The 90-10 Rule - A perspective on progress that emphasizes patience and the importance of recognizing and celebrating incremental achievements, understanding that significant progress often happens towards the end of a task.
We always discuss the 90-10 rule in the lab: you'll spend the first 90% of the time accomplishing 10% of the task. Consequently, the overwhelming 90% of the task is often achieved in the final 10% of the race. This concept is a powerful reminder of the nature of progress and the importance of patience.
It’s natural to feel anxious about the apparent lack of tangible achievements early in a project. Remember, there are always unknowns when running a race for the first time. It’s essential to remind yourself during the process that you are making progress and doing a good job. Here’s how to maintain perspective:
- Acknowledge Progress: Celebrate small wins and recognize that each step, no matter how small, contributes to the larger goal.
- Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset, understanding that the majority of the task’s completion is ahead of you.
- Enjoy the Journey: Treat the task as a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to appreciate the process and the learning experiences along the way.
- Pace Yourself: Avoid burnout by managing your energy and expectations.
- Appreciate the View: Enjoy the journey and the experiences it brings. This makes crossing the finishing line even more fulfilling.
- Achieve Self-Actualization: Embracing the process allows for personal growth and self-fulfillment.
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The 90-10 Rule
Ed de Bono's Six Thinking Hats - A powerful framework for tackling complex problem through diverse perspectives, ensuring well-rounded and informed decision-making.
During Yu's time as a student, he was introduced to the concept of the Six Thinking Hats by an inspirational teacher who often shared intriguing ideas. Among the many gems, a 1998 newspaper printout about these six-colored hats stood out. This simple yet effective approach to decision-making has since become a cornerstone of our lab’s methodology.
The Six Thinking Hats encourage us to view challenges from different angles, each represented by a distinct hat color. By prioritizing one perspective at a time, we can dissect and understand the multifaceted nature of any issue. Here's a brief look at each hat:
- White Hat (Information): Focus on the data available. What do we know? What do we need to find out?
- Red Hat (Emotion): Consider the emotional impact. How do we feel about this? What are our gut reactions?
- Black Hat (Caution): Look at the risks and potential problems. What could go wrong?
- Yellow Hat (Optimism): Highlight the positives and benefits. What is the best-case scenario?
- Green Hat (Creativity): Explore creative solutions and alternatives. How can we think outside the box?
- Blue Hat (Process): Manage the thinking process. What is our goal? What thinking hat should we wear next?
![Ed de Bono](images/inspirations/sixhats.png)
Ed de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
Four Quadrants - A time management strategy that helps balance urgent tasks with important long-term goals, fostering strategic thinking and proactive planning.
In our lab, we believe in the power of strategic thinking and effective time management to unlock our full potential. This framework helps us stay focused on what truly matters and ensures that we balance urgent tasks with important long-term goals.
The Four Quadrants framework divides our activities into four categories based on urgency and importance:
- Quadrant 1 (Q1 - Urgent and Important): These are tasks that require immediate attention and are crucial to our success. Often, these are chores and crises that we must handle out of necessity. While these tasks are unavoidable, they can dominate our time if not managed carefully.
- Quadrant 2 (Q2 - Not Urgent but Important): This quadrant includes activities that are crucial for long-term success but do not require immediate action. These are strategies, planning, and personal development tasks that help us achieve our larger goals. Spending time in Q2 allows us to be proactive and to focus on what truly matters, rather than just reacting to urgent demands.
- Quadrant 3 (Q3 - Urgent but Not Important): These tasks may seem pressing, but they don't contribute significantly to our long-term objectives. They can be distractions that pull us away from more meaningful work.
- Quadrant 4 (Q4 - Not Urgent and Not Important): These are activities that neither add value nor require immediate attention. They can often be time-wasters or low-priority tasks that should be minimized or eliminated.
![Four Quadrants](images/inspirations/4quads.jpg)
Stephen Covey's 4 Quadrants
Embracing Mistakes - Understanding the value of mistakes as learning experiences that build resilience, adaptability, and growth, both personally and professionally.
Yu: "As a long-term amateur chess player and coach, one of our most memorable training sessions was aptly named “Lucky That I’ve Made So Many Mistakes!”. This phrase resonates deeply with me, not only in the context of chess but also in my scientific career. After submitting a grant and returning to the (virtual) chess board, I often find myself losing several games before eventually rebounding. This process mirrors my journey in the lab, where every mistake has been a crucial learning experience."
Embracing mistakes has not only enhanced our scientific skills but also our perception and management abilities. Here’s how these experiences have shaped us:
- Resilience: Each failure reinforced the importance of perseverance and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
- Adaptability: Mistakes taught me to adapt and find alternative solutions, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
- Empathy and Leadership: Understanding my own struggles helped me become a more empathetic and effective leader, supporting others through their learning curves.
![Chess](images/inspirations/chess.jpg)