Transitions and truths

 Whether we like it or not, things change. Life moves, and it's dynamic in such a way that it's complexities keep the wheels of time turning. And just as we get oh so comfy in our seat at the table the sand starts to shift. 

We seek stable ground. 

But sometimes that keeps us holding onto what we've got even though it's expiring. The tighter we hold the more sand starts to slip through our grasp and...

There's always another patch of earth to stand on, but still, we delay. 

We're too comfortable where we're at and too scared to let go. 

Because who will we be on the other side? 

The brave ones, they make the leap early and often. 

Others make the leap begrudgingly, somewhere along the way.

And some hold on to the bitter end. 

But here's what we know, and we know this from past experiences...

Everything that was bad at some point turns good. The rough start at work, the challenge speaking on stage, the difficulty of starting a daily writing habit...

All of the good stuff comes after a transition: We fear the decision, we fear after we make the decision, and then we look back and say, "I'm so grateful that happened" – for all the growth and all the learning, and being on the edge.

Suddenly when we're somewhere new, we're someone new, and everything is alive. Like when we travel, a life with new experiences is rich with scenery, presence, and new learning. 

It takes courage to jump on cue, but maybe not?

Maybe it just takes looking back, and seeing how when we delayed, we delayed the inevitable. 

And why delay, when life has more transitions for you ahead if you just get through this one?

Going through as many transitions as you can.

Isn't that the point?

Rhythm of life

 Enjoy this moment. Somewhere something you’re doing is going well.  

The bed you lay down in is warm and comfy.  

Your tea is perfect.  

You step outside and feel the sun.

At this moment things are good.

Exhale...

A problem or obstacle is coming. Of this I’m sure.  

We can simultaneously see what’s good, and expect the next challenge.

This bed is comfy but you must get out of it.

This tea will soon be cold.  

Today’s win is the moment before tomorrow’s loss.

This is the rhythm of your life.

Obstacle, and Achievement.

Comfort, and Discomfort.  

It’s easy to be swept into this like a tide, caught off guard with each new wave that comes, good or bad.  

Happy when times are good.

Shocked when times are tough.

But that would be a mistake in not seeing this game for what it is.  

Having awareness of this rhythm, we can come to understand it.  

To savor the good moments while knowing it’s temporary.  

To expect the obstacles to come, and laugh at their arrival.  

It's like your problems are knocking at your door, and you can try and hold the door shut.

Or you choose to let them in.  

Because both are the same coin.  

The error is in your perception of duality.  

In seeing them as separate.  

In getting hit by waves you aren't expecting. 

Instead of recognizing that this... 

Find purpose

 

1. “Wake up at 4 AM everyday” is a myth . Success is hiding in your daily routine ,
2. “A 30 minute stroll through nature will answer most of your problems” . In fact, true personal growth always involves : Thinking outside the box . Taking calculated risks , and making tough decisions ,
3. “Self-improvement in itself is a myth” . Nobody has time for that. It’s up to you . Find a reason to keep going ,
4. “ More lives have been destroyed by being in a relationship than by being single “ . Stop stressing about relationships. You should be stressing about getting into a relationship with the right person ,
5. “Everything happens for a reason “ is myth . Better, fix yourself and you’ll fix your world ,
6. “You need to have a purpose in your life” . The fact is our purpose is in no way limited to our work or what we do do for money . It’s much bigger than that . It’s the standard you hold with your presence ,
7. “Clarity comes through thinking” . Contrary to this , clarity comes through taking action and understanding what isn’t clear ,
8. “Saving money in this inflationary world to get rich “ is a myth . Find new ways to make more instead of saving the little you have ,
9. “The self-improvement hacks are same for everyone” . Reality is , people are so fundamentally different from you no matter how much you try, you’ll always be incompatible at base . Follow the path that suits you ,
10. “ Do what makes you joyful “. Instead, do what makes sense

What is a Brand?

1. Every Brand is a Promise.
2. How you fulfill that promise is what makes you stand out.
3. If you deliver on your promise, again and again, you will build trust. 
4. If you over deliver on your promise, again and again, you will build repeat business and referrals. 
5. If you haven't defined the system for delivering on your promise, you will blend in. 
6. If you underdeliver on your promise you will have churn. 
7. If you are unsure what your promise is, you will lack clarity and focus, and your customers will, too. 
8. If you are consistent, you show commitment. People like to be committed to other people who are committed to them.
9. Positioning is the context of how you deliver your product.  
10. Distribution tells your story (make sure it's the right one).

Ten rules of value-creating growth

1. Put competitive advantage first. Start with a winning, scalable formula.
2. Make the trend your friend. Prioritize profitable, fast-growing markets.
3. Don’t be a laggard. It’s not enough to go with the flow—you need to outgrow your peers.
4. Turbocharge your core. Focus on growth in your core industry—you can’t win without it.
5. Look beyond the core. Nurture growth in adjacent business areas.
6. Grow where you know. Focus on growing where you have an ownership advantage.
7. Be a local hero. Commit to winning on the home front.
8. Go global if you can beat local. Expand internationally if you have a transferable advantage.
9. Acquire programmatically. Combine healthy organic growth with serial acquisitions.
10. It’s OK to shrink to grow. Ruthlessly prune your portfolio if you need to.

Do you have to be the best all the time?

 The 1 Percent Rule states that over time the majority of the rewards in a given field will accumulate to the people, teams, and organizations that maintain a 1 percent advantage over the alternatives. You don't need to be twice as good to get twice the results. You just need to be slightly better.

The 1 Percent Rule is not merely a reference to the fact that small differences accumulate into significant advantages, but also to the idea that those who are one percent better rule their respective fields and industries. Thus, the process of accumulative advantage is the hidden engine that drives the 80/20 Rule.