#56

Welcome to Weekly Whisper #56

Every decision you make is a vote for short term or long term

One of my favourite development concepts is the compounding effect. The idea being that everything we do – large, small and particularly micro – has a compounding effect if repeated consistently.

Given that most of our behaviour, decisions and habits are unconscious then we are leading ourselves down a couple of separate garden paths. It’s never too late to change paths BUT the longer you travel down one path the harder it is to change to the other – that goes for the paths that are supporting and hindering us. Love this quote from James Clear Atomic Habits.

"Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your identity. This is why habits are crucial. They cast repeated votes for being a type of person."

So, what type of person are you casting a vote for?

Reality is largely negotiable – Tim Ferriss

I’m a fanboy of Tim. Love his concepts, philosophy, writing, and general demeanor. Simple yet profound.

If we accept that we largely create our own reality and at the very least our interpretation of reality then I wonder how often we interrogate it? I wonder how often we are conscious, aware, and awake enough to test some of our - largely covert - assumptions about our interpretations of the world?

So, next time you find yourself confronted with an uncomfortable (complete your own word) reality – perhaps one that doesn’t best support you or your loved ones – perhaps it’d be best to remember what Byron Katie said:

"You can argue with reality but you’d be wrong. But only 100% of the time".

Are willing to argue with your unhelpful interpretations of the reality that you’ve created? Go on, see if you can do the opposite for 48hrs.

Question of the week:
If I could only work 2 hours per week on my business, what would I do?

Another Tim Ferriss find.

One of my ambitions is to change people’s lives for the better by asking a question that opens up a different path – a path that’s more suited to how they want to live not necessarily how they are living.

Remember the compounding effect from earlier? Here’s an easy download with further questions that might, just might, if you’re lucky and you pay attention… but probably not… change your life 😊

Tim Ferriss - Questions That Changed My Life

 
Quote of the week:
"If you only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than we are" Montesquieu

I picked this up from Tim Urban and agree with his perspective that we are still, and may always be, working on this one.

It’s one of my thinking traps – I get caught in the comparison fog of comparing myself to others that I, probably mistakenly, think are happier, more successful etc etc than me.

Aaargh… to be a thinking, feeling, living human – beautiful and terrifying in the same moment.

 
Freedom Fridays Podcast Episode #51

An exploration of what freedom means. Through a series of conversations with experts and leaders in their field, we explore some of the ways we can be free from whatever is holding us back. We’ll share some of the ingredients – easy, hard, and almost impossible.

The lessons are hiding in open sight within the conversation – it’s up to you how you apply them.

Episode #51 with Karen Simmons 'Come As You Are'

In episode #51 Pete chats with Karen Simmons a complex change specialist, coach, facilitator, and founder of The Change Executive. Karen, with her 30 years of experience, has a deep understanding of what it takes to transform a business culture from the ‘inside out’. In business, Karen's purpose is helping you realign with yours so you can realise your full potential.

Pete and Karen have an in-depth conversation about being free to be who you are, the pitfalls of comparing yourself to others, and the small practices that need implementation to make lasting change.

Let me know if you're enjoying the new season of Freedom Fridays. Please send me an email if you have a recommendation for upcoming guests - [email protected].

That's all for this week. I hope you enjoyed Weekly Whisper #56.

Feedback is my fuel so if you have any comments please send me an email at [email protected] and let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Pete