The Working Ant

Outcome Obsession: Learn why focusing solely on the end result is a recipe for disappointment and inconsistency, and how to shift your perspective for guaranteed progress.The Power of the 30-Day Sprint: Discover a highly effective, no nonsense and no emotion strategy of focusing on one measurable activity toward your goal for a finite period (e.g., 10-30 days).Decouple Emotion from Execution: Embrace the "detachment" mindset to view your goals objectively, treating your pursuit like a product or program for more reliable success.Willpower Refueled by Joy: Understand how to postpone the "big prize" joy and instead use it as a "generation of willpower"—a sustainable supply to feel smaller pieces of joy along the way.Focus on Your Zone of Control: In an uncertain world, the feasibility of your success is on the "higher side" when you lean into what you can control: your proximity, relationships, and self-belief.

Let's unlock "real" impact through the "real" you.Redefine "Impact": Move beyond quantitative metrics (variables, metrics, insights) and discover a personal, controllable definition of impact rooted in self-belief.The Power of Conviction: Learn why your personal conviction—not external factors—is the single most important element for achieving your next career role, growth opportunity, and true efficacy.Conviction Breeds Connectivity: Understand how expressing your deepest convictions connects you with the right audience, building implicit trust and fulfilling a universal human yearning for authenticity in tough times.Impact as Character Evolvement: Discover how creating opportunities to express your conviction evolves your character, defining an impact that lasts and helps build a culture of success for both yourself and others.A Call to Action: Get the simple, powerful exercise to trace back moments of conviction and character to recreate that foundational strength for your future.

Welcome to another episode of The Working Ant. This episode focuses on impulse. We explore why impulsive decisions can derail both personal and professional growth, drawing on Stoic principles to show the power of slowing down and gaining clarity. Learn to recognize how impulse can sabotage opportunity, credibility, and relationship equity—whether in daily choices, workplace reviews, or career-defining moments.Key Takeaways:Impulse is often the enemy of sound judgment and self-representation.Clarity and reflection create confidence and yield better long-term outcomes.In fast-paced environments, it’s crucial to pause and assess context before acting.Using thoughtful language and resisting dismissiveness leads to stronger relationships and strategic success.Simple self-checks—like questioning motives behind quick decisions—can transform leadership and personal effectiveness.

What if suffering wasn't a roadblock, but the very foundation for your greatest achievements? In the latest from the Working Ant, we challenge the conventional wisdom that success comes from avoiding pain. Instead, we reveal how an intentional awareness of suffering—the emotional grit, the tough choices, the moments of resistance—can be channeled to build a life of purpose, quality, and lasting joy. Discover how to transform your challenges into catalysts and truly architect your destiny.What we'll explore together:Rethink Suffering: Uncover a powerful perspective that shifts suffering from a burden to a tool for personal growth.Unlock Emotional Capital: Learn how to consciously invest your emotional energy to achieve your most ambitious goals.Build with Awareness: Gain practical insights on building your career and life with clear intention, even when facing adversity.Find Your Edge: Understand how embracing discomfort can lead to deeper self-awareness and a more profound sense of accomplishment.

Only out of a real and desperate necessity comes innovation and transformation that lasts the test of time. This should be applied to yourself and the changes you yearn to realize. Real transformation requires a valor that is firm in conviction and a desperation to be achieved.“It is not hardships that are desirable, but the courage by which to endure them.”
— Seneca

Liberate yourself from the perception of others even when you depend on it.Marcus Aurelius said, “It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.”

Tips, strategies, and practical analogies on living in accordance with your nature. “Don’t ever forget these things: The nature of the world. My nature. How I relate to the world. What proportion of it I make up. That you are part of nature, and no one can prevent you from speaking and acting in harmony with it, always.”— Marcus Aurelius

I'm diving deeper into something I call "deliberate insecurity" - a strategy I practice in my executive leadership practice. It might sound counterintuitive, but I truly believe it's the key to thriving in today's world of constant change and AI buzz. Forget trying to avoid feeling insecure – I'm talking about intentionally stepping into those uncomfortable zones to build real mental muscle and emotional resilience.Here's a summary of what I talk about:What Exactly is Deliberate Insecurity? I'll break down what it means to intentionally embrace uncertainty and even potential failures, because that's where the real growth happens.Navigating the Future of Work: We'll tackle the anxieties around AI and automation head-on and focus on what YOU can do to develop the skills you need to stay relevant and fulfilled.Building Your Emotional Capital: It's all about pushing your boundaries, facing challenges, and building that "emotional capital" that will serve you well in any situation.Actionable Steps You Can Take Now: I'm not just talking theory. I'll give you practical things you can start doing today, like pursuing challenging projects, reaching out to new people, and sharing what you're learning.Being Vulnerable and Real: I encourage you to be open about your journey, both the wins and the struggles. That's how we connect and learn from each other.Taking Risks and Making an Impact: Let's talk about taking calculated risks, contributing to your organization, and finding mentors who can guide you on your path.

Your role requires you to wear many masks. Learn to craft yours wisely.Take Control of Your Image: How much control you really have over how others perceive you in different settings.Beyond Social Norms: Explore going beyond standard branding advice to showcase your unique capabilities.Perception with Purpose: Learn why having a specific goal for the perception you want to project is crucial for consistency.Navigating Uncertainty: Use your perception to lead effectively during times of change and challenge.Intentional Self-Promotion: Understand how to deliberately create opportunities to highlight the perception you want others to see, both professionally and personally.Reflect and Project: See how reflecting on events and projects can be a powerful tool to shape and share your desired perception.Consistency and Credibility: Learn why consistent self-perception promotion is key for building credibility and believability.Seize the Opportunity: Be encouraged to actively seek or create opportunities to showcase your best self and achieve your goals.

As an executive coach, I see the power of genuine connections every day. This episode dives deep into moving beyond transactional work relationships, revealing how to cultivate meaningful, loving bonds that not only boost your professional life but also enrich your personal growth.Key Highlights:Move beyond transactional: Shift from simply asking or supplying to fostering deeper, personal relationships at work.Conspire for success: Actively go out of your way to support and advocate for your colleagues' achievements.Disrupt your communication: Audit and change how you interact to avoid predictable, transactional exchanges.Express authentic care: Give what you need – offer variety, meaning, and recognition to others to fulfill your own needs.Be transparent: Share your needs and allow others to understand you, fostering a sense of being understood.

Are you truly being yourself, or are you holding back? I challenge you to examine whether you're suppressing your true voice for the sake of security or comfort. *Gratitude vs. Inhibition*: Understand how gratitude can sometimes prevent you from speaking out or taking risks, and how to find a balance.*Speak Up, Stand Out*: Learn why it's crucial to express your true feelings and push the needle, even (but especially) in challenging situations.*Prepare for the Future Authentically*: Discover how to prepare for potential disruptions by practicing more authenticity today.

This episode reveals how focusing on what's within your power can transform your work and life. Focus only on what is within your power to control—your own thoughts and actions—and accept what is not, for that is the path to prosperity and lasting fulfillment.You are the guardian of your mind and you must act accordingly": This is a powerful statement that resonates with personal responsibility and mental well-being.Choose what you can control. Lean into those things.The sooner you can accept the fact that there are only certain variables which you can in fact control...you will be much much better suited for a posture of prosperity

Feeling overwhelmed at work? Struggling to keep up with whack a mole like endless demands? Be aware of the outcome but more so understand the cycle of churn. This short episode dives into the importance of sustainable momentum and the power of investing in meaningful relationships. While you may not immediately be able to transition from being a task completer and operator to more of a maestro of your career, learn to focus on what you can control (relationships) and build connections that pay dividends in the long run. Tune in.

In today's episode, we're diving into the thought-provoking question: "Are you missed at work?" With the shift back to office environments, it's crucial to understand how your presence (or absence!) impacts your team and your personal brand. We'll discuss ways to gauge your value, whether through direct conversations, 360 reviews, or self-reflection. Remember, being missed isn't just about being likable – it's about aligning your contributions with your goals and ensuring you're making the impact you desire. So, are you ready to uncover the reasons behind your workplace presence?  Reflect on why you are missed at work and if it is for the reasons you want to be missed for. If you're not sure, ask colleagues directly or indirectly through a 360 review. Ensure you are adding value that aligns with your goals. Evaluate if your current work environment and role are fulfilling and conducive to your growth. If not, consider if it's time for a change, especially with the return to office mandates. Remember, your presence is powerful, so make sure it's impactful and aligned with your personal brand. Speak for your work in a compelling way that showcases your thought process and effort. Take time for self-reflection and invest in understanding your value and impact at work.

We’re hired for our experience. Every day in some way, we are applying our experience. We’re praised for our experience and compensated for the perceived level of experience we possess. We’re rewarded for the promise of applying our future experience by investing our time to create new experiences.We respect one another for our experience but also judge others based on their experience they have - a quality we seem to have little trouble assessing based on our own experience.   So what is experience anyways? We’re always chasing after it and we get paid because of it, right? Might as well define it since we’re so emotionally invested in it.   What is experience?   Events we’ve learned from. Tools we’ve accumulated and sharpened. A way of thinking. A belief or conviction built over the course of time.  Emotional maturity.  Environments we’ve worked in. Goals we have achieved. Learnings passed to others who have in turn been activated to apply our experiences to their own lives. And much more…   How diverse of a definition is that?   What experience is, in reality, is highly subjective.    Awards, accolades, and accomplishments reflect and validate the quality of our experience to others who question its impact.   In reality though, we must not only feel we are in a place where we are effectively applying our experiences, but also recognized and respected for them. That’s what keeps many of us here - in many ways it’s contributed to keeping me here.   What about future experiences?   We equally mustn't forget to position ourselves to create new experiences that enrich us and align with our principles and professional goals.  This is the difference between being paid and feeling fulfilled.   The great Stoic Seneca once said, “A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”

In uncertain times and under exceptional circumstances, leadership is strained and stressful. In "peacetime," where work is quite clear and career aspirations appear realistic and achievable, all this becomes thrown out the window when one has to operate in an environment that is equivalent to a battleground for relevancy, power, and survival. One must then ask themselves, how they can keep people inspired and motivated when everything in arm's distance from the island they operate on says "run for the hills!" And so one must ask, "Are you one with the people?" And if not, how do you even get there, or get back there after a prolonged passage of time? That's in this episode of the Working Ant.

There’s an old stoic saying that saying what is unnecessary, often leads to saying more than it is necessary. And so one must act as though he/she is the moderator of what they choose to say over what may be a natural byproduct of their personality. Context is everything. And so when you find yourself sharing something that may be an off the cuff remark, ask yourself if what you’re about to share is relevant, and more importantly, if it will lead to a better outcome – a more immersive and intimate relationship, an action that is ready to be made, a coaching opportunity for someone who may not be aware of his/her audience and is ready to deliver an important presentation. Keep your tongue warm means that you can control what is said knowing full well of the consequences and influence it may have on others. If you don’t have something nice to say, not saying it may also be detrimental to the person you’re trying to help or make a point to.  Instead think about the words you choose carefully and deliberately. Keeping your tongue warm and being aware of its placement in your mouth can regulate your language, word choice, tone, and delivery in a way that is more impactful and deliberate. And so, the next time you choose to let your tongue out “into the cold” or “out for a walk,” think through how you can bring it back safely indoors!

We often forgo the closest things to us, but we don't lose character, we simply lose sight of it. The quality of one’s character is what gives birth to one’s personality. It’s the bedrock to the base and the beacon in the light of careers and contributions.  Character channels charisma and character powers craft. Through it all, character at its core is what enables our ability to count on ourselves – the person in the mirror, the one staring at his/herself in the rearview pondering life’s givings and misgivings. If you feel you've lost the way, let character center you. Call on it and count on it with the conviction that it gives you.

Our expectations stick to us like a shadow to the body - always following us as a reminder of the presence and power they hold over our life satisfaction. Little do we reflect on why they are there nor do we contemplate reassessing their content and quality. Since we're almost at the half year mark, it's important to revisit the origins of where they've come from and the power they yield over us in how we conduct our day to day. Understand that these expectations are reflections of who you believe your potential to become. While this can cause a great amount of unnecessary stress, it can also deliver much needed joy in the journey. My hope is that you achieve the latter. Here's my approach to it.

It's a common theme to strive to have a voice in the workplace. Everyone wants a voice (well most people). With that voice carries a feeling of being heard and acknowledged as a focus vs. that of having influence of opinion and sway. I ask you to consider aiming for the latter which yields much greater power. This subtle difference is a game changer. Rather than ensure the decibels of your tone carry to the ears of empty space and time, ensure that it lands with gravity and substance. Aim to have a say - this is true power. When you can change culture, sway opinion, and feel the presence of your persona even when speaking few words, this is the essence of influence. Have say. This is the way.

There's something about the allure of the person who can see light in the midst of darkness. These days, optics of optimism are a rarity but a necessity. Without clarity on our motivations, we're spinning and spitting out work with little to speak for and celebrate. As a working professional you must go beyond your fellow peers and understand that if you are to get out this funk ahead, seeing opportunity when there is none is what will be your key differentiator. Look at your world not from the lens of its inhabitants, but from from its colonizers. See the efforts and painstaking demands of today as a small cost to your greater goals. Doing so elevates the primary reason for your success - motivation - which in turn produces unlimited will power to capitalize opportunity in the darkness. Like the lynx, you will see things others cannot. And like the lynx, your target will be clear when there is no light.

Do I want your life? This is more than a fair question to ask, but rather a necessary one, not to compare yourself to others, but rather to anchor on the possibilities for yourself based on theirs. For the sake of the conversation, let me double down on the latter half of the statement above and say that to compare yourself with others is often a theft of happiness when you look at your current circumstances from a perspective of deficiency rather than one of opportunity. Understand: You shouldn’t be ignorant and oblivious to the direction you are heading in your career. Often this anchor comes from the power of proximity of those around us and the limited but influencing and impactful visibility we have in their lives. Someone’s life may seem ideal for you and their style of influence and leadership can inspire you – this is wonderful.  Other times, it’s the opposite. And that’s OK. Consider: Building an ability to audit personal satisfaction through conversation and interaction. Rather than focus on what a person in power is saying, focus on what they are feeling beyond the subject matter itself.  If this person was on mute and you were disengaged from the subject; would they appear content with their lives? Would they be pleased with the accomplishments they have made in their careers? How would you perceive their character if you did not know them? Acting like a stranger to what you interact with, gives you new perspective and can often be the most objective. Do I want your life? This is a subjective question but asking it can be quite telling. I’m personally one that believes that the quality of our lives is dependent on the quality of relationships we have. When I look at people I aspire towards, I look it from the lens of the relationships they have with their peers, teams, friends, and family. What is one primary quality you value in people? What individual do you interact with today that lives out this quality? Do you aspire to have more of those qualities yourself? Remember: Achievement and Failure are based on the goals you set out for yourself. No one has more control over this than you. And so when you see someone who has appeared to “achieve,” ask what this really means to you – you may be surprised to see this person’s life (and your own) very differently after doing so.

You need not a reminder that if you want to get the lift back into your feet and the lightness in your walk, you must have a goal that is focused and enlivening - something that excites you, brings you closure or comfort in the present and injects confidence in the uncertainty around you. You also must accept the reality of resources in that you may not have the space or time to think through how to turn the influx of work, tasks, projects, and processes into something profitable. What is profitability anyways other than what you define it? It can be about money, title, scope, learning, impact, relationships, and personal growth - this is for you to define. However, you must make what you do profitable. Make this a must. Return on your own investment to the services you rendered through a paycheck by taking what you do and turning it into what you always wanted it to be. You may think this is an impossible task - but it's no more impossible than the tasks you are working on day in and out with turning in projects on time and with the quality indicative of the greatness that you are. And yet do not rely on anyone to take your possible and make it profitable. I urge you to make your possible, profitable. Here are few ideas how. Keep believing in yourself. You know your value and worth. There is still time. Thank you for investing your time with me.

In a time where competition is at its fiercest. A time where Generative AI has so many use cases that it feels like the “boogey-man” is coming to find a way to do what we do better, there more frequent moments where we can’t help but wonder, “How is this all going to play out in the next few years and where am I going to land after this recession and contraction in the market sorts itself out?” An alternative to consider? Activate your inner stupid and primitivity. If you didn’t know it already, your curiosity carries you. Ask for context before a vote of confidence in group-think. Give confidence only when you’ve been shown care for craft. Appeal to people’s incessant yearning to dominate their fields by resetting your expectations to that of student vs. a teacher or competitor. If you were competing for smarts, this approach sets you far ahead of the curve - away from the field, and in a league of your own, and best of all, on your own terms!

Imagine who you would define yourself as if you lost the pressure to please. These days we're constantly under a barrage of tests and trials over what's being asked of us to produce - especially those of us in teams that are no longer the same size but are left with the same scope. If the constant asks and barrage of demands keep coming your way, the likelihood of proving your capability, strategic thought, and impact must also bring anxiety and stress to maintain the perception of value you have built and brought with you over the course of time. Ironically, this overwhelming amount of work may have once come as a blessing to prove one's worth, but the incessant demands that have been brought in our economic climate, now bring a source of tension and unhealthy emotional well-being. One saving grace is the result of your response to the question of who you would define yourself if you indeed could lose the pressure to please. Those meetings where mouths move but you cannot process and where everyone has an opinion but yours feels mute is precisely when you should consider shedding the need to please from your modus operandi - that's in this week's episode of the Working Ant.

Remember when you wanted to grow up so fast because adults apparently had it all figured out? Look at yourself now, at whatever stage in life you may be. Are you at the beginning? Or are you near the end? These two questions can fundamentally change your entire experience of life. It's exceptionally challenging to close a door even when it might be the best thing for you. It also may be equally challenging to feel you are just at the beginning of something where you may have to struggle and sacrifice as you once did in the past all over again. On the other hand, the beginning can feel exceptionally enlivening and you may feel like you've been given a chance to correct things and make them right. While it could be overwhelming for some, it could be exactly what you needed to spark a new or renewed generation of thought. Use these two questions as structured interventions to interact with life again as you once did as a child.

With so much on the line and so much pressure to preserve what you've built, it's so easy to be blindsided about opportunities that pass you by. When the competition is all about finding a new job or keeping the one you have, creativity gets killed and fatigue takes over physically. In times like these you must not compete over what everyone is after, but rather shift the mound of your thinking towards places others are not looking. Your place of prosperity is determined by how you view events as is the quality of your life in how you perceive it and interact with it. Armed with this mindset, develop optics that see and seek opportunity through what you supply and receive every day. Be deliberate with your time, carve out space to reflect but also to detect the numerous opportunities that crave your attention. The time to capitalize is now.

Hello there Working Ant fans and subscribers, I've been feeling emotionally charged with so many imminent layoffs, economic uncertainty, and the power of bad becoming more prevalent now in the new year than ever before. It's hard to believe we're only in March, three months into the year, and facing a fervent reckoning with an unstable system and unreliable decision making that has led to a lot of pain and uncertainty for many of us. Today's episode is about having a choice when choice does not seem imminent and far from prevalent over how to conduct ourselves in our current professional circumstances.  This episode is how to create that choice when it's most difficult to do so. Ironically, it is precisely at this time when choice over how we conduct ourselves today, matters most in the long game future we are playing for. 

One of my favorite quotes of all time by Marcus Aurelius, "Love the Discipline You Know and Let it Support You," has been around for generations in his best selling memoir "Meditations." I explore this quote and what it means for our careers. How did we come to love the work we do? Was it a forced love? Or perhaps a learned love over time?  These questions of our relationship with work are very similar to the same questions we ask of ourselves in our personal relationships. The expectations we have of our work should very much determine what we intend to extract from them and the meaning they bring into our lives.  This podcast poses some very prominent questions to consider.

Likability remains one of my most talked about subjects here on the Working Ant.  Today let's dive deeper into the topic of Likability - specifically how 3 attributes  create lasting and authentic likability - Self Efficacy, Authenticity, and Opening the Doors of Childhood. The more likable you are, the more likely you'll close your next deal, nail your next interview, and build critical rapport in the workplace.

It's hard to believe but we all need a wake up call to what is the obvious, and that is, "What is your job?" In times like these it couldn't be more important and yet it's precisely in times like these that we struggle to define what we do outside of our title.  And you don't need me to remind you that your title says little about what it is you actually do and the value you bring to your role. This existential but fundamental question should be the very first thing on your mind. Ask yourself, "What is my job?" "What do I do?" and, "What do I really do?" Move from process to benefits, from ownership to operator, and align your aspirations once and for all to the role you seek for yourself. Whether out of necessity or out of principle, ensure you have a response to that question that is compelling, personalized, and quantifiable. Your career deserves nothing less!

I've often wondered why we consume so much of what doesn't move the needle or at best is neutral in contributing to our personal and professional development. Often times it's because the consumption of what is good for us simply isn't as "feel good" or compelling in relation to the necessity to change and grow. And yet, it bothers us when performance evaluations are inconsistent with how we view ourselves. More so, when we're tasked with projects and programs not of our choosing deep down we knew all along that if we had taken charge when we were supposed to, we probably wouldn't have found ourselves in that type of predicament.  Ironically and hypocritically, our appetite for consumption becomes even greater, subconsciously consuming even irrelevant nonsense with a belief that we'll consume our way out into a better place.  This appears like such irrational behavior and yet we rationalize it continuously in our lives. Make no mistake about it. What you consume you become.

It's that time of year when feedback starts to trickle through. While feedback is so important towards our career, it also is a cause for anxiety and fear of rejection. What's most important is that we don't fall to the mercy of other people's feedback for our own well-being. Do not compromise yourself simply for the approval of others. This is the perfect time to understand that your greatest feedback and approval comes from within.  While we do need good feedback to keep our jobs and maintain the quality of life we have built for ourselves and our family,  take heed towards truth and moral obligation to yourself above all else.

Happy New Year!! It's incredible how the new year has come upon us. Many of us feel compelled to make a decision - perhaps something that has been hovering over our minds for quite some time. And many of us want to make a decision knowing that something needs to change but have no idea how to do so. This episode of the Working Ant addresses these two scenarios with a very unconventional approach using cognitive distortion techniques from the world of psychology.  This basic technique, never once talked about from a career perspective will have you thinking...and then acting...getting you closer to making a decision for yourself in 2023.  It's better to make a decision with the right intentions over not making a decision at all. Move away from comfort and create something compelling for yourself. Your time has come.

One of the strongest forces of human nature is to be consistent with the identity we have developed for ourselves. This identity which has been built over the course of our lives holds within it our strongest values and beliefs about life and our experience of it - what we should and shouldn't do, what makes us proud, and most importantly, the expectations we have of ourselves. While there may be other mental "pulls" we have tendencies to pursue, the force in which we align ourselves with our identity, is one of the most prominent of all. On the most basic of levels, we believe we're "this kind of person..." We've made decisions in our lives a long time ago that "we're not the type that..." In other instances, when we think of our inner circles and an emotion surfaces of the type of people we surround (or do not surround) ourselves with, it also meets the expectation of the identity we have embodied as sacrosanct. And then there's the more obvious: Our culture, color of our skin, sexual orientation, religion, where we grew up, country of origin. In many ways this identity has helped us navigate our experience of life.  It's rationalized our behavior and reinforced beliefs.  This of course is a great thing because writing this today with an audience (you) to read it, shows just how far we have come to be in our positions and work for such a great company. Something to be grateful for and celebrate. This is not to say however that our identities should be immovable and unshakable. The bamboo tree, although slim and wobbly withstands multiple storms much better than the oak tree that is firmly in its roots.  Adaptability to changes that are in and beyond our control is what tests our ability to forge new identities - these could be situational, personal, professional, and everything in between. Holding on too firmly to your identity can hold you hostage to opportunities. Contracting at the slightest attempt to think of new possibilities for yourself is limiting what could potentially be a defining moment for your career. And who wants that? As von Goethe famously said: "The hardest thing to see is right in front of your eyes." As we head into the new year, I ask that you celebrate your identity for achieving everything you have in life up to this moment, and yet keep in mind that a new identity for yourself in the future is always possible, even necessary and overdue for some of us! Recognizing this takes great courage. In whatever you should choose, in the least choose for yourself. Be the master of your own identity. Own it. Flex it. Amplify it. Protect it.

It's so easy to have passive, transactional conversations.   The plethora of short, surface-level interactions we encounter leave much to be desired if our goals are to pursue more meaningful connections with others.    Your ability to shift these conversations, irrespective of the level or circumstances of those you are speaking with is a tool that is seldom activated or utilized - until you now.     Deliberately evoking anchoring statements, opening yourself up to more empathetic stories, sharing strong convictions, and ascertaining what has been implicitly said allows a depth of conversation to flow that facilitates stronger relationships for the future.    Your ability to have more meaningful conversations should be a priority for yourself in both your personal and professional career.  It starts with you.

This time of year, we reflect, we ponder, we anticipate, often hyper focusing on "If only..." in some form or another: • If only I had a larger paycheck • If only I was working on what I believe in vs. what I've been asked to do • If only I had more time! (Guilty) • If only my team was... • If only I made that decision There are SO MANY situations and circumstances where "If only" paired with "X" dominates our thinking and emotional capital, robbing us not just from reaping the rewards of appreciating the present moment, but preventing us from thinking clearly beyond "What would happen if I had what I was asking for?" The reality is, we're more focused on thinking about what we wish, could, should, and deserve to have that we stop focusing what would happen if we actually have them. Conversely, most of us lack self-awareness due to a collective illusion that because we don't have X -> insert vague, little thought out, unclear outcome, how did I even think that in the first place, reason!  This means that we turn our wants into needs primarily because of social influences outside of our own individuality.  This just means that we're prone to a level of reactivity based on the influx of "crap" that invades our purview everyday. Then again, I challenge you to focus on the question "What would happen if?" Seriously. What would happen if you attained those items on your wishlist? What would that mean beyond the moment of achievement? If we forget what we're truly fighting, striving, and sacrificing for, then how much more of "If only's" will we have vs. "What would happen if?"  Truth be told, I would imagine the former question dominating. And so we need to...you need to...remind yourself what you're in this for and what really will give you the fulfillment in your life long term.  This may take time to realize and for some longer to crystalize. That's OK. The most noble of efforts is to know thyself. Nosce te ipsum (Latin)

As we grow in our careers, our intelligence takes over imagination and yet it was imagination that got us here in the first place. Here's how to get your imagination back and recognize its key to your future.

Don't wait for the wind of fortunes to change your career path. Either you evoke an urgency for action, or become a sitting duck for others to take target at. Choosing the latter is not an option!

We celebrate other people's accomplishments but rarely do we ever tap into how they feel about them.  Transition having joy "from" to having having joy "with" another person's success and reap the benefits both in your relationship with that person, but more importantly, with yourself!

Chasing Care over Cure & the Expectancy Value Trap.

Are you on the right team? Are you learning from the right people? How obsessed should you really be with your work? Here's how to begin thinking about whether or not you're running the right race with your career.

Social loafing is real. Learn what it is and how to navigate your career around it.

It's a privilege to be back with you.

Inspired by a former manager, an over 15 year mentor, and a prominent technology leader here in the San Francisco Bay Area, this statement is perhaps one that lingers most with me as it has with hundreds of others I have had the privilege to coach.  Often one cannot find the words to structure thought when thoughts are currently battling for our attention.  What do we do? Do we take the path of greatest risk and resistance in pursuit of our passions in a profession that may or may not yield profitability? Or do we stay put, head down, sacrificing so much of what we desire for stability and certainty. Do stability and certainty promote sanity for you or do they not? Marcus Aurelius once said, "You may leave this life at any moment. Let that then determine your thoughts and actions..." Alas, we discuss a topic that will constantly be in the background before it surfaces to the foreground from the recesses of our mind. Understand: Often what we want most may not be what is best for us and yet, what should prevent us from pursuing what we love even if the destination is unknown? Realize: Allure of the unknown and the desire to pursue our professional passions can elevate our happiness just as much as it can torment our souls. Therefore you must act decisively.  What will it be? How will it be? Where should you be? Who is it you want to be!?

Who ever said you needed to be in a position of power to influence a team, an organization, or your manager?  Most of us feel we need to show up wearing a white robe or have a specific title so people can listen to us when it couldn't be further from the truth.  Maybe you want your voice to be heard more often or feel you want to be fully respected and appreciated for the value you bring.  Perhaps you have some great opinions that you wish others would take more seriously.  If you find yourself constantly wondering how you can stand out, be more respected, and be heard, this is an episode your ears wouldn't want want you to miss. Understand: Mastering the art of influence without authority is possible.  When decisions are made at the top, it's the ears of your leader that are lended to those most trusted. Know this:  Those that are masters of influence are often not visible to the public eye.  Don't shy away from the spotlight when you can also choose to maneuver around in the shadows.

You see it all the time. Managers and leaders demand excellence.  Your KPI's, OKR's, SMART objectives, and so on, keep you on your toes and in the know of what gets you to the next level.  What's not measured is heart, passion, and intent.  There seldom is enough time to identify rising talent because we're too in the weeds trying to stay afloat. There is a way forward through this - if not through you than it's with those around you.  Working to promote your colleagues, even your mid-level manager to a higher position will do you an enormous amount of good for your career. Know this: Your accomplishments can take you only so far - your relationships can take you further.  Bet on the right people to help progress in your career and you'll find enormous rewards in the long-term. An incredible deep dive into the psychology of creating winners so you too can win. That's in this week's episode of the Working Ant.

We all strive for a level of stability.  We wish for a sustainable, predictable lifestyle.  The hustle requires too much muscle and we tire out quickly expecting results, which when not apparent, make us default back to predictability and sustainability. Getting through the day is the obstacle in the way when you know things could be different for you.  What's worth the effort? The paycheck? The weekend? The house over your head?  Understand: All of these goals are noble and necessary, but they lead us to operate at what is sustainable whereas if we adopted a mindset of sustenance, our wheels would be spinning differently, our outlook would have more rigor, and our pursuit would be overflowing with passion.   Know this: Sustenance is what carries you to new heights. Sustainability will not.  That's in this weeks episode of the Working Ant! Love my channel? Do you feel inspired by my content? Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know your thoughts! Your Host and Coach, Ramy.

Need I say much more? We work so hard to get ahead and some of us can't seem to rise above the surface for air when it's already performance review time.  Wiping away the sweat, sitting upright in our chairs, deep breaths and in an instant the year has gone by. It's performance review time and with a stroke of a pen we're marked, graded, laddered, evaluated, and formally given a category of associated measured value.  And yet all this time we've been closing things out, whacking error moles, fielding support, presenting, managing, leading, sacrificing and so much more - we find ourselves evaluated not over output, but outcome. Dazed and frayed we freeze into a numb state unknowingly realizing that outcome is what truly mattered and what gets measured all along. Know this:  You will be measured (and more than likely remembered) by your outcomes, not output. In this week's episode of the Working Ant, you will walk away enlightened (at least temporarily) knowing what is truly important in your role.

*Know this: Whatever job or role you currently have that you don't believe adds any significant value to the company can in fact be transformed into an integral role that many depend on. *Understand: Perception matters.   *Realize: Most people will benchmark you off of feelings, not facts. If you're loving the Working Ant, please connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know!