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In two different conversations, Tim Ferriss’ Tribe of Mentors came to my attention. Both in the context of my Cohort idea and a project I’m spearheading at school. I’m fascinated by them and trying to answer them myself. Very self-reflective. I thought I’d take a moment to write a quick blog about it. If you have a moment, consider joining in and answering one of his excellent questions.
- How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
- Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
- If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else’s quote: Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?
- What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)
- What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?
- In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
- What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?
- What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
- When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)
My billboard would say my favourite quote. Explore.Dream.Discover. Mark Twain.
More mentor moments to come.
@jmedved@gnichols@ashaikh@acampbellrogers@ljensen@tjagdeo
Thanks for the book recommendation. I will definitely check it out.
“If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why?”
= BE THE CHANGE
I think is sums up my approach / mindset to problems. No sense in complaining about problems if I am not prepared to fix them myself 🙂
PS – When you get a chance can you fill in this quick survey – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5S3x5kKuWQkSVYXCMMe4ASoxFRRF13E0F7xqQ_okD4t-3fg/viewform
We are looking to collect all of the action plan data before the holidays start.
Happy holidays!!
@acampbellrogers @mneale @ashaikh @gvogt
Great post, great recommendation and thank you for the stir @jroberts ! Much needed at a time of year that can feel like a limp to the finish. I love the wisdom from @jmedved , and it’s a concept I think a lot about: am I a symbolic representation of my beliefs? So important on any level of leadership (and we’re all leaders!). Here we go…
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)
Three things:
1. I pursue a good conversation with a trusted mentor/colleague (in a healthy culture we uplift each other)
2. I write my way out of it (journal)
3. I get a good a sweat on (a run, a work out…)
@acampbellrogers @mneale @ashaikh , let’s keep the reflection rolling!
All great things. I would say I do the same @gvogt. I’d add go for a ride (love my bicycle) to that list.
@gvogt
I’m definitely stealing number 3. I’ve been reading Dr. Greg Wells book the ripple book on how working out or just going for a walk outdoors can positively affect the brain and our cognitive ability. http://drgregwells.com/the-ripple-effect/
Such great, thought-provoking questions @jroberts! I have a few answers that come to mind for myself.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
Although it has to do with my personal life, I would have to say my first marriage! It was a massive failure, and it would be easy to regret having made that poor decision so young. But, when I think about how it led me to the life I have now, I don’t regret a thing! Not having made that poor choice would not have led me to meeting my wonderful husband or having my beautiful daughter. An overly personal example, perhaps, but for me it really embodies that idea that failure can be a stepping stone to something bigger and better.
And, with regards to this question: What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love? I glean an absurd amount of satisfaction out of finishing a nearly-empty container, whether it’s a bottle of shampoo or finishing the last pickle in the jar. Is that weird?? 🙂
Such a great post @jroberts! I love your ideas @gvogt of how to keep focused and handle the pressure of feeling overwhelmed. A conversation with a trusted mentor or colleague is always my ticket out of this feeling at work. Trying to end the conversation with a laugh (even if it’s through tears) helps too! #3 is a trusted approach for me too. No matter how I feel, if I can get to a workout or take a run, I’m so much better able to focus after. I’m a firm believer that fresh air has magical qualities.
I think that perhaps we should start holding running groups/cycling groups for Cohort 21 – imaging the acceleration of thinking on those group activities!
Great post – I too really enjoy the work of Tim Ferris. Recently, his Tools of Titans inspired me to make some changes in my own life based on his qualitative research – it’s the power of a great story I think!
As for my billboard, I think it would read “Treat others as they wish to be treated”. I heard this new take on the Golden Rule in the context of diversity, and I think it is so important for us, as educators and people, to keep this in mind as a way to navigate through conversations about identity, diversity and just being in the world. When it comes to our students, this looks like empathy, feels like curiousity, and it is the action of care and concern (i.e. understanding that your students takes upwards of 7 other classes other than yours, on top of the teams/bands/choir/play/musical/club/community involvement/etc…)
Thanks Jody!
Hi Jody,
I love this! Thanks for putting these prompts out here for us; and for the book recco. I’ll share around the ‘quote you live your life by’ and ‘what to do when feeling overwhelmed’ … the two are tied for me.
When I enter a phase of ‘everything is just too much’ … as it always is before the winter break I find, I try and do three things:
1. Find some time each day to be alone. Preferably outside. Preferably in a forest or by the water.
2. Exercise. (This can often be done in conjunction with #1)
3. Review some mantras I’ve saved on Pintrest. This is so effective if I need a quick ‘pick me up’ during the day.
Related to #3, my favourite ‘words to live by’ when is comes to “Success” (It’s long, but here goes…)
“The people I consider successful are so because of how they handle their responsibilities to other people, how they approach the future, people who have a full sense of the value of their life and what they want to do with it. I call people successful not because they have money or their business is doing well but because, as human beings, they have a fully developed sense of being alive and engaged in a lifetime task of collaboration with other human beings – their mothers and fathers, their family, their friends, their loved ones, the friends who are dying, the friends who are being born. Success … it is all about being able to extend love to people… not in a big, capital letter sense, but in the everyday. Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.” – Ralph Fiennes
When I feel overwhelmed with the many roles I play, I try to remember how to measure my success 🙂
Great post Jody!
Thanks for sharing Jody.
“If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why?
JUST DO IT
I’m the master procrastinator who will over analyze things to death before jumping in and sometimes I just need to step back and “just do it”. I’m on a journey to declutter my mind and taking meaningful action.