Some solid learning done this week. Saying "No" is my main takeaway. I've said no once today to something I would have said yes to out of not wanting to offend the other person, but I said it not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't want to deal with the obligation right now.
You may also know a little bit about another time I didn't want to commit to something because it didn't fit with my life, so I feel I am definitely getting better at that.
I like the idea of this Joydeep and I'm interested to see what this week's learning includes for you.
Saying 'no' is always a big achievement. Because no matter how many times you do it, you never get used to it. You need to constantly push yourself out of the comfort zone. It's never easy. So, each 'no' you say is a win.
Thank you, Mark. I hope the Weekly Learnings will be a good series and will help everyone.
I saw a note last night with the quote: "If you're a giver, know your limits, because the takers have none."
I think that's true in a lot of cases, once you're seen as someone who's happy to give, whatever it is, time, attention, work, people get used to that and expect it going forward.
I feel like maybe if people do grow to expect that it's not always their fault, if we should have put down boundaries or limits along the way then part of it is on us. So saying no, is a big yes.
This is all very solid advice. I try to do all of these, but the Paretto principle is where I fall down.
Saying no when my friends wanted to play was the difference in high school that allowed me to score a silver medal (among B students) in Academic Decathlon and LA is very competitive. Several times, the LA county winner was the national winner as well.
I also fail in the Pareto principle, I won't lie. I think it comes with time. And whenever we're learning something new, we can't apply the principle.
Also, the Academic Decathlon is a big competition in USA and has been going on since 1968. Congratulation for getting the second place in the entire country.
My point was that it's very competitive in LA country. So getting a silver in Academic Decathlon there is a pretty big achievement. To be more clear, my silver in the b student category was in 1988.
LA county teams won nationals in 1989, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and every year from 2010 to 2024 except 2020 when it was canceled. I knew LA dominated, but wow!
Out of 10k points, I outscored even the A students on my team by almost 1500 points. The previous year we had some heavy hitters including the A student gold medalist. If I had scored as well the previous year we would have been a contender to win LA and go all the way.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that LA county dominates since we have more people in the county than the population for most states in the US. Our school district is like 560k students or something crazy like that.
It took lessons 1,2, and 7 for sure. Some others might have applied too.
I see your point now. Digressing a bit, it looks like Academic Decathlon had a big part in shaping your confidence as a teenager. You probably drew confidence from that win whenever you felt low in life.
Focusing on one thing, saying no, and working super hard are great choices. Love that!
I absolutely sent you that message on my content calendar strategy before seeing this! You’re on the absolute right track! Well done! Great theme!
Thank you, Allison. I hope Weekly Learnings can bring value to everyone's life.
It certainly brings value to mine already! You inspired a new piece of paid content!
Okay. I'll wait for the commissions. 😝
lol AND he has a sense of humor! What a gem!!
But this was also excellent for brainstorming on that collab!
Some solid learning done this week. Saying "No" is my main takeaway. I've said no once today to something I would have said yes to out of not wanting to offend the other person, but I said it not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't want to deal with the obligation right now.
You may also know a little bit about another time I didn't want to commit to something because it didn't fit with my life, so I feel I am definitely getting better at that.
I like the idea of this Joydeep and I'm interested to see what this week's learning includes for you.
Saying 'no' is always a big achievement. Because no matter how many times you do it, you never get used to it. You need to constantly push yourself out of the comfort zone. It's never easy. So, each 'no' you say is a win.
Thank you, Mark. I hope the Weekly Learnings will be a good series and will help everyone.
I saw a note last night with the quote: "If you're a giver, know your limits, because the takers have none."
I think that's true in a lot of cases, once you're seen as someone who's happy to give, whatever it is, time, attention, work, people get used to that and expect it going forward.
I feel like maybe if people do grow to expect that it's not always their fault, if we should have put down boundaries or limits along the way then part of it is on us. So saying no, is a big yes.
'people get used to that and expect it going forward' Exactly. That becomes the bare minimum.
That's why, learn to say no and never go out of your way to accommodate others.
This is all very solid advice. I try to do all of these, but the Paretto principle is where I fall down.
Saying no when my friends wanted to play was the difference in high school that allowed me to score a silver medal (among B students) in Academic Decathlon and LA is very competitive. Several times, the LA county winner was the national winner as well.
Thank you.
I also fail in the Pareto principle, I won't lie. I think it comes with time. And whenever we're learning something new, we can't apply the principle.
Also, the Academic Decathlon is a big competition in USA and has been going on since 1968. Congratulation for getting the second place in the entire country.
My point was that it's very competitive in LA country. So getting a silver in Academic Decathlon there is a pretty big achievement. To be more clear, my silver in the b student category was in 1988.
LA county teams won nationals in 1989, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and every year from 2010 to 2024 except 2020 when it was canceled. I knew LA dominated, but wow!
Out of 10k points, I outscored even the A students on my team by almost 1500 points. The previous year we had some heavy hitters including the A student gold medalist. If I had scored as well the previous year we would have been a contender to win LA and go all the way.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that LA county dominates since we have more people in the county than the population for most states in the US. Our school district is like 560k students or something crazy like that.
It took lessons 1,2, and 7 for sure. Some others might have applied too.
I see your point now. Digressing a bit, it looks like Academic Decathlon had a big part in shaping your confidence as a teenager. You probably drew confidence from that win whenever you felt low in life.
Focusing on one thing, saying no, and working super hard are great choices. Love that!