The sensical way to present information probably deviates from the best way to learn it. It creates an interesting tension between utility, validity, and engagement.
Dr. Trevor Kashey
One of the fundamentals of both the CCA program and The Guardian Academy is the concept of "valid vs useful". A framework I picked up from Harvard Business Review's "Teaching Smart People How To Learn".
I wrote about "learning" earlier this week because it had come up in many conversations. It continues to surprise me how often talented people bias making valid points over being useful.
I often wonder how much it has to do with the world becoming more digital and disconnected. Something useful is something we can act on, it's generally behavior-focused. Something valid has a sound basis in logic, it's fact-focused. The two should play well together. A sound basis of reasoning means a better understanding of how to change your behavior to get what you want.
Right?
In its never-ending efforts to protect its own delusion, the Monkey Mind has other ideas. For something to be useful to me, I have to acknowledge that my behavior has to change. If I acknowledge my behavior has to change, then I acknowledge I was doing something wrong. The monkey mind doesn't like that. So it has developed a way to avoid having to do any work on self and disguise it as being smart.
It thinks: "Instead of exposing my own insecurities or shortcomings, I can just rattle off a bunch of facts. I don't have to admit that I am unsure or mistaken. If I can make the others feel stupid, they will doubt themselves, instead of me!"
So the monkey mind makes a lot of valid points. But are they useful?
It depends.
The valid point has a sound basis in logic. It's reasonable. That's a good thing. Does it provide any insight into how to improve the current situation? If not, it's not terribly useful. Valid things do not improve anything. Useful things do.
Useful: Actively teach kids the stuff you believe they should know.
useful > valid
1
Useful > Valid
Here are some things I have observed that I think might be immediately useful to you:
"Recapture and Reallocate".This one is simple.
Write down the number one thing you need more of. Typically it will be time or money, Energy, confidence, reputation, and attention are all valid choices. Pick the one that has the most immediate utility to you. Here are the steps:
Audit where the current supply you have now is going. if it's money, pull your bank statements. If it's time, pull up your calendar. I recommend filling in what you actually did last week, not what you expect to do next week.
Plug the holes. If it's finance, cut all recurring expenses. You can always opt in back later. if it's time, highlight all the time spent doing things that are not moving the needle for you.
Reallocate. Immediately reallocate what you've recaptured. Direct it toward whatever you wanted the currency for in the first place. For example, if you wanted more money to retire sooner, redirect those funds into your retirement vehicle. If you want more time to read and write, put the newfound time your calendar for reading and writing.
I am aware of how simple this is. If more people spent more time on the basics, they would be far more advanced. Do this. And then make it a habit to do it at least quarterly. Here is a 39-minute workshop breaking down how I suggest doing it, please some worksheets. (currency is money in this video)
And then...
Please note: if you are not doing the "basic" exercise above, anything below will be less effective.
Recapture and Reallocate Phase 2: Phase 2 in this case is in regards to money. Phase 2 of recapturing and reallocating time is basically what my book is about and you can get a free copy here.
If your income is below $1 million: generally speaking, it will be more efficient to put time and effort into growing your business. If your income is below $1mm but you have over $1m in assets, see the next point.
If your income is above $1 million: generally speaking it will be more efficient to recapture and reallocate again. Advanced tax strategies and entity structure are likely to free up the most resources. Once you free them up, redirect them to the most important thing to you. Again, simple. Not easy, but simple. Of course, there are always exceptions. The least efficient path forward is to push for growth without plugging the holes. Too many people step over dollars to pick up pennies.
Conceptually, recapturing time, energy, and attention are similar. They look different because we track, measure, and think about them differently. Time and money are the easiest to recapture and reallocate because they are the easiest to measure.
They are not always the top priority but they always get attention first due to the ease of measurement.
There is probably a lesson there.
Onward.
Nic