Risk & Reward / October 6, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The most dangerous thing in business is choosing average risk. Why? "All profit comes from taking risks" (Peter Drucker). The mediocre challenge won't produce a champion. Darwinian selection only leaves those in the final who are willing to go all-in.

So why do some entrepreneurs play it halfway? It's simple - their back is exposed. This creates self-doubt. The subconscious tries to protect, but leads one to failure. There are many examples of such vulnerability:

A weak team that requires constant help and supervision,
Lack of a predictable flow of incoming leads,
Chronic shareholder conflict,
An outdated business model,
A shortage of cash reserves,
Founder's paralysis.

Do you want your business to grow faster and earn more? First, fix the vulnerability.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Change of Power / October 5, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Sometimes a hostile takeover of a company comes from within.

The true owners of the business become its employees.

From this point forward, the company is doomed to stagnation and demise. Why, you ask? To grow quickly and successfully, a business must continually reinvent itself. Unfortunately, collectives are incapable of making revolutionary decisions.

As the philosopher and writer G. K. Chesterton once said, "I’ve searched all the parks in all the cities and found no statues of committees." Whether in real life or in fairy tales, the hero is always an individual.

A change in power occurs unnoticed. It may seem to the market that, as before, the founder is at the helm. But, in reality, it's the 'power behind the scenes' that calls the shots: HRD, COO, CSO, CTO, and the like.

A struggle for power with the formation of temporary alliances takes place among these "feudal lords." The organisation's original purpose is forgotten in favour of local interests.

Yet, there's no need to blame the employees. They simply fill the void. Who created it? That's right, the founder.

There are many reasons for this. One entrepreneur burns out. Another is seduced by utopian ideology. A third hits the "glass ceiling" and loses interest in the company. That's how the owner disappears.

Luckily, everything can be a fix. The key is the founders' willingness to understand why they themselves are destroying what they've built for so long.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Don't Tell This to Anyone / October 4, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The photographer is unknown, this image was found via BacklitView

Want to achieve your personal goals more reliably?

Don't spill your plans to others. Why?

Symbolically, the event you want has already happened.

Your brain rushes to reward itself with feel-good hormones.

The effect is stronger the more they praise you: "You're amazing!"

In my experience, a vivid imagination only adds fuel to the fire.

Andrew Huberman calls it the "Don't tell the world rule."

"But a CEO can't hide plans from the team!" someone exclaims.

Here, the benefit of syncing the group's efforts outweighs the harm from premature rewards.

Otherwise, keep your plans to yourself.

Or share them with someone who will accelerate your progress by X times.

For instance, a trusted partner, coach, or therapist.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Are You in the Flow? / October 3, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

My sparring partner confessed, 'During training, I completely forget about the outside world.' I affirmed that I, too, disconnect from all problems and worries.

This is the nature of jiu-jitsu - the dangerous game pushes everything else aside.

Today, everyone knows about Flow, but not everyone regularly experiences it.

Flow occurs when the level of skill matches the complexity of the task. Otherwise, a person is overwhelmed either by anxiety or boredom.

Apart from jiu-jitsu, I often enter the state of Flow:

When I write an article,
Conduct a session with a client,
Interview an interesting person.

In those moments, I vanish - only my attention remains. Time becomes flexible. The external world freezes, while I soar. Like an arrow released, I am the process of approaching the goal.

It's a delightful state, as it reaches the peak of meaning. Thanks to this, I can reconcile with the imperfections of the world.

Moreover, I make my microscopic contribution to organizing this chaos towards a slightly greater ideal.

My dream is to stay in this state non-stop all day.

And you, in what moments and how often are you in Flow?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Double Trouble / October 2, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

In jiu-jitsu, it's not enough to get a good position and make a submission.

A novice, gripped by fear, will surrender, but a master will nullify the threat.

For an unstoppable victory, you must create a "double trouble".

There are two ways out of a trap, but danger awaits both.

"Double trouble" is an illusion of choice, as any option is fine with you.

There is an insight when you turn the situation 180 degrees.

You must avoid getting stuck in "double trouble" at any cost.

The cunning adversary knows this and will push you towards it.

This could be a competitor, an enemy, or fate.

But how do you escape the horns of the dilemma?

Study yourself.

If you analyze a series of your problems, a pattern will emerge.

Conditions may change, but one meta-dilemma always resurfaces.

Every superhero must know his kryptonite, no?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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How to Cultivate Gratitude? / October 1, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

"I'm curious, what helps you cultivate gratitude?"

The reader's question resonated with me, as I had been thinking about it recently. First and foremost, I know why it's important.

Along with free will, gratitude forms the foundation of a healthy "self."

I've also found that gratitude helps reduce suffering and allows me to embrace reality faster as it is.

This acceptance opens up new possibilities. Otherwise, they are hidden by despair, like wild strawberries in the grass.

Once we've answered the "why" question, we can move on to "how."

Three things are key: practice, practice, practice.

Whenever people give the slightest reason, I say, "Thank you." Or rather, I'm learning to say it because sometimes there's a silly barrier inside.

When I achieve something significant, I mentally address the one who gave me the necessary insight, patience or strength.

It's more challenging when something negative discourages or knocks me down. Here, to nurture the seeds of gratitude, I need reliable teachers – time and a therapist.

Throughout the day, I try to notice ordinary moments worth being thankful for. For instance, a heartfelt conversation, a great workout, the light of a rising sun, the scent of autumn, and so on.

Every morning I begin and every evening I end with the words: 'I am thankful for..."

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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A Source of Confidence / September 30, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Ballet instructor Marianna Claire, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1976

How to replace helplessness with confidence? There are several ways:

Madness.
Foolishness.
Relying on others.
Knowledge and skills.
Faith in a higher power.

The madman lacks a device that assesses danger.

The fool is self-assured because in their world, there is no uncertainty.

Other people are family, friends, the community, or the state. They can assist, but certainly not in everything. Their resources have limits.

In contrast, in faith, there is neither bottom nor ceiling. It's boundless. The only complexity is that you can't grasp it with your intellect alone.

Knowledge turns the unknown territory into a map, and skills help you survive and thrive. Only apathy and idleness hinder our progress. Otherwise, you can build confidence every day.

All that's needed are:

Gratitude,
Curiosity, and
Discipline (habit, ritual).

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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In Search of Beauty / September 29, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

“What a beautiful picture. How do you search for these?”

There is a technical answer to the reader’s technical question:

You need to feel in your body the gist of what you want to say.
Immerse yourself in a stream of various illustrations.
Wait for a response inside you to the promising candidates.
As you go, save the unsuitable illustrations that impressed you.
Follow the artist’s, photographer’s, or aggregator’s account.

In this way, each iteration of your search rewards you threefold:

Firstly, a good illustration helps convey the meaning more precisely.
Secondly, your collection grows organically for future articles.
Thirdly, your symbol-making muscles are also getting stronger.

But apart from the technical answer, there’s also a fundamental one.

If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll share it.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Embrace the Tear / September 28, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

I'm glad my meniscus tore.

I know it sounds strange, but don't rush to think I've lost my mind.

Today, my coach marveled at my pressure during a jiu-jitsu match. It's not a fluke - my legs are stronger now than they were 20 years ago.

It's been 12 weeks since my knee surgery. The sports rehab specialist pushed me to do a massive amount of work. Some exercises I would have been too embarrassed to do, and others I wouldn't even dare to do.

I squat with two 16 kg weights 300 times, wall sit for 15 minutes, balance like a circus performer on one leg, jump on a trampoline, and endure maximum quad stimulation with electrical currents.

As a result, even my gait has changed. I stand stronger on my legs, not symbolically, but literally. Progress had to show in my jiu-jitsu.

Renowned coach John Danaher explains that the strongest part of the body is the thighs. Even if you're smaller and weaker than your opponent, your legs are likely stronger than his arms. So, in jiu-jitsu, your arms are only needed for contact with the opponent. The main power should come from your thighs and hips. Now I have a proof.

A torn meniscus is lousy news. It took a while, but I accepted this fact. Only then did the question arise: "How to get back to normal faster?" In search of an answer, I found a ton of insights. And most importantly, this process changed me.

It would be cool to transform any bad news the same way. That way circumstances lose their power over us.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Small Things' Nonlinearity / September 27, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Today I had my first fall from a scooter, going headfirst. It happened because:

I had a bad night's sleep,
I was running late for practice,
I chose an uncomfortable scooter model,
I zoomed downhill,
I hopped onto the curb at a sharp angle.

None of these factors were a big deal on their own. If I had just four of them, I could have slowed down or walked over the curb.

Unfortunately, each factor demanded a piece of my attention. The task's difficulty exceeded my available resources to handle it.

The same thing happens in business, sports, and life's other aspects. We tell ourselves, "no problem. It's just a little thing." Unfortunately, we often overlook how all those small things add up.

Our minds poorly predict non-linear effects. That's why they regularly take us by surprise.

Conclusion: Keep an eye on the overall strength of your system. It could be your business, your body or your family. In this sense, there are no small things at all.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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The Birthplace of Ideas / September 26, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The CEO should be able to set priorities. Here's a small example.

When I moved to a new office, I didn't hesitate to spend money on a few things:

A round table for 8 people in the meeting room.
Comfortable chairs from Steelcase.
A huge wallboard, framed like a museum painting.

Why this choice? I wanted our advertising agency to be the most creative one in the country.

The essence of this business isn't just about clients, pricing, or branding. It's about systematically generating Wow-ideas.

Sure, talented people come up with ideas, but the environment can either boost or hinder them.

A crucial step in our process was group brainstorming. Sometimes, a multidisciplinary team would sit around one table for many hours. Twenty years ago, clients wanted everything yesterday )

Through experience, I've come up with a few simple rules:

Participants should feel that they are all equal.
When the body is comfortable, the brain works at its best.
Visualizing vague ideas helps them grow faster.

I have fond memories of our brainstorming sessions. Especially the moment when the darkness of despair suddenly lit up with a flash of ideas. It became clear to me that investing in building a team and creating the right conditions made sense.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Life and Conflict / September 25, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

No one likes conflict (except psychopaths). But, in reality, life is a conflict.

Let's say your current state satisfies you 100%. No feelings of hunger, anxiety, or fatigue. Instead, you feel warm, cozy, and comfortable, as if you're asleep in your mother's womb.

Will you rush somewhere and fight for something? No. You already have everything you need. Blissful contentment will stretch on forever. You seem to exist, but you don't.

Suddenly, you start feeling pain, suffocation, or confinement. Discomfort grows. An impulse to take action arises inside you.

Now you have the conflict. The old state is unbearable, but familiar. The new state beckons, but terrifies with its novelty. You're stuck between two worlds.

Sooner or later, on your own or with someone's help, you'll find a way out. The conflict will disappear. You'll enthusiastically explore uncharted territory and weave a new nest until...

... until the cycle repeats itself once more. And again. And again.

Conclusion: life is overcoming conflicts sequentially, one by one.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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The Game-Changing Question / September 24, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

One question radically improved my life.

Imagine this: someone claims, "Capitalism is bad."

You ask, "Compared to what?"

In response, they often stumble or fantasize about socialism.

You see, at the time of the USSR's collapse, I was 19 years old.

So, with my own eyes, I saw:

Any initiative crushed,
Independent thinking persecuted,
People's creative potential squandered.

Despite its obvious flaws, capitalism's a lot better.

Another example: you think, 'I'm such a failure (klutz, fool)!'

Ask yourself, "Compared to whom?"

The thing is, after 30-40 years, your path is like no one else's.

Your past version is out of date, as the world has transformed.

And in the future, you'll have no idea what you can achieve.

So, who are you? You are the Process of Change.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

P.S. Got your super-question? Share it!

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Weaving Your Pattern / September 23, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

If I could be 20 again, I'd say: "No."

Yes, being young is nice, but back then I was asleep.

Every day was full of events, but it was like a dream. In other words, I wasn't making my life, it was happening to me.

And then, someone punctured my beautiful, airy balloon with a needle. The balloon was my illusions, someone was reality, and the puncture was a harsh collision with it.

It was a painful experience, and my world lost its height and volume. But, in taking away much, reality gave me an unexpected gift.

The veil fell from my eyes, and everything around started to look different. The scattered threads began to weave into a single pattern.

This isn't about learning how to create a 'successful success'. It's about seeing yourself, people, and the world as they really are. And, most importantly, being okay with that.

Interestingly, each new day accelerates this important process.

It turns out that youth, maturity, and old age are each priceless in their own way.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Eureka is Inside / September 22, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

All the answers you need are already inside you.

How so? It's simple:

The owner of the problem is also the carrier of the solution.

After all, nothing arises out of nowhere.

Like a beaver, you've been building your dam for a long time.

So, in your unique challenge, you are a world-class expert.

Therefore, you, more than anyone else, are close to solving it.

Don't believe it? Look around.

How does a warrior achieve victory? He must study the enemy inside and out.

How does a Buddhist resolve a koan? She must merge with the question as one.

One day, enlightenment dawns, and all the pieces fall into place.

External factors only hasten or delay this process.

Knowing all this, you have one task - find the catalyst.

A situation, a community or a person can fulfil this function.

The catalyst speeds up your Eureka!

Want an example? Here's a testimonial from my client:

"Alexander has a quick mind and openness, allowing him to see the situation in a non-standard, 'out of the box' way. I'm certain that this yields a super-positive ROI — obtaining a significant insight in a compressed timeframe that otherwise might take years to develop."

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Morning Metamorphosis / September 21, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Every morning, I undergo a transformation. There's no other way to describe it.

In about an hour and a half, my state changes from "-" to "+."

I usually wake up feeling gloomy. I went to bed late, and air raid sirens woke me up during the night. My dog impatiently whines. An old injury aches. In short, a "good" morning!

Reluctantly, I prepare for my workout, whether it's jiu-jitsu, kettlebells, or mace. A sneaky thought flashes: "Maybe skip today?" But my body follows the rails of habit, and the thought dissipates like mist. Muscles do their familiar job, regardless of the mind's reflection. Along with streams of sweat, gloominess, and annoyance leave me.

A different person emerges from the contrasting shower. There's wild fatigue in my body, but clarity in my mind and peace in my soul. I curiously recall what's on my agenda for the day. The change in mindset is so significant that I'm amazed every time. And the more this transformation repeats, the easier it is to start it next time. That's how faith turns into knowledge. The mind, body, and psyche influence each other more than we expect.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Inner Island / September 20, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Inside each of us, there is a small island of stability. But right there, within us, lies the ocean of chaos.

At times, our eyes behold a paradise. Golden sands, azure waters, and gentle sunlight. It's easy to love this beautiful life. And then, out of nowhere, a storm sweeps in. Lightning tears through the black fabric of the sky. Monstrous waves crash onto the island, one after another. It feels like the end of the world.

All this drama unfolds in our minds. External events have an impact, but not in equal measure. For example, one person in the queue resorts to fists over a trivial matter. Meanwhile another, terminally ill, exudes calm, confidence, and serenity.

How is this possible? Shouldn't it be the other way around? No, what matters is not what happens to us but how we perceive ourselves in all of this. In essence, throughout life, we expand our island, building up the sand. The goal is to have solid ground beneath our feet the moment of truth comes.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Inner Demons / September 19, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

You have demons inside you.

Just like I do.

Just like all humans do.

These demons are not universal; they are unique to you.

Therefore, someone else's advice has limited value.

You have to handle them on your own, one by one.

It's going to be an epic struggle for power.

They will attempt to seduce, frighten, or confuse you in countless ways.

But you will gain control and submit them, without a doubt.

And then, there will be a surprise waiting for you.

Demons turn out to be incredibly productive.

Pursuing their obsessions, they work 24/7/365.

They have simply lacked a master to give them wise commands.

With time, you will come to appreciate their contributions more.

You'll realize that demons have power, or more precisely, superpower.

The amusing thing is that this superpower isn't theirs, but solely yours.

Once you accept this, the mission is complete.

The curse of the demons becomes a gift of the angels.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Life's Axis / September 18, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

A single graph reshaped my view of the world, people, and myself.

I can't recall the author—Frankl, Langley, or Jung.

For most, life flows along the horizontal axis. They ardently flee from all suffering to chase after pleasure.

Options for this pursuit are abundant:

Alcohol,
Video games,
Social networks,
Antidepressants,
Amassing assets,
Ideological battles,
Replaying psychological dramas, and so on.

However, along the vertical axis, there is a different kind of life.

Insanity, madness and meaninglessness await you at the bottom. Clarity, order, and personal purpose fuel the ascent.

Changes to the horizontal will not affect the vertical as these axes are perpendicular. Hence the conclusion: no bank account, follower count, or whiskey dosage can fill the existential void.

Conversely, upward movement remains independent of circumstances. All you need is the intention to give meaning to your life. The axes intersect in a cross at one point. That point is you.

You are free to:

Fool yourself by moving left to right,
Destroy yourself by sliding downward, or
Choose the hard way up.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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Your Hidden Strength / September 17, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

It's remarkably easy to tire out a small group of muscles, like your trapezius or forearms. After 25-50 repetitions, the muscle becomes completely 'fatigued.' Trying to muster up willpower is pointless because the physical resources of muscle fibers are exhausted.

Now, let's talk about the big guys - the quadriceps in your thighs. They can handle a monumental workload. Back when I was training at home, I would pick up a 24 kg kettlebell and do several sets of squats, 15-25 reps each. My muscles would swell and protest, signaling that I was nearing my limit. Currently, I'm recovering from a sports injury to my knee. My rehab specialist tasked me with doing 200 squats with two 16 kg kettlebells. To my surprise, I accomplished it.

The first 50 squats are tough, and anything beyond 100 seems impossible. But I command myself to keep going. My thighs groan and complain, but they get the job done. After that, I do eight more different leg exercises. So, I can't really fathom where the limit is for quadriceps. It appears that the mind gives in much earlier than the big muscles. Hmm, then what is the body as a whole capable of?

If you unite your muscles, ligaments, and nerves, empower them with will, fuel them with creativity, and steer them with your mind, the idea of physical limits becomes almost comical. You have no idea what you're really capable of. You can only discover it after achieving what was necessary, even if it wasn't what you initially desired.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

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