Posted on 08 Apr, 2009 -
12 Incredibly Useful Tips for Surviving the New World
12 Incredibly Useful Tips for Surviving the New World including:
* Think and act like Google - and remain flexible to survive
* Never stop dreaming
* Be a good friend
* Keep the burglars out of your home
After the big G20 event in London last week, newspapers on Friday regaled us with details of “Brown’s new world order”.
While I have my doubts about whether the new world order will belong to Brown, there’s certainly no doubt that things are going to change. My offering for you this week, therefore, is a collection of 12 tips for survival and change that I have been gathering over recent weeks.
In no particular order…
1. Keep Your Property Safe
With burglary on the increase, it pays to ensure you’re protecting yourself properly. Burglars are opportunists so make sure your home doesn’t look like the easiest target on the street if they’re strolling down it. An accessible open window is like inviting them in - especially if it looks like you might be out too. Make doors and windows hard to break into with good locks. Consider timer switches when you’re not in to make it look like you are. Don’t leave the boxes of new electrical equipment out for them to see. Lock away any ladders or tools that could help them enter.
2. Be flexible to survive and keep your sanity
We are all in some way or form currently going through a period of change and uncertainty. If you get used to the idea that many things in your life may change then you will be better prepared to deal with it. If we are too rigid in our opinions about how our lives or the world should be then we have more chance of getting snapped or damaged. Be ready to adapt and survive with energy and a positive attitude no matter what happens to you. Embrace any change and make it work for you.
3. How exactly can you think and act like Google?
There’s a new book out at the moment called What Would Google Do? which I haven’t read but fortunately it’s the kind of book you can flick through quickly for free in the bookshop! Basically it’s a book about how to make the most out of the internet age - especially in the work and business world but also in your private life as well. Some of the tips that speak for themselves and make good 21st Century sense include: Do what you do best and connect with the rest. Join networks. Life is public, so is business. Your customers are your ad agency. In the new economy, small is the new big. The mass market is dead - long live the mass of niches. Middlemen are doomed. Be honest and transparent and listen. You can’t win in life or business anymore by being evil or self-serving.
4. Develop the right kind of mind
Another book I have been reading is 5 Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner in which he lays out a recipe for the 5 kinds of minds that he hopes people will develop more in the future. If you can help yourself or your children develop these kinds of intelligence then you will be more likely to excel in the challenging and complex modern world - as well as influence the future positively.
A Disciplined Mind needs to be rigorously trained in the disciplined ways of thinking and analyzing of a certain academic, business or scientific field. Knowledge of facts is not enough, you also need to be able to apply analytical ways of thinking (think Marie Curie). A Synthesizing Mind has the ability to draw out a new big picture from a mass of information and changing human understanding; think Charles Darwin, Freud or Adam Smith.
The Creating Mind has the ability to innovate in whatever field it works or lives in - from the acts of parenting through to new ideas for education, technology, art or business. The Respectful Mind “notes and welcomes differences between human individuals and between human groups, tries to understand these ‘others’, and seeks to work effectively with them.” The Ethical Mind thinks about the nature of the work it does and looks for ways in which it can work unselfishly to improve the lot of all.
5. Develop keen problem-solving skills - whether it’s for your personal life or your work
It is a common human response to feel that because a problem has happened to us, it would take a very mighty effort on our part to defeat it. In many cases, in fact, this feeling makes us feel inadequate to solve the problem.
The first step in solving any problem is to make sure you understand clearly exactly what the problem is. The next step is to brainstorm lots of different ideas for solutions. Try to think of ‘crazy’ ideas for solving a problem, not just sensible or easy ones. Often it is these crazy ideas that will end up being right.
Evaluating and choosing one of the different solutions you’ve come up with is probably the hardest step - especially if you’re making the decision on your own. The important thing is to act. To do something. If the step or steps seem to big, can you start by taking small, tentative trial steps first?
6. Enjoy a feeling of equality with all human beings
When it comes to your relationship with the whole of the rest of humanity, understand that you are anybody’s equal and nobody’s superior. Try not to criticize others for their endeavors as surely all human endeavor is part of what makes us so wonderful. Understand, however, that no matter who you are or what you do, you are likely to have critics. We don’t all like, value or appreciate the same things.
7. Make sure that you have work and or hobbies that use the best of you
For lasting happiness it is crucial that you have activities that absorb you, entertain you and make you feel that you have skills that you do well. It could be anything from an outgoing and funny nature that makes you great company to have around… to an interest in bird watching, cake decorating or a love of mathematics. If you can find work that fits the bill then that is perfect but also remember that if you are to retire one day then you will need things you can do with passion then too. Hobbies, crafts and interests can be crucial for getting you through hardships and hard times.
8. Be a good friend
Family and friends are always crucial to our happiness - and even more so when times are hard. Make sure that in you your friends always have somebody who takes time to listen and understand exactly what is currently troubling them. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Make contact with people you haven’t spoken to in some time. In return, have the heart to turn to your friends for help or support when you need it (although not financial). In most cases, people enjoy the chance to help another human being when they can as it makes them feel good.
9. Never Stop Learning
Truly intelligent, successful and life-affirming people never stop learning. Keep your mind sharp. Read books that stimulate your thinking, creativity and joie de vivre. Taking an evening class can be a great source of stimulation if you feel your resources are low.
10. Never Stop Dreaming
Are your best days behind you? Only if you want them to be. It is never too late to start new things, meet new people, or take your life in a different direction. Don’t think for a second you can’t achieve your dreams.
11. Get outside at least once a day
This tip came from a list of tips for doctors on call in busy hospitals but I think it is great advice for everyone who is able to follow it. Staying indoors too long can make anyone feel claustrophobic and affect our vision of life, the world and the future. If you’re stuck inside, aim to get out for at least ten minutes. Look at the horizon. Breathe the outside air. Get a fresh perspective.
12. Ask questions
Wherever you go in life, whatever you do and whoever you’re talking to, ask questions. Not only do other people like being given the chance to talk about themselves and what they know, but the answers you learn will probably also benefit you in some way. Asking questions about the lives, pasts and careers of your acquaintances could help deepen your relationships. Asking questions in shops could help you make smarter purchases and perhaps get better discounts. Asking questions about how things work at work could help you work towards a promotion. Asking questions at school or about the things or opinions you read will help sharpen your intelligence. Asking questions at the doctors or hospitals will help you get a better level of care… NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK.
Happy surviving, thriving and forward-moving wishes for the whole of humanity!
