systems Archives

systems

Goals are guardrails

Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 09:47 am

Should you set goals?

The problems with goals are well-documented.

Goals end. When they do, people feel empty. Then they revert to their previous state. Land your dream job? A week later you’re back on LinkedIn. Lose 30 pounds and celebrate with pancakes. Accumulate a million in the bank, and wonder why you’re still not satisfied.
Goals delay happiness. By setting goals you’re saying, “when I reach that milestone, then I’ll be happy.” Happiness is a state only the future you deserve. The current you? Back to the grindstone.
Goals incentivize short-term thinking. Goals lead to tunnel vision. You’re tempted to hit that goal – no matter what. So you start cutting corners and juking stats.

There’s a popular line of thinking: instead of goals, we should focus on habits and systems. Habits and systems are better because when done well, they happen automatically. Little or no will power required! Work the system and the system will work for you.

career

The Good Bones To A Good Life

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 07:59 am

A house with “good bones” is one with the potential to go from “frumpy-to-fabulous.” She is structurally sound, regardless of the missing shingles, broken windows, and peeling paint.

She may look beat, but like Tyson Fury in the 12th round against Deontay Wilder, she’ll weather the storm.

It doesn’t require a master architect to list the ingredients of a house with good bones: a solid foundation, a strong frame, put together with thought and care.

It made me wonder: what are the common ingredients of a good life? What does a life with “good bones” look like?

career

Career Habits: How To Control Your Destiny at Work and Life

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 07:57 am

Recently, I spoke to three different students from my alma mater.

They wanted advice on getting started in filmmaking, developing online courses, and marketing.

They asked good questions, and most of it centered around a central theme: “what skills should I focus on?”

Skill development is crucial, no doubt. You must have the chops. However, looking back at my career thus far, in the 3-4 industries where I’ve done well, I focused a lot less on skills and more on habits.

I like to think this served me well, despite a scattered career trajectory, for a few reasons:

Skill sets change but the ingredients to build skills — your habits — remain the same.
Habits are always under your control. Control your habits, control your destiny.

career

How to Get Better At Your Job This Year

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 03:55 am

Ever think you’re not very good at your job?

You’re not bad per se. You’re not incompetent or lazy.

You put in the hours. You don’t drop the ball. You check off your to-do list.

But perhaps when you look at your peers, you notice them stacking promotion after promotion on their LinkedIn profile. Or at drinks, they casually mention receiving a second raise this year.

Maybe it’s politics or luck. Perhaps they “play the game” better than you do. Sometimes that is why people get ahead.

But what if you suspect they’re just better at their job than you?

If that’s the case, how would you uplevel your skills? What skills do you improve, and how would you do it?

personal development

Manager, Maker & CEO

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 08:18 am

Someone recently asked me, “How’s your work-life balance?”

personal development

The Difference Between Perseverance and Delusion

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 07:56 am

Kate McKean, VP and literary agent at Morhaim Literary Agency wrote:

If you’re reading this, you can very likely write. You’re probably fluent in English, or very close to, and you are able to convey ideas using words. But that doesn’t mean you can write a book.

systems

How To Think Bigger And Develop Audacious Vision

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 03:33 am

A few months ago, I watched the film Arrival. I sat in awe for 116 minutes, and as the closing credits rolled, my first thought was:

“This movie shouldn’t have been made.”

martial arts

John Danaher Explains Evolution Of Leg Lock System

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 03:33 am

No one can say John Danaher is one of the world’s greatest grapplers, a title typically bestowed on the likes of Rubens Charles Maciel, Marcelo Garcia or Roger Gracie. And rightfully so.

Because Mr. Danaher does not compete. In 2015, he had major hip surgery. Soon, he’ll also need to replace a knee. Walking is painful, nevermind grappling.

reflections

How Far Can Genius Take You?

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 07:43 am

I once had a family friend named Andrew. He introduced me to Puff Daddy, Usher, and Triple Five Soul apparel. He also had a brilliant mind for medicine. Rutgers University literally created an award in chemistry, so they could give it to him.

While he was in medical school, I asked him how he did so well in his studies. His answer was simple:

career

How Did You Do In 2017?

Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 07:43 am

The first musical I remember listening to was Miss Saigon. My mother played the cassette on weekends, and we listened to it dozens of times. As a boy, I tried assembling the story by the songs alone: Why did Chris leave Kim so suddenly? Why did he marry Ellen? For years, for some reason, I thought she was stuck in a Vietnamese jail with her son Tam, not hiding in a village.

A post shared by Christopher Ming (@christopherming) on Dec 8, 2017 at 11:06am PST

A couple weeks ago, I saw the musical for the first time, and songs like Why God Why? and I Still Believe transported me back to those weekends, that cassette, those moments wondering what transpired between Chris and Kim.