Course 2, Discussion 4: The problem is the path
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.
✒️ 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?
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!
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@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.
Three things in my circle of concern are:
• Other people’s opinions about me
• Unexpected future situations
• Negative attitudes or behavior of others
Three things in my circle of influence are:
• My attitude and reactions
• My communication with others
• My consistency and self-improvement
One thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence is to regularly reflect on what I can actually control instead of overthinking things that are outside my control. This can help me stay calmer, more focused, and more proactive.
✒️ 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 stood out to me the most was that the executive did not waste energy blaming or criticizing the president for his weaknesses. Instead, he focused on understanding the situation and improving the things he could control. He showed patience, empathy, and responsibility.
What I found proactive was that he anticipated problems, prepared solutions, supported the team, and worked with the president’s strengths instead of reacting emotionally to his weaknesses. Over time, this helped him build trust and increase his influence in the organization.
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
Will do for Sure!!
@IamSkyBlueAakash
That's appreciate 😊! You clearly explained the difference between concern and influence, and your examples are very relatable ;) I also liked how you pointed out focusing on what you can control. that’s a strong mindset shift 🤗
Your take on the executive was insightful, especially how he stayed proactive instead of reacting emotionally, that one stood out to me either<3
Good reflection overall ^_^ way to go!!
@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 are my future, the political situation of my country and animal abuse. 3 things in my circle of influence are my education, my career and family/friends. 1 thing I can do to remind myself to focus on my circle of influence is to work on finding my inner peace and keep a check on the quality of people around me- not the quantity.
✒️ 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 stood out to me was how the executive took the time to understand the president's strengths and areas where he struggled. By doing this, he was able to have a positive influence not only on the president but also on the people around him. He acted proactively by listening to the president's concerns and showing empathy, which made the president feel understood and supported rather than judged.
@Pudding1000 you have such a kind heart for having the political situation and animal abuse in your area of circle, and it was so refreshing to read that you will remind yourself to focus on your inner peace and the quality of life.
Moreover, I really loved your reflection on the executive's proactiveness.
You are doing awesome on your LDP journey Pudding. Keep marching ahead ^0^)/🌟
@Pudding1000 I really liked your reflections, especially how you distinguished between your circle of concern and your circle of influence. Focusing on your inner peace instead of trying to control everything around you is a powerful mindset. I also appreciated your point about the executive leading with empathy and understanding before taking action it’s a great reminder that being proactive often starts with listening. Thoughtful insights!
@Smilingsoul11
thank you so much for your comment! i appriciate you <3
@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.
The three things that are in my circle of concern are:
1) Other attitude towards me.
2) Their perspective about me.
3) My ability to achieve my goals.
1 thing I can do to remind to remind myself to focus on my circle of concern is: Keeping showing up for my dreams.
✒️ 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 thing that stand out to me about the executive was his ability to identify president's strength. The executive worked on helping the president move forward along with the whole team based on his strength, this was a proactive move by him as opposed to reactive.
@yoursmileisasradientastheSun
insightful ✨
Aww thank you so much for your lovely response @HealingAlien4444💗💗💗
@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:
Legal documentation and compliance
Academic workload
Preparing for skill training and professional courses
3 things in my Circle of Influence:
Managing and completing my academic workload consistently
Choosing skill courses that align with my long-term vision and enrolling in them
Learning about the legal documentation process and completing it one step at a time
1 thing I can do to stay focused on my Circle of Influence:
At the beginning of each day, I'll make a short priority list of actions that are within my control and focus on completing those instead of worrying about things I can't change.
✒️ 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 instead to complaining or criticizing things or environment or blaming these things (reactive behaviour), he choose to act for changing the circumstances and taking the lead to make desired changes(proactive), is what stands out to me.
@Smilingsoul11
Concise and crisp answers, I hope you become a successful and empathetic leader.
@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...
Wars, weather, people's thinking
Circle of Influence includes...
How I treat others, boundaries, time management
to focus on only one thing what i am doing at the moment
✒️ 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?
i would plan first instead of taking action with thinking of go with the flow thing
@HealingAlien4444 great answer
@FrenchToast Circle of Concern:
Accidentally judging or criticizing others, and how my actions may affect the people around me.
My physical and mental well-being, as well as occasionally feeling uncertain about my identity.
Issues happening around the world that may be beyond my control.
Circle of Influence:
Taking accountability by apologizing when I make mistakes and doing my best not to repeat them. Showing greater empathy while allowing others to choose their own paths.
Being kind to myself and trusting that my efforts to improve will lead to progress as long as I continue trying.
Listening with compassion to the challenges people face and the issues happening around the world. Learning about history so I can better understand how such events may repeat. Understanding the roots of these issues is valuable, regardless of the situation.
Reminder for Myself:
To be kind and patient with myself, and to carry these reminders with me until they become lasting habits.
The Executive:
I think the executive was proactive and approached the situations appropriately. I also believe they did a good job of focusing on their circle of influence rather than their circle of concern.
@Hermionetps I really like your reminder to be kind and patient with yourself. I also liked how you connected accountability and empathy with your circle of influence. I think those are qualities that can make a real difference as a leader <3
@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:
- Opinion and comments of others about me
- The problems that do bother me but I can't solve them right now
- Unhelpful circumstances that are not strictly a problem but rather obstacles slowing the progress
3 things in my circle is influence
- My own image in my mind
- Problems that bother me but can be solved by my actions
- Improving the circumstances smoothly to smooth out the process
One thing that I can do to remind myself is to always take a deep breath, think before making belives, just having a moment before doing or thinking about anything that's important, anything that's bothering me.
✒️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?
One thing that really stood about the excutive is that they didn't criticise the leader, even though it was the most obvious thing to do, they focused on the circle of influence and not on the circle of concern, that behaviour was really hurtful, and unjust to the people around but instead of going straight up against it he realised the core reason behind it and then acted in ways which was helpful to both parties. I think this really shows the proactive nature of the executive, not criticising the leader, not give the leader a negative role but to actually think why the manager is doing what he is doing and then acting in accordance to that.
@FrenchToast Thanks for sharing <3
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:
- Global events and issues I cannot directly change
- How other people perceive me
- Uncertainty about the future
Circle of Influence:
- How I respond to challenges
- The effort I put into my goals each day
- How I communicate and support others
Reminder: Ask myself, "Is this something I can control?" before spending energy on it.
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 stood out to me was that the executive chose to adapt instead of complain. Rather than focusing on his leader's weaknesses, he showed empathy, worked with his strengths, and focused on what he could influence. Instead of reacting with criticism, he looked for practical ways to support his leader and team. That proactive mindset allowed him to gradually make a bigger impact.
@talktome610
I think your response was really good and i wish you luck!!
@FrenchToast
Concern: Government, the things people say about me, others feelings
Influence: my reactions, how i treat others, my outlook
I learned to put more of an influence on my circle of influence and to be more proactive. for example, i can work on my weaknesses to help strengthen the team overall
@FrenchToast
Circle of Concern:
- Other people's opinions
- Unexpected problems
- Things outside my control
Circle of Influence:
- My attitude
- My communication
- My effort
Reminder:
Focus on what I can control, not what I can't.
Executive Reflection:
The executive stayed calm, took responsibility, and focused on solutions instead of blaming others. They were proactive by taking initiative and planning ahead.
@Brightlynx77
Your answer is very true.