Category: Life That Matters

Ikigai: an idea to explore

Carl Setzer

Found this graphic exploring Twitter this morning

Check out @wef’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/wef/status/927159068413833216?s=09

A very clever Venn diagram displaying the importance of balance in life. Each of the four pieces bring value: 

  1. What you love
  2. What the world needs
  3. What you can be paid for
  4. What you are good at 

We find our best life, with the most satisfaction, where all these pieces intersect. And that neglecting any of these areas brings consequences. 

Ikigai is a new concept to me. One that bears exploring further. I appreciate the way it helps define key life management concepts:

  • Passion: what you love insects with what you’re good at
  • Vocation: what you can get paid for intersects with what the world needs
  • Mission: what the world needs with what you love
  • Profession: what you’re good at with what you can get paid for

I appreciate the reminder: look beyond my habits, my reflexes, and seek greater understanding. By dedicating energy to areas out of balance, I bring greater satisfaction, balance, and relive stress. That’s something I forget. 

Your Best Work Isn’t “Nothing”

Carl Setzer

As you may have noticed, I think very highly of Seth Godin. This blog post gave words to an idea I’ve been considering:

Money for nothing

Seth says “…your best work isn’t nothing…”. I adore that! A reminder that our work is valuable, that our lives have worth. Seeking shortcuts to accomplishment not only shortchanges the one seeking the easy path, it short changes us all. We need to see the value we add, embrace that, and, then, get to work!
I hope you have a marvelously productive Monday!
When searching for a “Featured Image” for this post, I came across this one. Reminds of my favorite things when working for Starbucks and Microsoft. 

“…my mother died. I was with her. She is with me”

Carl Setzer

My mother died when I was 15. The impact lingers to this day.

So this piece by Masaru Goto struck me deeply:

“…my mother died. I was with her. She is with me”

I love the intersection of poetry and photography. I want to explore that myself.

A powerfully moving project.

 

Brene Brown: About Vulnerability, Authenticity and Belonging

Carl Setzer

I finally was able to get a walk in last night. One of the critical elements for a good walk, in my system: a good podcast. For several years one of my favorites has been Design Matters with Debbie Millman (I’m not sure how long I’ve been listening, but this post of mine from 2014 says I’d been listening for a few months.) I highly recommend subscribing, even if you’re not a designer or artist. Design thinking’s value extends far beyond graphic arts and design.

The episode from October 23rd features Brene Brown. Sadly, I’d never heard of her before. It’s sad since I have a deep interest in the subjects of her work. I’ll be adding a few of her books to my reading list. Plus she has two, TWO TED Talks that I have missed. So, I’ll be addressing that over the weekend.

I particularly appreciated her thoughts on vulnerability and trust.  Elements which are critical for healthy for relationships, but far too scare, I’m afraid. And the current political environment does nothing to help. But I digress.

Anyway, give the podcast a listen (below). I’ll also put in links at the bottom to connect with her.

I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of hers: “Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.” A great idea with which to move forward, methinks.

 

Connect With Brene:

Twitter
Her Homepage

Making The World Better: Thinking Positively

Carl Setzer

Currently, I find it challenging to deal with all the world’s negativity. Power, control and cache get granted to those who “pwn” the strongest. We relish the putting down, degradation and humiliation of those we deem “enemy” or other.

Long ago, I committed to living life the opposite way. Seeking ways to build up my community, even those I disagree with. Asking how we can find common ground, especially in this age.

After checking the news (inadvisable at times), I feel it important to re-commit to that path. Perhaps even more boldly, with greater energy.

“Let’s find the win-win in this life” I tell myself as the sirens pass by.

A Monday Motivational Thing

Carl Setzer

This flowed into my inbox moments ago. I like it!

Now, let’s be clear, it’s also uncomfortable. This speaks to me because, well, it IS me. I work hard to face mistakes, use them to make myself better. But fear plays a loud part. I hate looking/feeling incompetent. Really, though, that’s my label. My self-talk…talking. I need to remember to tell it to shut up. Often! At least always.

How do you deal with mistakes? How do you make such things positives? Let me know in the comments below.

Food for Thought: Anil Dash’s “The Year I Didn’t Retweet Men”

Carl Setzer
Twitter's Megaphone

I’d forgotten about Anil’s post to Medium a “little ways back”, so I was able to look with fresh eyes.

“The Year I Didn’t Retweet Men”

I really appreciate his efforts to amplify responsibly. And have tried, over the years, to take the same idea to heart. I may not have Anil’s reach, but I have a significant online following. Significant enough that I feel a certain responsibility to use my platform justly.

I like how his efforts changed:

  1. the nature of his online interactions
  2. the flavor of his feed
  3. and how it changed his perceptions about the world
  4. made his experience on Twitter happier

Though not a fan of the whole “resolution” thing, and since it’s August, seems kinda silly anyway, I like the idea of making purposeful decisions.

I intend to be much more thoughtful about what I share. I have tried to avoid the meme-du-jour, and things everyone else is doing. I also have avoided any hate-retweeting. Our world has enough rage, including the things that drive me towards rage. I have been trying to focus on the positive, yet avoiding a Pollyannaish approach. Positive and effective efforts, change, thoughts: that’s what I try to amplify.

So, doubling down on this. Thanks, Anil, for the reminder and motivation.