*
Behaviors Are Of Two Kinds:
Look around, I mean on the internet. Our resilience for our Covid circumstances and our need for humor and connection in life are pretty evident. No matter what we’re doing, our sense of confusion and our need for support is expressing itself in our actions.
On a daily basis, our children and us are engaging in attachment-seeking or connection-seeking behaviors. We’re seeking refuge in making / watching Tiktok videos or challenging others who don’t agree to our political views on Twitter. We’re educating ourselves on one tab and entertaining ourselves on another.
Behaviors can be divided into two types. Compulsive and Avoidance. Compulsive can be our obsession with our phones and Avoidance can be our lack of interest in working for an upcoming deadline. Whatever the behavior might be, addressing the underlying root cause for our motivation or lack of it, is important.
Here are strategies that will help you to look at the bigger picture. Instead of only talking about all the behaviors we can avoid, let’s also talk about what we can be doing instead.
*
Atleast once a week, tell someone, “I need help.”
Our conversations online are linear and lack that aspect of human interaction that appeals to our cognition – body language, touch etc. Touch is anthropological. It comes to the rescue when you can’t see visible signs of trauma. So, once a day, ask someone, “How are you?” and mean it. Chances are you might get a genuine response, because everyone is craving deep connection with others.
Most often than not, you’re possibly not the first person to get into a predicament or a nightmarish situation. Ask yourself, does this problem already have a solution? That’s your first step in resolving it. Ask for help and direction from mentors, friends and elders and strangers. Learn through accumulated wisdom. We’re already doing it, we owe so much to our previous generations for building tools and infrastructures in place for us to make the quality of our lives so better.
And one more thing. Asking for help might be the single most important thing you will do that might mean life or death. Tell your parents how you feel. They have a right to know.
*
Uni-tasking and the cost of task switching.
First of all, we are not computers. So let’s stop multitasking. As knowledge workers this is an essential skill to develop. The smartphones in our pockets are high powered machines that can multitask several processes in the background. But as humans, we are juggling many hats – work, personal life, family obligations. The call for action is to focus on one aspect of your life at any given time of the day. And for that amount of time that will either complete the task at hand or finish part of it that you had intended to before beginning it.
Here’s the full story, the cost of mental juggling have been researched in the recent past. American Psychological Association says that even brief mental blocks created by shifting between tasks can cost as much as 40 percent of someone’s productive time. This is what they have to say: “Throwing in a load of laundry while talking to a friend will probably work out all right. But, losing just a half second of time to task switching can make a life-or-death difference for a driver on a cell phone traveling at 30 miles per hour.”
*
Attitude matters more than actions in times of uncertainty.
Whatever might be the problem, here are some cold hard facts. The world will always keep changing and we will always have problems. That’s the only constant in our lives. Then why not think solutions and not worry about problems. Why not think of the next steps ahead of us instead of mulling over the persistent condition?
Let’s start with thinking of ourselves as problem solvers. That’s an empowering thought. Now, let’s internalize this. “I’m down for anything. That’s just easy instead of fighting everything.” When faced with an adversity, challenge or catastrophic situation, thinking of what we can do instead of what could have been is going to be imperative.
*
Pockets of silence that boost creativity.
You can create massive momentum while staying still. Did you know animals cannot plan for, decide, imagine and act on things that are not present in the room with them. But, as creatures with advanced brains, even while not acting, we can still plan, imagine and decide for future actions. That’s how you can make passive actions pay you off.
When you are tempted to “mind wander” in the name of harmlessly reaching for your notifications, think of what you have made out of your hour, your day. Maybe a little silent break will squeeze out a solution to a nagging problem you have been having. There must be some area in the world of art or science or product management or people management or sales that you are good at and that you can excel beyond your own imagination. Focus on the action and as you are building brick by brick, the bigger picture will emerge soon. The awareness to managing time gives us the ability to focus and prioritize our tasks. Completing tasks without procrastination in turn makes us less anxious, fearful, and let down.
*
Self-awareness and tech behaviors go hand in hand.
Did you know today, an average person consumes 174 newspapers worth of information in a day? Do you really need all that junk in your life?
Analyze yourself. Why don’t you stay on task? Is it boredom or difficulty? Is it the tedious task or is it the tempting screen that shows what’s next on Netflix?
Have you been multitasking too much lately? Learn about attention residue and the cost of constantly switching tasks and its effects on personal growth and productivity. Are you doing deep work for long durations or doing shallow work for short durations? Do something exciting in real life so you don’t have to reach out to your phone all the time.
*
Create an environment that aids positive contributions.
Control your environment. Take away the temptations. Remove any and all distracting stimuli around you. Remove apps that are the major distractors and remove easy access to them. Disable notifications for news. Our devices might feel like powerful machines we have in our control, but we’re becoming dangerously tethered to them.
We use our homes and our minds as refuge for our trinkets and our emotions. As a result our lives are clogged with clutter and memories that paralyze our actions. We gather conditionally, by creating occasions likes birthdays, holidays, travel and even garage sales. But, we only discard conditionally. Decluttering helps narrow your focus and sharpen your priorities.
Is your environment a true reflection of what your tastes are?
*
Set yourself free from what’s holding you back.
Kindness energizes us when we are in its company. Compassion reduces stress. Self-compassion gives us a sense of freedom. Educate your heart by feeding it positive emotions. The amount of kindness is far greater than the amount of violence the world faces. It just doesn’t make it into the news always. Give yourself permission first so you can be available for your children. Set yourself free from unrealistic expectations from yourself, family and society.
When we speak and act our personal truth and values, we’re living in an authentic way. We begin to live in a “No conflict” zone, where our thoughts, words and our actions are aligned.
Here’s what can be confusing. “Should I just be one thing to be authentic?” No, our authentic self can be flexible & firm, fierce & forgiving – all at once.
Authenticity is also how we validate ourselves, build our personal brand, and fuel our confidence. Just how well do we know ourselves?
*
Build insights and work on competing goals.
By looking at how countries deal with global problems, it’s easy to gain a cultural insight into solutions. Partner, seek out and collaborate with different people who’re striving for similar goals. After all, almost all of us have been victims of uncertainty, inequality and terror. Seek intrinsic motivation to create, while seeking extrinsic motivation to innovate and collaborate.
Let’s say we’ve to work on building housing for low income families. But there’s a catch, you’ll have to use sustainable and renewable forms of energy while powering the utilities. Working on such challenging goals with limited options and resources makes us mindful of a lot of aspects of problem solving that will otherwise be overlooked. Looking at a problem through a narrow set of available choices yields better results.
*
Think leaving a remarkable footprint in your wake.
Whether you’re upto working for the common good of humanity, or don’t care for such a thing, the best thing you can do in your self-serving life is not to create damage in the world than there is already. When in control, don’t act in a way of unconcern and resentment of others. When you know you’re responsible for your actions and have things under control, just do things the right way. There’s no two ways about it.
Most importantly, associate yourself with a cause greater than you. Having a purpose makes us resilient. It drives us forward when our world is shattered by violence and tragedy. Having a purpose empowers us with the courage and confidence to thrive inspite of obstacles. What more? Having a purpose is a sure fire way to finding happiness.
Here’s the bottom line. You can live life on your own terms, but can’t live in a way that disrupts other people’s lives. So play your part as a good community citizen. Allow others into your life to bring a fresh perspective. Together lets work towards bigger problems like the effect of climate change and tech disruption on a global scale. They are big problems that need solutions which can have a massive impact.
* * *
About The Article Author:
Our mission with FutureSTRONG Academy – to grow children who respect themselves, their time and their capabilities in a world where distractions are just a click or a swipe away.
I see myself as an advocate for bringing social, emotional and character development to families, schools and communities. I never want to let this idea out of my sight – Our children are not just GPAs. I’m a Writer and a Certified Master Coach in NLP and CBT. Until 2017, I was also a Big Data Scientist. In December of 2044, I hope to win the Nobel. Namasté.
Write to me or call me. Tell me what support from me looks like.
Rachana Nadella-Somayajula,
Program Director & Essential Life Skills Coach for Kids and Busy Parents
COMMITMENT - A Pillar of FutureSTRONG Academy
Our children will one day face the real world without our support. Academic development is not the only skill they will need in the real world where people skills like taking the lead, emotional intelligence and a strong moral compass will determine who will shine. So, as parents who want to raise well rounded adults, we want to give them the right tools for their personal development.
Here is COMMITMENT as described as the 6 C’s of Future STRONG.
Find Out How To Live An Optimal Life
——————————————————
Wellbeing is a sum of: Autonomy, Purpose, Connectedness.
The Journey Of Our Life Can Be One That’s Filled With A Purpose. Here’s How To Find It.
* Grounds To Thrive: I keep looking around at those who are on their way to understanding their calling and their true potential in life. It is easy to understand that the pursuit of self-actualization is not possible without the basics in life - safety and...
Want To Crush It In Life? Start With These Thoughts That Will Help You Shine.
* Below are a few quotes, they will bend your mind, help you shut out the chatter and give your mind a steady purpose. Ever wonder why that persistent monologue in our head seems to be out there to get us? It doesn't allow us to celebrate our wins whole...
A Comprehensive List Of Social, Criminal, Physical and Mental Disorders Due To Tech Addiction
* There are 4 major repercussions of over use of technology. 1. Increase in anxiety.2. Decrease in our ability to attend and focus for extended periods of time.3. Boredom.4. New found ability to be unable to talk to anyone face to face. ~ Dr. Larry Rosen,...
How To Find Optimal Wellness Through Consistent Self-Improvement
* Not Surviving But Thriving: We all want to be our best selves. But how do we get there? It starts with small changes that can make a big difference. Here are some tips for finding optimal wellness through self-improvement. This listicle will sure fire charge...
A Pictorial Depiction Of How 33 Powerful Mindset Shifts Can Help Supercharge Your Value Proposition
* In the book, Drive, author Daniel Pink says that our intrinsic motivation is determined by our autonomy, competency and relatedness. When we feel like we have a stake in something or understand why we have to do what we have to do, that increases our...
Think Like The Protagonist Of Your Own Story. Learn How To Recover From Setbacks.
* A World Of Suffering? If our lives were stories, we would all live in a world where we would create problems, resolve conflicts and come up with some spectacular solutions. We would give the protagonist a world of suffering to endure and make sure he/she...
The Well Lived Life – How To Be An Optimal Human According To Sanatana Dharma {Hinduism}
* The Perfect Harmony: A person's state is said to be in perfect harmony if they are able to balance, both Aahaara - Eating and Vihaara - Resting. Aahara is for the body whereas Vihaara is for the mind. Our personal and professional wellbeing depends on our...
14 Timeless Lessons For Life – Live Well, Do Good And Thrive Spectacularly
* 1. Forget changing others, ask yourself how and what you can do better starting now.2. Do more of what your heart wants, especially if it benefits others too.3. Think legacy and your positive impact on the world long after you're gone.4. Let go of people if...
Our Thoughts, Behaviors And Actions Are What Can Make Us Super Human. Here’s How To Hack Yourself.
Find Out How To Live An Optimal Life ------------------------------------------------------ Wellbeing is a sum of: Autonomy, Purpose, Connectedness. Questions, just ask! Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com Bringing a Group? Email us for a...
Creating Trust – The Most Powerful Soft Criteria To Predict And Ensure Phenomenal Success
* Here are the best excerpts about creating a culture of trust at home and work. How and when does Servant Leadership work best? * Emotional Bank Account: In the book on Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen R. Covey identifies his use of the concept...
Our Deep Connection To Nature And Its Influence On Us. Things We Must Learn From The Native Tribe Of Lakota.
* 1) When the heart went away from nature, it became hard. The lack of respect for nature’s softening influences soon led to lack of respect for humanity. 2 Knowledge was in all things. The world was a library and its books were the animals, the birds, the...
The Subtle Art Of Bio Mimicking For Optimal Health, Mindfulness And Wellness
* Lessons Of Mindfulness From Nature: Like the water drop, let's learn to enjoy the present moment. If the water drop were to think of itself as on the verge of crashing to the ground, it will miss its "now" - which is still, balanced and breathtaking. We all...
Understanding The Psychology Of Success And Pushing Ourselves To Become Peak Performers
* The Qualities Of Successful People: The two most important ingredients of unimaginable success are consistent focus and passion towards our desired outcomes. Success is the coming together of self-discipline, talent, intelligence, strength and motivation....
Find Out What Personal Rules, Core Values And Moral Codes Truly Make A Human Being Optimal.
* Why Talk About Values: Each day, we face decisions that test our patience, our integrity, character and even our peace of mind. When the going gets tough, our values are what will help us continue on our mission. Values are principles that can guide our...
Find Out What The Japanese Know About The Compound Effect. Adopt Kaizen And Thrive. {Video}
* https://youtu.be/f6vRxALfh0w * Want To Listen To The Article Instead? * Build The Mindset Of A Legend By Using Your Daily Actions Watch it HERE. * * * Our children will one day face the real world...
Why Do We Make Our Lives So Complicated? What Does It Take To Be Free And Thrive? {Video}
* https://youtu.be/zUoMmVA49s8 * Want To Listen To The Article Instead? * Our Habit to Ruminate: Most of us, not including those who’re lucky to be enlightened, don’t want to live in the present moment. We simply don’t want to...
Sow Self Efficacy And Grow The Success Tree
* What Is Self Efficacy: Let me first describe the quality of self-efficacy. It is a learnable mindset that makes people believe that they can accomplish what they've set out to do. When we adopt this trait, we are able to set our sights higher, try harder and...
Thoughts That Changed This Life ~ Musings, Quotes And Proverbs For An Optimal Life
* “When you come to one of the many moments in life when you must give an account of yourself, provide a ledger of what you have been, and done, and meant to the world, do not, I pray, discount that you filled a dying man’s days with a sated joy, a joy unknown...
Questions, just ask!
Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com
Bringing a Group? Email us for a special price!