Is Hybrid/Remote Work Doomed to Fail?
Requiring everyone to sit next to each other in a physical space will not drive an enlightened corporate culture—giving individuals and teams meaningful work and a sense of purpose is what matters.
The Art of Self-Reflection, Part II
Remember, self-reflection is about you and your continuous improvement journey. If you find yourself focusing on others, pointing fingers, or wallowing in self-regret, you’re not engaged in self-reflection. That’s a pity party. Nobody likes to receive an invite to a pity party!
The Art of Self-Reflection, Part I
Unfortunately, there are all manner of societal pressures that make self-reflection difficult. Some label it as “fluff” or “weakness.” Some surround themselves with so many external voices and stimulation that the concept of self-reflection is foreign and uncomfortable. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve succumbed to the narrative that “tough guys don’t reflect.” I’ll also be the first to admit that becoming more in tune with yourself through meditation and reflection is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
How to Live with Intention
So let’s say that you wake up one day and say: “Living without intention is no fun. I thought that living a care-free, happy-go-lucky life would be the way to go, but here I am, stuck in a dead-end job with no idea what comes next.” This is a great step forward, but to move from where you are to living with intention requires some work. It’s not possible to live without intention one day and begin living with it the next. So what are the necessary conditions for living with intent?
New Year’s Resolutions? Meh…
What we know about resolutions, is that most of them fail. Why do they fail? Because they’re typically not integrated into a broader long-term personal plan. Loads of energy and attention get poured into resolutions early in the year. Then time passes, entropy sets in, the inertia of the previous status quo sets in, and the hopes and dreams of New Year’s Eve are eventually dashed—leading to disappointment and regret.
Let’s Stop Talking About Quiet Quitting
The name “quiet quitting” is problematic because the phrase implies that something nefarious is going on—namely that an individual has checked out and is dead weight to a company or team. The phase is unnecessarily sensational and leads many to jump to the conclusion that quiet quitters are detrimental to company performance and team morale. In my opinion, we need to quickly relegate this phrase to the historical annals of corporate and popular vernacular.