Opinion Archives » Page 19 of 23

Sabotage, Judgment, and Subjective Truth

“Ain’t no way that I can be happy when I’m happy” —Atmosphere, Give Me

How many times have you seen someone self-sabotage their own life?

I known people who have dropped out of school, directionless. I known people who have arrived to work drunk. I known people who have ruined a relationship over a few hours of fun. I’ve known people that sacrifice sleep and performance for video games.

All of these choices in the present have impacts that can last decades into the future.

Do you know why these people do what they do?

We can’t know people’s private thoughts. We can’t read their minds now, and we can’t deduce their feelings and opinions from the past.

"Head shot" by erat, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *“Head shot” by erat, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

Motivations are generally unknown Continue reading “Sabotage, Judgment, and Subjective Truth”

Seven Suggestions on Improving Soccer Performance

The 2018 World Cup is in full swing. If you haven’t caught any yet, you can stream the last few games here on Telemundo.

The world’s best players are out: Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar – unable to mesh with their national team, unable to pull those teams ahead on their own.

England’s national team, once a soccer powerhouse and the inventors of ‘football,’ has had abysmal international performance since 1996.

Apparently a missed shootout in 1996 has cursed the national team ever since.

Complicating the matter, that failed kicker from 1996 is now the head coach of England’s 2018 World Cup team.

Gareth Southgate isn’t letting his past failures define him. Instead he is using this as a stepping stone to teach his team about mindset and stretching past their comfort zone.

Persuasion is all about changing minds for better outcomes.

A friend recently asked how she could improve her own soccer performance. She felt that her skills were deteriorating and in need of a boost.

"IMG_1093" by Peter, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *“IMG_1093” by Peter, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

Here were my seven suggestions, based on self-persuasion.

Continue reading “Seven Suggestions on Improving Soccer Performance”

“Everything is Relative” — Lessons on Decision Making from Dan Ariely’s “Predictably Irrational”

In his 2008 book “Predictably Irrational,” Dan Ariely opens our eyes to our decision making process and how it can be used against us.

Everything is Relative.

Our choices are made in comparison to other options, and what we might lose or gain with these decisions. Unfortunately, all too often we don’t know the value of those options at all! For example, do you really know the price and quality of one television set over another?

If given a set of options, Ariely lays out the predictable choices in each:

Continue reading ““Everything is Relative” — Lessons on Decision Making from Dan Ariely’s “Predictably Irrational””

“Drive” — 10 Things I learned from Daniel Pink

A few jobs ago in a different company, I split my time between IT Support and IT Sales. It was my first job in IT. I felt lucky to be there.

In the Sales role, my sales manager was constantly looking over my shoulder.

I would compose an email to a client and he would revise it.

I would write up a specific piece of hardware and he would suggest something different.

Continue reading ““Drive” — 10 Things I learned from Daniel Pink”

Why you Fail after you Win

Maths! Photo "Amherst63-012" by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *Maths! Photo “Amherst63-012” by NealeA, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

In mathematics and statistics, Mean is one method to represent a data set with a single number. When we talk about “Average” we often refer to the “Mean.” The Mean is calculated by diving the sum of data points by that number of data points:

Add Data Points: 4 + 8 + 15 + 16 + 23 + 42 = 108

Sum of 108, Divided by 6 data points = 108/6 = Mean of 18

Mean is easiest to calculate with numbers and quantifiable data, such as your average (mean) nightly hours of sleep, or your mean cost of lunch. For example, the “Average Human” is either calculated from measurements, or it’s a general term people use without accuracy. Continue reading “Why you Fail after you Win”

Mind Reading isn’t Real. Here’s How to Do It.

Mind reading, the art of knowing exactly what the other person is thinking.

It’s a dangerous sport, and one that we’re not very good at. It’s the source of many disagreements and misunderstandings. No matter, we all continue to try.

Image "distant distance" by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *We believe we know what other people are thinking. Image “distant distance” by Rennett Stowe, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

I’ve certainly tried to finish someone’s sentences and been completely wrong. Haven’t you cut in because you knew exactly what the other person was going to say? How did that work out for you? Not always very well, I would bet.

“I opened the door to see…”

“…She was in the house!?” Continue reading “Mind Reading isn’t Real. Here’s How to Do It.”

It’s my Birthday! 39 Things I’ve Learned in This Life

Today is my 39th birthday. No sense in letting it go to waste!

People gather where there is food. "Cake!" by Kate Russel, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *“Cake!” by Kate Russel, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

I’ve enjoyed getting older. Experiences have accumulated, giving me perspective.

I’ve learned a few things over my years, but maybe more so in the last 5 years since I became a father. Lots of things change when that happens. The world shines in a different light. Priorities shift. My wife and family are amazing and I wouldn’t be here without them.

I’ve grown a lot with this blog. I’ve learned more, I’ve become stronger, and I’ve let go of things that may have held me back in the past.

Continue reading “It’s my Birthday! 39 Things I’ve Learned in This Life”

Facebook and the Principal-Agent Problem

Earlier this week, Mark Zuckerberg testified before the US Congress about User Privacy within The Facebook.

*Mark Zuckerberg testifies before Congress in April 2018*

Six months ago, this wasn’t even a conversation. Continue reading “Facebook and the Principal-Agent Problem”

Focus and Misdirection! Five Rules of Magic (and How They Can Improve Your Persuasion Game)

When I was growing up, my Grandpa always had a joke or a magic trick at the ready. My memories of childhood aren’t well defined, quite fuzzy really, but there are stand-outs with Grandpa Damie’s magic.

"dark jack" by Akki annant, Flickr, CC-By-2.0 — *“dark jack” by Akki annant, Flickr, CC-By-2.0*

Throughout his life and beyond, I’ve heard great things about my grandpa. People remembered his generosity and personal touch. He would receive Christmas cards and accolades years after seeing old friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

How did my Grandpa Damie have such an impact on people?

An impact that was remembered long after? Continue reading “Focus and Misdirection! Five Rules of Magic (and How They Can Improve Your Persuasion Game)”