My Blog

Leaving Your Comfort Zone

3/17/2021

Why should we step outside of our comfort zone?

Because just outside of it is where we experience EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH.

When we challenge ourselves, we advance in new and exciting ways. We can achieve more than we imagined possible. And we can use emotions such as fear and anxiety to PROPEL US FORWARD rather than allowing them to hold us back.

Was there a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone -- where were you and what was the result?

The Impact of the First Phrase Learned in a New Language

3/10/2021

The first phrase we learn in a language is usually memorable, and can have a potent and lasting impact on us -- it can arouse great interest, causing us to desire to learn more of the language.

Oftentimes people learn inappropriate or slang words first. One of the things that intrigued me most about Japanese was that this was NOT the case in my situation.

The first phrase I learned in Japanese (aside from words such as "hi", "bye", "thank you", etc.) was "taisho umakattayo" -- "master, how delicious!" This intrigued me, and I knew I wanted to learn more.

What was the first phrase that you learned in another language?

Degrees of Expression in Languages

3/3/2021

Many languages include words that allow the speaker or writer to communicate varying degrees of something. Let's look at this through the context of expressing feelings.

In English, our appreciation for someone can be expressed with words such as "like" and "love". Other modifying words such as "really" can be included to add emphasis.

In Spanish, when we communicate our feelings to someone, we can use a variety of words. Here are a few, along with their literal English translations, though the literal English translations don't always accurately represent the Spanish speaker's intended meaning:

"Gustar" -- to like
"Querer" -- to want
"Adorar" -- to adore
"Amar" -- to love

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Taking Bold Action

2/24/2021

If we want to achieve great things in life, we need to be bold. We need to take bold action. We need to make an impact. A LASTING and MEMORABLE impact.

It's a powerful way of elevating oneself to new heights. Of standing out amongst the crowd.

But taking bold action isn't easy. It requires confidence. It requires overcoming fear. Pushing worries aside. And doing what you know is right.

Many think bold thoughts. Few act on them. Be one of the few. ACT ON THEM.

Translating Across Languages

2/17/2021

Languages often contain certain words or phrases with meanings that are not easily translatable.

When we translate from one language to another, we run the risk of losing the exact meaning in the original language. And oftentimes we do. Perhaps not completely, but the meaning in its purest form may be lost if there is no equivalent in the target language.

A good example of this is the word "saudades" in Portuguese. This word, if we translate it directly into English would be "missingness". But the word "missingness" does not exist in the English language.

This is why learning other languages is so important. By doing so, we can understand messages in their purest forms. Without the need for translation. And without the risk of misunderstanding.

Generosity vs. Selfishness

2/10/2021

It is important to be generous. I didn't always used to be this way. As a matter of fact, I used to be quite the opposite.

But over time, I began to find more value in focusing on giving rather than just on receiving. And when we give we tend to receive. In dividends.

I'm not saying that we should never be selfish. As human beings, we have desires and dreams, and we should pursue them. But we should also give to others.

We should look to strike the balance between giving to others and giving to ourselves. With, in my opinion, the scale tipping toward helping others. This doesn't come naturally to everyone. However it is something I believe is worth aspiring to.

Saying a Little vs. Saying a Lot

2/5/2021

Saying less than necessary is often better than saying too much.

When we utter too many words we run the risk of oversharing and saying something that ends up hurting, disqualifying, or negatively impacting us. I have certainly "stuck my foot in my mouth" quite a few times in life.

And therefore, choosing our words carefully is wise.

So don't be surprised that this post is so short :)

Cultural Empathy

1/27/2021

What is cultural empathy and why is it important?

By putting ourselves in someone from another culture's shoes, we can better understand what they're going through.

By employing this strategy, corporations can create more productive work environments and more comprehensive solutions to problems because team members are able to understand one another deeply, creating an ENVIRONMENT OF RESPECT and a SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION.

But the benefits of cultural empathy extend WELL BEYOND the corporate world.

Cultural empathy also decreases ignorance. Therefore reducing fear of the unknown. Therefore reducing hatred. Therefore reducing violence. Thereby leading to more peace and harmony in this world.

Giving Back

1/20/2021

Giving back. In the ways in which we can. Be it with money, time, service, and so on. It's important. 'But why?' you may ask.

Because none of use made it to where we are today without a little help. So let's either recognize who helped us and return the favor, or pay it forward and help an entirely different person/organization/group.

Giving back allows us to allocate our resources to the places where we want to see changes made in this world. And to create a better world for ourselves and for the generations to come!

This post was largely inspired and influenced by ideas contained in the book Bloomberg by Bloomberg With Invaluable Help From Matthew Winkler.

Thank you Mike Bloomberg for writing a stellar autobiography and for bringing such a disruptive and value-adding organization into this world! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds at your organization.

Cultural Awareness

1/13/2021

Cultural awareness is a crucial skill to have and develop, especially as today's world is more global than ever before.

Being aware of our own culture plays a critical role in allowing us to understand ourselves better. Why we think the way we do. Why we react the way we do. Why we make the decisions we make. And so on.

Being aware of other cultures plays a critical role in allowing us to understand other people better. Why they think the way they do. Why they react the way they do. Why they make the decisions they make. And so on.

So by having an understanding of culture, how it affects our perceptions of the world, and how it affects the perceptions of those from other cultures, we can create and implement diverse and powerful solutions to problems.