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  • 3 min read

My Personal Theory of Success

In this essay, I am writing about my theory of success and how I plan to achieve it. My definition of success encompasses four areas: 1) Personal learning and development, 2) Financial freedom and autonomy, 3) Optimal utilization of my unique combination of skills and talents, and 4) Family fulfillment and community service. I believe these four areas can be achieved through a growth mindset, investment, increasing one's adversity quotient, and improving human relationships.

I won't discuss a secret formula for success because I believe there isn't one. Different people have their own definitions of success, and it's not something you can simply search for and find. There are no foolproof techniques for achieving success; instead, it requires self-reflection. As Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Firstly, success involves personal learning and development. I believe successful people are always learning. They stumble, pick themselves up, and try again. They fail quickly, adapt, and improve. This iterative process eventually leads to success. Even if I fail, I am still better off than those who take no action and remain stagnant within their comfort zones.

A growth mindset is essential for accepting failures, recognizing faults and weaknesses, and then taking action to improve. As I make internal improvements, the external environment also changes, aiding my personal growth and boosting my confidence. If someone never acknowledges their problems or mistakes, they will never improve and will continue to fail. Even if they achieve something by chance, the level of their success will be limited. Remember, life is a continuous journey of learning and improvement. Success can be limitless, and to this day, I continue to push myself to make progress.

Secondly, success means financial independence and autonomy. While money is not synonymous with happiness, a lack of money can certainly lead to unhappiness. Basing success solely on wealth and achievements is a trap because human nature prevents us from ever being completely satisfied. Instead, sustainable achievements like financial security and freedom should be the goal. This entails delaying instant gratification and investing in the future.

Furthermore, success shouldn't be defined as momentary happiness. Happiness fluctuates, and our genetics set a baseline level of contentment that doesn't define success. Instead, greater happiness comes from achieving goals that require sacrifice, risk, uncertainty, and effort.

Thirdly, success means fully utilizing my unique combination of skills and talents. Anything less feels like a waste of life and resources. The willingness to be dissatisfied can fuel motivation and inspire action. It takes effort and a high adversity quotient to overcome challenges and work toward professional goals. Ideally, I can find a sweet spot that aligns my work with emotional fulfillment and financial compensation, while also utilizing my unique talents.

Lastly, success means family fulfillment and community service. Defining success on my own terms helps me remember what's important. Success is not a ladder to climb or a race to win; it's a measure of the positive influence I can have on others. Achieving this requires honing my social skills to lead and influence people.

Bad interpersonal skills can result in isolation and hinder peak performance. Thus, I continually assess and improve my relationships with others. Social interaction carries risks, but with effort, everyone can find a role that allows them to contribute to the community.

Although I am introverted and shy, I push myself to interact with strangers. Despite any fears, I recognize the importance of practice in developing social skills. Happiness, I've found, is more about shared experiences with loved ones than material possessions.

In conclusion, my perspective on success evolves as I age. A fulfilling life comes from focusing on the learning process, investing in the future, developing my potential, caring for my family and community, and striving for success rather than fearing failure.

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  • 2 min read

My Personal Theory of Success

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we explore strategies and insights for personal growth, financial freedom, and making a positive impact on our communities. I'm your host, Victor, and today we're diving into the topic of success.

Success can mean different things to different people, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula. In fact, success is a personal journey that requires self-reflection and continuous improvement. As Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Today, we'll be discussing four key areas that contribute to a well-rounded definition of success: personal learning and development, financial freedom and autonomy, optimal utilization of our skills and talents, and family fulfillment and community service.

Let's start with personal learning and development. Successful individuals are always learning, adapting, and improving. They embrace a growth mindset that allows them to accept failures, recognize weaknesses, and take action to improve. By constantly seeking self-improvement, we can create a cycle of growth that leads us closer to achieving our goals.

But success is not just about personal growth; it also involves financial independence and autonomy. While money may not be the ultimate source of happiness, it is undeniably a significant factor in our lives. By defining financial goals and practicing delayed gratification, we can ensure long-term security and freedom.

However, success does not solely revolve around personal achievements and wealth. It also requires utilizing our unique combination of skills and talents to their fullest potential. By finding alignment between our work, personal fulfillment, and financial compensation, we can experience a truly fulfilling career. This often means embracing challenges, taking risks, and continuously honing our skills to overcome obstacles along the way.

And finally, success should not be confined to our individual lives. It extends to our relationships with family, friends, and the wider community. By nurturing our interpersonal skills and investing in our relationships, we can create a positive impact on those around us. Making a difference in the lives of others and contributing to our community are essential aspects of a successful and meaningful life.

So, what is the key to achieving success in these four areas? It all boils down to continuous improvement. Success is not a destination; it's a journey. By embracing a growth mindset, investing in ourselves, increasing our adversity quotient, and strengthening our relationships, we can create a life that fulfills our definition of success.

Remember, success is not a race or a competition with others. It's about being true to ourselves, finding our purpose, and making a positive impact in our own unique way.

Well, that wraps up today's episode of Continuous Improvement. I hope you've gained some valuable insights on how to define and achieve success in your life. Remember, it's a continuous journey of learning and improvement. I'm Victor, your host, signing off.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的個人成功理論

在這篇文章中，我寫關於我的成功理論，以及我如何計劃實現它。我的成功定義包含四個領域：1）個人學習和發展，2）財務自由和自主，3）我獨特技能和才能的最佳利用，以及4）家庭滿足感和社區服務。我相信透過成長心態、投資、增加抗逆商和改善人際關係，可以實現這四個領域。

我不會討論成功的祕訣，因為我認為並不存在這種東西。不同的人有自己的成功定義，這不是你可以簡單地去尋找和找到的東西。沒有萬無一失的技巧可以達到成功；相反，它需要自我反思。正如蘇格拉底所說，"未經省察的人生是不值得活的。"

首先，成功包涵個人的學習和發展。我相信成功的人總是在學習。他們會跌倒，重新站起來，然後再試一次。他們快速失敗，適應，進而改進。這個反覆的過程最終會導向成功。即使我失敗了，我仍然比那些完全不採取行動，並在自己的舒適圈內停滯不前的人過得更好。

對於接受失敗，認識自己的錯誤和弱點，然後採取行動改進，成長心態是至關重要的。當我做出內部改進時，外在環境也會隨之變化，助長我的個人成長，並提升我的信心。如果有人從不承認他們的問題或錯誤，他們將永遠不會改進，並將繼續失敗。即使他們偶然達到了一些目標，他們的成功層次也會受到限制。記得，生活是一個持續學習和改進的旅程。成功可以是無限的，我至今仍在努力進步。

其次，成功意味著財務獨立和自主。雖然金錢並不等同於幸福，但缺少金錢確實可能導至不快樂。僅僅依靠財富和成就來衡量成功是一個陷阱，因為人性使我們永遠無法完全滿足。相反，應該將財務安全和自由這類可持續的成就視為目標。這需要延遲即時的滿足感，投資未來。

此外，成功不應被定義為暫時的快樂。快樂是會波動的，我們的基因設置了一個並不定義成功的基本幸福水平。相反，更大的快樂來自於實現需要犧牲、風險、不確定性和努力的目標。

第三，成功意味著充分利用我獨特的技能和才能組合。任何少於這個水平的表現都感覺像是對生命和資源的浪費。不滿意的意願可以激發動機，並激發行動。需要努力和高抗逆商來克服挑戰，為專業目標而工作。理想情況下，我可以找到一個與工作、情緒滿足和財務報酬相符的平衡點，同時也能利用我的獨特才能。

最後，成功意味著家庭滿足和社區服務。以我自己的方式定義成功，幫助我記住重要的事。成功不是要攀登的梯子，也不是要贏得的比賽；它是我對他人可以產生的積極影響的衡量。為達到這種目標，我需要磨練我的社交技巧，以引導並影響人。

糟糕的人際交往技巧可能導致孤立，並阻礙峰值表現。因此，我持續評估和改進我與他人的關係。社交互動帶來風險，但通過努力，每個人都能找到一個讓自己能夠為社區作出貢獻的角色。

儘管我性格內向、腼腆，但我嘗試與陌生人進行互動。儘管有任何恐懼，我認識到練習對社會技巧的發展的重要性。我發現，幸福更多的是與親人共享經驗，而不是物質擁有。

總的來說，我對成功的看法隨著我年齡的增長而變化。充滿意義的生活來自於專注於學習過程，投資未來，開發我的潛能，關心我的家庭和社區，並且為成功而奮鬥，而不是害怕失敗。

  • 2 min read

Reflecting on My Family

In this post, I want to discuss the most important people in my life and explore how their legacies have impacted and influenced me.

From my mother, Tammy, I learned the importance of clear thinking and articulate expression. She was an accountant and taught me mathematics and the value of hard work during my childhood. She also showed me how to maintain a positive attitude, even when faced with challenges. She instilled in me a love for reading and effective self-study habits. She would engage me in conversations about what I had learned in school or from books, challenging me to think critically. Her influence has shaped my views on life and morals. I've found that articulating my thoughts into words is the best way for me to think.

My father, Tony, imparted the value of family to me. Working as an engineer, he sparked my interest in computer software through the books he read. He also emphasized the need for physical health and discipline in lifestyle choices. However, he sometimes serves as a cautionary example. We have differing political views and aspects of his behavior with which I disagree. These differences remind me to maintain an open mind and accept the variance in how people think and act. Attempts to debate with him often prove futile, as he struggles to communicate his thoughts logically and is unlikely to change his mind simply through argument.

My ex-girlfriend, Jo, taught me valuable lessons about love and emotional responsibility. Though our relationship ended and led me to experience depression, I came to understand the consequences of my actions that hurt her. I was forced to become more aware of my own feelings, as well as those of others. The experience encouraged me to be a better person, honing qualities like patience, emotional communication, and the ability to correct my mistakes. Lessons learned from our relationship extended to cohabitating and facing life’s challenges. After our breakup, I went through a particularly dark period. However, Jordan Peterson’s book, "12 Rules for Life," helped me to overcome this phase of depression.

In conclusion, the legacies of my parents and ex-girlfriend have been invaluable in shaping who I am today. I am deeply appreciative of the influences they have had on my life.

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  • 3 min read

Reflecting on My Family

Welcome to Continuous Improvement, the podcast where we delve into personal growth, self-reflection, and the journey of becoming the best version of ourselves. I'm your host, Victor, and today we have an introspective episode lined up for you. We'll be discussing the influential people in our lives and how their legacies have impacted and shaped us.

Today, I want to start by sharing with you the most important people in my life and how their influence has left a lasting impression.

Let's begin with my mother, Tammy. She was not only my mother but also a teacher and inspiration. As an accountant, she instilled in me the importance of clear thinking and articulate expression. From a young age, she emphasized the value of hard work and taught me mathematics. But it wasn't just about numbers to her; she taught me the value of critical thinking and encouraged me to express my thoughts with clarity. Her influence shaped not only my academic pursuits but also my approach to life and morals. Through her guidance, I learned the power of articulating thoughts into words, which has become an essential part of my own thinking process.

Next, let's talk about my father, Tony, an engineer who played a significant role in shaping my interests and outlook on life. Through his readings and discussions, he sparked my passion for computer software and technology. But his impact went beyond just that. Growing up, my father stressed the importance of family and the value of discipline in all aspects of life. However, it's important to note that we didn't always see eye to eye. We have differing political views and sometimes clash on matters of opinion. This has taught me the importance of maintaining an open mind and accepting the diversity in people's thoughts and actions. It reminds me that communication and empathy are essential, even in moments of disagreement.

Now, let's move on to a person who played a significant role in shaping my emotional growth and understanding of relationships - my ex-girlfriend, Jo. While our relationship ultimately ended, the lessons I learned from her were invaluable. I experienced moments of depression during that time, which forced me to become more self-aware and empathetic towards others. I had to confront the consequences of my actions and understand the impact they had on Jo. It was a deeply transformative period that taught me the value of emotional responsibility, patience, and the ability to correct my mistakes. It was during this time that I turned to Jordan Peterson's book, "12 Rules for Life," which offered valuable insights and helped me overcome the darkness I was facing.

As I reflect upon the legacies of these influential people in my life, I can't help but feel immense gratitude for the impact they've had on my growth and development. From my mother's emphasis on clear thinking to my father's lessons in discipline and the emotional growth I experienced through my relationship with Jo, each of them has left an indelible mark on who I am today.

Thank you for joining me on this introspective journey today on Continuous Improvement. Remember, our past experiences and the influential people in our lives shape us, but it's up to us to continuously grow and become the best version of ourselves. Until next time, keep striving for improvement.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

反思我的家庭

在這篇文章中，我想討論我生命中最重要的人，並探討他們的遺產如何影響和指引著我。

從我母親Tammy身上，我學到了清晰思考和有條理表達的重要性。她是一名會計師，教導我童年時期的數學和勤奮工作的價值。她還向我展示了如何保持積極態度，即使面對挑戰。她培養了我愛閱讀和有效自學的習慣。她會與我進行對話，談論我在學校或書本上所學到的知識，挑戰我對情況的深入思考。她的影響塑造了我的人生觀和道德觀。我發現將我的思想用言語表達是我最好的思考方式。

我的父親Tony向我傳達了家庭的價值。作為一名工程師，他從他閱讀的書籍中，激發了我對計算機軟件的興趣。他還強調了健康和生活方式選擇中自律的重要性。然而，他有時作為一個警示的例子。我們有不同的政治觀點，和我並不同意他的一些行為方式。這些差異提醒我要保持開放的心態，接受人們思考和行為方式的變異性。試圖與他爭論經常證明是徒勞的，因為他很難邏輯地表達自己的想法，也不太可能只是通過辯論就改變他的觀點。

我的前女友Jo，教導了我關於愛情和情感責任的寶貴課程。雖然我們的關所結束，導致我經歷了抑鬱，但我了解到了我傷害她的行為的後果。我被迫更加關注我的感受，以及他人的感受。這次經驗鼓勵我成為一個更好的人，培養像耐心、情緒溝通和改正我錯誤的能力這樣的品質。從我們的關所學到的課程引申到了同居和面對生活的挑戰。我們分手後，我經歷了一段特別黑暗的時期，然而，Jordan Peterson 的書 "12 Rules for Life" 幫助我克服了這段抑鬱期。

總的來說，我父母和前女友的遺產在塑造我今天的自我方面起著無可估量的作用。我深深感激他們對我的生活所做的影響。

  • 3 min read

My Productivity Plan

Over the past two weeks, I have been learning proven, science-backed tactics to boost my productivity and performance. My aim is to achieve my goals and lead the life I've always wanted. The first key to unlocking my productivity is to strategically manage my energy according to my body's natural rhythms. This allows me to operate at peak productivity each day.

I am not a machine; my body experiences natural peaks and valleys of energy throughout the day. I have a PM-shifted chronotype, a trait shared by approximately 20% of the global population. Those of us with PM-shifted rhythms prefer to stay up late and wake up late, feeling most energized later in the day.

Here is my strategic schedule, aligned with my body’s natural energy levels:

  • 6 am: Sleep
  • 7 am: Wake up and have breakfast
  • 8 am: Commute to work while reading a book
  • 9 am: Arrive at the office and start meetings

During my recovery phase, I focus on creative work and collaborative tasks, which benefit from reduced inhibition:

  • 10 am: Programming
  • 11 am: One-to-one meetings with team members
  • 12 pm: Lunch
  • 1 pm: Design technical architecture solutions
  • 2 pm: Code review
  • 3 pm: Client meetings

During my energy dip, I focus on administrative tasks and also take breaks, naps, or walks:

  • 4 pm: Write documentation
  • 5 pm: Management meetings

At my peak energy level, I tackle my most important analytical tasks:

  • 6 pm: Commute home while reading a book
  • 7 pm: Exercise at the gym and jog for 5 km
  • 8 pm: Read at the library
  • 9 pm: Dinner
  • 10 pm: Write blog posts and journal
  • 11 pm: Review CFA curriculum

Sleep:

  • 12 am: Sleep

Rest is crucial for sustaining my peak performance and achieving my life goals.

Secondly, it's essential to connect my daily tasks with my broader goals. Understanding my "ultimate whys" enables me to break down large aspirations into smaller, achievable steps. My primary motivation for doing this is to become a lifelong learner.

Quarterly Objectives:

  • Objective 1: Pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam
  • Objective 2: Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Certification exam
  • Objective 3: Enroll in a Master's degree program in Digital Leadership at the National University of Singapore

Monthly Measures:

  • Key Result 1: Pass mock CFA exams and complete practice exercises
  • Key Result 2: Gain real-world experience in AWS architecture
  • Key Result 3: Lead and deliver technology projects, while practicing leadership principles

Weekly Initiatives:

  • Initiative 1: Complete three CFA curriculum readings
  • Initiative 2: Finish CFA exercises
  • Initiative 3: Practice exam questions to improve response time

Daily Most Important Tasks (MIT):

  • MIT 1: Read physical books and e-books
  • MIT 2: Attend in-person and online lectures
  • MIT 3: Listen to podcasts while at the gym

Lastly, to bridge my daily routines to my long-term goals, I must establish sustainable habits. Learning the science behind effective habits can help these productivity tactics stick. One behavior that aids in achieving my ultimate goals is reading more books.

Habit Building:

  • Step 1: Design the cue. When I feel bored during my morning train commute, I'll initiate my reading habit.
  • Step 2: Link the habit to a craving. I believe in continuous learning and improvement.
  • Step 3: Write down the response and eliminate barriers. I'll keep my Kindle fully charged and in my pocket, along with a list of books I want to read.
  • Step 4: Create a reward. I will apply new knowledge in real-world scenarios and share my learning on my blog.

In summary, when I feel bored during my morning train commute [cue], I'll take out my fully charged Kindle to read a book from my reading list [response]. I do this because I am the type of person who believes in continuous learning and improvement [craving]. My reward will be applying the new knowledge in real-world scenarios and sharing my learnings on my blog [reward].

  • in podcast
  • 4 min read

My Productivity Plan

Welcome to "Continuous Improvement," the podcast where we explore proven tactics and strategies to boost productivity and achieve our goals. I'm your host, Victor, and in today's episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of managing our energy and connecting daily tasks with our broader aspirations.

But before we jump into that, let me share with you an incredible blog post I recently came across. Over the past two weeks, the author has been on a mission to uncover science-backed tactics for peak performance. They believe that understanding their body's natural rhythms is the key to unlocking their productivity potential.

According to the blog post, the author has a PM-shifted chronotype, meaning they prefer staying up late and waking up late. They feel most energized later in the day. To align their schedule with their body's energy levels, they have crafted a strategic routine.

Let's take a look at their daily schedule:

  • 6 am: Sleep
  • 7 am: Rise and shine, followed by breakfast
  • 8 am: Commute to work while reading a book
  • 9 am: Arrive at the office and kickstart meetings

During their recovery phase, where inhibition is reduced, the author focuses on creative work and collaborative tasks. They engage in programming, have one-to-one meetings with team members, and design technical architecture solutions.

As their energy dips, they shift gears to administrative tasks and prioritize taking breaks, naps, or walks. Writing documentation and attending management meetings are the primary focus during this period.

When their energy is at its peak, which is the analytical phase, the author tackles their most important tasks. They use this time to commute back home while reading a book, exercise at the gym, engage in personal reading at the library, have dinner, write blog posts and journal, and review their CFA curriculum.

Sleep is crucial for sustaining peak performance, so the author ensures they get to bed by midnight to recharge for the next day.

Now, that was quite an insightful routine. But what does it mean to connect daily tasks with our long-term goals? Well, one key aspect is understanding our "ultimate whys." Our host believes that breaking down large aspirations into smaller, achievable steps is vital for success.

Let's take a look at their quarterly objectives:

  • Objective 1: Pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 exam
  • Objective 2: Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Certification exam
  • Objective 3: Enroll in a Master's degree program in Digital Leadership at the National University of Singapore

To measure progress towards their objectives, the host identifies key results on a monthly level. For instance, passing mock CFA exams and completing practice exercises, gaining real-world experience in AWS architecture, and leading technology projects while practicing leadership principles.

To break it down further, we have the weekly initiatives. The host commits to completing three CFA curriculum readings, finishing CFA exercises, and practicing exam questions to improve their response time.

But what about daily tasks? The host focuses on their Most Important Tasks (MITs) to further align their routines with their broader goals. They read physical books and e-books, attend in-person and online lectures, and even listen to podcasts while hitting the gym.

So, continuous learning and improvement play a significant role in the host's journey. They understand the science behind building effective habits and how it can aid in achieving those ultimate goals. And one habit they're keen on cultivating is reading more books.

To build this habit, the host walks us through the four steps:

Step 1: Designing the cue. When feeling bored during the morning train commute, they initiate the reading habit. Step 2: Linking the habit to a craving. The host believes in continuous learning and improvement. Step 3: Writing down the response and eliminating barriers. They keep their Kindle fully charged and in their pocket, along with a list of books they want to read. Step 4: Creating a reward. The host applies new knowledge in real-world scenarios and shares their learnings on their blog.

Impressive, isn't it? The host has truly embraced the power of managing energy, connecting daily tasks with long-term goals, and building sustainable habits. It's time for us to reflect on our own routines and see how we can apply these tactics to our own lives.

That's all for today's episode of "Continuous Improvement." I hope you found these insights valuable and that they inspire you to take actionable steps towards optimizing your productivity and achieving your goals.

Remember, the journey towards continuous improvement is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay tuned for more episodes filled with wisdom and strategies to help you on your path.

Until next time, this is Victor signing off.

  • in zh
  • 1 min read

我的生產力計劃

在過去的兩週裡，我一直在學習經過科學證實的策略，以提升我的生產力和表現。我的目標是實現我的目標，過我一直想要的生活。解開生產力之鑰的第一步是根據我身體的自然節奏，策略性地管理我的能量。這使我每天都能在最高生產力下運作。

我不是一台機器；我身體在一天中會有自然的能量高峰和低谷。我有著一種PM-shifted的天賦型態，也是全球約20%的人口所共享的特徵。我們這一類的人喜歡晚睡晚起，覺得一天中最有活力的時候是在稍晚的時候。

以下是我根據我的身體自然能量水平安排的策略性日程：

  • 早上6點：睡覺
  • 早上7點：起床並吃早餐
  • 早上8點：通勤去工作，同時讀書
  • 早上9點：到達辦公室並開始會議

在恢復期間，我專注於創意工作和協作任務，這些任務受益於降低的抑制：

  • 上午10點：程序設計
  • 上午11點：與團隊成員一對一會議
  • 中午12點：吃午飯
  • 下午1點：設計技術架構解決方案
  • 下午2點：程式碼審查
  • 下午3點：與客戶會議

在我的能量低潮期，我專注於行政任務，並且也會休息、打盹或散步：

  • 下午4點：寫文檔
  • 下午5點：管理會議

在我最高能量水平的時候，我處理我最重要的分析任務：

  • 下午6點：通勤回家，同時讀書
  • 下午7點：在健身房運動並跑步5公里
  • 下午8點：在圖書館讀書
  • 下午9點：吃晚飯
  • 晚上10點：寫博客和寫日記
  • 晚上11點：複習CFA課程

睡眠：

  • 午夜12點：睡覺

休息對於維持我最高的表現和實現我的生活目標非常重要。

其次，將我每天的任務與我的更大的目標相連接至關重要。理解我的"最終為什麼"使我能夠將大的願望分解為更小、可實現的步驟。我做這一切的主要動機是成為一個終身學習者。

季度目標：

  • 目標1：通過特許金融分析師(CFA)一級考試
  • 目標2：通過AWS認證的解決方案架構師專業認證考試
  • 目標3：在新加坡國立大學的數字領導碩士學位課程中註冊

月度衡量指標：

  • 關鍵結果1：通過模擬CFA考試並完成練習
  • 關鍵結果2：在AWS架構中獲得真實世界的經驗
  • 關鍵結果3：在實踐領導原則的同時，領導並交付技術項目

每週行動：

  • 行動1：完成三次CFA課程閱讀
  • 行動2：完成CFA練習
  • 行動3：練習考試題目以提高回答速度

每日最重要任務(MIT)：

  • MIT 1：閱讀實體書和電子書
  • MIT 2：參加當面和在線講座
  • MIT 3：在健身房時聽播客

最後，為了將我的每日習慣與我的長期目標相配合，我必須建立可持續的習慣。學習有效習慣背後的科學可以幫助這些生產力策略堅持下去。其中一種有助於實現我最終目慙的行為是多閱讀書籍。

養成習慣：

  • 步驟1：設計線索。當我在早上的火車通勤路上感到無聊時，我將開始閱讀的習慣。
  • 步驟2：將習慣與渴望相連接。我相信持續學習和改進。
  • 步驟3：寫下反應並消除障礙。我將保持我的Kindle充滿電並放在口袋裡，還有我想讀的一些書的清單。
  • 步驟4：創建獎勵。我將在真實世界中應用新的知識，並在我的博客上分享我的學習。

總結來說，當我在早上火車通勤時感到無聊[提示]時，我將拿出我的Kindle並從我的閱讀清單中讀一本書[反應]。我之所以這樣做，是因為我是一個相信持續學習和提高的人[渴望]。我的獎勵將是在真實世界中應用新的知識，並在我的博客上分享我的學習[獎勵]。

  • 3 min read

Give and Take - Book Review

In this blog post, I will review the book "Give and Take" by Adam Grant. I believe that learning and growth are fundamental human needs. Sharing insights from this book serves as a form of active learning for me and hopefully for you as well.

Firstly, who is Adam Grant? He is a young professor at the Wharton Business School and is known for his insightful research and books. By his mid-thirties, he had already authored five best-selling books.

In "Give and Take," Grant challenges common assumptions, such as "winner takes all" and "nice guys finish last." These expressions reflect the perception that being too giving allows others to take advantage of you. This fear is often reinforced by TV shows and movies that suggest successful people must be ruthless. For example, the film "The Wolf of Wall Street" portrays finance as an industry where greed is good, and success requires one to be a monstrous alpha male.

According to the book, this perception is untrue. Grant outlines four pillars of success: strong motivation, capabilities, opportunities (or, in other words, luck), and the way you interact with others. He categorizes people into three types: takers, matchers, and givers.

Takers focus solely on what they can gain. Matchers give favors only when they expect something in return, adhering to a "quid pro quo" mindset commonly found in politics. Givers, on the other hand, prioritize others' interests over their own, helping people without expecting anything in return.

In real life, people often exhibit a mix of these styles, adapting to different situations. So which style is most successful, particularly for salespeople? Surprisingly, the book reveals that the top 10% of salespeople are givers. Why? One reason could be the principle of reciprocity: people are more inclined to assist those who help them.

Data also shows that givers are either top performers or bottom performers. The difference lies in setting boundaries. Givers who don't set boundaries find themselves depleted, with no time left for personal growth. Those who do set boundaries are more effective and find that helping others often contributes to their own development.

Instead of prioritizing wealth, power, pleasure, or competition, I favor and prioritize values like helpfulness, responsibility, social justice, and compassion. It may seem counterintuitive, but adopting a more altruistic attitude can result in mutual benefits in relationships. Research indicates that those who regularly give their time and knowledge to colleagues often receive higher raises and promotions.

In summary, the key principles for success are: 1) Show up, 2) Work hard, 3) Be kind, and 4) Be a giver. Striving to make people laugh, entertaining them, and contributing to a better world are crucial for building a good reputation, especially in a tight-knit work environment. It's not a zero-sum game; the goal is to help one another. If there's any way I can assist you further after you've read this blog post, feel free to reach out.