If you're a caring parent/sibling/friend you just have to hope they make the right decision. Telling them what to do risks resentment. Shaming them into an option is unhealthy. Up steps hope. Maddeningly uncertain hope.

I think you need to establish credibility before you can shock people. I think the listener has to believe you to be a beacon of truth before you can surprise them. If they judge you to be an exaggerator or a teller of tall tales then they'll flick the internal switch to show polite intrigue … Continue reading Credibility before shock →

I love sporting intelligence. Brute strength and power is impressive to see. But it's nothing compared to careful delicate planning. It often reveals itself when the game is balanced on a knife edge. Then one plays blows a huge difference between the teams and leaves the loser nameless and the winner famous. It may have … Continue reading Sporting intelligence →

The enemy of the questioner is a vague presentation. How can we dig in and scrutinise your PowerPoint when it's so high level? But then again maybe that's the intention.

If you find yourself faced with a day of back to meetings I think you don't need to fret, there is a way to get through it. It involves discipline. Leave the meeting as soon as the clock strikes the hour (or half hour). By all means preempt the departure with I have a hard … Continue reading Enforced hard stop →

Roderick was idly batting the chain that turned the lamp on. His head was fried. Should I do it? Should I not? He looked at the lamp expectantly. To which the lamp replied with an expression that said 'You must be in trouble if you expect me to answer that!'

Commitment trumps motivation everyday of the week. Let's take work for example, how often have you felt like not working and yet you did anyway? Do you think anyone is revved up to change a diaper? Is it a coincidence that after students pay the first deposit they're more likely to go through with the … Continue reading Commitment trumps motivation →

I think people get into trouble when they start to believe that the plan will 100% become a reality. I think that's a recipe for a stress scone. And I can tell you from experience, those scones are awful. Now, if you're in the market for a calming cake you can view plans as a … Continue reading Plans and stress scones →

When a bunch of strangers come together and have to perform immediately, I think it helps to have one person take control. The initial awkwardness and social anxiety can be too much for most so it helps to have an experienced individual / bossy personality telling everyone where to go and what to do. Now … Continue reading Bossy’s first draft →

If you're interested in improving your craft I would highly recommend the book 'Peak' by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool. It comprehensively proves that not all practice is equal and that the superior form of practice is 'deliberate practice'. Which means practice that is purposeful and challenging (because let's face it the best growth comes … Continue reading Eminem’s wordplay →