Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Course 3: PL 102 - The Problem is the Path (Discussion 1)

GlenM August 26th, 2020

Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 3, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/shows that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and follow the instructions given. Save your responses to a document that you can later refer to. You will need to copy/paste your response in the course evaluation form at the end of each course to show that you have done the work and to refresh your memory.
-

Hello LDP Team!

I am enjoying this program and I hope that you all are finding it helpful and meaningful! I'm excited about this next course. 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.

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.

https://youtu.be/tD0aFZkFrFA

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?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj8dmSgQa1c

Bonus: Check out chapter 8 of the book 7 Cups for the Searching Soul (more in the next discussion) for a deeper dive into learning more about accepting what we cannot control.

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.

(edited by @SoulfullyAButterfly on 29/1/2021 to update (1) to replace it with a working YouTube link)


This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.

411
Suryansh May 13th, 2021

Hello Everyone!

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.
~ Three things in my Circle of Concern: My Family, My Education and Future, Global Health and Justice
~ Three things in my Circle of Influence: Taking care and spending more time with my loved ones/family, taking care of my health and studying hard with consistency, environmental issues.
~ One thing I can do to Remind Myself to focus on my Circle of Influence: Say myself that I can control and change some things, not everything and so to work hard and bring a positive change in what I can control and change, rather than focussing which is not in my control. Also, thoughts and quotes motivate me a lot.

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?
What stood out to me about the executive was that he worked hard and made changes in his own behavior instead of trying to change the behavior of the boss/president. He worked so that his strength could complement the president's strength, and that it would compensate for the president's weakness. Rather than getting vexed or griping over the president's conduct, he was empathetic and sorted out some way to work with him and the rest of his associates to help keep the workplace positive. This was what they did that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive.

Thank You!

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

1 reply
peacefulIris56 May 22nd, 2021

@SuryanshSingh

That's a good way to look at thd situation.

load more
DigitalKnight May 21st, 2021

@GlenM

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.

My 3 concerns :

1) My Grades

2) My relationship and insecurities attached to it

3) My unpredictible future

What can i do?

I can study harder, not get demoralized by falling grades

I can try to give my partner privacy and personal space. I can try to be more understanding.

I can lay out a plan for my future, where i want to see myself in 5 years and start gradually working on it.

How can i remind myself?

Whenever i feel stuck or unable to cope with a problem, I need to re-evalute my approach to the problem. Is what i am focusing on constructive and solvable? If not, i need to change my focus towards my circle of influence.

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?

Had the executive been reactive, he would probably have felt victimized like the others and unable to see any clear soolution to the problem. Instead, he was smart and proactive, he compensated for his weaknesses and made them irrelevant. He empathized and focused on his strengths, As a result his circle of influence grew and he started moving towards success. Great lesson to be learned!

1 reply
peacefulIris56 May 22nd, 2021

@DigitalKnight

I'm happy to see you focusing on the lessons.

load more
peacefulIris56 May 22nd, 2021

I am happy to see all the people that focus on self-care, the care for others, looking at situations and the bigger picture and focusing and finding solutions, believing in teamwork, having self-control, knowing what can and cannot be controlled, focusing on strengths and strengthening weaknesses, having courage and determination, being optimistic and giving positive, uplifting and encouraging feedback and support, focusing on positive goals such as academics, career and abundance for oneself and others. And also wanting to be a positive influence to create positive change. And many things more that were mentioned.

bigmac73 May 22nd, 2021

1.Circle of concern: Anxiety Depression Low self esteem Circle of influence: Engage others, increasing social intelligence and reducing anxiety Become proactive, creating self worth Respect others and don’t denounce someone. Combined with the above, this will lead to a reduction in depression. 2. The executive was both empathetic and sympathetic to their boss. They recognised the strengths yet acknowledged the weaknesses of there boss. They then focussed on the areas where attention was immediately required, understanding that this would in turn make their boss become more confident. Empowering both him and his boss.

peacefulIris56 May 22nd, 2021

@GlenM

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.

My circle of concern and circle of influence are of the same same people. People who are self-determined, like to get along with others and are optimistic about themselves, others and the future. People than can learn from past mistakes and turn them into positive opportunities.

One thing to do as reminder is self-care and make sure that people are focused on themselves as individuals and also focused on themselves as a part of the collective.

https://youtu.be/tD0aFZkFrFA

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?

What really sticks out to me is that he took the initiative in making a difference and did it in a way that was constructive.

2 replies
helpfuldipper June 10th, 2021

@peacefulIris56 Amazing analysis !

GlenM OP September 14th, 2021

You are welcome!

GlenM OP September 14th, 2021

You are welcome!

load more
shallowWater7547 May 22nd, 2021

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.

Three things in my circle of concern are:- My education, family and health and the three things in my circle of influence are:- being consistent in studies, being healthy and stop caring what other people think of me.

Reminding myself that consistency is the key of sucess.

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?

He was proactive and he focused on his circle of influence. He worked hard to control the situation by anticipating his president's needs and concerns rather than responding to the problem after it has happened.

1 reply
peacefulIris56 May 22nd, 2021

@shallowWater7547 I think that it's great that you are focusing on being healthy and to stop caring what other people think about you. This will help you focus on yourself not. Also people are always going to have their opinions.

load more
May 24th, 2021

1. 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 future, my family, and my frailties are my three concerns. The same three things are in my circle of influence if I remain patient and faithfully let things gradually move forward. I can remind myself to practise acceptance (of my limitations) and to imbibe further composure and steadiness.

2. Next, watch the 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 maintained his calm and kept distance from what is going on, which enabled him to read the situation and work ways to focus and expand on his circle of influence.


Bonus: Check out chapter 8 of the book 7 Cups for the Searching Soul (more in the next discussion) for a deeper dive into learning more about accepting what we cannot control.

The analogy of Aunt Maggie well explains the nature of problems in life. The problems feel burdensome to bear, let alone face. Yet, if we take the courage to face and look to work your way through it, then this problem-solving journey is what brings a greater level of happiness and success in life; this is the only-way you grow and evolve as a person.

1 reply
helpfuldipper June 10th, 2021

@Fristo Great analysis and detailed answer !

load more
lueurspace May 24th, 2021

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 - studies, the well-being of my family, better future for myself and those I love

Circle of influence - performance in studies, interpersonal relationships, my own development

1 thing to remind me to focus on my circle of influence - "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at, changes." Realize what things you have control over, no point in grasping the sand any tighter, it will always just escape away

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?

I like how he only focuses on what he can improve, little by little he decided to expand his circle of influence by being proactive. He remained calm and did not stress over what was not under his control. They took out time and slowly started working with different people, asked questions, and made a detailed analysis of their findings. He didn't react to his situation, he instead tried taking the situation into his consideration and gave it thought, did not do something as a reflex!
Bonus: Check out chapter 8 of the book 7 Cups for the Searching Soul (more in the next discussion) for a deeper dive into learning more about accepting what we cannot control.

I will read the complete book, I am looking forward to it so much!

You can't give your life more time, so give the time you have, more life.

LovetoGod May 25th, 2021

@GlenM

1. 3 things in your circle of concern -: my life, my studies and my family

3 things in your circle of influence-: my studies, my family and about the world

1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence-: I guess to not think too much about the people and things I am concerned about. Moreover, doing something better than thinking.

2. This executive shows the quality of good leadership. He is proactive. He really did hard work and he focused on the circle of influence. He didn't give up. He understood and learnt things to do better. Rather than, thinking or worrying he utilized his time and energy and in the end, he got good results and got success.

The book seems really amazing and great. I didn't read whole book yet. But I will for sure. In the chapter 8 of the book, they have told us about the ways to get calm. The best thing I learned in that chapter is worrying doesn't work. And I agree with this statement. By thinking and worrying about the past, nothing is going to change. Moreover, we would start feeling anxious and worried. So it's better to accept our present and we should work on it to make our future bright. And I read about mindful exercise and gratitude it was really very well explained 😊

4 replies
peacefulIris56 May 25th, 2021

@LovetoGod I like the way that you look at this. It's true that worrying or that being stuck on the past prevents us from taking the initiative and making achievements. I feel that worrying also decreases good moods and optimistism about oneself, others, the world and the future. I like how you stay optimistic and take the initiative to share your perspectives. I also have seen you support many team members in positive and uplifting ways. You show a lot of love also. By being in those ways, you are setting a great example of support and progress. Keep up the good work!!!

3 replies
LovetoGod May 25th, 2021

@peacefulIris56

Yeh, I agree with you. And worrying really creates a negative and bad environment around us. And awww thank you so much. It really means a lot. Your reply always makes my day and I am really grateful for your appreciation. You are also giving me support by appreciating me. It's just awesome. Thank you❤❤

2 replies
peacefulIris56 May 25th, 2021

@LovetoGod You're welcome!!!

1 reply
LovetoGod May 25th, 2021

@peacefulIris56

💖

load more
load more
load more
load more
Enbyowl May 30th, 2021

1) Circle of Concern: my little sister, my health, my education Circle of influence: my mental health, relationships with those in my life, working hard In my circle of influence: I am in charge of who I have in my life. I don’t have to keep people who bring me down in my life. 2) The executive showed amazing leadership skills by looking at the circle of leadership and trying to expand upon it as well as improve upon it. He was proactive in reading through the situation.