MacThrive

This episode unpacks the often overlooked link between our physical health and our mental capacity.

A while back, I was living the 'hustle and grind' life, waking up at 4:30 am, running on 5-6 hours of sleep, thinking I was pushing my limits. That was until my body started screaming for help. The lesson learned? The key to well-being and productivity wasn't any fancy medication, but simply - good sleep!

Dr. Matthew Walker's work on sleep is truly eye-opening. He states, "Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day." That's right, folks. Good sleep not only protects you from grave health issues but also enhances learning, decision-making, and even emotional regulation.

But, we're not just talking about sleep here. Fitness, nutrition, and overall recovery play key roles too. Physical training is more than keeping in shape. It's about how our physical exertion influences our mental abilities. Remember what doc. Huberman says, "If you impose a demand on your system and then follow it up with proper rest, your system will adapt."

In essence, looking after your physical health is an investment in your mental prowess, which in turn, boosts your professional growth. So let's make time to exercise, eat well, and most importantly, sleep enough. Remember, success isn't a sprint, but a marathon. Join me in this vital conversation.

Whether it's Warren Buffett and his value-based investing, Russell Brunson with his online marketing prowess, or Arnold Schwarzenegger's impressive evolution from bodybuilder to actor to politician - their reputations have not only fueled their personal successes but have also shaped their industries.

Speaking from personal experience as a Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations ERP professional, I've seen how my reputation, carefully built around diligence and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, has accelerated my career. It's spoken for me in interviews, connected me directly with industry leaders, and brought opportunities right to my doorstep.

Reputation is powerful; it's like a flame that can grow, casting light and dissolving obstacles, revealing opportunities that you couldn't even imagine. So, tend to it, cultivate it with conscious actions and consistency. As the saying goes, 'Your reputation is more important than your paycheck, and your integrity is worth more than your career.'

We're exploring a crucial yet often overlooked concept in our self-improvement journey – the 'painful sweet-spot.' It's that point where excitement dwindles and monotony kicks in, making the journey seem tough. But, here's the twist: it's a sweet-spot because pushing past it can lead to extraordinary success.

Embarking on a new skill or facing a significant problem, you start with a burst of enthusiasm. But then, you might hit the 'painful sweet-spot,' feeling like, "This is hard. I'm bored." The magic happens when you recognize this moment, not as a roadblock, but as a stepping stone to mastery.

Consistency is key in overcoming the 'painful sweet-spot.' So when you're contemplating quitting, press harder. It's your breakthrough in disguise! Remember to rekindle your initial excitement and remember your 'why.' It's about resilience, tenacity, and growth, even when things get tough.

This concept is universal, applying to personal or professional aspects, from learning an instrument to launching a startup. The 'painful sweet-spot' is part of the process, a sign of growth happening subtly, behind the scenes.

As you navigate this journey, reflect on your motivations, align them with your actions, and celebrate your small wins. You're stronger than you think, capable of achieving greatness. Until next time, remember: the pain of the process is temporary, but the sweetness of success endures. Let's turn the 'painful sweet-spot' into our fuel for growth.

We're now entering the final stretch, "Where to Start? How to Plan? What's a Proper Schedule?" – the fifth step of our learning journey. If you're just tuning in, catch up on our past episodes for a comprehensive understanding of our learning roadmap.

In our last episode, we tested our skills against real-world challenges. Now, it's time to plan our learning path and schedule, much like preparing a map before setting off on an adventurous trek.

The first element is creating a process map. Each point on this map will challenge your critical thinking with "why?" and "what if?" questions. For instance, if you're an aspiring Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations consultant, your map will outline your route to solving a complex financial issue, armed with knowledge and skills from our third step, 'Sources of Knowledge.'

The second key element is establishing a consistent plan, your travel schedule, with specific timeframes allocated for learning. Like "Every day from 6 to 8 PM, I focus on learning and improving." Remember, it's not about rushing through, but progressing consistently.

Your plan should be flexible, adaptable to new discoveries along your learning journey. Let's say you discover a new resource; your plan should allow space for such adjustments. The goal is to keep moving forward, persistently refining your approach.

So, here we are, at the end of our Learning Framework series! But remember, learning is a continuous journey. Stay consistent, keep expanding your knowledge, and challenging yourself.

My Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maciej-betlinski/

Welcome back to the Learning Framework series. We're delving into "Learn through a Real-life Challenge," the fourth step of our journey to mastering any job. If you're just joining us, we recommend tuning into our first three episodes to grasp our learning structure better.

In this episode, we're applying our knowledge to real-world scenarios. Imagine learning to swim in a pool, and then finally taking a plunge into the unpredictable ocean; that's the essence of this step. We've gathered theoretical knowledge (swimming in the pool), and now it's time to put it into practice (swimming in the ocean).

Take your newfound skills and apply them to a tangible problem. If you're aiming to be a Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations consultant, find a complex financial challenge that requires your skills. Remember, the closer the problem is to real-world situations, the better.

Start by creating a list of anticipated challenges and focus on solving one. Resolving one problem often illuminates solutions to others. It's essential to keep this list flexible and adaptable as you evolve and learn.

Remember, these real-life challenges aren't obstacles, but opportunities to apply your knowledge and deepen your understanding. In the next episode, we'll discuss 'Plan & Schedule,' the final step of our learning framework journey. Until then, embrace the challenges, learn, grow, and thrive in your learning journey!

Today we're tackling episode three of the Learning Framework series, "Sources of Knowledge - how to find them and filter out what's valuable." If you're new here, you might want to check our first two episodes to understand our learning process. And for our regulars, welcome back!

In previous episodes, we've discussed how to master the role of a Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations consultant. Now, we're exploring the next step: finding and sifting through knowledge sources. Imagine standing on a dock, casting a line into an ocean of information. The challenge? Reeling in the most relevant and beneficial knowledge.

The rise of digital learning has revolutionized how we learn. Today, we have the opportunity to connect with worldwide experts, participate in online courses, read their books, and engage in group discussions. However, this vast ocean of resources can be overwhelming, so a good plan is crucial.

To become a Dynamics 365 consultant, start by networking with professionals in the field via LinkedIn or industry forums. Don't underestimate the power of books; they're a timeless knowledge source. Look for Dynamics 365 books that align with your learning objectives and skill-stack.

E-learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Microsoft Learn offer in-depth Dynamics 365 courses, and social media platforms host numerous Dynamics 365 communities where you can learn from others' experiences. Also, official Microsoft guides, tutorials, blog posts, and articles are invaluable resources. But beware of distractions; always keep your ultimate goal in mind.

This episode marks Part 2 of our Learning Framework series. Remember the first step? We talked about building a foundation and understanding what we're aiming to achieve, what problems we're trying to solve. For practicality's sake, I've chosen to discuss the knowledge required to be a Microsoft Dynamics ERP Consultant—an interesting and fruitful field that I've dedicated myself to for years.

As we journey deeper into the Learning Framework, we're now focusing on the second step, which I call "AIM and find the skill stack." We'll look into what exactly you'd like to learn, your high-level idea. I'll take you through my personal journey, detailing what you need to become a successful ERP consultant. From broad understanding to detailed tasks, we'll cover every bit of it.

It's all about setting the AIM right! For example, if you aim to be an ERP consultant, ask yourself if you're good with computers, understand business operations, know about specific industries, and grasp accounting (even if it seems terrifying!). These are just a few areas we'll discuss and evaluate.

Next, we'll explore the exciting part—finding a skill stack. This involves identifying how your newly acquired knowledge will complement your existing skills and experiences. Whether it's proficiency in accounting or experience in a specific industry, like automotive, you'll find ways to apply these skills to your new role as an ERP consultant.

But hey, don't let this overwhelm you. Remember, when I started, my skill set was quite basic—I was good at English and proficient in digging out information from the Internet. But the beauty of this journey is, as you move forward, you'll discover many hidden talents and skills you didn't know existed.

So, stay tuned, buckle up, and let's embark on this exciting journey together. Remember, every little detail we're going through aligns with your ultimate goal. So, when you find yourself demotivated or confused, just look up at your North Star, and it'll guide you right back.

In today's episode, we're embarking on a new journey, a five-episode series to be precise. If you've been a regular listener, you might remember me talking about my learning framework, a structured guide to acquiring proficiency in any skill to the point where you can confidently land a job. Let's break down every single step, making it as simple as possible, and who knows, it might just be the boost you need to take your life or career to the next level.

Remember when I mentioned that anyone can learn to be a consultant? We're going to put that theory to the test. I'm going to lay out my journey to becoming an ERP consultant at Microsoft, a path I believe can be adapted to almost any job or skill you want to acquire. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an enlightening ride.

To kick things off, we revisit step number one of the learning framework - Foundation. It's composed of three parts: True North (the basis of every decision), North Star (the direction to move towards), and Goals (measurable, quantifiable objectives with a timeframe, based on the above two points). If you want a fulfilling career that aligns with your North Star, you need to pay extra attention to these foundational elements.

We've previously discussed these concepts, but a quick recap wouldn't hurt. I recommend writing down your True North, North Star, and Goals on a piece of paper. This exercise can be transformative. It's about understanding what matters to you, your leadership style, principles, personal philosophy, and what you're aiming for. By penning down your high-level goals, you create a foundation for every significant decision in your professional and personal life.

Moreover, this document serves as a self-check tool. Whenever you feel stuck or something seems off in your life, refer back to your document. Is what you're doing moving you towards your North Star? This self-awareness provides a sense of control over your life, which is pretty empowering.

Next, we'll delve into goal setting. There are countless methodologies and books out there, but I recently came across a unique approach by Alex Hormozi. It's a four-stage process: identify the problem you're trying to solve, create a hypothesis, execute, and measure the results. This framework perfectly complements our learning journey and helps assess if your goal aligns with your aspirations.

Remember, it's crucial to understand why you're doing something and what problem you're trying to solve. With a clear goal in mind and a well-defined action plan, you can set the wheels in motion towards your desired outcome. But remember, it's a dynamic process. You may need to adjust your goals and inputs as you learn more about what's required to achieve them.

The things we've discussed today might seem abstract, but they're foundational to any learning process. They're intensely personal and subjective, and that's okay. In the next episodes, we'll get into the nitty-gritty of job-specific skills using the learning framework. For now, it's essential to understand why

Today's episode, titled "You are the Leverage", is a tale rooted in an interaction I had on LinkedIn, where a friend of mine was offered an incredible job opportunity, yet chose to stay put despite clearly having the potential to thrive in that new role. Sounds familiar? I've seen this scenario play out time and time again - talented, capable people holding themselves back from opportunities that could potentially catapult their careers forward.

In this episode, I want to shed light on a perspective that hopefully ignites a spark, leading to some internal or external brainstorming. If you're a regular listener, you'd know how much I love talking about systems and leverage concepts. I believe that the concept of leverage applies to professional work too, with two sides to the coin. On one side, you've got your value, skills, experience, initiative, and on the other, the organization that gives you feedback on your actions. The longer the leverage on each side, the greater the impact.

One crucial point I want to emphasize is that the organizational side can change - you can change jobs, move to a different place, change the team you work with. But the one side that can't be replaced is you - your values, thoughts, perspectives, experiences, skills, achievements, certificates, diplomas, and so forth. This might sound daunting, but it's actually empowering. You can evolve, develop, and change, and this is a very human thing to do.

Now, here's the kicker - what if I told you that you can choose your organization, your other side of the leverage? That's right, you're the main part of the leverage, and you get to choose, not the other way around. This might sound easier said than done, but trust me, it's possible. I've been there, done that, and I'm here to share my story with you.

I am a social worker by profession, not an IT guy, but I was able to learn and thrive in a niche technology domain. How? Simply by using my rational brain, communicating effectively, and being willing to learn. It's not rocket science, and if I could do it, anybody can. If you're stuck in your career or feel like you could do more, why not give it a try? Why not ask questions, seek opportunities, and challenge yourself?

Remember, the worst thing that can happen is being rejected. But that's not the end of the world. It's a learning opportunity to figure out what you're lacking and work on it. I'm a big fan of the True North or North Star concept, and I urge you to write down your principles, your goals, and what you expect from yourself, life, and your professional environment. This could be a game-changer in choosing the right organizational leverage and aligning your path with the environment you choose.

This episode is a call to action to all the talented, capable individuals out there who're holding themselves back. You are the leverage. You have the power to change your professional landscape. So, give it a listen, and hopefully, it will inspire you to take that step towards the change you've been contemplating. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure about your next move, this one's for you. Don't forget to check out the previous episodes on imposter syndrome and learning frameworks. They offer valuable insights that could further aid you on your journey to self-discovery and growth. Don't forget, you're the key to your own success.