Not everyone waves, but almost everyone waves back

Hi there! As November wraps up, my wife and I are in the thick of a tough stretch dealing with our child's sleep troubles. It's been a whirlwind of sleepless nights, messed-up routines, and overeating. But oddly enough, I wouldn't swap this chaos for anything else. Sometimes, just rolling with the chaos without stressing over schedules and plans feels pretty good. Taking a break from the norm to savor the moment is alright, but it's important to find our way back eventually. Now, let's shift gears a bit and talk about getting back on track or asking for help to get back on track. But before that…

Weekly Inventory Check

Let's see how you're doing with your goals for the year. Have you accomplished what you wanted to so far? There's still a month and a few days left, so you have time to work on the goals you haven't reached yet. If things aren't going as planned, keep working hard and be patient. Success might come now or later, but your efforts won't be wasted. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it as people are usually willing to assist because everyone has the ability to help in their own way.

Not Everyone Waves, But Almost Everyone Waves Back

An intriguing insight from a Happiness Lab podcast caught my attention. This podcast delves into the science of happiness and positive psychology. One key point it highlighted was the notion that although not everyone initiates social interactions, nearly everyone responds positively when approached.

The discussion centered on the concept of extroversion and how even naturally introverted individuals can learn to be more outgoing. Research indicated that acting extroverted, even temporarily, can lead to feeling more extroverted. The overarching theme emphasized the significance of human connections in contributing to overall happiness. This doesn't diminish the value of introversion, but rather underscores various studies showing the crucial role of social connections in human well-being.

The phrase "not everyone waves, but almost everyone waves back" serves as a metaphor encouraging individuals to take the initiative in social interactions. It stresses the notion of taking a chance and initiating conversations, acknowledging the potential discomfort, yet highlighting that most people are open to engaging in dialogue. Building on this idea, the podcast suggested using the saying as an allegory for seeking help. Similar to not everyone actively seeking assistance, but almost everyone being willing to help when asked, there's a parallel in our reluctance to ask for help.

Despite the discomfort and the belief in self-sufficiency, the metaphor encourages the idea that seeking help is a valuable practice. This perspective on asking for help is further explored, emphasizing the benefits of tapping into diverse perspectives to cover our blind spots. While our instinct might be to solve problems independently, the podcast suggested that seeking help leads to a more comprehensive understanding and faster personal growth.

The discussion also explores the reluctance to ask for help, acknowledging the common feeling of inadequacy when we can't figure things out on our own. How do we encourage those around us to seek help if we don't ask for it ourselves? Ultimately, the key takeaway is the importance of fostering a culture of support and collaboration. Creating a community where people feel comfortable asking for help contributes to a positive environment where individuals collectively strive for improvement.

Want More?

·  This article is a tale of a reserved girl unfolds as she breaks out of her shell and discovers that when she started reaching out, everyone she spoke to responded warmly.

·  In this article, Zhao talks about how simply asking for help can make your experiences more meaningful and help build stronger relationships with both friends and people you don't know.

·  In this article, a management expert and leadership expert explore why people hesitate to ask for help and share ways to overcome those reason

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week. In a world that often feels chaotic, kindness is the gentle force that creates ripples of joy. Each act, no matter how small, has the power to make someone's day a little brighter.

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The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our Episode on How to keep real conversations alive with your growing children in the digital age? is out now! You can watch it below! Here, I interviewed Tammy Cohen, a seasoned brand consultant who transformed pandemic challenges into personal growth. Inspired, Tammy launched the "Beyond the Women Table" podcast and authored "Text Messages to My Sons." The conversation explores Tammy's parenting journey in a tech-centric world, adapting communication across generations. The Great Resignation marked a turning point for Tammy, prompting a self-discovery journey fueled by influential figures like Joe Dispenza, Jay Shetty, Robin Sharma, and Napoleon Hill. This exploration led to her book and a platform for women. Tammy emphasizes collaboration with her editorial team, highlighting their crucial role in manuscript review, error correction, accurate citation, and valuable guidance in the book publication process.

We also are on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!

Meetup

The upcoming meetup will be a quick roundtable preview where we'll discuss the format in a fast-paced manner. We aim to demonstrate how a roundtable operates through an in-person example and highlight its benefits. I encourage anyone interested to join us; the link will be live soon. Additionally, you can become part of this Meetup group to access the event online.

During the preview, we'll explore the roundtable concept by inviting everyone to share an obstacle they're facing. Together, we'll brainstorm and work through potential solutions. This sneak peek will give you a glimpse of what to expect at the actual roundtable event.

The Round Table

I am excited to introduce the Round Table at Vasl.

Here, you have the opportunity to join a group for the upcoming quarter. Together, we will determine your quarterly goals and form a cohesive group centered around shared themes. You will get a chance to learn about 12 agile principals in 12 weeks that will help you get closer to reaching your goals. While I aim for a certain level of similarity to facilitate cohesive discussions, I also appreciate the value of diverse experiences. The goal is to create a supportive environment where learning from varied perspectives is encouraged.

We are opening eight seats for this group where I will act as the facilitator. Throughout the journey, you'll be backed by your fellow peers, have access to shared resources and as I tend to introduce shared Notion Space where we can all collaborate and exchange resources. If this opportunity resonates with you, you can sign up now using the following the link.

Please note that this commitment is non-binding initially. You will first fill out a form, and we will assess if we are a match. Once we think you are a match, you will be officially sent an invitation.

However, I must stress that there are limited seats available—only six to eight seats. So act quick to secure a spot in this cohort, as we wouldn't want you to miss out on this opportunity. The upcoming cohort will commence at the beginning of the year, with the following cohort scheduled for March 2024.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Round Table and witnessing the positive impact it will have on your personal and professional growth.

Thoughts to Leave You With

In today's interconnected world, amidst the abundance of information and online opportunities, we often overlook a fundamental truth: we're all human. While the internet offers answers, ideas, and even AI companions like ChatGPT, genuine conversations with people—especially those whose insights we cherish—are invaluable.

My recommendation? Take a leap. Engage in discussions with those you trust and feel at ease with, whether they're friends or family. Don't shy away from seeking guidance from others, even if you're not well acquainted. Perhaps you seek counsel from a busy senior manager at work or wish to collaborate with a friend on a new project. It's alright to ask for help; the worst outcome might just be a polite decline. And you know what? That rejection holds value too.