Have you ever used an assumption as the basis to judge all incoming info on the topic, only to find out later that it was all wrong?
For me, this tends to happen when someone hurts my feelings, and then for a while everything they do becomes another, “See, there they go again” pebble on the pile. Before I know it, I’m convinced there’s an issue because the pile of pebbles has grown.
Me being me, I need to talk it out with the person to try to get things right.
What I learn 99% of the time is that the foundational assumption was inaccurate.
Which is another reason why I find The Four Agreements so brilliant. With all the principles we can use to govern ourselves, the four that author Don Miguel Ruiz chose pave the way to a better life:
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- Be truthful and responsible with your words and deeds.
- Don’t take what others do or say personally—their thoughts and words are a reflection of their reality, not yours. (A la Mel Robbins, “Let them.”)
- Don’t make assumptions, seek clarity.
- Always do your best. Your best will vary due to circumstances, but if you elevate to what you can do well at any moment you will avoid self-judgment and regret—regardless of the outcome.
This Week’s Shares: Whys, Hows and Change
This Week’s Shares: Whys, Hows and Change- FREE OFFER: You still have three weeks to schedule your free Conduit to Clarity session. If you find yourself unable to move forward on a specific business decision, invest an hour with me. Together we’ll get you back into action mode. If you want to give this one-time clarity session a try, send me an email or a LinkedIn message, and I’ll send you more info and a link to schedule your free session.
- I know you love my time-saving tips and I’ve got two this week. The first one is how to edit iPhone messages. The second is via SidneyRaz, the “Things I Wish I Knew Before 30” guy on Instagram: how to avoid spelling out “degrees” because Sidney shows us where that symbol is hiding. Of course I can’t find his video now, but what you do is hold down on the “zero” on your iPhone keypad and it offers you the zero (0) or the degree symbol (°). And check out his channel, he’s got so many time-saving insights.
- Kindness quotes in an easy, breezy book, The Call to Kindness by Meral Alizada. I asked her if I could share some of her quotes with you, and she kindly said “Yes.” Here’s one of my favorites: “Kindness is the cheat code for perpetual good luck.” Get the book on Amazon, it’s a wonderful gift for yourself or someone who needs uplifting.
- And here’s a kindness story that keeps on giving…
- Oh what the heck, here’s another one, I’m not crying, you’re crying.…
- And have you ever wondered why orcas don’t attack humans—ever—in the wild (though they do sometimes in captivity)? Quench your curiosity here.
Do Good Spotlight: Give an Hour
For every therapist in the U.S., there are about 340 people in need of mental health support. With such an inundated system, there has to be another more attainable solution. Give an Hour was started by therapists volunteering an hour of their time to support those in need. Now, they work on informing the public with wellness ambassadors and peer-to-peer groups to fill in the gaps. Learn more about them through this video or check out their website.
⏳Until Next Time…
There’s a lot on your plate. Is it as healthy a mix as possible? Down the icky stuff first, savor the flavors of the good-for-you options, and go ahead, add a fun and healthy dessert. Remember, you are the one in charge of you—optimize how you invest in yourself.
Niki