Idioms for Life
less than a minute
Analysis Paralysis
Analysis paralysis is a state of overthinking or overanalyzing a situation to the point where no action is taken. It can lead to missed opportunities and increased stress. “Do something, even if it’s wrong”.
Ask for Forgiveness, Not Permission
This mindset encourages taking initiative and being resourceful. It emphasizes the importance of finding solutions to challenges rather than waiting for someone else to do it for you. The idea is to act first and deal with any consequences later, rather than seeking approval beforehand. You always need to weigh the risks and the benefits of your actions, and be prepared to face the consequences of your decisions.
Burn the Ships
The phrase “burn the ships” refers to a decisive commitment to a course of action, leaving no option for retreat. It symbolizes the idea of fully committing to a goal or mission, eliminating any possibility of turning back.
Control How You Think
You can’t help the way you feel, but you can help the way you think. Change your thinking on a topic and the feeling will change.
Do The Work
Talent is overrated, but effort is not. The more you put in, the more you get out. Do the work, and the results will follow.
Don't Be a Victim
Don’t be a victim of your circumstances. Take control of your life and your decisions. You are responsible for your own happiness and success. Every human has been a victim of something at some point. Embracing it has no upside and unbounded downside.
Fail Fast
The fail-fast principle is the concept that encourages people to identify and address issues as early as possible in the process. If you’ve hit the point where you realize the current approach is going to fail, it’s better to stop and pivot. Fail fast, and move on.
Fail Forward
The Fail Forward concept encourages individuals to learn from their mistakes and setbacks, using them as stepping stones for future success. It emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. Don’t just accept failure; embrace it as a necessary part of the journey towards achieving your goals. By failing forward, you can turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and improvement.
Figure It Out
Figure it out is a mindset that encourages problem-solving and resilience. It emphasizes the importance of taking initiative, being resourceful, and finding solutions to challenges rather than waiting for someone else to do it for you, or waiting for someone to ask. If something needs to be addressed, take the initiative the figure it out. Ask for forgiveness, not permission!
Get Comfortable with Discomfort
Getting comfortable with discomfort involves embracing challenges and uncertainties as opportunities for growth. It encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones, confront their fears, and develop resilience in the face of adversity. By learning to tolerate discomfort, people can unlock their full potential and achieve greater success in their personal and professional lives.
Just Do It
Just do it is a mindset that encourages action and decisiveness. It emphasizes the importance of taking the first step, overcoming procrastination, and not overthinking decisions. This approach can lead to increased productivity and a sense of accomplishment.
Keep It Simple, Stupid (K.I.S.S.)
The K.I.S.S. principle stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” It emphasizes the importance of simplicity in design and problem-solving. By avoiding unnecessary complexity, individuals and organizations can improve understanding, communication, and efficiency.
Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way
The lead, follow, or get out of the way principle is a call to action. It encourages individuals to take charge of their own lives and decisions. If you want to lead, step up and take responsibility. If you want to support someone else’s vision, follow them. If you don’t want to be involved, step aside and let others take the lead.
No One is Coming to Save You
No one is coming to save you. You are responsible for your own happiness and success. Take charge of your life and make the changes you want to see.
Own Your Shit
This is the idea that you are responsible for your mistakes. If you messed up, own it. Don’t blame others or make excuses. Take responsibility for your actions and learn from them.
Perfection is the Enemy of Progress
This is the idea that striving for perfection can actually hinder progress. It’s better to aim for “good enough” and make incremental improvements than to get stuck in the pursuit of an unattainable ideal. AKA “good is good enough.”
Pity Party
The Pity Party mindset is when you just feel sorry for yourself and fall into inaction. It usually involves seeking sympathy from others instead of taking action to improve your situation. While it’s natural to feel down at times, wallowing in self-pity can be counterproductive and prevent personal growth. Recognize when you’re throwing a pity party, and when you do - shut it down!
Plan, Then Execute
Planning is essential for success. It allows you to set clear goals, identify potential obstacles, and create a roadmap to achieve your objectives. Execution is the process of putting your plan into action and making adjustments as needed. Do one or the other, but not both at the same time.
The 1% Rule
The 1% Rule is a concept that suggests making small, incremental improvements can lead to significant progress over time. By focusing on getting just 1% better each day, individuals and organizations can achieve remarkable results through consistent effort and dedication.
Unbounded Upside
In life you will run across situations that have an upside and a downside. Usually, one of those is limited. Like: unbounded downside and limited upside. Or unbounded upside and limited downside. This is a concept that can be applied to many areas of life, including finance, career, and personal development.
What Gets Measured Gets Managed
This is the principle that emphasizes the importance of measuring performance and outcomes in order to effectively manage and improve them. By tracking key metrics, individuals and organizations can identify areas for improvement, set goals, and make informed decisions. If you don’t measure it, how can you know anything about your progress?
What You Feed, Grows; What You Starve, Dies
For many things in life, this is very true. Where you put your human energy makes all the difference. If you want more of something, feed it. If you want less of something, starve it.
You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don't Take
This idiom emphasizes the importance of taking risks and seizing opportunities. It suggests that not trying at all guarantees failure, while taking action, even if it leads to mistakes, can result in valuable learning experiences and potential success.