Archive for the 'lists' Category

My lessons

This post is inspired by Kalgrl’s great reflection on what she’s learned over the past year.
Self Portrait

Things I’ve observed and been pondering over the last few weeks:

  1. People are unpredictable.
  2. Patience is the key. I never realised how impatient I am.
  3. Self-awareness is essential. Mood can play a big part in what I achieve (or don’t).
  4. Listen. Both to what people are saying and what they are not saying. (I am not trying to be zen here.)
  5. Details are important. (My natural preference is for the Big Blue Sky.)
  6. Don’t take anything (or anyone) for granted. Be clear about what you want.
  7. Did I say patience is the key? Focus is the other key. This is tough. I want to do it ALL.
  8. Training is hideously dull, but necessary, if only so you learn what the party line is, what beliefs the organisational culture is based on.
  9. Don’t jump to conclusions. (See #2, above.)
  10. There’s always more to learn.
  11. I have an amazing network of colleagues to learn from. Thank you!

Good questions

  1. Who cares? [Am I taking this too seriously? Will this matter in 5 years?]
  2. What is the most important thing I can do right now? [Priorities! Focus!]
  3. Would I rather be right or be happy? [”You don’t have to exist in a “me against someone else” headspace. You don’t have to defend positions all the time or build walls.”]
  4. Am I in the present moment right now? [It can be all too easy to “slip out of the present moment and back into negative and pointless thought loops about the past/future.”]
  5. Am I detached from the results? [Focus on what’s right in front of you, don’t weigh yourself down with “a lot of imagined or real expectations from other people and self-created negativity.”]
  6. Is there anyone on the planet having it worse than me right now? [Stop focusing on the negatives. What is the hidden opportunity in this situation?]

Original post here.

Other reading lists

Yesterday’s post was rather long so I decided not to add these links to it - others’ reading lists for 2009:

Booknut

John Dupuis

Norman Geras

Glenda Larke

Mark Lindner

Reading Matters

Have you made a list too?

Update: Penny’s, Angel’s, Jessamyn’s.