Welcome to the 8th edition of North Star Blueprints! In this weekly newsletter, we embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, offering observations, strategies, and inspiration to help you navigate life’s challenges and reach new heights of success. This edition will provide a summary of the daily insights I posted throughout the week, packed with valuable tips, thought-provoking ideas, and actionable advice designed to provide you with concepts and ideas to becoming more proactive and balanced in your approach to work and life to help you unleash your better self.
April 8: The Power of Decisiveness
Have you ever been forced to make a choice without having all the information you needed? A split-second decision where you needed to go left or right, say yes or no, continue to go or stop. In a world where information overload is the norm, this ability to make decisions swiftly and confidently, acting in the moment can sometimes be the difference between good and great.
It’s tempting to wait for all the facts to align perfectly before we take action, but sometimes, waiting for complete information means missing out on valuable opportunities, after all, timing also plays a big role in decision making. Consider a situation where you need to hire someone quickly and don’t want to lose them to another company, or perhaps you’re bidding on a popular high value property, outmaneuvering your business competition by releasing a new product ahead of them, or simply making an executive decision to adjust an important deck minutes before the presentation because new information came in and you don’t have time to consult anyone else.
Successful leaders understand that they won’t always have all the answers, and that’s okay. Instead of paralyzing themselves with analysis-paralysis, they trust their intuition, rely on their past experiences, and take calculated risks. By embracing decisiveness, you’ll not only move forward faster on your objectives, but also demonstrate leadership qualities that inspire confidence and trust in others.
So, next time you find yourself hesitating in a time-sensitive situation where imminent action is required, remember: sometimes, taking imperfect action is better than waiting for perfect information.
April 9: Practice Purposeful Messaging
Have you ever received a message that simply says “hello” and found yourself waiting, unsure of what comes next? It’s a common occurrence in digital communication. In today’s fast-paced world, time is of the essence, and every interaction should be purposeful. That’s why I advocate for the “No Hello” approach. It’s about cutting to the chase and getting straight to the point in your messages.
Think of it this way: Starting a chat with just “hello” and waiting for the recipient to respond in order to continue with the rest of your message, is like calling someone and putting them on hold before stating your reason for the call. It leaves the other person hanging, wasting precious time and potentially causing confusion. This does not mean you shouldn’t say hello, it simply means that you need to quickly follow up with the reason for the chat, or even better put it in the same message as your ask.
I came across an insightful article that summarizes this topic really well, highlighting the importance of avoiding the “hello” trap in digital conversations. It’s not just about efficiency – it’s also about respect for your own and the other person’s time and attention. I highly recommend you read it and start implementing it in your digital communication.
April 10: Master Productivity
Do you feel like your to-do list is never-ending, leaving you overwhelmed and scattered? I highly recommend you look further into task batching – an easy way to reclaim your productivity. The concept is simple: group similar tasks together and tackle them in focused batches. Whether it’s responding to emails, making phone calls, or tackling administrative duties, batching allows you to streamline your workflow and minimize distractions. Block you calendar to focus on these batches, colour code them as needed, and prioritize based on importance.
By focusing on one type of task at a time, you eliminate the mental back-and-forth that comes with constantly switching gears. This not only speeds up your workflow but also enhances concentration and productivity. Instead of bouncing between unrelated tasks, you’re diving deep into a specific type of work, making significant progress with each batch.
Cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Sahar Yousef, stated that “the human brain works best when it focuses on one thing at a time. We have a certain amount of cognitive capacity and a certain amount of attention.” Our brains can only handle so much before they start to feel overloaded. Batching helps alleviate cognitive strain by reducing the number of decisions and transitions we need to make throughout the day. Research show that it may take as long as 20 minutes to regain focus after a distraction, and task batching can help you avoid it.
David Karinguri does a great job describing this concept in his article, make sure you check it out below.
April 11: Write It on Paper
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your thoughts, fears, or problems? It happens to all of us. In those moments, consider reaching for a pen and a piece of paper. Writing down your worries can provide a sense of clarity and perspective that’s hard to find elsewhere.
There’s something incredibly powerful about putting pen to paper. In our digital age, where screens dominate our lives, taking the time to write things down by hand might seem outdated. However, this simple act can have profound effects on our mental well-being.
When we put our thoughts on paper, we externalize them. We take them out of our heads and give them a physical form. This act of externalization can help us detach from our thoughts and see them more objectively. What once felt like an insurmountable problem may suddenly seem more manageable when viewed on the page.
Moreover, writing things down allows us to organize our thoughts and gain insight into our emotions. It’s a form of self-expression and self-reflection that can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding. So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, grab a notebook and start writing. You might be surprised by the sense of relief and perspective it brings.
April 12: Balance Life’s Priorities
As we wrap up a week of intentional living and proactive behaviours, I want to emphasize the importance of balancing our approach to money and life. A couple months ago I read the book “Die with Zero” by Bill Perkins, which covers this topic extensively. While the title may sound provocative, the underlying message is about optimizing our financial decisions to live life to the fullest, while also ensuring we’re prepared for the unexpected. Here are a few of my key takeaways:
Maximize Experiences Over Accumulation: One of the central themes of the book is the idea of “dying with zero” – using your wealth to create memorable experiences and enriching moments throughout your life. Perkins encourages readers to shift their mindset from accumulating money to maximizing the value of their time and resources in the present.
Balance Enjoyment and Preparation: While embracing the philosophy of living for the moment, Perkins also emphasizes the importance of prudent financial planning. It’s not about recklessly spending all your money, but rather finding a balance between enjoying life now and preparing for the future.
Reevaluate Your Financial Priorities: the book prompts readers to reevaluate their financial priorities and goals. It encourages introspection about what truly brings you fulfillment and happiness, challenging the notion that financial success is solely defined by the size of your bank account.
Emphasize Timing: it also reminds us that the value of experiences can diminish over time, and that many items on our bucket list are best done right now and not when we retire. Sky diving is far more enjoyable when your body is young, while catching up on the top 100 books of all time can be left to an age when you’re less active, so make sure you plan accordingly!
Ultimately, the book underscores the value of creating lasting memories and experiences with loved ones. Whether it’s traveling the world, pursuing passions, or giving back to others. It reminds us to be purposeful with our money and time, using it to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of growth and discovery. I hope these insights illuminate your path forward as you pursue your aspirations with purpose and determination. See you in next week’s edition!
