Three Things I learned This Week
What do Rick Sanchez and Aristotle have in common? Well, they taught me something valuable over last week.
I have also added in a quote that I cooked up this week.
20–27 April 24
Your boos mean nothing to me. I’ve seen what you cheer for.
Rick Sanchez
I am waiting for the day I can use this properly. I think I am far too much of a people pleaser to really use this.
The quote is not just a clever retort. It’s a blunt reminder about the insignificance of others’ opinions and the importance of staying true to oneself.
How often do we let other people’s negativity or criticism get under our skin? Rick’s not about that. His character is celebrated for it.
In the world of “Rick and Morty,” Rick is known for his rebellious attitude and disregard for authority. He doesn’t play by the rules or seek validation from others. Instead, he does what he wants, when he wants, and he’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way.
So what’s the lesson here? Stop giving a damn about what other people think. Instead of seeking approval or validation from others, focus on what truly brings you happiness and fulfillment. Whether it’s pursuing your passions, chasing your dreams, or embracing your individuality, do it for yourself, not for anyone else.
Start your business.
Start writing that book.
Start building that portal gun.
Hell, start publishing on Medium.
While others may boo you for it, remind yourself how insignificant it is.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should ignore all feedback or criticism. It’s important to listen and learn from others, but don’t let their opinions define you. Your worth isn’t determined by the approval of others, it’s defined by your own sense of self-worth and fulfillment.
He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.
Aristotle
No great leader in history has achieved greatness without embodying qualities like punctuality, honesty, discipline, and dutifulness. All of which are inseparable from obedience. These characteristics form the foundation of effective leadership, enabling leaders to inspire trust, command respect, and achieve their goals.
However, obedience is often misunderstood. It’s not about blind submission or mindless conformity. Instead, it’s about willingly following the guidance and direction of others for the greater good. This obedience works both ways vertically. A leader soften should obey those whom they lead.
The truth is, obedience is far from passive submission. Obedience is a dynamic interplay between leaders and their followers. Leaders recognize that obedience requires reciprocity. They listen, empathize, and respect the perspectives of those under their command. This means leaders must create an environment where open dialogue, feedback, and dissent are not only welcomed, but encouraged. And dialogue works both ways.
No leader achieves greatness in isolation. The dedication, insights, and expertise of their subordinates are intrinsically linked to the success of the most effective leaders. In this dynamic, obedience becomes a collaborative endeavor, where leaders and followers work together towards a shared vision.
Leaders who fail to recognize the value of listening to their subordinates risk alienating their team and squandering valuable opportunities for growth and innovation. History is rife with examples of leaders who surrounded themselves with yes-men and paid the price for their hubris.
In contrast, great leaders actively seek diverse perspectives, encourage dissenting opinions, and empower their subordinates to contribute meaningfully to the decision-making process. By fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect, these leaders create environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to take ownership of their work.
Equating obedience with blind submission is something we should never do. Leaders who demand unquestioning obedience risk fostering a culture of fear and stifling creativity and initiative. Instead, true obedience involves a deep understanding of what is required, a commitment to shared values, and a willingness to follow directives. Running parrel along this is questioning and challenging anything when necessary.
In essence, obedience is a complex and nuanced concept that extends beyond mere compliance. It requires leaders to recognize the inherent dignity and autonomy of their followers, while also acknowledging their own responsibility to lead with integrity and empathy. When leaders and followers approach obedience as a collaborative endeavor built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding, the potential for achieving greatness becomes limitless.
Hope is a flickering light 10 miles down the road, not the streetlamps you walk beside.
Phil Luke
Streetlamps illuminate our immediate surroundings, offering a sense of security and familiarity as we navigate the paths before us. Yet, hope beckons from afar. It is a distant promise of possibilities yet to unfold. It’s the shimmering light on the horizon, drawing us forward with the tantalizing prospect of better days ahead.
However, in our eagerness to embrace hope, we often overlook its transient nature and the harsh realities of our present circumstances. We become fixated on the distant beacon, believing it to be a panacea for our current struggles. When, in reality, hope offers no guarantees. It’s a gamble.
Sometimes they pay off, sometimes they don’t.
Moreover, the allure of hope can sometimes lead to complacency and inaction. We become so enamored with the promise of a brighter future that we neglect the tangible actions and solutions available to us in the present. We relinquish control of our destinies, passively waiting for hope to materialize, rather than taking steps to shape our own futures.
So what’s the alternative? Well, I urge myself to focus on tangible steps, cultivating resilience to weather life’s storms and acknowledging the slow, incremental nature of progress. With a realistic outlook and an embrace of our agency, we navigate towards our aspirations, not solely relying on hope but actively shaping our destinies.
Hope may guide from afar, but it’s the actions we take, empowered by resilience and agency, that actually gets us there. It is the actions that one day make that light of hope the streetlamp we are more familiar with.
Hope is crucial to the human race, but we must be critical to why people are focusing on a light far away.
See you next week for another reflection on the week’s learnings.
