Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Course 2, Discussion 4: The problem is the path

User Profile: FrenchToast
FrenchToast December 5th, 2022

Hello LDP Team!

The problem is the path is the core insight that helps us evolve as individuals and as a community here on 7 Cups.

Here is an overview of this course:

Course Description: It is natural for us to want to avoid problems. Problems can cause worry, anxiety, and frustration. These are feelings that we often want to avoid. Problems, however, are the key to growth. When we face our problems directly we get smarter and grow stronger. A saying that captures this is: Progress = Pain + Reflection. This course helps you learn the value of problems by highlighting the difference between problems you might be concerned about and problems you can directly solve. Next, it walks you through the ancient practice of steering into problems directly in order to unlock their value and gifts. Finally, it helps you identify and measure progress so you can make continued gains in your personal and professional life.

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Watch the video here

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Watch the second video here

Further Reading (Optional but recommended):

This idea of problem is the path is a reoccurring theme in self help books and especially stoicism. If you are interested in learning more about this thought process, we recommend the following books:

The obstacle is the way by Ryan Holiday

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy, by William Braxton Irvine

✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here!


🔉This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program, find information on it here tinyurl.com/AcademyLDP

470
User Profile: ChromaticFinss
ChromaticFinss February 25th, 2024

 ✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence. 

The three things in my circle of concern. 

Whether I'm enough to do a certain thing? 

What others would have felt about my action? 

Whether I'm falling backwards or going slow? 

Three things in my circle of influence. 

My health 

My reaction 

Practice 

I can remind myself that what others think, feel, or do is out of my hands. I cannot make them feel or think the way I want. I can only focus on doing good in general while prioritizing my values and choices without intentionally hurting anyone. I can remind myself that my only competitor is the current me, by practicing, by taking little steps everyday to become a better version of myself gradually. 💜



✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?


What I understood is that being reactive is way more easy than being proactive. Complaining and whining takes no effort and it will not change the scenario. Everyone was sharing their concerns while the executive understood that simply criticizing will bring no good, instead making a move is what necessary. So instead of complaining with them he took an initiative to compensate the weaknesses of the boss. By increasing his circle of influence he became someone who can bring a change in the organization. Like someone said, if you aren't seeing any change, be the change! 

1 reply
User Profile: JustSophia
JustSophia March 1st, 2024

@ChromaticFinss

Insightful.

load more
User Profile: 4Jasmine
4Jasmine February 25th, 2024

@FrenchToast

Three things in my circle of concern: other people's actions, other people's words, and other people's choices

Three things in my circle of control: my behaviors, my reactions, and my words

#1 choices for circle of control: Trust is the glue of life. Make a positive difference in relationships. 

2 replies
User Profile: Snowy00
Snowy00 February 27th, 2024

@4Jasmine

I love this! I have the same problem on constantly worrying about what other people think of me, instead of focusing on my faith. In my faith, what God thinks of me is the only thing that matters. So I have to remind myself that what others say or think are of no concern to me, and in the grand scheme of life, doesn't matter one bit. At the end of my life, I want to be able to say that I focused on bettering and growing myself, not have to say that I was too focused on what others thought of me that I didn't accomplish what I wanted to or what I was destined to accomplish in life.

You've got this Jasmine! 💪

1 reply
User Profile: 4Jasmine
4Jasmine February 28th, 2024

@KaylaMaulfair

Thanks.😊

load more
load more
User Profile: 4Jasmine
4Jasmine February 25th, 2024

@FrenchToast

What stands out about about this executive is that he was proactive about the situation with his boss. He empathizes, understands, supports with his corporate peers. He provided recommendations to has boss as he gave his expected report. 

User Profile: Snowy00
Snowy00 February 27th, 2024

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Circle of Concern:                                                Circle of Influence:
1.) How others see my past & judge me for             1.) My faith
it                                                                        2.) My integrity & morals
2.) How my brother see me & what he might         3.) My work ethic
do next to negatively impact my life 
3.) My health & constantly worrying about
what will happen next              

One thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence, is to be mindful of what thoughts are going through my head, and what feelings I am experiencing. Being mindful about my thoughts gives me a chance to correct myself on what I am focusing on, and redirect my thoughts back to my circle of influence.

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

The executive was very proactive. Instead of getting frustrated and upset and talking about his boss with his other coworkers, he chose to work harder, figure out his bosses strengths and weaknesses, and find ways to complement his bosses strengths, and fill in for his weaknesses. When he chose to work like this, proactively, it helped to make the team work better and more efficiently. I absolutely loved this video and this entire lesson!!

I will respond to one of my peers after posting this discussion.

User Profile: 4Jasmine
4Jasmine February 29th, 2024

@FrenchToast

Three things identified in my circle of concern:

1) Other people's actions

2) Other people's words

3) The past

Three things identified in my circle of influence:

1) My behavior

2) My reactions

3) My decisions 

One thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence:

1) Be proactive, always treat people as if they are proactive. 

User Profile: 4Jasmine
4Jasmine February 29th, 2024

@FrenchToast

In the 2nd video the leader didn't listen to his team and was too dictorial. One employee was proactive by listening to his peers, taking time to talk things through with them, empathize with them, and hear their recommendations. Then he complemented his leader's strengths and compensated for his weaknesses. 

User Profile: JustSophia
JustSophia March 1st, 2024

Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

1. When I perceive people's intolerance and inability to compromise with one another.

2. Aspects my own health and abilities following injury

3. Racism

____

1.  Reminding myself of my own circle of influence and cultivating acceptance of what I can and can't control

2. Maintaining integrity when I do encounter instances of the above (racism and other forms of intolerance)

3. Doing what I can to improve my skills and abilities (injury)

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

This executive accepted the circumstances and worked with them instead of against them.  He worked with the people around him, including his boss, to the true benefit of everyone.  He is an example of awareness of different styles of leadership and adapting in an effective manner. 

Listened, observed, perceived, supplied the skills that were "missing" to make a productive whole.  Not to mention that he worked hard and with dedication to do it.

User Profile: sky2Ocean20
sky2Ocean20 March 6th, 2024

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

-> 3 things in my circle of concern

  •  How other people perceive me
  • Nobody cares
  • People are out there to get me

-> 3 things in my circle of influence

  • There is no need to think about what other people think about me. My actions and efforts should matter to me.
  • People do care and are ready to collaborate if they can get along.
  • Things happen in life. Uncertainty is not always bad. 

and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence

  • I can communicate efficiently and able to bring out the best with my right behavior. 

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

  • Read the room and did not complain without analyzing both sides.-that stands out to me about that executive.
  • Proactive: Made a plan and with details, worked on solving the issue without blaming anyone's behavior. 
  • reactive: It would have been reactive if they focused on the problem and not on finding out a way to bridge the gap. 

March 8th, 2024

@FrenchToast

✒️ Watch the following video and identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Circle of concern

Other's feelings

Economy

Future

Circle of influence

Myself

Time management 

Thing's that makes me happy 


1 things to focus on circle of influence 

by being proactive within this circle, and largely ignoring anything outside of it. To put this another way, focus on the things you can influence, control, or change, rather than the things you have no say over.


✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Reactive: Taking a decision without deeply thinking about it.


Proactive: Making a plan before action or taking preventive measures.

1 reply
User Profile: TheOnlyChresser
TheOnlyChresser March 9th, 2024

@brightLynx1428 i agree <3

User Profile: patientShell1003
patientShell1003 June 24th, 2024

@brightLynx1428 I agree

load more
User Profile: TheOnlyChresser
TheOnlyChresser March 9th, 2024

✒️ Identify 3 things in your circle of concern, 3 things in your circle of influence, and 1 thing you can do to remind yourself to focus on your circle of influence.

Circle of concern:

1. 
Exams
2. What other thinks about me
3. Death

Circle of influence:

1. Academic performance and skill learning
2. Friendships
3. Time Management

Reminder:

1. 
Make a schedule

✒️ Next, watch the following video and highlight what stands out to you about this executive? What did they do that would be considered proactive as opposed to reactive?

Hes proactive and didn't criticize.

He covered the presidents weaknesses and focused on what he could influence.

1 reply
User Profile: CaringCompanion22
CaringCompanion22 August 3rd, 2024

@TheOnlyChresser

this is a great answer!! 

User Profile: Onyx000
Onyx000 September 5th, 2024

@TheOnlyChresser death what a great one !

load more