Fortitude Fridays #27

read time: 6 mins

A few ideas as you head into the weekend.

Today at a Glance:

• Quote: Constantly evolving.
• Question: Three questions to determine happiness.
• TEDTalk: Programming your mind for success.
• Tactic: The Friendship Matrix.

 

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Quote to Ponder:

"Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own”

-Bruce Lee

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We are constantly evolving beings.

To thrive in this journey, we must be selective in what we take in, willing to let go of what no longer serves us, and committed to expressing our individuality.

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Three Questions to Ask Yourself:

​Mark Manson posted in his newsletter this concept:

"Three questions determine 99% of the happiness in your life:​

1. What am I working on and why?
2. Who am I spending time with and why?
3. How well am I treating my body and why?

​Everything else is just noise."

Thinking about it, I have to agree. When we boil it down, these are the things that really impact our happiness the most. So, keeping that in mind, which part of your life are you currently paying the least attention to, and what can you do right now to start changing that? Think of one small thing you can realistically do this week to begin improving that area.

 

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TEDTalk to Check Out:

​Programming Your Mind For Success | Carrie Green TEDxManchester (16 mins)

I recently watched Carrie Green’s TED Talk emphasizing the importance of programming your mind to achieve the success you desire. I found it captivating and while she doesn’t exactly go into the finer details of her process, I found the concepts easy to grasp.

She discusses the importance of mindset in achieving one’s goals and outlines three key steps to harness the power of the mind for success:

1. Self-awareness: Green suggests that we need to recognize our limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns. By understanding these mental roadblocks, we can start to overcome them.
2. Visualization: She emphasizes the power of visualization techniques, where individuals vividly imagine their goals and desires as if they have already been achieved. This helps in creating a positive and motivating mental image.
3. Affirmations: Green encourages the use of positive affirmations to rewire the mind. Repeating empowering statements can help replace self-doubt with self-belief.

Key Takeaway: Carrie Green's TED Talk underscores the significance of mindset in achieving success and provides practical strategies to reprogram one's mind for a more positive and fulfilling life. Positive and uplifting to watch.

 

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Tactic to Try: The Friendship Matrix

I recently stumbled upon Tim Urban's blog post about the "10 Types of Odd Friendships You're Probably Part Of." He wrote it back in 2014 on his Wait But Why website, and I highly recommend reading it if you have a moment. He explores various types of friendships that people commonly have. The post categorizes these friendships into distinct archetypes, shedding light on the complexity and diversity of human relationships. It provides readers with insights into the dynamics, quirks, and unique characteristics of each friendship type, offering a humorous and relatable take on the intricacies of our social connections.

Friendships are the spice of life. They are our chosen family. They bring fun, they're there when things get tough, and they're like a comfy, social safety blanket that adds joy to our daily grind. But, let's be real, sometimes friendships can turn into a real drag for a bunch of reasons. Life changes. People change. It's normal.

That's why it's crucial to occasionally take a step back and check if your friendships are still boosting your happiness or starting to drain your energy.

In his post Tim Urban ingeniously created a thought-provoking visualization to explore the concept of relationships:

The basic concept here is that you can categorize all of your relationships in a simple 2x2 chart, based on:

1. How good they are for you
2. How much you enjoy them

So, all your relationships can fit into one of these four types:

Q1 relationships: These are both healthy and enjoyable.

Q2 relationships: They’re healthy but not much fun.

Q3 relationships: They're enjoyable, but not necessarily good for you.

Q4 relationships: These are neither enjoyable nor healthy.

Since I encountered this concept, it has served as a cornerstone in shaping my mindset and my approach to relationships.

I am learning the importance of dedicating more time and energy to nurturing those Q1 relationships, recognizing their rarity and value. It’s crucial to cherish these Q1 connections.

As for Q4 relationships, it may be wise to spend less time with or release them, as they don’t contribute positively to your life.

Bringing it Home:

Relationships can be intricate, and life is fleeting. With our limited time here, it's crucial to invest our time and effort where it truly counts.

 

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Thanks for reading and I hope you have a stunning weekend! Until next week...

You got this,