Brady Helps

I’m reading “Muppets in Moscow: The Unexpected Crazy True Story of Making ‘Sesame Street’ in Russia” now. I am most impressed by Natasha Rogoff’s transparency.Natasha describes the anxiety of living with decisions amidst great uncertainty. Was her new investor a criminal? Would her producer be alive tomorrow? What's real and what's not? Would she lose her job for making a bad decision?You and I are like Natasha.When faced with frightening decisions, it's not the act of deciding that paralyzes us. It is the unknown debt and effects of our actions that cause us stress.You and I can be more like Natasha.Natasha did not tell herself to "grow up" or develop a "stiff upper lip." She made uncertainty her advantage and not her liability. She also combatted her self-doubt with self-care and self-love.No matter where we are now -- looking for jobs, looking for fulfillment, seeking meaning... we must advance towards the unknown, accept that it might suck, and take care of ourselves along the way.Want to learn more about the book?

The most re-assuring words ever said to me: "you're going to be okay."'If you are like me, your life's story includes moments of stress, confusion, and discontent. If you are like me, you wish for some type of relief during times like that. "You're going to be okay" said by someone who cares about you provides that relief.Effective leaders, caregivers, and humans make bad situations better. They do this by re-assuring the humans in their charge that "they are going to be okay."

There are some that embark on a journey filled with optimism. They share their endeavor with everyone who will listen. These explorers ask for insights and guidance from others who might have made the journey or know something about the destination. Good explorers know that their best advice could come from the pessimists — the people who see the downside. Why? Because the pessimists offer a balance to optimism. I love asking pessimists for their thoughts on my ideas. I learn quickly what might not work, or I get their contrarian perspective on human nature. You and I, the ones who believe there’s got to be something more to this thing called life, need to seek out the pessimists and learn their views while maintaining our realistic spirit.

Do you ever struggle to translate the beautiful ideas in your head into words that others read? Like an out-of-control air traffic controller, you have too much idea traffic and you struggle to bring them into land. I am experiencing that feeling now. I find it helpful to write about it.It clears my head.Less noise.Clarity.

My friend tends to believe that what he learns from his preferred media outlet of choice is real. “I heard on the news that car thefts are up, that must be a terrible area of town. What’s wrong with these youth and their parents?” I ask, How certain are you that these claims are true? He responds, Completely.I ask, So certain that you would put your children on the line? I believe that my friend can and should believe what he wants. I also believe that we, you and I, are not as certain as we think we are. That said, there are 2 things I am certain on. I am 100% certain that the only thing I have right now is the present I am 100% certain that there is nothing I can truly be certain about. I would put my children on the line for those beliefs.… good thing that I don’t have them.

You are your world’s worst boss. You hold yourself to too high a standard — nothing is ever good enough.You expect too much from others — nobody’s good enough.You say things to yourself that you would never let a friend say to you. You are your world’s worst boss, and you get to change if you want to.

If the one thing you and I can bet on as being certain in our life is change, why do we have 5-year plans? Perhaps it’s because having a goal feels good — something to reach for. But if that’s true, then why would we have concrete goals? Think of people who have goals like “I’ll be a CEO after 5 years.” Maybe it’s not the goal as much as it’s a direction — know our “north.” I can get behind that. I then argue that having a 5-year plan is moot. Better to discover your “north” and live each moment moving forward towards it.

Is asking for a commitment fear inducing? Instead of asking can you get this to me, why not ask will you get this to me? “Can” feels better but might not produce action. However, “will” produces an outcome. Creating change doesn’t always feels good. In fact, a friction might be required for the change to take place and take hold. The “will” question invites the person answering if they will embrace that friction and ship their work. I recommend asking yourself plenty of “will” questions today. Will you?

I believe dogs are great animals. I love how they rush to the patio door and let out blood curdling yaps at the bushes — as if the bushes could hear them. I also love how they can go from “get the F!@# off my lawn” to “I love you, pet me, and take me outside” in a split second. They don’t need a “cool down” period or “space.” Dogs just go. In a sense, I wish I could move forward through life just as effectively as a dog.

If I’m sick and need a doctor, am I entitled to a doctor?If I’m a musician and need a gig, am I entitled to work?If I’m upset at my station in life, am I entitled to a better?How much does the intensity of our need influence our perception of entitlement? My working idea: higher need intensity >> stronger sense of entitlement. If my thought has wings, then my next question is: How might we need our needs by serving those we seek to serve better?