What My Evernote Taught me About Personal Growth and Mastery
As a creative entrepreneur, keeping notes on almost everything helps me understand how I want to live. Tracking my daily routine gives me…
As a creative entrepreneur, keeping notes on almost everything helps me understand how I want to live. Tracking my daily routine gives me insight into my habits and behaviour and helps me map exciting paths for my journey. In this article, I want to share ten notes from my Evernote quotes file that have helped me along the way. T
Never Ignore Your Itches!
For the past 14 years, I have always followed my itch. I have a particular fear of death, and my mother’s constant reminder that life is short has been a profound quote for me. I want to make my life as adventurous as possible. When the Guardian asked a nurse for the top 5 regrets of dying, one of the most common answers was that people regretted not being true to their dreams. It’s easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled, and honouring them is essential.
In the New World, Virtual Teams Can Outperform Face-to-Face Teams
A 2009 survey by Cisco of thousands of teleworkers found that 69 per cent said their productivity was higher when they worked remotely. In 2009, a research team led by Frank Siebdrat assessed the performance of 80 software companies worldwide and found that more dispersed teams often outperformed “co-located” teams. The most crucial factor in the success of a remote team has processes in place to ensure each member contributes fully, including adequate support and communication.
Spend More Money on Experiences, Rather Than Things
Delighted people are mindful of spending money on physical items instead of spending much of their money on experiences. “Experiential purchases” tend to make us happier, according to research. Experiences improve over time, can be relived for years, are more unique, and are more social.
Get Out of the Building
Radio host Garrison Keillor makes sure to enter the “observable world” and take notes. Everything starts with the observable world, and overheard conversations can lead to new ideas.
The Best Teams Communicate Outside of Formal Meetings
According to researchers at MIT's Human Dynamics Laboratory, conversations outside formal meetings are the most critical factor contributing to team success. Their research showed that the energy and engagement of these informal interactions account for one-third of the differences in productivity between groups. The most productive creative teams strike the perfect balance between “exploration” and “engagement”.
Consider Worst-Case Scenarios
What’s the worst thing that could happen? How bad is this worst-case scenario? How likely is it to happen? How would you cope if it did? Honestly, I think you’d be fine no matter what.
Watch for Anxiety
When you start feeling anxious, look for the source of the anxiety. What are you hoping will happen that’s making you anxious? This awareness is the key to everything. And when you’re anxious, do nothing. There is nothing that is ever so important it can’t wait.
Admit You Don’t Know
This is hard because we often want to think we know or can make sure things happen the way we want them to. We don’t control the future; we can’t know the future. Admit it to ourselves and others.
Envision What You Will Be Remembered For
Write faux business articles or stories about your future self. This exercise can help you plan and set a vision for what you want to achieve.
Embrace Discomfort for Mastery
Learning something new can be uncomfortable and stressful, but it is essential to personal growth and development. Happy people tend to have at least one area of expertise, even if the learning process is challenging. According to research, people who become proficient at something, despite the initial discomfort, experience a sense of satisfaction and happiness when they look back on their achievements. The famous cartoon Adventure Time has a quote that captures this sentiment perfectly: “Suckin’ at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.” So, don’t let discomfort hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Start now, and the rewards of mastering a skill or achieving a goal far outweigh any short-term discomfort. Remember, personal growth requires stepping outside of our comfort zone, and the journey may be challenging, but it will ultimately lead to a happier and more fulfilling life.
These ten notes may seem unrelated, but they all share a theme of creativity and self-discovery. They provide valuable insights on how to live a more fulfilling and authentic life, personally and professionally. By embracing discomfort, taking risks, and staying true to ourselves, we can unlock our full potential and achieve our dreams. So, let’s take these notes to heart and go out there with a spirit of adventure and a commitment to making the most of our time on this earth. Together, let’s become the best versions of ourselves and positively impact the world around us.