Random Walks

One more minute

March 25th, 2022

It is easy to delay ourselves by just one minute. We hit the snooze button on our alarms, or we just need to finish off this one task before we start with the next important task. And that’s how we get delayed, a minute at a time.

What if, instead, we’re merciless with time like the clock is? A minute is a minute is a minute, and once the day is over, minute by minute, we can’t have it back.

When chasing an important deadline, we know that we need to prioritize, and we cut out all non-essential tasks. We make those minutes count. Ironically, by cutting out the non-essential tasks when on the critical path, we create more time for them when we can. That way, we can get both done, a minute at a time.
Now it makes sense

March 24th, 2022

Sometimes it’s difficult to explain, even to ourselves, why we did something. But, we can always explain it to ourselves and whoever cares to listen. While we have this inner dialogue with ourselves to explain our actions, we don’t have the same context of other people’s motives.

Viewed from afar, the actions of others sometimes look crazy. You cannot understand how a person could have made such a decision or taken such an action. Of course, we’re judging the action, and not the motives.

But, if we consider our own case, it becomes obvious that other people have the same challenge, i.e., they understand why they do what they do, but are perplexed by our actions or decisions. And therein lies the opportunity to engage. All behavior makes sense with enough information.
Preparation

March 23rd, 2022

We practice, not because we enjoy it everyday. We practiced so we are prepared for when we are required to perform. If we have seen it already in practice, performing is a matter of repetition.

But sometimes, preparation allows you the opportunity to not engage. For if your opponent knows that you are prepared for war, maybe that in itself averts war.

There appears no reason, therefore, not to make time to prepare. Whether for protection or competition, preparation improves our chances of success.
Managing the process

March 22nd, 2022

So many times the story we tell is a revision from what happened. We recreate the past when we reflect, and we, without realizing it, recreate a different reality.

One way to get a hold of the true story, and learn on the way, is to manage the process. A bit of planning, checking in on progress, and then reflecting. Because we have multiple points to check in, our story has a greater chance of being grounded in reality. And that might improve how we learn.
Ask not

March 21st, 2022

As we celebrate our 32nd year of independence today, one is left with many questions. We ask how far we have come. We ask if we have done all we can for our country. We ask how we can contribute to making Namibia a great country for our children.

It’s useful to remember John F Kennedy’s call not to ask what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country.

One more minute

Now it makes sense

Preparation

Managing the process

Ask not