Radical Candor Part -I

I wonder what if every morning, we woke up to a personalized feed that replays the best moments of your past week. That incredible presentation you nailed, the time you lent a hand to a colleague, or those moments where you were at your kindest and most productive. Unfortunately, for most of us, the reality is far from this. Our minds often play a never-ending loop of bloopers—those moments we wish we could erase or redo 😉 But what if I told you there's a way to shift focus from your flubs to your feats? This isn't about ignoring your areas for improvement but about shining a spotlight on your strengths ⚡

Cal Newport's 'Deep Work' shows us, "The ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy". This reminds us that focusing on our strengths and dedicating uninterrupted time to hone them can dramatically amplify our accomplishments.

The Strength in Your Story

Focusing on what you do best isn't just feel-good advice; it's rooted in solid research. Wanted to share a study from the University of Auckland, a bunch of teenagers with physical disabilities participated in a workshop where their tasks were filmed. One group watched their personal highlight reel, with mistakes edited out, while another saw everything unfiltered. The highlight reel group's performance and productivity soared by 15%. Why? Because seeing themselves succeed amplified their sense of accomplishment, pride, and purpose, motivating them to excel further.

Creating your personal highlight reel doesn't require a camera crew following you around 🎥 It starts with asking those close to you to share memories of you at your best.

"Craftsmanship provides a key to a good life," Newport asserts in "So Good They Can't Ignore You." These stories, similar to craftsmanship, reveal the unique strengths and qualities that make you, well, you, offering a better way to see yourself through others' eyes and leading to emotional, eye-opening moments.

Your Everyday Highlight Reel

So, how do you make this a part of your daily life?

• Start by actively seeking feedback from friends and family. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but the insights you gain are core to becoming a better version of yourself. Look for patterns in what they share—these are your superpowers 😊

• Next, integrate your strengths into every aspect of your life. Whether it's making room for more creative expression at work or engaging in activities that light you up in your personal time, make your strengths non-negotiable parts of your day.
  

• Visualization and writing exercises can be potent tools here "Imagine you’re a craftsman and your task is to design a plan for how to build a better version of yourself," Newport might suggest. Visualize yourself thriving by leveraging your strengths, then plan actionable steps to make this vision a reality. Want to boost your communication skills? Volunteer for roles that put this talent front and center. The key is consistency; it’s about cultivating a craftsman's mindset toward personal development 🏆

Designing a Life That Reflects Your Best Self

Life isn't about waiting for the perfect moment to make a change. It's about designing the life you want, bit by bit, with our strengths as the foundation. From tweaking your job to better suit your skills to trying new activities that play to your strengths, every small adjustment can lead to significant transformations 🦋 And for those days when you're feeling less than exceptional, revisit your highlight reel. It takes concious support towards oneself even in the moments when you were at your best, as seen through the eyes of those who appreciate you most. "Passion comes after you put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before," says Newport, encouraging us not just toward self-improvement but toward recognizing and celebrating who we are and what we bring to the table.

And for you my friend, I've a fun exercise for you...consider writing a letter to yourself from the future, but not just any future—envision the best possible version of yourself. What have you achieved? How do you spend your days? Use this letter as a beacon, guiding you toward the life you aspire to lead.

So, are you ready to start 🔮

Cheers,

Bibliophile Parul