The Delights of Distraction #107
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It’s been a manic, mercurial couple of weeks on the weather front, with the meteorological powers that be, trying to outdo themselves. First, the temperatures hit record highs in Delhi and then the Rain Gods proceeded to plummet us with record showers. The capital’s memes were circulating last week with animations of lava and fire, emulating the burning hellscape at 50 C, only to be replaced with real-life images of cars floating in a river, that only the day before was a main road. Closer to home, our warehouse was flooded yesterday. As we waded, knee -deep, through the deluge, gazing at the lines of inventory which were once at bottom shelves and were now under-water, thoughts of catastrophe and chaos flooded our minds. “This is an absolute disaster. We have lost so much. We’ll never manage new stock in time. Is this a sign, that we should just give up and shut the whole thing down?” These thoughts are not as rare as one might think, especially for entrepreneurs like us, who constantly feel like they’re in start-up mode, bootstrapped and kicking against the system. But because we intrinsically know the pattern, and have heard similar sentiments from other founders,there's a procedural survival mode that kicks in, and there are certain steps we take to tackle the situation before any big decisions are made. Some of our insights on how to stay calm and find courage in challenging situations have come, not from other founders, but wisdom from folks who actually work jobs have lives at stake (as opposed to just money.) In his book, Firefighter Zen, Hersch Wilsons, who was a volunteer firefighter for 30 years, shares his practical ways on keeping calm in chaos. Here are some we found helpful: 1. Maintain perspective on what is within your control Wilson defines emergencies, problems, and inconveniences as three distinct and very different things. An emergency involves a threat to someone's health or safety. A problem is something that has a solution. An inconvenience is just that — something that's annoying but not life-threatening. Luckily in our business, we rarely have issues in the first bucket (unless we are worrying ourselves to death.) Everything else is just, as we like to say, “mugs and money”. To stay calm, you must drop the victim story that you are inevitably telling yourself. (“Why is this happening to me?”) Then stop, breathe, and ask yourself: “What is the next right thing to do?” It’s remarkable how things sort themselves out when you stop trying to figure out why the universe is out to F*&k you over and instead just figure out the next baby step. 3. Face the dragon When the dragons come (and boy will they come), you must get under the smoke, into the heat of the crisis itself, and slay the fire-breathing monster on its own turf. Avoiding or running from the dragon will only increase its power over you. And hey, you can enlist your army while you’re at it - learn to ask (or delegate) help. Thanks to our tiny army, and the help of 2 motors, by the end of the day our warehouse was flood-free, albeit lined with soggy cardboard and ruined stock. But hey, we’re just going to mark the few stock left as “limited edition” and call it a day! We hope this helped ; anytime you’re in the midst of chaos or catastrophe, remember it’s never going to be as bad is you’ve imagined in your head. You’ve got this. And now to our favourite programming for the week: |
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"When an emotion takes over in the “Inside Out” movies, a control board in Riley’s mind changes to that feeling’s color; Anxiety’s takeover, however, is more absolute. Soon, Riley’s chief inner belief is of her inadequacy; the emotions hear “I’m not good enough” as a low, rumbling refrain in her mind. I’m familiar with anxiety’s hold on the imagination; my mind is always writing the script to the next worst day of my life. It’s already embraced all possibilities of failure. And my anxiety’s ruthless demands for perfection often turn my thoughts into an unrelenting roll-call of self-criticisms and insecurities. And yet — Anxiety isn’t the villain of this movie." |
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If you’re seeking a bit of serenity during your workday, check out this web project. The creator’s goal is to fill every minute of the day with park scenes and is currently accepting contributions. There's something inherently reassuring about people-watching - a valid 80s pastime that, according to Ashish, Ami’s husband, needs to emphatically be revived! |
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If you're curious about how your inner machinations work, this meditation prompts you to dive deep into your body and away from thoughts, uncovering buried emotions and desires that you haven't shined a light on. You can always discover something new, as uncomfortable feelings can transform into treasures if you just spend a little time exploring your inner landscape. |
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Quotes: "There are two ways to use money. One is as a tool to live a better life. The other is as a yardstick of success to measure yourself against other people. The first is quiet and personal, the second is loud and performative. It’s so obvious which leads to a happier life." - Morgan Housel Have never seen a well run business. Ever. Some businesses are mediocrely run. All businesses are loosely functioning disasters and some happen to make money. - Auren Hoffman Never regret a day in your life. Good days give happiness, bad days give experiences, worst days give lessons and best days give memories. - Professor Richard Feynman |
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Poem: URGENT MESSAGE TO A FRIEND IN PAIN I have to tell you a little thing about living, (I know, I know, but listen), a little thing I've carried in the dark: Remember when you saw the stars of childhood, when you knelt alone and thought that they were there for you, lamps that something held to prove your beauty? They are they are they are they are they are. By Joseph Fasano |
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Thanks for reading, and for being here.
Till our next words, the world be yours :) With love, Viv & Ami |
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