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Course 2, Discussion 4: The problem is the path

FrenchToast December 5th, 2022

Hello LDP Team!

The problem is the path is the core insight that helps us evolve as individuals and as a community here on 7 Cups.

Here is an overview of this course:

Course Description: It is natural for us to want to avoid problems. Problems can cause worry, anxiety, and frustration. These are feelings that we often want to avoid. Problems, however, are the key to growth. When we face our problems directly we get smarter and grow stronger. A saying that captures this is: Progress = Pain + Reflection. This course helps you learn the value of problems by highlighting the difference between problems you might be concerned about and problems you can directly solve. Next, it walks you through the ancient practice of steering into problems directly in order to unlock their value and gifts. Finally, it helps you identify and measure progress so you can make continued gains in your personal and professional life.

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Watch the video here

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Watch the second video here

Further Reading (Optional but recommended):

This idea of problem is the path is a reoccurring theme in self help books and especially stoicism. If you are interested in learning more about this thought process, we recommend the following books:

The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, by William Braxton Irvine

✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here!


🔉This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program, find information on it here tinyurl.com/AcademyLDP

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twerp August 15th

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

1. The feeling that I am a bad person

2. Getting bad grades/ low test scores

3. Losing all of my money

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. I'm learning to forgive myself

2. I am accepting failure and trying to fix the steps that lead me to it

3. my friends who loves me very much

One thing I would do to remind myself of my influences is sort of a ying and yang theory.  Even when there is bad stuff there has to be good stuff to come along with it and I think when I get into the routine of reminding myself of those 3 things it'll come naturally.

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Wasting energy and time on a goal opposed to setting up sort of like a system and taking it step by step. (ayyyy back to course one systems vs. goals!!)

1 reply
hirai111 August 18th

@twerp

I love how detailed and well thought out your responses were!

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hirai111 August 18th

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

3 Circles of Concern- Humanitarian issues/war, government, other people’s reactions/thoughts

3 Things in Circle of Influence- time management, health, boundaries

1 thing to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence is by having short and long term goals while using the things in my circle of influence that I can control.


✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

What stood out to me is how the executive did not behind the president’s back and instead was very honourable.

Proactive- Doing things without thought.

Reactive- Doing things while thinking and making plans for your future actions.

1 reply
KindleMissie August 21st

@hirai111

Well written! I like your approach of setting short and long term goals to gather focus on the circle of influence.

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KindleMissie August 21st

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence. 

My circle of concern:

1. Other people’s opinions and action.

2.  Everyday challenges.

3. Fear of failures.

My circle of influence:

1. My actions toward others.

2. The efforts I contribute toward my goals.

3. Open to new ideas and opportunities.

To remind myself:

I always think about my why to focus on the circle of influence which helps me to gather some motivation to keep going forward.

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive? 

The perspective that stands out to me about this executive is focusing on my circle of influence to bring a positive change. The ability to work with the strengths and vision of your fellows and making up for their weaknesses without criticising them is a true indication of a proactive person. 

heathermarie95 August 22nd

@FrenchToast

1. Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

circle of concern:

1. violence

2. the news

3. my health status


circle of influence:

1. what I read online

2.  family

3. the future


2. Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Reactive: they did not want to criticize their beliefs 

Proactive: he was willing to work with the president to overcome their concerns.





this discussion was a bit difficult for me to understand and answer correctly 


NeonDragon September 2nd

@FrenchToast

This is a very interesting video!

My circle of concern:

1. Very common things around the world, such as starvation and homelessness that I cannot change..

2. What other people think or say about me - it is really stressful for me, but out of my control.

3. The weather - wish it would be always winter hahah but I cannot change that!

Circle of Influence:

1. How I react to challenges or tough situations, not choosing violence - totally within my control!

2. The effort I put into my work.

3. How I treat people around me, being supportive and encouraging - makes a big difference in my inner circle.

I always purchase those tiny notes with small motivational quotes like "Focus on what you can change!" and this way I always remember to keep my energy on the stuff I can actually influence, instead of stressing over things I can't. :)


Onyx000 September 5th

@FrenchToast

Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence. 

Politics

Others beliefs 

others reactions 

—-

my compassion  

my health 

my self care 


Mindfulness about what I can and cannot control 

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?


 Thinking before speaking 

1 reply
Alambo905 September 6th

@Onyx000

Truly being mindful is the key to shift our focus  towards our goals and build further positively!

radiantUnicorn3506 September 20th

@Onyx000

I love the idea of being mindful over what we can and can't control I think that would help us so much to identify how to be more proactive. I also like your idea of thinking before speaking I feel like talking a moment to think can help us really us understand whether what we are saying is necessary 

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Alambo905 September 6th

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

The three things I identified in my circle of concern are as follows:

1. Job Uncertainty 

2. Strained Relationships 

3. Future

The 3 Things I identified in my circle of influence are as follows:

1. Self improvement 

2. Empathetic approach

3. Planning and Decision Making

Going through the videos reminded me the Theory of Locus of Control which divides an individual's perception of their reality into two, internal and external, where having a higher levels of internal locus of control means taking responsibility and believing one has more power in the outcomes while having an external locus of control, places total control on external factors affecting one's life. Applying the same principle, the circle of concern feeds on negative energy due to a lack of control over the circumstances whereas the circle of influence builds on positivity propelling towards growth and sense of control. The one thing I can do to remind myself to focus on the circle of influence would be is to assume control over matters I am capable of handling and work towards fulfilling my goals one at a time. And through consistent reminder and effort, my circle of influence would expand. 

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

The executive displayed many traits of a proactive individual, some of which are as follows:-

Observant

Solution focused

Analytic

Empathetic 

Assumption of Responsibility 

Humility 

Collaborative 

The executive in the team stood out from the rest due to his unique view and approach of the situation he faced alongwith his peers. Rather than focusing on the problems or badmouthing the boss, he was empathetic towards the president's positives and negatives and strategised his work accordingly that promoted a collaborative environment. This approach made him the proactive person in a group of reactive team members. In the end, his proactive nature positively impacted the team, president and the overall organization, which further expanded the circle of influence while minimising the circle of concern.


1 reply
LovelyKittyCat September 20th

@Alambo905

I had not heard about the theory of locus of control, but it seems like it has the same principles as the two circles in this instance. Thank you for making the connection and sharing with your peers!

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Dorcas00 September 8th

@FrenchToast

Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Circle of Concern 

War,Crimes against women,and the Economic situation of the country.

Circle of Influence 

Communication ,Setting health boundaries and Prioritising healthy relationships.

The one thing which I would like to remind myself from the circle of influence is to set healthy boundaries so that I don't get burnt out.

Watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

The one thing which stands out to me about the executive is that he was willing to work alongside with his team.

The thing which can be considered as proactive is rather than reacting when he was asked to not continue with the presentation or so he did not take that into his mind rather he worked on it and made it as his strength.

radiantUnicorn3506 September 20th

@FrenchToast


✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence. 

Circle of concern- 

Worrying about the amount of effort my friends put into their work and studies, What others may be speaking about me behind my back, The behaviour of other people and how they treat others and they way their actions effect others.

Circle of influence-

How I behave toward others and understanding the effects of my own actions and treatment of others. The effort I put into my own work and studies. The ability to balance both my work life and student life while still having fun in an appropriate way.

1 thing to remember 

This would be catch myself when I have thoughts related to the circle of concern. And then remind myself that these thoughts only hurt us and others and lead to negative lifestyles. Then I need to replace these thoughts with more positive ideas from circle of influence which I can control over and work towards these goals to make my life more positive.

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

I loved that the executive focused his own skills and how to better match his skills to his bosses and understand his perspective first instead of rushing to judge his boss like his co-workers.

I think what he did proactively was to avoid engaging in negative talk about his boss and blaming his boss for the issue and instead focused focused on improving himself and matching his bosses strengths and weaknesses while fulfilling his needs which lead to the boss seeing him as a friend in comparison to a rival which built their bond and strengthen the team work among all of them.

1 reply
hopefulDew435 October 12th

@radiantUnicorn3506

Your method for reminding yourself to focus on your circle of influence is quite powerful. The ability to acknowledge your concerning thoughts and counteract them takes strength and practice but it indeed helps to increase our circle of influence. Thanks for sharing. 

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LovelyKittyCat September 20th

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

  • 3 things in my circle of concern: 1. I won't make enough money to pay off my loans. 2. I'll never beat depression. 3. My family will never heal themselves.
  • 3 things in my circle of influence: 1. I can work on my application for MPH programs. 2. I can take my medication every day. 3. I can focus on healing myself. 
  • I can choose to focus on what I can control, instead of fixating on what I can't by making short attainable goals and increasing my goals from there. 
✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive
  • He was too focused on getting the job done at any cost and didn't take the time to work on himself and with his team. The man who took the initiative to understand his boss, and anticipate his needs, worked on what he was able to do instead of just complaining about his boss and eventually it impacted the team positively as a whole. 

@FrenchToast

1 reply
delightfulUnicorn38 September 26th

@LovelyKittyCat

nice work 😃

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