My aim is to inspire people around the world one blog post at a time.
This is the place to nourish your mind, heart, body and soul.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch your own business. Maybe you want to escape the rat race and find peace in simple living. Maybe you want to improve your health. Whatever your dream is, it is valid!
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Dreams without action are just dreams. But taking action doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your job and burning the ocean. Small steps matter. It is the ability to plug away consistently at something over time that is the key. Small steps add up. You’ll get there!
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If you keep building slowly and consistently with passion each day, adding value that matters to you, then the growth will take care of itself. The keys to achieving success are patience and avoiding complacency.
Our Tendency to Misjudge
Humans pride themselves on being rational creatures, capable of weighing evidence and making sound decisions. Yet, as history and experience keep reminding us, we are prone to repeated errors of judgment.
No one explained this better than Charlie Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and long-time business partner of Warren Buffett.
Munger argued that most mistakes in judgment come not from ignorance of facts but from psychological tendencies that subtly distort how we interpret the world.
He identified 25 psychological biases and tendencies, compiled in his book "Poor Charlie's Almanack," to understand and avoid common patterns of human misjudgment.
In his famous talk, “The Psychology of Human Misjudgment”, he explains several of these “misjudgments.”
By understanding them, we can become more aware of our blind spots, improve our decisions, and avoid traps that have cost individuals and organisations dearly.
Protect Your Peace
If you’ve ever snapped at a stranger in traffic, hit “send” on an email you later regretted, or lain awake replaying a heated exchange, you’ve felt the cost of unprotected peace.
“Protecting your Peace” is essential and requires a practical strategy for staying clear-headed, healthy, and effective in a noisy world where anger and anxiety are always looking for a foothold.
In this article, we’ll examine what protecting your peace means, how emotions like anger shape your brain and body, and what to do when your peace is on the line.
Navigating Office Politics
“In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
If you replace “politics” with “office politics” in the above quote by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the words still ring true.
Whether we like it or not, office politics are everywhere.
They creep into meetings, linger in the hallways and the coffee station, and influence decisions behind closed doors.
Many associate the term with manipulation, favouritism, or backstabbing, but that’s a narrow, often cynical, view.
Office politics are fundamentally about human behaviour, power dynamics, and influence.
They’re about surviving your job and learning how to thrive.
This article, therefore, explores what it means to be politically savvy, why it’s an essential skill in modern workplaces, and how to develop it without compromising your integrity.
Does Attitude Change Behaviour – Or Is it the Other Way Around?
Let’s start with a story.
Imagine you’ve decided to start going to the gym. You buy new sneakers, download a fitness app, and set your alarm for 6 a.m. Monday rolls around. That alarm screams in your ear, and your first thought isn’t “I love working out!”—it’s more like, “Why am I doing this to myself?”
But you drag yourself out of bed. You go. And the next day, you do it again. Fast-forward two weeks: you’re not only still going—you want to go.
What changed?
It wasn’t your attitude that kicked off the new habit. It was your behaviour. You acted first. And your attitude followed.
So, does attitude change behaviour?
Building Circles of Influence
Ever heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"? There is a measure of truth in this.
Essentially, it refers to circles of influence; a network of relationships and connections that can open doors, provide support, and help you achieve your goals.
There is a limit to what we can achieve by ourselves. So, building circles of influence is key to success, whether you're trying to advance your career, launch a new business, or make a difference in your community.
Imagine throwing a pebble into a pond.
The pebble creates ripples that expand outward in concentric circles. Each circle represents a layer of influence, starting from your immediate family and closest friends and then extending further to acquaintances, colleagues, and beyond.
Which Lens Are You?
We all naturally assume that people see the world the way we do.
After all, our personal experiences, values, and perceptions feel so intuitive that it’s hard to imagine someone else operating from a completely different framework.
But the truth is that people filter reality through various lenses shaped by culture, upbringing, education, personal experiences, and even biology. What we think of as “the way things are” is often just “the way things are for us.”
The Enemy Inside You
In her work on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy, Brené Brown explores the concept of “near enemies”.
It’s a term borrowed from Buddhist philosophy, to describe attitudes or emotions that closely resemble positive qualities but can undermine or corrupt them.
Brown emphasises that distinguishing between these “near enemies” and the authentic emotions or virtues they mimic is crucial to developing healthy relationships with ourselves and others.
Her exploration of vulnerability, empathy, and connection, in particular, focuses on how close enemies can deceive us into thinking we are building real connections when, in fact, we may be maintaining emotional distance or avoiding vulnerability.
The Clock Is Ticking
Have you ever wondered how much time you have for yourself in a day and, more importantly, life?
With the hustle and bustle of modern life, it can feel like there's hardly any time left for what truly matters.
The key is to therefore be intentional with your time.
It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and let days, months, or even years slip by without really living. By being mindful of how you spend your time and consciously prioritising what's important to you, you can make the most of your time.
Life is short, and time is precious.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Most of us like to think we are unique or special in some way. And yet, we often avoid telling others our raw, unfiltered life stories.
Stories that would reveal our complex, multi-faceted, imperfect selves if we did.
Stories that would leave us with a permanent vulnerability hangover, especially if they are stories that demand that we reveal our hidden emotions.
Instead, we seek to explain our lives in ways that we and others can understand and appreciate within a framework of acceptable societal norms.
Ways that limit our exposure to possibly being misunderstood, embarrassed or judged. Ways that demand we take a risk and perhaps fail.
It’s Time to Take a Pill (But Not a Chill Pill)
In life, there's this idea that sometimes we need to take a "Red Pill".
The metaphorical "red pill" derives from the iconic scene in the movie "The Matrix," where Neo is offered a choice between a red pill, symbolising truth and awakening, or a blue pill, representing ignorance and conformity.
This allegory has since been appropriated to describe confronting harsh realities, even when they challenge one's beliefs or comfort.
Therefore, the red pill concept is about stepping out of a comfortable but unrealistic way of thinking—a symbol for facing harsh truths even if they're tough to handle.
I Was Happy For Awhile
Have you ever felt delighted? Not just for a few fleeting moments here and there.
No, I'm talking about a long-term, deep sense of fulfilment. A feeling that makes you say, "Life is so worth living. I'm glad to be who I am, and I am grateful to be alive".
And you feel and say this every day and mean it.
Mmm, I thought so.
You are not alone. You may be surprised how many people don't feel deep-rooted happiness.
The question is, why is this?
Let's start by looking at the biology of happiness.
The brain releases several neurotransmitters, often referred to as "happy chemicals," that contribute to feelings of pleasure and well-being …
An Introvert in a World Built for Extraverts
In Susan Cain's illuminating book, "Quiet: The Power of Introverts," she refers to "The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking".
Introverts and extroverts are personality types that describe how people gain energy and interact with the world around them.
Introverts tend to recharge by spending time alone or in small groups. They often prefer quieter, more introspective activities like reading, writing, or spending time in nature.
On the other hand, extroverts gain energy from being around other people and engaging in social activities. They tend to be gregarioius, talkative, and enjoy being the centre of attention.
So with this in mind, grab your favourite cosy spot and settle in as we explore the book's key themes with supporting examples that celebrate the power of introversion.
Stupidity is Universal and Dangerous
"Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others. The same applies when you are stupid." - Ricky Gervais
Imagine a world where stupidity isn't a random occurrence but a predictable force governing human behaviour.
It sounds bizarre, right?
Well, that's precisely what Professor Carlo M. Cipolla, an Italian economic historian, dared to propose back in 1976.
He published an essay describing the fundamental laws of what he perceived as the greatest existential threat to humanity: stupidity.
The Tyranny of the Top Floor
Ah, the allure of the top floor.
The pinnacle of corporate success is where CEOs reside in corner offices with panoramic views, and executives make high-level decisions that shape the company's future.
Many young professionals dream of working at a large company's head office and are ambitious and impatient in pursuing this.
But behind the glossy facade of corner offices and executive perks lies realities that few fully comprehend until they've experienced it firsthand.
I call it the "tyranny of the top floor".
You’re Biased and I’ll Prove It
Bias is a word that often carries negative connotations, suggesting unfairness, prejudice, and discrimination.
But bias is inherent in all of us, rooted in our cognitive processes, social conditioning, and lived experiences.
While biases can indeed lead to unfair treatment or distorted judgments, they also serve as adaptive shortcuts that help us navigate the complexities of the world around us.
So, let's explore the nature of bias, why it exists, and how it manifests in our everyday lives. We can do this by looking at twelve of the most common biases (there are many more) that influence human behaviour.
Everyone’s Entitled To My Opinion
So, surprise, surprise … we all have opinions.
Some are as harmless as debating the best flavour of ice cream, while others touch on more substantial matters like climate change, moral justice, or various scientific theories.
But what exactly constitutes an opinion, and how much weight should we assign to them?
Let's begin by taking a trip back to ancient Greece, where the wise philosopher Plato noted that opinions are beliefs that lack the certainty of knowledge.
Kill the Culture Crocodiles
"Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast" - Peter Drucker
The above is a well-known and often quoted saying attributed to the renowned management consultant Peter Drucker.
Paradoxically, many companies have some giant crocodiles lurking in the waters of their company culture. Sadly, these crocodiles prey on the harmony and vitality of the organisation and pose a significant threat to its well-being and success.
A toxic organisational culture left unchecked will ultimately destroy an otherwise great business.
Intuitive Leadership in a Sensory World
Imagine standing at a crossroads and trying to decide which path to take.
Sensing people are the ones who carefully observe their surroundings, noting every detail—the texture of the ground beneath their feet, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, the faint scent of flowers in the air. They rely on concrete data and tangible information to guide their decisions, like a well-worn map that leads them from point A to point B.
On the other hand, intuitive people are the dreamers, the visionaries who see beyond the surface and into the realm of possibilities. They're less concerned with the details and more focused on the big picture, relying on gut instincts and flashes of insight to guide their decisions.
The Power of Silence
“Speak only if it improves upon the silence” - Mahatma Gandhi
In a world filled with constant chatter and noise, there's value in the power of silence.
Sometimes, silence speaks volumes, especially in moments of heated conversation or conflict where it has real power. After all, arguing with someone who doesn't argue back is quite challenging.
For example, imagine you're at a family gathering, and tensions are rising. Voices are raised, emotions are raw, and it feels like the room is on the brink of exploding.
Heartbeats and Heartaches
"Sometimes my heart leaks tears like an old engine leaks oil until, eventually, I run dry and everything just seizes up." - Dion le Roux
Anyone prone to suffering from anxiety or depression will be able to relate to the experience of going about your day, navigating through the ups and downs, when suddenly, you feel it—the weight of emotion pressing down on you like a ton of bricks.
You try to shrug it off, but it clings to you like a stubborn shadow, refusing to let go. Each passing moment feels like another drop in the bucket until you eventually find yourself drowning in a sea of emotion.
It's as if your heart has sprung a leak, and no matter how hard you try to patch it up, the tears keep flowing.