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
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
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- how people perceive me,
- the politics in my country, and
- climate change.
- how I choose to present myself,
- how I can use my voice, and
- how I spend my time and energy.
- self affirming "I can choose to be a victim or a victor. I can grow or shrink my circle of influence based on what I focus my time and energy on."
- What stands out to me is the executive could expand their circle of influence by being proactive and empathetic; their goals were achieved through complementing strengths and compensating for weaknesses.
- They were proactive instead of reactive in that they read the situation, anticipated the president's needs, and responded with empathy.
@SilverSeastar I love that you you included climate change and politics. Those are two things I am concerned about that I have little to no control over. i've thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your answers!
•circle of concern: other peoples behavior what other people think about me, other peoples values.
circle of influence: my actions, my words, my thoughts.
This is something I've been working on for a while. Really trying to concentrate the things I have control over and letting go of the things that I don't. It does lead to a much less stressful life.
• This executive was great, he saw what the presidents weaknesses were and he recognize that his strengths would be a compliment to the presidents weaknesses. by being proactive he became an indispensable part of the company.
@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.
✒️ 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 this executive was that they were trying to explore or discover different ways to talk about other people's problems (rather than own), and what he did that was very intriguing was take a positive from each person (this is very motivating). He is a person who contributes different ways, unique ways to help him and that also assist the entire team. Very motivating to watch and see it in action.
@WishUponAStar968
Hey Wish, I appreciate your effort to make your answer more eye-catching using beautiful graphics. Glad to hear that you want to focus on the things that you can control and allow the rest to go away. That's such a powerful thought. 😊💜
✒️ 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 in my circle of concern.
Whether I'm enough to do a certain thing?
What others would have felt about my action?
Whether I'm falling backwards or going slow?
Three things in my circle of influence.
My health
My reaction
Practice
I can remind myself that what others think, feel, or do is out of my hands. I cannot make them feel or think the way I want. I can only focus on doing good in general while prioritizing my values and choices without intentionally hurting anyone. I can remind myself that my only competitor is the current me, by practicing, by taking little steps everyday to become a better version of myself gradually. 💜
✒️ 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 I understood is that being reactive is way more easy than being proactive. Complaining and whining takes no effort and it will not change the scenario. Everyone was sharing their concerns while the executive understood that simply criticizing will bring no good, instead making a move is what necessary. So instead of complaining with them he took an initiative to compensate the weaknesses of the boss. By increasing his circle of influence he became someone who can bring a change in the organization. Like someone said, if you aren't seeing any change, be the change!
@ChromaticFinss
Insightful.
@FrenchToast
Three things in my circle of concern: other people's actions, other people's words, and other people's choices
Three things in my circle of control: my behaviors, my reactions, and my words
#1 choices for circle of control: Trust is the glue of life. Make a positive difference in relationships.
@4Jasmine
I love this! I have the same problem on constantly worrying about what other people think of me, instead of focusing on my faith. In my faith, what God thinks of me is the only thing that matters. So I have to remind myself that what others say or think are of no concern to me, and in the grand scheme of life, doesn't matter one bit. At the end of my life, I want to be able to say that I focused on bettering and growing myself, not have to say that I was too focused on what others thought of me that I didn't accomplish what I wanted to or what I was destined to accomplish in life.
You've got this Jasmine! 💪
@KaylaMaulfair
Thanks.😊
@FrenchToast
What stands out about about this executive is that he was proactive about the situation with his boss. He empathizes, understands, supports with his corporate peers. He provided recommendations to has boss as he gave his expected report.
@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: Circle of Influence:
1.) How others see my past & judge me for 1.) My faith
it 2.) My integrity & morals
2.) How my brother see me & what he might 3.) My work ethic
do next to negatively impact my life
3.) My health & constantly worrying about
what will happen next
One thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence, is to be mindful of what thoughts are going through my head, and what feelings I am experiencing. Being mindful about my thoughts gives me a chance to correct myself on what I am focusing on, and redirect my thoughts back to 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?
The executive was very proactive. Instead of getting frustrated and upset and talking about his boss with his other coworkers, he chose to work harder, figure out his bosses strengths and weaknesses, and find ways to complement his bosses strengths, and fill in for his weaknesses. When he chose to work like this, proactively, it helped to make the team work better and more efficiently. I absolutely loved this video and this entire lesson!!
I will respond to one of my peers after posting this discussion.
@FrenchToast
Three things identified in my circle of concern:
1) Other people's actions
2) Other people's words
3) The past
Three things identified in my circle of influence:
1) My behavior
2) My reactions
3) My decisions
One thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence:
1) Be proactive, always treat people as if they are proactive.
@FrenchToast
In the 2nd video the leader didn't listen to his team and was too dictorial. One employee was proactive by listening to his peers, taking time to talk things through with them, empathize with them, and hear their recommendations. Then he complemented his leader's strengths and compensated for his weaknesses.
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. When I perceive people's intolerance and inability to compromise with one another.
2. Aspects my own health and abilities following injury
3. Racism
____
1. Reminding myself of my own circle of influence and cultivating acceptance of what I can and can't control
2. Maintaining integrity when I do encounter instances of the above (racism and other forms of intolerance)
3. Doing what I can to improve my skills and abilities (injury)
✒️ 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 accepted the circumstances and worked with them instead of against them. He worked with the people around him, including his boss, to the true benefit of everyone. He is an example of awareness of different styles of leadership and adapting in an effective manner.
Listened, observed, perceived, supplied the skills that were "missing" to make a productive whole. Not to mention that he worked hard and with dedication to do it.