Category: Expectations
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It was supposed to rain
The weather forecast said there would be rain today. You listened to the forecast, grumbled about it being on a weekend, and planned to do something indoors—maybe not even venture outdoors. When you peeked outside the window, the sun was shining and the sky was clear blue. So you stepped outside with an umbrella, just…
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Collect underpants → ??? → Profit: A guide to filling in the question marks in your plans
There’s a TV trope called the Missing Steps Plan (it’s also an internet meme). Here’s an example from a South Park episode, which involves gnomes stealing underpants: We are all missing steps in our wishes and dreams. The question is to what degree. For example, someone who hasn’t cooked and wants to cook might have…
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Do things that make you feel proud of yourself
You probably won’t feel proud of binge watching a TV show. You’ll almost certainly feel proud when you do one of these things: Make progress towards your goals. The greater the reluctance you feel before, the more pride you’ll feel after. Write or speak something from the heart. Put it out there. Take a small…
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The paranoid only survive if it doesn’t kill them first
“Only the paranoid survive,” is a great business book title. It also contains a kernel of truth for business leaders. Without paranoia, the people running a business will grow complacent, and lose to a more innovative competitor. The flip side is this: paranoia can kill too. The entrepreneur who deals with anxiety, fear, and insecurity…
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The desire paths of your mind
When you walk off the sidewalk or paved ground, you contribute to a desire path. The more people that do this, the clearer the path that emerges. Here’s an image of a desire path: Apply this metaphor to your mind. Imagine that your mind was a town that you have designed with a lot of…
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When someone persuades you it’ll be easy, it’s a signal to feel uneasy
Many years ago, when I was still a student, I attended a seminar for a multi-level marketing (MLM) program. The idea was, you’d sell products that a company provided you with. It could be vitamins, knives, dishware, or a vast swath of other products. The presenters emphasized all of the perks: that you could work…