Life

Overcoming Overthinking…

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Overthinking can take three forms: rumination, overanalyzing, and future tripping. Here’s how to spot and handle each one—before they cause you to spiral, stress, and ultimately burn out.
 
Rumination. This is a mental loop where you dwell on past events, particularly negative or distressing ones. If you tend to fixate on negative feedback, bring up past failures in conversation with others, or you’re overly cautious about work, you might be a ruminator. To diffuse your rumination, set aside 15 to 30 minutes to grapple with these negative thoughts. This will help you compartmentalize and stop yourself from ruminating constantly throughout the day.
 
Overanalyzing. Procrastinating, over-relying on others’ approval, and experiencing difficulty prioritizing are all tendencies of overanalyzers. To break the cycle, shift your aim from “perfect” to “good enough.”
 
Future tripping. If you spend excessive energy planning for every possible scenario, or you find it hard to celebrate your successes because you’re always thinking about what’s next, you’re likely a future tripper. To address it, use your forward-looking tendencies to your advantage by projecting yourself into a future where the stress of this moment is behind you.

Long Term View…

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For every short-term view we take, let’s pause for 1 minute and think of its long-term implications.

It can be any decision or action big or small.

Job – Yes it gives money in the short term, but does it make your career in the long term, pause and reflect.

Eating Burger – Yes it gives immediate taste to your senses, what does to your body in the long run?

Long-term thinking helps make better decisions than short-term thinking.

How to Stop Ruminating…

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It’s totally normal to ruminate on stressful situations, whether it’s a nagging problem at work or a personal conflict that’s making you anxious. The good news? Improving your ability to stay present can help you set aside stressors that you can’t immediately resolve. Here are some strategies to break the cycle of rumination.
 
First, anchor yourself. Take a moment to feel the weight of your feet on the floor, then consider: “What am I thinking? What am I feeling in my body right now? What am I doing right now?” Then ask yourself: “Are my thoughts helping me in this moment?”
 
Then try to take your thoughts less seriously. Rather than allowing negative ideas to feel like dictators in your life, gain some perspective by observing them from a distance and reminding yourself that they’re just thoughts.
 
Next, don’t fight uncertainty. While accepting uncertainty might mean sitting with some amount of fear, the alternative is to try to micromanage reality, which simply isn’t possible. 
 
Finally, validate yourself and what you’re feeling. Simply legitimizing your negative emotions can help diffuse stress and rumination. For example, you might think something like: “I have the right to feel nervous.” Naming an emotion—and giving yourself permission to feel it—can help you move past its initial intensity.

Are You Addicted to Your Phone?

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Has your smartphone use become problematic—affecting your family time, social life, or work? Interrupting an unhealthy relationship with your phone starts with developing self-awareness. Here are the red flags to look out for and questions to help you spot them.

Loss of control. Do you feel a deep, persistent, and uncontrollable urge to check your phone, even when you’re not waiting for anything in particular?

Dependence. Do you feel anxious or irritable when you have to turn off your phone? Are you preoccupied with the thought of missing a call, text, or notification?

Emotional coping.  Do you reflexively turn to your phone to cope with negative emotions like boredom, frustration, stress, or social anxiety? 

Negative emotions. Simply put, does being on your phone make you feel bad? Do you feel more stress, anxiety, or loneliness after using it?

Harmed social relationships. Does using your phone prevent you from listening to others and engaging in uninterrupted, face-to-face conversations? Do important people around you feel neglected because you’re focused on your phone instead of them? 

Compromised performance. Does your phone distract you from getting important things done? Limit your ability to think clearly. Enable your procrastination?

Being wrong…

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In the journey of life and learning, being wrong isn’t merely an inevitability; it’s a necessity. Far from being a sign of weakness, the acknowledgment of our mistakes is a testament to our courage and a cornerstone of genuine learning. The moments when we confront our own errors are pivotal, propelling us beyond the confines of our previous understanding. This process, although uncomfortable, is rich with the potential for personal growth and insight.

The true value of being wrong lies not in the mistake itself but in the reflection and adaptation that follow. Each misstep offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the complexity of our thoughts, actions, and their impacts on the world. It challenges us to question, to reconsider, and ultimately, to evolve. The humility to admit we are wrong is the first step in a transformative process that leads to a more profound, nuanced understanding of our subjects and ourselves.

Moreover, acknowledging our faults fosters resilience. It teaches us that failure is not the antithesis of success but a vital component of it. By embracing our fallibility, we learn to navigate the uncertain and the unknown with grace and determination. This resilience becomes a key asset in all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors.

Being wrong, then, is far more than a momentary setback. It’s a doorway to discovery, a catalyst for intellectual and emotional growth. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to embrace and learn from our mistakes, we open ourselves to a world of deeper understanding and connection. In this light, being wrong is not just about learning from our errors; it’s about shaping a more thoughtful, empathetic, and resilient self.

Lunch Time…

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Lunchtime is unique; it serves as a barometer of your life, a measure of your stress level. If you have good recollections of lunchtime, it generally indicates a good life. And when I say a good life, I don’t necessarily mean a successful life. A good or happy life can be different from a successful one.

Reflecting on my school lunch times, I realize they hardly left an imprint on my memory. Perhaps, for me, lunchtime was synonymous with stress—caught in the whirlwind of impending homework, rigorous study schedules, and the constant push to be perfect in everything I tried.

My journey through school lunches began at Sainik School, from 6th to 10th grade. Unlike other schools, we didn’t carry lunch boxes; instead, we dined in the mess. The menu often featured overcooked chapatis, yellow dal, some gravy, and rice. Despite the food’s simplicity and occasional lack, our youthful energy and physical demands had us devouring what was served with fervor. Yet, this period in my life is a blur, devoid of specific lunchtime memories, overshadowed perhaps by academic pressures and a stringent routine.

Transitioning to DPS Korba in the midst of 11th grade brought no change to my lunchtime recollections. The stress and packed schedules continued to eclipse any memory of midday meals, till I cleared IIT JEE Exam.

However, college marked a turning point. Lunch times became enjoyable, characterized by good food and even better post-lunch naps, all in the absence of stress. Being at IIT assured me of my career path, surrounded by good food and great friends.

Yet, entering the workforce reintroduced the familiar stress, making lunchtime memories once again a gauge of my stress levels. The more stressful life became, the less I remembered about these moments.

As I look forward to the future, I hope for lunch times filled with less stress and more enjoyment, marking memorable moments rather than forgotten ones.

Building a Golden Bridge for Your Opponent to Retreat Across…

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Create a clipart image that symbolizes the concept of 'Building a Golden Bridge for Your Opponent to Retreat Across,' inspired by Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War.' The image should depict a golden bridge extending from one side to another, signifying a dignified retreat path in a conflict situation. On one side of the bridge, there should be a figure representing an individual or party in a stance that suggests readiness to resolve conflict, and on the opposite side, a figure symbolizing the opponent, considering the path provided. The overall atmosphere should convey respect, understanding, and the preservation of future relationships, with a backdrop that emphasizes a peaceful resolution.

“Building a Golden Bridge for Your Opponent to Retreat Across” is a concept derived from Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” emphasizing the importance of providing adversaries with a dignified way to withdraw from a conflict situation.

This approach not only resolves the immediate dispute but also preserves the relationship for future interactions. The “golden bridge” symbolizes a pathway filled with respect and understanding, allowing the opponent to retreat without feeling defeated or humiliated.

By implementing this strategy in both personal and professional conflicts, parties can find a peaceful resolution that maintains the integrity and dignity of all involved, paving the way for constructive dialogue and collaboration in the future.

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