Brain Food #780: Lists of being
"A genius is the one most like himself."
Thoughts of the day
Nicholas Bate is a writer that frequently makes lists of 7 items and posts them on his blog. They are like mindful to-do lists, or nuggets of advice and life hacks themed around topics of interest such as meetings, coffee, productivity and, his latest one, autumn.
I like the idea of creating lists of 7 (and lists in general). They are both easy to put together and short enough to follow. In psychology, various experiments suggest that in our short term memory we can hold an average of 7 items. The number 7 is also considered lucky, so such a list will bring with it a sense of wholesomeness and symbolism, for those who enjoy the mysticism in symbols.
And lists have a confessional effortlessness that can never be found in a fully structured sentence or paragraph.
Here is a list on mindsets (and beliefs) that contains multiple truths. Consider what inspiration you can take from this to write your own lists, not lists that need to be checked off and thrown away, but to be shared with others, or kept to yourself to return to later on. And, more importantly, a list not about what to do, but how to be.
Basics: Mindset 7
It's our personal operating system. Have we done all the upgrades?
Beliefs drive behaviours drive results.
So what are your beliefs?
Do they help? No failure, only feedback.
Or do they hinder? I'm not creative.
Start observing your thoughts.
Edit those which are unhelpful.
A list of tips for playing a gig, but also for living a life, by jazz musician Thelonious Monk.
Two highlights:
“Don’t play everything (or everytime); let some things go by.”
“Whatever you think can’t be done, somebody will come along and do it. A genius is the one most like himself.”
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