Hello Familia - Welcome to Vol. 12 of Move Fast, Think Slow. If you want to join other curious, smart readers who are interested in editorial and hot-links covering cultural trends and mindful meditations subscribe here:
The intention of Move Fast, Think Slow is to focus on signals that are moving culture and perspectives that let’s the soul reflect upon itself. This week we focus on why you’re ego is not your amigo plus a few other interesting reads and things to see.
First up, read this:
There is a certain kind of magical bigness in being able to admit what you don’t know or better yet if you were incorrect.
One of the big reasons people can not admit they are wrong is because it challenges their own view of themselves. They are afraid of looking weak or vulnerable. In other words, their egos are scared of admitting fault so instead of being incorrect to gain a deeper understanding (of self or a topic) they double down on their confirmation bias.
Psychologists who cover this state the following on why it’s so hard to admit we’re wrong.
“Cognitive dissonance is what we feel when the self-concept — I’m smart, I’m kind, I’m convinced this belief is true — is threatened by evidence that we did something that wasn’t smart, that we did something that hurt another person, that the belief isn’t true.”
By not being able to admit you are wrong you increase the chances to short-change yourself and the people around you. As Marcus Aurelius notes the truth harms no one and in fact, he who embraces it is someone who embraces better alternatives. In finding an alternative path that’s closer to the core truth lays an opportunity for growth and betterment.
Furthermore, corrective feedback is a major component of learning and education. Research has shown that positive feedback is actually less effective than corrective feedback. How else can you grow if you’re not open to having your answers or assertions corrected? Or at bare minimum challenged? That’s the space where growth happens and the pursuit of refined clarity can be achieved.
I like to say to my friends “your ego is not your amigo.” It’s one thing to have confidence and to lead with that. This is good. But it’s another thing when you’re a slave to being right all the time aka always “being on top.” It’s not powerful to be in control or know every answer in the room. In fact when that’s all you do you illustrate a form of weakness. The real power lays in the ability to press time out, reflect on the feedback and factual information at hand, and be open to the real truth. That takes courage and patience. And that my friends is powerful. And that’s why it’s okay if you’re wrong.
Hot Links | Quick Knowledge Drop
Sometimes it really isn’t about you: The Art of Not Taking Things Personally by Dave Bailey: A short piece with a lot of wisdom. Other people’s emotions might not be about you and here’s why.
Art of the (creative) sell: “Those who pitched fully formed concepts to executives right out of the gate struggled to get their ideas accepted. Successful screenwriters, by contrast, understood that Hollywood executives like to shape stories.”
Heard and learned about this when I started out in Hollywood and it’s 100% and as my guy Faris poins out - the same rings true for the art of advertising sell.
What stage of Capitalism is this: This Losing My Ambition piece caught my eye a few weeks back. It’s another editorial in what seems to be a growing list of thought pieces of people coming clean on how they are not as motivated for the hustle as they use to be and how that’s completely fine. The NY Times titled it The Age of Anti-Ambition. Derek Thompson had a provocative piece that broke right before COVID hit the U.S. titled Workism Is Making Americans Miserable. It’s another version of the same topic. Pre-pandemic people weren’t vibing with the jobs. Some of which great ones at great companies. I don’t know much. I’m no Economist. But whatever stage of capitalism this is but it’s sure interesting I tell ya.
Images of the Week
I am not sure who oversees this @ArtButSports handle but its stuff of comedic (and art history) genius. Take a look below.
Go forth. Be kind. Have a great week!