Year: 2019

The process before the content

From my perspective, I still have a long way to go. I do however think that sharing what I know today is valuable, not for the sake of what I share, but for the process of refining the idea. I place the process before the content, with the hope that a refined process will lead to fine content.

Writing is thinking is a good metaphor for how I use this blog. I blog and share my posts public-ally so that I can exercise structured thinking. Looking for ways to better express my thoughts and find the best words to illustrate my ideas.

Both the content and the process really do matter, but as I shape my writing process I make sure that I continually fill my mind with things to write about. I believe that applying the correct writing style to great content will be a valuable skill in any context.

I have already started noticing a change in the way I write at work. Doing blog posts forces me to think through what I’m writing. Knowing that it will be shared publicly puts enough pressure on me to ensure it is at least decent.

Blogging is only for the successful, is how I used to think. Now I know that blogging leads to success. Being ables to communicate clearly is a skill worth practicing.

Simple Money Advice

Someone shared this with me a while ago and I keep thinking about it. The advice is 3 simple thoughts:

  1. Make all you can make.
  2. Don’t be overly lavish.
  3. Give all you can give.

We can grow in our ability to make, spend and give, but we should keep spending in check, while allowing making and giving to flourish.

Docker Compose Volumes Empty?

The problem is that you’re expecting files from the Container to be mounted on your host.
This is not the way it works: it’s the other way around:
Docker mounts your host folder in the container folder you specify. If you go inside the container, you will see that where there were supposed to be the init files, there will be nothing (or whatever was in your host folder(s)), and you can write a file in the folder and it will show up on your host.

Answer from: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42395748/docker-compose-volume-is-empty-even-from-initialize

Why I no longer call them goals

Calling your goals, “goals”, leaves you at a disadvantage. From now on, I suggest that you call them outcomes.

Let me tell you why. An article in the New York Times spells it out clearly: names have power. The way in which we speak about things affects our brains.

The term “goals”, has multiple meanings, depending on the context. In one way it means where you’d like to be, but in many other instances, it can mean, dreams, vision or desire. A wish, far off, into the future. Goals also have you thinking about the end result and not so much on how to get there.

Calling your goal an outcome, automatically implies that, for something to come out, something must go in. Your mind starts to wonder about how, and as research has shown, we solve problems in our sleep. The more you think about your outcomes the more you are likely to work towards them.

I have made a decision. I will only put my dreams on my outcomes list if I have attached a new habit to it. Want to lose weight? Add the habits of a better diet and regular exercise. Want to earn more money? Attach the habit of developing your skills and reading. If the outcome is worth pursuing the habit is worth cultivating.

If what you are thinking about is truly a “goal”, try something more specific, like dream, vision or desire, but don’t call them goals.

Featured image by Andrey Larin https://unsplash.com/photos/Kodkas71tT8

Outstanding Advice from a tribe of mentors

This will be my final post covering tribe of mentors. If you are a little bit lost and not sure which direction to take you will find a lot of great advice and pointers from this book. It is a great reference book and I’d recommend it to all.

In a previous post, I wrote a quick review on the book Tribe of Mentors but I also wanted to give you some of the advice that stood out to me.

1- Personal Development and Routine

Discipline = Freedom. We are always between freedom and bondage. We move away from freedom when we lack discipline. Freedom to choose the life you want comes only by discipline. There are extreme cases where one really can’t choose, but for the average person, this is a fortunate choice to have.

To become the best you, you must work on your own weaknesses continuously.

2 – Learning

The best student wins. Make sure that you are a life long student, make sure you grow to become the best student.

All successful people read a lot. An example is Terry Cruise. He is a man of great depth who has an incredible reading list. You would think that comedians are just naturally good at telling stories that make people laugh. Now I know why some comedians make it in life: they read! See Trevor Noah’s favorite books as an example: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/t-magazine/entertainment/trevor-noah-favorite-books-list.html

Be in a hurry to learn, not to get validation. Embrace change and keep learning, the only way to stay relevant.

We arrive at certain destinations because of our decisions. Our choices are mostly a result of how we weighed our options. From Julia Galef’s interview, I learned that most advice is one size fits all but that the best advice helps one improve judgment.

Tom Peters stated, “The number one failings of CEOs: they don’t read enough”. I was so inspired by how much the mentors read and how many of them actually made time for reading in their schedule. Reading is absolutely critical. You can not avoid this if you desire growth. Reading is probably the most important career and life habit and is one strand that connects all the mentors. To be well prepared for all situations one must read a wide range of topics, even poetry.

3- Health.

In pursuit of success, you can’t ignore your health.  Resting is important, simply put: Uptime is as important as downtime and growth come from periods of rest.

Even if you don’t exercise you should at least make time to walk. Make it part of your life. Walk a little.

Eating healthy is critical and sugar is toxic. Avoid sugar especially soda and juice.

The important things in life must be done in parallel: relationships, health, religion, work.

4 – Success

No success came overnight. Even if that is what the media would like you to believe.

It is possible to out-prepare any competition.

To future proof yourself, focus on personal resilience and emotional intelligence.

Choose opportunities based on the people you get to work with. Skate to where the puck is going and remember persistence is greater than talent.

To reach success Tom Peters said: Become a superstar, all-pro listener, read up on it, work on it, have a mentor grade you on it.

Beware the “philosophologist”. Beware the one who has not been in the trenches. Seek wisdom from people who’ve done it, not the people who teach it.

5- People

On saying no: Have a yes list, for everything else say no.

Saying maybe, when you want to say no, is lying to yourself and others.

Say no to complaints, blame, and gossip.

Don’t underestimate languages. It is the doorway to another world.

There is so much to gain from being generous. Generosity elevates us all.

Avoid ego and embrace truth. Ego’s focus is: who is right. Truth focuses on what is right.

6 – Attitude and Personal Philosophy

Have a Gratitude Journal, write in it and read it. This gives you perspective.

Self-esteem, the reputation you have with yourself. Do not do things that erode that reputation.

Confidence is overrated and even irritating -try Courage. As you take courage and build up a track record of success, with yourself, genuine confidence grows.

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