90 If you want people to listen, apply this
No. 90 – 8 Sep 2024
Welcome to the 90th edition of the True Progress Newsletter, a weekly newsletter on cultivating inner control and resilience for high performance.
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INSIGHTS
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People make the mistake of spewing knowledge and facts in a desperate attempt to persuade an audience. But people don't need more facts and data, they crave stories to make them feel connected and inspired. It’s through storytelling that you can bridge the gap and invite others to meet you halfway.
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If you can't tell a story, you can't influence. If you can't influence, you can't get buy-in for your ideas and make change. It's that simple.
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“Stories constitute the single most powerful weapon in a leader’s arsenal.”
— Dr. Howard Gardner
CHALLENGE
When was the last time you told a story to someone? Did it fall flat or were people genuinely intrigued? Too often, we tell stories just for the sake of it, without a clear purpose.
Next time, before you share a story, ask yourself: What’s the goal? Are you trying to sell, convince, connect, impress—or a combination thereof?
SYSTEMS
One in, one out.
Swap tasks to stop your workload from getting out of control.
This tactic helps you stay focused and maintain momentum without becoming overwhelmed. It works well when you have more incoming tasks than you can handle.
Here's how it works:
Check into your workload.
What new tasks or projects need your attention? For each new addition, decide which existing task or project you can delete or delay to make space for it. Which tasks are less urgent or less impactful than the new ones? Consider the trade-offs you're making. Ask: are you sacrificing long-term success for short-term gains?
Create or update your kanban board or to-do list to reflect the changes.
Till next week,
— Carlos & Stef
