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The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in t
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The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in th [View online]( [Coach Tony]( Coach Tony [@tonystubblebine]( The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of room, not try to be or do anything whatever. ~May Sarton
Iâm back from vacation and also my 44th birthday. My goal, simply, was to sit by the ocean and read science fiction. Goal accomplished. Thank you for reading last weekâs best-of series. ð´ð
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#1. Prosthetics.
Early in Neal Stephensonâs book [Fall](, he takes a few paragraphs to reframe the word prosthetic. So normally we think about prosthetics as replacements for missing limbs.
But the etymology is that itâs an addition, and itâs merely a cultural norm that we tend to use this word in reference to additions that replace something that is missing. So theoretically, you could have prosthetic wings or what have you.
But the character making this case then goes on that a bunch of things we consider normal could already be considered prosthetics. For example, makeup. I would add certain running shoes, nice clothes, and swimming goggles.Â
There was something evocative there for me (and the character) about how language allows you to think in terms of upgrading yourself for a task. So itâs not merely a nice suit for your job interviews, itâs a skin prosthetic!
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#2. The 8 basic knots.
Iâm generally not a believer in the law of attraction, but check this out.Â
Last week I bookmarked a link about tying knots. And then a day later, an old coworker from 17 years ago subscribed to this newsletter. This coworker (Tim) is a knot enthusiast, did a lot of the rope work on the restoration of the [Balclutha](, and then went on to be a master of the Perl programming language. He is the one who taught me the value of knowing your basic knots. Is this manifestation in action?
In any case, here is the link and I recommend learning these: [The 8 Basic Knots](.
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#3. Unwilling or unable.Â
One of the first lessons I learned in management was that often people present as unwilling when they are actually unable. Have you seen this?
Itâs a defense mechanism based on anxiety about doing something new. But as a manager, it can come across as confusing because at first, it seems like an argument about whether the task is worthy of doing at all. Sometimes thatâs valid pushback, but when itâs not, I had to learn to tap dance my way around to the actual root.
Unable almost never means someone could never learn. Usually, it just means âIâm unable to picture a solution right at this moment.â So, itâs just a matter of realizing that the resistance that you are getting is an invitation to help coach a person on how to do it. (BTW, Iâm sure Iâve done this to my managers.)
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Discord: For discussion this week.
Iâd like to talk about managers and leaders this week, about whatâs working or not working on their teams. If youâre up for sharing, come join us in the #better-humans channel on [our Discord server](.Â
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Tips or feedback? [Send me a response on Twitter.]( Donât miss out on the other issues by Coach Tony [Become a member for $5 per month]( Did you enjoy this issue? [Yes]( [No]( [Coach Tony](
Coach Tony [@tonystubblebine]( Tips, inspirations, and knowledge on productivity, happiness, health, and making an impact on our world. Official email of the Better Humans publication on Medium. (@bttrhumans) You can manage your subscription [here](. In order to unsubscribe, click [here](. If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe [here](. Created with [Revue by Twitter](.
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