Topsoil Property Co

We are fixated on events. Our brains are hardwired to think about the here and now. Our brain is constantly scanning the horizon, trying to identify and combat any potential threats. This was great when we were cavemen running from lions. This instinct kept us alive. But today, the biggest threats in both our society and organizations are not from sudden events but from slow, gradual processes. But this wiring in our brain leaves us ill-prepared to combat a declining middle class, a failing public education system, and climate change. We try to be "proactive," but more often than not, being proactive is actually just reactiveness in disguise. We are conditioned to fight the "enemy out there" by reacting. We fail to be truly proactive - this comes from seeing how we contribute to our own problems. We are conditioned to blame outside forces for our problems - the government, our neighbors, our enemies, the press - they did this to us. Systems thinking shows us that th...

A professional shoots for the highest standards. An amateur settles for good enough. You are a professional at what you do , and an amateur in what you want to become . We have to choose the areas of our life that are most important to us (our priorities). And then work to close the gap between amateur and professional, to become the person we want to be. Thank you, MG .

Our world is built on averages. School and work have been built on the concept of fitting in . Teachers and employers ask "Show me how you're like everyone else (how you've successfully fit in), but still better than them (slightly better than average)." Our pursuit of being the same, only slightly better, has reduced our dreams to be slightly better than the people around us, rather than the best version of ourselves. Value individuality and value your strengths more than you value fitting in with the average. Thank you, TR .

Create a trigger in your life that builds your gratitude muscle. This could be: a 2-minute journal to end the day about what you are grateful for a sincere thank you a picture on your desk For MG , his trigger is this photo that hangs in his office. It's from a trip to Mali during their famine in 1984. Red Cross workers would measure children's arms. If too big, they did not receive the limited food ration b/c they could survive with no food. If too small, they did not receive the food ration b/c they would most likely die with or without the ration. Your arm had to be the "middle length" to get any of the rations. Be grateful for what you have. No matter the disappointment or supposed tribulation, do not whine or complain, do not get angry, do not last out atanotherperson to express your entitlement. You are not better than anyone else. Other people's (children's) terrible fate, undeserved and tragic, could have been your fate.

  Anger and embarrassment are often close relatives. Sometimes we get defensive about what we feel guilty about. Our brain and our ego tell us the "facts." Our heart and gut tell us the "feelings." Facts make us look good and minimize the feelings of how we've hurt the other person. Apologizing is hard to do well. It's scary so we avoid the pain of admitting we were wrong (or at least that we are partially responsible for the problem in the first place.) Everyone has a different version of how things went down and it gets really hard to sort out "facts" from "feelings." Stop the negative spiral downwards by: taking a deep breathe identifying what matters most (maintain this friendship etc) identifying what you authentically can say "I'm sorry" for do it. Say "I'm sorry" do not say "but", do not explain why you are still in the right after you say "sorry" Thank you AP .

Realizing the space between where you currently are (your reality) and where you want to be (your vision) makes you feel tension . It's uncomfortable to realize you are not where you want to be. It's motivating to imagine and work towards building something important to you. Two main barriers stop us from accomplishing our visions: A belief in our own powerlessness: "I don't have any influence or ability to change this situation." A belief in our unworthiness: "Who am I to make a change? It's not okay for me to insert myself. I don't have the right to make this decision and take this action." These barriers pull us away from our vision; they work to keep us rooted in our current reality. Be aware of the beliefs that are holding you back. Remember that feeling the tension means you are on the right path to accomplishing your vision. Thank you PS .