returns, most people miss far more opportunities than they realize.   The compounding effect works only when you play the long game, where momentum builds slowly at first and then gradually becomes overwhelming. Once this stage is reached, very few things can stop the wielder of such momentum from uncovering new opportunities.   9 – Nobody Wants To Be Told They're Wrong   This reminder stems from the fact that nobody wants to be perceived as an NPC. For those who aren't Gen Z, NPC stands for non-playable character. These characters are programmed to do a finite number of things, go through life's routines without realizing it, and break into a new routine.   As such, we all want to believe that our frame of mind and thoughts are fully justified. After all, we have left ourselves for our entire lives, so we've witnessed how everything has come together for ourselves.   When we receive feedback to correct ourselves, it's natural to search for flaws in the source of the criticism. The most stubborn individuals will dig in and defend their position, even if they are at fault. As a result, both sides accomplish far less while fuming and attacking each other instead of addressing the root problem.   We must recognize that we will always work with limited information. No one has a complete understanding of reality.  The more perspectives available, the closer we will get to the truth.   This insight offers further reasons for collaboration. When the right individuals come together, they can significantly boost their collective progress rather than tackle it like a solitary soldier.   Instead of telling someone they're wrong, offer a chance to hear their side. There may be some missing context that needs to be considered. Afterward, make a judgment call on collaborating toward a converging viewpoint.   Bonus – Days Go Faster When We Get Older   As a middle-aged Millennial, this truly resonates with me.   I remember when five minutes felt like a long time in elementary school. We had five minutes for a snack, which was enjoyable. Then came the lengthy classes, which seemed to drag on endlessly. When can I go home and play in the park?   Then came five minutes in high school. They passed more quickly. I felt like I had to hustle to get from class to class, but it was manageable.   Now, I feel like I lose five minutes every time I blink my eyes. Okay, I just checked, and it doesn't seem to happen, but it sure feels that way.   As we grow older, we accumulate more time and experience. Life presents us with more opportunities, and boredom is not an option for the most ambitious among us. It is said that the more engaged you are in life, the faster time appears to fly by.   However, I feel fantastic about what I'm doing these days. It’s better to live a fast-paced life filled with fulfilling pursuits than a slow life of boredom.   It reminds me of a good song from high school: “ Don't Blink” by Kenny Chesney . Although I didn't listen to much country music growing up, I still enjoy this song. Enjoy!

With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, many of us were forced to stay home and forbidden from going out unless absolutely necessary. For me, this meant the end of my engineering career, as business dried up instantly due to the effects of the pandemic.   While there were good intentions behind the lockdowns, they created a void of time for many people, including myself.  For those of us who love being active and productive, we abhor these vacuums.   Instead of trying Netflix, I chose to learn coding after waiting in vain for about three weeks for the lockdown to end.  I had some prior programming experience from writing scripts to solve engineering problems, but I genuinely wanted to understand how coding worked once and for all.  I believed it would be a valuable skill upon my return to the industry, making me more competitive in the job market.   Coding evolved from a mere activity to a full-blown obsession for me. I recall spending days in my apartment, only venturing out to grab groceries or meet with my fiancée (now wife).  Given all the time I dedicated to learning to code, you'd think that, given all the time I dedicated to learning to code, the pandemic would have wrapped up sooner, but it dragged on and on and on.   I enjoyed it so much that I was ready to abandon traditional engineering and pursue software engineering. While I did not end up in software engineering, my critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities sharpened dramatically.   Still, there were some other skills that would have been more beneficial in the long term if I had invested more time in them.   What I Wish I Spent More Time On   Even though coding was a highly sought-after skill before the sudden tech bust of 2022, I really wish I had spent more time mastering photography.   During the pandemic, being indoors with others wasn't an option, so many people spent time outdoors. In hindsight, I should have taken more pictures and walked more, as it would have been a healthier use of my time.   As I plowed through one coding challenge after another, I noticed that my willingness to go outside had dwindled significantly.  My fiancée joked that I was becoming a shut-in as we planned to move to California after the wedding later that year.  However, I felt it was a better investment of my time to master this skill to increase my marketability when arriving in the new lands of sunny SoCal.   Maybe she had a good point.   Why I Wish I Spent More Time on Photography   Although coding remains a significantly more marketable skill than photography, there are several key reasons why I wish I had spent more time on photography, or at least balanced my day between the two:   Go Outdoors More   Learning to code required me to sit down and tackle problems methodically, step by step. While I enjoyed the process, it was quite time-consuming, and by the time I completed a major problem, the sun had usually set. This meant that engaging in photography with my entry-level camera equipment was not really feasible.   In hindsight, I would have spent my mornings taking photographs and going for hikes when the lighting was optimal. This would have kept me active and healthier by getting my steps in and allowed me to see more of the Pacific Northwest before my days were numbered.   Additionally, I would've gone less stir crazy being indoors all the time if I had balanced photography in the mornings against coding later in the day.   I Had The Equipment Ready   Even without the best equipment at my disposal, I still had enough to capture beautiful moments in nature. There's something wonderful about taking a camera with you and how it ignites conversations with other outdoor enthusiasts.   Mark Twain’s wisdom resonates here: It doesn't matter where you start. It's more important to start now and learn better tools than to wait for perfection.   If it's on the shelf, it collects dust. A camera should be used to capture beautiful moments!   Already Had Experience With Photography   While I wasn't a professional photographer then, I was quite seasoned and had mastered the basics. My fiancée and I loved taking photos together, so we already had a good amount of experience and were eager to improve further.   On the other hand, my coding knowledge was still relatively new. Despite my previous experience in engineering and numerical analysis, coding presented its own challenges because I was not familiar with all the languages, syntaxes, and technologies available for building software. This made it difficult to persuade potential employers that I could continue making progress.   Additionally, there were times when I was stuck on certain concepts for a few days. Tools such as ChatGPT weren't available to bail me out. Instead, I sought answers on Stack Overflow.   Back then, I didn't believe that one could thrive in the arts without a lucky break.  Now, I see many others doing what I wish I had the courage to attempt.  However, I'm glad that I pursued photography more consistently rather than giving it up entirely.   How Programming Improved My Photography   At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that my photography skills had somehow improved after spending days and weeks indoors on coding projects.   These seemingly small projects taught me how software operates on a larger scale and how most operations can be entirely reversed. This piqued my curiosity about other software used in other pursuits, such as Sibelius for music notation, Logic Pro for music production, Microsoft Word for writing, and Excel for data analysis.   Though I wish I had spent more time outside at the end of the day, I'm glad I invested as much time as I did into coding.  Here's how it poured back into my photography to make it better today:   I Played Around With Lightroom/ Photoshop A Lot More   While this may seem disheartening, I no longer assumed that software was somehow magical.  Instead, I understood there was a logical flow of tasks performed under the hood when editing photos.  Because of that, I became more curious about all the knobs and menu items in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom than ever before.   I suddenly questioned my usual routines by experimenting with different filters, lighting, color schemes, textures, and effects. It became easier to identify the steps and processes needed to create the desired final product. Even with some training on the software, certain operations remained unclear until I envisioned how computers were transforming data structures.   Consequently, my photos appeared more professional, despite using entry-level equipment.  It was gratifying to realize that my limited results were due to my efforts rather than the equipment itself.  Furthermore, I sensed that I had significantly more creative opportunities with photography and graphic design than I had ever experienced before.   I Realized The Immediate Applications of Object-Oriented Programming   Have you ever looked at a piece of software and realized that it's just a master application? This application is divided into objects, enabling you to tinker and build something new. When I understood this, it helped me think about editing my photos more concretely.   All I had to do was highlight which objects needed adjustment and go through each one step by step.  The magic was no longer in the potential possibilities of hoping for the right result.  Instead, the magic lay in the consistent results produced because I knew how to reach my end goal.   I Became More Explicitly Strategic In My Photoshoots & Edits   Code requires logical thinking to direct the computer to execute instructions to complete a task. Because code is the language of computational instruction, it became more natural for me to think strategically when using software.   I realized the value of developing systematic methods for editing photos to ensure even brightness, color correction, and detail enhancement. Suddenly, the seven years of random photography had finally clicked, and I could confidently produce consistent results.   Now, as long as my camera functions properly, I feel very confident editing everything captured. I expect little hiccups here and there, but these are more of an exception than the rule. More importantly, I enjoy sharing my photos with clients on my personal website and on social media.   It All Worked Out, Anyways   Learning to code was a great experience that benefited all my pursuits. Nowadays, I use code to build my own micro-AI, but as I continue my journey as a photographer, I feel more confident that I'll be able to quickly master new software implementations in Lightroom and Photoshop.   It's easy for me to criticize myself for not balancing coding and photography, but nobody knew how long the COVID-19 pandemic would last.  We all thought it would be over by Easter, but it lasted much longer.  That's why it's more important for me to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances.   Reflecting on my experiences, I realize that coding was the missing piece of the puzzle to balancing creative and logical thinking. Coding has opened many doors for me, enabling me to work faster, at a higher caliber, and with more enjoyment.    Hindsight is 20/20 (literally, in this case), but I'm glad I invested upfront in learning the craft of coding. I continue to reap the benefits of deep, balanced, creative, and logical thinking.

Green bubbles. Blue bubbles. Why not both?   As a former diehard Android user, I understand why many people use Apple.  Their products are very customer-centric, but are slow to roll out new features.  Despite green being my favorite color, the blue text message is aesthetically more pleasing in their messaging app than the green one.   However, Android has a lot to offer in its own right.   When I signed up for a new phone plan with my wife, we took advantage of the “buy two, get the third free” offer.  I had been debating whether to get a separate phone line for my business, and thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get an iPhone.   Despite being an avid MacBook Pro user for over a decade, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the iPhone.  I have always enjoyed the built-in stylus of a Samsung Galaxy Note.  However, there was uncertainty in 2021 about whether the Note would continue at the time before it was merged with the S-Series as the Ultra.   I figured the Note’s retirement was an opportunity to explore the iPhone.   Is iPhone Necessarily Better Than Android?   As I became more familiar with the iPhone, Samsung announced the S22 Ultra as the successor to the Note series.  It seemed like the perfect time to ensure I had the best of both worlds for a true comparison.   After three years of playing with the two, I noticed their strengths and weaknesses respectively.   The Android ecosystem is known for introducing features ahead of others.  Localized AI, the Swype keyboard, 108 MP cameras, and 1 TB of storage are among the breakthroughs experienced first on Android phones.   Additionally, Samsung's S-Pen is still a favorite feature of my S22 Ultra. I can use it to pull out my phone, handwrite a note, or sketch a drawing without distractions, and then put it away for later analysis.   In contrast, Apple is known for getting it right. In the past decade, I've seen Apple transition from being a technology pioneer to a perfectionist. They regularly delay implementing many Android features that Apple users crave.   But when they implement them, they feel solid… smooth…, and just right. It's as if they teased us with these features and then surprised us.   Now that I've used both phones for about three years, I feel that it's easy to determine whether one is necessarily better than the other.  Is one better than the other?   . .   No, not at all. Both are great in their own ways.   Both phones function as top-tier devices and provide access to all the major apps expected of them. They feature great cameras and complementary accessories, such as wireless headphones, watches, and tablets that can be paired with them.  Additionally, all these devices operate within their own ecosystems to communicate with one another.   The only question is: if you had to choose one, which would you pick? Personally, I couldn’t.  I lean towards having both for the different reasons mentioned above, so it really comes down to preference. The Actual Benefits of Two Phone Ecosystems   It may seem odd to have two phones in separate ecosystems. After all, both Android and iOS offer synergistic benefits when pairing their mobile devices with their own watches, tablets, earbuds, and desktops.   However, each ecosystem is designed with a specific audience in mind. Having both ecosystems expands the possibilities available on both devices.   Here are some benefits I've noticed from enjoying the best of both worlds:   My Complaints Dwindled Significantly   Having options is great. If one phone cannot do something, I pull out the other to see what it can do.   For example, I prefer the iPhone's color composition, but I record videos on Samsung because the audio isn’t skewed. I trust Siri to take notes for me on the fly, but I use my Samsung S-Pen when sketches are more appropriate.   Both phones are excellent in their own ways when their strengths are highlighted. There is much more overlap than I anticipated, which is to be expected given their price tags.   I Never Worry About Battery Life   Having two devices handy means that I do not need to rely solely on one of them. This is great for long days when I might need to get my steps in but also flesh out a project on my mobile device.   I’ve had both devices since early 2022, and their battery lives are rolling strong.  They only need an hour of charging to get back up to full speed.   Since I usually evenly divide what I do between these devices, their use is cut in half.  This prolongs both of them when compared to users with a single phone.   I Could Unplug From Business When Needed   Having two phones with separate numbers enabled me to separate business and personal endeavors. On days I take off, I could use one phone that my family has access to and be at peace.   Naturally, I started on Android, so the S22 Ultra is my personal phone.   Additionally, I use my Android to sketch ideas initially and refine them on Apple. Whether I’m writing, drawing, or making music notation, the Android is my go-to device for personal creative endeavors that bring new life.   Of course, both devices have a Do Not Disturb feature that disables notifications, but further separating them as a business rather than personal eliminates an aspect that cannot be entirely removed from a device.   Temptation.   After all, checking for messages that go to one phone from another device isn’t possible without workarounds.   Both Phones Provided Perspective   Having both iOS and Android has given me a new perspective on things. Although I was a hardcore Android user thanks to the Samsung Galaxy Note series, I’ve always enjoyed the seamlessness of Apple products.    I no longer complain about how one device lets me down. I simply pull out the other and see if I can solve the problem. Each device has strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, both devices seem to get the updates needed to address any issues.   Most people won’t need two devices, but for those who do, they will see how both devices can complement each other.

In our youth, we were told that we have amazing potential inside each and every one of us. Adults asked us a common question to jumpstart our curiosities:   “What do you want to be when you grow up?”   Excited youth with their imaginations running wild respond with answers such as astronaut, doctor, athlete, rockstar, and many other highly prominent positions. Some might not be sure of a profession, so they’ll default to John Lennon’s answer of being happy.  Others might blissfully smile, say they don’t know, and ask for ice cream.   Adults love children's answers for a clear reason: children lack the life experience that adults have gained. Naturally, children respond to these questions freely since they don’t have practical considerations to weigh.   Unlike adults, children’s imaginations are not morphed by health, material, or social constraints. Whatever occurs in their mental theatre forms the child’s foundation for reshaping the reality surrounding them.   Moreover, children don’t evaluate their abilities by years of experience or past accomplishments. They simply venture out to engage in activities, often to enjoy themselves, laugh, and play. They learn through their adventures, playing in the mud, accumulating a few bruises on their knees and elbows, healing their injuries, and then setting out to do it all over again at the next sunrise.   As adults, we’re conditioned to translate years of experience into skills and abilities. When a child who hasn’t yet learned multiplication performs a demanding Beethoven Sonata on the piano flawlessly, it astounds us. Depending on our perspective, we’re either filled with awe and inspiration from their performance or become resentful, thinking we could have achieved that too if only… (insert your reason here).   If we’re resentful, the question beckons: How did we arrive here? Was there an event that made us drop everything and go on the defensive, or did the aggregate sum of thousands of different instances lead us to go from a hopeful youth to a regretful adult?   Our Conditioning Limits Us   For most of us, a single event doesn’t flip the switch on us to go from offense to defense.  Likewise, it isn’t the sum of thousands of experiences that dulled away our vibrant little light.  The answer lies in a blend of both hypotheses: a series of little instances that suffocated our flame, coupled with a few major instances of failure.   Does this sound familiar?  It makes for a sad story, but it’s all too common.  Consider the following:   Life in elementary school involved a lot of playground time, coloring pictures, arts and crafts, and learning about various subjects to keep us curious and engaged. However, as we progressed into higher levels of education, our scope narrowed to tunnel vision as the rules became stricter. The freedoms that we took for granted in the beginning started peeling away.   Somewhere between our first day of kindergarten and walking across the stage to receive a piece of paper that declares our completion, our conditioning creeps in and takes hold of us. During that time, we heard the word “no” countless times from hundreds of adults, leading us to expect it to be the default answer in the real world. Rather than exploring possibilities, we were taught to follow directions and do only what we were told, and then we would be rewarded for what they defined as success.   Due to enduring this conditioning for over a decade, we transform from curious and youthful spirits into confused young adults.  Reflexively, we spend more energy raising guardrails to prevent failure instead of taking risks on a rewarding journey.  The memories of that flame we held fondly when we were younger become buried under our conditioning.   Whenever a nostalgic memory surfaces in life or our newsfeeds, we recall the subtle taste of our repressed feelings, only to revert to our conditioning. Now caught between our programming and our aspirations, an internal struggle emerges that will accompany us throughout our lives.   Why are we encouraged to run wild when we’re young and hopeful, but as soon as we reach adulthood, we experience waves of endless commands that chastise us for dreaming while requiring us to accept reality and follow directions?   If any of us reading this feel shaken, we are certainly not alone. We will not be the first or last to feel it. What we need to recognize is that a socially engineered design keeps us in these cycles.   The Cycle That Limits Us   Earlier, we examined and simplified the string of events occurring to us growing up.  However, despite an unquantifiable number of occurrences, these events can be broken down and categorized as parts of a cycle designed to loop on repeat until we are trapped or run out of steam.    The cycle can start from anywhere in the loop shown above, but the most common place for the cycle to start is:   We Try Something / Ask For Permission   We have an idea of something we want to accomplish and desire nothing more than to see it realized. Depending on our personality, confidence, and the context of our situation, we start in one of two ways.   If we’re ambitious go-getters who are bursting at the seams, we just do it — whatever that is. As young hopefuls, we don’t worry about the nuances of permission and bureaucracy — we simply act to make it happen. Sometimes, we think it’s too easy, and we're often right because we don’t have the constraints that adults face daily.   On the other hand, if we’re more polite and reserved, we might ask an adult for permission to begin. As young idea generators, we have no idea how to anticipate how adults will respond to our requests or whether different adults might give us different answers. We just want to get that green light from somewhere to begin!   Some people successfully bypass any safeguards that adults put in place. Either their idea works miraculously, and the adults in their lives celebrate with them, or they get the support of the right adults to try their idea, as long as the outcome doesn’t adversely affect others.   However, some aren’t as fortunate. For that enthusiastic child bursting with ideas, they may be hindered by an adult who makes it their goal to stop them from acting. The more subdued child might mistakenly ask the wrong adult — someone who doesn’t have their best interests at heart — for permission to do something they believe has great potential.   In both cases, these actions are the spark that could ignite the adults they upset in the next part of the cycle:   We Get Reprimanded / Told No   As go-getters, we hustle only to see our ideas crash and burn right in front of us, or they work out wonderfully, yet we remain unaware of the real or perceived consequences that arise. Alternatively, as polite and diplomatic dreamers, we fall in love with an idea and feel the need to consult an adult, only to find out that they are utterly disgusted by it.   When our ideas irritate an adult, we are pulled aside and told to stop. These tyrants remind us to follow the rules and be on our best behavior, like everyone else. In higher-stakes situations, we might lose treasured privileges such as recess or sitting with our friends.   Adults are quick to tell us how our ideas won’t work by listing all the problems they will cause. Unfortunately, we don’t realize that some adults aren’t qualified to teach and mentor us, but are in these positions for a steady paycheck or ulterior reasons.   What happens next in the cycle is when the damage truly takes hold.   Inner Confidence Begins To Fade   After being criticized for our visions, conflict brews in our minds with ourselves, our peers, and the adults we once viewed as our advocates. The energy we should devote to pursuing these ideas is now spent figuring out how to overcome resistance. By wasting time on unlikely scenarios, small fragments of our ambition are chipped away as the flame that fuels our aspirations grows dimmer and dimmer.    Sometimes, our rejections are so dramatic that our ambitions are devastated. The years it took to build our confidence can be destroyed overnight. As a result, complacency fills the void once occupied by ambition, and our actions shift toward doing whatever it takes to fit in, get along, and avoid conflicts that might arise if we deviate from that path.   Every loss, big or small, takes its toll until we can no longer justify keeping the flame burning. When the rewards of following the crowd and living a modest life become far easier to obtain than the alternative, it’s natural to pursue the low-hanging fruit.    High school cliques and cultures are a great example of how it pays to fit in rather than live as an outcast. Once we graduate, the desire to fit in doesn’t disappear—it just looks different. We pursue finding a company with an approachable culture that will pay us in exchange for our time, energy, and individuality.   No wonder so many people extinguish the flames of their youthful aspirations.   We Lose Steam For The Next Opportunity   While most losses don’t dramatically impact us, their long-term presence influences our capacity to endure mental hardships. Shaped by past failures and experiences, we transition from being risk-takers to risk-averse individuals. As new variables arise, the resources we once depended on to tackle these challenges must be reallocated for our survival.   One of the greatest misconceptions about life is the expectation that things will become less painful once we overcome a certain hurdle. Nothing could be further from the truth, and this preconceived notion is often contradicted by both nature and society.    It isn’t that we don’t learn from our mistakes; it’s that pain is always a part of change. Every season is different for us… in some seasons we’re powerful, and in others, we’re on the run.   In seasons when we’re in fight or flight mode, we tend to let pain put us on autopilot, steering us away from golden opportunities that we should pursue. Consequently, we minimize risk as much as possible, settling into our comfort zones. Over time, we lose the physical and mental energy needed to tolerate risks that could bring big ideas to life, leaving many unrealized ideas to rest in the grave with us.   Steps Towards Breaking The Cycle   The key principle we must recognize as adults is that reigniting youthful dreams is within our grasp. However, due to the conditioning we experienced, breaking the cycle and rekindling these long-forgotten aspirations won’t be easy. Regardless of the harm endured, it’s ultimately our responsibility (though not necessarily our fault) to undo our conditioning.   Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for reclaiming our dreams. Our strengths, situations, and environments shape our unique circumstances. If we’re fortunate, it may just require a little bit of dusting off, but in the most extreme cases, it may require a profound, long-term transformation.   The ultimate question is: What is the price of the opportunity to return to a youthful state? Does the cost justify the reward? Are my aspirations mere pipe dreams granted by others, or is the true North Star embedded in my life’s purpose?   To answer these questions more accurately, let’s consider the following steps to set us up properly:   Understand That Failure Was Once Demonized   In a different time, failure was seen as a black mark and a curse. It filtered out the dirt in the field, leaving only the diamonds. Anyone who experienced a major failure was seen as a hopeless project that should be abandoned.   Today, we live in a completely different world. Now, we view failure as a crucial stepping stone to success. We don’t press the panic button if something doesn't work out. Instead, we ask why it didn’t succeed, learn from it, and try again differently.   Unfortunately, the school system still operates as if perfection is necessary for truly inspiring success. Students become stressed when they receive a grade lower than an ‘A,’ fearing that their opportunities are disappearing before them. Just in case we need this reminder:   Nobody has a perfect batting average.  No one.   As a professional outside the school system who has worked closely with students for over a decade, I can tell you that having straight ‘A’s isn’t sufficient or a sole requirement for most things in life.  It’s better to demonstrate improvement on a transcript than maintain a golden standard because the real world is about persisting through adversity.   Nowadays, we’ve recognized and improved our ability to equip children to handle failure and bounce back from setbacks. However, improvements in the current educational system do not retroactively affect adults. Thus, we need to be proactive and recognize the work we must do for ourselves.   Recognize The True Role of Failure   Failure is just as important as success. Bill Gates himself has said that success is a lousy teacher. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for success; we should pursue challenging goals that bring out our best. All it means is that when we win, we must avoid becoming arrogant and continue to be as sharp today as we were yesterday.   It’s easy to forget that many great innovations resulted from failure. Sticky notes were born from a failed adhesive experiment, and penicillin came from improperly conducted experiments. Jazz music is simply a collection of mistakes that harmonize beautifully.   While it’s true that some innovations were intentional, we must remember that planning for success isn’t the only path to achievement. Thus, asking ourselves how to harness failure is crucial to using it as an opportunity and teacher rather than a gatekeeper.   Respond Mindfully to Failure   There’s an old saying that life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to it. While it’s true that some events have dire consequences for our well-being, the reality is that we often perceive them as worse than they actually are. The saying goes: don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.   Therefore, whenever we experience failure, we have two choices. We can either throw in the towel and accept defeat, or we can leverage the situation and create something new.   We must avoid adopting a black-and-white view of failure. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of being perpetually victimized by failure or constantly attempting to turn it to our advantage. There are times when accepting a loss is more appropriate than trying to salvage it, just as there are occasions when making the most of a failure is essential.   The key is to be mindful of failure and not let it dictate our responses. If a setback has little realistic impact on our well-being and overall goals, it makes more sense to focus on more significant matters. On the other hand, if the culmination of several years of hard work leads to this moment, we should do whatever we can to turn the tide in our favor.   Everything comes down to perspective when it comes to failure. Make decisions wisely, as there’s a profound difference between correcting a small imperfection and addressing a fatal flaw.   Keep Pushing Against The Status Quo   Once we recognize the power of responding to (not necessarily against) failure, it’s time to figure out ways to keep it going. As we realized before, failure was once demonized in society. Although we’ve made progress in changing our views, there’s still much work to be done.   Because the fear of failure is ingrained in us to this day, subliminal messages to avoid failure will still pop up from time to time. This could happen through advertising, a performance review, losing a key client, or some other event that causes us to retreat.   While setbacks are never desirable, they are simply that — setbacks. We know we can change the way we view failure, but we must acknowledge that changing our perspectives will not eliminate failure from our lives. It’s all about harnessing and leveraging it.   So instead of giving in to fear because one aspect of our business isn’t working out, let’s be grateful for the other aspects that are going smoothly. Feel free to replace business with career, relationships, skills, and other important areas of our lives.   A technique I’ve often used to maintain resilience in the face of failure is the If-Then technique taught by Heidi Halverson. Simply put, it’s an effective way to reprogram ourselves like a computer so that when we encounter an undesired situation, our default response is chosen in advance. An example goes as follows:   If I do not secure venture capital from investor X, then I will improve my pitch deck and secure it from investor Y.   The If-Then response automatically determines how we react to adversity. After writing down our If-Then statements, we need to review them consistently to counteract our conditioning. The repetition from reviewing results in gains that program our desired responses to become second nature.   By proactively reprogramming our responses, we defy the status quo, increasing the likelihood that we will respond favorably. Of course, there’s no need to be rude about it. Just say, “Thanks for the opportunity; next!”   Learn From Others The likelihood of experiencing something that someone else hasn’t is nearly nonexistent. The Internet makes it easier than ever to confirm that without fear of judgment. With just a two-second search on Google, Reddit, or other search engines, these stories come to light quickly. In these forums, we encounter different types of responders. Some are inquisitive and ask additional clarifying questions, and at times, internet trolls can infiltrate the conversation. Fortunately, some people genuinely want to help by sharing details about a similar situation they’ve been through. The best responses usually follow a prompt like this: I experienced X as well, and I tried Y, but ultimately succeeded by doing Z. In their responses, they highlight the similarities between their situations and ours. Ideally, they will also share what strategies they tried that didn’t work, but ultimately, their responses convey what actions led to their breakthrough. The key is to learn from how the other person responded to their situation. While their suggestions are not guaranteed to work for us, they provide a solid starting point. Once we have that, we can build momentum to overcome our current challenges. Additionally, with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, we can narrate our stories and receive suggestions on tackling our problems. Many of AI’s features are currently in beta testing, so we should approach whatever results we see with cautious skepticism. Ultimately, there’s nothing quite like having a good old-fashioned conversation with a real human being—a friend, a stranger, a professional, or a mentor. Most people inherently want to help and be seen as valuable to those they interact with. Therefore, we should leverage that to create a win-win situation for everyone involved.   Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First   We have explored new ways of handling failure, which have allowed us to shift our perspective. Failure is no longer the dreaded beast it once was, and we now have more opportunities to make progress than ever before.   For those of us embracing this rewarding paradigm shift for the first time, it is tempting to have a strong desire to share the new gospel of leveraging failure. However, a key takeaway we must apply is that if we want to help others, we need to take that advice ourselves first.   Of course, we don’t need to wait until we have our lives completely together before assisting others. What we need to do is ensure that if we face any major obstacles or roadblocks in addressing how we deal with failure, we shift our focus to where it matters most.    Nothing is more disheartening than watching someone who has helped many while neglecting their needs. We must create new narratives of self-realization where we have successfully made that shift ourselves, allowing us to teach others by leading by example.   What is the first thing you plan to tackle on your journey from fearing failure to embracing and utilizing it?

Julie is a high-performing student at a private college preparatory school. Her challenging classes will allow her to enter college as a sophomore and graduate from college one year earlier. Additionally, she participates in theatre and plays in a city junior orchestra.   For many years, Julie has exemplified an organized student who plans her commitments.  Her calendar is filled with dedicated blocks of time for academic study, practicing the clarinet, and socializing with friends.   During her senior year, she faced new challenges—becoming the principal clarinetist in a junior orchestra and a playwright-director. Her responsibilities increased substantially, and she faced time famine amid her new leadership roles.   True to her values, Julie knew she had to prioritize fitness. Her family had a history of being overweight, and she aimed to break that cycle. Moreover, she observed how much more alert and productive she felt when she exercised.   Although Julie attended study hall throughout the day, it was dedicated to preparing for the school's big play. During most study halls, she primarily focused on planning and logistics to ensure efficient meetings with everyone involved.   A New Philosophy   As expected, her physics teacher assigned another difficult and time-consuming assignment.  Before dismissing class, he wrote one piece of advice:   Foot by foot, inch by inch, life's a cinch.    This famous philosophy, used by Coca-Cola, is interpreted as follows: the homework assignment was not intended to be completed in one sitting but in manageable increments.  The problems aimed to test everything they had learned up to that point, with some unexpected curveballs along the way.   Looking for anything that could help, Julie decided to try it out to see if it would help her balance her commitments.   The Balancing Act Begins   Later that week, Julie was in an unusually lengthy evening rehearsal with her orchestra.  At first, she felt anxious as she navigated the balance of completing her homework and getting to bed at a reasonable hour.   "Should I stay up later and sacrifice sleep?  Should I go for speed on my homework? Would I be okay with a few incompletes?" were among a lengthy series of questions she attempted to resolve mentally.   Then, she remembered her physics teacher's mantra: Foot by foot, inch by inch, life's a cinch.   While the orchestra director focused on drilling the string section, Julie grabbed her homework from her nearby backpack to tackle a small part of the problem set. Upon initial inspection, Julie noticed an easy place to start in the homework minefield. Thanks to her decision to tackle smaller and easier parts first, she solved the problem swiftly and moved on to the next problem.   The orchestra briefly called on the wind sections, surprising Julie until the director clarified his request for the brass section, not the woodwinds.  She regained focus and made headway on the next step of the problem, despite the brass players playing a loud passage directly behind her.   As she scribbled down the final step, the orchestra director signaled everyone to play in the middle of the passage.   Julie regrouped with everyone in the rehearsal for the next half hour before the director called for an intermission. Then, Julie opened her homework again and focused on a smaller part crucial to solving a more difficult part of the problem. Elated, she finished the problem and closed her book just in time for her best friend Hannah to greet her.   Instead of feeling anxious during her social intermission, Julie started enjoying herself more. By tackling commitments in smaller chunks, she felt a sense of momentum and control. As she embraced her newfound free time, she became more engaged with her friends than usual.   When the orchestra director called for the second half of the rehearsal to begin, she felt confident that she could complete more items in shorter time frames.   Seeking Smaller Strides   As the second half of the rehearsal began, Julie discovered more small pockets of time to get ahead.  Each moment contributed, bringing her closer to completing her homework a week before it was due.  Although she did not finish everything during her odd moments at rehearsal, she completed her assignment just 25 minutes before her usual bedtime.   For the first time, Julie went to bed without worrying about her commitments for tomorrow.   Julie woke up the next day feeling energized and ready for the day ahead. As she entered school, she visited her physics teacher for review. She only needed to correct one minor error before it was due later that day.   That’s when Julie realized the power of odd moments beyond her physics homework.   She listed other areas where she could harness odd moments, such as other classwork and musical studies. When encountering difficult passages, Julie would listen to challenging sections on repeat until she could recall them passively.     Then, she would practice those smaller segments repeatedly within a minute, starting slowly and gradually increasing the speed. Before she knew it, she was mastering her music faster than ever.   Julie noticed that using odd moments improved her overall school performance and allowed her to enjoy life more. She continued harnessing these odd moments for her play, workouts, and other demanding areas.   The year flew by, and Julie aced her final exams.  She graduated as valedictorian of her class and made fond memories with many friends.  She discussed taking advantage of odd moments in her speech, which nodded to her physics teacher.  Her colleagues gave her a standing ovation for her powerful speech.   Following high school, Julie received a full scholarship to her first-choice university to study physics.  She continued to apply the inch-by-inch philosophy to her studies and participated in the arts for fun.   Seconds Add Up   Julie recognized the value of odd moments and made them count.  While she had to adjust to switching gears, she recognized that we have the same amount of time available each day: 24 hours, 1440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds.    During her senior year, Julie changed her mindset from requiring large amounts of time to begin essential tasks to utilizing quick methods to gain momentum in seconds. Although there were occasions when she required longer periods, those were more the exception than the rule.   Those who regularly use time management techniques tend to schedule their days in 30 to 60-minute increments.  Some people believe it's better to focus on a few tasks for a solid 1 to 2 hours a day, while others use 5-10 minute blocks due to the nature of their work.   Let's analyze further breakdowns.  Given that we should be sleeping at least 8 hours a day, this is how many time slots we have when we dissect our time periods further:   ·       30 minutes – 32 slots per day ·       20 minutes – 48 slots per day ·       15 minutes – 64 slots per day ·       12 minutes – 70 slots per day ·       10 minutes – 96 slots per day ·       5 minutes – 192 slots per day   From our own experiences, we know that not every engagement in our day fits neatly into these segments. Some activities require more time than others, while others require only a handful of seconds.    For example, when writing pieces of content, I carve out 10-minute segments to do the following once I have an idea:   Craft the headers Write the outline Use speech-to-text to write (HUGE TIME SAVER!) Listen to my writing via Speechify Refine and wordsmith via Grammarly Stage my writing for publishing   Having a strong template and fluid process broken down into smaller stages is incredibly liberating. It works for 99% of my projects. The other 1% are handled on a case-by-case basis when extras are required, such as producing visual aids.   The Greatest Myth With Time   It's easy to mistake the correlation between an activity’s importance and the time spent on it.  Naturally, we invest in the most critical activities while eliminating mind-numbing activities.   We want to believe that more significant pursuits deserve more of our time.  However, this may not always be the case.  There are several reasons why we think that important activities require substantial amounts of time:   When switching activities, pain signals are tied to the transition. We are conditioned to view our activities hourly, particularly in the context of our professional careers. Naturally, it's easier to focus on one large item when it's the only item. The problem stems from unforeseen little interruptions, requiring us to change gears to address them.   If we expect uninterrupted focus and then battle dozens of interruptions in a day, our days are riddled with false starts, and we only achieve a fraction of what we set out to do.   However, with an odd-moments mindset, we understand that interruptions can happen anytime.  We have a lot going on, so we're mentally prepared to adjust as needed to get through the day. The pain points are expected and embraced as part of our daily grind.   Rather than spending large chunks of time on these primary pursuits, we now limit our time for each endeavor.  Consequently, we are more focused on that moment than if we had an hour.   I'm sorry, Abe Lincoln, but six hours should not be spent sharpening an axe to chop down a tree.   5 Techniques To Harness Odd Moments    Many techniques are available that can work wonders for our individual needs. Naturally, some of the tools listed will be more relevant than others. Readers are encouraged to create their own techniques that work for them.   Here are some of the techniques I've harnessed that have accelerated my progress in nearly all endeavors:   1 – Create An Odds & Ends List   Odds-And-Ends Lists (OELs) are a great way to plan what to do with unexpected odd moments. Typically, these items take 2-5 minutes to complete, but everyone has a different threshold for how much time constitutes an odd moment.   Personally, I like using Microsoft To-Do for my OELs because they're very easy to categorize, but pen and paper on sticky notes work just as well.  The real question is: What works best for you?   2 – Use A Manual Stopwatch   A manual stopwatch is an excellent tool for timing unique moments.  Smartphones and smartwatches can perform the same function, but an analog watch provides one advantage that smart devices typically lack: focus.   When the watch is started, it is easy to feel the burst of energy that propels us to complete the task in the small window of time. To increase a sense of urgency, use a countdown method to wind down the timer to zero instead of a lap method.   For those feeling more adventurous, try using an odd amount of time to complete a task, such as a 23-second challenge, a 3-minute challenge, or some other unusual time interval.   3 – Go For Volume, NOT Quality   It's easy to seek perfection when doing things. The idea of getting it done right the first time, so we don't have to go back, has echoed in the halls of many schools.   However, reality doesn't operate that way.  My writing and other skills don’t either.  The perfect method is rarely available or at the tip of our tongues.  Waiting for it to emerge is the greatest source of chronological entropy.   When we get started, we should expect not to have the best method available. However, we should expect to adjust the course as we acquire better tools on our journeys.  The key is to create momentum and continually adjust toward our goal.   Therefore, we should aim for volume.  Volume, volume, volume.  Quality is subjective.  Keep producing and churning out our work as much as possible.   When the time comes, we edit by sculpting our work. In practice, eliminating excess rather than adding additional items is much easier. As we sift through our work and make it nice and lean, the diamonds in the rough will appear right before our eyes.   4 – Set Up Systems That Make It Easy   It's challenging to make use of odd moments if we don't know how to utilize them.  While flailing about may appear to be a temporary strategy, it can foster a misleading sense of achievement when we spend our odd moments on unproductive tasks.   Therefore, it's best to have a system that harnesses odd moments. We don't need to code new software to achieve this, as excellent solutions are already available that we must learn to use effectively. It's all about creating a workflow that works for us.   Depending on the line of work, it may make more sense to have a digital, analog, or mixed system for harnessing odd moms. I strongly advocate for a mix, as both provide advantages over one another and create a more complete picture.   For writing, I simply use an iPad with LTE enabled, a Magic Keyboard, AirPods, and Microsoft OneNote. While AirPods are great for listening to music or utilizing noise cancellation to focus, they truly excel when using speech-to-text, as I'm doing now.  OneNote is excellent for writing because it syncs seamlessly across all my devices (iOS, Android, and Windows).   Additionally, I use this setup for other purposes, such as editing photos on Lightroom Mobile, making basic beats on Logic Pro, working on basic coding projects, and directly accessing my codebase on GitHub.   Everyone will have a system that works for them, depending on their line of work. Trial and error are required to find what works best, but once it's found, odd moments become all the sweeter.   5 – Practice & Set Reminders   Odd moments are not occasional; they occur daily.  There's no reason to expect that odd moments won’t happen to us.  Even if there are no gaps in the schedule, interruptions will prevent us from executing everything precisely as planned. Therefore, harnessing our odd moments serves as a perfect plan B.   However, I've found it more productive to intentionally schedule 30 minutes of odds and ends. Here, I let myself go wild as I randomly attack minor tasks that require a few minutes. It's almost like a speed run—how much odd stuff can I get off my mind in these 30 minutes?   Unintentionally, I have discovered a side benefit to scheduling blocks of odd moments: they have become automatic.  Now, when I encounter unexpected downtime on a day when I know I need to get things done, my odd moments come in and fill the void. While it's not ideal to engage in them, it certainly beats being stalled and waiting for something else.   Thus, we should treat harnessing odd moments like a muscle and carve out regular time for it. We must allow ourselves to pursue them by scheduling time and setting reminders. It may feel strange at first, but that's how odd moments work, after all.   Start Harnessing Odd Moments Now   Harnessing odd moments is a skill that requires time to develop.  As Julie demonstrated, the initial adjustment can be challenging, but the results of this effort are readily apparent in accomplishing tasks.   When we're used to our routines of simply scheduling our time, it can feel strange to try being more spontaneous by embracing unexpected moments.  Over time, it becomes more natural to seize those unusual moments that would otherwise add up to hours of wasted time.   There are more techniques for harnessing these odd moments. It's up to us to do our research and devise the techniques that work best for us.   Only a few items require extensive undisturbed time to complete. When necessary, we should establish guardrails to deter as many interruptions as possible. Otherwise, we should expect unexpected turns in our day, which we can now harness.   What techniques will you use to harness the power of odd moments?

Today, significant concerns exist about AI's looming threat to our professions. Regardless of the industry or our roles, AI will inevitably affect our professional careers to some degree.     For some, it will be for the better.  For others, not so much.      Naturally, dystopian imagery of being replaced and living on the streets is commonplace as greedy business leaders can their employees. These misguided leaders believe that AI can outperform their employees in a fraction of the time and cost.      However, those who have attempted to replace humans with AI have failed miserably. Currently, AI doesn’t understand the human touch in our work and isn't self-sufficient at running a business.     For all the tasks AI can perform quickly, it’s not very adept at providing guidance or understanding the real-world changes we experience.  Additionally, AI has no stake in business, unlike humans who work for compensation and recognition.     So, how will AI transform everything? That’s what we’re going to explore today.      Who AI Will Actually Replace      Before we explore how AI will transform our careers, we must acknowledge that it will threaten some individuals.      Consequently, AI is likely to reduce or eliminate individuals who fall into one the following categories:      Those who do not have a good reputation in their field,  Professionals who refuse to grow in their skills and abilities, and  Workers who are in monotonous and repetitive positions.      These displacements will present short-term difficulties for a sizable number of people.  Technological innovations improve business productivity and product quality, reducing the number of human hands required to deliver the product or service.     However, innovations produce long-term benefits for society. Here are some examples of technological innovations:      Harvesting machines replaced farmhands.  Motor vehicles replaced horse-drawn carriages.  Personal computers replaced professional typists.  Spreadsheet systems replaced professionals who used paper calculations.  The Internet siphoned significant amounts of paper and radio advertising.      Despite their disruptions, none of these innovations created a vacuum.  In fact, most opened new doors for opportunities that paid better and provided better working conditions.     While AI can accomplish many tasks, it will never replace creativity, individuality, or the desire to grow.     The Real Role of AI      Now that we've clarified some of the cloudiness looking from the AI storm, it's time to define its role:     AI will be a supplement, not a substitute, for high performers in nearly all professions.        Despite its advancements, AI cannot replicate the human touch. No matter how sophisticated it becomes, AI will never fully understand reality in the way humans do.     The marketplace was established by humans to serve other humans and benefit humanity. AI's capabilities will evolve to deliver impressive results as it becomes increasingly prevalent. However, it will always necessitate the essential human touch to remain relevant.     For example, Adobe Photoshop has become highly sophisticated in analyzing photos to differentiate subjects from backgrounds accurately.  Additionally, it’s excellent at handling fundamental aspects that compose images, such as color, lighting, and detail.     Nowadays, AI functions are integrated to remove unwanted elements. When an object is selected, it analyzes the surrounding pixels and fills in the image—it’s as if no one was there to begin with!    Additionally, this feature has also migrated to our phones, allowing us to edit photos promptly before sharing them on social media.     However, technology cannot produce realistic photos of people. Fortunately, photographers won't be out of business anytime soon, but those who fail to adapt to leveraging AI may find themselves left behind.     Photographers aren’t the only professionals embracing AI. We can also do the same in our own professions and explore the next section.     Leveraging AI To Your Advantage      It's worth reiterating that AI is the new chapter of our economic evolution. Therefore, it's better to embrace it than to understand it while it's still in its elementary stages of development.     Here's how to best do that:     Start Early    As we discovered with the Internet and social media, the same truth applies here: the earlier we start, the better off we will be. This is true for two reasons.      If we use AI long-term, we naturally integrate the necessary skills into our psyche. Understanding AI's capabilities is crucial, but recognizing its limitations is even more vital. Knowing its limitations will prevent us from falsely believing that AI will always bail us out.    Second, predicting the future of AI is much easier when we start early. While there will be breakthroughs and disruptions in the evolution of AI, they are less likely to catch us by surprise if we begin sooner.  Professionals can anticipate and adapt to these innovations through experience.    The main reason for mastering AI now is the same as investing: the earlier we begin, the more our insights and intuition build upon themselves later.     Try A Variety of AI     Not all AIs are created equal. Some AI applications, such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot, are generally designed to incorporate large language models (LLMs) for various tasks. Other AIs are explicitly developed to focus on a narrow range of activities.     Each AI application has strengths and weaknesses. The best way to evaluate them is to assign the same tasks to each model and examine their results. Does one model generate better writing? Can one create superior marketing images? Does specialized AI outperform general AI for a certain task?     Everyone has differing opinions on the quality of work, so it's best to identify the AI applications that best suit our desired output.     Master Prompt Engineering     Prompt engineering is the process of designing inputs for AI to understand, interpret, and return the best output possible.  Most LLMs utilize prompt engineering, which means we must understand how to interact with the LLM to get the best output possible.     All LLMs are created differently, so prompt engineering techniques that work for one may not work for another. Achieving our desired results requires substantial trial and error, but it is worth the effort.      However, anyone can usually learn how to best interact with an LLM by simply asking it how it works.      Usually, the best prompts are conversational. While they don't need to be overly polite like they would with another human, most effective prompts have the following characteristics: they are concise, provide good context for a problem, and offer specific directions on the desired output.     Understanding prompt engineering takes time, but many companies seek mastery in this skill set. Start early, and you'll find yourself with plenty of work, whether as a prompt engineer or a professional who uses prompts in other areas to complete tasks more efficiently.     Jump In Now!       Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. As AI becomes more accessible to the public, there is a stigma that it will take jobs away. The only professions AI is likely to eliminate are those no longer necessary in the broader scope of the marketplace.     Therefore, entrepreneurs and employees should find ways to enhance their skill sets by learning to utilize AI. To succeed in this field, it’s not necessary to be a software engineer or developer; however, having a basic understanding of the back end of AI is essential for using it effectively.     Currently, we’re far from AI automating everything and achieving perfection. There are numerous subjective opinions on what constitutes good work by AI. At this time, there are still many tasks that AI cannot perform, which provides opportunities for individuals to handle them manually and for developers to discover solutions.     However, we’ve seen that in the age of social media, those who did not embrace it were left behind. If they make the same mistake with AI, they risk facing a similar fate.     Therefore, it’s best to understand AI from a general viewpoint to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each AI application. From there, it will be easier to see how AI evolves and embrace its new realities. Only time will tell how quickly AI will grow from today, but that isn't an excuse not to try.     Start early and watch the magic unfold.

Academic achievement is a worthy priority for top performers.  A student's marks should represent the fruits of their labor by mastering concepts and skills required to be successful in a field.    In some professions, obtaining high academic marks is required to maintain credibility.  Most technical fields objectively measure such performance.  Mastering the subject matter of these professions is non-negotiable for demonstrating the competency of aspiring professionals entering that field.    Unfortunately, achieving high marks in classes is not as simple as it should be. How is it that sometimes two equally bright students achieve dramatically different grades? What about that other student who doesn’t seem to take the subject seriously but ends up with an ‘A’?    The school system has changed its purpose. Since the Industrial Revolution, schools have shifted from fostering philosophical freethinkers to producing obedient employees who learn to interpret and execute instructions.      What caused this shift?  The rapid expansion in economic opportunity.   The Industrial Revolution opened new opportunities for people of all classes to become wealthier through hard work. To ensure employees were ready on day one, schools were instructed to change their instruction delivery to instill more discipline in the students.     However, as the economy and workforce have evolved, the school system has remained stagnant. There’s an old saying that the school system follows an 18th-century model for a 19th-century workplace, taught by teachers born in the 20th century to students born in the 21st century.    With a wild mismatch over four centuries, it’s easy for students to be confused about how to approach school.  After all, it’s no longer about being the brightest student in the room, though it could help.    It’s time to figure out–what’s the missing piece of the puzzle?     Hear me out – School is just a game.      Games have rules, systems, and rigid guidelines that regulate their operations.  Each game has roles where different players play them out in a well-oiled machine.  Games also have a start and a finish.    The school system is the same, too.  The only difference is that we’re usually the only players on our own team.     The Grading System — Why We Use It       The grading system can be stressful and confusing. For some, anything below an 'A' is unacceptable. However, does the system hold any value if everyone receives an 'A'? Why not implement a binary pass/fail system?     Traditionally, the grading system was designed to rank students relative to one another. When applied correctly, an 'A' indicates best performance, a 'B' denotes strong performance, a 'C' reflects satisfactory performance, a 'D' suggests below-average performance, and an 'F' signifies that the required standards have not been met (i.e., failure).    Imagine being in a room of the world’s top-performing mathematicians and receiving a ‘D’.  It may be a below-average performance, but if the average ‘C’ level performance is at a world-class standard, is that ‘D’ really that bad in this context?    Now, place that same student into a class of average mathematicians.  That same student instantly becomes one of the top performers and receives an ‘A.’  However, what is the value of that ‘A’?     Much has changed since then. We’re now experiencing grade inflation, with standards shifting from relative to absolute. While this may seem like a more even playing field, it has created a frenzy among parents and students to achieve only top marks.    Almost every student and their parents want to see 'A's across the student's transcript.  Anything achievement below a top score is viewed as a deficiency, sometimes to a fault.    However, the deficiency isn’t usually in a student’s learning ability.  There is one more missing piece of the puzzle to consider.    The Secret To Achieving Higher Grades      The teacher's job is to make everything as fair and objective as possible, but there's one problem:     Teachers are human, too. Their preferences, biases, and emotions determine which aspects of the subject are most important for students to master. After all, we are learning from real people, not robots, in live classrooms.     What does a teacher being human have to do with students getting higher grades?  There's one natural conclusion to draw from this insight:     For higher grades, focus more on compliance over learning.     At first glance, this doesn't make sense. Since our tests are on subject material, shouldn’t we focus our energy on studying for them?     Well, yes and no.     Yes, we should study the material thoroughly to understand how the subject works.  There are areas where mastering the content today is essential for future classes and professional work.    Even though the subject matter is essential, it’s not the only thing to consider in our studies.  Teachers have their own emphasis and style on specific points that they expect students to reproduce on an exam.    This is both good news and bad news simultaneously. It is good news because it can shape how we study and reduce our focus on unnecessary material, but it is bad news because it shows how bias creeps into the educational system.     As unfair as it may seem, we must adapt to reality to maximize our ROI in the classroom. Each teacher has priorities, and the sooner we understand those priorities, the better our chances of achieving higher grades. We will still need to learn, but we should apply our knowledge or learn differently.     From my experience with students, the following formula works for 98% of cases:     Follow directions to the point. Never reinvent the directions.  Answer the question being asked.  Do not go off-topic.  Emphasize the same points that the teacher emphasizes. This is known as reflective communication. It will warm teachers’ hearts and help students earn extra credit if they feel generous.     For the other 2% of cases, we review the nuances and adapt to what the teacher expects from the student.  It’s all part of the game.     How To Increase Your Personal Compliance      Increasing personal compliance with the teacher isn't a mystery. We must note the game's rules that guide us closer to the mark.       It doesn't matter if a student is in high school, college, or some professional level education.  Here are the principles to leverage:     Treat The Subject As A Game      All games have rules and a route to victory. Every subject–English, history, science, math, and more–has a clear set of guidelines about what is expected to achieve the highest possible grade.     Most schools have clear learning objectives for every concept taught.  These objectives serve as the rules for achieving the best grade possible.  It is wise to get a copy of these objectives from the school or state website.     Beyond learning objectives, many resources are available online to help students learn the best practices for studying their subject and common pitfalls. Become aware of these and document them for regular review.     Focus On The Teacher’s Communication Style       Every teacher has a communication style. Some are elaborate and love to elaborate vividly on various subjects, whereas others are much more direct and to the point. Pay attention to your preferred communication style and how to adapt it, as it will be important when completing assignments and taking exams.     Psychologically, the easiest way to build a relationship with someone is to subtly mirror their actions. If they are direct and straightforward, we should be as well. If they enjoy telling elaborate stories, we should reciprocate that. If they communicate formally, we will reflect that. If they are informal, we’ll also relax with them.  When reflecting on a teacher's communication style, we should do so respectfully and without making a scene. Nothing is worse than a teacher accusing us of being copycats when we are just trying to engage.     Develop & Adapt A Personalized System To Work With The Teacher     As we master what to look for to achieve the highest grade possible in the class, we must build a system around it to ensure consistency. Well-constructed systems make it easy to achieve consistent results.     For some students, organizing their work can be as simple as creating a OneNote notebook. For others, a three-ring binder that separates homework, quizzes, and projects may work well, too. Some students may benefit by differentiating their classwork into smaller pieces, such as concepts, definitions, people, etc.     When building a system, we must be careful not to become overly rigid. Infrastructure is crucial, but we must adapt to the class and teacher we are working with. Therefore, starting with the basics and modifying it for the class is helpful.     Ultimately, we must recognize that every teacher is unique. The system should adapt to the teacher. Unfortunately, the reverse doesn't work.     Use An Appropriate Amount of Supplementary Resources     While we often wish to assign the responsibility of teaching entirely to the teacher, some classes present so much information that this becomes impossible. Students in AP and college-level courses quickly realize this reality when the teacher can't cover everything in the limited class time available.     To overcome this dilemma, we must utilize supplementary resources. YouTube is filled with valuable content that provides additional perspectives on a subject. Other resources include For Dummies books on various topics, AP exam prep materials, and free worksheets that offer extra practice in the areas we need to improve.     A word of caution: Don’t overuse supplemental resources. Just as fitness supplements aren’t a substitute for working out, neither are academic supplements a substitute for class materials.    Instead, select a manageable number of resources to work with and stick to them. We should only consider changing things up in the most desperate situations, as we need a consistent approach to succeed in the class.      Draft A Plan To Stay On Point      Having resources is great, but without a clear purpose, we risk abandoning them at the wrong time.  There's a predictable trend in nearly every class:     At first, the pace is relaxed to allow students to adjust. However, as we near final exams, the pace becomes more intense and overwhelming.  Therefore, we must stay proactive in the beginning because life will happen to us, and we may be unable to maintain high speeds in the end.     We need to stay a few steps ahead when planning our study strategies. It may be more challenging in technical classes, but it's all worth the effort.      We should read a book 10 to 15 pages in advance if assigned to read a book. If we are assigned math homework, we need to look ahead one or two sections to understand why we are learning what we are currently learning.     At the end of the week, evaluate the plan’s effectiveness.  If it’s effective, we should continue the trend and prepare for the following week. If it's ineffective, we need to adjust early, as that's when we have enough time to consult with our teachers about the best strategies for the class.     As we progress through the class, we need to plan to review current material and revisit past material if necessary. This is especially important for subjects that build upon one another, such as math, history, and physical sciences. By revisiting and strengthening the foundation, we can construct the castle walls higher than ever.     At The End of the Day, Achieve and Move On      The good news about academic games is that they don’t last forever. Nearly every game has a start date and a final exam. Everything that happens in between leads us to the finale.     Students juggling a busy schedule should aim for the best results with the least effort. While diving deep into the material would be amazing, it's important to remember that there's so much more to enjoy outside of class! You'll see the rewards down the road in your journey by putting in a little effort at the beginning.     Once the game is beaten, it’s over! There's no need to revisit the class (though we may revisit the material independently to review for more advanced courses).      For those who achieve a high score, celebrate! For those who fall short, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, reflect on it and consider what we can improve for next time. Finally, for those curious about the subject, the best time to explore it freely is after class. Once final grades are posted and deadlines are gone, you can explore the subject at your own tempo.    Students–if you're reading this at the start of a semester, now is the time to plan. If you're reading this in the middle or closer to the end, begin by incorporating some elements into your study strategy for the future. From there, you'll have the foundation to create a better plan for the upcoming semester.

I'm not going to lie—I grew up in a pretty different world compared to Gen Z. Maybe not dramatically different, but different enough to warrant a discussion of the differences I've seen compared to my Gen Z colleagues.   I graduated from high school at 19, finished college at 28, and started my freelance journey a week before I turned 31. Heck, so many of my goals have expired, yet I'm still pursuing them.   I guess you can say I'm a late bloomer. As a result, my age was always to the right of the standard bell curve.  As I climbed up the ranks in age, different chapters of my life constantly reset the age of my friends around 21-22.   At every reset, the years my friends were born pushed from the early 90s to the late 90s, passing the threshold from Millennial to Gen Z. Even as the age held constant, something different about their mindsets piqued my curiosity.   Somehow, as I grew older, the average 20-something became more optimistic.  It made me question – what makes newer generations more optimistic?  Was it the anime they watched?  The people who mentored them? Early exposure to social media?   This is where I reflected and inquired further.  To discuss our differences effectively, it's best to categorize them into two distinct categories: physical and mental.   Physical Differences   As Millennials, we did not have smartphones.  I graduated from high school in the spring before Steve Jobs revealed the groundbreaking iPhone.  Most of our computers were deskbound, and good laptops were luxuries.   Growing up in the 90s, our entertainment was split evenly between indoors and outdoors. When it came to outdoor activities, strolls in the woods, playing hide-and-seek in the neighborhood, and meeting at parks were not uncommon. Kids would meet outside to hang out, play games, and have fun. Sometimes, it would involve sports; other times, pogs, Pokémon cards, or other hot trends would capture our attention. Then there were indoor activities. Television, gaming systems, and physical games were all part of the mix. A major difference between Millennials and Gen-Z concerning television was access. In the 90s, we didn't have on-demand programming, so we would show up whenever our favorite cartoon was scheduled to air. Those of us tech-savvy enough would record it on a VHS tape. With games, we had to buy cartridges and CDs that were loaded to play them, and new features were not available unless you purchased a new version or expansion of a game. The best gaming companies were slow to develop but always put out mind-blowing entertainment.   On computers, having a spellchecker was a luxury. Yahoo! and HotBot were the search engines before Google became prominent. Our social networks included Classmates, MySpace, and Xanga. We couldn't chat with people unless they were online (but we could send emails). It was nearly unheard of to have typing speeds of 80 wpm.   For my millennial friends, I apologize for the amount of nostalgia that might’ve been.   Mental Differences   While the physical differences influenced our upbringing, they fall short of explaining many things. Millennials and Gen Z had access to good technology, education, and social circles.   So what's the fundamental difference?  Mindset.   Despite being close together in age, Millennials and Gen Z have staggeringly different viewpoints on the world.   Please note that these mindsets reflected my perceptions of both generations in their early 20s.   Millennials: This Is The Way It Is | Gen Z: We Can Change This   During our school years, Millennials were curious students who wanted to find ways to change the world. Our cartoons inspired us to find ways to change things in the face of adversity.   However, adults' influence on us was very strong. We grew up in a world where punishments were very effective, and our ability to speak out became less and less as we approached our teenage and young adult years.   Gen Z, on the other hand, has found different ways to collaborate with the older generations. Instead of harboring an us vs. them mentality, they have found ways to implement changes slowly and surely through cooperation. They weren't babied, though. Gen Z experienced multiple financial crises and lived in the post-9/11 era. Instead, Gen Z chose to cooperate rather than fight. From there, they are changing things from the inside out.   Millennials: Put In More Effort | Gen Z: Find Ways To Leverage   Work harder. Do more chores. Outwork the competition.   These are mantras that were shoved down our throats as Millennials. Slowly and surely, we believed that the only path to getting what we wanted was increasing the volume of our output. There is some truth to doing more, but how much more?   My generation became the first to discover the tipping point between work and reward. There isn't an infinite ladder that rewards more work indefinitely. Otherwise, everybody with a college degree and company front-line workers would be debt-free with millions of dollars at their disposal. Maybe life isn't all about working hard, after all.   Gen Z watched and learned from our mistakes as the curious individuals they are. Instead of working harder, they found better ways to work through leverage, weighted risks, and more.   Millennials: It Must Be Perfect | Gen Z: Make It Better   As Millennials, we were pushed toward perfection. We were always told to be in awe of perfection—perfect football plays, perfect trumpet playing, perfect test scores, etc. Any flaws were amplified and put on blast for everyone to hear. It was not unheard of to have teachers who would spotlight a student's mistake to embarrass them.   Gen Z took a more empathic approach to their shortcomings. Instead of being scolded for every little flaw, they were taught to acknowledge them and aim to do better next time. Life happens, after all. Instead of pursuing an arbitrary goal of perfection, Gen Z worked to improve things little by little, whether it was their skills, mindset, friend circles, or other important aspects of their lives.   Millennials: Stay In Your Lane | Gen Z: Branch Out & Question   As a Millennial, I remember how difficult it was to branch out and expand my horizons. Whenever I wanted to take a risk, people quickly reminded me to stay in my lane. It was common to discourage people from pursuing multiple passions–simply because we didn't have access to opportunities back then.   Gen Z grew up with an ocean of information and opportunity at their fingertips. Because they could learn anything they wanted to, this generation was able to reinvent themselves multiple times, and none of them are 30 years old yet!    Millennials: Be An Individual | Gen Z: Be Collaborative   The cartoons we watched growing up had a common theme: there was one hero, and everybody else was there as a witness to support them. Because of this, everybody aspired to be the hero so they wouldn't be sidelined. Therefore, Millennials always worked on themselves and tended to flex a lot on others. It was common to challenge each other, where the winner would take home gold and the loser would eat dirt. It wasn't commonplace to view losing as a learning experience back then.   Gen Z grew up loving teamwork. They are more likely to collaborate on projects because they realize that the sum is greater than the parts. That's not to say they don't work on themselves. They don't value individuality at the level the average Millennial does.   Millennials: Be Career Oriented | Gen Z: Be Your Own Boss   Oh yes. Millennials definitely drank the Kool-Aid. We were told to do well in school, get into a good college, take out student loans, get a good job, and pay them back. We've done just about all that... except for paying them back.   Gen Z questioned these norms and sought alternatives to the traditional college path, including starting their own businesses, becoming influencers, starting YouTube and Twitch channels, and taking other innovative paths to have control over their destinies. As much as it perplexed earlier generations and caused them to laugh at Gen Z, their bets have paid off.   Millennials: Know Your Stuff | Gen Z: Be Resourceful   Millennials grew up in the dawn of the internet. Even though we had access to information like never before, it wasn't collected in the way it is today: search engine optimization, large language machine learning, and other sophisticated ways of categorizing information. We had to search for information and collect it. There was always somebody who knew a lot about [X], and if you wanted to know about [X], you talked to Sam, Danielle, or some other self-made expert. They knew their stuff.   Gen Z grew up with nearly infinite learning opportunities at their fingertips. Thanks to their resourcefulness, they didn't have to memorize as much as their Millennial counterparts.   My Three Insights    Despite the differences highlighted in our generations above, I believe Millennials and Gen Z are closer than others. In some sense, Gen Z represents what Millennials would have been if technology had developed 10 years faster.   As someone who did not follow the traditional path that most of my Millennial counterparts did, I found myself with members of Gen Z more often than Millennials in college and beyond. After college, most people I met at meet-ups were also part of Gen Z. Through countless interactions, Gen Z's optimism, collaborative approaches, and resourcefulness rubbed off on me.   Here are three insights that have made me a more optimistic Millennial.   The World Gets Better When We Let Go Of Bad Traditions   The millennials were the first to question tradition. They started going against things handed down over generations, often calling themselves the terminators of such traditions.   Since we have access to the internet, we can see more of the world and how people interact with one another. We are no longer confined to the geographical area where we were raised. Now, we have access to perspectives worldwide through different social media platforms and forums.   However, Gen Z had access to all this from the start. As a result, they could program themselves earlier in life to let go of traditions and find ways to create their own happiness and success.   Most Deadlines Are Utter Bullshit   Gen Z represents one of the first generations that does not hold themselves to bullshit deadlines.   I'm not talking about deadlines on corporate projects or school assignments.  I'm speaking primarily about the deadlines we impose on ourselves to achieve our goals.   Many traditional goalposts have been moved down, including when to marry, start a career, and go to college, as well as other established traditions in the 21st century. They're even having children much later than any other generation before them. What was expected in our 20s is now happening in our 30s. What's expected in our 30s is now happening in our 40s. The cycle continues onward from there. I didn't get to do many things in my 20s, and I now realize it's okay. I have time in my 30s to do so, and I look forward to continuing to do so once I reach my 40s.   Nothing Needs To Stay The Same, And That's Okay   Have you ever gone to family gatherings where everybody reminisces about good old times? Indeed, there will always be memories that we hold and cherish dearly, but the way we cherish these memories is different today than 30 or 40 years ago.   Gen Z has relentlessly embraced newness, something no other generation has done. They appreciate their past experiences but tend to move on much faster than other generations. They're always on the move for something new, such as new experiences, friendships, romances, and more. Gen Z's ability to let go of the old makes room for the new. I used to be someone who would hold on to traditions and old memories. Now, I have joined my Gen-Z colleagues in appreciating my past, but I look forward to creating a better future for myself and others.   Now My Eyes Are On Generation Alpha   Gen Z has taught me many valuable life lessons. In fact, I would say I've learned from every generation and hope to incorporate their best qualities into my daily lifestyle. It just happens that the most valuable lessons were handed to me by those younger than me. It might seem backward, but if we learn from our younger counterparts, we can inject new energy into the wisdom we hold from our experiences and collaborate to improve the world. Now, there's a new generation on the rise: Gen Alpha. I have the privilege of working with this generation as a freelance instructor and watching them bring new waves of optimism into the world. However, time will reveal how they develop and impact the world. I hope that as the baton continues to be passed from one generation to another, they continue bringing much-needed changes to the world we need.

Simplicity. A predictable but effective way of doing things. Simplicity removes the noise from a crowded, busy world and focuses on meaningful signals.   However, simplicity is not the ultimate solution to everything. There's a fine line between an excellent choice and a boring default. When does simplicity become an excuse not to try, stay in our comfort zones, or cater to boredom?   First, let's acknowledge the benefits of simplicity that make it an attractive choice. We'll analyze when simplicity works and where it falls short. Finally, we'll look at how to inject meaningful complexity into our lives to spice them up and make them more exciting.   The Beauty In Simplicity   Much like anything else, simplicity has its place when it works well. For example, we know that hosting convoluted family parties is stressful and filled with unnecessary drama. Uncovering better ways to hold simple parties increases our return on investment for our efforts.   In fact, new experiences that utilize simplicity are more approachable for those who may otherwise fear them.    For example, if a new piano student attempts to play a concerto head-on, they will likely be overwhelmed. The jungle of sheet music in front of them, multiplied by the pressure to perform, is a recipe for disaster. Instead, if the student breaks down the piece into simple building blocks, such as scales, intervals, and rhythms, they can master the concerto more effectively.   No athlete steps on the basketball court and dominates it. Serious aspiring athletes focus on simple techniques such as dribbling, foul shots, and three-pointers. Little by little, they integrate the game's building blocks into their psyche, which becomes second nature and entirely at their disposal as they compete on the court.   The most common and effective photos use simple composition. This is especially true for product and portrait photography. The subject stands out more because of the negative space, which draws the eye toward it.   Many disciplines, industries, and lifestyle choices benefit from simple approaches. It begs the question: when does it backfire on us?   When Simplicity Backfires   As said before, simplicity has its place. Wise applications of simplicity make our quality of life more approachable and meaningful, countering an overloaded life. Simplicity also gives us the greatest control over situations when it's available to us.   However, simplicity can only take us so far. The real explorations begin when we transition from simple to complex approaches to our craft. However, many people fail to push beyond that threshold out of fear. From personal experience, I've noticed that some people choke up and default to simplicity as a comfort move. While less risky, overusing simplicity has its drawbacks that are often overlooked.   So it begs the question, when does simplicity become a liability and backfire on us? There may be some telltale signs to look out for, including but not limited to:   The Leader In Charge Has A Low Lid On Their Potential   Good leaders surround themselves with skilled artisans who contribute to the picture. When leaders select the right people to be around them and allow them to shine, the results are spectacular and worthy of a standing ovation. As a result, people feel more drawn to watch and contribute.   In an ideal world, everyone would contribute their talents effectively. However, not everybody has the luxury of working under great leaders. Sometimes, these poor leaders (more like dictators) become offended when their followers outshine them, whether intentionally or not.   Instead of praising them, dictators gaslight and reprimand their followers for adding value. Consequentially, their followers dull their ambitions and stop giving their best work. Resentment overshadows and replaces inspiration as resentment grows until it reaches an unsustainable threshold.   At the tipping point, resentful followers rebel by causing internal sabotage, starting a competitive operation, or, in rare cases, outright confronting and crushing the dictator. The friction undermines the project's direction, and interest from contributors and watchers begins to wane into nothingness.   In all cases, it never ends well when ambitious contributors work for an insecure leader.   People Yearn For More   There's something to be said for using simplicity wisely. But that's the thing – it must be used wisely. It cannot be the default choice day after day. The less is more mindset only works so often until it doesn't.   People acclimate and become dull to simple and boring events. Their bodies may be present, but their minds wander to exciting things beyond their current environment.   If there's a principle to live by, it's that variety is the spice of life that keeps us on our toes.   When we find ourselves in dull situations, we must spice them up again. Otherwise, our experiences become a traditional collection of mindless husks rather than an engaged community that feels inspired to contribute.   Simplicity Is An Excuse To Avoid Meaningful Risks   Our comfort zones constantly lull us into becoming complacent and satisfied with the status quo. We know we won't wow anyone using this type of simplicity, but we're more afraid of slipping up, making mistakes, or failing because of our fear of risks.   People understand the true value of risk-taking more than ever before. Our culture swims in a sea of stories about the lavish rewards of taking risks, such as starting a business, winning the girl, receiving a GRAMMY, and much more.  People on their deathbeds never say, "Gosh, I wish I had played it safer, more comfortably, more simply…" They wish they had taken more risks to make their last moments more reflective.   To take risks, we must build skills. Building skills requires us to admit we're deficient in some way. Recognizing where we're deficient requires admitting we're not perfect. But then again, who is?   The good news is that we won't stay deficient forever if we take the right risks. We will build past it and reflect on how far we've come. Staying in our comfort zones and defaulting to simplicity because we're unwilling to take risks is nearly inexcusable when so many success stories exist.   The Competition Harnesses Complexity To Their Advantage   The greatest problem with simplicity is when the competition leverages complexity against us. Introducing complexity isn't necessarily a guaranteed competitive advantage, but someone who uses it wisely will become a commendable threat.   Artists know when to use complexity advantageously to communicate a different message that invokes new emotions. They don't need to pour all the colors onto the canvas to accomplish that. Instead, they are methodical about the complexity element displayed in their work. An accent here, some different textures there, and changing the colors in a few areas are enough to give the picture its unique definition. All of these additions add to the complexity of the image.   If organizations refuse to step outside their comfort zones, two types of driving forces—internal and external—will work against them. Internal friction occurs when an organization's more ambitious members revolt. Boredom and complacency are enemies of risk-takers, and they will do whatever it takes to feel alive again. Additionally, they may leave the organization to join a more exciting and dynamic team.   Then, there are external driving forces. When the competition takes meaningful risks and harnesses complexity well, it develops a new competitive advantage that's difficult to replicate. Their new marketing messages will bash the competition as one-trick ponies who cannot see beyond the immediate while creating an exciting aura around their product or service.   Injecting Complexity Into Our Lives   Let's start with one premise—complexity does not mean unpredictable and wildly flailing around randomly. That's chaotic, and chaos is rarely useful.   Complexity requires orchestration, rationality, and connecting the dots uniquely and compellingly. It requires us to analyze what's happening at a deeper level while keeping it approachable to those who want to understand it and leaving the rest in awe.   The good news is that if we can become comfortable with simplicity, we can also become comfortable with complexity. It's like riding a bicycle—the more we do it, the better we will naturally become with it over time.   We don't need to add dozens or hundreds of items simultaneously to inject complexity into our endeavors. Here are some easygoing ways to evolve our craft and become better with complexity:   Add New Elements Subtly To The Picture   Injecting complexity wisely requires time and patience through trial and error. Even the most imaginative or experienced people do not become connoisseurs at utilizing complex dynamics at first. Therefore, there's no need to hold ourselves to high standards or try to make everything work right out of the gate.   The best way to start is to find something small and throw it in the mix. Some subtle complexity elements aren't directly noticed but affect the endeavor's presence. Others are accents that pop out as you look at them.   Here are some example ideas:   Blending a countermelody in a live performance, Pairing 2-3 instruments to play a melody that normally wouldn't, Wide panning complex bell lines in a pop song, Adding new texture to a painting, Reintroducing a color cast into a photo, Doing a live demo of a skill in a speech, Coding an app to entertain the user while it loads,   …and so much more. I might do these things, but you might also have other ideas. Experiment a ton to find what sticks and what doesn't. Then, do what comes next.   Review & Evaluate The Net Value of The Contribution   Remember: Whatever we add to the mix must be done mindfully .  Making noise for the sake of making noise won't improve our work. Some colors are not meant to go together. Writing a melody and harmony with too much dissonance seldom works, and that's okay.   Adding complexity must yield a positive contribution, not an extraneous addition for complexity's sake. Elegant architecture contains bits and pieces of complexity that form a relationship with one another. The dots connect themselves naturally to render the imagery that captivates our imaginations.   As we reevaluate our additions of complexity, we should ask ourselves whether we are doing it for fun or if there's any meaning to it. The difference in the answers separates approachable complexity from pure chaos.   Change It Up   Adding complexity is an art and science with one simple goal: Engagement.  Our work doesn't need to be overwhelming and scare people, but it shouldn't leave things to be desired. Therefore, we need to aim for a happy medium found through our own experiences with trial and error.   Ultimately, we must recognize that whatever elements we introduce into our projects will eventually lose their luster. This is evident everywhere in art, science, and Mother Nature. In ecosystems, what works in one period won't work in another. When food webs are disrupted, the fittest organisms are suddenly no longer the fittest. They must adapt to new circumstances or risk perishing to reclaim their position. The same is true in human society. Today's best practices will eventually become obsolete. This is why we always open our ears to new music, our eyes to new art, and our minds to new experiences.    The freshness of something new and unexpected keeps us on our toes so that we can tell stories to people and build relationships. After all, the human psyche demands variety and change to stay engaged.    Unfortunately, some people aren't cut out for making changes to their craft and either give up or stick to it to become obsolete. If we get comfortable enough with injecting complexity, these driving forces become an opportunity to use creativity to our advantage.   The Beauty Is In The Balance   Simplicity and complexity have their places and times in our vibrant world. The pendulum oscillates between the two, where simplicity dominates nowadays due to its convenience.  With the emergence of AI, complexity is bound to become a selling point as we see how far we can push ourselves in conjunction with AI. As AI handles the simple stuff through automation, the human touch will become valuable as it adds complexity to our work.   Either side can be overused, but it's far easier to simplify than to complicate elegantly. Therefore, we should learn how to harness complexity wisely to control our skills, experiences, and outcomes in life. Then, if we need to dial it back and simplify the experience, we can choose to do so.   How can you introduce a little bit of tasteful complexity into your life?

We've all seen that one person who seems to do well in everything. In fact, we might be that person in our own lives as we search for answers on how to harness our potential. But why does excelling in multiple areas seem difficult, if not impossible, for most? Before we begin, let's get one thing straight: The ability to excel in multiple areas doesn't make a person better than someone who shines in one area. Some people are built to naturally excel in whatever they do. Instead, my argument is as follows: Most people can excel in multiple areas, given the right environment, support, and opportunities. But most simply don't right now. Systemic Influences Affect Our Ambitions There are systemic reasons for our current situation. Those familiar with the school system beyond high school are taught to specialize and focus on becoming good at one thing to become economically valuable as we enter the workforce. As a result, we justify giving up everything else to obtain economic security.   Psychologically, it's easier to remember what people do for a living if they stick to a single profession.  Imagine you have two friends, Rob and Suzie. Rob says, "I'm a doctor," while Suzie says, "I'm a production manager, photographer, and speech coach." Who will be easier to remember? We often recognize others as great in one area, even though they may have greatness elsewhere.  Examples include:   Albert Einstein was a great physicist who excelled in violin playing. Kobe Bryant was a legendary basketball player who was fluent in Italian. George Washington Carver was an agriculturalist who profoundly influenced music and visual arts.   It's as if everyone has some hidden Leonardo Da Vinci inside them, even though the world may never see or remember it.  Our inner artist starves and fades away as we cater to the world's demands, leaving us with only what we feed ourselves. An Unfair Advantage Or A Different Choice?   When we see others excelling in multiple areas, we believe it's unfair that they somehow hit the jackpot on skill and talent.  Consequently, we mentally blow these people out of proportion and believe they are out of reach.  In reality, they did a few things differently from the rest of us, which set them on a different path.   They know there's much to obtain for those up for the challenge.  The idea of doing one thing for the rest of their lives (or at any period) is an uninspiring, obsolete narrative that is losing its grip in the 21st century.   Specialization has its advantages, and everyone should aim to excel at what they do. But anyone can genuinely excel in multiple areas. There's nothing wrong with stretching ourselves as long as excellence is at the forefront.   There are many reasons why excelling in multiple areas and maintaining them is more possible than ever before, including:   More sources of free information and training, such as Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT, A mindset shift where people are more curious about what's out there than ever before, and Better technology is at our fingertips to increase the quality and quantity of our output and track our progress.   Despite all the resources available, the stigma against being skilled in multiple areas remains strong. As someone involved and competitive in multiple areas, such as engineering, public speaking, and music, I've had ample time to reflect on why this stigma still exists. After all, these are driving forces that I had to fight against to get to where I am today. There will always be resistance of some kind, but once you know what it is, it's much easier to overcome.   Here are five reasons I've distilled as to why it's difficult for people to become skilled in multiple areas, as well as some insights on how to overcome them:   I - The Deadline Illusion   Let's start by defining the Deadline Illusion.   The Deadline Illusion is a preconceived notion that we must learn, master, or achieve something difficult by a certain age.  Sports, performing arts, and lucrative STEM careers are skillsets where people feel under some deadline to make it or miss out forever.   Unfortunately, these deadlines are often cited as an excuse not to try.  It's easier to learn and master difficult skills when we're younger, appear more gifted, or have better circumstances.  However, life is long, and we are not guaranteed a second shot at learning them beyond our lifetimes.   In school, we are taught that if we cannot keep up with the pace of the curriculum, we are not cut out for these careers and should pursue easier subjects.  Our fate is determined long before our prime because we don't develop the same way as our peers.   Can't learn algebra in middle or high school? Don't bother studying numbers or going into a technical career. Can't dribble a basketball? Sports is out of your league.  Played a bad guitar solo in front of 200 people?  Forget any other music gigs.   And yet, nothing could be further from the truth.   Learning curricula are set at a subjective pace and do not fit all subjects and learning styles. After all, does it take the same 14 weeks to appreciate art as it does to master organic chemistry?   Of course not.  Organic chemistry requires far more work and dedication than art appreciation for most people.  Some students need to take organic chemistry twice to grasp it, while others can master it on the first try.  It all comes down to our willingness and ability to learn, and once we've mastered it, it's ours forever (with some upkeep). My Personal Transitions   Between high school and college, I decided to switch from a career in performing arts to a more technical career after the economy tanked in 2008.  As I transitioned, I had to be honest with myself because I was not the best student in high school.  I never made it past Algebra II or Biology.   After taking an honest inventory, I recognized that I would rebuild my foundation in math and science again.  I elected to be put in more foundational classes my freshman year, where I would lay every brick carefully as I built my career from the ground up.  I knew that my progress would be slower, but I was willing to accept it as the price to achieve it.   The difference this time was that STEM was my primary focus.  In my first year, I catapulted from a C student in high school to an A student in college.  It was painful to watch people my age learning concepts 2-3 years ahead of me and feeling behind, but I knew my turn would come soon enough.   Year after year, I made difficult transitions and pivots where I was advised of impending failure, but I pushed through it anyway.  After 8 years of college, I transitioned from a performing artist to graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.E. in Chemical Engineering at Age 28.   I may have been a starving artist if I had listened to people who told me it was too late to change direction. It Comes Back Full Circle   However, I did not give up performing arts entirely.  Instead, I decided to pursue them at my own pace.  It was initially slow, but a few key breakthroughs made it worthwhile.  Along the way, I developed other skills during and after college, including:   Coding: Age 32 Church Music Director: Age 29 Entrepreneurship: Age 31 Music Production: Age 34 Poetry: Age 30 Photography: Age 26 Public Speaking: Age 25 Saxophone: Age 35   Some of the above skills are perceived to be nearly impossible to build and pursue beyond high school. This is where the power of transferable skills and mindset comes into play to overcome the barriers of reality that prevent many from doing the same.   II - The Mindset Trap   Another major reason people won't skill in multiple areas is mindset. How we approach learning and mastering new material boils down to our beliefs and motivations. False Narratives   Oftentimes, budding professionals skilled and passionate in multiple areas are mocked and ridiculed by those who are jealous.  They often hear sayings that are often distorted, such as:   "Jack of all trades, master of none!"   "You can't be good at everything!"   "You'll never be a master going all over the place!" As they hear them repeatedly, they give up their ambitions to fit in with their work tribe. The fear of being ousted, losing a job, or having a difficult life is perceptively higher than pursuing their greatness. Why These Narratives Are False These baseless claims assume that transferable skills are nonexistent. It also assumes life is a zero-sum game. This occurs when people incorrectly apply scientifically true theories in hard sciences, but they are irrelevant in social sciences. Often, people do not want to be perceived as having surface-level skills across the board, even if that's not true. This perception assumes that building skills is a zero-sum game and synergistic benefits in building multiple skill sets do not exist.   Professionals in multiple areas know all too well that these stigmas are false.  For example, the first saying is an incomplete quote from Shakespeare.  Here's its complete form:   "Jack of all trades, master of none, oftentimes better than a master of one. "   Shakespeare recognized that those who could adapt and build multiple skill sets often defeated one-trick ponies.  Despite what we've heard before, it's not the strongest who survives – it is the most adaptable. Adaptability + Curiosity --> Progress   Adaptability begins with our mindset. It's been shown that having an attitude of "Sure, I'll give it a try" has a much higher chance of success than "I don't think this can work". The difference is in how optimists visualize the outcome, even if reality deviates from their initial vision. Visualization techniques can accelerate learning and mastering a given skill when performed correctly. Our visualizations should not be based on our wildest fantasies but on our knowledge of the laws of reality and how they relate to what we want to create. The caveat, of course, is that we shouldn't confine everything strictly to reality. We should always test the limits to see if there are exceptions. That's how inventions once perceived as impossible, such as the car engine, airplane, and cell phones, came to fruition.   Curiosity is a subtle ingredient that can make or break a person's ability to cast a wider net. Many people have attempted to expand their horizons after feeling inspired, but when they hit a brick wall, they stop trying (thinking they've hit an illusional deadline!).   On the other hand, the curious know that failure is a stepping stone toward success. If this weren't true, science would never work, as it often discovers more of what doesn't work than what does.   An adaptable and curious mindset will take apart toys, learn how each nut and bolt contributes to the machine, and put it back together similarly or by trying something new.  They aren't under the Deadline Illusion to make it happen instantly – they will take their time to see what happens.   Their curiosity leads them further along the journey, where they might forget to check some boxes.  But as they look back to see where they started, they think the journey has been fun.   The adaptable and curious also know that some prerequisites must be mastered to advance in life.  What stops a lot of people is the most overlooked part of casting a wider net:   III - Gaps In The Fundamentals   We are taught to master basic skills, typically when we are younger and more willing and able to learn them. For example, basic motor skills, speech and verbal abilities, and absorbing common knowledge make up most of our mastery in our younger years.   As we learn more advanced skills, we forget the value of fundamentals, which serve as our foundation for advanced mastery. Unfortunately, teachers and managers don't have time to coach people to work on these skills, and the latter demand that they be mastered through behavioral interviews. Neglecting the fundamentals is a long-term force that aggregates over time. At first, it may not seem like a big deal, but as we advance, it starts to show. As a result, skill sets built on top of weak foundations become unstable and crumble under pressure.   All skill sets combine a unique combination of fundamental techniques and knowledge.  As we dissect these sets into elementary components, it's easy to recognize the overlap many skill sets have.    Therefore, it's important to strengthen the foundation of our 101s.  When done correctly, their mastery will synergistically benefit more advanced skill sets across the board, no matter how far apart they may appear initially. Know When To Rebuild   Tiger Woods rebuilt his golf swing from the ground up.  During his journey, he recognized that there would be performance costs along the way, but the benefits would overshadow those costs.   Personally, I have been working on breath control and support as my current fundamental skill to strengthen.  As I've expanded my music performance capabilities into new wind instruments, I recognize that I have a significant advantage already, having grown up as a competitive trumpet player.   However, some hacks I used for short-term gain have backfired. I hit a wall with my brass playing using improper techniques, affecting my stamina. Now that my circumstances are far less competitive, I have set aside time to work on these fundamentals more carefully. Breath control and support benefits not only playing wind instruments but also public speaking, meditation, and other skills where breathing is at the core.   Investing in the fundamentals is the easiest way to improve many skills simultaneously.  The stronger our foundation, the further we can go in more advanced skill sets.  Fundamentals do not replace putting in the time to master advanced skills. However, going further won't be sustainable if the foundation crumbles beneath us.   While I have some luxuries in devoting time to new skills, it does not mean I have unlimited time. Like every adult, I must acknowledge that my time is limited because of what comes next.   IV - Adult Responsibilities Become Present   Being younger and in school gave us two major advantages over adults.    First, our job was to learn and master new material. We didn't have old habits to unlearn, which, if we're lucky, requires 3-10x the effort. Additionally, we benefited from jumping into more modern skills and avoiding obsolete skillsets that the older generations had to learn.   Second, we were not burdened with adult responsibilities such as paying rent, managing a household, and other time-consuming duties.  Other obligations may take hold, depending on our luck and life choices.  These include raising children, taking medication, and other small inconveniences that tax our time and energy.   As adults, we inherit all of these responsibilities whether we like it or not.  As much as we might want to do other things, these priorities take precedence, and ignoring them comes with consequences that range from annoying to severe.   However, many adults have proven they can minimize the required time to maintain their responsibilities.  Using tools such as calendars, reminder systems, and task lists, adults can find powerful ways to minimize the impact of a busy life from interfering with their abilities to continue developing themselves.   What comes next can truly make or break an adult's ability to expand their horizons.   V - Poor Choices In Leisure Activities   Growing up, most people are taught that leisure activities are a reward for a hard day's work.  After half a day of hustling in the daytime, we naturally want to find ways to unwind and forget the woes of the day.   Unfortunately, most of these activities do not move the needle forward, so most people feel stuck in one place.  Instead of using their free time to learn new skills and expand their horizons long-term, most people will engage in short-term pleasures that act as a band-aid to their problems.   Watching television, drinking beer, smoking, and scrolling on social media are common examples of destructive time (and money) sinks.  However, any activity has the potential to lead them down the wrong path and prevent progress.   When we already have minimal free time due to our adult obligations, expanding our skill sets over someone with all the free time becomes excruciatingly harder. Overcoming Short-Term Pleasures  Why do we cave into these short-term pleasures if we know our leisure activities are important? We are wired and conditioned to do so.   Think about it––there's no guarantee that tomorrow will come.  The Earth could be struck by an asteroid similar to the one that wiped out all life on Earth millions of years ago.  A war could break out that ends in nuclear armageddon.  Another pandemic could break out and disrupt everything again. When I lost my engineering job during the pandemic, I didn't want to think about my engineering career again. Instead, I pursued my inner artistry and entrepreneurship and no longer cared about the outcome. Yet, somehow, I got lucky after a few years.   So why should we care if everything we built over the years could be wiped out instantly?   It's because even though tomorrow is not guaranteed, there is a very, very high probability that tomorrow will come. The same applies to all days thereafter.   Therefore, it's statistically our best decision to think about the activities that we do long-term. Here are some small considerations that compound and create a lasting impact:   Instead of watching television, why not do a workout that will give us more energy long-term? Is it possible to do both and get the best of both worlds? Instead of spending money on cigarettes and lottery tickets, why not save it for a guitar that could be a creative outlet? Instead of going to the bar and drinking our sorrows away, why not spend an evening helping those in need at a soup kitchen? Instead of using YouTube to watch mindless videos, why not watch a tutorial on a skill we've been itching to learn or advance?   Nobody said these changes were easy, and I won't pretend they are either, but they are worth it.   The Secret To Expanding? Start Small   No change is easy.  Hoping for an overnight miracle is a recipe for disaster.  Pain is often an immediate effect we experience when we set out to change how we approach things.   However, waiting until the end will be nearly impossible as we await our final breath.   Being skilled in one area certainly does not mean we have to sacrifice in another. This would negate the synergistic benefits of expanding our horizons. However, we must ensure we widen our net wisely and expand sensibly.   Some good questions to ask that touch upon these points include:   Is there a deadline I assumed would affect me that hasn't? Is there a small aspect of my mindset I can change now to view my situation differently? What fundamental techniques and knowledge could I work on, knowing I'm not in a rush? What adult responsibilities can I put on autopilot to free up more time What activities must I eliminate, and what activities can I start weaving together?   Answers to these questions can slowly and surely unlock hidden doors for us. The compound interest accrued from changing our mindset will be small initially, but the further we go, the more profound its impact will be on our long-term goals and interests.   Not sure where to start?  For most people, addressing the Deadline Illusion is a great first step.  Asking ourselves and being honest about whether we hold ourselves to the deadline to learn or achieve something can liberate us to gain our second wind.  Sure, we may not be as young and energetic to pursue it, but we should be wiser and more able to approach it differently.   What's your next step in expanding your horizons?

There is no question that the educational system experienced significant disruptions during the onset of the pandemic. Suddenly, a clear-cut path for millions of students became murky as a source of stability was shaken. Teachers, administrators, and other contributors to education scrambled to figure out how to adapt to the new reality. New CDC regulations forced us to go digital, an avenue that was seen as intangible only a few years back.  Some school systems did not have the resources to adapt in time and canceled school for the remainder of the school year. This set back many students in their journeys, who were expected to pick everything right up when school resumed.   Naturally, the need for tutors skyrocketed to fill the gap. Online teaching methods had mixed effectiveness, and many students who were known to be engaged in the classroom struggled to adapt to the online format.   With everything going online, e-methods of delivering goods and services improved, and tutoring was no exception. To keep users engaged, new tools, such as whiteboards, annotations, and other interactive tools, were developed for these platforms.   Unfortunately, despite the tools, many educators do not know how to become effective in online instruction.  We all know the people who hop on meetings with the camera centered on their nostrils.  This distraction takes away from the experience.   As with most things, new challenges always present opportunities to apply creativity well.   Four Unique Ideas To Spice Your Sessions   While most prefer in-class instruction over online instruction, there are circumstances where online instruction may be the best solution. Travel, distance, and schedules often determine what works best for both parties.   However, I have found that working from my office enabled some creative ideas that couldn't be applied to in-person meetings.  Here are four of them:   –1– Play Background Music During Sessions   Adding some instrumental background music during your sessions may increase student engagement.  Finding music that caters to their taste becomes easier with private sessions or small groups.   If you're a musician, playing live background music while a student works is a great way to let them see another side of you.  For best results, use a MIDI keyboard or acoustic guitar and ensure it's plugged into an interface to your computer.   Playing over backing tracks may be an excellent alternative for other instruments, such as electric guitar, woodwind, or brasswind instruments. If you have a good voice, use that, too.   It's important to control your volume to ensure the music is clean and relaxing.  If the music is too loud and distorted, it will have the opposite effect and take away from the session.   In all cases, the music added to the session should enhance it and not distract from it.   –2– Use Separate Tablets For More Interactive Sessions   Just because a session is held online doesn't mean it needs to be passive.  Technology has advanced enough that people can now interact with digital materials.   There are ways to become interactive. Kahoot!  and other platforms allow students to click on answers.  Setting up these games can be great for warming up for the session.   When it comes to the real work that students need to do, it's best to use tools to stimulate real learning.  This involves building muscle memory and mapping out concepts to connect them uniquely.   Over the last three years, I have found Microsoft OneNote and a stylus-driven tablet to be an effective combination. OneNote is free, and you can create custom notebooks to share with students. Any tablet with a stylus, such as an iPad Mini, Samsung S-Series Tablets, and other alternatives, is sufficient.   From OneNote, I assign problems in mathematics, which students complete on their own tablets. I can see their work on the problem and correct it in real time. I've also used this approach for physics, chemistry, and other classes that involve documenting steps to solve the problem.   Additionally, these tools are great for sharing content, creating custom homework, and giving students tools they can view from their phone.   –3– Invite A Guest Speaker   There's no better way to spice up a session than to introduce a new human being. When someone new is in the mix, everyone becomes curious about what the new voice offers.   A great guest speaker adds fresh insights to the material.  Additionally, the speaker can act as part of a panel to create a more engaging dialogue where the guest speaker and we take turns and make mindful interjections to enhance each other.   When inviting a guest speaker, ensure they have a good stage presence, are confident in front of the camera, and are subject matter experts.   –4– Use Multiple Monitors   Multiple monitors are not only for people who write code or run a large enterprise. These days, it’s very easy to access multiple monitors and set them up appropriately.   The platform on which sessions are run usually takes up a full screen. When we need to look up different resources, it can be awkward to fumble around, clicking things on a single screen until we get what we need.   Using multiple monitors allows us to prepare things on the side as a session runs to make the transitions smoother. Additionally, if we don’t know something, we can do the research on the side, digest it, and keep the conversation going fluently.   Make Your Online Sessions Memorable   Delivering the best experience in running an online session comes down to knowing your audience. What kind of students are you working with? How do they stay engaged? We know they can be on their devices a lot since their Discord servers and YouTube videos, so we should be able to achieve the same amount of attention!   It all comes down to thinking outside the box. We will lose their engagement if we only try to teach the lesson. After all, they are not in the room with us, so if they want to leave, they have to click end session, and they’re out the door. "Whoops, my Internet slipped!" –Every Bored Student Ever   Meeting online is convenient for us, so we can make it as engaging as possible and make it worth their time, as our students may learn something new.   I make my sessions more interesting in four ways, but many more are out there! Got a clever hack for online engagement? Share it below!

Personal development draws many of us into a journey of crafting a better version of ourselves in many facets, such as personality, skillsets, mindset, and more. Every time we gain insights from experience, we add another tool to our personal development toolboxes to deal with future challenges. Most insights are acquired in two ways: (i) externally from books, seminars, or other people, or (ii) internally from personal reflections, subconscious processing of experiences, or actively working on exercises that transform our experiences into personal value. As we discover throughout our journey, we are built uniquely in terms of personality, skills, and abilities. Any two people could be working on similar or deviant facets at any given time. Unlike school or traditional courses, there is no prescribed journey with an end goal identified from the beginning. Progress in personal development is never linear nor one-and-done; it is a cascading journey. An area that represented a strength or asset for us long ago may have been neglected over time, requiring it to be a focal point to sharpen this season. The only thing that experience provides in personal development is better discernment of what we need to work on. One of the significant keys to meaningful personal development is recognizing that our options do not yield equal investment returns. For example, an athlete with little artistic talent and ability might experience a marginal return on investment through working on their painting abilities compared to a budding artist gifted with a lot of creative potential but seeking structured instruction to master essential painting techniques. While some personal satisfaction may be gained from the athlete trying something out of left field, if their goal is to transition their careers to continue making a living, they have a high probability of facing a major uphill battle. As the athlete continues attempting to make breakthroughs, their (lack of) progress may shake their confidence and make them feel derailed. Athletes past their physical peak will often pivot into public speaking and coaching careers because they understand the mindset required to become successful athletes. These skill sets are built alongside their physical abilities since they’re required for execution, unlike their artistic abilities, which might be far less relevant. However, remember that the best growth options for a transitioning athlete are a function of their circumstances, personality, and current skillsets. We need to be mindful when picking what facets of life to pursue growth to ensure that our return on investment is as high as possible, ultimately making us happier and more fulfilled. Majoring In The Minors Hinders Relevant Growth Unlike the athlete described––who maintained unilateral control over their personal development and career transitions––some people are not as lucky. It’s commonly known that the majority of young professionals find themselves under the leadership and management of others who may either be (i) subpar as professionals themselves, (ii) unfit to provide fitting growth advice, and/or (iii) don’t have their best interests in mind. The dreaded performance review is infamous for nitpicking the smallest caveats in a professional’s performance, often blindsiding them by amplifying trivial matters when their important metrics are met or exceeded. Suddenly, a star performer with a minor and inconsequential flaw will major in the minors to please leadership, which costs them their performance next quarter and the company valuable productivity. While destructive growth can come in many shapes and sizes, there are some underlying themes to watch out for when receiving advice. One of the best things we can do is approach this advice as a believer and a doubter to enable us to discern which direction is right for us. Here are some common trends to look out for: A One-Size Fits All Approach Before personal development became more personalized, solutions to personal problems were prescribed blanketly. These solutions were often more suitable for those in the military, who were required to adapt to the presented solutions. For those who don’t have a military mindset, this type of advice results in a lot of hit-and-miss. Examples of this type of advice might include: “You just have to work harder.” “You have to keep your mind off of this and focus on that instead.” “You don’t work as hard as person X, therefore you can’t expect to have Y.” “You have to take class X to understand this.” “You need to have every detail polished for this to work out.” There might be some truth to what is said above, but the solutions are either overgeneralized, convoluted with extra bells and whistles, or completely insufficient/misaligned with the problem. Unfortunately, mentors and teachers who have naturally broken through some of their toughest challenges cannot comprehend how it takes others longer to overcome them. Consequently, the mentor’s growth advice is a poor match to their mentee’s situation, which produces more grief than relief. It’s unlikely they are giving unfruitful advice out of malicious intent, but rather because they’re inexperienced at helping others with similar struggles. Advancements in psychology have confirmed that different people produce different responses to a given stimulus. Therefore, using a uniform solution to a problem that may stem from many different sources is a recipe for missing the mark and creating more frustration. Intentional Tire-Spinning Advice This type of destructive growth advice is usually more malicious. Intentional tire-spinning advice occurs when an authority figure assigns their mentee busy work to make them feel like they are progressing. The time spent on these meaningless activities is taken away from other relevant activities that move the needle forward. Several examples below clearly demonstrate intentional tire spinning. A false mentor may keep someone busy or running in circles with trivial matters that don’t develop a mentee and sabotage their progress. A maligned manager may assign an employee a series of tasks that don’t matter to the organization and sabotage their chances of a promotion or, worse, increase the justification for letting them go. Ineffective teachers may give high-performing students busy work instead of assignments that extend and challenge them to perform better. These cases are unified towards a common theme: paint a picture of making something insignificant become the primary focus for someone, and then blindsiding them with the truth. In the worst cases, these malicious authority figures will gaslight the person in question for not knowing better and then dismiss them dismissively. This outcome creates a destructive ripple effect in the personal development community. New mentees seeking direction tend to lose trust in themselves to discern right from wrong and believe that growth is a sham. Additionally, future opportunities for legitimate mentors to provide the guidance and advice necessary to achieve those desired breakthroughs may be stifled. Misaligned Personal Development Aspirations This type of destructive growth occurs when someone is unsure of the next steps in their personal development journey. They may be juggling a few to dozens of next steps, but they cannot discern what is best for them. To combat indecisiveness, mentees may default to a few options to avoid stagnation. For example, if someone they respect is working on something, they should also be working on it. While the spirit of competition from inspiration can be fruitful under the right circumstances, their selection may not be the best option for them at the time and cause them to derail. Additionally, they may have experienced a minor bump in their personal development and believe they must do whatever it takes to correct it. This occurs when they forget to do something and become embarrassed about it, which causes them to hyperfocus on something minor and hinders progress in the majors. While misaligned personal development aspirations may be harmless in the short term, since a lot of personal development requires trial and error, laser-focusing on these minor avenues in the long term will hinder progress and create personal despair in its wake. Your Minor, Inconsequential Flaws Are Put on Blast Have you ever had someone tell you that you were good at your job but that there was one thing they didn’t like, and if they could improve that one thing, it would be perfect? The aspect they don’t like seems so trivial at best, and you know deep down that if you changed it, the level of improvement wouldn’t match the energy invested into it. We’ve all experienced it to some degree. We attempt to remedy this minor flaw by seeking perfection to prove them wrong, which is admirable on paper, but the return on investment is marginal compared to other things we could be doing. When we engage in these pursuits, we give them the power to manipulate our actions towards pointless side quests instead of pursuing what’s right for us. Leaders and managers must find and spotlight the smallest flaws in employees' performance in organizations with toxic cultures. They can’t give a perfect review because leadership would be accused of lacking a critical eye for reducing costs and improving operations. It’s unfortunate, though, because the money they anticipate saving by denying an employee their raise is spent training their replacement after the current employee realizes how toxic it is and gets out of there. The most effective employees, entrepreneurs, and freelancers realize that perfection should not be sought after in all areas. Instead, they leverage their strengths in key areas to progress in their businesses, careers, and crafts. Their pursuit of something more meaningful is making more impact than their quest to alleviate every chink in their armor. How To Detect & Eliminate Bad Growth Advice Initially, the line between beneficial and destructive growth advice is hard to differentiate. Our personal development journeys require trial and error, experience, and meaningful reflection to discern the difference better and pick what to work on. Unfortunately, some of us aren’t able to question the advice being given due to what’s at stake in our situations. However, we must question the validity of all growth advice we receive. Most of our situations are temporary, which opens up options for discerning constructive and destructive growth advice. Here are some tactics for detecting and eliminating bad growth advice: Differentiate The Major & Minor Aspects of Your Personal Growth In This Season Everyone is working on different facets of personal development, whether they are mindful of it or not. Some people are working on how they are perceived, some are working on their skill sets, and others are working on difficult transitions. However, personal development without context is seldom fruitful. For example, someone looking to work in a field with people might be better off working on their likability rather than a technical skillset so that they can relate to people. An athlete who isn’t sure how to nail the start must figure out a personal rhythm for themselves on when to expect the cue so that their start isn’t too early or too late. We need to drill down to a handful of options because we have nearly unlimited options on what we can do. Some will make a minor impact from this handful of options, and a select few will make a major impact. Selecting and executing major impact action items makes all the difference. Indeed, every chapter of our lives comes with new circumstances. We need to recognize that the things that worked in one chapter aren’t guaranteed to be as effective in the next chapter. As a result, we need to evaluate our personal circumstances objectively in every chapter and highlight the actions that have the highest probability of producing the best results. The best way to do this is to document it in some form. Making two columns for circumstances and actions is enough for most people, whereas those who love sophisticated flowcharts might benefit from visually seeing the cause and effect behind them all. Documenting is important because it will hold us accountable for success in this chapter, but revisiting what we’ve put on paper is equally, if not more important. This is where we get to see how accurate our perceptions of our circumstances are and make changes. Two things happen when we do it: (i) we get humbled and learn to adjust course, and (ii) we become happier with our results. Apply & Measure Their Advice Temporarily To See If There’s Any Merit As we have discussed before, when given gross advice, we must approach it with both belief and doubt. Sometimes, we don’t want to believe what we hear, but there may be some truth to it, so it’s our responsibility to handle it accordingly. Whenever somebody gives you gross advice, you should ask them what they measure and how it affects the result. Tell them that you’re going to start with a couple of minor things and build up momentum, but in the meantime, evaluate the significance of their advice and see if it has any merit. Once you’ve tried it out for a short amount of time, you should evaluate it and then return to ask if this is the progress they expected. In the best cases, they will agree and then back off. In the worst cases, they will pile on more things, which proves their pettiness even more. Once you know they’re doing it for the sake of pettiness, you should look for workarounds against their advice. Aim to get out there and find the people and environment that work better for you. Ask How Their Advice Compares To What You Perceive Is Important If you’re feeling bolder or in a position where you can converse with the person, you should. Often, people give advice, thinking that you haven’t thought about a particular situation and that specific actions can affect the result. You can surprise them by showing them your point of view, clearly communicating your metrics, and showing what you believe is the key result. In the best cases, you can open up a dialogue and find some middle ground between what they perceive to be important and what you perceive to be important. From there, both parties can converge on a plan on what they believe are important next steps and be on their way. It’s important to note that even though we know ourselves relatively more intimately than others, the perspectives of others are still important and should be considered when developing a plan for our personal growth. See If Anyone Else Has Similar Experiences This point comes from personal experience, but I once had an unsolicited mentor reach out to me and offer help to grow my career. Being young and ambitious, of course, I said yes. She invited me to a business leaders’ luncheon, where I met this mentor and proceeded to meet her with other people. While listening to a few fantastic speakers during the luncheon, I kept getting bad vibes and weird stares from her. It’s as if my willingness to learn and pay attention to the speaker somehow bothered her. I decided to focus on the speaker, keeping in the back of my mind that this could be a red flag. After the luncheon, she pulled me aside to get to know me better and see my career aspirations. As she asked me questions, I answered them and gave her some backstory here and there since we had gotten to know each other. In the middle of one of my answers, she blurted out, “You talk too much.” What. The. Hell. I said I didn’t understand, and she proceeded to ramble about how I talked too much about my career aspirations. She made me completely uncomfortable, and I decided to get out as quickly as possible, feigning that I had an urgent phone call to make (thanks, Tim Ferris). Later that week, I met with some business leaders who knew of this person. They told me of all their off-the-wall experiences with her and even said that I wasn’t the only one she ever did this to. I knew then and there that my intuition was correct when I got weird stairs from her after the luncheon. I received an email from her the day before, but decided not to respond until I saw counsel from these business leaders. After confirming my suspicions, I replied that I was no longer interested in her advice, automated all her emails to junk mail, and disconnected her from social media across the board. Admittedly, my experience left a bad taste, and it took me a while to trust mentors again. However, many principles came into play that restored my faith in mentorship, knowing that she was just a bad apple out of the many great mentors who are potentially out there. I’m sure many people out there have had similar experiences. We’ve all had a situation where we were new to an organization and kept getting feedback from a leader on something we weren’t sure why it was important, only to be told by our colleagues that they do this to everybody. This goes back to avoiding blanket advice and intentional tire spinning, where leadership has no interest in helping its people. For The Bold — Stand Up To The Source This final tactic is only for the boldest and bravest. Those who can stand up to the source usually have options to see alternatives and get away from the source if need be. When the evidence is mounting, and there are no reasonable doubts about whether a source is acting maliciously or mindlessly, the boldest and bravest should confront the source and let them know what they’re doing is either wrong or unintentionally steering people in the wrong direction. We all wish we could do this, but only a few of us will be able to pull this off successfully. In the case of mindlessness, letting somebody know their advice is not helpful may be the best thing you can do for them. Their intentions may be good, but they’re unable to adapt to new circumstances in which advice no longer applies. It’s important to note that approaching these situations with the highest level of emotional intelligence is essential for keeping the relationship intact while addressing an issue. On the other hand, there are times when standing up to malicious mentors is essential for them to get knocked off their rocker. There’s no guarantee of the outcome if we decide to do this, but in some cases, it may feel better to have at least tried than to hold the pressure in the bottle. Should we stand up to malicious mentors and leadership, we must assume full responsibility for all the risks involved. Remember - Advice Must Always Be Applied In Context There is no surefire way to flag bad growth advice. Advice should be taken in the black-and-white context, including what you’re reading right now. Advice that works when starting up a business doesn’t necessarily work to maintain it, just as the advice we heard for applying for jobs a decade ago has become more irrelevant today. The best we can do for ourselves is increase our awareness of the potential effect of bad, gross advice and use our own experiences with the experiences of those we trust to discern for ourselves whether the advice is given to our advantage or disadvantage. In the end, nobody has a perfect batting average for applying gross advice correctly, let alone discerning what’s best for them and what’s not. The next time somebody gives you growth advice, keep these tools in your back pocket. You can analyze what’s good for you and what is told to work against you. You can apply these tips wisely if you know your situation better than most people. Do you have any stories about a time somebody gaslighted you with bad advice? Share them in the comments below!

In every stage of life, we develop a vision for ourselves as the basis of inspiration towards a better life. Whether that milestone involves a hefty promotion, a move across the country, or pushing the button to start an ambitious endeavor finally, we all have visualized our desired outcome and imagined the incredible feeling of arriving.    Personal visions aren’t reserved solely for the ambitious.  Even those who aren’t 10x’ing and rereading their goals religiously have some vision for themselves.  The magnitude of their vision doesn’t matter — all that matters is that they have some vision for themselves.      It may be to achieve a simple and peaceful life, living in a simple home, surrounded by a simple family, and doing simple everyday things that give them some sense of routine and normalcy.  I’m sure we can picture a happy farmer in the Midwest sitting on his porch as the sun rises on a new day.    On the other hand, the mighty vision may involve putting a dent in the universe by becoming the next billionaire, inventing the cure for cancer, rising as a pop star, winning a prestigious award from a highly revered organization, or a combination thereof.  The thoughts of Olympic athletes, solo artists, and billionaire entrepreneurs come to mind.    Statistically, we are highly likely to live long lives. This is good news as it means we will encounter many opportunities during our stay here. Therefore, we want to make our lives worthwhile as we venture through the major stages from childhood to retirement.    However, a high life expectancy doesn’t guarantee how our stories will be written.  The books of our lives may entail a complete and rich saga, whereas others may fall tragically short.  Despite the possibility of an abrupt ending, we can only plan for our lives long-term and be thankful for each page we continue to write for ourselves.    Doing ABC Never Guarantees XYZ   One of the greatest misfortunes of growing up is that we subliminally absorb the expectation of being rewarded for our actions. While this noble ideology only truly works in full unity, it is a human construct without a backing natural law to heighten the chances of compliance in a structured society.    In school, we’re taught to sit down, be quiet, and listen carefully to our teachers. We must do what they tell us to do, and if our actions align with their instruction, we are rewarded for it. This cycle repeats itself thousands of times and becomes ingrained in our psyche over the course of a decade.    According to our experiences, rebels who fail to comply will face the consequences proportional to their disobedience, while those who follow their marching orders strictly will reap the benefits. As a consequence, we expect some shiny reward in exchange for compliance, and it infuriates us when we are devoid of the reward.      A rebel who is a complete jerk to others and messes up everything might win the lottery, become elected for a prestigious office, secure a major business deal, or catapult their fame sky-high.  These rule-breakers laugh in the face of consequences — often winning through their means and unpredictability as their renegade nature causes friction with conformists.    Likewise, a stickler who checks all the boxes treats everyone with respect and obeys the rules still risks ending up empty-handed through no fault of their own. Their lack of reward bewilders them.  In the most extreme of cases, rule followers might experience a mental breakdown and reverse their mental polarity on how they see the rules.     Star Trek’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard summarizes a situation we’ve all experienced firsthand in 16 words:    “It’s possible to make all the right moves and still lose.  That’s not weakness, that’s life.”     While Picard’s wisdom may provide reprieve in the lens of reflection, it’s difficult to apply his truth in the heat of the moment.  As soon as our hard-fought efforts miss the mark, the inquisitive dams in our minds break and flood us with questions, including but not limited to:    Could we be settling?  Were there a few things we missed that we should have done to unlock our desired result?  Were we following incorrect information?     Naturally, it’s easy to lose sight of our current situation while navigating through the gauntlet of “what-ifs” in hopes of rectifying the damage.  However, nothing is more excruciating than fixating on achieving a single result, no matter the cost.  Therefore, it’s important to explore how to change our paradigms of achievement so that we can better retain our sanity.    This One Trick Will Increase Our Personal Satisfaction   There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to improve the situations that affect us and those we care about.  That internal flame inside us has existed and been passed from generation to generation, modernizing our lives by leading to breakthroughs in social structures and inventions by controlling our environments.    The key to harnessing our inner flames is changing how we use them to handle deviations in reality against our ideal outcomes. Some of us have a tolerance that can handle the variations that life throws at us. For the rest of us, we hold firm to a vision (almost to a fault) and want to achieve that vision.      But what if reality unfolds far differently?  How do we respond to it?  There is one major change we need to implement for ourselves:   Instead of aiming for a single outcome, we should open ourselves to a range of acceptable possibilities related to our vision.    For those with idealistic tendencies who see the world in black and white, this is the hardest paradigm shift we will ever make, but it is the most worthwhile.      As a former idealist, I once believed that shifting towards accepting a range of possibilities was a form of settling. When I recognized possibilities that ended up better than I imagined, I embraced crafting a range of outcomes going forward.    This shift in my approach toward achieving my visions led to another realization:     While an ideal outcome may serve as a great starting point, in most situations, achieving results that are close to that vision is all that’s necessary to make progress.     For example: A sales team aims to close a lucrative business account worth $250,000 for the deal.  However, what is the context and meaning of that $250,000 achievement? Is it possible that closing it for $215,000 will be well within the range of considerable possibilities, especially if it means there’s a higher probability of securing recurring, long-term business?    Professional negotiators know that both parties will reach their extremes initially to ensure room for navigation toward their required goals.  Therefore, if a sales team attempts to close an account for at least $200,000, they will start the conversation at a higher number (such as $250,000) to ensure they can maneuver and land the minimum target.     This game of tactics and psychology projects the appearance of making concessions and settling.  While the sales team may act as if they are disappointed in not achieving their desired number during the conversation, they will be elated and celebrate with each other in private once the contracts are signed at the minimum viable number.     Auditioning in the arts is another example of aiming for various outcomes.  Actors, musicians, and other performing artists may aim high for those lucrative lead roles in every audition, but may end up landing supporting roles.  While their results are not ideal, it is better than a full-on rejection. As a result, they have opportunities to perform and increase their viability for future auditions.    Other situations include offering an ideal home, landing the best trajectory for business growth, responding to a hostage situation to ensure the best outcome, and much more. Unfortunately, we live in a world of incomplete information and will never truly know the best possible outcome. Thus, maintaining flexibility to adapt to reality helps us become happier and achieve more in the end than if we only act to secure perfection.    Adjusting Our Dreams For Reality    Let’s start with a bold premise that needs to be explicit:    Adapting to reality is not the same as settling for reality.      When we settle, we give up and allow reality and others to steamroll us in their ways. Settling is the same as tattooing “my influence means nothing” on our backs, as we allow ourselves to be swayed by external whims.    However, when we adjust our dreams for reality, we become negotiators at the table of reality through our actions and luck.  Being negotiators allows us to converge with reality and slowly shape it into a range of acceptable possibilities related to our desired vision.    Here are a few things to consider doing to maintain resilience in our continuous negotiations with reality:    Have A Written Plan   Maintaining a concrete vision in writing is an insurance policy to ensure our vision is viable as the world changes. When life gets chaotic and busy, our vision blurs as we lose sight of our North Star.  Having our plans in writing increases our resilience severalfold in the face of turbulent scenes.    The written plan doesn’t need to be elaborate; it can be as simple as a catalytic paragraph that inspires and reminds us of what we want and why. Some people are good at keeping their visions down to a single word, whereas others need to describe them vividly.     Regardless of our camp, having our visions in writing is an easy first step to ensuring that we stay on track.  However, some of us might struggle with writing it down because we don’t know what to say.  Here’s a technique I’ve used to get the ball rolling rapidly:    Use your device’s speech-to-text feature on your preferred notetaking app. Open a blank page; from there, hit your speech-to-text button and talk it out.  Aim for volume, and DO NOT EDIT, even if the documented words don’t initially match what you said.  Let the words pour out, no matter how incoherent you believe it will sound.    Read it over and save that note.  Shortly after, open another blank page and do it again.  Repeat the cycle until you say it the way you envision it.  You’ll notice that with practice, you will be very precise in what you say, and it will become more tangible.  Once you’re a few rounds in, if you need to do some final edits to dial it in, go ahead by all means.    Now you have a starting point.  Keep it handy for what comes next.    Reread The Plan More Frequently In The Beginning    It feels incredible when we finally have our visions documented. However, many people make goals (think New Year’s resolutions) and then soon forget them. As a result, these visions become documented and are buried under new notes and dreams instead of being manifested.    Therefore, it’s important to keep our plan in an accessible spot where we can reread it to reinvigorate us as we adapt to each passing day.  Whenever we document a note, we must ensure we can quickly reach it.  Using reminders and features in the software to keep it pinned and having accountability is crucial to ensuring this step is achieved.    As we reread it, one of two things will happen: (i) we will embrace our vision and steer more of our daily activities toward its achievement, or (ii) we will rewrite our vision to become clearer and more aligned with what we truly desire.    Even as our documented vision takes shape and influences our actions, we must revisit it at a frequency that works for us.  Once our vision becomes burned in our memory, our actions will become second nature and in alignment with it, no matter how turbulent the journey becomes.    Document The Range of Possibilities   This crucial step is the catalyst for our desired paradigm shift.  As progress unfolds, new circumstances and information will reveal themselves, engaging us to make new decisions on handling them in our next steps.      Now, we need to figure out what’s likely to change due to our new discoveries.  If we stick to the course towards achieving our ideal vision despite new challenges, we risk incurring irreversible costs that will defeat the purpose of our quest.  We must acknowledge — but not necessarily accept — the new circumstances in play.    Here are some questions to consider that will widen the scope of our possibilities:    At a minimum, what needs to be achieved to be happy with the outcome?  Is the vision I’m trying to achieve truly mine or a pipe dream that someone else projected onto me?  Are there variables that appear influential on the surface but do not influence the final results?  Am I majoring in the minors to stay busy or maintain focus on what counts?  Did I miss the puzzle's initial pieces essential to achieving my vision?    While these questions are great starting points, we should modify their verbiage and use them to fit the context of our situations to mold the range of possibilities that would bring a sense of accomplishment.    As we answer these questions, explicitly documenting their answers with the underlying context is paramount to maintaining personal resilience when life throws curveballs at us.    Revise The Plan Again & Again   Even if we somehow got the details of our vision right from the get-go, our visions should be kept as fresh as possible. Similar to how new seasonings can rejuvenate food we’ve grown complacent about, rewriting the vision with clearer, vivid language provides the spices to revitalize our efforts toward its achievement.    In bringing our vision to life, the why should remain consistent, but the how is subject to becoming radically different from our initial plans. New disruptors—such as advances in AI—can accelerate our execution in bringing our visions to reality, but we need to embrace and understand how to adapt to them.    Read The Stories of Others   The stories of others inspire us to know that we’re not struggling alone. Each story starts by elaborating on a situation, the causes of tension and resistance they faced, and ultimately, how they overcame their struggles to achieve their desired vision. This is one of the few principles of human life that is bound to stay as our species continues shaping the world around us.    The key premise is to read their stories as both believers and doubters. We should believe that they brought their vision to life because that’s something we’re looking to do for ourselves as well. However, we must maintain a healthy skepticism concerning the story's details since people tend to spice up their stories to increase engagement.      It is statistically impossible for someone to know all the details of the story they are telling today before they experienced it in the past.  Thus, understanding that not everything may have happened is crucial to knowing that your reality will not unfold with fireworks.  However, the fact that they overcame struggles of some kind to achieve their vision is noteworthy.    Determine The Marginal Returns Gained From Exceeding The Minimum    As our situations enter a range of possibilities we deem acceptable, our hope and confidence tend to elevate that we can achieve our ideal vision.  The temptations will kick in to inch us closer and closer to clinching the victory we seek.  As a result, we will push the envelope further to see if it’s truly possible.    We might know of some classic stories of people who were a few steps away from the dream and either pursued it in full or decided it wasn’t for them.  The former decision is more romantic and catchier to those setting out to achieve big goals, while the latter might result in a poor review of a plot line on Rotten Tomatoes.      When the latter decision is made, it’s easy to assume they quit out of fear of success or simply chickening out. However, as long as we view the story from a third-person perspective, we will never know all of the first-person details that justify ending it then and there.    The decision to call it a day boils down to the marginal returns from proceeding further. Whether we continue or quit, we must determine whether the perceived marginal returns justify the additional expenses incurred. If the answer is yes, then it’s natural to continue; otherwise, we throw in the towel and accept our result.    Never Settle, But Remain Flexible    Remember that expanding the range of possibilities in our visions doesn’t mean settling for second place.  It’s our job to acknowledge that reality exists and adapt to unforeseen circumstances.  Additionally, what one person perceives as the holy grail of their vision might be perceived as a trash yard for another.    There are painful instances where we can only arrive close enough.  Sometimes, an alternate version of our vision is better in the end.  In rare instances, we can achieve our vision exactly as we first saw it.      Above all, we must prevent ourselves from remaining stagnant until the perfect time arrives.  Reality is subject to change without notice, and this type of situation is never guaranteed.  Our visions of achievement today are bound to be obsolete a decade from today.    It’s time for us to think about an outcome we desire and expand our range of possibilities for obtaining it at long last.  What first considerations should we incorporate into expanding the possibilities of our vision?  Start there, branch out, and watch the magic unfold.

We all want to know – how did they do it? Are they naturally gifted, or is there something else that pushes them to excel in the classroom?   We hear of students who achieve great feats and assume they are naturally gifted.  It’s as if they won the intellectual lottery to understand anything and don’t need to put in the work.   And that’s hogwash.   Possessing some baseline level of intelligence indeed accelerates the understanding of complex concepts. However, many factors influence students who make the Ken Jennings of academia with their ability to achieve whatever they set their minds to.   However, if brains were the only component that determined student success, then a single result from an IQ test would determine everybody’s destiny.  But we know that's not how reality works.   There must be something else that separates high and low performers.   The Ingredient of Separation   There is a fundamental ingredient in education that separates students in their achievements that, when mastered, unlocks doors for them that nobody can see. It’s as if this ingredient gives a passport to grasp whatever comes their way.   And that secret ingredient is curiosity.   From my experience, the students who perform the best and/or improve the fastest are the ones who become the most curious. This could be because they find some relevance to their lives or because mastering the material makes them powerful.   When I work with students individually, I always try to uncover what brings them to life instead of asking them what they want to do for a living.  Students rarely want to discuss what they want to be when they grow up, but they will always lead conversations about their interests and passions.   From there, it's all about relating the subject material to their interests and watching them run with it. I admit I have that luxury because I work with individuals or small groups.   Unfortunately, when students enter a classroom, they often feel they’re being talked at.  As a result, they have an " us vs. them " mentality that makes the material the obstacle instead of the way. As a result, they put up barriers and look only to do the minimum work required to be successful in the class.   Once they experience a memory dump on an exam, they ensure that the material never enters their minds again.  Because it doesn’t get integrated into their intellectual banks, they must put in extra work to refresh their minds.   On the other hand, curious students always look to build relationships between current material and past experiences. They don't always look for grandiose relationships but focus on subtle aspects to build relationships with the material and their everyday lives. These small investments make the material stick with them naturally.   From Algebra I to Precalculus in ONE YEAR   One summer, a parent contacted me to work with a student who wanted to test into Honors Algebra II at their school. The student got an 'A' in regular Algebra I and was taking Geometry over the summer.   Our goal was simple: ensure that he scores high enough for admittance into the program.   As I worked with this student over the summer, I noticed he grasped the material faster than anticipated. He put in additional work between sessions to amend any deficiencies I detected.   What was more interesting was his curiosity about how these concepts were built into future classes.   Before he could take the test, I asked him if he thought he would be challenged enough in Honors Algebra II. He wasn’t sure, but he said he was unsure if he could jump into the following class.   I told him to take the test, and we would discuss whether, based on his result, we should skip Algebra II and jump into Precalculus.   He aced the entrance exam into Honors Algebra II.   Despite my confidence, the student, his mother, and I discussed the risks of jumping straight into Precalculus. The student expressed his sincerest desire to take the risk head-on.   The family appreciated my approach to teaching, and they stated they were going to ask me to work with him in Honors Algebra II. I assured them I would work closely with the student to fill the gaps as he jumps into Precalculus.   His school held extreme reservations about his enrollment in Precalculus. However, the student and his mother assured the school he was ready, citing his past track record, entrance exam, and secret weapon to master it… me. He had to sign a waiver from the school to accept all responsibility for the outcome of his decisions.   It was risky, and learning new definitions right out of the gate caused some turbulence. However, the student's curiosity and resilience showed through every challenge, and he persevered.   Exam time came, and he scored in the lower 90s on his first test. This reinforced my confidence that we were right on track and needed to dig in a little bit harder.  Naturally, the student was up for the challenge.   After the second test, he scored in the high 90s, and his teacher pulled him aside to personally congratulate him, stating that everybody was skeptical about his decision to take Precalculus.   We continued working throughout the year, cementing all deficiencies while building bridges into the real world.   This student earned a solid 'A' in the class in both semesters.   I want to think that I was the reason for it, but his curiosity was the deciding factor in his performing at such a high standard. All I had to do was correct them along the way.   Per the waiver, he had to accept the outcome of getting an 'A' in Precalculus.  Not too shabby, right?   The following year, he aced Calculus and got a 5 on his AP exam. I wasn’t surprised in the least. Increasing Natural Curiosity  Naturally, the student in the story above was curious before his parents called me.   I must admit—this is a rare case. Not many students have an innate curiosity about school material, but curiosity can decide whether students accelerate their progress or proceed at a normal speed.   He wasn't a bookworm, either. He was also active in soccer, participated in his church, played the piano, and had a tight group of friends. In fact, working with him opened doors to working with his friends, too.   Other mothers from his friend's group contacted me to work my magic with their students.  Unlike the first students, the new students hadn't figured out what they were naturally curious about in their studies.  I knew it was my job to help them figure it out.   Once we uncovered what made these students tick, their performance naturally ramped up, and they went from their baseline score to achieving in the 90s.    Here are some methods that I used to increase the performance of students to either keep them as high performers or ramp them up into that league:   Pick A Starting Point   Most students have no idea where to start. Subjects often offer an endless number of topics to examine. Despite the choices, the worst thing to do is wait, and wait, and wait… until it’s too late.   We don’t need to wait until the teacher covers some subjects.  Resources such as textbooks, YouTube videos, and other support materials allow students to explore topics that interest them.   I know some students in AP World History who choose to study the 1900s independently. The class may have covered only the 1200s, but now they have two different eras to compare. This provides a framework to bridge the gaps between those 700 years, giving students opportunities to connect the dots.   The goal is to start somewhere, whether it’s a theme, a word, a picture, or a mathematical formula.  From that starting point, make connections.   Tie The Subject To Personal Experiences   There is ample opportunity to tie a subject to our own experiences. A basketball player may be interested in the physics and mathematics governing a crucial three-point shot. An art student may draw inspiration from Paintings from a history class as inspiration for their work.   While not everything learned in the classroom will apply to our lives, we can find more relationships between class material and our realities than may first appear. It comes down to our preferences, experience making connections, and even our friends that determine whether these connections are easy or challenging.   The goal is to personalize the material being learned to take greater ownership. When we do, we will have more mental references to remember the material than somebody who goes for straight rote memorization.   Have ChatGPT Water It Down   AI has emerged recently as a heavy hitter with its capabilities. While far from the perfect tool, ChatGPT can help us understand concepts that appear complex at first glance.   When engaging with ChatGPT or other large-language models (LLMs), it's important to craft your prompts carefully to achieve the desired results.   For example, let's say you're struggling with understanding the properties of logarithms.  You may wish to start the conversation as follows:   I am struggling to understand what a logarithm is and why it's useful in math.  Can you start explaining what a logarithm is?   Wait for it to respond.  From there, you can treat it conversationally in many different directions.  Examples of follow-up questions include:   Why do we use logarithms in math? What practical applications are there to logarithms? When are logarithms used in history/sports/[subject of interest]?   You don't need to limit it to these options either, or only go to one.  The more questions you ask and engage with the responses, the more your curiosity will flow.   Engage In Conversation To Grasp The Subject   Everything in life has a connection.  When we learn subjects, we often want to lean on documented sources such as books, the web, and videos that we can use at our leisure and discretion.  These sources are valuable but are not fully responsive to our curiosity.   However, there is another source of wisdom: people.   People are living, breathing fountains of wisdom and knowledge.  If there's a common language between senders and receivers, we can fully grasp the messages we send to one another. Even those who may not have full command of the language understand the intricacies of vocal inflection and body language.   You don't need a subject-matter expert to make this happen, either.  It's often advised against purely hiring a tutor unless the tutor is excellent at having such off-the-wall conversations, or you desire to pursue a field long-term.   Having another person involved can make a dramatic difference in whether a subject is interesting. We all know teachers who make subjects super approachable. We can also find this in our peers, who may share these curiosities.   Practice Curiosity Regularly   Curiosity is a cognitive muscle that must be exercised regularly.  We are all born curious about the world around us.  As we begin grasping our native languages, we tend to ask questions… lots of questions.   When we were younger, our curiosity muscles were strong. Unfortunately, negative feedback mechanisms and systems of compliance slowly atrophy these muscles. As we become more conditioned, we are taught to do the bare minimum and nothing more.   It is not our fault that this happened to us, but our responsibility is to fight against it and become curious again.   Through the methods above, we can practice curiosity, which leads to different ideas and allows us to connect the dots. The best way to become more curious is to get started now instead of waiting for something to light us up.   Only then will we create our own path toward satisfying our curious expeditions.   Explore Your Own Interests   Becoming more curious about the world around us is just the beginning. By exploring new paths to learning, we embark on going where no one else may have gone yet. This is a good sign because it allows us to become more engaged in the world.   Subjects in school have the same demeanor when it comes to curiosity.  All we need to do is devote time to exploring our interests so we can find relationships with the subjects we study.  This increases the ownership of material, and a student's academic performance will increase as a byproduct of this approach.   What subjects are you curious to explore?  I think I'll dive into quantum mechanics again, but let me know your interests in the comments below!

The HP Prime is a powerful mathematical modeler that fits in your pocket. It's thinner than an iPhone or about the same thickness as a Samsung S22 Ultra.   Of course, it begs the question – why get a calculator if your phone can do what it does, too?   It's true that we have access to great apps such as Wolfram, ChatGPT, Desmos, and other mathematical software. However, outside of being a student, a high-powered calculator doesn't seem to be much use.   But there's a commodity at a premium these days, which makes the investment worth it for our numberphilic community.   Focus.   That's right. When you pick up this calculator, you don't have incoming calls, texts, Slack messages, and other distracting notifications running in the background.  All you have is a high-powered calculator to explore your mathematical inquiries.   An undistracted expedition with numbers can begin with that commodity now within reach.   Key Features   There is so much competition in the calculator space. Texas Instruments (TI), Casio, Numworks, and many others produce great calculators.   So what about the HP Prime that has me addicted to it as a full-time freelance math instructor?  Let's explore.   Intuitive Input   The HP Prime has an intuitive input interface that focuses on ergonomics. The display uses a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) interface, so there is no question whether you typed your mathematical expressions correctly.   A common mistake I see with students is incorrectly entering numbers in the denominator. In scientific calculators, this is fixed by using a set of parentheses before inputting the denominator, but most students forget to do that on tests and when they study alone.   The HP Prime makes it easy to know whether everything was input correctly. The calculator formats the operations on the left and produces the answer on the right, whether it's a number, algebraic expression, or variable values that make an equation true.   Computer Algebra System   The Computer Algebra System (CAS) is a program that handles algebraic expressions.  With built-in CAS, solving most algebraic expressions becomes child's play.    Most major competitors have a CAS-based calculator, including the TI-Nspire CX CAS and Casio FX-CG-500. However, I've used them both and feel they lack features that the HP Prime houses.   The HP Prime's sheer number of options and lightning-fast speed make it different. The menus are stacked with functions across all disciplines of math. If the user is unsure how to use a function, they can hit the help button to get a full demo of its uses.   The CAS features are great for students in upper-level mathematics, including precalculus, calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, engineering mathematics, and more.    Touchscreen   We're all used to touchscreen devices. Our phones, tablets, and specialized electronics, such as the HP Prime, are now modernized with touchscreen interfaces.   Navigating a calculator with only the buttons and enter key has been a consistent challenge for students as they hunt for the right combinations on the calculator.  The HP Prime adds a new functionality layer that decreases the required time to get results.   Where the touchscreen shines is with graphs.  Most students are used to manually reframing their graphs through a window module on other calculators.  With the HP Prime, you move around the graph with one finger and pinch in and out for zooming.   Did I mention the graphs are produced lightning-fast as well? It's true –– whether the graphs are 2D or 3D. The CAS produces them quickly, while the touchscreen will make exploring fun and engaging.   Dark Mode   Dear developers –– dark mode is a necessity in 2024!   We all know that. However, some companies have become complacent about developing their technologies because they don't believe they need to innovate. I won't call out any companies here, but if you know, you know.   Hewlett-Packard understands my frustration entirely.  This calculator was built for engineers and students who work long hours on problems and projects.   With dark mode, it's easy for students to use their calculators late at night without the unnecessary brightness produced by other backlit calculators.  All the colors adapt to dark mode to make them easy to look at and understand.   Built-In Apps   The HP Prime comes with over a dozen built-in apps, ranging from graphing simple functions to analyzing large datasets. The icons are also color-coded by type, making finding the app you're looking for easy.   While the apps that are built in will solve most problems, more can be downloaded from its website: https://www.hpcalc.org/prime/apps/   The Only Drawback   While the HP Prime has much to rave about, a drawback must be highlighted, particularly for students.   In short, the HP Prime is too powerful for some classes.    Particularly, any Algebra II or the first half of Integrated Math II and below will not permit a calculator with a built-in CAS.  Some college instructors do not permit it, either.  The SAT/ACT and other standardized tests have also banned the HP Prime.   In these scenarios, other CAS calculators won't be permitted, either.  There is a way to disable the CAS System, but most proctors are not familiar enough with the HP Prime to allow it.   Therefore, it's best to have a cheap backup calculator to graph and run scientific functions when encountering these situations.   As always, check with your teachers and instructors to make sure you can use the HP Prime.  Most engineering classes permit it, but there will always be one or two who don't allow anything above a scientific calculator.   Excellent For School AND Industry   The HP Prime is a great calculator that will serve students well beyond their years. A well-equipped CAS calculator can make a major difference in class performance. When doing homework, having the ability to check calculations and solutions is a great advantage to ensure we're deploying mathematical concepts correctly.   Understandably, not every student will pursue a math-related career.  Like other calculators, it holds its value rather well, so they can resell and recoup most of their costs.   For the rest of us, it's a great tool to keep handy in the industry.  After all, learning math is not just reserved for the classroom.    It's a lifelong expedition that is similar to learning a language.  The more we use it, the more comfortable we become with it.  Learn the basics first, then connect the dots to more advanced concepts.   In fact, I'm still exploring different features of it after several years.   I've used it with clients to sketch mathematical models of their situations in industry.  People are always asking questions about its capabilities.   The zen-like nature of a distraction-free numerical workstation is great for starting projects before they need to be transferred to a more powerful workstation for some deep analysis.   When it comes down to value, the HP Prime is certainly the best investment. The company builds computers, so this calculator runs more like a pocket computer than a regular calculator.    No matter what your decision is for your professional path, you can say you had a pretty powerful calculator in your mathematical journey with HP Prime.

I was in my first year of graduate school, transitioning from my undergraduate studies in environmental science to chemical engineering. While there were knowledge gaps to fill, I overcame every academic challenge and brought a new perspective from environmental science to solve problems in chemical engineering.    I worked a rewarding assistantship my first year as the lead teaching assistant for a basic class in Numerical Methods for Scientists & Engineers . My responsibility was to oversee the labs and teach undergraduate students how to use MATLAB and VBA Macros in Excel to solve problems rapidly.    It was a joy to work with these students and hold extra sessions on the weekends. The extra sessions went above and beyond for many students, turning the tide for their academic performance and creating a new space to explore ideas beyond what the class required.    My academic performance was rock solid, and my reviews as a TA were superior.  Certainly, I would be up for an easy renewal, right? Rockstar Performance Meant Nothing For Renewal    Around the spring semester finals, my graduate advisor pulled me into her office. She said, despite my achievements as a TA and academic performance in transitioning from environmental science to chemical engineering, the department could not fund me for the following academic year.    I. Was. Absolutely. Shocked.      My plans to successfully transition into an engineering career dissolved right before my eyes.  As I left her office, my anger overtook me, knowing that my achievements meant nothing to the department.    Thoughts raced through my mind: Was my nonlinear career trajectory working against me? Will I fight an uphill battle forever?  I knew one thing was certain — I wouldn’t give up without a fight.    I Remember Responding To One Particular Email...    As I quietly stormed out of the engineering building and mentally planned an uprising with the department chair, I subtly remembered applying for an assistantship to become a STEM teacher in the inner-city schools of Syracuse.  Desperate and knowing that I had not received a rejection letter yet, I decided to redirect my energy towards that building.    I vaguely remember during my five-minute march of madness having to brush off a couple of people who asked me if I was OK. I let them know that I had business to take care of and that I must do whatever it took to get it done today. Determination overcame me as my eyes carved a path towards my target.      I locked my sights on the office where I applied for that assistantship several weeks ago. Although I was fuming inside, I calmed myself down before entering the building, knowing that making a scene would torpedo my final opportunity for good.    Even though I was calmer than when I exited the engineering building, I inadvertently opened the door dramatically by kicking the latch bar.  Luckily, nobody saw it.  I scoped the office and approached the front desk. No one was there, so I sat down to wait. A few minutes later, the receptionist came in and asked how she could help me. I asked to speak with the person in charge of hiring for that assistantship.    The front desk informed me that they had somebody lined up to interview at that time, and I would need to schedule a time to return.  I felt that it was my final chance, and I asked frantically if the person interviewing was here at this minute.   Almost on cue, the director came out with a big smile and said that the person they had intended to interview decided not to show up, so he wanted to interview me instead.  It took a second, but we recognized each other from my undergraduate days when he invited me into his office.    After roughly an hour and 15 minutes of catching up and discussing the opportunity, he asked me, “We have 25 positions available, so how would you like to be number 25“?    “I would be honored,” I replied to his request.  Suddenly, the crushing blow I had been dealt in the engineering department had been countered in full.    I asked him if I had not come into the office, when I would have been interviewed.  He said that I applied much later than everyone else, so he was planning to interview me in two weeks if they had any positions available.    Thank goodness I kicked the door down. I could not have secured that assistantship if I had simply waited my turn.    Relieved and invigorated with a second wind, I returned to the engineering department in a more zen-like state.  I reported to my graduate advisor that the inner-city educational program offered me a position, and she was extremely relieved.    I also met up with the friends I brushed off inadvertently and let them know the good news. We all celebrated!    What I Would Have Done Differently    This was probably one of the toughest lessons I’ve ever learned. It taught me that even though I was in a prestigious field, I could not take anything for granted.     Skills and abilities don’t mean a thing if an opportunity isn’t available. Instead of assuming that things would play out in the end, I should’ve done my due diligence to ensure that my original assistantship would be renewed or seek out other options in advance.    If I were in that same position from my graduate school days again, here are some of the overarching pieces of advice I would give to myself:    Never, NEVER Assume    Just because I was awarded an assistantship in my first year doesn’t guarantee its continuity.  I fell for the mindset of believing that if I did ABC, then I would be guaranteed XYZ.    Life doesn’t work like that, even in school.   In hindsight, I should have communicated with my advisor to gauge the department's financial state realistically and plan accordingly. There were other opportunities out there, but the longer I waited, the less chance I had of securing them.    Broaden My Options    While I was lucky that I applied for that assistantship to teach in the inner city, I should have broadened my applications for graduate assistantships to reach internal and external sources.    In truth, there were at least two dozen different assistantships I could have applied for. I may not have been awarded all of them since there were some stringent requirements for their award.    However, just like anything else, it is a numbers game. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and I missed all those I didn’t even try for.    Develop A System   Although I was an engineering student, I strung my career at the edge of my seat as I adapted to my new career aspirations.  Shameful, I know.    However, I knew I was following an unconventional career path from environmental science to chemical engineering. Therefore, I should have built an unconventional system to assist in my transition.    It doesn’t have to be a robust system. Thanks to my assistantship, I was versatile in Microsoft Excel, so I could have put the major items on a spreadsheet and saved backups. This way, I would know exactly where I stood in my academic journey.    Nowadays, I have a robust system called The ForrestXYZ that oversees the major aspects of my life. Since there were no solutions to manage my lifestyle, I decided to be proactive and create one.    I Applied The Lesson The Following Year — Thank Goodness!    I wish I could say I experienced a happily ever after for the rest of my career, but reality has its way of playing out.    During my time teaching in inner-city schools, I had a feeling that this opportunity wouldn’t last forever.  There was an extreme mismatch between the role advertised vs. what we were doing, causing major tensions between the school district and the college.    From my previous experiences, I knew I needed to broaden my options. Thank goodness I did. During my second year, I built a great relationship with the head of the chemical engineering department.    I’m so glad I didn’t storm into his office when I got rejected for my assistantship the year before.    My application for an assistantship with his engineering management team included a proposal for a personal development center for scientists and engineers. This project proposal went above and beyond the application requirements to completely differentiate myself from other applicants as an asset.  The proposal worked.    Talk about timing—the same week I was awarded that assistantship, the educational program director announced that the assistantship would end for everyone, effective at the end of the school year. Although the previous lesson paid off handsomely for me, many of my colleagues and their advisors were blindsided.    Suddenly, everybody else was scrambling to secure assistantships for the next year, and not everybody was successful.  Some took out graduate student loans to continue their education, whereas others dropped out due to a lack of funding.      While it was sad to see not everyone return for my final year, I’m glad I chose to apply the main lesson from my first-year experiences. My final year was the most fruitful, with the personal development center for scientists and engineers taking off and going on for years beyond my departure.    In short, never believe that everything will work out in the end.  Do your due diligence in every aspect of life, whether in school, business, or something personal.  Hopefully, my story and these lessons will help you avoid the same pitfalls and become more proactive in increasing your opportunities so that when the time comes to decide, the only real problem will be that you have options!

For centuries, the argument of improving skills or equipment has been ongoing with no end in sight.  The classical schools of thought dictate that skills are far more important than equipment.  In that era, the difference between raw effort and leverage was minuscule compared to their modern counterparts.    However, technological innovations that have exponentially widened the gap may start turning the argument on its head. Is it possible that acquiring better equipment is overtaking leveling up our skills, or does skill have some merit in the debate?    The Race    Imagine that you’re racing your friend across the country and have invested in the best racehorse on the planet.  You know it’s a young, sturdy horse, and you have a path of stables along the way during the summer, which should ensure that you and your horse will make it across the country without worrying about food and shelter.    Your friend chooses an economy-class vehicle to race you across the interstate from coast to coast. There’s nothing fantastic about their vehicle, but it’s reliable, and there are plenty of gas stations across the path to ensure it never runs out of fuel.    Which method is bound to win?  The vehicle, of course.     While you may have the best horse in the world, it cannot achieve the speed of a motor vehicle due to its physical capabilities and limitations.  Additionally, horses may experience unforeseen issues such as behavior, health, and more, even in the sturdiest breeds.    Cars can break down and experience issues themselves, but most issues with cars could be fixed within a few hours with a dedicated mechanic, whereas horses may require days, if not weeks, to recover.  The time it takes for a vehicle to overtake the horse when it hits the road again would be small compared to the entire race.    My Decision    Now, imagine choosing between skills and equipment on a skill set of your choice.  The ability to learn skills is plentiful in the 21st century, with an ever-growing library of YouTube Videos, books, and instructors available to show the way and fill in the gaps.    On the other hand, equipment faces a finite supply, with premium equipment being produced less than economy-style equipment. Premium equipment can be anywhere from 2 to 10 times as expensive as its economy counterparts. The barrier ensures less demand for premium equipment, creating less competition in the upper tiers.    When learning a new long-term skillset, if I had to choose between working on my skills or acquiring premium equipment:     I would select equipment first and seek to train on that.      While this decision seems counterintuitive, I can resell it for nearly its original price if I discover it’s not for me. I can then hit a ceiling with lower-level equipment and trade it in for pennies on a dollar, only to acquire better equipment anyway. The only exception I’ve found is software, which is generally nonrefundable since most equipment uses a subscription model.    Outside of that, here are my reasons for focusing on equipment acquisition first:     I’d Rather Know My Skills Are The Reason I Suck   Nothing is worse than training on something set up to fail.  When I was a teen, I bought and played a cheap acoustic guitar that I didn’t realize was warped, had high action, and required the finger strength of The Hulk  to put the strings down.  I thought I was weak, and the guitar was too complicated, so I lost interest.    Ten years later, I invested in a guitar set up correctly, and the chords sang beautifully.  I no longer needed to hammer the fingers of my left hand to get the guitar to speak.  My hands used minimal tension, and I could focus on training with new chord patterns, palm muting, and rhythms.    My returns on practicing were much, much higher.  Recently, I bought a professional-level bass guitar.  The action and craftsmanship made it far easier to glide across the fretboard.  Finally, in my 30s, I learned to slap because I bought a bass that was built well, and I know that the problem was in my right-hand technique.    The same applies to camera equipment, music production, bicycle riding, and more. Sure, I could have continued training on equipment, but my sessions would have been far less efficient than with superior equipment.     Still, it was impossible to determine what to work on without experiencing the benefits of using better equipment.    Unlearning Is A Very Intense Process    Unfortunately, being young and naive came with a nasty price tag regarding my skillsets.  While I progressed in my primary skillsets, making significant progress in others was impossible.  As my skills hit a ceiling due to equipment, I became uninterested in continuing the journey due to the marginal gains.    A life-changing technique I mastered in my 20s and 30s was learning to do things with the least tension possible. Because it was ingrained in me to put in more effort to create a desired result, breaking bad habits and making a paradigm shift towards leveraging techniques with a much higher payoff was complicated.   With a better guitar, I could maneuver around the fretboard more effortlessly than on the guitar with setup issues.  I hit higher notes with less stamina with a better trumpet and mouthpiece.  With better camera equipment, the post-production process was far easier to correct lighting, color, and detail.   One thing to note is that if you can’t pay top dollar for premium equipment, you can still start somewhere in the middle.  If you do, have a professional inspect the equipment, give you a demo, and provide their opinion on the strengths and challenges.  From there, it’s up to you to train and build your skills to the levels required to use the equipment properly and have more fun along the way.    It’s Easier To Mimic Results When Equipment Is Similar    Finally, skills training in any area is more effortless when we can apply it to the same equipment that professionals use.  While equipment doesn’t need to be exact, it helps when we learn from professionals who invest in their equipment to see how we can replicate the results they create.  This way, we know how they think and feel when using the same thing we acquired , and that whatever struggles we face are normal.    However, you will want your software to be the same and updated. Learning Microsoft Excel on a Google Sheets tutorial will be ineffective due to differences in menus, functions, and other vital aspects that will create frustration in training.  The same argument can be made for other types of software, such as Ableton Live and Logic Pro, Adobe Photoshop and Pixlr, Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides, Microsoft Studio Code vs. XCode, and many more.    By eliminating software and equipment barriers, we can eliminate the excuses that come along the way and focus on what counts more – the results.  Professionals use the best equipment that they can for a reason… why shouldn’t we?    What’s Your Choice?    To recap, I’ve had extensive training in several dozen skillsets in my work and hobbies to improve outcomes and find more joy in creation. Because I know the process of building skills thoroughly, the bottleneck for me has been acquiring high-level equipment and software rather than the skills themselves.    However, you may face different challenges due to your personality, learning appetite, budget constraints, free time to train, etc.  There’s no universal answer to the debate, so finding what works for each of us is vital.    What do you think works best for you? Comment below with your reasons.

Fireworks. Multicolored lights. Human voices engaging in complex harmonization.  All of these experiences feel magical as we immerse ourselves in the immediate.  The combination of dozens of ordinary things creates an extraordinary experience.    However, their assembly is no mere accident.  The architect of the masterpiece must carefully piece together the puzzle that reveals the overall picture to the audience.  Sequencing the pieces is a matter of taste and preference to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience.    Creativity is the magic that keeps us mentally young and in wonder.  Even the most hardened people open up to the whims of creativity.  Whether younger or older, male or female, left-brained or right-brained, creativity keeps us on our toes in anticipation of new experiences never imagined.    Our imagination expands through each application and experience of creativity.  Here are some exam ples:    A vibrant, textured wall full of color communicates excitement and makes us more alert.    A symphony with 100 musicians under a single baton paints an emotional audio message, harnessing every note played.    A stage full of choreographed dancers builds suspense through the increasing intensity of coordinated individual effort.    In each situation, individual contributions that otherwise appear random unite harmoniously to captivate the audience. Due to the beauty and elegance of a high level of orchestration, our senses kick into overdrive while we take everything in. The improbable outcome appears too good to be true, but we love it anyway.    However, creativity is not reserved solely for those with guitars, cameras, and paintbrushes. Everything around us, from the roads we drive on to the buildings we occupy, is the result of creativity to some degree.    Creativity Is Everywhere    Until recently, most people believed that creativity was reserved for the privileged few who were blessed with immeasurable gifts and talents. These days, thanks to the abundance of information and training available to everyone, these myths have been dissolving, allowing more people into these creative realms. However, despite the resources that showcase countless facets of creativity, many old-school views hold strong and fail to acknowledge the beauty of creativity beyond the arts.    While art is an abstract application of creativity that tugs on our hearts, invention is a more practical counterpart.  Applying scientific principles to engineer new products requires creative and critical thinking, whether creating a new product or improving upon an existing iteration.  Nowadays, everyone with a laptop can create their own software thanks to the plethora of resources that teach aspiring developers to code.    In social encounters, creativity is the cornerstone ingredient that keeps relationships fresh.  Couples who go on adventures use creativity to plan a day out or be spontaneous with each other.  Friends use creativity to crack jokes at each other to see who can get the upper hand — all in the name of fun and laughter.    Sports is another application of practical creativity.  Athletes use creative tactics to adapt to rapidly changing situations.  Coaches communicate creative messages to fire up the players and develop new plays to catch the opposing team by surprise.  Fans muster new chants to spice up the games they watch.    Businesses are not exempt from creativity, no matter their industry. Each must deliver market-ready products and services that require developing a competitive advantage. They often draw their ideas from their competition, customers, and in-house teams that bring internal and external experience. Without creativity, most businesses would become forgotten relics, and customers and competitors would carry on without them.    Without a doubt, creativity is in everything listed above and beyond.  However, creativity isn’t just a spontaneous occurrence.  Much like our own muscles, creativity is a mental muscle that can be built, trained, and harnessed.  The more we use it, the better.  If we forget it, we lose it.    Clever Borrowing & Combinations    When we think of creativity, it’s easy to fall for the misconception that only masters of their craft can use it, but this is far from the truth. There is a correlation between mastery and creativity, but we do not need to wait until we are complete masters to become creative.    What is the best way to become creative? Get started .  At first, we will have limited options, but being comfortable and well-versed with a few options is the key to becoming more confident in using our creativity.  As we master our craft to expand our capacities, it becomes natural to implement more relevant creative solutions to our problems.    Before we can discuss creativity more, we need to dispel a myth that has plagued societal perception for centuries and correct it:      Creativity is seldom abstract and pure.       We’ve all envisioned a creative who generates a grand idea from sitting in a room and staring at the wall.  Whether it happens in minutes or days, they seem to have an aha!  moment that changes the game as if they uncovered a missing puzzle piece.  However, creativity does not exist in a vacuum.    Instead, most creativity comes from connecting the dots differently by trying new combinations of existing things.  That’s mostly what it comes down to — combinations.  At first, it may sound depressing to view creativity this way, but it opens doors for more of us to become regular creatives.    In his breakthrough book Steal Like An Artist , Austin Kleon provides an engaging guide for creating our own work through the inspiration of others. In no uncertain terms, his recipe for becoming more creative is not to plagiarize other artists’ works but to take inspiration from them as we create our own.    By studying several other professionals we admire, we can distill essential principles and patterns that work and incorporate them into our work.  I like to combine this principle by averaging 5 different sources.  Five is enough to uncover common patterns that work without becoming involved in paralysis by analysis.     Borrowing is not only seen in the arts.  New inventions are crafted by assimilating older inventions to stand on the shoulders of giants.  Like how we crawl before we walk, successful inventors take products once considered breakthroughs and assemble them into a new cutting-edge masterpiece.    Here is a small list of inventions that were made through combining old things into new:    iPhone = Mac + Touchscreen + Cell Phone  Television = Radio + Cinema + Cathode Ray Tube  Airplane = Kite Design + Propulsion + Math & Physics  Automobile = Wheels + Internal Combustion Engine  Steel = Iron + Carbon + Trace Elements    Of course, these inventions incorporate many other nuances to become market-ready and operational. However, they aren’t the result of abstract thinking; they were invented by creatively combining existing products into a new design to serve a purpose.    How We Can Become More Creative Ourselves    With a new mindset on creativity to connect the dots, engaging in our own creative pursuits becomes easier.  We’re not expected to reinvent the wheel but instead use what we have already to make our work more engaging for ourselves and those it serves.    Here are a couple of ideas on how to become creative in the fewest moves possible:    Borrow Things That Work    It's worth stating again that most creativity involves borrowing and combining a few things to produce something remarkable.    When we think of our creative heroes, we should ask what we enjoy about their work. Is it their simplicity, delivery, or perhaps their confidence or attitude? What x-factor  do they bring to the table that sets them apart?    Whatever it is, we should try to incorporate it to some degree into our creative endeavors.  The goal is not to be a replica or imitator, as seen in Kleon’s work, but to become an incorporator of ideas in clever ways to inject some juice into our work.    Study Processes of Other Creatives    Psychologists and social scientists have always been fascinated with the creative processes of others.  They learn from these artists from an objective stance to piece together things themselves.  As honorable as their approach is, sometimes it's better to learn from the sources themselves.    YouTube is a treasure trove showcasing creatives willing to share their processes.  Most of these free demos are a way for them to bring in new clients, which is a great way for us to sample their creative methods to decide what we can use.    As we learn their processes, it’s wise to be cautious about what we see. We may watch a remarkable presentation and get a glimpse of what's going on, but we should never assume that everything we see is as it is .      It's best to learn from several creative sources and piece together aspects of their creative processes that make the most sense to us.  From there, we experiment, analyze, reflect, and adjust what fits us best and produces our desired results.    Use Curiosity & Reverse Engineer    The majority of creative work is the result of refined processes. Processes are documented and scrutinized in business and engineering for unnecessary redundancies, inefficiencies, and stages.    Creative processes follow a similar pattern to those of their engineering and business counterparts. However, most creatives are not known for documenting their processes because they're either in a flow state or do not wish to reveal their secrets.    This is where reverse engineering processes come into play.  Using our intuition, we start with the output and ask what the stage was before that. It will most likely be some refinement and final review. Then what comes before that? Maybe another refinement or to produce a draft or prototype. What about before? An outline, a template, or a written plan for execution.    Before we know it, the process is documented in reverse. It may not be 100% exactly how they do it, but now we have a baseline template for creating our work and filling in the blanks.  We have to switch the arrows and start from the beginning.    Understand That Perception Plays A Massive Role    Magicians are known to be magical for one reason: mastery of perception.  Their sleight-of-hand and visual illusions make their tricks appear more mysterious to those who don’t know their creative ways.    Perception goes beyond what is seen and heard.  How we feel about artists and businesses is much bigger than what we see and hear.  If we look at some of the most popular brands, they are not necessarily the best at what they do, but have the biggest relationships with their consumers.    There's an old saying that what is popular is not always the best, and the best are not always popular.    With creativity being such a subjective outlet for our imaginations, it's challenging to gauge whether somebody else's work is better.  All things being equal, as long as a minimum threshold of skill and quality is achieved, the question of who is better becomes a matter of personal preference over objective scoring criteria.    The old saying goes that one man's trash is another man's treasure.     Therefore, we should not hold ourselves to producing a world-class result right away, but instead focus on a starting point prototype that can stand on its own two feet. From here, we figure out the gaps and what steps are required to transform a good product into a great product, from great to incredible, and then from incredible to world-class.    Create In Small Steps    As we discussed earlier, our goal as creatives is not to achieve a remarkable result immediately but to get the ball rolling for ourselves.  Therefore, baby steps to build confidence in our creative abilities are necessary to watch the magic unfold before our eyes.    Another principle in our creative ventures is to aim for volume initially.  Pottery makers often start by spinning several pots at a time, knowing some will have defects beyond their control.     It’s important to note that nobody has a perfect batting average in any creative endeavor.  Creatives aren’t under the same scrutiny as others regarding their percentage of success.  Even the most revered artists have discovered multiple defects, especially in the beginning.    However, to work out these defects, it’s important to focus on the small steps that permit complete focus on that stage.  Instead of writing a symphony, start with a melody.  In place of building a great machine, focus on the frame.  Starting with small steps will lend itself to the momentum of the larger elements we seek.    Now Let’s Create!    We are creative in more ways than we think.  We don't need to be involved in the arts for our creativity to flourish.  All we need to do is find a profession, hobby, or activity where we can apply ourselves and let our curiosity and imagination run wild to tinker with our craft.    It's tempting to wait for the right moment to act.  It's easy to get in the mindset of “ if only we had more tools, knowledge, or other things at our fingertips, everything would fall in place ” before starting. Far to the contrary, sometimes a lack of tools, ignorance, and other limitations are better for us to become resourceful.    A simple setup to provide such an opportunity is with a pencil and paper. We can start by drawing our letters, lines, or sketches for an idea. We don’t need to commit to being calligraphers or sketch artists, but our improvements to become more creative will transfer to theirs.    Finally, becoming more creative is not always about being goal-oriented.  Creatives immerse themselves in the moment and respond to their options.  When one path is chosen, they travel it until more options present themselves, then choose repeatedly.  Before they know it, they’ve connected the dots uniquely in ways never seen before.    Where will you unleash your creativity to let your imagination run wild? Leave a comment below.

In human psychology, rejection has created signals in our nervous system that are equivalent to pain. Naturally, we tend to avoid pain when possible because it represents imminent danger to our bodies, but the pain we experience in our minds is channeled differently.    When we were hunters and gatherers, being part of a tribe was essential to our survival. In our social collectives, certain people were better at certain things than others. Together, their collective strengths proved formidable against any natural enemies. In most cases, to be rejected from a tribe was a death sentence since it represented a risk of losing access to food or protection.    Therefore, it was historically in our best interest to do whatever it took to stay part of the tribe and avoid rejection.  So, in a society with more opportunities than ever before to improve the quality of our lives, why are we averse to experiences that may improve the quality of our lives?    It all starts with how schools operate and how failure is perceived as bad, while success in good grades should be sought after. Let’s examine how schools have warped our perception of failure.    Schools Taught Us To Fear Rejection & Failure    In school, we were taught from the get-go to always listen to our teachers, do what they tell us, and submit assignments on time. We were evaluated on our ability to learn through tests, projects, and presentations based on selected subject material.    In high school, we were graded using the traditional grading system: 90 to 100 is an A, 80 to 89 is a B, 70 to 79 is a C, 60 to 69 is a D, and anything below 60 is an F.  We were taught to avoid getting anything less than an A at all costs because it would represent a lack of understanding of the subject material.  These letters are slapped on our transcripts as if they are permanent representations of our ability to learn and achieve success, when the truth is that our ability to learn changes throughout our lives.    Let’s translate these grades to batting averages: 'A': 0.900 – 1.000 'B': 0.800 – 0.899 'C': 0.700 – 0.799 'D': 0.600 – 0.699 'F': 0.000 – 0.600   Does this scale transfer to sports? According to MLB, Willy Adames had the highest batting average of 0.571 in the 2023 baseball season. Josh Bell and three others clocked in at exactly 0.500. According to the traditional grading system, every major league baseball player would be a failure at hitting the ball. Nobody is even scoring in the 'D' range, which suggests one of two things:    Even the most athletic humans are not meant to play baseball, or  Our perception of the grading scale has skewed our ability to accept rejection and failure in real life .     Which conclusion are you drawing?  Something has to be off. After comparing the grading scale to major league baseball, how we view failure has likely been skewed by our childhood experiences. Therefore, it’s time to redefine what is considered a success, what is considered a failure, and how failures are learning experiences in the real world.    Reasons You Will Get Rejected    As we discovered in baseball, the most successful people have nowhere near a perfect batting average for success. It can be argued that the more successes we have in life, the more failures we have in conjunction with them. In sales, it is not uncommon to have a batting average of 0.05, or a 5% success rate. However, that success rate was achieved due to the numerous failures that preceded it to land the client that needed a product or service that the salesman was selling.    Was it all the salesman’s fault? It's highly unlikely; they were doing their part. There are always forces beyond a person's control that generate poor experiences. Let’s examine a few of the major forces in play.    Incomplete Information    When it comes to making decisions, we will never have perfect information. There will always be additional considerations that we leave out, either because we don’t know about them, they’re not on our minds, or we have a skewed perception of how certain factors play into our conclusions.    We all know that the best job candidates never get selected, but the most compliant candidates get selected. This is because job applications are not a test of skill and well, but rather, the ability to fit into the company mold.    When you represent yourself on paper, the viewer never gets to see the real you but rather a snapshot you’ve selected. You don’t know who’s viewing that document you created, but you hope it will resonate with them.     There could’ve been other experiences that you could not represent, and if they had known about them, they would have selected you over the candidate. However, in the real world, we only have enough time to consider the most important factors in our decision-making, which means we will always operate with incomplete information.    You Reminded Them of Someone They Don’t Like    This is one of the most unfortunate circumstances that is beyond our control. When you’re trying to sell yourself to somebody, you have no idea of the number of people that they’ve come across before you. You may accidentally have a look, way of doing things, or even something else about you that reminds them of somebody who wrote them the wrong way, and they’re automatically going to conclude that you’re gonna rub them the wrong way as well. Much like what we said with incomplete information, you have no idea you’re about to be blindsided by that hidden factor and face rejection.    Unfortunately, you can’t place everybody in the world, and trying to please everybody guarantees that you will please nobody. Therefore, if somebody rejects you because you reminded them of somebody they didn’t like, that’s on them, not you. It is almost guaranteed that you can find somebody else to sell yourself to and move on from this rejection.    Some Minor Thing You Were Subpar At Set Them Off    Imagine yourself giving a near-flawless presentation: your technology was working, your body language and phrasing were on point, and you had everybody leaning in and taking notes on what you had to offer. Everything goes well until somebody asks a question that completely blindsides you, and you’re unsure how to answer it.    That small thing that you were unable to do sets them off. Either the person you said strongly believed that you should’ve been able to answer that question, or they asked something you weren’t expecting and temporarily lost your stride. As a result, they believe that they have deflated and exposed you as a hack, and ultimately, they decided to reject you.    Deep down, you know you were legitimately selling a product or service to help the client's situation. You just had a moment, and whatever that moment did, it caused the phase with the client to go from working with you to working against you. Unfortunately, the client doesn’t know that that was strictly a one-off, and they perceive that it could be a pattern about you, so they reject you.    When this rejection happens, we can beat ourselves up immeasurably for it. We punish ourselves over the smallest mistakes when the problem isn’t that we made a minor error, but that somebody else’s interpretation of that error was grandiose. When errors like this happen, we need to remember that a reasonable interpretation of their meaning is what we should be reflecting on, not when people go off over the smallest little things.    The Timing Was Awful    It’s easy to believe that the timing will work around us if we have something valuable to offer the world. Unfortunately, reality shows that this relationship is reversed. There are times when our entries are too early or too late.    Picture your favorite band and its lead guitar player. Imagine the lead guitar player coming in four bars too early and stepping over the vocals. Their playing is flawless, hitting every note expressively, in tune, and with a tone that reflects the moment. However, because the timing was off, the interpretation of the passage is not beautiful and expressive but mindless and distasteful.    Unfortunately, the timing has to be right for us to have the highest probability of success in whatever we do. Suppose Steve Jobs tried to invent the Macintosh 10 years earlier. In that case, the hardware necessary to implement it might not have been available, and the project could’ve crashed dramatically differently than we have today. If the battle of Normandy had happened a day earlier or a day later, the consequences for the rest of the future would have been dramatically different as well.    Unfortunately, we sometimes get rejected because the timing is not right. We’re trying to communicate with somebody who is busy worrying about a loved one instead of how your solution affects their project. When this rejection happens, it’s always best to reflect and ask yourself when the best time to try again would be. Often, there is going to be a second chance.    Maybe They Had a Legitimate Reason Afterall    This is one of the hardest pills to swallow because we want to believe that whatever we have to provide for society is good enough. We work on our craft and try to dial in every little aspect of it, but at the end of the day, it just isn’t good enough. Sometimes, we must accept that what we have to provide is not as good as an alternative. We don’t need complete information to determine the best solution. We can use the 80:20 Principle to determine that 20% of the information will give us 80% of the knowledge to make a decision.    This type of rejection is rarely fatal. It is simply the result of us putting our best out there only to be turned away, ignored, or brutally mocked. All the training in the world cannot change the fact that a singer is tone-deaf.    Tactics To Fight Through Rejection    Fighting through rejection is easier than we think, once we have enough experience dealing with it and enough tools in our toolbox to challenge the meaning behind the rejection. The number one thing to remember when dealing with rejection is that you have options. Even if the rejection becomes glaring compared to the other options available, the heat from the moment will subside, and the other options will appear.    Here are several general tactics to try when fighting through rejection:    Try It A Different Way or With Something Else    One of the best ways to overcome rejection is to try different outlets. This could involve trying to sell somebody else, auditioning for a different group, becoming part of a different friend circle, or just taking your talents and personality elsewhere where they will be appreciated and celebrated.      Unfortunately, we need to recognize that we are not right for everybody, and so our goal should not be to try to get everybody on our side, but to find the right people who will help us be the best versions of ourselves, while celebrating our progress along the way.    If we encounter a series of rejections and failures, we can address them using the different techniques described below.    Keep A Victory & A Lessons Learned Log    Keeping a log of victories and lessons learned can help us amplify the actions that are producing results while redirecting the actions that aren’t hitting the mark. This simply boils down to nothing more than positive and negative feedback, where the positive feedback ensures that what we’re doing is right, and the negative feedback helps us make better decisions next time.    When we’re having a hard time, documenting these victories and lessons learned can help us see historical trends within ourselves. We know we can succeed through our victories and make the breakthroughs we desire. Through our lessons learned, we remind ourselves that rejection is just part of the game, but we can always take something away from it to try a different angle on the same problem next time.    All in all, the log should not be kept to beat ourselves up over, but rather, extract the gems necessary that will help us provide the value that we seek to provide when expanding ourselves beyond our comfort zones.    Try Again Later    As we learned before, sometimes the timing was just off. The person you were trying to connect with was dealing with something that you had no idea about, so they couldn’t give you their full attention.    When this occurs, it’s best to try again at a time that you and the other person think is convenient. If you cannot schedule it together, you’ll need to determine whether it can wait or you should move on.   While perfect timing is not possible in the real world, there is a clear difference between good and bad timing. To know whether it’s good or bad timing, you must read the situation objectively and compare it against your experiences to decide whether the timing is good.    View Your Data In Terms of Absolutes Instead of Relatives    When reviewing past experiences, we can view them in two ways: an absolute, where we were victorious or not, or how victorious we were compared to other situations. With batting averages, it’s not important to have a super high batting average, but rather, to hit X amount of Home runs to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.    While the batting average can be important, as having a zero batting average will never lead to success, it is more important to determine the benchmark number.    For example, instead of saying that 5% of donors must give us money for this venture to succeed, say that we need $10 million to get the next seed funding round. This way, you’re not afraid of going through as many donors as possible to achieve your goal. You fixate on achieving the goal instead of evaluating your relative success. In these cases, it's better to get it done than perfect.   Learn To Reinterpret Your Rejection    Building off the lessons learned, sometimes we don’t have all the information we need to make the correct interpretation of why we were rejected. Sometimes, our egos get in the way, and we miss out on the things we truly need to change in order to get a better result next time. Likewise, we may not have known that this type of experience is common amongst all people, and so being rejected is actually more sign of progress than a failure.    When we have new knowledge on a problem, we should ask ourselves different questions that help us examine the results from a different angle. Oftentimes, we lead ourselves to false conclusions when we fail at something for the first time. However, with new data to compare our experiences against, as long as we are objective with ourselves, we have a high probability of making the right decisions for next time.    Therefore, when we keep feeling the sting of rejection from our efforts, it might be from the fact that we’re taking the stinging head-on instead of trying to step aside from it. Reflecting on old rejections and gaining new insights is often a key to making the breakthroughs we desire.    Read The Stories of Others    Even in the most unique situations, it is highly unlikely that you are the first person to try something. While people may not have done exactly what you want to try, they’ve likely tried to do something similar and experienced their successes and failures. Often, people document these stories because they want to share them with people to build credibility and connect with others who are doing the same thing as they are.    Thanks to the popularity of digital tools such as Google, ChatGPT, and Reddit, we can now find stories similar to our own to compare our experiences to what is written. Assuming everything written is honest, we can determine what to change and what to do as we continue to pursue our goals in full.    Keep Improving Yourself & Your Craft    One of the most important things is that we take responsibility for our craft at every step. While it is possible that what we have to offer is good enough and we have to work on the marketing or perception issues, it doesn’t hurt to continue building our skills for future ventures.  With technology disruption becoming more commonplace than ever before, the skills that we are masters of today might become meaningless in five years. Therefore, it’s important to keep up with the latest industry trends in our craft and inject our creativity to find new ways to serve clients that give us a competitive advantage against others trying to do the same things.    As we stated with ourselves earlier, and how our skills are sometimes not good enough, staying hungry and humble about how our skills fit in the world provides the fuel necessary to continue leveling up. When people see that we are improving and providing more offerings, they will want to go with us rather than go with somebody who thinks they will stay king of the mountain forever.    Even If You’re Doing Great, Keep Batting Away    One of the biggest takeaways from rejection is as follows: the more you face rejection, the better you will use it to your advantage.  Similar to riding a bike, playing guitar, or learning to throw the football, the more meaningful practice you get in, the more you’ll know how to maneuver random situations that will arise.    Rejection is not a game of relative success but of absolute numbers.  One of the most deceptive situations we can run into is starting strong, such as a batting average of 0.7, but we only swing the bat 10 times in that time.  As we increase from 10 to 100 swings, we go through trials and tribulations… only to hit 48 balls, which nosedives our batting average to 0.480.  If we only look at the relative metric, it can be demoralizing since it appears we're going downhill.   Likewise, if your batting average with sales, pitches, and auditions is high, but you only attempted once or twice, your results will unlikely reflect your desired success.  It is better to fail 96 auditions and score 4 roles than to fail 19 auditions and score only 1 role.  The 1:19 is a better relative ratio, but the 4:96 reflects four opportunities successfully seized, which may lead to future opportunities not reflected in the metric.   For more perspective on rejection, I strongly recommend watching 100 Days of Rejection . Can you get a 100-day streak, too?

Saturday, May 14th, 2016, at 2 p.m. I celebrated an extraordinary personal achievement. It felt like the long-awaited finish line.     After a long three years in which I worked the hardest assistantship ever, lost my first marriage, and ventured through the toughest academic gauntlet ever, I earned my Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.   Being a former business and environmental science major was a cakewalk compared to the technical rigor of this program. I spent countless hours devouring engineering problems. Many obstacles created an uphill battle transitioning into engineering. Against all odds, they became an echo of the past thanks to the many professors, library books, and resources, coupled with a mindset of constant improvement that triumphed in the end.  I was all set to go out there and… get a job?      Nahhhh.  I decided that I should wait.  I had just been through my own personal hells, and I wanted to spend my time during the summer doing things that got pushed by the wayside, such as rekindling old friendships, playing music, learning photography, and traveling across the country.      My professors and prospective employers, whom I had interviewed, assured me that there would be a job for me when I was ready—yes, when I was ready, on my time. They can wait, right?    After a lot of back-and-forth and a Facebook announcement that pushed me off the edge four months before, I bought a one-way plane ticket from Cleveland, Ohio, to Portland, Oregon, and the rest was history. I’ve got this in the bag.    I’d smack myself upside the head if I had a time machine.  But I suppose I had to learn the hard way, which is why I’m going to share with you some of the things I wish I had done before making a dramatic move that would make the personal hells that I’d just mentioned child’s play.  But first, here’s why I went into engineering.    A Master's Degree In Engineering Is Useful, If Only...    I enjoy engineering for its ample challenges and opportunities to apply creativity to solve technical problems under economic constraints. Engineering is a quantitatively demanding practice that enabled me to apply mathematical know-how to practical problems, which makes me an effective instructor today.      While I wasn’t inherently passionate about chemical engineering during college, I greatly enjoyed solving problems and finding a better way to do things, so I never took my engineering education for granted.     However, the opportunities I was presented with required me to be in that field, so I figured I’d pivot later into renewable energy or something related to that field. In my studies, I noticed many parallels between electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering, so I figured I might as well go deep into one for now.    So, if I didn’t take the value of my education for granted, what blindsided me? It was the job prospects. I was so focused on mastering my craft that I didn’t learn how to acquire employment with my skills on my own. The department recruited employers who sought out people in our specific program because of our strong alumni network. But most of these employers were on the East Coast. I was now on the West Coast.   Throughout my academic career, I was told that engineers would always be needed and that my skills would be valuable to some employers. I saw my colleagues working for corporations all across the eastern and midwestern United States, so I figured—why not the West Coast? Surely, there will be something for me wherever I move, and the odds are in my favor.    Yes, but… not as much.    While I have a degree in a respectable field in which I could solve technical and business problems, it was impractical to apply where I lived.  There was much more demand for civil and electrical engineers in the Pacific Northwest than for chemical engineers.  I had the practical know-how, but because my skills didn’t align with the market, employers perceived my skillset to be risky, adding difficulty to the journey.   What the hell?! I thought employers wanted people who could solve problems that generated revenue, reduced operating costs, and mitigated risk.    Yes, but… it has to look that way on paper first.  This was a hard lesson on how perception is everything, even with technical professionals.  It was almost like being built for playing hockey and trying out for a basketball team by saying, “I’m an athlete, so I got this in the bag.”    For the first 12 months, I held 7 jobs that didn’t work out. None that I was fired from, but all that never offered enough hours, pay, or reason to care about my work. It felt like I was accepting whatever I could get just to have some money.   Between not having a vehicle, walking a mile to the bus stop each day, and not being with the right people who could help me, I felt myself digging into a hole I was unable to dig out of, and slipping into my mental despair.  Everything I had trained and preached in my personal development center in Syracuse was thrown into question.   However, one chance at a temp job turned out favorably. What started as solely a one-weekend assignment turned into a six-month stint during which I learned to set the bar for success. It wasn't in engineering directly, but it was a chance to apply my skills differently and prove they were transferable.  My manager immediately noticed I had a knack for improving systems and mingling with guests on the spot. Thanks to the casino's tipping system, I made close to what I should have been making as an entry-level engineer while having twice as much fun.    From that opportunity, I was promoted to be a barback during the busy days (Friday through Sunday) and a data analyst for the other two days.  However, a lucky connection pulled me away from it to be a lab engineer for a fuel testing facility, where I finally got started in my field nearly two years after graduation.   What I Would Have Done Differently Before Moving    A lot can be said for someone who wants to risk it all by uprooting and starting over to gain a new perspective after spending most of their life on one side of the country.  However, that’s not a license to neglect the responsibility that should have received my careful attention when committing to such a big move.    Unlike college, where most things were taken care of for me, I was now wildly on my own to ensure that I had my basic needs met.  I didn’t have a community where I could make instant friends, see the opportunities on full display, or have the chance to work with leading scientists and engineering researchers.  I was completely on my own for the long haul.    After reflection, I've distilled some aspects I would have done differently if I ever committed to packing up and moving to a completely different region all over again:    Research The Market    Admittedly, I approached the market with rose-tinted glasses, thinking my skills would be valuable anywhere I went. Even if the chemical engineering industry wasn’t as prominent as others, I should have connected with employers who did hire in the field early.    Unfortunately, when other people with better professional backgrounds move out that way, they will be better aligned with the market's needs. Even if the odds were stacked against me, I would’ve at least liked to have known that from the get-go to plan differently. Challenges are easier to conquer when you approach them realistically.   When you move somewhere, it is wise to figure out whether what you’re looking for is available where you’re moving. Most jazz musicians move to cities, so moving to a small town for work would not make sense unless there’s an exceptional market.    Connect With Professionals on LinkedIn    I knew that LinkedIn was a powerful tool for connecting with people, but I had no idea back in 2016 that you could use it to connect with people you don’t know. Unfortunately, I assumed it was a lot like Facebook but far more professional. These days, I know many friends who connect with people they haven’t met yet on LinkedIn simply because they’re working in the field or position that they admire.    Another part of me that made me hesitant to use LinkedIn was that I wasn’t sure if I was committed to moving out that way, so I thought I would burn many bridges if I decided against it. These days, when a relocation doesn’t happen, people are more understanding than ever before, so I should’ve just taken the risk anyway.    By connecting with professionals on LinkedIn, I know that I should not expect any business or opportunities from them if I were to do that. Still, it’s good to know who is who in an industry and an area because they may be connected to somebody else who could serve a more immediate purpose than what I’m looking for. If I had a chance to do it over, the minute I posted on Facebook that I was moved to the West Coast, I would’ve energized my LinkedIn and made it a priority to connect with people out there, no matter what.    Start MUCH Earlier    While it was refreshing to travel all across the East Coast and Midwest, I burned a lot of cash and time doing so, which would have been better spent securing employment so that I could do that down the road. Admittedly, I was scared to make such a big move to a side of the country I’d never even visited, so I was foolish in distracting myself.    As Tim Ferriss would say, I should’ve started immediately and corrected course along the way. After all, that is what I did when I moved to the West Coast in the late summer of 2016, so if I had started earlier, I would’ve known a lot more, which would’ve compounded more effectively.   Save Up More Before Moving    During my last year of graduate school, I was fortunate enough to have a graduate assistantship that paid for what I needed to live in Syracuse. Additionally, I had been saving money since my first marriage failed in anticipation of moving across the country.      However, it would have served me better not to play so many music shows during my last semester and spend more time flexing my entrepreneurial muscles to find more ways to make money.      Considered The Long-Term Implications    Every decision comes at a price.  The most vivid concept I learned in economics was opportunity cost — the value of the next best alternative foregone.  If I choose A, I must forgo B — end of story.  In my case: If I choose to move to Portland, Oregon, I will forgo moving to the Southeast United States, where my degree would have far more impact.    Of course, these realizations are in hindsight. I had no idea that I could potentially be giving up so much by moving to the West Coast in terms of economic opportunities and getting something else done faster. However, that’s the price I chose to pay at the end of the day to go to an area where I thought I could get a fresh start, and today, I’m at ease with my decision. After seven years, I can conclude that it was a brutal decision in the short term. In the long term, I no longer wonder if the West Coast is the best place for me, and I enjoy everything it offers.   In The End, I’m Glad I Gave My Best    There is no doubt that, despite being metaphorically punched in the face more times during my first year than I can count, my move to the West Coast was the best thing ever. I met many amazing people, married better, got my hands on better instruments and equipment, and can now make a life for my wife and me as we relocated to Southern California.    I learned many lessons from hitting the ground running in life by relocating. I could have learned these lessons now or later. While there is irony in writing on what I would have done differently by saying what comes next, I strongly believe in the value of first-hand experience with major failures to train us to make better decisions next time. However, there is value in heeding the advice of others once you’ve hit your threshold of failure to make better decisions in the future. I'm not discouraging anyone from doing what I did. I'm only encouraging them to do it more wisely than I did.   Should you pack up and do what I did — go for it!  There will be many epic people and adventures in your journey.  Just make sure you set yourself up properly and be patient.  Safe travels!

Without a doubt, we live in a society that craves easy, quick-fix solutions.  We are sold on the premise that if we get one thing straightened out, purchase one additional item, or talk to this one person, then by magic, our problems and worries will melt away as our lives change to live happily ever after.    Whether as children or fully grown adults, we’ve experienced these deceptive messages at every stage of life. Whether our goal is to ace our school exams or prepare our case to achieve the next big promotion, there’s always something pushed onto us as “the solution”—that is, the “this is it” type of proposition.    As students, we were sold on the importance of getting at least an ‘A,’ scoring in the top 3% on a standardized test, or achieving a lucrative award in sports or arts that led to scholarships. These distinctions were supposed to act as an exclusive key that opens one gate and acts as a passport to a better life.    Even if we didn’t achieve these awards on a bigger scale, this premise was disguised as the goal in mathematics when solving for x .  Our teachers assigned truckloads of problems where a generic recipe existed to guarantee success as long as we understood the process and its context.  All we had to do was apply it again, and again, …, and again.    While problem-solving strategies taught in math develop problem-solving confidence, they often miss the mark due to oversimplification.  Reality is full of dynamic intricacies, where solving for a solution to a single variable isn’t likely to resolve a real problem.  In some instances, focusing on a single objective is important, but the machine has so many moving parts that it should not be ignored to focus only on one.    Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults experience this mindset outside of schoolwork. Whether mastering an ultimate skateboard trick, clapping back at an insult from a peer, or posting one viral video, they are often caught in the trap of seeking one-trick gimmicks to hyperinflate their sense of importance and accomplishment.    Thinking that this approach stops disappearing in the workforce is a careless expression of naivety.  The worst bosses are often known for constantly seeking one-hit-wonder solutions because they think it’s easy (often at the expense of others).  Poor marketing techniques lean heavily on selling the gimmick in front of them as the ultimate solution that will bring the buyer joy for years.    Let’s think back to the solutions we were sold throughout our lives. Maybe it was a product such as a piece of sporting equipment, a hot guitar pedal, or the newest phone. In other instances, services such as a new and lucrative marketing strategy, a revolutionary health service, or even an app on our phones are promoted as real game changers.    Maybe we were sold on it recently, a few months ago, a year ago, or 5-10 years ago, but the real question remains — did it deliver on its promises, or does the problem lurk in the shadows?    The unfortunate truth is that in the overwhelming majority of cases, it fails to deliver.  Well, maybe it didn’t, but we swore it was supposed to do a lot more than it did.  Maybe it delivered on its true purpose.  But the old saying goes: As we conquer our problems, new ones will fill the void.      Suddenly, that new phone we bought needs a new set of wireless headphones for completeness. The app delivers minimally but requires in-app purchases to maximize its capacity.  Maybe the distortion pedal for our guitar needs to be paired with a compressor to scream.  That camera?  It needs this lens and filter to produce those dreamy pictures.    It never seems to end.  We find ourselves sucked into the void of chasing the milestone.  As we feel the chasm widen between our reality and the solution, we grow anxious and frantic that we’ll be stuck in this state forever.  How do we overcome this?  Simple Works Until It Doesn’t    K.I.S.S.  Keep it simple, silly.      We’ve all heard not to overcomplicate our problems in business and school, and this is fine wisdom for those who tend to spin their tires and overthink everything.  Professionals identify ways to separate the wheat from the chaff by simplifying problems with a few underlying assumptions about reality.    Injecting simplicity reduces the mental power required to digest a problem or accomplish a task.  In a world with numberless details, reducing our situations to a handful of important circumstances clarifies what details act as the big contenders in making decisions.    All things being equal, it becomes easier to achieve quality when we know we only have to do one thing rather than fifteen.  Rather than buy seven items, the convenience of purchasing one draws us towards that solution.  Why shop at five other smaller stores when that superstore has everything?    This is where we fall for the lull of simplicity, which gets us drunk on finding an easy solution.    One overarching principle of life we must abide by is that everything has balance — The Goldilocks Principle.  Deviations from the balance lead to more problems as follows:    If we aim to oversimplify, we miss out on important information to solve the problem accurately. Oversimplifying can also make problems boring by removing color and detail, making them appear dull.    However, if we get too complicated, we risk information overload and being overwhelmed by our circumstances. Overcomplication creates friction by making problems unmanageable, making it difficult to prioritize details, and creating information overload.    Therefore, we should aim for that sweet spot in each situation—one where we have enough information about our problems to solve them without getting lost in a thicket of details. With enough complexity, we prevent ourselves from falling for the one-solution mindset, while with enough simplification, we make the problem easier to digest and manage mentally.    Musicians Know Why The Groove Matters    As we look around us in bustling cities and nature, we notice the presence of repetitive cycles.  These grooves vary dramatically in length, from nanoseconds to the end of the universe.    Shorter grooves are usually everyday experiences we take for granted.  The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  Our heart beats to a certain rhythm.  Traffic lights go from red to green, to yellow, then back to red again.  Birds fly from their nest and then return at the end of the day.    Longer grooves are much more gradual, and we tend not to notice them. The seasons changing throughout the year, the rhythm of a college semester, and growing up from children to adults before having children of our own are grooves that require far more time.    Of course, disruptions to any cycle can occur to cut it short or bypass certain stages. However, these are generally exceptions to the rule.    Musicians know that all songs have a groove to them.  No matter the genre, most songs have a generic pattern: Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus .  Of course, deviations from this pattern are also common, but this is what we usually expect.    The musical mix requires musicians to cover a wide swath of tones and pitches, entering at the right times and delivering rhythms ranging from simple to complex.  Have you ever seen a cover band where someone sticks out (and not in a good way)?  That’s because they’ve violated what makes for a good musical mix.    There are aspects of each groove that remain consistent, such as melodies, drum patterns, and lead guitar solos. There are also aspects that change to give each song its unique signature, such as chords, dynamics, fills, and more.    We can dissect parts of a great song into components, such as lyrics, melodies, horn sections, bass lines, rhythms, and much more.  However, unless these elements are iconic and popular in culture, they don’t mean much standing alone.  Combining these elements tactfully to full effect is much greater than the sum of the parts.    The synergy experienced from combining all of these elements cannot be replicated.  Even with cover bands that reverse engineer their tones and play to the original, the personalities of the instrumentalists and singers will add a small splash of uniqueness that distinguishes them.    Getting Into The Groove    The groove involves a lot of moving parts that change rapidly.  It can be difficult to pick where to start as everything spins around us, but here are some principles to guide us as we get into our grooves:    Pick A Place To Start    When we’re presented with tons of moving parts, selecting a single place to start can be overwhelming.  However, a pitfall we want to avoid is paralysis by analysis.    By selecting a starting point, we can acquire some momentum and quickly determine whether our choice was a good one. The goal is not to select the best starting point but one that will get the ball rolling.    If the starting point is a dead end, simply start somewhere else from the knowledge given.    Connect To Something Nearby    After we’ve latched on and picked a place to jump into the mix, our goal should be to connect the dots.  Nearby dots are easy, low-hanging fruit to make a connection.  Like starting points, it usually doesn’t matter how we connect the dots as long as we get moving.    The principle is similar to getting to know a new town. First, we find the best place to live. Then, we find suppliers that provide essentials such as groceries. Then, we connect ourselves to other shopping and business centers. Finally, we connect further with our town by filling in the rest of the gaps.    In our grooves, we want to get in the habit of making connections.  The first connection might be daunting, but after it’s achieved, the process gets easier.    Keep Connecting The Dots    After we’ve made our first successful connection, the goal is to keep it going.  We must keep connecting the dots to understand the groove and how everything changes over time.  To do that, we want to be curious with our questions.    How does A relate to B? How does B relate to C? Allowing our curiosity to drive the bus is the best way to connect everything together.    As we connect more and more, our momentum creates connections faster and faster until the bigger picture emerges before our eyes.    Master The Groove & Enjoy The Bigger Picture    As the dots are connected more and more, a picture emerges in which we have a better understanding of how everything gels together. The upfront investment of finding a starting point and connecting the dots pays off. This is where we enjoy the fruits of our labor. It's easy to get into the habit of never-ending tinkering, but ask yourself – does it need to change in this moment, or can I enjoy it?   Change It Up    Once we’ve mastered everything, we now hold the power to change it.  Using our influence, we can tweak little changes here and there that cause a chain reaction.    Not all changes are made equally, so we must be mindful of how we change things depending on the impact we wish to create. Understanding the initial groove and how it morphs over time becomes easier and easier.    An example is with musicians.  Drums may change their drum patterns to give a song a different feel mid-song and captivate the audience.  Singers might add a little bit of flair to certain words for emphasis.  The bassist might change their playing from straight 8ths to a more staggered feeling to feel punchier.    The changes don’t have to be dramatic, but they should be impactful by making subtle adjustments that transform the groove into something new and refreshing.    Embrace The Groove    Finding our groove at first is challenging. By nature, grooves appear complex and beautiful due to the countless contributions to the melting pot that make each groove unique. It's hard to jump in without knowing how things work. However, we don't have to jump into the groove. We can create one by starting small. Find a working starting point and connect the dots to embrace our grooves best. From there, we will understand the parts and how they work alone and with each other. In time, we will understand the bigger picture and be able to own and change the groove to fit us better as we move along.   What grooves have you been missing out on? Leave a comment below.

Mentoring is a crucial part of anyone's journey toward success, whether in their careers, entrepreneurial pursuits, or life. Teaching and learning are valuable benefits for both sides of these types of partnerships. We all enter seasons where we need a little bit of extra help, and we can obtain it in one of two ways:     We ask for it proactively because someone may have some experience. Someone may seek us out because they heard we are looking for someone like them.    My story focuses on the latter.  Even though it's a far less common occurrence, there will be times when someone reaches out to help us, which can appear to be a blessing at first glance. However, does a candidate mentor who reaches out to us considered self-qualified?  I will discuss a personal story below and talk about what happened.     PLEASE NOTE : I've changed the names of everyone involved in this story to protect their identities.  My Personal Story     I was suddenly laid off from my day job the week before Christmas.  I had been frantically trying to recover from being blindsided by reaching out to many people and passing my newly updated resume through several business networks in the Portland area.  My resume caught the attention of several hiring managers, but it also caught the attention of someone who enjoyed mentoring people. We'll call her *Krystal* .     Krystal reached out to me, letting me know she was a former industrial engineer who enjoyed helping people build their business skills.  She saw on my resume that I was a lifelong learning student in my summary and contacted me via email.  She invited me to a business leaders meeting and sponsored my admission to the event.     I walked into the event not knowing what to expect other than to find a person among a sea of business owners and leaders. I had only seen a portrait of her on LinkedIn, and from my experience as a photographer, I know that photos can be very misleading.     Instead of sifting through the crowd, I decided to start conversations with several business owners. Eventually, she found me in a crowd and invited me to sit with her husband at the table. Before the conference began, they asked me a lot of personal and professional questions, which I answered.     Before we knew it, the luncheon had begun, and the guest speakers were up to talk about some philanthropic initiatives in the Portland area. As I was watching the speaker, I caught a glimpse of her looking at me with the utmost disgust. My sixth sense was tingling, and I knew something was not right.     After the speakers were done, we continued our conversation. Her demeanor changed dramatically as her husband stepped away to meet with some other people. She abruptly stated, "You talk too much. You talk too much, and no one is going to want to hire you," with the most stone-cold face I had ever seen on a mentor.     "Excuse me?" I attempted to clarify, disgusted in my head by her remark, but decided to put on my best poker face to date.     She tried to cover up her abrupt remark by saying she was trying to help me.  The conversation became a blur from there as my amygdala hijack became more apparent.     "No, no," I said after shaking my head. "I don't think this is for me," I said, reinforcing my spidey senses.     "Wait, you said you're a lifelong learner, right?" she rebutted, trying to continue the conversation.     "I am," I retorted, "…but I'm not your doormat. We're done here."     I left the business conference with a modicum of composure, knowing I had just left what felt like a potentially toxic mentorship. Something in me knew that the setup wasn't justified, so I got out of there as fast as possible.     When I returned home to sort out the mess mentally, I received an email from her.  She abjectly apologized for how she came off and asked for a second chance to be my mentor.  My girlfriend (now wife) read my email to advise me on how to reply and said I should ask another mentor of mine.     After making rounds with some mentors, I emailed Krystal back, asking her what she would do better next time.  Almost as if she flipped a switch again, she said that when she mentors people, she prefers to be blunt and upfront, and as someone with a knack for lifelong learning, I should appreciate that.  She asked if I wanted to come back in March.     I. Rolled. My. Eyes. Hard.     Something wasn't clicking, and I knew that it was time to put an end to it.     I emailed back the following:     Dear Krystal,      As lifelong learners, we should be fully aware of the following truth:  Advice not asked for is criticism .      As someone who was new to this business circle you invited me to, my perception of the situation is that you invited me into an initiation of verbal hazing of my flaws upfront instead of finding ways to bring each other valuable services.      I have a series of mentors who are already available to tell me what I need to work on, and I don't need your snapshot of me to set the tone of the mentoring journey.      Since you like it bluntly, I'm going to abide by your preferences and state it: This isn't going to work out .  There are mentors out there who are right for me, and you're not one of them.  I wish you the best.      Respectfully,   Forrest Baird      I proceeded to block her on all social media and email fronts to prevent further amygdala hijacks.     Hindsight Is 20:20     This was one of the hardest declines I've ever had to execute.  As a student of lifelong learning, I enjoy reaching out to people.  It felt like the universe was throwing me a freebie when Krystal reached out to me, but it wasn't necessarily so.     This is not to say I was perfect in any regard of the story. From her perspective, maybe I talked a little too much. Maybe she felt dominated in the conversation. Maybe I could have looked past this, accepted responsibility, and worked to find the diamond in the rough within this potential mentoring opportunity.      However, when you live with a mindset of abundance, you know there are other people out there who can be amazing mentors.     It's not feasible to reconcile every relationship that falls apart.  We will not be everyone's favorite - even Mother Teresa and Gandhi have enemies.  Regardless, we must be careful with how we say no, but it is possible to say no and be in good standing with a rejected mentor.  If we do our due diligence and respectfully decline – if they don't like it, that's on them.     Now you may be thinking - the way you declined her was harsh!  It was more blunt than usual, but I did it within a given context.  Let's review some criteria to consider as we decline mentorship and determine whether if I did justice in my instance:     How To Decline Mentorship     Let me be upfront - engaging in actions that involve rejecting another party is never fun, but giving negative feedback is necessary to redirect ourselves toward opportunities that are better for us.  This goes for both parties.       Think about this briefly: If your brain didn't regulate your body temperature, would you still be alive?     When declining mentorship, here are a few elements to consider:     –1– Say No Upfront     One of the worst things you can do is drag your feet when you know the mentorship is not right for you.  In the words of Keanu Reeves, "When someone rejects you, they're doing you a favor because they're not wasting your time".  Do yourself a favor and reject them tactfully.  This will help redirect them to finding the mentee that's right for them.     –2– Let Them Know Why     Along with letting them know upfront, you should be honest about why you declined their offer.  You don't need to write an essay, but you should present a concise and clear reason for declining their mentorship offer, even if it's because you don't think your personality and theirs are a good match. If they cannot accept that you declined their help, they are not worthwhile mentors to begin with.    –3– Be Civil, Unless They Don't Get It     The goal is to decline tactfully.  However, there are times when they don't get it.  This could be because the potential mentor is very set in their ways or doesn't have high emotional intelligence.     During my story, I offered her a chance to make it better, but she decided to stick to her guns. I had to read the context of the situation and decline in a way that they get—blunt and forward. In general, being blunt should be a last resort.    –4– Be True To You     Are you someone who gets along with everyone you encounter, or are you rough around the edges?  Use your authenticity to your advantage.  I've seen hundreds of instances where someone uses an inauthentic persona, which comes back to haunt them.     –5– Remember There Are Options    It's easy to think that someone who reaches out to mentor you is a God-send, especially when they have a similar background.  However, many resources exist to help you match yourself with mentors for personal development, business, spiritual, or life. Finding a professional accountability partner is a great step in the right direction if you're in a good position. When you remember that there are options in this world, it becomes easier to say no to the things we feel are detrimental to us.    Mentoring Should Help Your Goals & Theirs     It's important to use our judgment wisely when dealing with people who may want to help us. They may have good intentions, but if their actions rub you the wrong way, then it may be best to reconsider whether continuing the relationship will be mutually beneficial. When we consider who we want to learn from, there can be hundreds of people willing to offer at any time, even if it's not obvious at first. We must consider our needs, the help offered, and whether the timing is right to engage in that mentorship. Only then can we potentially have a flourishing journey where both sides grow and achieve their goals.

We’ve all had moments in our lives when burning questions occupy our minds for far too long. These questions may be general and monumental, such as “What is my life’s purpose?” or they might be specific and inconsequential, such as “Why is my dog always happier than I?”    As these questions arise, we become excited and filled with wonder as we search for answers. Like a sweet-tooth driven kid in a candy store, our curiosity runs wild while shopping around for answers. The fountain of second-hand knowledge and experience is supplied from various sources, including books, friends, the Internet, and videos, to name a few.    With many credible resources, it is easy to become overwhelmed. When so many resources exist, selecting a starting point becomes as difficult as finding the answer. After all, everything is here to help... right?    Unfortunately, our journeys are not that cut and dry. It’s impossible to anticipate what we will encounter in our journeys.  When we transition from a comfortable starting point into an intellectual fog, the path once crystal clear becomes cloudier.   In a mental about-face, the path we once trusted suddenly becomes an unruly obstacle in our progress. We are left to wonder if our quest was nothing more than a façade and fantasy to separate us from our desired answers.      The Stoics know all too well that the obstacle is the way, but it’s difficult to leverage that mindset in the midst of trials without the right attitude and experiences.  Is it possible that we bought into a vision convoluted by the world's ways, or did we misjudge what to expect in our personal development journeys?   I'll attempt to light a few lamps by providing my personal experience, including what I’ve learned, and how I would advise anyone embarking on this journey to better equip themselves. These experiences are not meant to discourage, but rather, acknowledge that the world is not as rosy as we paint it to be.   The More I Saw, The Less I Knew    My personal development journey began in 2006. A few friends needed to go to the bookstore to look for something new to read on our way to the movies. I decided to tag along instead of waiting in the mall. While I enjoyed writing, I loathed reading with a passion and had no interest in browsing the bookshelves. Something about being forced to read a book for school repelled me from wanting to read. As I waited patiently for my friends and looked around the bookstore, a book on philosophy caught my eye. I decided to crack it open to see what it was about. Unfortunately, I do not remember the book's title, but the descriptions of the stories are vivid.   My favorite story involved the author being transformed into a fly and learning that although they didn’t perceive themselves as a fly, everybody else perceived them as such, so they were always swatted. The person was trying to return as a normal human being, but was unable to find a way and met his tragic end.   For the first time since elementary school, I was interested in reading a book, so I purchased it on our way out. I remember looking at the book cover from time to time during the movie. When I returned home, I cracked it open again and absorbed more stories like a sponge. One story led to another until I pivoted into the philosophy of world religions. From my personal studies, I discovered the parallels between the major religions and what they constituted as good and moral behaviors.    During my year off between high school and college, I maintained an appetite for reading books on philosophy, religion, psychology, and environmental issues. Whenever I had free time, I powered off my devices to crack open a good book, delving deeper into my personal studies until I went off to college to engage in more of my studies. I wish my high school had assigned these books to read instead of what the Common Core deemed necessary. Further Pivots   During my first year of college, I browsed the college bookstore to find some college apparel. While browsing, a lone rotary bookshelf held books by a single author, but one specifically caught my attention: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell.    “There are laws behind leadership?” I thought to myself. I peered inside the book and mentally devoured the book line by line. It was as if common sense was manifested in written form, and I didn’t have to think about it too much to understand its implications.  The college housed a dedicated leadership program, which piqued my interest to get a head start.    From then on, I made personal development part of my education, even if it wasn’t in the college curriculum. I was adamant about ensuring that I understood people better as much as I continued my formal education in business and sciences. Even if it meant I had to train harder than everyone else and make more sacrifices, it was worth it. When One Answer Leads To More Questions    At first, I made great headway towards answering my initial questions.  Every answer I sought required work, but was achievable. My initial checklist of curiosities saw more checkmarks.  However, I never anticipated the complex rabbit hole of this journey. I was always about completion, as I dared to explore every nook and cranny to leave no stone unturned.    One of the first questions I pursued in personal development was figuring out why everyone aspired to be like one another instead of embracing uniqueness. Growing up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania exposed me to a more tribal culture than the one I experienced in the cities. As such, I found my initial experiences skewed compared to those of those who grew up in larger cities and had a more independent mindset.   I recognized that because small towns had fewer opportunities than larger cities, people were more likely to be more social and reach out to people around them. Their experiences moved mental roadblocks, so I connected with my smaller town on a deeper level.   Through learning about others' experiences, I realized that not only did other people experience some of my struggles, but they also found ways to overcome them.   While this breakthrough represented a significant victory for my personal development, it also opened additional questions. For example, I started to wonder : Why were people in larger cities more reclusive, despite having a disproportionately greater number of options? Why did people who grew up in rural or urban environments tend to stay where they were? Why were the arts more prominent in the city than in smaller towns? Why do people...   As you might imagine, the more stones turned over, the more stones were uncovered under them. What we glean on the surface deceives us, as there are times when we believe there is a root cause that is in plain sight, when in fact it's dozens of layers below.   I realized that the further down this journey I went, the more I disliked incompletes. As one box was checked, three more appeared to take its place. The math wasn't zeroing out, as I was locked into a perpetual cycle that kept amplifying worse than audio feedback on a stage. Suddenly, new questions appeared on top of that: How does anyone bring full closure to their incompletes when the end of one question leads to opening five more?  Does the pattern ever end, or is it a perpetual result of endless personal development expeditions? Naturally, none of us can take on everything.  We must prioritize our choices in personal development, which are determined by our current unique circumstances.  Generally, we tend to select the actions that we perceive to yield the greatest reward for the least effort.  However, this thinking leads us to chase shiny toys that bring short-term satisfaction, but not long-term progress.    From my journey, it became clear that I needed to find a way to track my progress, actions taken, and results experienced. Keeping track of everything in my head was more of a fool’s errand than I initially expected.    My Tipping Point In Personal Development    From my journey, I had to recognize that my final destination was no more than a waypoint for the next step of the journey. By crossing these milestones, new opportunities unfold before me, unlike video games, which are programmed to end when the final boss is defeated. Schools have their own experience, similar to games. The journey is well-defined, and the tests and final projects represent the bosses in games. Unlike school, repeating certain lessons is required for full understanding and benefit. Progress no longer has a linear path but rather a unique, unrepeatable journey for any two people.    I recognized that personal development was not like the games I played and the school systems I experienced. This created a paradigm shift in my journey. When I started, I approached the journey as a one-and-done ordeal, believing that my life would magically transition to a wonderland where my problems would be dissolved. As anyone on this journey would tell you, that is never the case. The only thing that happens in personal development is that we trade one set of problems for another through the results of our actions.    However, components from school systems and the games we play can be transferred to manage ourselves better. In games, we sometimes have opportunities to save and return to our progress. The same is true in our own personal development journeys. Unforeseen circumstances may shuffle our priorities, but if we document where we left off, it should be easy to resume our journey as time permits. In the school system, we are taught to take notes and document concepts. While the concepts we come across may not be interesting to us at the time, we can still document aspects of our personal development journey to see how far along we've come. Our minds open up to handle major pursuits better when we document the details for our reference. Our minds were meant to be processors and not necessarily hard drives.   How To Manage Uncertainty In Personal Development    As we’ve discovered along the way, personal development requires us to shoulder colossal amounts of uncertainty. Uncertainty is not necessarily a bad thing, just as certainty is not always a good thing. We love surprises and hate predicting our own failures. We will have seasons where we are on cloud nine and others where we’re in the trenches of a mental war zone. Schools and games usually do not prepare us to face these challenges.   Luckily, we have some great tactics to deal with the unknown, although we must acknowledge they never guarantee outcomes.  However, having tools in the toolbox beats flailing in the dark when there are many moving parts to the journey.   As you consider these tactics, keep in mind that other tools exist beyond what's listed. Don't approach these tools in their singularity; feel free to combine them depending on your situation. For now, here are some starting points that you can consider for your journey ahead:    Understand Your Journey Is Multidimensional    There is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal development.  Part of life is recognizing that things you worked on and mastered at one point might require further attention down the road.  Even in school, there is no one-size-fits-all style to learning, but unfortunately, the system operates as if that's true.    There’s a stigma that once you’ve conquered an obstacle, it should be conquered for life.  Nothing can be further from the truth; that is a fairy tale used to make us believe there's an end to it all, which contradicts reality.   Therefore, we must acknowledge that our progress will sometimes be nonlinear and murky. It's more important to remember this when it appears that we’re going downhill, when in reality, we're passing through a valley on the way up to a better view. After all, no rainbows can be created without rain.   Document Your Journey    Documenting our journeys may slow us down, but it enables us to go further than ever before. Whether you create videos of yourself talking into them, keep a journal, or record your own data in a spreadsheet, you need to document and visualize your progress.    In the times of highest struggle, you will look back on times when you were on top of everything, fighting your most significant battles and everything in between.  These pieces of documentation will remind you that this, too, shall pass. There are so many easy ways to document our journeys. We do not have to make them public either, but they should enable us to see how far we've come along. This is why it's called personal development... because it's personal.   Learn From Others’ Journeys    Our struggles in personal development are not as isolated as we expect.  Even though everyone’s journeys will be unique in their timeline and intricacies, overarching patterns and trends can be distilled to relate to the struggles of others.   As such, the chances that someone else has faced similar challenges are historically quite high.  As scary as it sounds, simply conversing with a professional or someone we trust is the best way to confirm that our struggles are similar.   Thanks to the Internet, the 21st century has enabled access to information like never before. Websites allow users to communicate with each other without having a face. This level of masking enables people to share their problems more openly. Great examples of platforms that are anonymous include Reddit.   Search engines such as Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo allow users to research their problems and return instant results.  These search engines have specialized algorithms that filter and return results based on what the user inputs, increasing the chances of a close match.   With the advent of AI, resources such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and other AI platforms can take a conversational approach to listening to a user’s problems and giving suggestions on how to handle them. While the quality may indeed vary, it combines the best of two worlds: being able to have a conversation from the comfort of a device that has internet connectivity, to a robot that (hopefully) doesn't judge us.   Additionally, social networks such as Facebook and Nextdoor allow users to join specific groups where they may share their problems. However, the quality of these groups can vary drastically, so you should research before taking the advice given by users on these platforms.    Research, Research, Research    As we discovered in the previous section, doing our own research is important. We can do this by talking to people, reviewing online resources, and even reading books. The chances that somebody has encountered our situation are quite high, even though some details might differ.   However, we must be careful about falling in love with the first solution we discover because we want to latch onto a solution. We must be mindful while scouting candidate solutions to our problems and look at different resources. This is similar to dating or interviewing at different companies. We don't want to take the first thing that comes our way because it lands in our laps. Shopping around for solutions is important! I have a principle I leverage when looking for solutions: The Law of Fives. To ensure that I’ve done enough research, I consider five solutions and assemble a new solution that best fits me from the constituents of each.  Five resources are enough to find overlap without overdoing it, without falling into paralysis by analysis.  Some situations call for more consideration beyond five sources, such as major life-or-death situations, career transitions, moving across the country, and other dramatic shifts in life. Others may need a quicker solution that can be molded as the journey continues.   Consulting several different resources allows us to approach our situation more objectively to prevent headstrong decisions based on the first thing we see, which risks being more damaging than beneficial.   Understand You May Not Be Able To Resolve Everything... Right Now   Despite all the information, people, AI, and advancements in civilization, we must recognize that it's not feasible to solve every problem we encounter in our personal development journey. And here's the thing... that's okay.   Problems and solutions must coexist just as light and darkness coexist. As problems appear, we develop solutions to overcome them, only for new problems to arise. Our old solutions hit a wall, and we have to refine them and continue working on them day in and day out.    However, one constraint we all face is time.  With only 16 hours in the average waking day, we must prioritize what problems we have to solve.  Additionally, our resources, attention span, and personal energy have a ceiling to them, so prioritizing their utilization is important to solving the right problems. As a result, we must ignore other problems to fully focus on what actions make the most headway.    Sometimes, the problems we prioritize cannot be solved head-on, and that’s another reality we must acknowledge.  However, it doesn’t mean we should sit idly and do nothing.  Instead, an indirect route might be our best bet. It will require more resources, but it will eventually get the job done. Some problems are long-term, while others are quick and easy. Knowing the magnitude of our problems and what is required to resolve them is key to giving them the appropriate treatment.   Everyone’s Journey Will Be Unique    Personal development is a unique journey where everybody starts with different initial conditions, take unique paths, and have develop distinct methods of solving problems. As we get deeper and deeper into the path, we must recognize that there will be things we cannot foresee along the way. Therefore, it’s not only important to plan our journey, but we must recognize that our plans must be malleable and become resilient.   Our journeys are unique, but that doesn't mean we must go alone. There are many great resources, such as people, books, the Internet, and other resources, to develop our skills and thinking to overcome similar challenges. Even with all the resources at our fingertips, there will be times when we cannot overcome our current problems, at least not immediately. As we are stalled, we have two choices: either give up or try new routes. Oftentimes, the best solution is not dressed in an elegant tuxedo or pretty dress.   No matter how long we've been on the path, it's possible to face uncertainty and murkiness at new stages. Recognizing that we cannot become void of all problems in our lives is important when choosing how we get better. After all, if we don’t train at the gym, our muscles will atrophy.   This question is the cornerstone of our journey: Do we get to choose our problems, or do our problems choose us? The Stoics know that the obstacle is the way. While we will never have 100% control over what problems we face, the more work we put into our journeys upfront, the higher the probability that we will get to choose them along the way. It's time to continue our journeys equipped with new tools and reminders. Make those breakthroughs, challenge assumptions, take a detour, and make the most of the tools available. The solution may not be instantaneous, but rather, the unfolding of a lotus flower.

At the beginning of our careers, we are unlikely to have many connections, so the value we bring to the market is through our knowledge and skills.  Therefore, we may embark on our journey through a few possible routes:    Go to school, get a degree in a valuable field, then get paid doing work in that field,  Train rigorously in a skillset through obtaining certifications, building a portfolio, and showcasing that skillset as proof of concept,  Invent a solution, perfect it, and take it to the market.    Sound familiar?    If you’re like me and love to work on your craft with your hands, head, and heart, then you know the pride you feel when you see the fruits of your labor.   While leveling up our skills and knowledge may not be glamorous, the rewards of increased creativity, confidence, and performance efficiencies pay off handsomely.    But what is our purpose in upgrading our skills? For a pure-minded disciplinarian, it is to improve and create different and better results. For those looking to make a living from it, we desire to secure a competitive edge that makes clients choose us over the competition in a dynamic market environment.    The market demands the best talent, or so we’re always told. However, those considered the best today may become obsolete or irrelevant tomorrow. Also, a complete nobody today may catapult themselves to stardom and appear as an overnight success.    So why don’t skills always pay the bills? Great entertainers can end up on the streets, while dull paper pushers live lavish lifestyles. Something seems amiss. Three Major Misconceptions About Skills There are three major misconceptions about skills and how they are rewarded:    – 1 – If I Master This In-Demand Skill, Then People Will Pay Me Automatically.    This misconception is nothing short of wishful thinking infused with entitlement. While it’s true that those who master in-demand skills are much more likely to secure work and receive excellent compensation, it is never guaranteed.    We must recognize that the market does not operate with perfect information, and supply and demand are seldom in perfect equilibrium.  These imbalances stem from technological disruptions, changes in macroeconomic policies, shifting cultural values, and the nature of market corrections often lagging behind current information.    Additionally, not all buyers value skills equally.  As a result, laborers in any given skill are compensated at levels above, within, and below the fair market value.  Most laborers land in the middle of that curve, whereas the rest deviate above and below.    Skilled laborers who enjoy the splendors of their lavish compensation know how to sell themselves at premiums and/or provide value that goes above and beyond average expectations.  Higher earners in a skillset often secure accounts with clients willing and able to pay higher premiums in exchange for excellent service and a lower risk of supplier disruption.    In contrast, some in the marketplace are well-known for lowballing laborers because they perceive them as desperate enough to take the first offer.  Whether they are small businesses run by stingy business owners or large corporations that hire an expendable army, these buyers pay below-market premiums.  What they save in money, they pay for in reputation. These lowballers save money short-term but spend more to replenish their disenchanted workforce. I wonder why...   – 2 – There Is An Objective Way To Measure Someone’s Skills & Abilities.    Most people know this isn’t true, but it needs to be in clear-cut writing. The belief that a performer’s abilities can be objectively evaluated is often skewed by perception and our tendency to extrapolate an ocean of information from a fishbowl of observations.    The old saying, “ All things being equal, people tend to do business with those they like, ” sufficiently debunks this myth. Naturally, any trade has a minimum performance standard to be economically viable. Beyond that threshold, the criteria for selecting a service provider shift from skills and performance to relatability and likability.    Ironically, there are attempts to provide solutions to measure skills and abilities. Many hiring managers have relied on online assessments that measure technical skills and gauge behavioral responses to vet out the best candidates. However, I know from experience on both sides that these assessments have major flaws.    The first major flaw is that a crafty candidate could look up the answers on Google and game the system. Thus, the test transforms from a skills and knowledge assessment to a craftiness and resourcefulness game. These questions are recycled and stored in a database somewhere.   The second major flaw is that most tests are administered without context, acting as pure brain teasers that cannot measure a candidate’s ability to contribute positively to the organization. This type of testing contradicts most businesses' gripe that academia is too far removed from business to be useful. The best candidates solve problems they can get their hands on and will adapt to the company’s culture to ensure a great long-term fit. Without context, these tests gauge how the candidate operates in a vacuum at best.    – 3 – The More Skills We Have, The More Value We Bring To The Table.    There is a time and place to widen our skill sets as we prepare for professional transitions. Being able to stretch out and connect the dots is an undervalued skill that can lead to innovations to solve market problems that cannot be approached from a linear mindset.    However, when our newfound abilities fail to deliver, the bet on spreading our wings returns a loss.  The Law of Diminishing Returns  dictates that there is an optimum breadth and depth to our skill sets that we should strive to secure at any point.  Anything beyond the optimal renders a negative return on our investment.    Of course, knowing how to optimize our skills is impossible until we gain proper experience.  If we must choose between undershooting and overshooting, we should aim to overshoot it without question.  Regarding performance and delivery, it’s much easier to scale back than to push harder.      Not only does a slight overshoot prevent us from building skills in a vacuum, but it also ensures that those skills are ready for the outlets they were designed to deliver in the first place.    The Truth: The Most Well-Known Get The Deals    The cruel reality of business is that the most well-known entities often win business over unproven contenders.  Good intentions only go so far when clients risk their money, time, and reputation by doing business with service providers.  Therefore, buyers and sellers must choose how they utilize their resources to obtain the highest returns possible.    We all know about the woes of corporate mediocrity that plague well-established companies. Because of their long-standing reputation, these companies consistently do the same thing instead of innovating a new cutting-edge advantage.     To compete against established service providers, newcomers must be more skill-driven, innovative, and willing to work harder. Additionally, the mystique of being a newcomer grants agility against their behemoth counterparts, which could propel them into new opportunities that established companies cannot touch.   On the other hand, the most well-known tend to leverage their reputation to secure the trust of prospects based on past accomplishments.  Their reputation grants a license to frame their competition as fake, short-term, and other slanders typically used to dishearten new competition.  Their words tend to corner their competition as they pummel them into verbal submission.  Marketing Your Skills More Effectively    We have seen very talented individuals scrape by and barely make ends meet, whereas others are barely economically viable but achieve wild success.  We wonder what went wrong in both cases, as an insatiable marketplace should have relentlessly rewarded the skills we craft.      However, the good news is that if we can master new skills and knowledge, we can transfer those lessons to master our marketing.  Everything involved in successful branding, marketing, and selling ourselves is a learnable skill set that only needs to be mastered to an optimal point to suit our needs.    Before we learn those skills for marketing our services, some underlying psychological principles should be considered:    Acknowledge The Reality That We Need To Market    It’s okay to admit it—working to master our skills and knowledge is an exhausting endeavor by itself. Marketing our skills on top of that feels like a tall order that is completely unnecessary. After all, shouldn’t our time be directed towards relevant endeavors such as delivering great service?    Unfortunately, that’s not how business works. Business is a social game in which we deal with people with finite attention spans who can’t possibly know everything. It’s hard to admit it, but we will never know about thousands of great artists, craftsmen, engineers, and other service-based professionals.    Out of the gate, learning to market and sell our services is equally as important as their delivery and performance, if not more important.  Initially, it’s unlikely that we will be equipped with large budgets, an established reputation, or connections that can provide a steady stream of clients.  Therefore, we must make it a priority to network and market ourselves to the best of our abilities.    In the beginning, we might be excited (or terrified) to meet new people. However, we’ll quickly find out that not everyone needs or likes what we do. This can be disheartening and make us question the value of our work and our marketplace.    As we lose steam, we must regularly remind ourselves that it’s okay to market and get ourselves out there, but it’s crucial for our survival. We have to put in the time in marketing to increase our probability of securing enough sustainable business so that we can focus on improving our services without worry.    Have you ever seen a talented friend give an emphatic announcement on Instagram about their new photography business?  They have great pictures, amazing equipment, and even a personal smile that lights up a room.  Waves of encouragement and excitement pour in as their friends show genuine support through likes and comments.    But after a few weeks pass — crickets.  No one has booked them.  Was their business not meant to be after all?  Of course not.  The proof is in the pudding, but nobody knew about their services because they didn’t market them properly.    We should strive to avoid becoming starving artists by embracing marketing as part of our craft. Ultimately, we should do what it takes to get ourselves out there (and enjoy it along the way) so that we may continue to do what we love while serving the right clients—and ultimately, win.    Don’t Be Afraid To Market Ourselves    Marketing our skills and abilities opens the doors to more opportunities to deliver, get paid, and continue improving our craft.  Everything from creating brand awareness to closing the sale to qualified clients is important to the process.    Talented individuals with incredible skills and abilities often fall for the stigma that if they market themselves, they will scare people off. This mental trap has thwarted many rewarding careers from blooming and terminated many others who had the potential to make an impact.    Instead, we must reframe our marketing from being a chore to acting as a public service that helps clients discover us.  Clients seeking skilled labor services won’t start with a perfect list of people who can assist them.  If they know about us before they need our services, we will be on their shortlist as they ask us for them.       Use Creativity to Our Advantage    Imagine a highly skilled person who says they have Skill X and are looking for work. Their pitch is as short and to the point as the previous sentence. Are we going to feel compelled to hire them? It’s highly unlikely.    Marketing is a creative opportunity to tell a great story that compels people to act.  The most rewarding outcome is crafting a memorable marketing message that grabs attention and gets people asking questions. Of course, the first is getting paid.   Whether we are artists, technicians, or in the people business, deploying creative marketing messages that resonate with people is a great way to leave a lasting impression and secure our place as a cornerstone resource in our communities and the global marketplace.    Keep Our Marketing Messages Relevant    There are endless ways to differentiate and market ourselves against the competition.  However, we have to be mindful of who our messages reach to avoid giving the wrong impression to the wrong client.  Every business has certain types of clients that work better for it than others.    As we market our services, we must consider the nature and impact of our messages to capture the right clients. For example, suppose we’re building an elite tutoring business that serves the needs of affluent clients only. In that case, we don’t want to craft marketing messages about economic viability that attract penny-pinching Karens.    Instead, we must build our message to resonate with the problems of affluent families.  Our messages must target the worries of parents directly, whether it’s to provide academic and mentoring support, free up time for parents to focus on their careers and businesses, or any other needs common to affluent families.    We all speak English, but the English we speak with our clients must match theirs. Identify their problems. Build a solution. Tell them about it, tell them some more, and tell them again. Listen to their needs. Then, ask to work with them.    Skills X Marketing = More Possibilities   Building and optimizing our marketing skills is a rewarding journey where we can uncover new insights to apply to our craft.  Everything from the cradle to the grave in marketing has an application to improve our skillsets and knowledge.    The tipping point is when marketing turns from a game of hunting and killing to farming and cultivating.  When that threshold is broken, resources can be redirected from our marketing efforts to improving our services.  Until we achieve that breakthrough, it’s all about grabbing attention in unconventional ways that make us pop out in the market.    Along the way, we should experiment, keep score of what works, and don’t be afraid to be innovative occasionally, even when business is booming.  Market conditions are ever-shifting — what works today may not work tomorrow.  In corollary, what doesn’t work today could  work tomorrow, but we should be mindful if we’re betting on the waiting game.    What’s your first step to making yourself known in the marketplace?

I know what you're thinking: you want to be able to come to the rescue with last-minute requests.  Nothing puts us in a better light with people than taking on a favor at no expense to the requester.   It's human nature to want to be liked by people and seen as adaptable.  All things being equal, we tend to do business with people we like and respect.   There's nothing wrong with an occasional one or two pro bono projects.  These favors open our horizons into new and exciting territory.   But that's the thing: these favors must have a purpose and be a small part of our activities.   It’s common for skilled professionals to do things for free far too often.  Aspiring software engineers, videographers, digital marketers, writers, and musicians are common victims of the perpetual pro bono game.   They accept request after request while believing one will break them through the threshold to finally turn on cruise control as the money rolls in.  It's disheartening to watch them continue down this path until they realize very late in the game that there is no hidden treasure to doing it for free long-term.   They might make a little money here and there, but forget why they entered that profession.  Something triggers them to reflect on their experiences, only to realize they've created a self-damning reputation as being the free guy.  Then, an emotional torrent rolls in and overcomes them.   Creative happiness becomes stained with bitter resentment as a night-and-day switch is triggered within their attitudes.  They become so scorned and resentful from being taken advantage of that they fanatically commit to dying with their dreams inside them rather than offer another freebie.   Now, these burn-out creatives have aged into a position where they need to work for money by considering the long-term implications of their decisions.  Meanwhile, a new legion of younger people has slowly arisen, desiring to be discovered.  Their youthfulness and pure creativity destroy our relevance.   The aged creative who was taken advantage of feels like a used-up rag doll with nothing but blood, sweat, and tears to show for it. Considerations Before Committing To Any Favor   When we're new to an industry, we're invigorated with fresh energy that became bottled from our schooling.  As we turn our tassels from one side to another, we strongly believe our ideas will finally manifest as we enter the marketplace.   Unlike our seasoned counterparts, we do not have to unlearn obsolete techniques and knowledge that prevent seasoned professionals from adapting.  The caveat is that we do not know the true value of our services, which leads to these seasoned counterparts taking advantage of our creativity and performance.   Out of desperation, we do anything to get our names out there. We want to be known as the professionals who get it done. It's as if there are dues to pay to become known. These dues are an illusion in the game.   As a hyperactive creative in his thirties, I'm here to tell you that you have more options and choices than you think. We have more access to information than ever before. More opportunities exist than we can count, but we must find them.   Don't get me wrong—there are times when doing things pro bono is necessary and rewarding. Volunteering at one-time events to help others or taking on a project that allows us more creative freedom is certainly rewarding. However, I've learned that some askers will take advantage of you repeatedly.  Ultimately, it's up to you to put your foot down and tell them that they’ve drained their bank account.   If there is one thing to remember, it's this:   Free doesn’t pay the bills. Free doesn’t stop debt collectors.  Free doesn’t fix credit scores or stop evictions. Ultimately, free doesn’t lead to freedom.   With these important truths in mind, here are some questions that I wish I had considered before committing to doing countless pro bono projects back in the day:   Will This Enhance Your Portfolio or Reputation?   You should never feel bad about turning a favor into an asset you can leverage later.   When taking on favors, it's wise to consider the value of the favor.  Whether it allows you to create a tangible product, add to your arsenal of stories, or earn brownie points in leaders' eyes, it's important to consider how the favor can serve you later.   The favor should challenge you to try something new, but it should not be so overwhelming that it takes up time that could be used to do paid projects.   What Is The Fair Market Value of This Favor?   Your favors have value. In business, we quantify the value of our services, whether they are at Fair Market Value (FMV) or not.   We should do the same for our favors. The best way to do this is to summarize a list of favors we've done for people. From there, we can Google or use our favorite GPT to find out the FMV of that favor.   Be careful, though. We don’t want to do favors worth their weight in gold when these services should be compensated, and we don’t want to do a bunch of little favors that an administrative assistant is supposed to be hired to do.   (If you're an AA, I sincerely appreciate all the unseen things you do, no matter where you work!)   My rule of thumb is to do favors above my current market value. This allows me to build my portfolio to higher levels and charge accordingly. However, this is not a hard and fast rule.   Is This Favor A Stone, Pebble, Or Sand In Your Jar?   Many teachers use this analogy, but let's refresh.   In our lives, we should fill our jar with the important stones first, then pebbles, and finally sand. As we shake the jar, everything fills the space and settles naturally.   If we reverse it, we risk not being able to fit everything in.   When it comes to favors, we must consider them in the same context. The person asking may want it to be a stone, but that's not their call. You're in charge, and it's up to you to determine its fit in your jar.   If they want you to make it a stone in your life, invite them to sit down and discuss the price. :-)   What’s Your Hard Limit On Favors?   This is the best guardrail we can put up for ourselves. Unlike the others, it can be a conversation we have with ourselves or with a trusted friend or colleague.   When it comes to favors, establishing a ceiling on the number of favors you can do in a season does two things for us.   First, it gives us a reason to say no when people ask for excessive favors.  This is a great guardrail against someone who may have a reputation for asking for tons of freebies.   Second, we become more conscious of what we say yes to. With a hard cap on the number of favors, we become more selective about doing mutually beneficial favors rather than being likable.   Putting a cap on favors prevents us from being taken advantage of and incentivizes us to stop seeking them out for ourselves. People who are givers will sometimes seek to do favors proactively, but now, they should look more to sell themselves so they can continue doing what they love.   Is The Person Asking Known For Fishing For Favors?   The source of the favor is far more important than the nature of the favor itself.  There is a difference between someone who is in a genuine bind and needs a little push versus someone who believes they are a gift to the world and everyone else must work around them.   If someone has a reputation for asking for freebies, it should be your job to stop them. This is especially true if it's a business owner or entrepreneur—who should be MAKING money—who keeps asking for favors.  They should be paying you for a service they need so they can make more themselves.   Perform Favors Strategically   As we close out, there is one last thing to consider:   Getting better at marketing things we've already done might be better than looking for more opportunities to do favors. Perhaps there's something valuable in our stories we haven't considered, and we should leverage that.   Talking to a trusted counselor is the best way to do this. Whether through a mastermind group or over coffee, having somebody else's perspective can help us craft our message to increase the odds of landing those paid projects we need to sustain ourselves.   With pro bono work, we can now perform these favors more mindfully. Instead of saying yes now, we can consider it and respond thoughtfully later. The right people will respect your need to consider it, especially if the favor requires more effort to achieve fruition.   Never underestimate the value of the favors you do for others. What's one thing you can do to market your favors better to get those paid projects? Leave a comment below.

Dad. 1954 – 2024 I know life wasn’t ideal for us.  We were never the richest of rich, but you and Mom always ensured that my brother and I were more well-off.  From a young age, you told me it’s okay to be different from the rest.  As an adult, I see that truth more clearly than ever.   I remember my first memory walking through the woods with you.  It's ironic, but that’s where my love of nature grew.   You were always there as a kind and loving father who supported us in our pursuits. Through every trial and tribulation, you encouraged us to be strong warriors at every step.  Your spirit of adventure was on full display for every road trip and outdoor adventure.   Of course, you had an indoorsy side to yourself, too.  I remember beta-testing Windows 95, playing various computer games, and watching you fix up computers.  You taught me how to become proficient with computers super early, even to the point where I was pulled out of class in elementary school to fix computers back in the 90s.   We may have grown up modestly, but you always provided.  You were smart in paying off the house a decade ahead of schedule and ensuring that we had everything we needed.   And then came the accident that changed everything.   When you underwent an unsuccessful surgery, I remember how the doctors only gave you a year or two to live.  It was as if fate had slapped us for being too different.   A tsunami of uncertainty overtook our household, and suddenly, my brother and I had to grow up fast.  We had to live on a fraction of our income and make hard choices from that point forward.   However, you reminded us to persist in every adversity.  It wasn't the obstacle that defined us.  It was how we handled it.  From that, I learned to channel sorrow into a useful outlet that pushed me to pursue music in high school.   We were all fortunate to have you around for more than 20 years beyond what anyone expected.  Despite being unable to do a lot physically, you always showed us moral support, which shined most by showing Mom true love when she assumed the role of breadwinner for the household.     Despite all the evidence to the contrary in marriage, you and Mom demonstrated that people don’t have to see eye-to-eye on everything as a Buddhist father married to a southern Christian girl to live a loving life.  I see that now growing up as a Buddhist and becoming a Christian in my adult life.   During college, it was relaxing to always come home when I had the chance and join you in the den to listen to some classic rock.  You shared your stories in Vietnam, your expeditions as a geologist, and how you wish you could have pursued more.  However, despite your limitations, you always said you were proud of your sons.   There's nothing like listening to Alice's Restaurant every time I came home to relax, especially around Thanksgiving.   During my final year of college, I faced the greatest adversity from my first failed marriage.  Again, you stepped in and asked me what I would do better next time.   I channeled my rage to pursue a life of meaning and adventure through entrepreneurship on the West Coast.  Though it was difficult and it took several years to finally get started, you always told me you were proud of me for pursuing what was right versus what was easy and pushed me to keep going.   You encouraged me never to settle and to stay authentic at every step of the way, no matter the cost of opportunities I had to give up, such as a lucrative corporate lifestyle or being surrounded by people who made me feel alone.     Because of that, I now have great friends, an amazing wife who loves me the same way you both loved each other, and my own business where I work with students and stakeholders I enjoy, play all the instruments I remember you told me you wish you learned, and capture memories from people and nature to have real material to look back upon.   I remember in 2019 thinking you were going to finally bite the big one, so I came home for two weeks to ask you life’s biggest questions and gain from your wisdom at every step.  I wrote down what you said in my digital notebook, which I reflect on periodically to this day.  I’m fortunate to ask you these questions while you were still on this side of the grass. October 2023 My favorite recent memory is watching the solar eclipse from our back porch on April 8th.  I remember waking up to a cloudy and unlikely day and how you weren’t feeling your best.  As we approached the predicted time of the eclipse, the clouds began to part as if God was smiling upon us for the finale.   Suddenly, you emerged about 2 minutes before it started. The sky darkened, surprising and shocking us all.  I guess you weren’t going to miss this once-in-a-lifetime event either, aye?  Being the scientist and commander you were, you called out the phases as I readied my camera to capture the legendary corona in the sky. Total Solar Eclipse. April 8th, 2024 at 3:17 pm. Meadville, Pennsylvania.   I always knew that whenever I visited home, I had to make peace with the fact that it might be the last time I would see you.  Unfortunately, I was correct this time, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way than witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime event with you from the comfort of our backyard.   Thank you for always encouraging me to level up and pursue better while keeping what’s important in perspective.  Your spirit will carry on every day.  I love you and am thankful for your strength in surpassing everyone’s expectations.  Your spirit of adventure burns bright and will carry forward.    Thank you for everything, Dad.  Rest easy.

We often associate wealth with the size of our bank accounts.  While those with more money have more options, financial figures aren’t the only wealth metric.  Many in developing countries may lack financial prosperity but possess greater happiness, social wealth, and creativity than the average American.   When examining American wealth, it’s essential to consider the factors influencing families and individuals in the lower, middle, or upper classes.  Education, family values, neighborhoods, and proximity to opportunities represent a small pool of influential factors.  Therefore, we will examine the main driving forces in the United States that predict whether someone will become rich or poor. These will mostly be generalizations, as exceptions occur due to influences that cannot be measured directly.  Additionally, it’s best to remember that these factors may not apply globally to other countries.  Correlation Between Poor In Finances & Other Areas    Wealth remains a hot topic due to various factors outside our control.  Many of us focus solely on economic opportunities, such as our income, as a measure of wealth. For those beyond living from paycheck to paycheck, we also consider our savings and investments, which contribute positively to our net worth.   Naturally, accumulating wealth comes with trade-offs. For example, working an hourly job means missing opportunities to socialize, relax, and engage in non-work activities. We also face unintended effects on our physical and mental health, which accumulate over the years.  Economically, these are known as opportunity costs.  The selection of opportunity costs separates the rich from the poor.  People who are emerging in their financial success journeys tend to trade off their time and social wealth to improve their economic situations. In return, they expect to reach a tipping point where they can regain or replace what they sacrificed with something better. Usually, this is called retirement, but others call it financial freedom.  However, affluent individuals are less sensitive to financial impact.  While they may also trade their time, they focus on generating other forms of wealth, including their skill sets, professional networks, businesses, creativity, and good physical health.    On the other hand, people in poverty often sacrifice much more to obtain what they desire.  Generally, the less affluent strongly believe that time is money and make that their primary focus to survive.  As such, they don’t have time to pursue other aspects of life as their best physical and mental energies are spent living paycheck to paycheck.  If everyone knows that there are many paths to success, why do those in poverty get stuck in cycles?  Most have access to the same tools as everyone else: supercomputers in their pockets, opportunities to connect with others, access to great resources on the web, and much more.  Despite all that’s available, very few break the cycles.  If available opportunities aren’t the reason, what is?    Signs of Poor Overall Wealth    While these are good indicators, individual signs of struggling with personal wealth differ. No single metric indicates an individual’s poor overall wealth, but these major driving forces have been shown to influence them greatly.  The key is to observe whether these signs appear and how they compare.  1 – Always Complaining, But Never Taking Action   This sign represents a universal norm for most functional adults. As previously established, we are fully responsible for our own outcomes, regardless of whether we are at fault for them.  When facing a long-term issue, it’s a different story if someone is in a situation but takes the gradual, necessary steps to overcome it.  After all, major problems and challenges don’t disappear overnight.   However, if someone is unhappy with their situation, they must take full responsibility to make the desired changes.  Additionally, they must build resilience and a thick skin to fight through obstacles that may keep them there.  Complaining signals that others assume responsibility, undermining personal accountability and efforts to find solutions.  Most complainers favor an audience over action, trapping themselves in a cycle that obstructs meaningful change.  2 – Telling The Same Old Stories   Have you ever been around someone who tells the same old stories repeatedly?  It creates a dull and dreary atmosphere as you anticipate them bringing it up again like a broken record.  When someone consistently relies on the same story over time, it typically suggests a lack of creativity.  This behavior often reflects an attachment to the past and a reluctance to embrace new opportunities.  While sharing the most vivid and meaningful highlights of our lives is understandable, we generally prefer to hear current updates to keep relationships fresh.  3 – Blaming The Government For Their Problems This behavior is often the most unambiguous indication that someone is facing financial difficulties. They’ve lost all hope of improving their lives, so they blame the government for their problems!   Regrettably, life is filled with unpleasant tasks, such as paying taxes, obeying traffic laws, serving on a jury, and many others. Nevertheless, most laws in America are created in the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.   What these rights don’t do is hand them over on a silver platter!   Never have enough money? Seek ways to earn more.  Displeased with your elected officials? Vote and inspire others to do the same.  Not fond of the new park added to the neighborhood? Take suitable action.     Passivity rarely brings about our desired results.   4 – Not Believing In Their Own Creativity   This sign can be challenging to detect, as creativity is often invisible to everyone except artists. However, to succeed in any field, applying creativity within a relevant and practical context is crucial for achieving breakthroughs and a sense of meaningful accomplishment.  Everyone is born with the capacity for creativity, but we often lose it over time. When we face rejection in our work, we tend to scale back our creative aspirations as a coping mechanism to fit in better. Consequently, creativity is frequently perceived as risky; the more we encounter rejection, the less likely we are to incorporate it into our next significant idea.  Those who experience ongoing and/or significant rejection may believe creativity is limited to a select few. In truth, we all possess the ability to be creative, although it often diminishes as our imaginations confront reality.   Consequently, those who give up their creativity often conform to the crowd, adopting a herd mentality in their approach to life. Years pass by in a blur, leading them to accumulate regret after regret for not utilizing their creativity to take more risks.   5 – Afraid of Change or Unable to Adapt   Individuals who fear change often go to great lengths to remain precisely where they are, regardless of whether they need to change to improve their quality of life.  They cling to old adages, possessions, and habits that keep them locked into the same situation.  People unwilling to adapt to the changes around them have not developed mental resilience. Although it can be challenging, struggling to accept and adapt to changes is a clear sign that we are more likely to spin our tires and go nowhere.  Change is an inevitable part of life, after all.  In the early 1990s, we hardly had any computers in the workplace.  People discovered the power of the internet in the 2000s.  Social networks became commonplace in the 2010s.  Now, AI is here to stay.  Who knows what will come next, but one thing is for sure: those who refuse to adapt will be isolated and left behind.  How To Leave The Poor Crowd   It is difficult to leave those we care about, but there are valid reasons to distance ourselves from poor people.  Some reasons may make us worse off, so we must evaluate our circumstances and consider the trade-offs carefully before making a decision.  1 – Evaluate Why You Are In The Crowd  We all have relationships for a reason. For some of us, these relationships include people introduced by our teachers, parents, and others in our immediate families whom we do not choose. In other cases, our neighborhoods may attract certain types of residents.  Friendships or alliances are formed when both parties perceive a benefit. For some, this might be simply someone to joke with, go on adventures with, vent to, or seek advice from. For others, alliances are strictly transactional and only function when both parties profit.  We can assume that we are not at fault for our situation.  However, it is our responsibility to change it.  To understand how we have reached this point, we must ask: What brought us here, and where do we go from here?   2 – Ask If You're Benefiting Long-Term From This Crowd  As mentioned earlier, there is a perceived benefit to every alliance or friendship we establish.  The real question is: Is the benefit indeed what we think it is?  When we reflect on our alliances, we must be brutally honest about their mutual benefits. Ultimately, we must ask ourselves: Is this alliance symbiotic or parasitic?  Another way to consider it is: Do my alliances provide Band-Aids to problems or growth and transformation? Band-Aids are temporary and mask problems, while transformation endures. Understanding the difference is essential in deciding whether to maintain current partnerships or let them go.  3 – Find New People  If our situation isn’t what we desire, we must find a different tribe.  This doesn't mean that our old friends lack value. Instead, we recognize that to discover new opportunities, we must open new doors.  When we establish new alliances, they should be mutually beneficial by providing value in exchange for new opportunities.  To achieve this, we need to research and ask about our new alliances.  Dale Carnegie's timeless classic, “ How to Win Friends and Influence People”, provides enduring advice: It is easier to make more friends in two weeks by taking an interest in them than in two months by merely talking about us.  Thus, any partnership we establish should focus more on them and less on us. This paradox seems backward at first, but the more we invest in other people, the more they invest in us. Additionally, it allows us to listen to others talk about themselves so we can decide whether these partnerships are what we seek.  Lastly, we must recognize that there's no guarantee that new connections will work out. Some individuals are paranoid and assume the worst about everyone who tries to reach out to them. Proving them wrong can be a worthwhile challenge in some cases, but it's not worth the time in others.   Ultimately, we should lean on our intuition to decide whom we associate with.  4 – Plan Your Breakup  Planning breakups with dead alliances is crucial to feeling in control of our destiny.  It's wise to wait until we have trustworthy new alliances before severing ties with associates who do not provide a mutually beneficial partnership.  As we plan our breakups, we must consider how the other person will respond. We need to understand their typical reactions and decide whether to engage in honest conversations or ignore them completely.   While ghosting someone may not be fair, there are valid reasons.  Former alliances with those who lack emotional intelligence may represent the risk of an unhinged reaction, which could put us at physical, mental, or social risk.  In these cases, it is best to let time fade them out instead of confronting them directly.  When contemplating the best way to sever connections with these individuals, it is beneficial to have at least one person we trust to discuss such matters.  For optimal results, refrain from mentioning names unless absolutely necessary. Engage in the conversation and listen to suggestions that increase the probability of an amicable separation.  5 – Say Goodbye Appropriately   We must plan our breakups according to the individual involved.  Due to personality differences, the best way to say goodbye to one person may not be appropriate for another. Therefore, we must be mindful of how we approach this situation.  For some individuals, it's best to communicate in person to ensure direct eye contact. There's no need to be harsh, but being firm and confident when delivering the news is essential.  It may be hard for them, but who knows... it might change them for the better.  In situations where confrontation may not be best due to emotional instability, ghosting a former alliance is usually the best option. As mentioned previously, this is the best approach when confronting someone who represents serious physical, mental, and social risks.  Either way, we must remind ourselves that we don’t owe anyone an explanation. We are all responsible for our well-being, and securing our oxygen masks first is vital to changing the trajectory of our overall wealth.  Enter New Riches Beyond Material Wealth  Everyone accumulates wealth through their choices and responses to their circumstances.  While luck may play a factor in some cases, we must actively work towards improving our situations.  Changing someone else's circumstances is challenging if they lack internal motivation.  When left to their own devices, most people tend to maintain the status quo, regardless of the potential benefits that change might bring. We need to recognize who is who and decide how to interact with people moving forward.  The best way to break the cycle of holistic poverty is to change our social circle. If the people in our circle do not inspire us, we don’t have a circle; we have a cage.  We must find the key and unlock ourselves by cultivating new relationships when we find ourselves in a cage.  As we make difficult decisions to improve our lives, we must remain humble and kind. Some people will respect our choices, while others may resent them. Focusing on those who offer support is the best way to enhance our social wealth.  What's your first step to entering new riches? Comment below!

One thing I didn’t mention in Five Unconventional Items I Lean On As A Freelancer is how cool it is to be able to equip yourself for your freelance journey. While it’s true that there’s upfront money to be paid, there’s something to be said for using equipment that you own for yourself. Outside of the tax write-offs, it feels amazing to choose your own equipment and not settle for what somebody else gave you. When I worked as an engineer, I was lucky if I got anything that was worthwhile, but I always had to make do with what I had. Now, I get to work with equipment that meets my standards, which makes me appreciate what I have more today.   Five More Unconventional Items Here are five more unconventional items that I use in my day-to-day operations. Some of these items are more specialized for certain tasks, but they are useful.   HP Prime Graphing Calculator  When we think of calculators, it’s easy to think about our high school or college days in math classes. Back in college, I used the TI-89 Titanium for all of my engineering classes, and I thought it was one of the best calculators out there. However, after college, I found the HP Prime on Amazon. After using it once, I’ve never wanted to use a different calculator. Here's why: First, this calculator is lightning-fast. I’ve run speed tests with it against TI and Casio calculators, and the competition doesn’t come close to the HP Prime. This thing is built like a computer, which Hewlett-Packard is known for anyway. Second, this is touchscreen-enabled. It feels like a smartphone, minus the distractions. Its sleek design fits easily in my pocket and is similar in thickness to one of my smartphones. I couldn't tell you how many times I've wanted to zoom in on a graph and had to fumble with a calculator to do so. Third, the display is gorgeous. The colors it renders in 2D and 3D graphing are astounding. It’s the only calculator on the market that can now go into dark mode. Now that I’m done geeking out, where does this calculator come into my freelance work? It helps me in two fundamental ways. First, I bring this calculator to all math tutoring sessions when working with students and mathematics. Using the built-in solvers, I use the calculator's computational speed to solve problems before other students do. Since it's approved in AP-level math classes, most of my students convert to the HP Prime camp when they graduate from using a scientific calculator. Additionally, it hammers out mathematical models and analyzes small datasets on a device that enables focus. Once I'm satisfied, I take these ideas to a real computer to do the heavy lifting. If you’re a numbers kind of guy or gal, your investment in this calculator will not disappoint!   Gerber Shard  Something is amazing about having a multitool on you. It’s even more extraordinary when it’s on your keychain and can be used daily. The Gerber Shard is a versatile piece of metal that can be used as a: Bottle opener, Mini-pryer, Phillips screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver, ...and more. Its usefulness makes it so that I cannot feel good leaving home without it. I have used this multitool for more creative uses as well, such as removing staples, cleaning out gunk in my woodwind instruments, and more. Note: If you fly anywhere, put this in your checked luggage. M-Wave MIDI Keyboard As a freelancer, you want reliable tools that document your ideas wherever you are. When it comes to music, having a good MIDI keyboard can make creativity more accessible, no matter where you're at. I originally bought this MIDI keyboard, thinking it would be suitable as a Bluetooth-enabled device. Unfortunately, it did not deliver on its Bluetooth promises. However, it’s the only mini keyboard I’ve seen with a USB-C port, reducing the number of cables I need to take with me daily. My students enjoy hearing new beats made on the spot while they’re doing homework. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable, I simply connect to my iPad while I’m running sessions with students, and I’ll loop some beats to get them fired up and focused.   The Enerwow All-Day Charging Brick In the previous post, I introduced a charging station that recharged my electronics throughout the day. It is a powerhouse that can charge anything from smartphones to laptops. However, sometimes I don’t need a bulky battery. Is it possible to get the same energy from a more dense item? Absolutely. The Enerwow Charging Brick is perfect for days when I only need to take my iPad with me. It has 50,000 mAh of juice and can charge my electronics at 30 W. On one charge, I can recharge my iPad to full capacity several times during the day. It doubles the EngineStar Portable Battery discussed in my last post on heavier days. iClever Folding Keyboard This iClever Folding Keyboard has made pocket productivity possible. Sometimes, I don’t even want to take a book bag with me, so it makes up a lightweight unit alongside a folding phone stand. This keyboard can be paired with three separate devices. I have an Android and an iPhone, and this keyboard pairs with both without issues. The trackpad is the icing on the cake for extra functionality. Ergonomically, I feel this folding keyboard is probably one of the best you can buy. The keys are spaced out in the same way as a normal keyboard, which is sometimes a point of compromise with other keyboards. Additionally, I can use this keyboard for two months on a single charge.   Unconventional Items Tell Great Stories   There’s a wide range of unconventional items available on Amazon and other e-commerce businesses. These items I've showcased work well for me, but there's always more gear out there that can elevate my freelance game. Do you have any unconventional items that you use in your day-to-day operations? Leave a comment below.

Working as a freelancer presents its own perks and challenges. Most successful freelancers know they cannot treat their venture as a regular 9-to-5, so preparing for long and irregular hours is critical to enjoying the journey.     However, a major piece of the puzzle is overlooked when defining what makes a successful freelancer: How to equip ourselves. Our selection of equipment determines the ceiling of our effectiveness. Mindset is also critical in freelancing, especially in hard times. However, the equipment used in our ventures must be carefully selected. Since freelancing is an unconventional path, we must use unconventional equipment to get us through our abnormal days.     My Five Unconventional Items   Here are five pieces of unconventional equipment that have made a difference in my freelance journey. Remember that everyone has different needs, and what works for my ventures may not work for yours. However, you may spur some new ideas from my list. Please note that none of these items are sponsored; I picked them because I truly got more value from them than I paid.   Mobile Charging Station  Most of my work is created, refined, and delivered electronically. Naturally, using computers is not optional. I have great electronics at my disposal, but a single charge will not get my most power-hungry devices through the day.   Unfortunately, I've encountered a repeating bottleneck with my electronics: lack of access to outlets. Most coffee shops and libraries already have other users swarming around available outlets. Additionally, these places do not permit the use of extension cords because they are tripping hazards.     To counter these problems, I use an EnginStar Portable Power Station to provide my own outlets. This lightweight battery has saved me hours from hunting down outlets and expanded my ability to work outside in parks to enjoy some fresh air.   This power station provides juice for an entire day. I can plug a brick into the direct outlet or one of the charging ports for smaller electronics. Both sources can be used simultaneously when multiple devices need to be charged. This power station was also built for survivalists. If the lights go out around me, the back is equipped with a survival LED. Occasionally, I even use this light to remove shadows in photoshoots. When I return home after a long time, I plug it into my wall outlet and let it charge overnight so it is ready for the next day.   Adjustable Tablet Stand  Working on electronics is difficult on our necks. Built-in keyboards in laptops and compatible keyboards with tablets are useful, but don't address long-term ergonomic challenges.     This is where a good old-fashioned tablet stand comes in. The LISEN tablet elevates my 12.9" iPad Pro to an optimal height for my neck. Not only does it make working on projects easier, but it also makes the camera angle far more flattering during video calls. Additionally, it can be oriented in portrait or landscape mode. This allows me to work in the best orientation for my work. I prefer to work on writing projects in portrait mode while editing photos in landscape mode.   Tablets aren't the only thing this stand can hold. Smartphones and calculators easily fit in the jaws of this stand. When I use my phone for a video call, I put it on this stand while using my tablet to take notes, make edits, or conduct research.   Tablet stands are best paired with Bluetooth devices such as keyboards, mice, and trackpads. Ziploc Bags When we think of Ziploc bags, we normally think of them as ways to store snacks and other food items. Their use is usually singular since food tends to leave residue inside the bags.   Outside of food storage, Ziploc bags are a cheap tool for organizing items into more easily accessible departments. I pack what I need for the day into smaller bags and then compartmentalize all the smaller bags into larger bags. This way, when I’m looking for an item, I pull out the bag instead of fumbling around in my backpack.   Additionally, Ziploc bags provide a layer of weatherproofing in the event of surprise rain. My backpack might get soaked, but my electronics are shielded against water. This strategy is also great for folders with important papers.     Pocket Notebook Even in the digital age, there is something zenful about using a little pocket notebook with a pen. As the name suggests, it goes in a pocket and can be taken out at nearly any time to take a note or two.     Despite electronics' advantages, such as storing mountains of ideas, a little pocket notebook unlocks something that appears to be at a premium these days—focus. We live in a time when our attention is divided among many different ideas, people, and sources of entertainment. Consequently, these little things siphon attention from important matters. When you open a notebook, all those distractions fade away as you pour your thoughts onto the paper. Filling a blank page with your own thoughts and ideas is a thrill that cannot be paralleled on electronic devices.   Some things are timeless, and writing in a little notebook will always be one of them. With important ideas, developing muscle memory burns them deeper into our psyche, unlocking more creative juices and ownership of the idea before ramping up for digital production.   Wheeled Suitcase When we think of suitcases, we usually think of going to the airport or driving long distances. However, how often do we actually use our suitcases? Could suitcases be meant for more than traveling on our chosen airline?     Instead of letting my suitcase collect dust between flights, I employ it as a mobile storage bunker in my vehicle. A suitcase is handy for properly packing and sealing all of my important items for the week. I've fit multiple items in the suitcase each week, which makes it easy to ensure everything is ready to go, including backpacks, camera bags, dry food containers, and totes for grocery shopping. However, care must be exercised when turning the suitcase from horizontal to vertical. I strongly recommend using some cheap blankets as padding to secure items in place.   When I park my vehicle far away from my destination, having a wheeled suitcase makes transporting materials manageable compared to hauling everything in a backpack.   Unconventional Items Produce Remarkable Results   These items were acquired and deployed in response to daily issues while freelancing. While most items can be acquired on Amazon, I strongly recommend checking out things in a brick-and-mortar shop to ensure they best suit your needs. There's nothing wrong with using a couple of unconventional items to get through our long days. After all, who is going to remember? Even if they remember, they may wish they had done the same thing. What unconventional items are your go-to in your day-to-day? Leave a comment below!

Hands down, the 2024 Great Eclipse was a top-five epic experience. Not only was it my first time witnessing a total eclipse, but I also had a front-row seat in the backyard of the house where I grew up in Meadville, Pennsylvania.   My first eclipse experience was in 2017 while living in Portland, Oregon.  Unfortunately, I was outside the path of totality and only got coverage around 99.5%. It reminded me of an old saying – 99% is an itch, while 100% is a breeze.   Little did I know how right I was. While seeing the sun covered to a sliver and the crescent-shaped shadows it produced was cool, there was something epic about full-on totality. Images of totality on social media in 2017 burned in my mind as an otherworld experience that required my own commitment to seeing it with my own eyes.   As soon as I discovered that the next total eclipse was predicted over my hometown in 2024, I knew I needed to go.  I had no idea where I would be in life after seven years, but that eclipse was always on the horizon in my mind, year after year.   In early April, I traveled back home to beat the rush.  Growing up within the temperate Great Lakes climate, I knew statistically that the odds were not favorable for good weather, but another total eclipse wasn't predicted to occur for two more decades in the United States, let alone another one over my hometown. I bought plane tickets early and figured, at the very least, it would be good to see my parents.  As the day approached, the forecast was looking surprisingly favorable for showtime.   Luckily, my bet paid off despite the odds.   Game day was overcast, and people around town were murmuring about the potential bust. I knew historically that the sun would probably drill the clouds apart throughout the morning as the temperature continued climbing. We had blue skies around two hours before totality, and I was very optimistic.   However, more clouds from the west rolled in during the hour leading into totality, playing on my emotions.   At first, I enjoyed capturing the partials, but clouds suddenly swept in from the west and darkened the view, rendering my solar filter useless. The optimistic side of me was happy with the partials, but the go-getter wanted nothing more than to capture the prize of totality.   Patient yet anxious, time was ticking ever closer to totality.  As it seemed like the sky was about to have its last laugh, the clouds broke apart and became thinner, parting the curtain of clouds for the big act.   Interestingly enough, the thinned clouds provided excellent texture around the merging celestial bodies as the skies suddenly darkened with a cool breeze that rolled in to chill our minds and bodies. The temperature drop was dramatic as we lost light fast.   And just like when your favorite DJ's beat drops hard at the club, the full-on total eclipse did not disappoint.  As I frantically kept capturing stills, I reminded myself that I needed to take it in and be present to enjoy my prize after my 7-year-long wait.   For nearly four minutes, the moon’s aura danced and flared to entertain the town.  The hoots and howls from the college across the street and the nearby park marked an era that Meadville had never seen.  The sky radiated a mystical twilight around it, where the horizon remained lit while darkness ensued above.    I fully recognize how lucky I was to be in a position to capture an incredible moment. In contrast, my colleagues in Upstate New York were buried under the clouds, preventing them from seeing the celestial entertainment.   Victory! But What Could Be Improved?   As I relished the outcome, I couldn’t help but think about how I could have better prepared for this unforgettable event.   I compared my pictures to others and was pleasantly surprised. Of course, other photographers whose work appeared more profound than what both of my cameras captured.    If there are three things I’d do differently in 2044/2045 (or sooner in another country) to dial it in more, here they are:   1 - Use A Longer Lens   I captured my eclipse shots on a Sony A7R3 with a Tamron 28-200 mm lens.  Naturally, I maxed out my zoom fully to capture the most detail possible during totality.  Using a full-frame camera also meant that my zoom wouldn’t be as pronounced as an APS-C lens, but the quality was far better.   Earlier this year, I was on the fence about acquiring a 150-500 mm lens for this occasion and future use in wildlife photography. After my experience, I would have acquired the lens without question and shot around 350-400 mm, if not at the maximum length possible.   Luckily, the main camera's massive resolution of 42 Megapixels saved my images. Larger camera sensors ensured that my images could be cropped inward without losing much detail.   2 - Shoot Using Aperture Priority   Normally, I shoot using shutter priority when I do starlight photography.  Controlling the exposure time ensures that the least blur is introduced in my photos and reduces noise.   However, the eclipse's totality provided a twilight instead of a full blackout.  This meant more ambient light was available than expected, and my one-second exposures were compressed using a very deep aperture of F/32.  Luckily, the images did not have photonic distortion as they would during the daytime.   Knowing that ambient light would be available next time, I would have fixed my aperture around F/8 to get sharper photos by reducing my shutter speed significantly.   The next improvement would fall more naturally in line by keeping the settings relatively balanced.   3 - Use Metered Shooting For HDR   Metered shooting would have unlocked many more editing options.  For those not into photography, metered shooting is when you shoot 3 images simultaneously: one underexposed (-1 eV), one normally exposed (0 eV), and the last one overexposed (+1 eV).  These images are merged in post-production using HDR.   I know many people say they want to see raw footage of eclipses, which is admirable. However, our cameras do not capture images in the same way human eyes do, which is why post-production is important.    Even if the extremes of exposure didn't turn out well, I would have rather known that was the case than have it as a lingering thought.    Overall, I'm Glad I Captured It   I don't think my pictures turned out badly at all.  The subtle cloud layer over the eclipse added unexpected texture that wasn't captured across the country in the line of totality.     Additionally, the odds weren't favorable for good weather, considering Meadville's historical snow, rain, and overcast forecasts.  I'm sure there are those out there who believed it would be a washout; I almost did, too! Likewise, other areas where everyone swore would be prime viewing spots ended up being a bust.   Fortunately, we beat the odds and secured some great images to enjoy.  My parents enjoyed it in their backyard, alongside my wife and great friends.   The only thing that will be different next time is that I will have the experience to apply to increase my odds of a better outcome. While North America is 20 years from the next total eclipse, I think I can travel internationally and continue capturing one of nature’s most entertaining phenomena.

Day and night, Dark and light. The sun rises and demystifies An otherwise dark world, Revealing all in sight. After a full day, The sun goes to sleep Inviting the denizens of life To join in chorus of restful slumber. While most take the invitation, Some remain active Providing enriching ecosystem services Preparing everyone for the sun's arrival. Right on cue, The sun rises and conducts Life's symphony, Beginning the next passage In the key of a new day. Two Sides of The Same Coin The sun rises to light up our world daily, only to set while displaying a peacock of colors. After a good night's sleep, we wake up and prepare ourselves to take on the day, using natural light to our advantage. As the day passes, the sun sets and reduces the tempo of life to a restful pace. As a whole, we naturally gravitate towards natural light as it illuminates what hides in the dark. Light unlocks the clarity and detail of a vibrant world full of life and natural wonder. When we can see our surroundings, we feel more secure knowing exactly what's out there in plain view. In contrast, there are times when we thrive in the dark. For example, when we’re camping, we enjoy sitting around the campfire during twilight and sharing stories with those we cherish and enjoy. Some people prefer to work in the dark in some climates because they don’t have the sweltering sun pelting on them throughout the day. In war, nighttime was the perfect time for armies to advance their position and catch the enemy by surprise. However, these transitions do not happen instantaneously. Anyone who has woken up before the sun or watched the sunset over the horizon knows that these transitions are gradual. As these changes occur, we notice changes around us, such as flowers blooming, traffic picking up for rush hour, and people watching the stars in the middle of nowhere. In this next installment of Turn To Nature , we will examine how sunrises and sunsets transition the behaviors of organisms in nature and our own. We will explore what opportunities and challenges are present during these transitions and how we can make the most of our sunrises and sunsets. Daytime Flourishing Plants and green algae harness light to produce their own food through photosynthesis. These producers take light and transform that energy into their own energy reserves for growth and maintenance metabolism. In energy webs, producers are the beginning of all food sources and are consumed by primary consumers, who are then consumed by secondary consumers, etc. In addition to providing food, the sun warms the planet and influences weather patterns. When sunlight hits the Earth, most energy is deflected by the ozone layer, but the remaining energy hits molecules all around, increasing their energy and temperature. These changes in temperature also affect other aspects of climate, including wind and precipitation. As the sun rises on the land, temperatures rise gradually. Mist accrued from the night evaporates into the clouds and travels until it falls as precipitation elsewhere. Plants and flowers open up to allow more sunlight to hit their chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Additionally, animals know that when the sun rises, their activities must resume for them to survive. Sunlight is a vital source of energy for most of life on Earth. Without the sun, entire ecosystems would grind to a halt and break down instantly. With energy flows disrupted throughout the ecosystems, producers would die out and face extinction since they rely on the sun's energy to produce their own food. If freezing to death doesn't kill most life instantly, the destruction of the food webs will ensure its termination. Nocturnal Preparations When the sun sets, and light gives way to darkness, the Earth doesn’t freeze over since it rotates and becomes heated on a different side. The temperatures will drop when not within sunlight; to what degree they drop depends on the geographic location and type of terrain. Life doesn’t disappear without light – it takes on a different rhythm. Most active animals in the daytime slow their tempos by using the night to rest and recharge for the next day. Nocturnal animals will experience a contrast with their daytime counterparts by being active at night. Usually, these animals rely on senses outside of sight, such as echolocation, but others may have eyes that are far more sensitive to light and utilize the moon's reflections for navigation and finding food sources. Plants also shift roles at night. While they may not be absorbing sunlight and taking in new energy, they use their energy reserves to soak up more nutrients and perform maintenance on themselves. When they can get these resources in line, plants can make the most of the sunlight they absorb the following day. Thanks to the absence of light, other ecosystem services may occur more intensely during the night. Decomposers, who generally cannot be in light or risk getting burned, are more active at night by breaking down dead organisms and wastes into nutrients to be used by plants in the soil. Moths and bats pollinate flowers to prepare them for flourishing the next day. While the night is generally less active than the daytime, nature and its inhabitants become active in a different capacity. Through engaging in periods of rest and other ecosystem services that are not ideal to conduct in the daytime, nature continues its beautiful cycles of growth and change as it prepares for the next sunrise. Bringing Together – Nox & Lux Sunrises and sunsets represent transitions in our lives. As we transition, conditions change, making what was familiar moments ago strange. Some instances of these transitions are welcome, whereas others bring about fear. Do sunrises represent good things to come, while sunsets reflect gloomier times? Not at all. Sunrises and sunsets are two sides of the same coin that bring different opportunities. Because of their cyclical nature, they cannot coexist without one another. Sunrises can come with their adversarial side effects, while sunsets provide much-needed change. Too much sunlight can lead to organisms dying from scorching heat or radiation overdoses. Likewise, sunsets provide a resting atmosphere to allow organisms to rest and repair in preparation for new challenges the next day. ing Sunrises & Sunsets On Our Opportunities Sunrises represent new opportunities that allow us to come more alive in our lives. These opportunities can be significant to our trajectories, including dating someone new and exciting, a key career transition, or another major life transition. Likewise, the length between our sunrises and sunsets can be short-lived, such as a vacation or an excursion across the state. Unlike traditional days with set sunrises and sunsets, the time between our transitions varies from one event to another. In most instances, when the sun rises on one opportunity, the sun must set on something else. As we leave a previous job, we allow the sun to set on that opportunity for it to rise on something else, whether it’s another job, an entrepreneurial venture, or transitioning into retirement. Sometimes, these sunsets are unforeseen and may be caused by a change in the economy that causes layoffs or business closures. Often, it's more important than anything how we respond to the transitions between sunrises and sunsets that define our character and how others perceive us. Life will have its own sunrises and sunsets that we cannot control, but we can choose how we respond to and acclimate to them. Preparing For Sun Rises As we are aware of new opportunities, we tend to go into preparation mode. Our preparation will look unique for each of us, but there are some trends that we tend to follow as we prepare to seize the new day: #1 - Reflect On Previous Transitions When faced with a new opportunity, we often compare it to older opportunities. As a result, we create an exhaustive list of possibilities. Some of us tend to hyperfocus on what might go wrong. Therefore, it is important to face our previous and current transitions as objectively as possible. We should celebrate our victories as they occur, but learn from our shortcomings to make better decisions. Nothing will hinder us more than shutting ourselves off from opportunities due to a mishap in our own history. We increase our chances of being better prepared to transition smoothly by assessing our opportunities as they arise. #2 - Prepare Due Diligence It is important to build on our reflections and prepare our own due diligence on the opportunities in front of us so that we can plan to transition into them appropriately. We must accurately assess the context, timing, people, and other major factors that affect our transitions. It may be helpful to look at our new opportunities as a fresh start, but harnessing wisdom from our reflections is important to avoid pitfalls that could occur when transitioning through our next personal sunrise. #3 - Rest Up An often overlooked aspect of preparing for personal sunrises is the power of rest. We often hallucinate scenarios of our competitors working nonstop around the clock to take opportunities away from us, like kids getting their candy stolen. These façades defeat the purpose of rest and lead to absolute exhaustion. Consequently, we cannot think clearly when the opportunity becomes immediately present, and the well-rested competitor will swipe it away. Therefore, it’s important to rest optimally. We do not want to get lazy and indulge in rest, but we don't want to overcompensate by working until we crash and burn. After our sunsets, we need to wind down, create a save point in our work, and rest accordingly so that when the sun rises, we're fresh and ready to go! Preparing For Sun Sets As we have experienced with sunrises, we must also prepare to transition into our own sunsets. While it's easy to work right up until the last minute, it’s imperative to give ourselves cues and a routine to follow when it’s time to settle down and get ready for rest. #1 - Focus On What’s Important When sunset is upon us, that means our time is limited; a finite number of minutes are ticking before the light gives way to darkness. Therefore, we need to make these minutes count. Given that it's impossible to do everything, we must decide and focus on what's important. By prioritizing, we can prepare our remaining energy to make as much progress as possible and take the baton even further to be handed off to our future selves tomorrow. #2 - Go All Out There’s nothing more satisfying than ending the day with a bang. By going all out, we expend what leftover pent-up energy we have on important projects that make us feel the most alive. How we go all out will look different for each of us. For some people, it may be a flamboyant show of doing as much as possible before the sun's final curtain. For others, it may be double-checking that everything is done and closing our shops. No matter what it looks like for each of us, we must commit to spending the remaining energy as we prepare for sunset. The old saying goes that tomorrow is never guaranteed. #3 - Dial It All Back When the sun sets on an opportunity, the doors can either close permanently or for a short amount of time. As such, we need to ensure that we are either at peace with the results or create saving points for us to pick back up during the next sunrise. As we wind down, we need to get into a routine to signal to ourselves that it's time to turn it down. When we go to bed, we normally have a routine that prepares us for sleep. In the same way, with our own personal sunsets, we need to establish a routine that internalizes that it's time to wind down. When conducted properly, we can get adequate rest and be more able to invest in future opportunities. Make The Most Of Each Sunrise & Sunset Sunrises and sunsets are transitional signals that we should either prepare for the day ahead or dial back and take a breather. Nature is a perfect example of how to capitalize on sunrises and sunsets. While some organisms are more active at night, large organisms become more active in the daytime, and plants bloom. However, both day and night are essential to organisms' longevity and ecosystems. In our personal lives, sunrises and sunsets are major opportunities. These transitions coexist as two sides of the same coin and are unavoidable. Recognizing how to take advantage of these transitions appropriately increases our chances of living meaningful lives for our long-term journeys. What sunrises and sunsets have you experienced in your life? Leave a comment below.

When we think of environments, do images of luscious tropical rainforests with their tenants of sprawling residents vividly manifest in our minds? This is not by accident. Environmental awareness has become a key topic discussed in schools, politics, and society in the late 20th century. As a result, we're more aware of our relationship than ever before. Before modern society, most of humanity viewed nature as an unconquered frontier filled with traps and treasures. Now that we've explored all parts of the globe, we've recognized nature's patterns in different climates. However, environments are not limited to natural ecosystems. Since the dawn of civilization, humans have sought to understand and manipulate their immediate environment to support their needs. The creation of farms, cities, and personal homes has enabled humans to increase their chances of survival and live better lives. While nature is the master architect of ecosystems worldwide, the most important environment for us is most likely our home, school, or work environment. Each artificial environment serves a general purpose: Home environments are personalized for enjoying life, relaxing, raising kids, cooking meals, and other general purposes we take for granted. Business environments command professionalism and productivity, putting us in a state of mind to complete the work we are hired to do. School environments are preprofessional spaces to learn, train, and master academic or trade material. Outside of the three general environments, there are many other special-purpose environments: Theaters and concert halls exist to entertain us. Museums are constructed to inspire us. Playgrounds are engineered to allow children to expend pent-up energy. Fairs and amusement parks pop up to remind us there is still magic out there. In this essential installment of Turn To Nature , we will analyze natural and man-made environments and highlight how they influence our behaviors, mental health, and productivity. We will consider elements such as lighting, textures, spatial capacity, and intricate elements in our environments. Once we have an idea of the elements of our environments, we will discuss how to optimize the variables in our environments advantageously and adapt to other aspects of our environment that we can’t necessarily control. Natural Environments & Their Residents In nature, an environment is broadly defined as everything we can see all around us and perhaps a little bit beyond. Environments such as deserts and plains may be vast and empty or filled with many interesting residents of that particular ecosystem, such as temperate and tropical rainforests. All environments inherently have their own natural resources, climate conditions, and geographical position on Earth, making them irreplaceable. However, tropical rainforests in Southeast Asia may have much in common with the tropical rainforests of Central Africa and Northern South America. Very few species have been able to adapt to any environment in the world, but some organisms have demonstrated greater resilience than others. Several key climate factors will determine whether an organism will thrive, survive, or die – including the climate temperature, fluid conditions (air or water), sunlight availability, natural resource availability, and resilience to natural disasters. Organisms that can adapt to a wider variety of these conditions are said to have greater resilience. "If you judge a goldfish on its ability to climb a tree, but all of the rest of its life, thinking it’s stupid“ – Albert Einstein We will look at three examples to see how organisms work to ensure they are in their ideal environments. Example #1: Koala Bears Koala bears are unique in their niche and have low resilience to change. Unlike most organisms, the koala bear is built to consume only one type of food: eucalyptus leaves. What makes koala bears so intricate is that once they get used to their eucalyptus diet, they will stick only to the type of leaves they are fond of consuming. As a result, when the koala bear’s food source is depleted, it faces a high probability of death as a consequence. In addition to food sources, koalas rely on Eucalyptus trees as a source of shelter and to be out of reach from predators at the ground level. Therefore, koala bears must have their ideal environment to maintain any chance of survival. Example #2: Migrating Birds As we've seen before in the Migration installment, birds migrate during the fall to seek out warmer weather. The Earth's seasons are opposites in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. Birds are creatures that thrive in warmer weather thanks to their warm-blooded nature. More importantly, their food sources are easier to access in climates free of snow and leaf litter that may cover their food sources. If a bird stayed in a colder climate during the winter, it would risk dying either of starvation or frostbite. Therefore, it makes sense for the bird's long-term interests to migrate to a warmer climate with ample eating and mating opportunities. Example #3: Water Bears, The Ultimate Adaptor Water bears are resilient to the extreme and are known to survive some of nature's most harsh conditions, from the chilling winds of the Antarctic to the scorching heat of the desert. As a result, these microscopic beasts are found worldwide, from sea level to mountain ranges, from the tropics to tundra, and in other environmental conditions that would destroy other organisms in minutes. Temperatures aren’t the only drastic changes that put water bears to the test. Their bodies can withstand pressures six times the amount exerted in the Mariana Trench or 6,000 times the air pressure we experience passively. When the food supply is low, water bears slow their metabolism down and go dormant until they detect a food source with the hairs that stick out of their bodies. While the water bear may be the most resilient animal ever discovered, it thrives in a preferred environment like any other organism. These little beasts shine in freshwater environments rich with moss, which is why they are given the name moss piglets. With the ability to survive the harsh conditions of outer space that no animals could match, it’s easy to see why the water bear is on the pedestal of exemplifying the power of resilience. Analogies Applied To Our Lives We’ve seen several examples of organisms' nature and how they thrive in their ideal environments. Some organisms demonstrate greater resilience than others, but all organisms desire to exist in an environment where they thrive and are free from danger. As people living in a modernized society, we have more access to thriving environments than at any other time in history. While inequality is still a persistent problem today, the amount of resources available enables even the poorest to improve their own environments on a daily basis, even if it's small and seemingly trivial. When done correctly, these changes compound to allow us to improve our living and working conditions substantially. Therefore, it’s up to us to modify our environments as much as possible. In most situations, we are in a home or work environment, but our environments greatly depend on the stages in our lives. Additionally, we must recognize that we cannot control everything in our environment, especially environments we don't own. Therefore, we will look at home environments and work environments. Environment #1: Home Environment A home environment is our space for rest, preparation, and enjoying time with family and friends. Most homes are created with a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms, but some homes may have more or fewer. Whether we rent or own our homes, we have the most control over our home environments compared to environments beyond our doorstep. Unlike natural environments that act as their own version of a free market, home environments are designed and modified to fit our vision. Depending on our circumstances, we may only be able to control as little as a bedroom or as much as an entire house. Most bedrooms are outfitted with the standard bed, dressers, and access to a closet. Some of us elect to have some extras in our bedroom, such as a desk, a bookshelf, or a musical instrument. Our walls may be filled with pictures, a mirror, and other amenities that make our room feel like ours. The furniture and decorations reflect the trees and vegetation in forest ecosystems. Interior designers emphasize that it's just as important to know what to put together in a space as it is to take away. When we first enter a room, our senses are flooded with information about what's in it. The more items in the room, the more attention units are taxed to process their existence. Studies have shown that, as a general rule, environments are more refreshing and productive when they have minimal occupancy of items and decorations. This is why organizational consultants such as David Allen and Marie Kondo emphasize having a clean, organized room so that we focus less on the clutter in the room and more on our work or rest. While some people are more resilient to disorganization and clutter, we are most likely to use the environment appropriately when our rooms are neat and tidy. In the following action steps, we will examine some best practices we can implement in our homes to minimize maintenance and maximize our home environments. Environment #2: Work Environment Work environments are a completely different landscape, and we have minimal or no control over them unless we are business owners. Even if we are in a position to change our work environment, we may be subject to the state and federal regulations that determine how businesses must be laid out and operated. Working remotely has become more common post-COVID. Whether we run a small business from a laptop or work on projects that only require the use of a computer with internet access, we may need to designate a room or a corner that allows us to do our best work. However, most of us commute to a workspace of some capacity. As we enter the building, some of us are lucky to have a cubicle over which we have complete control and can prevent interruptions. However, many frontline workers have no designated environments to call their own and must often share it with their other colleagues. If we are fortunate to have our own space at work, we may be given a set of protocols on what items are acceptable in our spaces. We must understand and optimize these constraints to create the best work environment possible and increase our probability of moving into higher positions. "Everything rises and falls on leadership." - John C. Maxwell When we rise into management and higher leadership positions, we may have greater control to develop policies and procedures affecting multiple work environments and their employees. Those who oversee the work of others must provide a more sensitive ear and listen to those who work below them to ensure the success of the teams providing the services. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere, everyone will know what is expected in their work environments, boosting employee productivity. As with most things in life, knowing what to enforce and what to let go of is a delicate balancing act. Deviations that are a safety hazard, a potential lawsuit, or impede production must be addressed firmly and respectfully with everyone involved. While there needs to be a sense of order in the work environment for businesses to be competitive, becoming nitpicky about everything will impede our progress rather than enhancing it. It could backfire when we step on people's toes and micromanage them in their environments to strictly adhere to the rules. Employees could run out the door, increasing the costs of training and hiring replacements. Therefore, it's important to recognize what creates the best long-term bottom-line outcome. Optimizing Our Environments Becoming more aware of our environments and the effects of what occupies them is an important first step to making the necessary changes needed for us to thrive. Every environment is unique, and what works for one space may not necessarily work for another. The action items listed for home and work environments must be considered to determine what works for us. There’s nothing worse than applying the wrong plan to the wrong environment. Thus, we must take a full inventory of what changes are possible and necessary to adapt to what we cannot change, so we may focus on the more important items in our lives and work. Home Environments Home environments allow us the greatest control over their layout and what occupies the space. Whether we have a bedroom or a floor plan, controlling our environments to the fullest extent is essential for us to get the most out of them. Most of the advice applies to any size room or house, but we must consider our unique circumstances when deciding what aspects to change and what to discard. Action #1: Organize Our Spaces Entirely It’s easy to fantasize about a space that cleans itself and naturally falls into place, but that is impossible. Organization in itself requires a high level of mindfulness and upfront effort to be completed and well-maintained for the long haul. Everything from the placement of the furniture to the neat little details is important to consider. Even if it’s by using a sheet of paper or a digital document, we need to inventory our items and determine their residence within our space. We need to develop a system that works for us without overcomplicating the project. We must determine whether every item will be in sight, stored away, or disposed of. While there may be hundreds or thousands of items to consider, it should be as simple as looking at them and intuitively knowing their place. Set items that need more time to determine their residence aside and focus on the easy items to build momentum. When everything is documented and easy to manage, we free our minds to relax or pursue other things that give us life. Action #2: Make What's Important Accessible There’s nothing worse than having an important item tucked away or put in another part of the room, where we have to retrieve it and put it back constantly. When considering how to lay out our environments, we must consider what layouts will result in the fewest moves needed to enjoy them. In layouts, putting items in an area where they can be easily retrieved is vital to their usefulness. As a personal example, for items I use daily, I deliberately store them in spaces within arm's reach. My electronics, cables, and backups are stored in drawers underneath my workstation, which takes seconds to set up and utilize. Additionally, from analyzing my habits, I put everyday pocket items where I know I can grab them quickly, such as my wallet, keys, multi-tools, and a mini notepad with a pen. Making important items accessible requires considerable trial and error. However, as we get into the groove of keeping the right things accessible, it will become more intuitive to us what needs to be stored in proxy against what is tucked far away. As seasons change, what needs to be accessible will also change. A snow shovel will be within arm's reach in the winter and stored in the shed in the summer. Adapting to life's changes becomes easier when we're mindful of these seasonal changes. Action #3: Ensure Adequate Lighting Is Present There is nothing that makes a house a home more than adequate lighting. Natural light not only keeps our electric bills down but also often provides an atmosphere within our environment. With adequate natural light, everything becomes visible that otherwise might cause our eyes to strain; that energy is freed up to do things around the house or enjoy our environment. If we live in an environment without adequate lighting, we must remedy these deficiencies. While overhead lights may help, they can cast shadows and strain our eyes. Therefore, floor lamps positioned around the room are a key solution to providing adequate light. By contrast, removing light is important when we do not need it. It is important to have the right curtains and blinds that allow us to quickly remove light when we don’t need it, so that we can rest midday if needed. Finally, the temperature of our lights is important to consider as well. Lights with a warm, yellow-orange hue are softer and create an atmosphere that is perfect for nighttime, whereas lights with a cool, blue-white hue are far better during the daytime to supplement natural light. Often, it's best not to let these hues clash with each other and instead lean one way or another. Action #4: Maintain Your Environment Successfully setting up our environment and fine-tuning it to what works for us is a huge victory in itself, but the work doesn’t stop there. All environments need to be maintained, even those that may not have anyone occupying them for a while. As we discussed in organizing our environments, documentation of how we will maintain our environments is essential to ensuring we get the most out of our living spaces. Many of us have a list of chores that need to be done daily or weekly, but having all that is documented and tracked can liberate us mentally and allow us to do other things that are ultimately more important to us. Unfortunately, reality has shown us time and time again that things tend to break down from time to time. Furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures, and many other items in our spaces will deteriorate over time due to use or rust and must be repaired or replaced. When we create our routines to maintain our environment, it’s best to accept reality, document what we think will need to be replaced, and ballpark when we think it will need to be replaced as well. As with creating our environments, trial and error will be needed until they become more dialed in. Action #5: Eliminate Unnecessary Possessions Regularly When we enter a new environment, we see all the possibilities of how our possessions will occupy the corners of the rooms. Over time, we tend to add more items without realizing it. One addition here, one addition there, and soon enough, we may as well audition for Hoarders. The emotional attachments that come with them make eliminating possessions difficult, often due to the work and sweat we may have had to invest in obtaining them. These items may hold sentimental value as they are passed down from generation to generation or have been gifts from a long-time friend. When we’re deciding what to keep and discard, we need to consider a myriad of circumstances. However, we must recognize that keeping everything indefinitely may hurt us long-term. Even if ample storage is available, we need to recognize that there is a season when possessions belong with us, and once the seasons are up, it’s time to sell them, pass them along, or discard them. We must consider the long term to properly evaluate whether each item is an asset or a liability. In Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she recommends reviewing our possessions regularly and asking whether they are serving us or occupying space. There are some exceptions to whether an item should be kept or discarded. Seasonal items such as leaf blowers, holiday decorations, and special occasion attire are best stored and retrieved when the occasion calls for them. However, it’s essential not to allow these items to crowd our inventory, or we risk having a lot of special occasion items regularly occupying our precious storage spaces. Work Environments Work environments are generally much larger and contain more people alongside higher volumes of items that may be created for passing through the facility. While processes and regulations may determine how operations must be laid out, businesses still control a few key items to ensure their environments are conducive to productivity and employee satisfaction. Action #1: Optimize The Climate of Your Environment Studies have shown that well-lit, cooler environments yield more productive employees than environments without control over these conditions. Additionally, some environments may require humidity control depending on whether water-sensitive products are manufactured on-site. One of the worst things a business could do is ignore these essential items to save on costs and please shareholders. Not only is it petty to pinch pennies this way, but in some situations, it can lead to safety hazards and, in some conditions, OSHA violations. These violations can lead to fines exceeding 50-100 times the amount that it would have cost businesses to fix the problems in the first place. Therefore, businesses must provide the lighting and climate required for employees to be as productive as possible. Action #2: Ensure Access To Essential Tools Nothing is worse than committing to a work environment that doesn’t provide the necessary tools to perform the job. Whether it’s access to simple tools such as pen and paper, computers and required software, or sophisticated tools such as lab equipment, having access to needed equipment is essential for doing our jobs well. If we are in a leadership role within a company, we need to recognize what tools our organizations need to be successful. The little pain points we may overlook that employees experience may cost our organizations big time if they are not addressed with empathy. It may cost us a little bit more upfront, but the payback could happen much sooner if we listen closely and decide what tools would work best for those under us. In most cases, it’s best to have redundancies on hand. Equipment that gets regularly used is bound to break down over time. Failing to provide redundancies to essential equipment could result in production bottlenecks and failure, leading to costly outsourcing, angry customers, and enraged calls for change in leadership by stakeholders. Action #3: Tidy Our Workspaces Before We Leave It’s easy for us to get into the grind of getting things done, and we are exhausted by the time our day ends. When we have no more mental energy to expend, it’s easy to pack our bags and bolt out the door. As we leave the office, papers are everywhere, multiple tabs are open on Chrome, and chaos reigned supreme from our day. When we forget to tidy our workstations, our future selves are left to pick up the tab. When we come into our environments, we are first tempted to expend our freshest energies cleaning up the mess. That energy can be better spent on building better business proposals, engineering new technical solutions, or responding to an emergency we could not anticipate. Therefore, when we are at the end of ourselves during the day, it’s essential to remind ourselves how important it is to invest in our future selves through cleaning and tidying up. Although it may require 5-10 more minutes of our day, we position ourselves to hit the ground running on what’s important in the organization and better position ourselves for upward mobility. Not only will having a tidy workspace be an investment in our self-image, but it will also give the impression that we are more organized than our colleagues. We never know who may be rummaging through our work environments after hours. Action #4: Keep At Hand Immediate Tools And Store What Isn't Needed An environment’s setup is important, but its real value lies in how it's used. A space can only be used well if it is laid out in a way that promotes the behaviors we seek from our work. Since most work environments may have multiple people in them daily, it’s best to consider the best principles for bringing out the best in everyone who passes through. Therefore, keeping items stored neatly is the best policy for conducting business. When items are used often, it’s better to have them close by than with items that may serve no immediate purpose. Keeping workstations clean requires having simple storage solutions tucked away, which is an integral part of keeping everything tidy and easy to access at will. Business environments normally have large quantities of items that must be procured correctly for tax purposes. In response to these requirements, most businesses procure their own inventory with a DBA of some kind. This allows businesses to know what’s in stock, being used, being created, needing maintenance, or replacing altogether. These systems provide the snapshots needed to make these decisions quickly and allow leadership to focus on more important items. Action #5: Keep A Timer Handy In the age of mobile and desktop devices with built-in timers, there's hardly a reason to collect extra gadgets. However, we live in an age of distractions, and timers are an important tool to keep us focused on our work until we hear the beep. Therefore, it makes sense to double up by purchasing a $2 device that aids us in utilizing our environments wisely. While it may be a small component of any room, its deployment can have a mighty effect. Unless our devices are programmed properly or we exhibit a high level of discipline, it will be tempting to use our phones to check out things that we don't need to be checking at the moment. This small, single-purpose gadget provides a coherent method to track how much time we spend daily doing things. Many corporate and production work environments use timers to track employees' time spent on tasks and projects. In businesses that may not have those protocols in place, using timers can help us achieve our goals more efficiently. As we demonstrate improvement to our team members, the pendulum may swing more in our favor regarding upward mobility. Timers aren't just for work-related items. If we need to take a break and need to know when time's up, setting a timer can liberate our worries by tracking how much time remains. Some of us have trouble permitting ourselves to take a well-earned break. With a timer in hand, we internally justify a well-earned break by also using this timer to stay focused for a long time. As we can see, timers can be used in all situations, including checking email, working on client projects, and tidying up so we can go home for some well-earned rest. Making The Most of All Environments Nature's habitats serve as a great reminder of how many small and large pieces can paint the canvas of the environment. Geographical spaces have evolved throughout the Earth's existence and have seen countless residents adapting and making the most of their spaces. While some organisms can adapt more than others, every organism desires to live in an environment that best fits its needs and allows it to thrive. Humans have a long history of being able to change their environments to suit them. We initially changed our environments to increase our chances of survival and stave off predators from attack. In modernized society, we now focus mainly on two primary environments: the home and the work environment. Every environment brings a host of challenges and opportunities. Our homes are where we have the best chances of controlling our space entirely. Work environments can prove more challenging because of their purpose, but with the right approach, they can be changed to satisfy employees, and in return, they become much more productive in bringing in revenue and solving problems important in our ventures. What little changes will we make to our environments that will lead to enormous improvements over time?

The world and its vast array of natural resources create new opportunities for all organisms to thrive. Since life's inception, organisms have spread out from their origins to seize new resources that are essential for maintaining life functions necessary for survival and reproduction. When a land becomes exhausted or overcrowded, fresh resources can be accessed as little as a few inches away or by traveling across the globe. Migration is a vital life force that humans share deeply with other organisms. The innate desire to seek a better life through settling in new environments, building new social circles, or pursuing better economic resource opportunities has led humans to migrate from their Mesopotamian roots to the frontiers of the New World. While we have explored and conquered all corners of the globe and their environments, opportunities continue to arise in unexpected areas once overlooked, thanks to technological advances and societal influence. In our migration installment of Turn To Nature, we will explore the similarities and differences between humans and other organisms regarding migration. We will discover two major types of migration that organisms undertake in search of better opportunities to survive and reproduce. Finally, we will apply the principles of migration to enhance our lives, whether it is as simple as moving across town or trekking across the world in search of better opportunities. Migration In Biology & Ecology Since life's beginnings, migration has been a deciding factor in natural selection for organisms, big and small. In any given space, organisms have limited resources to consume, creating competition when expansion is impossible. Most organisms with mobility will avoid competition and confrontation when possible and, as a result, migrate to a new space rich in resources and as devoid of competition as possible. As a result, migration is a major life force that governs how organisms operate, survive, and reproduce. There are two types of migration: cyclical migration, where organisms travel back and forth between two or more destinations in a predictable interval, and permanent migration, where organisms spend their lives searching for a better life with no intention of returning to where they started. Cyclical migration is a predictable travel pattern based on the season. During cyclical migration, organisms will migrate thousands of miles to reach a similar climate on the other side of the equator that has favorable conditions for their survival. Additionally, the food sources are relatively similar based on their climate, even though they are on the other side of the world. A prime example of seasonal migration involves birds flying thousands of miles. Because they are unrestrained by terrain, birds can fly from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa without much trouble. They generally prefer spring and summer. When autumn arrives and the leaves fall, they will travel to the other side of the globe to enjoy another springtime. In general, birds will fly together in a V-shaped formation to take advantage of the air drag that each one produces, and as a result, require far less stamina to make the journey than if they traveled alone. Another example of seasonal migration involves aquatic creatures. Humpback whales feed in colder waters where their prey survive and breed in warmer waters that favor their offspring. Turtles travel across the seas for food, and female turtles return to their birthplace to lay their eggs. Finally, salmon in freshwater ecosystems migrate to the sea to grow, return to freshwater rivers to lay their eggs, and return to the great unknown again to live the rest of their lives. In contrast, nearly all terrain-based organisms engage in shorter, more permanent migration practices. Grazing animals such as wildebeests and sheep eat their current food sources and will migrate until they find new ones. Once they find them, they continuously devour their food and move onward without looking back. As grazers migrate, their predators, such as lions and wolves, are bound to follow their tracks. Food sources of predators adapt and learn to move out of their territory, and in response, predators must either expand or move their territory or risk starvation. The cycle keeps grazers and predators moving to new territories. Once an ecosystem's resources are consumed, it will follow one of two fates. On rare occasions, the ecosystem will become uninhabitable by any organisms since resources do not magically replenish on their own. Living and nonliving forces commonly replenish, transform, or remove resources. When resource availability changes, new opportunities arise for different organisms to inhabit an environment, creating a chain reaction that changes the composition of organisms at any time. Our Own Migrations Of all the concepts discussed in Turn To Nature, migration is perhaps the easiest driving force we can relate to. Our reasons for migrating may vary when examined at intricate levels, but boil down to three distinct factions: economic, social, and environmental. We will now discuss the broader historical trends of our migrations and how they have led to modern migration patterns. Historical Migration Humans migrated from their Mesopotamian roots to parts of Africa, Europe, Asia, and the New Worlds of the Americas and Oceania. Like wildlife, humans had food sources to hunt down to keep their tribes fed and growing. Thanks to technological innovations experienced throughout history, humans have changed how they migrate, as we'll see in our journey. With the breakthrough of agriculture, the ability to manipulate our environment to grow our own food significantly lessened the need to travel far and wide. Farming, irrigation, and soil cultivation techniques made growing all types of food in a concentrated location easy. Unlike their hunter-gatherer phase, humans faced significantly less risk of being killed by other predators. As a result, cities sprang up where the population had access to ample food resources, giving way to other economic services. Agricultural surplus gave rise to different roles in a city, including educators, religious leaders, military, and government roles to maintain a well-ordered population. Additionally, cities gave rise to local economies and a means of production. Cities were settled in environments that contained their own unique set of natural resources. Because of their abundant resources, cities specialized in creating products to trade with other cities. Local trading routes expanded throughout the centuries and became part of the Silk Roads, which connected Europe with Asia. These connections gave rise to traders and merchants who capitalized on their opportunities. Naturally, migration routes were woven into the Silk Roads as human curiosity led people to colonize new lands. The human desire to continue discovering new trade methods led to the Age of Exploration, connecting most known civilizations through maritime trade routes to the undiscovered lands of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. These explorers reported back to their rulers, which initiated many conquests to claim new territory and expand empires. Finally, the Industrial Revolution came into play, which made many large cities economic and production powerhouses that built wealth at a tremendous scale. Those who sought a better life migrated to these larger cities to get their slice of the financial pie. The Industrial Revolution gave way to the modern capitalistic system, in which we exchange capital, time, and labor for money. Modern Migration Even though we’ve established ourselves on every continent and the majority of islands in the world, we continue to migrate to seek better opportunities for ourselves. Just as ecosystems change in their makeup and resource availability, cities evolve in their own economic composition. A strong example of economic transformation is the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Once hailed as the steel capital of America in the 19th & 20th centuries, Pittsburgh shifted its economic focus from manufacturing to finance, technology, and health care in the early 21st century. As a result, a younger workforce migrated to where the Monongahela meets the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers in search of a better life. Modern migration differs from its historical counterpart by resulting in one of the three driving forces mentioned earlier: economic, social, and environmental influences. When a city's economy shifts, its social and environmental conditions will also shift. While manufacturing eroded from Pittsburgh's economic base, the shift towards more modern industries resulted in a younger workforce and cleaner air. As seen in most cities, one of the most common reasons for migration is to be in a position of greater economic opportunity. Economic driving forces are frequently combined with social and environmental reasons for migrating. In most cases, cities tend to have more economic opportunities than smaller towns and often draw a younger professional crowd with many years ahead of them. Another driving force behind migration involves social and political reasons. In general, artists and progressively minded professionals tend to gravitate towards the most significant cities, where market conditions are ideal for them. In contrast, traditional and crafts-minded people prefer the open countryside, where traditions are strongly valued. Additionally, larger cities will have neighborhoods devoted to immigration cultures, such as Italian, Chinese, and Somali cultures, to name a few. Finally, those who are more fond of nature or wish to be in a town away from people will migrate for environmental reasons. Older generations may seek a quieter, more reflective life by migrating away from bustling urban areas. Additionally, their lifestyles may come with a lower price tag. The reverse is true as well, especially for a younger generation filled with the hopes and aspirations that come with big-city dreams. Their ability to acquire relevant skillsets quickly, which leads to high earnings, is a strong pull for younger crowds. In an ideal environment of towering skyscrapers, city lights, and motivated professionals, younger people feel more at home with the energy and momentum exhibited in urbanized areas. In all instances of migration, it boils down to the migrant's value systems and what they are hoping to achieve through making a big move. Migration Action Plan As we have seen from nature in human history, there are multiple ways to embark on our journeys. Many of us believe that dramatic change is required to improve our lifestyles, but that may not necessarily be feasible or what we truly need to achieve those goals. As such, it's essential to consider the context of our lifestyles to determine whether migration is necessary and, if so, what the magnitude of migration is required. For most people, moving as little as 5 miles across town is all they need to improve their situation. Others may need to travel greater distances to seize the opportunities they seek. Therefore, we will consider two types of migration plans for ourselves: one that requires us to travel only a short distance and be able to revisit our old location as needed, and another, more dramatic plan that involves no turning back. Short Distance Migration For those of us planning to move a short distance, consider the following: 1 – Evaluate Our Current Situation To best gauge our personal needs, we need to take inventory of our current lifestyle, surroundings, and opportunities. Some questions to ask ourselves are as follows: How does my current environment influence my day-to-day decisions? Are there people who hinder my progress toward my goals? Do I reside near good economic opportunities, or are better ones nearby? These are but a few questions to consider. 2 – Determine What Changes Are Required Change is one of the hardest things for us to do, but without it, we cannot replant ourselves where we need to be. Luckily, the process of change doesn't have to be overwhelming. We need to identify the specific areas of our lives to change and create specific goals for them. There will be tradeoffs as we transition, but the benefits should outweigh the tradeoffs. 3 – Ensure Migration Will Benefit Us As mentioned before, there will be tradeoffs when we migrate. We might have to say goodbye to old environments and people, but we must consider the benefits of migrating. The further away we move, the less likely we are to have easy access to them. Weighing the benefits is as simple as drafting a two-column list. On one side, list the pros of moving, and on the other side, list the cons. When adding to these columns, go for volume. Finally, evaluate the weights of our pros and cons. Stay objective, but recognize that not everything we assign will be 100% objective. 4 – Identify The New Location When we conclude that a short-term migration is necessary for improvement, we must decide where to move. Research and explore potential neighborhoods that align with your goals. Additionally, consider factors such as the cost of living, job opportunities, community amenities, and the local residents. 5 – Make The Move Planning and organizing the logistics of our move will minimize downtime from our regular routine. Logistical items may include packing (or managing packing), transportation, and settling into a new location. Long Distance Migration Sometimes, a minor move across town just won't cut it. We need to sever ourselves from our old region to pursue opportunities, and that's okay! If we're feeling called to make a more dramatic cross-country trek, this may be a better action plan for us to follow: 1 – Identify Potential Areas We live in an age where we can research any area from our phones. Before committing to an area, we want to ensure it matches our expectations. Therefore, research is important to make a more informed decision. When researching a new region, start with its major categories, such as its market, climate, and culture. We should also research any other items that may be important to us, such as healthcare, public transit, recreational opportunities, and more. 2 – Identify Resources Every area has its own pool of resources that the community relies on. These include economic development, access to food and products, and organizations that benefit the community. Additionally, some areas are more approachable to newcomers than others. It's important to identify resources that can assist in our migration to the area so that we can become familiar with it when we get there. 3 – Make Connections Social media enables us to connect with anyone from anywhere. When connecting with people across the country, it's best to be polite but to the point about our reasons for connecting with them. One of the best ways to connect with people is through LinkedIn. In this professional community, connecting with professionals we haven't met yet is more commonplace. From there, we can start a conversation to gain perspectives on the area of our choice. There are other great apps for connecting with locals. Conduct some research to find the app that may be best for us now. 4 – Plan The Move Once we've researched and connected with some locals, it's time to develop a relocation plan. There are many moving parts in any long-distance migration, so having an idea of what to expect is important to make the journey successful. Some important aspects include logistics, finances, legal considerations, and downtime from point A to point B. The longer the journey, the higher the probability of encountering something unexpected. Depending on what exactly happens, this could be beneficial or a setback. Additionally, taking less may be the best strategy for a massive migration if it matches our lifestyle and migration goals. 5 – Begin The Journey It's easy to get hung up on the details of planning the next chapter of our lives. As we eagerly pen what will happen next, it feels like it already happened –– until it's time to actually go! Fear and hesitancy are natural when making a big move. They exist as questions to ourselves to ensure we're doing what we truly want to do. After all, pain is a part of change. Alas, it's time to make the change. If we don't, all of our planning will be just an academic exercise. Start by packing one item and then another. Soon, everything will be packed. Then, start the next step and watch the ball roll as we gain momentum to finally embark on our journey. As the old saying goes: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Plan Your Next Migration Migration has been a cornerstone for organisms to seek better opportunities and continue to survive and reproduce. Whether organisms engage in cyclical or permanent migration, undergoing migration is a natural response to change, as environments never stay constant for long. As ecosystems continue to change and transform through living and nonliving forces, new organisms will capitalize on the environmental changes to fulfill new niches that ensure their survival. Our own parallels in human history have been documented with our own migration patterns. People seeking new opportunities for a better life or escaping the current environment's oppression take large risks to go to a new land for a fresh start. Nowadays, we experience our own migrations on both a daily basis and as a one-time deal. To turn the page on the next chapter of our lives, we may move dramatically from coast to coast or to a new continent that fills us with excitement and hope for a better future. Even if we are not planning to undertake a migration for ourselves right now, we must consider what tools we have at our disposal for making our own migrations in the future. What new opportunities await us to be seized as we bust out of the comfort zone of our own familiar territory? Only time will tell.

Image Courtesy of Wix In the bustling world of nature, two types of creatures exist - those who work for themselves and those who work in colonies. We see both these types of professionals in business, with freelancers going at it alone or with a few others, while others join teams to work on projects in production-based settings. Nature has served humanity as a timeless source of wisdom, inspiration, and insight for progress. The beehive is an exemplary symbol of collaboration and productivity in its portfolio. Within the intricately structured project, bees contribute to a great cause seamlessly, each playing a unique role without question to ensure the hive's success. This remarkable display of natural teamwork offers valuable lessons that can be extracted from the economy of nature and applied to our own businesses and personal projects. As we observe the intricate workings of the beehive, we discover a profound significance in emulating the collaborative spirit of these industrious insects. Just as the bees work together to create a thriving hive, we can tap into the power of collaboration and productivity to achieve remarkable outcomes. In this piece, we will explore the wisdom of the beehive and uncover its lessons for enhancing teamwork and productivity. By delving into the remarkable social structure of the beehive and the remarkable feats accomplished through collective effort, we will extract valuable insights and practical strategies that can elevate our collaborative endeavors. The Power of Collaboration in the Beehive A remarkable display of collaboration unfolds within the buzzing world of a beehive. These numerous tiny creatures, driven by a shared purpose, exhibit an intricate social structure and a remarkable division of labor. Each bee has a specific role and responsibility, working in unison with their fellow bees to ensure the hive's success. The power of collaboration in the beehive is a testament to the strength of working together towards a common goal. Every bee has a designated role and set of responsibilities in the beehive: The queen bee is the hive's heart and focuses on reproduction and maintaining the population. The worker bees constitute the majority and take on many tasks, such as foraging for nectar and pollen, building and maintaining the hive, and caring for the young bees. Finally, the drones are male bees who play a vital role in mating. Each bee's contribution, though perceptively small, is essential to the hive's survival and productivity. What sets the beehive apart is the seamless collaboration among its members. The bees work together harmoniously, utilizing their unique abilities and strengths to achieve a common goal. Each bee communicates through intricate dances and pheromones, sharing vital information about the location of food sources and potential threats. Through efficient information exchanges and delegating labor amongst the bees that work for their strengths, the hive maximizes its productivity and efficiency, ensuring its survival even in the face of challenges. Would these bees be able to survive individually? Not at all. The collaborative nature of their roles requires them to work together harmoniously to achieve a result greater than the sum of their parts. While humans are more capable of independent work, the beehive is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of collaboration. Just as the bees come together to pool their resources and skills, we can harness the power of collaboration to achieve remarkable results as well. By embracing the spirit of cooperation and recognizing each team member's unique strengths and contributions, we can create an environment where productivity thrives, innovation flourishes, and success becomes attainable. How Beehives Generate Better Teams The lessons offered by the beehive extend far beyond the buzzing world of insects. By examining the mindset and attitudes fostered within a beehive, we can unlock valuable insights into creating better teams, organizations, and individuals who take greater ownership of their roles. Collaboration The principles of collaboration and teamwork observed in bees apply to businesses and various settings, leading to enhanced synergy, improved communication, coordination, and trust within teams. Fostering collaboration and productivity begins with cultivating a mindset rooted in the values of teamwork. Like the bees in a hive, team members should embrace a sense of purpose and shared goals in their roles. By understanding the importance of their role in the team's puzzle piece, each member can develop a sense of ownership and commitment to achieving greater success. This mindset encourages a collaborative spirit where each individual actively supports and uplifts their fellow team members while giving their best efforts each and every day. Synergy: Sum > Parts The most potent driver of the beehive lies in the power of synergy, where the collective effort of a team produces greater results than the sum of individual contributions. Just as bees work in unison to maximize the efficiency and productivity of the hive, teams can orchestrate themselves to experience the power of collaboration that achieves remarkable outcomes. This requires effective communication, coordination, and trust among team members and leaders. By openly sharing information, actively listening, and valuing diverse perspectives, teams can leverage their collective intelligence to crack complex problems, make informed decisions, and drive innovation. Through a collaborative mindset, teams can create an environment where individuals thrive, innovation flourishes, and productivity soars. Just as bees work together harmoniously to achieve a common goal for the hive, teams that foster collaboration, effective communication, coordination, and trust can overcome challenges, achieve remarkable results, and create a culture of success in their own organizations. The wisdom of the beehive reflects the transformative power of collaboration and serves as a guide for creating better teams in the workplace and beyond. Applying The Lessons of the Hive It's not enough for us to observe the workings of the hive and believe that through understanding its ecology we will naturally become better at teamwork ourselves. Bees have an instinctual understanding of teamwork, but our minds are built to train and learn new habits, thought patterns, and perceptions of our world. Here are five key ways to put the lessons of the beehive into action and integrate what the bees have known from day one into our own psyche: 1 – Lead Efficient Meetings When bees communicate, they are efficient because they know they must keep building the hive. Our meetings need to be just as dialed in to be effective. No one wants to hear someone droning on about ideas that don't matter, so having a focused agenda will keep everyone engaged. 2 – Standardize Communication Every organization has its own culture, and nothing is worse than situations where collaborators feel left out because they don't understand the context behind certain communication styles. Therefore, the leader must clarify and standardize communication across the board so everyone can work efficiently in the organization. There will be disagreements about how people perceive communication styles, but without standardization, communication will be nothing short of people buzzing around. 3 – Highlight The Importance of Each Role Team members want to know that their work matters to the organization, even if the impact is small. People in lower-level positions tend to believe their impact is small because of the lack of responsibilities and pay they receive. As leaders, we must remind them how their role contributes to the bigger picture. Holding candid conversations with them is critical to collecting their true perspective when they feel lost. From there, we can light up a path for them to see where they truly fit into the bigger picture. 4 – Reassess The Team's Strengths Unlike bees, we evolve in our own leadership and skillset capabilities. Our strong suits today may not be a strong suit tomorrow, and being able to reassign team members to realign their strengths to a role is critical in a dynamic organization that responds to an ever-changing market. 5 – Showcase Intermediate Results No one likes working on a team for the long haul when they're unsure how their contribution matters. Even if the project is incomplete, team members must be shown the intermediate results of their labor as motivation to keep going. When team members see how far they’ve come and how much longer they have to reach the final results, they can easily figure out what they need to do and motivate themselves to finish the job. This increases their productivity and ensures that projects are done to the standards we expect as leaders. Improve Your Beehive, One Honeycomb At A Time The beehive is an amalgamation of small, incremental contributions that manifest a much larger result. Everybody has their own individual role that contributes to the greater cause. Whether on teams of 5 or 500, it’s important to make collaboration and productivity the core of the operation. Everyone comes in with their idea of how to do things, but without figuring out ways to work together, people will step over each other and cause more friction and turmoil, which impedes progress, than if they were to work alone. Everyone needs to recognize the value of their own role in addition to everybody else’s contribution to creating something bigger than themselves. Start with one small change you can make to improve your organization's teamwork. If you're not on a team, visualize what you could have done better in previous situations where you were on a team. The old saying goes: If you want to go fast, go alone. However, if you want to go far, work together.

When we think of fire, what comes to mind? For most of us, fire is necessary for keeping warm, cooking food, and is an integral part of evening relaxation around the fireplace. For others, fire strikes fear because of its destructive potential to burn homes and their fondest memories to the ground or inflict personal harm when mishandled. Nature has its own productive way of utilizing fires to refresh aging ecosystems. While we may view wildfires as destructive liabilities that can scorch hundreds of acres of land, nature uses wildfires to recycle nutrients, clear away the old, and open fresh opportunities for new organisms to establish themselves and thrive during their episode of life. Without fires, ecosystems risk becoming nutrient-deficient, leading to rundown terrestrial woodlands that suffer from decay. Fire isn't inherently good or evil, but a tool for change. Metaphorically, fires reflect how we control change. We will explore fires as campfires vs. wildfires and learn what they mean to us. Our journey will begin by differentiating these fires and highlighting why some wildfires may be more beneficial than we originally thought, whereas containing personal campfires will backfire on us. Fires & Their Role In Driving Change Fires represent powerful transformative agents of change in nature. Whether the change is for better or worse depends on our perspective on the fire's purpose. In general, fires ignite through combustion and will sustain themselves with the right mix of fuel, oxygen, and heat until the mixture becomes insufficient to sustain itself. The heat generated from fires stems from a fuel source's converting rapidly from chemical potential energy into thermal energy. Heat dissipates into the environment through the path of least resistance. According to the laws of thermodynamics, heat transfers from hot to cold environments until both environments converge to the same temperature, known as thermal equilibrium. When heat is generated in the wild, equilibrium is impossible since the air is a massive reservoir compared to the fire. Consequently, these fires can roam through nearly infinite space to heat up until they run out of fuel. In addition to their utility, fires are visually captivating. When a fire occurs, its flames create their own dance and rhythm as they continue burning the material. The visual display of natural art has entranced the human imagination and curiosity. Thanks to its unique abilities compared to other forces of nature, civilizations harnessed fire for developing tools, cooking food, and defending themselves from predators and enemies. As a result, we've engineered systems to capture and utilize fires to our advantage, starting early with campfires. Campfires are contained fires ignited by campers as an essential element of the camping experience. Campfire heat is generated to boil water, cook food, and keep warm when the sun goes down. Aside from utility, campfires cast an intimate atmosphere for nocturnal entertainment, which includes creative storytelling, singing folk songs, and roaring in laughter. In contrast, wildfires are expansive and uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly, engulfing large areas while consuming the fuel in sight. While no two wildfires are the same, they typically originate in densely wooded regions under dry conditions. Wildfires are ignited by natural causes such as dry lightning and human activities such as misuse of matches, overfilled campfires that spread outside their containment, and other mishaps. While wildfires have destructive consequences associated with their presence, their occurrences are vital to reset the balance of living forces, usually in the form of ecosystem succession. When forests burn, they are not necessarily destroyed but transformed by creating violent molecular separations that return nutrients to nature. In other words, wildfires clear out the old and make room for the new. How Fires Transform When campfires are mismanaged, they spill outside their containment areas and catch nearby brush and debris on fire. Several influences that cause these transformations include ash and flames spread by the wind, campfires set up too close to other fuel sources, and human mismanagement of campfires during and after their use. The most common source of human error that creates wildfires is not completely smothering campfires when leaving the area. When campfires cross the threshold into wildfires, they become difficult or impossible to control unless there is a fire management plan with special equipment readily available to extinguish them before they spread any further. Managing wildfires becomes a challenge for even the most seasoned of firefighters, but several strategies can be deployed to turn the odds in our favor: Isolate the Fire : When wildfires are cornered and run out of fuel, they will burn themselves into oblivion. Smothering : Firefighters can contain wildfires by dousing them with water, deploying oxygen-depriving materials such as foam or fire blankets, or clearing vegetation in the anticipated path of the fire. Natural Solutions : Finally, when firefighters cannot manage the fire themselves, the best bet is for nature to severely dampen or extinguish wildfires with heavy rainstorms. These strategies are often coupled and strategically aligned with the nature of the fire and the surrounding environment. Fires As Control Factors In Our Lives Physical fires are similar to their metaphorical counterparts. Not all events are so rampant that they become wildfires, but some are more difficult to control than expected. We will associate campfires with events we can maintain and channel to make changes in our lives, whereas wildfires are events that are out of our control and usually the result of worry and misalignment of perception. Making Campfires Our own campfires manifest internal driving forces that motivate us to make changes to increase our chances of living better lives. These fires create the tension needed to tap into our passion and zest to seize the day. Because these fires are contained within us, we have full access to the energy they generate and can harness it to our own personal benefit. We aren't limited to a single campfire; most of us have upwards of a dozen campfires in our lives that motivate us to make progress, no matter how big or small. For most people, family and personal relationships constitute most of their long-term campfires. Outside of social campfires, we also have other motivations that challenge us to achieve more, such as work projects, hobbies that unlock different skill sets, and major life events: buying a home, getting married, going on a music tour, starting a business, etc. Even though campfires are far easier to control, they need to be sustained at the right levels for them to be useful to us. Out of fear, some of us will not allow our own personal campfires to exceed a certain level of intensity. Consequently, when our campfires are burning at an insufficient intensity, we face even greater risks that arise from inaction, including losing motivation, performing at subpar levels, or missing important deadlines. While there are resources out there to help gauge whether we need an extra push, it's up to us to recognize when our own campfires are not strong enough and find ways to turn up the heat to an optimal level. When Campfires Turn Into Wildfires We have to be careful – some of us have a tendency to overcorrect our mistakes by pouring too much fuel on our fires. When we overcompensate, we risk turning a once-manageable campfire into a blazing wildfire that takes a life of its own. Born from external forces and events, wildfires unleash their fury beyond our control, leaving us at the mercy of their unpredictable outcomes. The consequences of these fiery cataclysms can impact individuals and entire populations alike. Due to the sheer uncertainty surrounding wildfires, we become fueled with apprehension as these wildfires lead us to anticipate the worst when they are revealed. Consequently, we associate wildfires with an adversarial role solely to destroy what we spent years building and maintaining. Events that represent wildfires in our lives include a wildly fluctuating economy, crippling health problems, and political upsets, among a myriad of other personal fears. When Wildfires Are Beneficial However, there are instances when monumental blazes yield a net positive transformation in our lives. Breakups with an abusive spouse or a toxic employer are perfect examples. We might initially feel scorched from our experience, but after a healing period, we rise from the ashes in a position to embrace newer, better opportunities. When we successfully burn these toxic agents, we experience our own ecological succession initiated by the inferno that consumed the parts of our lives that no longer served us. By clearing out the old, we allow the new to grow, even though the growth will initially be slow. Managing Our Own Fires Campfires and wildfires don't have to be boring or scary. With the right management plan and tools, we can harness both to our advantage, living courageously and taking calculated risks that transform our lives for the better. As we assess the array of tools and action steps available for effectively navigating our fires, we must recognize that not all fires require complete extinguishment. Furthermore, the approach to managing one fire may not necessarily apply to others in our lives. Experience, context, and thoughtful planning are key to effectively managing our fires with the greatest likelihood of success. The fires that ignite within our lives are potent forces with the potential to bring about desired transformations. Therefore, it is equally crucial to contemplate our response to these fires as it is to gauge the magnitude of the change they can induce. To enhance our ability to manage our fires skillfully, we can consider the following action steps and management tools to develop a personal fire management plan. These resources will empower us to harness the potential inherent in our fires and make the most of these transformative experiences: 1 – Determine The Fire's Purpose Every fire has a purpose. Accurately determining the fire's purpose is crucial to managing it appropriately. There's nothing inherently wrong with having fires in our lives. Some exist to burn off toxic aspects of our lives and should be left alone, while others must be managed to work to our advantage. Once the fire’s purpose is determined, we can manage it appropriately. 2 – Determine What Fuels The Fire While natural fires are fueled by the combination of oxygen, a fuel source, and heat, our metaphorical fires have more fuel sources. The way to manage the fuel sources is not by seeing them but by recognizing their psychological power on our perceptions. Personal fires fall under two main categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic fuel sources involve something inside us that keeps us going in our lives. These motivations force us out of bed to start our day while providing grit to overcome life's challenges. On the other hand, extrinsic motivators are influences that originate beyond ourselves. Our families, economic gain, and societal status are a few examples of extrinsic fuel sources for our personal fires. 3 – Manage The Fuel Once the motivation for our fires is determined, we have some options to consider. We can add more fuel to make our fires bigger, maintain their supply to keep them consistent, or cut off fuel to reduce or terminate the fire. For fires that make us better, it's natural to add more fuel or maintain a steady level of intensity. On the other hand, finding ways to starve harmful fires is critical to prevent them from further hindering our progress when they take away from our lives. 4 – Modify Fires To Fit Our Needs Our lives have seasons where some fires burn brighter or dimmer than others, and that’s alright. No fire is meant to last forever. The longest-lasting fire in our solar system is projected to only last for 4 billion years––the sun. What matters most is how responsive and thoughtful we are when we change the fire's intensity. Our circumstances are subject to change, and an intense fire that was once good for us may risk harm to the people we care about in a new stage of life. Therefore, being mindful of our fires with respect to our changing circumstances is important to ensure they serve our desired purpose. 5 – Identify What Might Transform These Fires If left unchecked, our campfires could transform into wildfires. Fires must be contained and free from proximity to undesired fuel sources. After all, preventative measures are the most effective at controlling problems. While details of our circumstances are beyond our control, we can leverage the Pareto Principle, which highlights that 20% of fuel sources instigate 80% of our fires. It's easy to believe that everything has an equal pull when reality clearly shows that not all things are equal. Once we identify the most important influences, we should carefully manage them. This is what expedites progress. 6 – Set Up Appropriate Containment Fires consume and spread indefinitely unless guardrails are in place to contain them. With real fires, removing additional fuel sources and cutting off paths for fires to connect with more food is usually the solution to managing the fires. Nothing is left to burn without access to more fuel, and the fire dies out as a result. The best way to control our personal fires is to apply high levels of emotional intelligence. Our first step to control is to recognize our emotions, their triggers, and their potential consequences. When we recognize these triggers, controlling our fires is far easier. Our personal fires rely on our emotions to feed them, and as soon as we control them, their intensity also comes under our control. 7 – Plan To Manage Our Fires While every fire is fueled uniquely, maintaining a general plan to manage our fires allows us to respond to them before they get out of control. Even the most calm and collected individuals have a plan for themselves to maintain level-headedness in the midst of challenges. Our plans don't need to be detailed to comply with the local fire marshal, but must be documented. When we document our plans, we become more invested in their outcomes. The writing becomes more realistic for us as we reprogram ourselves to control our personal fires. One of the easiest plans to make is a simple If-Then Statement . Like computer programming languages, we read situations based on the conditions our senses pick up. If a condition is true, then we will respond with what we believe is best for us. These If-Then Statements can initially be generic but should become more specific over time. Examples of solid if-then statements include: If I am nervous about my upcoming meeting, then I will take a deep breath and remember at least one positive contribution I can make to the meeting. If my boss gets on my nerves today, then I will breathe in, look up, and release my breath as I return to work. If I am driving in traffic and catch myself having road rage, then I will remember that most of these drivers will never be seen again and continue about my business. Any If-Then Statements we make should reflect the true context of our problems. 8 – Reflect On Past Fires We don’t need any raging wildfires in our lives right now to gain insights on managing them. Life is full of examples to draw upon and gain second-hand insights. The best fires to reflect upon are our own, since we vividly remember the motions that these fires brought to our lives. This could be throwing a winning touchdown against a rival football team, winning a prestigious award, or narrowly losing a race, and how we felt afterward. We’ve all experienced situations that unexpectedly became uncontrollable because something important was left unchecked. We cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond. Using the tools above, we can reflect on how we would adapt differently next time to improve our chances of creating our desired outcome. 9 – Watch How Others Manage Their Fires Even better, we can analyze and determine good and bad approaches to managing our own fires through how others have done the same. As we analyze the fires of others, we need to remember that we will never be able to know all the facts in play, so we must approach our analysis with a high level of empathy. The people directly around us are the easiest to analyze since we interact with them regularly. However, we have further access to how people behave through the internet and our favorite shows. The people we analyze can be real or fictional. Most fiction has some basis in reality, so we shouldn't dismiss it because it didn't happen. All we need to do is glean insights into their victories and mishaps. From there, we incorporate the lessons learned into our own ethos as we continue conditioning ourselves to respond to the personal fires in our own lives. Let’s Manage Our Fires Wildfires and campfires exist for two completely different purposes. Campfires are controllable forces we harness for utility and entertainment with friends and family, whereas wildfires dramatically transform the forest and give way to ecological succession. We will always have campfires and wildfires to contend with in any season. Our campfires are the driving forces that push us to create beneficial changes in our lives as long as they have the right intensity and guardrails to keep them contained. Likewise, our wildfires exist to eradicate elements of our lives that could hold us back from achieving our goals. So, what will you do differently to manage your campfires and wildfires? Take a small step now, and you’ll notice that with the right approach, fires, big and small, are essential to making the changes needed to live a better life.

What does an oak tree symbolize? For residents of the forest, the oak represents a home for the birds, squirrels, and other critters that roam around. But beyond its role as a shelter, the oak tree holds a deeper meaning—a metaphor for inner strength. In the face of countless challenges, the oak tree stands tall and unwavering, demonstrating resilience and endurance. Its mighty branches reach for the sky while remaining firmly rooted in the ground, which embodies the essence of steadfastness and fortitude. Its ability to cultivate its strength above and below the soil allows it to withstand thousands of storms in its lifetime. Throughout our series Turn To Nature , we have explored the wisdom that nature offers us. Previously, we explored the rhythmic dance of the tides to the ever-changing seasons, which has unearthed valuable insights into the workings of life. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the mighty oak tree and discover how its characteristics parallel the cultivation of our own inner strength. By drawing inspiration from nature's creations, we can tap into profound lessons that morph our abilities to navigate challenges, embrace resilience, and foster personal growth. Just as the oak tree remains strong while providing shelter and support to others, we can cultivate our own inner strength that empowers us to weather the storms of life while standing up to external challenges, whether it's providing for our loved ones or supporting our colleagues, clients, and direct reports with the resources they need for their own success. Let us delve deeper into the wisdom of the mighty oak and explore the profound parallels it offers for our own journeys. Through this exploration, we open ourselves to new and familiar perspectives and strategies that shape our lives for the better, drawing upon the resiliency and unwavering strength of one of the mightiest trees in the world. The Resilience of the Mighty Oak The mighty oak tree symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity. Its deep roots and sturdy trunk demonstrate the qualities needed to cultivate inner strength. Just as the oak tree's roots anchor it firmly in the ground, we must establish a strong foundation within ourselves—a deep-rooted sense of confidence woven with a profound purpose that withstands life's inevitable storms. Above the soil, the oak tree's ability to endure harsh conditions over time is showcased with bent branches serving as a testament against the mightiest storms. In our own lives, we encounter our own inevitable hardships and challenges. When these trials arrive, we can mimic the mighty oak by swaying and bending with the winds of change while remaining rooted in our inner strength, or allow the storm to wither us into oblivion. Our choices regarding previous storms predict how we will handle the next storm. Luckily, we can choose at any time to break from our past and endure the storms of the future. The more we demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, the stronger we will become when the next storm arrives. Because of its resilience and endurance, the oak tree also exudes patience and steadfastness. Its longevity reminds us that growth takes time and that inner strength is built through a series of experiences and choices, as we just discovered. In a world that often seeks instant gratification, the oak tree is a powerful reminder to value the perspective that short-term pains yield long-term gains. By drawing inspiration from the resilience of the mighty oak, we are empowered to cultivate our own inner strength. With deep roots, a sturdy trunk of resilience, and a willingness to learn from nature's examples, we can weather the storms of life and emerge stronger every time. Make no mistake - the journey to inner strength will have its challenges, but just as the oak tree transforms into a magnificent presence, our resilience can shape us into the best versions of ourselves, standing tall and unwavering amidst life's trials. How The Mighty Oak Teaches Us To Nurture Our Inner Strength Enhancing our own physical strength and endurance requires consistent effort and commitment that is simple to understand but difficult to implement. We understand that showing up, engaging in our workouts, and replenishing our bodies is key to achieving tangible results. However, some people expect to transform in a few sessions and are shocked when they wake up. Just as we understand the need for consistent effort to enhance our physical strength and endurance through exercise, this principle applies to nurturing our inner strength. As reflected in parallel with physical exercise, we cannot expect instant transformation or immediate results from a few fleeting moments of self-reflection and personal development. Instead, we must approach this process with the same diligence and dedication over the long haul as we would when we're working toward a physical transformation. In the face of these challenges, we can draw inspiration from the mighty oak tree and its ability to stay strong amidst the winds of change. Here are three principles that guide the mighty oak to stand the test of time: Principle I - Grounding and Rooting Building a strong foundation for inner strength begins with grounding ourselves. Like the oak tree's extensive root system that provides stability, we need to cultivate a sense of rootedness and stability within ourselves as well. This process involves connecting with our values, beliefs, and purpose, which serve as the anchor during turbulent times. Techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, and grounding are essential building blocks to ensuring a deep-rooted foundation. By nurturing our inner grounding, we enhance our ability to weather storms with resilience and strength, whether they are simple windstorms or life's inevitable twisters. Principle II - Standing Tall in Adversity Standing tall and unwavering in the face of adversity is a powerful testament to inner strength. Just as the mighty oak tree remains steadfast despite the strong winds, we can develop strategies to maintain resilience during difficult times. Cultivating a realistic but optimistic mindset, building our confidence through small victories, and embracing perseverance are essential in staying strong amidst challenges. Drawing inspiration from the oak tree, we can adopt practices such as embracing challenges, engaging in visualization, and seeking support from mentors to bolster our inner strength. The key is to find support grounded in reality, not superficial and cheesy. By reframing adversity as an opportunity to become stronger, our own adversities are more manageable and easier to navigate with grace and fortitude. Principle III - Growth and Expansion The oak tree's outward appearance is a powerful metaphor for how cultivating our inner strength can significantly improve our appearance and outlook on life. Like the oak tree that continuously grows, adapts, and expands over time, our personal growth is integral to strengthening our inner resilience. Embracing growth involves stepping out of our comfort zones, exploring new possibilities, and learning from our experiences. As we've seen before, the oak tree stretches its branches toward the sky in its own growth. Our own personal growth strategies that stretch us require us to set goals, seek unfamiliar knowledge, and put the pieces together under conditions that may not be ideal. The more we do it, the more we fuel the expansion of our inner strength. Applying the Lessons of the Mighty Oak in Daily Life As we nurture our inner strength further, we deepen our understanding of the lessons the mighty oak tree presents. Grounding ourselves provides a solid foundation to enable us to navigate challenges and uncertainty with stability. Standing tall in the face of adversity showcases our resilience and unwavering determination. And just as the oak tree grows and expands, our personal growth feeds the development of our inner strength. Through conscious effort and adopting practical techniques inspired by the mighty oak, we can cultivate inner strength that empowers us to face life's challenges with courage, grace, and unwavering resolve. Here are the ways we can apply the wisdom of the mighty oak to become more resilient versions of ourselves: 1 – Revisit The Foundation Often Once the mighty oak develops its roots, it doesn't forget about them to focus on its upward growth. Its metabolic processes provide daily maintenance to perform at peak capacity when required. The roots of the mighty oak are the foundation for its existence. Everything built on top of it is an extension of those roots for it to thrive where it is planted. Similarly, we must prioritize and revisit our inner strength regularly to ensure that we maintain a firm foundation for each new storm. 2 – Shift Perspective Embracing life's challenges requires a mindset that reframes them as opportunities for growth. Rather than avoiding challenges, we must adopt a perspective that sees them as stepping stones toward personal development. Shifting our perspective toward taking on a challenge often reveals a noble truth of life: most things are as difficult as we make them out to be. Ninety-nine percent of our difficulties are mental, whereas one percent are truly physical. Once we lock into this realization, we start moving in the direction that makes our obstacles melt away. 3 – Visualize The Challenges Ahead Take a brief moment throughout the day to visualize any upcoming challenges. We have the advantage of being able to move about. The mighty oak must live where it is planted. Now, let's put ourselves in the roots of the mighty oak. We no longer have the luxury of freely moving, so what can we do now? We must imagine how to endure. Strong winds, wildfires, destructive insects, and lightning are a few threats to the mighty oak's existence. Does it choose to give up? Of course not. It endures. Likewise, we must visualize how we will endure our own challenges. Are they as bad as we make them out to be, or have we endured similar trials and tribulations before? 4 – Seek Out Wise Counsel Don't face life's storms alone. Contact trusted individuals or utilize resources like books, forums, YouTube, Google, and AI tools to seek guidance and support. Of course, we must be mindful in discerning who we take advice from. We must consider the source, the intent, and the relevance of the advice. Learning from the experiences and insights of others can broaden one's perspective and unearth an additional tool for facing life's challenges. 5 – Stretch & Challenge Ourselves Regularly As our foundations solidify, we must challenge ourselves to stretch further. We must take on new challenges that require pushing our limits and stepping outside our comfort zones. The mighty oak's roots and branches are tested with every storm. Though it endures some damage, it always comes back stronger. Likewise, it's only when muscles are worn out that they strengthen. Through new experiences, we will discover the true potential of our foundations and determine whether we've put in the work or if it needs further conditioning. It's Time To Stand Firm The mighty oak tree symbolizes inner strength and how far you can stretch when your roots are deep. By embracing the wisdom of the oak, we can cultivate resilience, endurance, and unwavering resolve in the face of life's challenges. Grounding ourselves with deep roots, standing tall in adversity, and embracing challenges that promote growth are essential principles that guide us on this transformative journey. While we are physiologically built differently from the mighty oak, we can easily transmute its physical characteristics into a strong mental asset. Once our inner strength has upgraded, we will see improvements reflected in our outer performance as well. The synergistic effects of a firm foundation enhance our ability to endure and shorten our own hardships and stretch to new heights when taking on life's challenges. It's up to you to incorporate these lessons from the mighty oak into your life. Ground yourself, stand tall, and embrace growth. Reflect on these principles and choose one action step to apply them daily. As you nurture your inner strength, may you weather life's storms with courage and emerge stronger with each challenge you face. You have the power within you to become a resilient version of yourself, just like the mighty oak.

Have you ever gazed out where the water meets the sand? The waters might be in a state of serenity, but if you've spent a full day near the ocean or a lake, you begin to realize that the water tends to rise and fall throughout the day. The cadence of tides follows a somewhat predictable routine from sunrise to sunset, creating a natural phenomenon known as high and low tide. These changes are reflected in our daily routines. Consider a typical day. In the morning, as we prepare for our day ahead, our personal tides start low but quickly elevate as we lock in and complete our morning routines. For some, it involves simple tasks such as cooking breakfast and attending to personal hygiene. However, others have additional influences that amplify their tides, such as preparing children for their days, taking care of pets, personal workouts, and more. Our personal tides oscillate from low to high and back to low throughout the day. The tides reflect the energy, engagement, and importance of these activities. During high tide, our toes are in the water where we operate with vigor as we tackle our day-to-day tasks that keep us on top of our responsibilities. In contrast, low tide offers us a chance to dry off in moments of solace and rest throughout the day through personal breaks, meals, and hobbies that recharge our batteries. Our personal tides plummet to their lowest point when we wind down and ready ourselves to fall asleep as we transition into another day. Considering the contrast of our personal tides, we must address the burning question: Are low tides always favorable, whereas high tides are perceived as challenging? Not necessarily. When we treat the intensity of our tides in black-and-white terms, we risk missing out on the treasures that both tides offer. To fully understand their nature and dispel any confusion, we must differentiate our tides and examine when they are constructive or destructive to our well-being. When our understanding is complete, we will determine our personalized strategies that turn the tide in our favor and get the most out of what both states offer. Understanding the Dance of the Physical Tides Tides are simply defined as the height of a body of water during a given time of day. When you choose to stand at any spot where the water meets the sand, low tide is generally when you are right next to the water, whereas high tide is when the water creeps up to where you are standing and submerges your feet. Waves may occur during shifting or stable tides, but the two phenomena are distinct and should not be mistaken for one another. In nature, tides are created by several driving forces. The most influential force on the tides is the presence of the Moon. Similar to the Earth, the Moon creates its own gravitational field, exerting a small force on the Earth. As a result, water from larger bodies experiences an upward bulge, giving the appearance that it is growing in size. In reality, water is actually becoming less dense and occupying more space due to the competing gravitational forces from the Earth and the Moon. The Sun also plays a lesser role, and the levels of the high and low tides are at their greatest in any calendar month under two distinct scenarios. The first is when the Sun and Moon pull the water up in the same direction, usually during a new moon. The second scenario is when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the gravitational forces outside Earth create a double water bulge on opposite sides of the planet. These sets of tides are known as spring tides. In other scenarios, such as when the Sun and Moon are at right angles of each other relative to the Earth, their gravitational influences may partially cancel each other out. During these conditions, the tides are at their lowest in a given calendar month, leading to deeper high and low tide sets known as neap tides. The mechanics of tides are fascinating, but how they mesh together is more powerful. Throughout a given day, the tides continue to change subtly without pause. Their transitions from high to low and back to high are seamless and natural. As veteran sailors know, you cannot control the tides, but you can control how you use them to navigate around the coast efficiently. Now that we have a fundamental understanding of how tides work, it's time to uncover how they play a role in our daily lives analogously. High and low tides are two sides of the same coin that cannot exist without the other, so we need to learn how to harness the power of both. Embracing the High Tide: Active Engagement and Productivity Rising tides signify new beginnings, opportunities, and the influx of energy that catapults us forward into the day. Each new tide carries fresh hopes and aspirations for positive and constructive change in our lives. While high tides can be intimidating to new navigators as they push us out of our comfort zones, we adapt and learn to manage them efficiently with time. There are risks to consider during high tide, especially under stormy conditions. When waves are present, high tide amplifies them and carries more energy, damaging coastal buildings and leading to persistent flooding. Marine and coastal ecosystems are susceptible to disruptions during periods of high tide, and those who cannot adapt may perish as a consequence. In the vast open sea, waves can present perilous risks and sweep us away if we do not approach them cautiously. In our lives, we may encounter overwhelming waves of opportunity influenced by high tide. If we fail to manage our time wisely, we risk squandering our opportunities by engaging in trivial activities. A common scenario involves filling our time with unimportant, mundane tasks to make us appear busy to our supervisors and clients instead of channeling our energy toward delivering meaningful results. However, high tides also represent otherwise inaccessible opportunities during low tide periods. Sailors understand that higher tides enable safer navigation along the coastlines, which minimizes the risk of ship damage from the rocks below. Additionally, high tides can bridge two otherwise disconnected bodies of water together to allow safe passage. For us, high tides represent moments of peak productivity and impact. Certain ventures, projects, and tasks can only be effectively executed during high tide phases. Professionally, these include adrenaline-filled pursuits such as high-stakes presentations with high-ticket clients, meetings with key company leaders and stakeholders, and opportunities for significant promotions that unlock many more doors. Personally, these thrill-seeking activities may involve first dates, traveling across the country, or transitioning into a new home. When we recognize ourselves within a state of high tide, it is crucial to strike a balance between the risks and opportunities associated with it. Mindfulness is key to recognizing and prioritizing these opportunities effectively. Once we understand the nuances of high tides, we can harness their potential to experience the greatest progress possible. Embracing the Low Tide: Rest, Rejuvenation, and Reflection During low tides, the receding waters unveil the hidden secrets of the coastline, exposing vegetation, rocks, shells, and even lost treasures. Sailors seize this opportunity to dock their ships, performing essential maintenance and inspections. The more visible hull and keel make it easier to ensure proper upkeep. In navigation, low tides are preferred when sailing through coves that might damage the mast if the water level were higher. Low tide invites us to embrace a relaxed approach, allowing for rest, rejuvenation, and reflection within our own rhythms. It is not a hindrance to our progress or a race against others, but rather an opportunity to examine what was once obscured during high tide. When we engage in low-tide activities mindfully, we recharge from our experience. Our renewed energy can be channeled into future high tides, capitalizing on forthcoming opportunities and navigating our journeys more sustainably. However, like high tides, low tides carry risks that require consideration. Sailors must be mindful of underwater obstacles to avoid damaging their ships. Improper docking during low tide may strand a vessel on the exposed sand until the waters rise again during high tide to sweep the boat back up. While low tide offers relaxation and rejuvenation, it is important to recognize that it is not without its alluring traps. Excessive time spent in a state of low tide can lead to our minds wandering aimlessly, leading us to hyper-focus on mistakes, shortcomings, and uneventful matters. In such cases, low tide becomes unconstructive, draining our energy while leaving us at the mercy of the whims of the next high tide. Balancing our engagement with the low tide is crucial, allowing for necessary downtime while maintaining focus and purpose. By embracing the opportunities presented during low tide and mitigating its risks, we can navigate our lives with intention by harnessing the power of both high and low tides to create a harmonious and fulfilling journey. Harmonizing & Applying the Tides: Balancing Action and Rest Balancing the tides in our lives is a dynamic and ongoing process. What may have worked yesterday might not be effective tomorrow. As technology advances and social norms shift, the opportunities presented by the tides also evolve. Instead of relying on tactics that might get swept away, consider the following principles to navigate your own high and low tides accordingly: 1 – Apply The Law of Diminishing Returns The Law of Diminishing Returns, commonly used in personal development and business, guides optimizing our activities for maximum return on investment. The principle seeks a happy middle between work and results, recognizing that excessive engagement becomes more detrimental than beneficial beyond a certain threshold. With high tides, it's crucial to be aware of when you're overexerting yourself to avoid risking long-term damage. It's common in hustle culture to believe that you must work 24/7 to get anywhere. However, nature contradicts this belief and shows that rest is equally as important as work for the long haul. Likewise, indulging in rest is equally as dangerous. Newton's First Law summarizes that an object in motion stays in motion. This is why it's easier for those who are fit to get moving than those who default to resting as their mechanism of choice. Therefore, seeking a middle path between work and rest is what's best for long-term, sustainable results. 2 – Schedule Our Tides Given the predictable nature of tides, it's beneficial to schedule them intentionally. Although we have some control over our own tides, we must acknowledge that tides naturally ebb and flow and that we cannot force ourselves to stay in one state forever. Allocate specific periods for high tides to focus on active engagement. During these times, take advantage of the momentum of the high tide to get as much done as possible. Afterward, designate time for low tides for rest, rejuvenation, and reflection. It's difficult to transition into this state when we're always moving, but it's what's best for our long-term ventures. By consciously structuring our time with each phase of the tides, we maximize the benefits of both phases. 3 – Practice Mindfulness In The Tides One of the biggest mistakes we make for ourselves is believing that we must be exactly like our idols, who might appear to be high-energy go-getters. If we're getting tired, are we doing something wrong that is holding us back? Of course not. We need to recognize that each person operates differently. What works for us may not work for others in our lives. Some individuals are naturally built to tolerate longer periods in high tides, while others may require extended low-tide periods after significant events. There's nothing wrong with conditioning ourselves to be in high tides longer. However, it comes down to understanding our unique rhythms and adjusting our approach to honor our needs. 4 – Recognize How Tides Transition Transitioning between high and low tides is just as crucial as being present within a specific tide phase. Tides don't instantly go from low to high and vice versa. There's always a transition period between the two. Pay attention to and make these transitional stages intentional. We must mindfully shift our focus and energy by employing rituals or cues to signify the change. Sometimes, these transitions will be shorter or longer than expected, but we need to harness them anyway. We can further maximize our time in any tide phase by giving proper attention to the transitions. 5 – Experiment With The Tides As times change, the duration and distribution of your time spent in high and low tide phases may need adjustment. For example, when we're chasing a major breakthrough, we will likely need to find ways to spend a little more time in the high tides than the low tides. However, we cannot ignore the need for our low tides. We must embrace the fluidity of life's tides, allowing ourselves the freedom to explore different rhythms that align with our evolving circumstances and priorities. This is key to maximizing the time we have here today. Create Your Own Rhythms Accordingly In the dance of life, balancing the ebb and flow of high and low tides is essential for our well-being and fulfillment. We have uncovered the significance of both high and low tide phases by exploring the physical tides and their metaphorical equivalents in our lives. High tides bring vitality, opportunity, and productivity, while low tides offer rest, rejuvenation, and reflection. Understanding the nuances of each tide allows us to embrace its benefits and mitigate its risks. Finding your balance between high and low tide is difficult and requires mindfulness, adaptability, and a personalized approach. Applying the principles of the Law of Diminishing Returns is key to knowing when we've harnessed each tide to its fullest. How we capitalize on the tides' opportunities will also change as life goes on. We unlock many benefits as we harmonize and apply the tides daily. Achieving balance enhances our productivity and nurtures our well-being in various aspects of life to create a sustainable journey for the long haul. Balance enables us to navigate work with purpose, cultivate meaningful relationships, and prioritize self-care and reflection. By embracing the rhythm of life's tides, we create a harmonious existence where we can thrive, adapt, and grow. As you stand on the shore, let the tides dance as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of life. Embrace the rise and fall, the action and rest, and find your own unique rhythm. You embark on a balance, fulfillment, and continuous growth journey by honoring the tides within and around you. As you navigate the tides of life, may you find harmony and purpose, and may the lessons learned from nature's rhythms guide you to a life well-lived.

The fruits of timeless wisdom are on full display all around us. From tiny ants that constitute massive colonies that work for a greater cause to massive blue whales that feed upon schools of fish in the ocean in a single gulp, nature offers us endless examples that showcase different tools and methods for dealing with life’s problems. Even those of us living in bustling cities have opportunities to glean wisdom from smaller pieces of nature that are situated within the concrete jungles. As human beings, we bring a radically different approach to adapting to our circumstances that is unreplicated by other organisms. Equipped with large brains and opposable thumbs, we have an unprecedented combination of intellect and physiological leverage, enabling us to deviate from our natural origins and manipulate the landscapes to create towns and cities more suitable for our survival. Our evolution has transcended simple, primal instincts, and we continue to build upon its foundation to live a fuller existence when compared to any other creature in history. However, our evolution hasn't severed us from our natural roots completely. With all of our similarities and differences to other organisms to consider, it’s natural for us to turn to nature for wisdom and guidance to solve life’s challenges, big and small. From the ecosystems of the tropics that bear diverse and vibrant life to the very forces of nature that influence their existence, a myriad of treasures lies ahead in our expedition to reconnect, learn, and improve ourselves from natural processes and influences that have existed since time immemorial. Ecological Forces At Play Every installment in the series Turn to Nature introduces a high-level overview of a select natural force and examines connections in the following analogies. By having a tangible understanding of the phenomenon at the tip of our minds, it becomes natural to visualize how its existence parallels events in our lives. By drawing a contrast between natural occurrences and our situations, we discover how much easier it is to implement greater ownership of our outcomes. In general, nature and its ecosystems are complex and beautiful phenomena not observed elsewhere in our universe. Every corner of the globe hosts a party of organisms, combined with the forces of nature, which constantly change the landscapes and the lifeforms themselves. These ecosystems may evolve, change, die out, and emerge even stronger through ecological succession, but one thing remains constant through time: change. Nature is not limited solely to living influences aboard a field of nutrient-rich topsoil. It comprises living and nonliving forces that coexist and drive innumerable environmental changes on a massive rock layered with gas floating through space. Ultimately, these forces interact either in harmony or through clashing to decide who continues on their evolutionary journey and who returns to the Earth. We will differentiate between living and nonliving forces to better understand them and discover their similarities and differences. Nonliving Forces Nonliving forces, also known as abiotic forces in ecology, refer to inorganic phenomena that significantly impact the structure and functioning of ecosystems and geographical locations. These forces account for most phenomena in the world and play a detached role in bringing about changes at any given time. They can occur cyclically in relatively predictable intervals or in isolated instances to shape the landscapes and environments we observe over time. Every time we step out of our front doors, we are immediately exposed to the influence of various abiotic forces. These major forces that shape our daily lives include: Sunlight : The sun's radiant energy is our planet's ultimate energy source. It affects weather patterns and provides plants and algae with the necessary energy for photosynthesis, which is crucial for their growth and survival and for sustaining dynamic food webs. Climate : Weather patterns, including cloud coverage, wind speeds, precipitation, temperature, and humidity, profoundly impact our landscapes. Changes in these factors can reshape the environment and impact the lives of both flora and fauna. Additionally, most regions experience predictable seasons annually, contributing to the cyclical climate. Natural Resources : Organisms rely on natural resources to enhance their chances of survival. These resources encompass essential nutrients organisms require and act as reservoirs that sustain life. Microorganisms play a vital role in consuming and cycling these nutrients through food webs and mineral cycles, further supporting the intricate web of life. Environmental Disruptions : Although less frequent, environmental disruptions can significantly impact our lives. Events such as tsunamis, earthquakes, air pollution, and volcanic eruptions can disrupt ecosystems and influence biotic and abiotic forces. Depending on the magnitude, their occurrence spotlights the vulnerability of our planet's systems on local and global scales. Astronomical Phenomena : Beyond the direct influence of sunlight, other rare yet impactful forces are at play beyond our atmosphere. Astronomical phenomena such as meteors, solar flares, and other cosmic events can have far-reaching effects on a global scale, emphasizing the vulnerabilities that nature experiences from a much larger universe. The power of these forces can vary, but the most influential factors are geographical location and the earth's tilt. Living Forces Living forces, known in ecology as biotic forces, constitute the organic components of nature that shape and influence ecosystems through organismal impulses and responses to environmental stimuli. Living organisms and the forces they harbor serve as a testament to the dynamic and interconnected nature of life on Earth. Instinctually, just about all multicellular organisms share the following driving forces that influence their survival: Migration : Migration is the seasonal movement of organisms from one region or habitat to another, often driven by the need to find better resources, breeding grounds, or suitable climate conditions. It is a remarkable phenomenon observed in various species, including birds, mammals, fish, and insects. Migration allows organisms to access new food sources, avoid harsh weather conditions, and find optimal environments for reproduction and survival. Organ Systems : Organ systems are the coordinated networks of organs and tissues within an organism that work together to perform specific functions. Each organ system has a unique role in maintaining an organism's overall health. Examples include the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and digestive systems. Reproductive Instincts : Reproductive instincts are innate behaviors and physiological processes that drive organisms to reproduce and ensure their continuity. These instincts vary across different organisms, including courtship displays, mating rituals, territorial behavior, nest building, and parental care. Reproductive instincts are crucial for maintaining population sizes, genetic diversity, and species adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Competition : Competition is a biotic force that occurs when organisms compete for limited resources, such as food, water, territory, and mates. It is a fundamental driving force in nature, influencing the distribution and abundance of species within ecosystems. Competition may occur internally within a species or externally against other species. Both cases lead to natural selection, favoring individuals with traits that provide a competitive advantage. Competition plays a vital role in shaping the structure and functioning of ecological communities. Resilience : Resilience is the ability of organisms and ecosystems to withstand and recover from disturbances or changes in their environment. It is a biotic force that highlights the capacity of living organisms to adapt, persist, and bounce back from adversity. Resilience is observable at different levels, from individual organisms that possess physiological and behavioral mechanisms to cope with environmental stressors to entire ecosystems that exhibit robustness and the ability to restore ecological balance after disturbances such as fires, floods, or droughts. Resilience is crucial for biological systems' long-term survival and stability. These examples represent a small sample of the diverse biotic forces shaping our natural world. Each force plays a distinct role in shaping ecosystems and driving the intricate web of life. Embracing A Dynamic Pair Humans have nearly endless opportunities to learn from these incredible ecological forces. We can observe and understand the intricate dance between these forces and how they shape our world. With this understanding comes the power to make intentional and conscious choices. Just as the forces of nature are constantly in motion, changing landscapes and influencing the evolution of organisms, we have the capacity to adapt and respond to our surroundings. We can harness the sun's energy, adapt to shifting climates, utilize and conserve natural resources, and understand the impact of environmental phenomena. We can also look beyond our planet and marvel at the astronomical forces that shape our universe. While the forces of nature can seem overwhelming, our power lies in our ability to go beyond mere observation and prediction. Humans have the capacity to align themselves with the forces of nature, to respect and protect the delicate balance that sustains life. We can make choices that promote harmony and coexistence with our environment and fellow living beings. Whether we reduce our carbon footprint, preserve biodiversity, or advocate for sustainable practices, we can positively impact the forces of nature. Our choices ripple through the interconnected web of life, shaping the future for generations to come. By embracing the wisdom of nature and aligning our actions with its principles, we can create a world where ecological forces continue to thrive and where the delicate balance between biotic and abiotic forces is respected. Nature’s Analogies To Our Lives Our relationship with nature goes beyond mere observation and admiration. We can draw profound analogies from the clues that biotic and abiotic forces left behind in the natural world and apply them to our own lives. Just as these forces shape ecosystems and drive the evolution of organisms, they hold valuable lessons for our personal growth and experiences. Nature teaches us the importance of adaptation and resilience. One of the easiest biotic forces to observe is migration, which highlights the ability of organisms to seek better social, environmental, and economic opportunities. Similarly, in our own lives, we encounter times of transition and need to demonstrate resilience during these changes. Embracing the spirit of migration allows us to set our sails for new territories, explore different perspectives, and find new sources of growth and fulfillment. The interconnectedness of organ systems in living organisms mirrors the importance of harmony and balance in our own lives. Akin to organs working together to carry out specific functions that serve the greater organism, we need to find a harmonious balance between different aspects of our lives — physical, emotional, creative, mental, spiritual, etc. — to enjoy what this big world offers in its splendor. Nurturing and maintaining the health and well-being of each "organ" in our lives contributes to our overall vitality and ability to thrive. Reproductive instincts are ever-present and remind us of the innate drive for growth, creativity, and connection. We tap into these instincts to cultivate meaningful relationships, pursue our passions, and contribute to the betterment of our communities. As a result, we can embrace the joy of expressing ourselves authentically and finding our unique place in the world. Competition, though often viewed through the lens of adversity, teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance and improving ourselves. Just as organisms compete for limited resources, we encounter competition in various aspects of our lives for opportunities that may face local limitations. Instead of seeing it as a hindering force, we should view competition as an opportunity for growth, pushing ourselves beyond our limits, and discovering our hidden potential. Resilience, a force observed at different levels in nature, emphasizes our capacity to bounce back from adversity. Life presents us with challenges and disturbances, much like the disturbances that ecosystems face. By cultivating resilience within ourselves, we can navigate through difficult times, learn from setbacks, and emerge stronger, just as ecosystems restore balance after disturbances. These are a few of nature's analogies that are powerful reminders of our connection to the world around us. We can draw inspiration from the intricate dance of biotic and abiotic forces and apply these lessons to our own personal experiences. Whether it's adapting to change, maintaining balance, nurturing relationships, embracing healthy competition, or cultivating resilience, the forces of nature guide us toward growth, transformation, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. As we dive deeper into these analogies in our blog series Turn To Nature, we discover that the forces of nature are not separate from us but deeply intertwined with our lives. By embracing these analogies, we can develop a greater appreciation for our world and the potential for growth and transformation within us. So, let us reflect on the wisdom of nature, draw parallels to our own personal experiences, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and alignment with the powerful forces that shape our existence. Action Step Guidelines Every post will have tangible action steps that may apply to our situations. Harnessing nature's wisdom requires more than observation — it requires intentional action. To effectively apply the lessons from nature to our lives, it's important to consider the following guidelines: Effective Actions Require Relevant Context : The action steps proposed are not one-size-fits-all solutions. It's essential to assess the context of your specific situation and compare it to the proposed action step. Consider whether there is alignment between the two and, if not, explore alternative approaches from mentors, books, the Internet, or other aspects of nature that are better suited to your circumstances. Inaction Is Usually The Enemy : While there may be rare instances where inaction is appropriate, taking action is usually necessary for progress. Possessing knowledge and understanding is not enough; the key lies in applying that knowledge to produce desired results. Embrace proactive application rather than passive observation. Actions Take Time To See Results : Patience is essential when applying nature's wisdom. Just as ecosystems take time to evolve and thrive, the changes and outcomes resulting from our actions may not be immediate. Understand that personal growth and transformation are gradual processes, and be prepared to invest time and effort into seeing the desired results. Expect Overlap : Nature is a master of harnessing patterns that contribute to the survival and success of species. Whether it's collaborative efforts, hunting techniques, or adapting to the environment, nature has perfected these patterns in various ways. Recognize that many of these patterns can overlap and provide valuable insights for solving problems and facing challenges in our own lives. Nature Has Grey Areas : Nature is rarely black and white; it exists in shades of grey. Embrace the complexities and nuances of life just as nature does. Recognize that multiple perspectives, solutions, and approaches may exist in a given situation. Be open-minded, adaptable, and willing to explore new possibilities beyond rigid dichotomies. With these action-step guidelines in mind, you can effectively apply the wisdom of nature to your own life. Approach each situation carefully, considering its context, take proactive action, be patient with the process, look for overlapping patterns, and embrace life's inherent complexities. By doing so, you can tap into the wisdom of nature and navigate your journey with greater clarity, resilience, and harmony. Let The Journey Begin In summary, the natural world is a remarkable testament to the power and interplay of biotic and abiotic forces that shape our planet. From the steadfast influence of sunlight and climate to the organic dynamics that drive evolution, nature offers invaluable lessons for our personal growth and experiences. By observing and understanding these forces, we can draw powerful analogies and apply them to our own lives by realizing that even though we have come a long way as a species, our natural roots will always be with us wherever we go.

Growing up as a musician, the quality of the music produced was always at the forefront of my mind.  It didn’t matter what instrument I played or the music I created.       I wanted the music to be an experience that engaged the audience.     When I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I joined my church’s Young Adults worship team. I attended in my first three months, but I always thought about how stellar these musicians were. They were cohesive and dialed in, which sparked my interest in becoming part of something bigger since I hadn't found the right fit for my musical tastes yet.     The team was led by a charismatic worship leader who kept everything together and was easy to follow.  Because of his direction, there was no need for a music director to keep things flowing.  It made playing easy, and I could enjoy myself during our gatherings.     Unfortunately, after only two months with the team, he abruptly resigned for a position far away, leaving us without leadership. While we had good vocalists to carry us vocally, the instrumentalists felt left in the dust.     A few weeks in without him, I noticed we were struggling. Someone would go off track, which suffocated the experience we were supposed to manifest for everyone in the room.     People were trying things out of the blue that weren’t sticking. Instrumentalists and vocalists bickered and argued, which took away from the experience.     At that point, I knew enough was enough.     I went to the Front of House engineer and asked him for a music director's mic. He set it up without hesitation and ensured everything was working properly.    I asked the team if I could try something, and if it didn’t work, I would gladly put the microphone away.  They agreed without hesitation, as everyone wanted things to get better.     Having a couple of rounds of experience on the main worship team, I applied what I had learned from the main music director in the brief few months to get the rehearsal back under control. Within minutes, we went from struggling and hitting walls to creating a cohesive experience. While I had no previous experience with an MD mic before then, I was fortunate to have previous experience directing concert bands, orchestras, and smaller ensembles. It was simply a new format I was learning to adapt to.    From that point on, I knew that music directing was not only something that I would be good at but also something that would give me joy. I will explore reasons beyond the music for how being a Music Director  gave me a solid purpose within the church.    What Music Directing In Church Is Truly About    There’s an unfortunate stigma around having a Music Director, which suggests that worship becomes scripted and inauthentic.  That may appear to be the case, but there are significant costs to not having one when musicians are on rotation.     After some much-needed reflection, I formulated in words the true purpose of a Music Director :        To keep the music flowing, prevent distractions, and allow the musicians, vocalists, and congregation to fix their eyes upon Jesus instead of their deficiencies.         It’s easy to be critical of a venue that has music whenever you attend. Everyone has preferences, but there are aspects of music that everybody notices, regardless of their tastes.     Some people notice when a vocalist or musician is off-pitch.  Most people notice when rhythms aren't meshing.  However, everyone notices when everything gets off track, and those on stage have a “deer in the headlights” look on their faces.     And let me tell you – even those who have the heart to look past our mistakes may lose their focus on Jesus when these bumps in the road happen.    Structure Is Not The Goal     It's worth mentioning that the goal of being a Music Director  is not to have a scripted, polished flow to worship.  Spontaneity is a great element to add to worship because we never know what He will do in us next.       An excellent Music Director  will yield to God-driven spontaneity.     It could be as simple as repeating a verse or calling a drum breakdown to change the flavor of the chorus. In more advanced cases, the worship leader may make up a new phrase, and the Music Director needs to call the chords that best fit the moment.     Being the Music Director  meant we had a lot more flexibility with what we wanted to do without potentially derailing.  However, another critical role is seldom known beyond the immediate musicians and tech team.     Perfection Isn't Required – This Is.     A  Music Director’s  job is to add a critical element to the mix that isn't heard but felt.     Resilience.      That's right.  Things are bound to go wrong from time to time.  Even with planning, preparation, and the ability to gel, unexpected challenges will arise.     It could be that someone is rushing, an announcer has their mic on and is too close to the stage, or a technical glitch shakes things up.     This is where the Music Director  must take the reins to restore flow as quickly as possible.  Here are some common scenarios I've run into:     Someone Gets Off Click     The click is a programmed woodblock to keep musicians tight and on the beat.  Only the musicians and tech team can hear this sound, which usually sits nicely in their mix.     Unfortunately, someone may get their mix jacked through no fault of their own, and they cannot hear the beat. As Music Director , I can count on the microphone to aid the musicians and help them return to the beat.     Usually, after two bars, they are good to go. However, in rare cases, the click gets turned off, and everyone is instructed to yield to the drummer. If a drummer doesn’t play a specific part, that's where I'll come in and keep the tempo as steady as humanly possible.     The Worship Leader Goes A Different Direction Than Expected     It happens.  Sometimes, the worship leader feels called to go a different direction in a moment than anticipated.     Any digital programming fades away when this happens, and I call out the section and chords to keep the musicians on track. Generally, the click stays on to keep the musicians locked on the beat as they adapt to the change.     Afterward, if I feel confident and know where the worship leader is going, I'll hotkey the program into position and fade in all the digital candy. When done correctly, it's like nothing ever happened!     The Digital Programming Stops Working Abruptly     This situation is sticky as it's the most noticeable disruption. However, computers are subject to glitches without notice, no matter how many times you've run everything, to ensure smooth, cohesive transitions.     When the computer glitches, it's just a matter of context, which methods will be deployed to keep everyone on track.     Generally, I'll let everyone know that the system has a glitch and coach them to keep on track. When necessary, I may instruct musicians to inject improvised elements to keep the mix as full as possible to compensate for the digital elements removed.     This is the case that truly tests everyone's resilience.  At this point, it's all a matter of being a coach to keep the players creating a resonating experience amid challenges.    Lessons I Learned From Being A Music Director     Being a Music Director  isn't an isolated position in the professional world. It requires transferable real-world skills, including critical thinking, leadership, empathy, coaching, and technical know-how. The Music Director  must also hold everyone accountable to high standards.     However, these are some of the most vivid lessons I learned as a Music Director , which I am applying to my new season of freelancing and entrepreneurship.     Everyone Will Pitch Suggestions, But You Must Direct     As musicians, we all naturally have creative ideas we want to implement. People will come up with ideas of how a song could be better, how a phrase should be sung, and how to alter the structure of a song to improve it.     As a Music Director , I highly suggest listening to these ideas. They can potentially improve the overall experience and allow everyone to contribute.     But ultimately, it is up to us to decide how things will flow. We oversee the running of digital programming and direct the musicians to support the worship setting.  Tough calls are sometimes part of the game.     Unfortunately, our decisions will never please everybody. Therefore, when making decisions, acknowledge the validity of other people’s ideas while clarifying why the direction chosen is the best for the team.     Great Skills Must Back Good Intentions     Some people think joining a worship team is easy, and there’s some truth to it to some extent. Generally, it’s not jazz music that requires phrasing, articulation, improvisation, and knowledge of sophisticated chord structures.     However, just because it’s basic doesn’t mean it’s easy. It simply means that the amount of training to jumpstart somebody from the beginning will be far less than if they aspire to become a professional classical or jazz musician.     A person with a great heart is desired on any worship team. However, if they aspire to play drums and have no sense of rhythm, they will do more damage to the worship setting than good.     It’s not because they have the wrong intentions – it’s because their skills are not up to par. People from the outside may not know that because we live in a distorted world. Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that and make sure musicians work on their skills in addition to their hearts.     However, in my time as a Music Director , I have found that if someone has good intentions and a willingness to learn, they can get up to speed faster than you think. Have them audition and give them transparent feedback about where they are and what they need to do to get where you need them to be.    After the audition, follow up with them on their journeys and skills. If you want to go above and beyond, have them send you videos to showcase their progress.  Then, have them try again and see how close they are to the goalpost.    If they’re not cut out for being musicians, redirect them to seek counsel on other opportunities.  Nothing is worse than encouraging someone with no musical potential to pursue it.  Resilience Is The Result of Mindset & Training     When you’re confident as a  Music Director , it significantly increases the team’s ability to bounce back from hiccups and bumps in the road.     However, one of the most overlooked opportunities to train your musicians is to simulate scenarios where something goes wrong. Generally, this is a great opportunity to train your musicians when the average musicianship is at the standard of excellence, so we can take it to the next level.     When planning these training scenarios, talk to a leader in the group, whether instrumentalist or vocalist, about fumbling a little bit to get things off track. Usually, worship leaders and drummers are the best candidates because when they screw up, it’s felt.     Simulate a session with the team and give them a nod when you want them to go off the rails. Once they do, remind the musicians to stay focused and follow the leader.     At the end of the play-through, let everybody know that it was just a test, and they did very well (at least, we hope so).  Thank the person who simulated the screw-up for being a team player so that people recognize they were part of the training as well.     We can’t prepare musicians and vocalists for every nuance that can go wrong, but we can use the Pareto Principle and determine what 20% of incidents create 80% of the turmoil. From there, when musicians and vocalists know that things can happen, they will know to listen to the Music Director  and bounce back from hiccups.     Great Experiences Are Key    If there’s anything to take away from being a Music Director , great music is not the goal at the end of the day. It’s simply the byproduct.     The Music Director's  goal is to create an atmosphere of excellence in character and performance. We are called to give our best every day to the Lord, so we should do so in our playing as much as in our being.     In the real world, being a Music Director  demonstrates the ability to coach people, manage teams, and manage time to keep rehearsals crisp and efficient.  These skills will always be desired in any industry and profession.  Musicians with a knack for leadership will find themselves right at home when they take up music directing.