Here is your first Seven-Bullet Monday of March – 2023 is flying along!
1. A quote I am pondering:
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." – Andy Rooney
Mountain-top views are lovely but fleeting, and so is the momentary joy of reaching the summit. That's why it is far better to focus on the journey itself, what we are learning, how we are changing and where we have little wins along the way – that's where the lasting joy and fulfilment come from.
2. A question we should ask ourselves:
Where am I spending energy trying to please someone who doesn't care?
Our brains consume about 20% of our energy daily. So, focusing our mental and emotional energy on where we get the best results is essential. If we invest energy in someone or some people who don't care, it's time we move on. There are plenty more people out there that will truly appreciate who we are and what we bring.
3. A book I am reading:
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos - Jordan Peterson
I tried listening to this book three years ago and gave up a quarter of the way in. That was before I discovered increasing the playback speed #ILoveSpeed. I listened to the book this time at 2.0 times speed and thoroughly enjoyed it. Peterson answers some of life's most difficult questions by intelligently and creatively combining stories and lessons from history, scientific discoveries and his own experiences. With four million copies now sold, it has become a classic.
4. What I learnt this week
The importance of human connection, considering the rise of AI and chatbots
With ChatGPT and other AI chatbots all the rage recently, we might wonder where good old human interaction is left. The rise of AI, 5G, Web 3.0 and quantum computing will change our future lives in more ways than we can imagine. So, we need to future-proof ourselves, skill-wise and career-wise. We also need to deepen our human connections, build empathy, and be caring and kind because those qualities will become even more valuable in an age where machines are doing more and more.
5. The highlight of my week
Meeting some of the Canadian Rugby Sevens teams and seeing them in action at BC Place
I met a couple of the Canadian Rugby Sevens players at a BC Rugby lunch this week and saw them in action at BC Place this weekend. One of them, Piper Logan, debuted for Canada at this tournament. At lunch, I asked her what her best skill was, and her response was she was fast. She demonstrated this on Saturday with a blistering 40m solo run to score a try.
6. Hugh-tip
Think carefully about how you spend your bonus money
With annual bonuses typically getting paid in the first few months of the year, people get the choice of how to spend their fresh pile of cash. While it is nice to splurge on something here or there, you will be better off putting that money to work for you. Paying down some debt might not be exciting, but it is an excellent opportunity, especially considering current interest rates. Another way to think of it would be, instead of buying a non-essential item now, why not invest the money, let it grow and then use that bigger pile of money down the road to buy a nicer version of what you are looking at now?
7. My challenge for you for this week
Record yourself speaking and work on some improvements
Our voices are our primary communication tool, so why not take them to the next level? A great way to do that is to record yourself talking on a familiar subject using the voice memo app on your phone. Then, listen to yourself, improve, and do it again. Some areas you can explore with speaking are your speed, melody (don't speak in a monotone), pitch (lower voices carry more authority) and pronunciation. Also, listen out for any "umms' and work on replacing those with a poignant silence, as you collect your thoughts for the following sentence. You will be pleasantly surprised at your progress.
Have a great week
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