“Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” is a common refrain we hear from managers. One of the most sought-after skills in the workplace, or for that matter, life in general, is the ability to solve problems. Often though, we fall into the trap of coming up with brilliant solutions by solving the wrong problem. … Read more
The law of diminishing returns is the threshold at which productivity (or happiness) starts to plateau and may even reduce. It is related to what economists refer to as the point of marginal utility—where more input does not necessarily produce a corresponding increase in output. A lesson from history The Byzantine (Roman) empire was possibly … Read more
What separates us from our primate ancestors is our ability to think (hopefully intelligent thoughts.) But that comes at a price—we don’t just think. We overthink, thanks to our monkey minds. Our thoughts are constantly shifting, swinging, vacillating, like monkeys from one branch to the next. Here’s the 64,000-dollar question: Is the monkey mind a … Read more
It’s easy for productivity gurus to judge the procrastinators (those who believe in never putting off till tomorrow what can be done even later.) But many of these efficiency experts are plagued by an affliction themselves—the problem of precrastination. Their tendency to finish tasks early can be equally dangerous, and dare I say, counter-productive. How … Read more
There are three categories of people in this world: rule followers, rule benders, and rule-breakers. I firmly belong to the first camp—the followers, the kind who would rather not color outside the lines. You draw lines; I’ll stay well within them. You tell me what is and isn’t acceptable, and I’ll do my best to … Read more