The Better Blueprint

Understanding When to Act and When to Reflect

In a timeless setting, wisdom flows from observing life's natural rhythms, encapsulated in the metaphors of muddy puddles and leaky ceilings. Muddy puddles represent transient worries—those that, like after a storm, momentarily disturb our peace. The lesson here is one of patience: allow time to clear what initially seems murky. It's a reminder that constant fretting only muddies our thoughts further, whereas stepping back can bring clarity and peace.

Leaky ceilings, in contrast, symbolize the pressing issues that demand immediate action. Ignoring a small leak can lead to a collapse, teaching us the value of proactive attention. This metaphor underscores the importance of addressing problems promptly, preventing minor concerns from evolving into major crises.

From these observations emerges a powerful principle: the art of discernment.

Knowing when to pause and when to act is vital. It teaches us to differentiate between what is fleeting and what truly requires our energy and resources. Embracing this wisdom equips us to navigate life with a balanced approach, ensuring we invest our efforts wisely and maintain peace amidst life's inevitable challenges.

Making better decisions

The OODA Loop

The Observe-Orient-Decide-Act ("OODA") Loop was developed by Colonel John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist, as a decision-making tool for use in complex and high-stress situations.

The OODA loop is an iterative process of four key steps:

1. Observe: Observe the environment and gather information about the situation. Actively seek out information from various sources, such as data, reports, and feedback from stakeholders. It is essential to collect as much information as possible to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

2. Orient: Orient oneself to the situation. Analyze the information gathered in the observation phase and assess how it relates to the current situation. Consider previous experiences, biases, and mental models to help understand the context of the situation. The orient phase allows for a deeper understanding of the situation and helps to identify patterns or trends.

3. Decide: Decide on a course of action based on the information gathered and the analysis conducted in the previous two steps. This decision-making process should take into account the potential risks, consequences, and outcomes of each option. It is important to consider different scenarios and their potential outcomes to select the most appropriate course of action.

4. Act: Act on the decision made in the previous step. This involves executing the chosen course of action and monitoring its progress. It's crucial to remain flexible and adaptable during this phase, as unforeseen challenges often arise, requiring a reassessment of the situation and a potential adjustment of the course of action.

The OODA loop is intended to be iterative, meaning that the results of each step feed back into the beginning of the loop, informing subsequent iterations. For example, new information gathered during the ACT phase may require a return to the OBSERVE phase to gather additional data.

A Great Quote

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt​

Embracing the Counterintuitive: A Deep Dive into 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck'"

Manson, with his candid and often profanity-laced prose, offers a starkly different approach to personal development—one that might just be the cold splash of reality many of us need.

At its core, Manson's book is a manifesto on the power of focusing our attention and care on what truly matters to us, rather than being swept away by the trivialities that often consume our daily lives. It's not about becoming indifferent or emotionally detached; rather, it's about cultivating a more discerning approach to our values and where we choose to invest our limited resources: time, energy, and yes, our f*cks.

1. Confronting Discomfort with Brutal Honesty

One of the book's most impactful messages is its call to confront the uncomfortable truths of our existence. Manson argues that growth and comfort do not coexist, and that facing the realities of our limitations and the inevitability of suffering is the first step toward a genuine, contented life. This idea, while not new, is presented with a refreshing directness that strips away the sugar-coating found in much of today's self-help advice.

2. Redefining Success and Happiness

Manson challenges the reader to redefine what success and happiness mean to them, advocating for a shift away from societal expectations and towards personal values. He emphasizes that true happiness comes from solving problems and engaging with life's inevitable challenges, not from avoiding them. This redefinition asks readers to look inward and question what they truly value and if they're willing to struggle for those things.

3. The Economy of Giving a F*ck

A pivotal concept in Manson's narrative is the "economy of giving a fck." Simply put, we have a limited amount of fcks to give, so we must be careful about where we invest them. Manson urges readers to be selective, to care deeply about fewer things. This doesn't mean adopting a nihilistic view but rather prioritizing what's genuinely important and letting go of what's not.

4. The Freedom of Responsibility

Manson expounds on the freedom that comes with taking responsibility for our choices, including our reactions to situations beyond our control. This empowers readers to take charge of their lives, acknowledging that while we may not control everything that happens to us, we control how we respond.

5. The Cult of the Extraordinary and the Value of Mediocrity

In a society that worships the extraordinary, Manson makes a case for the value of being average. He argues that constantly striving for exceptionalism only leads to dissatisfaction and a feeling of inadequacy. Embracing mediocrity, according to Manson, is not about giving up but recognizing and appreciating the ordinary aspects of life and finding contentment in them.

About : Welcome to our forthnightly newsletter, where in each edition, you'll find two sections dedicated to personal growth, a meticulously curated quote to inspire, and a review of a life-changing book. Plus, we'll occasionally delve deeper into habits and self-improve7