Course 2, Discussion 4: The problem is the path
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.
✒️ 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?
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
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✒️ 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.
Concern-
*Bad things happening in the world
*Others opinions on me
*How people treat others
Influence-
*Treating others with kindest and respect.
*Learning from mistakes.
*Putting systems in place to reach our goals.
One thing I can do-
Reminding myself these are the things I can control, and this circle will get bigger the more I focus on it (like the video says) ♡
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 stands out to me about this executive, is that man who decided out of them all to focus on his circle of influence, was the one who ended up the most successful.
This man focused on what he could do, what he could change in the situation and worked on this rather than thinking and worrying about things he could not change (his boss how he acted, what he did). By doing this he made positive changes with what he could control, meaning the boss listened and the man became more successful, and his circle of influence grew.
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@TabbyCat97 I like the way you presented your answers!
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. Three things in my circle of concern:
- Dogs anxiety
- My migraines
- Earth quakes
2. Three things in your circle of influence:
- Treat others in a positive and a supportive way.
- To show understanding and patience.
- To be encouraging and not participate in negativity of any kind.
One thing I can remind myself of to focus on my circle of influence:
I am a positive person and I do love being that way, it brings me and others joy.
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 love how the executive was open minded and focused on positive team work,
allowing everyone to use their creativity and express their opinions.
How he brought his strengths to compliment the strength of the leader.
How he made a negative work environment into a positive and a supportive one.
And how he got the team to work together as one.
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@FrenchToastClub
✒️ 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 - How others perceive me, the future, others' behaviour
- Circle of influence - How I feel about myself, the actions I take each day and my own behaviour
- Reminder - Write a list of concerns, separate them into circle of concern and influence. Spend energy working on the circle of influence
✒️ 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?
This example really stood out to me as a lesson of working with someone instead of opposing them. It could have been very easy to feel jaded or irritated but, as the video states, this executive used this emerging need to establish himself in a position to help the president. This harmony created allowed the team to work smoothly and more effectively - and likely greatly increased morale for everyone!
@charmingEagle47
Well said.
✒️ 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.
@Rivelino3
I like what you wrote down about Proactive and Reactive. Taking initiative before letting things get worse and then doing something about it.
@FrenchToastClub
✒️ 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 -
- Being a good leader.
- Meeting goals in a timely manner.
- Knowing how my team is feeling.
Circle of Influence -
- Learning, growing, and developing leadership skills.
- Having good time management and a system that can work to meet goals.
- Check-ins, encouragement, support, and caring.
Something to remind me to focus on my circle of influence -
- Self-reflection often, check in with myself on how I am doing and what I am focusing on.
✒️ 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 about the executive -
His observation details, how he took action to listen to the concerns of his colleagues and made them feel heard, his hard work and dedication to make things right without overstepping and badgering the president.
He took time to empathize with his colleagues and took steps to make an analyst that complimented the strengths of the president to help with success which was proactive. He didn't focus on the president's weakness and talked about him to his colleagues.
@FrenchToastClub
✒️ 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 - the Weather, The ABomb, Other People and their actions - in other words any and all things that I am aware of, but have no control over.
Circle of Influence - Speaking strictly from a Buddhist and Stoic perspective - My Circle of Influence is anything that I can control and am held responsible for - My Actions, My Choices, My Responsibilities, My Acceptance - anything that is NOT mine is not part of this Circle.
1 Thing I can do to remind me of my Circle of Influence - Ask myself this question - 'Do I have any control over this? If not it is not contained in my Circle of Influence.
✒️ 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?
This executive is proactive and supportive rather than reactive and 'my way'. I most often see the reactive, but even with that, a way can be found to work with this type of individual. I think it is the fear of being wrong that drives this style instead of learning through mistakes and at times, failure.
The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday
This book is terrific, I have a copy on my nightstand and receive his daily newsletter.
@CharlieDont37 that's such an amazing explanation! Loved it ❤️
- What grade I'll get in my exams?
- How much weight I'll lose this month?
- How many new friends I'll make this month?
- How well I studied?
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How regularly I worked out?
- How much socializing did I do?
But very few people actually take it upon themselves to work the problem.
@Mahad2804
I really like how you summed up the lessons in the second video. The executive handled his boss wonderfully and so positively.
@Mahad2804
I didn't get the chance to go though 2nd video but you summarize the proactive and reactive concept very well.
@FrenchToastClub
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: People's perceptions of me, events that occurred in the past, and how I compare to my peers.
Circle of influence: My decisions in the present, my level of effort, and how I choose to structure the manner in which I work toward my goals.
To remind me of my circle of influence, it will help to write down affirmations to remind myself that the more I focus on my circus of influence, the smaller my circle of concern will shrink.
✒️ 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?
Instead of focusing on criticizing and giving feedback to "be better" or just pointing out the company president's failures, this executive actively compensated for them and had empathy for any shortcomings. This fostered a positive environment without ignoring any shortcomings.
@Gilbird I really like your answer! Thank you :)
✒️ 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: Anxiety, grades, fitness
Circle of influence: Hard work, challenging my thoughts, eating healthy
I can take a moment to realize that focusing on my circle of influence is better than focusing on my circle of concern.
✒️ 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 focused on his circle of influence. He did not worry about how his boss acted. Instead, he focused on how he could handle the situation. He used his strengths and capabilities to deal with the situation. He was proactive.
@RosaHere
I really liked your response! 💛 Great job :3
@FrenchToastClub Thank you for your post!
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) how people see me and judge me 2) the mental health of my family 3) if my boyfriend wants to leave me or not
3 things in my circle of influence: 1) do well in my exams 2) controlling auto-sabotaging behaviours 3) treat well everyone
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?
They focused on the positive aspects and on their personal growth instead of passively accept the situation and criticize it. They understood the weaknesses of the boss and try compensating for it
