Epicycle 2
Week 1
*Absent
*Absent
*Absent
October 3rd, 2013
Getting back to the MPC
Today, I came back to the MPC from my awesome trip to Chicago. I spent a great weekend there and now I had to come back here. I had a lot going on in my mind and whether I was in the right place. I’m still confused about making the right decision that benefit more in my life. Besides all of these thinking and thinking, it was good to see everybody and feel their support.
Today, I had a couple of good learnings that were very refreshing to remember. One is “make it happen”. We all have goals and things we want to achieve it, but most of the time there’s something that inhibits us to do them. “Make it happen” is a mind-set of just doing things, making whatever it takes to achieve your goals.
The other learning is a mind-set too. It’s about how you can add value to other people’s life. It’s about thinking in ways you can contribute and help others achieve their goals. And it’s not about living for others, but creating life-long relationships that you can know would contribute to your life as well. It’s about making you someone that others would like to have around, and that has a lot of benefits for both parties. It’s about the value of working and contributing together, forming a community, which supports each other and really makes a difference in other’s life.
Getting back to the MPC
Today, I came back to the MPC from my awesome trip to Chicago. I spent a great weekend there and now I had to come back here. I had a lot going on in my mind and whether I was in the right place. I’m still confused about making the right decision that benefit more in my life. Besides all of these thinking and thinking, it was good to see everybody and feel their support.
Today, I had a couple of good learnings that were very refreshing to remember. One is “make it happen”. We all have goals and things we want to achieve it, but most of the time there’s something that inhibits us to do them. “Make it happen” is a mind-set of just doing things, making whatever it takes to achieve your goals.
The other learning is a mind-set too. It’s about how you can add value to other people’s life. It’s about thinking in ways you can contribute and help others achieve their goals. And it’s not about living for others, but creating life-long relationships that you can know would contribute to your life as well. It’s about making you someone that others would like to have around, and that has a lot of benefits for both parties. It’s about the value of working and contributing together, forming a community, which supports each other and really makes a difference in other’s life.
Week 2
October 7th, 2013
The Good Jester
Why do we laugh? What is it that makes something funny? What makes a story good? Is it about the content or the way it’s told? Or maybe both? In what proportion? These are some of the questions we discussed in our dialogue of The Art of Creation. We specifically talked about what is it that makes a good story. One of the things that Koestler says is that there must exist this continuous flow of explosions. By explosions, I mean the point where two matrices of thought are joined and create a release in tension in the form of laughter, because of the incompatibility of these matrices. And of course, an important factor in achieving this is how the story or joke is told, and that’s the ability of the jester.
This can be applied to everyday life. It’s the essence of being a good communicator. It’s about delivering your message in the most efficient way. I remember my pitching sessions at Heurística that we focused a lot in the point of knowing how to transmit your message maintaining the attention and tension of your audience and then knowing the exact moment of telling something that would release that tension and make it pleasurable to them. So, there’s a parallel in what Koestler is saying and the way we should communicate if we want to transmit our message in the most convincing way, and that’s one of the most important skills you can learn in your life.
The Good Jester
Why do we laugh? What is it that makes something funny? What makes a story good? Is it about the content or the way it’s told? Or maybe both? In what proportion? These are some of the questions we discussed in our dialogue of The Art of Creation. We specifically talked about what is it that makes a good story. One of the things that Koestler says is that there must exist this continuous flow of explosions. By explosions, I mean the point where two matrices of thought are joined and create a release in tension in the form of laughter, because of the incompatibility of these matrices. And of course, an important factor in achieving this is how the story or joke is told, and that’s the ability of the jester.
This can be applied to everyday life. It’s the essence of being a good communicator. It’s about delivering your message in the most efficient way. I remember my pitching sessions at Heurística that we focused a lot in the point of knowing how to transmit your message maintaining the attention and tension of your audience and then knowing the exact moment of telling something that would release that tension and make it pleasurable to them. So, there’s a parallel in what Koestler is saying and the way we should communicate if we want to transmit our message in the most convincing way, and that’s one of the most important skills you can learn in your life.
October 8th, 2013
Progress and Improvement
One thing that has caught my attention these days is Ingrid’s improvement on the art dialogues. They are interesting, creative, dynamic, and fun. Comparing these dialogues to the ones of the other semesters, I can tell that there’s a significant difference, for the better, in how these are managed. You can see the dedication Ingrid is putting into these dialogues and it’s reflected on the acceptance and desire to learn everyone has during this time. Now, why has this happened?
I think one of Ingrid’s strengths is organization. She has told us in various occasions her experience in Switzerland and how they managed their time, leaving her with no option but to do the same. So, organization is one key component. And this is also seen during the GROW sessions with her. I think she can express better what you are trying to tell than yourself!
Another key component I see in this change is willingness. Without that, there’s no much sense in doing anything. And it’s easier to be willing to do something when what you are going to do is what you are passionate for, and I see this relation between Ingrid and art. This makes her be herself, express her mastery on the subject, and give a better purpose to the class. All of these is transmitted to us, and that’s the final component; communication. If you can’t communicate well, your efforts might be in vain.
In conclusion, big applauses to Ingrid!
Progress and Improvement
One thing that has caught my attention these days is Ingrid’s improvement on the art dialogues. They are interesting, creative, dynamic, and fun. Comparing these dialogues to the ones of the other semesters, I can tell that there’s a significant difference, for the better, in how these are managed. You can see the dedication Ingrid is putting into these dialogues and it’s reflected on the acceptance and desire to learn everyone has during this time. Now, why has this happened?
I think one of Ingrid’s strengths is organization. She has told us in various occasions her experience in Switzerland and how they managed their time, leaving her with no option but to do the same. So, organization is one key component. And this is also seen during the GROW sessions with her. I think she can express better what you are trying to tell than yourself!
Another key component I see in this change is willingness. Without that, there’s no much sense in doing anything. And it’s easier to be willing to do something when what you are going to do is what you are passionate for, and I see this relation between Ingrid and art. This makes her be herself, express her mastery on the subject, and give a better purpose to the class. All of these is transmitted to us, and that’s the final component; communication. If you can’t communicate well, your efforts might be in vain.
In conclusion, big applauses to Ingrid!
October 9th, 2013
Perfection is not Perfect
Today was a good day. At first, I wasn’t feeling well, somehow like unmotivated, but as the day went by it got better. I mean, dialoguing Human Action always makes things better. Besides that, I had a couple of learnings during the Socrates Café.
The first one is about the importance of not being perfect. You don’t have to be perfect. Your aim to perfection is bad, because most of the time it restricts your actions. You think they won’t be perfect and you end up not doing anything at all! Benjamin Franklin said, “Well done is better than well said.” True, absolutely true! But, what’s also true is that things done are better than things not done. Improving on what you are doing comes with practice and repetition. Don’t expect to do something great and beautiful and infallible and perfect with your first shot. You just won’t get it right. Have high expectations, but know that you’ll need to improve.
The other learning is about reconnecting with yourself, with life, and with others. When you are living a life full of commitments where you do a lot of things, regaining your balance seems to be an impossible task. At the same time, it’s what makes you keep on going and be successful in doing so. Have some time to do that, schedule it, and do it constantly. Think about your thoughts and actions, your long-term goals, have lunch with a friend or a member of your family, live in balance because that’s what makes life enjoyable.
Perfection is not Perfect
Today was a good day. At first, I wasn’t feeling well, somehow like unmotivated, but as the day went by it got better. I mean, dialoguing Human Action always makes things better. Besides that, I had a couple of learnings during the Socrates Café.
The first one is about the importance of not being perfect. You don’t have to be perfect. Your aim to perfection is bad, because most of the time it restricts your actions. You think they won’t be perfect and you end up not doing anything at all! Benjamin Franklin said, “Well done is better than well said.” True, absolutely true! But, what’s also true is that things done are better than things not done. Improving on what you are doing comes with practice and repetition. Don’t expect to do something great and beautiful and infallible and perfect with your first shot. You just won’t get it right. Have high expectations, but know that you’ll need to improve.
The other learning is about reconnecting with yourself, with life, and with others. When you are living a life full of commitments where you do a lot of things, regaining your balance seems to be an impossible task. At the same time, it’s what makes you keep on going and be successful in doing so. Have some time to do that, schedule it, and do it constantly. Think about your thoughts and actions, your long-term goals, have lunch with a friend or a member of your family, live in balance because that’s what makes life enjoyable.
October 10th, 2013
The Quest for Value
This is not a reflection directly related to this day, but to the day after it, that is, Friday. This Friday, I attended a seminar with Joel Stern about Economic Value Added (EVA). I had awesome learnings during this seminar and I wanted to share them here.
First, I thought EVA was only an accounting way of measuring value and wasn’t that different from other mechanisms of doing so. I was wrong. I see the EVA method now as an incentive based system to improve the culture of a company for all the workers to feel like owners, thus motivating them to create more value to the company. It was great! So, my learning here is that sometimes you might be wrong and if you are not open to explore this possibility, you may end up losing a lot.
Second, is the importance of your mindset. It’s about constantly asking you, How well can I do? It’s not about how well I’m doing, but how can I improve. Even if you are doing pretty well, don’t stop there. There’s always the opportunity to do things better, strive for that.
Finally, I learn about the importance of strong values and good feelings. This system has better results when everybody is onboard. From the CEO to the ones cleaning the floor. Everybody counts and makes a difference, and only this can be achieved if they are guided by people who genuinely cares about them. That’s the moment where having good values and feelings come into play.
The Quest for Value
This is not a reflection directly related to this day, but to the day after it, that is, Friday. This Friday, I attended a seminar with Joel Stern about Economic Value Added (EVA). I had awesome learnings during this seminar and I wanted to share them here.
First, I thought EVA was only an accounting way of measuring value and wasn’t that different from other mechanisms of doing so. I was wrong. I see the EVA method now as an incentive based system to improve the culture of a company for all the workers to feel like owners, thus motivating them to create more value to the company. It was great! So, my learning here is that sometimes you might be wrong and if you are not open to explore this possibility, you may end up losing a lot.
Second, is the importance of your mindset. It’s about constantly asking you, How well can I do? It’s not about how well I’m doing, but how can I improve. Even if you are doing pretty well, don’t stop there. There’s always the opportunity to do things better, strive for that.
Finally, I learn about the importance of strong values and good feelings. This system has better results when everybody is onboard. From the CEO to the ones cleaning the floor. Everybody counts and makes a difference, and only this can be achieved if they are guided by people who genuinely cares about them. That’s the moment where having good values and feelings come into play.
Week 3
October 14th, 2013
Creation and Laughter
Today, there were two main things I want to talk about. The first one is Newton’s dialogue. I was in the outer circle because I arrived 11 minutes later. I picked up my parents in the airport so although I did it during my individual work, I was not on time for Newton. So I stayed in the outer circle observing the dialogue’s process. I was disappointed. It seemed that almost no one had interest in the class and it was very boring. There were good questions but no dialogue, people didn’t finish their sentences, they had very low tone of voice, and no concreteness in determining what was being asked or the topic on the table. In general, I saw a lack of commitment, preparation, and proactiveness.
The day passed, we had individual work, and finally Koestler’s dialogue on Act of Creation. It was my turn to explain Chapter 3, about the types of humour. It was good, but I could’ve done it a lot better if I prepared a little more. Nevertheless, the dialogue went pretty well, Grace presented the next chapter very well, and then the dialogue went very smooth. We laughed and voice out our opinions on the chapter. It was a lot of contrast in comparison with the Newton dialogue. Then, Bert showed us two stand-up comedians. They were fun, but the first one was hard to understand so a lot of jokes were not understood. It made me think that the importance of communicating well is in all aspects of our lives and it does make a big difference in the way people understand what you are saying.
Creation and Laughter
Today, there were two main things I want to talk about. The first one is Newton’s dialogue. I was in the outer circle because I arrived 11 minutes later. I picked up my parents in the airport so although I did it during my individual work, I was not on time for Newton. So I stayed in the outer circle observing the dialogue’s process. I was disappointed. It seemed that almost no one had interest in the class and it was very boring. There were good questions but no dialogue, people didn’t finish their sentences, they had very low tone of voice, and no concreteness in determining what was being asked or the topic on the table. In general, I saw a lack of commitment, preparation, and proactiveness.
The day passed, we had individual work, and finally Koestler’s dialogue on Act of Creation. It was my turn to explain Chapter 3, about the types of humour. It was good, but I could’ve done it a lot better if I prepared a little more. Nevertheless, the dialogue went pretty well, Grace presented the next chapter very well, and then the dialogue went very smooth. We laughed and voice out our opinions on the chapter. It was a lot of contrast in comparison with the Newton dialogue. Then, Bert showed us two stand-up comedians. They were fun, but the first one was hard to understand so a lot of jokes were not understood. It made me think that the importance of communicating well is in all aspects of our lives and it does make a big difference in the way people understand what you are saying.
October 15th, 2013
Habit of Writing…Things Down
So, this week I started to make a to-do list of every day. Yesterday wasn’t that good. I didn’t accomplished what I needed to do and it was a little disappointing, but today things went a little better. I had 8 important things I needed to do, and completed 6. I got better. I felt better. I have been reading Getting Things Done, and an important learning I’ve had is that if things are only in your mind, you’ll probably get confused and won’t make progress to your expected results. So, always write your things down!
I’m building the habit of doing so, and I can tell that I feel better. You stop thinking about them, and actually start acting to accomplish them, but you have to put them in a place where you are constantly reminded of. Now, a to-do list is not the best way. You have to write the steps of action that needs to be done in order to progress in your completion of the task. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it. I used to think I had a lot to do, and I was right, but the difference I’m feeling now is that of control. I have more information of what I need to do, and based on that I have to schedule them in accordance with my time. In fact, it’s not that hard. It’s difficult, but it’s doable.
Habit of Writing…Things Down
So, this week I started to make a to-do list of every day. Yesterday wasn’t that good. I didn’t accomplished what I needed to do and it was a little disappointing, but today things went a little better. I had 8 important things I needed to do, and completed 6. I got better. I felt better. I have been reading Getting Things Done, and an important learning I’ve had is that if things are only in your mind, you’ll probably get confused and won’t make progress to your expected results. So, always write your things down!
I’m building the habit of doing so, and I can tell that I feel better. You stop thinking about them, and actually start acting to accomplish them, but you have to put them in a place where you are constantly reminded of. Now, a to-do list is not the best way. You have to write the steps of action that needs to be done in order to progress in your completion of the task. I’m not there yet, but I’m working on it. I used to think I had a lot to do, and I was right, but the difference I’m feeling now is that of control. I have more information of what I need to do, and based on that I have to schedule them in accordance with my time. In fact, it’s not that hard. It’s difficult, but it’s doable.
October 16th, 2013
Tic Toc
Today was a good day. I was prepared for all the dialogues, and even got together with Kata, Carmen, and Chacho to review Newton’s Corollaries. We were the most prepared for the dialogue and it helped the group. But by doing so, we incurred in some costs to. We gave up some other things that we could’ve done at that time like reading or writing something else, but we decided to prepare ourselves more to that dialogue and hope to make some profit of doing so. This leads us to our afternoon dialogue on Mises’s Human Action. We focused the dialogue on Chapter 5; Time. It’s interesting to think about how limited our time is. We are always making decisions and acting on that, and even if we were immortals, time would still be scarce. We have a scale of values and based on that, we decide what ends are more urgent than others, basing our actions in time; a matter of sooner or later. Now, a lot of times we don’t think this way. We tend to think that we have a lot of time and don’t take into account our opportunity cost. And this applies to everything. Whether we are writing, reading, in a dialogue, scratching my nose, having breakfast, etc., we are always having a cost by making the action we are doing. It makes you appreciate more your time and focus on the ends you value more, the ones more urgent. This guides us to action, making us better human beings.
Tic Toc
Today was a good day. I was prepared for all the dialogues, and even got together with Kata, Carmen, and Chacho to review Newton’s Corollaries. We were the most prepared for the dialogue and it helped the group. But by doing so, we incurred in some costs to. We gave up some other things that we could’ve done at that time like reading or writing something else, but we decided to prepare ourselves more to that dialogue and hope to make some profit of doing so. This leads us to our afternoon dialogue on Mises’s Human Action. We focused the dialogue on Chapter 5; Time. It’s interesting to think about how limited our time is. We are always making decisions and acting on that, and even if we were immortals, time would still be scarce. We have a scale of values and based on that, we decide what ends are more urgent than others, basing our actions in time; a matter of sooner or later. Now, a lot of times we don’t think this way. We tend to think that we have a lot of time and don’t take into account our opportunity cost. And this applies to everything. Whether we are writing, reading, in a dialogue, scratching my nose, having breakfast, etc., we are always having a cost by making the action we are doing. It makes you appreciate more your time and focus on the ends you value more, the ones more urgent. This guides us to action, making us better human beings.
October 17th, 2013
Importance of Focus
Today started pretty well. We had the morning meeting activity with the first year students and it was about the “Olympic Games”. We were separated into groups and then did three activities. One of them was thug war, which was a bad idea since my knee was not well. We won but at the cost of a small injury on my knee. Nevertheless, I was okay. We then had Ingrid’s dialogue on art, specifically on rationalism, and later a meeting with Regina to plan Twelve Angry Men. So, after all of these I had to work on individual work. I made some changes in the images Gelwick uses to represent Polanyi’s epistemology, and they ended up really nice. Now, the importance of all of these is that after I finished doing that and entered the dialogue of The Way of Discovery, I felt productive. I did what I needed to do and realized that I didn’t check my phone or got distracted on other things. I was focused. But it didn’t happen randomly, the environment was also useful. I learned that the preparation of your space and the resources that you’ll need to complete a task are essential to accomplishing your goals. When you are organized and know what you have to do, things become easier to achieve. It’s like in Getting Things Done; write things down, put the steps necessary to achieve them, and remind constantly of them so you can take actions. Focus is a by-product of the conditions you create.
Importance of Focus
Today started pretty well. We had the morning meeting activity with the first year students and it was about the “Olympic Games”. We were separated into groups and then did three activities. One of them was thug war, which was a bad idea since my knee was not well. We won but at the cost of a small injury on my knee. Nevertheless, I was okay. We then had Ingrid’s dialogue on art, specifically on rationalism, and later a meeting with Regina to plan Twelve Angry Men. So, after all of these I had to work on individual work. I made some changes in the images Gelwick uses to represent Polanyi’s epistemology, and they ended up really nice. Now, the importance of all of these is that after I finished doing that and entered the dialogue of The Way of Discovery, I felt productive. I did what I needed to do and realized that I didn’t check my phone or got distracted on other things. I was focused. But it didn’t happen randomly, the environment was also useful. I learned that the preparation of your space and the resources that you’ll need to complete a task are essential to accomplishing your goals. When you are organized and know what you have to do, things become easier to achieve. It’s like in Getting Things Done; write things down, put the steps necessary to achieve them, and remind constantly of them so you can take actions. Focus is a by-product of the conditions you create.