Goals, persuasion, avoidance

Hello friend,

On October 13, 2021, I published the first edition of this newsletter.

In about two weeks, on September 6, 2023, it will be the 100th edition.

I started this newsletter while I was working from home and when things began to get back to normal after the two serious waves of the pandemic.

A lot has changed over the past 2 years.

I think this is the only activity over the past 2 years where I have remained consistent.

And it wouldn’t have been possible without your encouraging and thoughtful replies. Even if you have never responded, I am still grateful that you take a few minutes every week to open and read the email.

So, thanks a lot for being here and for bearing these weekly ramblings, reflections, and recommendations! 🙂

While I unpack learnings and reflections from the last 2 years, I’d love to get to know you and connect with you over a 30-minute conversation.

I don’t have a specific agenda and we can decide on topics beforehand, if you want. Even if there is no agenda, think of it as a casual chit-chat and a heartwarming conversation with an online friend!

If you’re interested, just hit reply to this email and we’ll schedule something over the next two weeks or so. 🙂

On that note, here is what I have to share:

Article of the week: The Paradox of Goals​

The author of this article, Anne-Laure Le Cunff explores the downsides of traditional goal setting and contrasts with an alternative approach called growth loops. She argues that setting goals can lead to disappointment, whether we achieve them or not.

This is because they create unrealistic expectations and ignore the complexity and uncertainty of life.

Instead, growth loops are focused on experimentation and feedback and help you learn and grow without being attached to a specific outcome.

​Read the entire article here​

Book of the week: One-sentence Persuasion Course

This short book was barely a 1-hour read but quite powerful. The author distills his years of experience and research in the field of influence and communication into one sentence.

“People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions, and help them throw rocks at their enemies.”

Blair Warren

It might sound simple but that is what makes it so powerful and effective. The rest of the book has some good examples and he also explains some caveats associated with it.

But, overall I loved the concise and straightforward nature of this book.

Tweet of the Week: Prompts if you’re avoiding something​

Sometimes we have to do things we avoid the most.

Starting a new exercise routine. Begin a reading habit. Starting a new blog or a YouTube channel. Pitching to your dream client.

But, it is not always easy.

The expected discomfort and pain or the possibility of failure associated with the activity can be paralyzing.

Or we might think we are not completely ready.

​This tweet by Isabel gives you three prompts to get over that resistance and take the action you are dreading the most.

• How would you start if you knew you would succeed? (do that)
• What would you do if you believed in yourself 100%? (do that)
• How would it feel to complete what you’re avoiding? (fill your body up with that feeling, hold it, then start)

That’s all from me this week, folks!

Until next time,
Love,
Vishal

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