Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything . . . It is the presence of time, undisturbed. - Gordon Hempton

John Wooden's seven point creed is a powerful philosophy of life. I must prioritize & maintain friendships. I need a system to hold myself accountable, perhaps a quarterly list to track my progress against. *Be the first to call, write, or visit.* #relationships #communication

“Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” -Henry David Thoreau

Growth Mindset Basics: - Focus on the efforts, not the results, because our striving is the end-goal. - Learn to access rewards from the doing; this effort can be great & pleasurable. - Generate dopamine from the challenge & situation. #GrowthMindset #Mindset @hubermanlab

**Effectiveness** "The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything." - Bill Murray “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex tasks into small manageable tasks, & starting on the first one." - Mark Twain

Sadly, busyness has become an epidemic, and I quickly forget that busy = out of control. Building pockets of quiet for deliberate concentration is imperative. The idleness & mental space will allow me to zoom out, and ironically get more work done. Life is too short to be busy.

Remedies for unnecessary worry and anxiety .. -Write down problem, cause, worst case scenario, & solutions (choose best + action) -Stay busy, & do not fuss over trifles -If inevitable – accept and move on Yesterday and tomorrow do not matter - live in day-tight compartments.

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature." - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations #stoicism #Mindfulness #Monday

#MondayMotivaton : don't forget to "sharpen the axe" to maximize effectiveness. Take care of your greatest asset - yourself. Prioritize exercise, human connection & learning. “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” - Lincoln

We must enjoy the small delights of life: slow down, and pay thoughtful attention to what you’re doing. When walking up the stairs, or noticing the sensations of making a cup of coffee. Find the cosmic groves in this opportune playground. #Presence #Awareness #Listening #Seeking

Balancing the ever-changing polarities of life is daunting. I’ve been grappling with Productivity versus Presence. My default is Accomplishment, but my 80 y/o self would prefer I be more aware, and choose Appreciation more often. #Fulfillment over #Achievement #Being over #Doing

The importance and beauty of listening are undervalued. To better attune and spawn gratification: truly listen to other human beings, nature, silence, and inner thoughts. "Listening is about being present, not just being quiet." @kristatippett #Listening #Skills #Awareness

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle - The key is daily marginal gains - Focus on current trajectory - not current results My mind can focus on new challenges once habits are dialed in. @JamesClear #Habits #Routine #Daily

I am only competing against yesterday's version of me … all real scorecards are internal. So, take the ego out of it. I am not superior, and I should not react to others - just let it happen. Focus on breathing to calm the thinking mind. Shout out to @EckhartTolle #ANewEarth

Constantly challenging myself to learn, read, examine, and think critically is paramount. The actions that follow these explorations are crucial. "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor" -Thoreau

Keep the shortness of life foremost. Mastering the art of living comes through finding presence. We must slow down. We are not productivity machines. Busy is a decision, and Being is infinitely more rewarding than doing. @brainpicker #seneca #stoicism

The Map Is Not the Territory. My perception of reality is a personally reduced model. Models stand to represent things, but they are not identical to those things. Abstraction is necessary - but I must open my mind to the broader mysteries more often.