Pile On Motivation

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Category: Motivational

  • “Microsoft” vs “Apple” – Who plays “infinite games”

    Simon Sinek makes a mention of this very interesting fact in one of his youtube videos on “Infinite Games”.

    He makes a mention that when he was invited to Microsoft and attended tge events , he could notice Microsoft being obsessed with means and ways to beat its biggest competitor i.e. Apple.In other words Microsoft believed in “short term” finite games.

    Whereas when Sinek visited Apple ,he could everyone obsessed with trying to help teachers teach and make students learn.In other words Apple was obsessed with playing “infinite games” by making the competition irrelevant.

    This example very aptly explains the merit of playing “infinite games” as the way forward in life..

  • “Scrooge Effect” – What is it?

    Please find below the link that provides a detailed mention of this..

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002210311500027X

    To cut the long story short , this phenomenon makes a mention of the fact that when a person is made to realize about hos mortality he behaves in a more generous focusing on the bigger picture rather than thinking of the short term.

    Steve Jobs makes a mention to the same effect during his Stanford commencement speech in 2005. When he was made to realize his death was near he was better able to realize the goal in his life..

  • BUD/S program for US Navy Seals – Sneak peek

    The Basic Underwater Demolition for Seals(BUD/S) is a rigorous training program for the iconic NAVY SEALS.

    This is a test of grit , character and determination.Lots of participants eventually drop out and in the end it is the most determined and gritty who emerge triumphant.

    To win the program you are not expected to be macho , well built but collaborative and gutsy to be able to help the one on your left abd your right.The ones who are selfish are ultimately ostracized and drop out.

    Since this is a program to filter out the very best , hence the program is designed to very rigorous.

    This is again like a game wherein completion of each stage eventually brings a participant closer to the bigger picture.

    Thus what matters at the end of it is grit and endurance.

  • WOOP framework to help reach to your goals

    Eric Barker’s book named “Barking Up the Wrong Tree” makes a mention of this easy to understand framework to help realize one’s goals.

    Any person who is immune to boredom is equivalent to a machine so in order to lead a healthy life every one of us should have a dream of his own.

    The 4 step framework consists of:

    1) Wish – Nothing but the dream of what we want to achieve

    2) Outcome – The end state we want to reach for example a role model whom we emulate , following footsteps

    3) Obstacles – How to remove impediments that come in the way of achievement of desired outcomes

    4) Plan – Make a plan to achieve the desired state by removing obstacles.

    An optimist sees an opportunity at small instances whereas a pessimist sees obstacles at all instances.

  • Eric Barker’s 6 rules for ethics driven success

    Eric Barker in “Barking Up the Wrong Tree” zeros in on the 6 rules to success after providing very interesting insights around learning trustworthiness from the successful criminal group of “sea pirates ” as well as “jail gangs”.

    Listed below are the 6 points –

    1) Choosing the right pond – By gauging one’s own ability , we need to judge the correct work environment for ourselves.If we choose a wrong environment we will imbibe the negativity of the work environment and that would drag us down.

    2) Cooperate First -First impression that we should give when faced with an unknown environment is of cooperation.We should give others an impression that we are friendly and approachable.

    3) Being Selfless is not Saintly , its Silly – It is never goid to always say YES ,come what the situation.This will make others take such a person for a ride.Taking a stand does matter at times.

    4) Work Hard – Working hard does matter but it is equally important to inform the people who matter about our hard work to get desired results.

    5) Think Long term and makes other think long term – Thinking about long term and making others realise the same builds trust and cooperation leading to a positive , creative environment.

    6) Forgive – Practice forgiveness tk reduce stress , strain and engage better.

  • Major differences between the two neurotransmitters – “Dopamine” vs “Oxytocin”

    Human brain is a very complex system associated with flow of some very important neurotransmitters that influence our mood swings on a day to day basis.

    When we feel happy for ourselves , for our sole benefit without absolutely no relationship to others , the neurotransmitter named “dopamine” flows.This is why it is sometimes called “selfish chemical.”

    When we feel good by doing good to others , we feel a sense of fulfillment which is a basic biological constant for human beings since we are social animals to the core.This is why “oxytocin” is “selfless” & has been known to reduce stress and increase immunity.

    Though not inherent to us , doing good to others being “go givers” as opposed to “go getters” is the way forward for leading healthy lives.

  • How is “social media addiction” similar to “alcoholism”

    The human brain is very complex.

    There are several important neuro transmitters associated with ebb and flow of various emotions.

    Modern day social media addiction is reaching enormous proportions.More than ever before we are having cases of depression , unhappiness and suicidal cases.

    There is a neurotransmitter named “dopamine” associated with sudden flow of positive “quick fix” emotions.

    The “likes” , “good comments” , pseudo status of having large number of connections get us more and more addicted to social media and results in the flow of the addictive beuro transmitter named “dopamine”.This kind of addiction is very similar to the excitement felt by alcoholics , drug addicts on consumption of these addictive narcotic substances.

    Tbe flipside is that in the absence of lines , connections on social media we feel left out and highly depressed resulting in the flow of the stress chemical named “cortisol“.This leads to depression , suicidal cases.

    Thus its high time we limit this abuse of social media to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

  • Lessons of “trustworthiness” from “pirates”

    Eric Barker in his book Barking Up The Wrong Tree brings out a very different perspective in trustworthiness.

    He goes on to say that there are lots to learn from pirates and prison gangs when it comes to trustworthiness.

    Pirates operated as such a successful criminal group because of high amount of trust among each individual.

    What lacks in modern day societies and organizations is the lack of trust.Hence on a lighter note we shoukd take a cue from these groups when it comes to trustworthiness and learn to build flourishing societies.

  • DRD4 vs “bad gene” – The importance of context

    Eric Barker mentions about this in his book named , Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

    The normal “dopamine” driven human brain behavior is a result of “DRD4″ gene.

    On the contrary , DRD4-7R can lead to very harmful consequences like ADHD , alcoholism and inclination towards violence.

    The author goes on and says that given the right environment and context the ill effects of the so called “bad gene” get reversed and can lead to amazing creative effects.

    These people who for e.g have ADHD or autistic have immense potential who can change the world with their creativity provided they are nurtured and provided the right environment.

  • Ever heard of the country “Moldova”

    Eric Barker makes a mention of this country in his book “Barking Up The Wrong Tree”.

    “Moldova” is infamous for being the country with the lowest happiness quotient.

    People lack trust in each other and as a result do not have social bonds.