Feed your brain and your pockets

Author: Wen Xiaohong / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: Unraveling a tangled mind isn’t hard Many people often mutter, "How troublesome! There are so many things to do after work, and the whole evening is wasted." If you really ask them what exactly is bothering them, it might only be three things: picking up clothes from the laundry, grocery shopping, and taking the kids to the doctor. In fact, with a little bit of brainpower and good route planning, these tasks can be resolved in just two hours. Or, "What should I do? Should I really do this thing? I’m torn between two options." After asking for the reasons why they should or shouldn’t do it, the answer often turns out to be, "I want to gather with old classmates but worry no one will take care of the kids, or I’m afraid of being blamed if I leave them with my in-laws." Are there no other options besides A or B? What if you take the kids along to the class reunion? Wouldn’t that make everyone happy? When faced with a problem, writing down the tangled worries in your mind is a great method. What seemed like a complex issue suddenly becomes simple and manageable once you list it out item by item. For example, some people can’t sleep at night because they keep thinking about things. I’ve experienced this too—lying in bed, "frying fish" in my mind, my thoughts racing endlessly, making it harder to fall asleep. Now, I keep a notebook beside my bed and jot down whatever comes to mind as soon as I stand up. This way, I don’t worry about forgetting anything, and once it’s written down, I can finally sleep soundly until morning. Psychologists have said, "Write down your worries, then get a good night’s sleep. When you wake up, your mind will be clearer, and your ability to solve problems will improve!" Indeed, this trick has never failed me. The previous day’s troublesome problems, no matter how hard I thought about them, seemed impossible to solve. But the next morning, after waking up, drinking freshly squeezed orange juice or brewing jasmine tea, sitting at the table enjoying the morning sunlight and bacon and eggs, strangely enough, the tangled thoughts from the night before quickly led to a solution. The same applies to work during the day. Writing down what needs to be done in a planner makes everything seem clear at a glance and gives a sense of accomplishment! This also has the advantage of allowing you to focus on the present step by step, without constantly worrying about the tasks ahead. When I was younger, I always thought it was fine to keep things in my head. But gradually, as the number of tasks increased and my memory declined, I realized that writing things down was also a way to help myself calm down. Having concrete words on paper made it easier to avoid panic and confusion. There’s an American proverb: "A mind is like a parachute—it only works when it’s open." Everyone has twenty-four hours a day, no more, no less. But by using their minds wisely, they can make them more flexible. The key lies in the habit of thinking and the habit of time management, which can either lengthen or shorten time. Some people spend a lot of time but don’t get good results. If they can clearly know where to buy things—for example, which traditional markets offer the best flavors, which street vendors offer the best deals, and which supermarkets offer the best discounts—they can achieve high returns on their investments. This is also a form of self-appreciation, as it is both efficient and of high quality. Especially for working women, having such skills is even more important, as it allows them to have more time to do many things! Before playing cards, you need to sort them first. A mind that uses SWOT thinking refers to the mindset and methods of doing things. Once the mindset is correct, finding the right methods can help you save money and live a better life with your brain. Whether it’s small things like shopping or choosing a teacher for your child, or big things like finding a job or starting a business, when you face life choices, like how I handled a crisis in public relations, try using SWOT analysis to list your S (Strengths), W (Weaknesses), O (Opportunities), and T (Threats), then develop strategies based on them. It’s like playing poker—when you’re dealt a hand, you must first organize it, whether by suit or by card value. Once you understand your advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, you can play with a winning chance. Take me, for example. When I lived in the U.S., I was just a full-time homemaker. When I decided to return to Taiwan for my second career, I hesitated for a long time, unsure of what to choose. Later, I decided to work as an Account Executive at a fashion magazine. Why? It was through SWOT self-analysis that I realized, although I studied design, I wasn’t very good at making clothes, and my design skills weren’t as outstanding as my peers. If I had applied for a pattern-making position at a fashion company, I would have had no future. However, I did major in fashion design, loved beautiful things, had seen a lot of things abroad, was proficient in English, and had experience as a hotel public relations officer and working overseas—all of these were my strengths. By leveraging my strengths and weaknesses, I integrated my abilities and eventually chose the job at the fashion magazine, where I gradually developed my knowledge and sensitivity to fashion. Although I often joke, "I probably spend most of my money on myself because working in a fashion magazine means dealing with brands, so I have to invest in them. Throughout my career, work has really been my best excuse to spend money!" But the self-analysis I did when choosing my career was indeed very valuable. Because understanding my strengths and skills helped me find opportunities and avoid threats. P.2-4