Agility is considered as one the key elements in today’s leadership according to John Whitmore in his book titled Coaching for Performance. He suggested that we should add variations and changes to our routines so we can adapt to changes more easily. This is important in particular when you become set in our own ways at a later stage in life. For me, there are daily routines that are better candidates for variations than others. For example, music, movie and food are probably more suitable than the route to work as efficiency and punctuality may be at stake. A good suggestion on adding variations but it needs to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Yesterday I had lunch with the Nobel Prize winner (Economics) Robert Shiller. Well, to be more precise (and accurate), it was a presentation to more than 50 audience with buffet lunch provided afterwards.

One take-away point from his presentation is the importance of LONG data history in conducting research. To paraphrase and apply it in the context of personal development, our EXPERIENCE is critical in our learning process in particular in the area of human psychology. Apparently, we tend to repeat our mistakes. In a similar vein, as mentioned in my book, our experience can provide insights on our learning style and preference.  In that sense, we are in total agreement.  Did I hear someone say “smart minds think alike”?  Come on, please be modest :>

The news of the prediction of a snow storm in New York triggered my thought on the idea of how to cope with an emotional “storm”.
My suggestions:
1) Anchor yourself psychologically. For example, remind yourself of your core value system based on religion, family, friendship….
2) Don’t lose yourself. For example, when a group discussion gets “nasty” (in a certain sense, it is an emotional “storm”), keep your identity, calmness and objectivity.
3) Don’t give up nor give in to the storm. Stand firm.
4) Find a way out if it is the best option.
5) Ultimately, learn from it. Be wiser and stronger.

The topic of Chinese New Year came up in the office. It will be the year of the GOAT by 18-Feb. A non-Chinese colleague disappointedly told me that he was born in the year of the RAT and added that he knows it is not a good sign among the 12 signs in the Chinese calendar. I told him that ALL signs are good in the sense that each has its strengths as well as weaknesses just like all human beings. No one is perfect.

I don’t believe a sign of the birth year determines the outlook of a person neither. Life is what you want to make out of it. Live fully and make the best out of it :>

Sometimes it is harder to hold back your tongue (I should know out of all people) than saying something that you may regret later under the ‘banner’ of being honest. There are definitely circumstances for speaking up and conversely occasions for ‘holding your horses’.

Try to assess which case it is before action. It is definitely not a case of ‘one size fits all’ here.

Sometimes that is all is needed especially when it is a genuine apology and the receipient has accepted it.  There is no need to linger on providing multiple reasons plus going through your mind different scenarios with numerous what-ifs. 

Make it a clean-cut and sincere appology and go on with your life.

January is approaching to the end (one more week to go). I am not going to pop the tough question on New Year resolution. I suggest adjust it if you found it a bit tough to keep up instead of giving it up completely.

Don’t be dismayed. Adjust and make it achievable with a stretch.

 

This Monday due to my hectic schedule and a small element of absent-mindedness, I double- booked myself.  I ended up forfeiting a ticket to a play(theatre) for 17 pounds (non-refundable and I did not have time to pass it onto someone else).  It was not a huge sum but I was not happy about it and kept thinking about it. 

It suddenly dawned on me that if I dwelt on it, I will lose MORE than the face value of the ticket of 17 pounds as time is money.  I finally managed to convince myself to “bite the bullet” and move on.  “Don’t cry over split milk” has some truth in it.

On the subject of better communication, heavy weight in the coaching world Sir John Whitmore suggests in his book Coaching for Performance (p.47) that the WHY question should be discouraged as it may imply criticism and evokes defensiveness. He recommends replacing it with “What were the reasons..?”

Today I had a coffee with my friend Thomas who is the owner of an optical store in France. I spotted a lovely pair of glasses on the table and it actually belongs to him (no surprise there as I usually carry a copy of my book with me for a similar reason:>). He was very kind to ask me to try it on and took some pictures for me. And here is one of them.

For a split second, I was pondering on having a new look for 2015. Well, I will have to wait for Thomas’ next visit to London to seek his advice.