Mastering Rest: The Art of Truly Capable Individuals

After toiling for more than 300+ days, as the year draws to a close, fatigue fills the bodies and eyes of every worker.

In the past year, many have experienced this: When work becomes challenging, the more you rush to finish quickly, the more mistakes you make. When temporarily unable to find solutions, the more anxious and panicked you become, the more counterproductive it is, resulting in chaos.

With the rapid development of the times and increasing competition around us, we dare not stop.

Humans are like rubber bands—the tighter they are stretched, the easier they break. Those who know how to rest also know how to work; resting is the first step to improving work efficiency.

As the end of the year approaches, giving yourself time to breathe after a year of hard work enables you to handle things efficiently and orderly, and life and work will progress and develop as you wish.

More important than working hard is knowing how to rest.

Henry Ford, the automotive tycoon, once said: "People who only know how to work without knowing how to rest are like cars without brakes—extremely dangerous." Indeed, a person, like a machine, if relentlessly pursuing efficiency without understanding the need to stop and rest, will only backfire.

I recalled a story my friend shared with me before. One school vacation, she and another girl, both graduate students from top universities, interned at a bank. To secure a permanent position, my friend worked tirelessly, barely leaving her seat except for meals and restroom breaks, often working overtime until midnight.

The other girl, however, left punctually at the end of each workday, sometimes slipping out during office hours under the pretext of getting water. During lunch breaks, she wouldn't return until it was time to work. Surprisingly, after the internship, the supervisors decided to keep the other girl.

When my friend later chatted with her, she understood: every time the girl slipped out, she sensed her concentration declining. To maintain efficiency, she took short breaks to relax and refresh her mind. This balanced work rhythm made her more efficient, composed, and allowed her to carve out more leisure time for self-improvement.

Often, working hard is not a display of ability; knowing how to rest is.

Frederick Taylor, the father of scientific management in the 20th century, took over an ironworks factory and, to improve efficiency, made three requests to the workers:

1. Mandatory 5-minute breaks every hour, even if they didn't feel tired;

2. Reduce the daily working hours from 10 or 12 to 8.5 hours;

3. Ensure everyone is focused and efficient at work.

These seemingly simple requirements miraculously improved worker efficiency. Previously, workers could handle about 12 tons of iron per day on average, but under his management, they could handle about 48 tons per day without feeling fatigued.

"Resting" is as essential to "working efficiently" as a charger is to a phone—indispensable.

To work efficiently, one must first learn to rest efficiently. The most admirable quality of truly capable individuals is not their diligence at work but their "laziness" when resting. Progress is a capability, but pausing is wisdom. Every break charges the body.

You need to prepare for Monday. To do this, use the weekend to rejuvenate yourself rather than ending up exhausted. In the past year, perhaps you've had experiences like this: to finish remaining work from weekdays, you canceled all plans over the weekend.

When Monday came, although you completed the work, the quality was poor, and you felt exceptionally tired. Because you didn't rest well over the weekend, your work efficiency for the new week was low. By Friday, if the work wasn't finished, you'd enter a cycle of exhaustion.

True high-quality rest is never a waste of time but a period of recharging for the body and mind. When a writer faces writer's block, the more they force themselves to write well, the more difficult it becomes. Yet, they refuse to set it aside. So, they write with increasing frustration and decreasing quality.

Whenever they realize their state isn't good, they immediately leave their work and take a walk in the countryside to relax. Returning to their writing desk, they feel rejuvenated, and tasks they once thought impossible become effortless.

This experience taught them that, not only in writing but in anything one wants to excel in, ensuring one is mentally fresh at the beginning is crucial. To them, the smarter a person is, the more they understand the need to rest.

The body is the capital for survival, and resting is the prelude to sprinting. In fact, scientists have found that the brain is as active during rest as it is during work. When resting, some areas of the brain may even be more active, and the level of connectivity between some areas is higher, indicating stronger cognitive abilities.

Conversely, the more one struggles to think when lacking ideas, the more counterproductive it becomes. Our bodies, minds, and brains are like rubber bands—the tighter you stretch them, the more likely they are to break. When work becomes directionless, it's better to set it aside, giving the brain a buffer period, which may lead to new discoveries.

Rest is not a singular activity but a synonym for achieving a better state.

Learning to rest is not only giving the tired brain a period of recharge but also giving a busy life a buffering period. Learning to recharge enables efficient release of energy; learning to buffer maintains a positive mindset at all times. Treating oneself well starts with learning to rest.

Rest is not doing nothing; it's actually compensating for certain losses in the body.

Sometimes, life seems short, and time seems scarce, so we rush headlong, but this only leads to loss. Only when one learns high-quality rest can they take care of their body and gain irreplaceable wealth and capital. So, how does one become someone who knows how to rest?

Start with the following:

1. Stick to an early bedtime to rejuvenate your spirit. Late nights have become a habit for modern people. But early bedtime is a common trait of those who know how to rest. Going to bed at a reasonable time is the first step in ensuring sleep quality and the first step in learning to rest. Early sleep and rest allow life and body to gradually enter a proper state, not only beneficial for physical and mental health but also for better immersion in life and work.

2. Cultivate a hobby to awaken your passion for life. Hobbies are like seasoning in life. When you feel tired, they can quickly replenish your energy; when you encounter difficulties, they can help you temporarily escape. In the face of a fast-paced life, some people enjoy gardening, some enjoy reading, some enjoy sports... Find something that allows you to completely relax and immerse yourself.

3. Alternate work to give the brain a break. After observing the working habits of many celebrities, I found that they always work for a period of time before doing something else. Although it may seem less focused, it's actually a form of rest.

Psychologists have found that the brain can only maintain a high level of concentration for about 53 minutes. So, to ensure work efficiency, give your brain a relaxation buffer time.

For example: work for an hour, then take a break; or after completing a segment of work, switch to another task to give your brain a change of pace and relax. Learning to "distract" appropriately is the key to true efficiency.

The longer you walk without resting, the slower you walk. Many accomplished individuals spend what seems like effortful but inefficient time resting. Mindlessly rushing forward is less effective than slowing down to admire the scenery along the way; ineffective work is less beneficial than high-quality rest, giving your body and mind a "cleansing" treatment.

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Why the Most Comfortable People Are Often a Little Selfish

"Being soft-hearted and shy will only kill yourself. Rational indifference and coldness are survival tools."

At first, this may sound somewhat cold-hearted, but upon deeper reflection, it actually makes a lot of sense. People tend to prioritize others' feelings over their own in many situations. This could be due to a tendency to please others, accommodate their needs, or avoid conflict. But by doing so, they end up neglecting their own emotional health and well-being.

The Issue of Prioritizing Others Over Yourself:

The common human tendency to put others first, which, although often seen as a virtue, can be self-destructive if taken too far. For example, the passage illustrates how some people will go out of their way to help others, even at the cost of their own comfort or desires. One example is the story of a self-proclaimed "easy-to-please" person, someone who constantly accommodates friends and coworkers even when they’re exhausted, only to find that their own needs are unmet. This behavior can lead to emotional exhaustion and even health problems, as seen in the case of a woman who, after years of pushing her own needs aside, developed a health issue linked to emotional suppression.

Learning to Say "No" and Set Boundaries:

It is okay—sometimes necessary—to put yourself first. It tells the story of a woman named Jane, a social media influencer who used to be overly accommodating to others. She would work through exhaustion, help friends even when she was too tired, and sacrifice her own rest to meet others’ demands. However, after a health scare and receiving advice from her doctor, Xiao Xiao began to make changes. She started saying "no" to things she didn’t want to do, even when it was uncomfortable. Surprisingly, she found that by not overextending herself, her life became lighter, and her health improved.

This story highlights the importance of setting boundaries in order to preserve one’s mental and physical well-being. Saying "no" can be difficult, especially when people fear disappointing others, but it can ultimately lead to a healthier, more balanced life.

The Dangers of People-Pleasing:

A key insight comes from a popular online discussion about why people feel increasingly tired and unhappy. The most upvoted response points out that the main reason people feel this way is because they spend too much energy trying to meet others’ expectations while neglecting their own. This often results in a lack of fulfillment and a sense of emotional depletion.

The passage asserts that we frequently misprioritize in social interactions: we give too much importance to how others feel and ignore our own emotional needs. This imbalance can lead to feelings of resentment and burnout. In fact, people’s emotions, while important, should never outweigh our own. The suggestion is to practice a healthy level of "selfishness"—to prioritize your own emotional needs, even when it means disappointing others.

Selfishness as a Tool for Healthy Relationships:

 “Selfishness” can be a form of self-preservation. It doesn’t mean disregarding others entirely, but rather ensuring that your own needs are met first. You can still be kind, helpful, and generous, but you must never allow others to take more from you than you are willing to give. The key is to maintain your own emotional health and not overextend yourself for people who might not appreciate your sacrifices. In doing so, you ensure that your relationships remain healthy and mutually supportive.

The Importance of Knowing When to Step Back:

The passage includes an example from a TV show, where a character, B, tries to "rescue" her friend W by offering career advice, even though W is perfectly content with her current job as a taxi driver. Despite her friend’s resistance, B continues to push her own idea of what is best for W. This behavior reflects the “savior complex,” where one person tries to impose their beliefs or solutions on another, even when it’s not wanted. This kind of behavior can be damaging and lead to conflict, as seen in the show when the two characters fall out after a heated argument.

The advice here is to respect others' choices and not impose your own standards onto them, even if you believe you are helping. Not everyone wants or needs your advice or assistance, and sometimes, your actions can feel intrusive or overbearing.

The Energy Exchange in Relationships:

Relationships are an exchange of energy. People bring different levels of energy to interactions, and for relationships to thrive, both parties need to contribute positively. If a relationship consistently drains you, it may be time to reevaluate it. For instance, there is a story of a woman who distanced herself from a negative, pessimistic friend in order to preserve her own mental health and well-being. By cutting ties with this draining relationship, she found space for more positive, supportive friendships that helped her grow.

Conclusion:

The overall message is clear: prioritize your own well-being, set boundaries, and don't be afraid to be a little selfish when it comes to your emotional health. This doesn’t mean being unkind, but it does mean understanding that your needs are just as important as anyone else's. Taking care of yourself first is the key to leading a balanced, fulfilling life. Life is short, and there’s no need to sacrifice your own peace for the sake of others who may not appreciate your efforts. By practicing self-care and setting boundaries, you can build more meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships.

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The Hidden Trap of Over-Responsibility: Why It Drains You

In today's fast-paced world, it’s common to encounter individuals who overburden themselves with responsibilities at work and in life. They are the ones who:

• When their family members tell them it’s late and they should rest, they respond with, “I can’t rest yet, I need to double-check the report for tomorrow’s meeting. It has to be perfect, I can't afford to make any mistakes.”
• When their colleagues invite them for lunch, they reply, “You go ahead, I need to prepare some documents for the boss’s meeting this afternoon. It has to be perfect.”

These people are often valued highly in their professional environments. Everyone likes to work with responsible colleagues. They are loyal, dependable, and hardworking. However, there's a downside to this excessive sense of responsibility: it can easily lead to self-criticism, burnout, and emotional exhaustion.

Excessive Responsibility in the Workplace

While responsibility is a highly regarded trait, too much of it can have negative consequences. The key to thriving in a workplace is not simply taking on every task or burden that comes your way, but knowing when to delegate and when to set boundaries. The most successful professionals understand how to strike a balance. They manage their responsibilities in such a way that they are still efficient without exhausting themselves or losing their personal lives.

There’s a saying that perfectly sums up this concept: "Everything has limits. Once it exceeds those limits, punishment follows." This is not only a life philosophy but also a universal rule in nature. The moment we take on too much, especially in the workplace, we risk becoming overwhelmed and stressed out, which can have long-term consequences on our mental and physical health.

The Dangers of Over-Responsibility

When someone overburdens themselves with work, it often reflects a lack of clear boundaries. In the workplace, this can manifest in several ways: taking on more tasks than necessary, helping colleagues to the detriment of your own work, or continually going above and beyond with the belief that the only way to be valued is through constant over-performance. Over time, this person becomes the one carrying the weight of the office, often without even realizing how heavy the load is.

In the Japanese drama Weakest Beast, the character Shinkai Akira is a model employee who is so dependable that her boss assigns her more work than anyone else. She becomes the go-to person for everyone: organizing travel for her boss, handling administrative tasks, and even stepping in to solve problems when colleagues make mistakes. However, this overextension doesn’t lead to career advancement. Instead, it makes her seem increasingly indispensable, but her efforts are expected, not rewarded.

Her situation gets worse when she is tasked with taking on even more work that others are too unwilling or too busy to complete. Despite her hard work, her colleagues and boss start to take her for granted. At one point, she even has to publicly apologize on behalf of a colleague. In the end, she’s left exhausted and emotionally broken, leading to a nervous breakdown.

Why Over-Responsibility Leads to Burnout

Excessive responsibility creates a work environment where a person is constantly running on empty. They feel a need to overcompensate for any potential failure and take on more than they can handle. This feeling of obligation starts to consume them. They manage their emotions, meet deadlines, and perform well, but all at the expense of their mental and physical health. Over time, this behavior leads to burnout, where the person no longer has the energy to handle even their own responsibilities, let alone the additional burdens placed on them by others.

A question often asked is, "What happens to employees who are overly responsible?" One memorable answer to this question is: "They either explode in silence or perish in silence." This suggests that when someone constantly overextends themselves to fix other people's problems, they eventually run out of time and energy to care for themselves. Everyone has a finite amount of mental and physical capacity, and exceeding that limit leads to exhaustion, burnout, and resentment.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries

While it's natural to want to help others, it's essential to learn how to prioritize self-care and personal boundaries. We can offer help to our colleagues and support others, but we must do so with the understanding that our own well-being must come first. If we continue to take on responsibilities that don’t belong to us, we risk losing ourselves in the process.

Over-responsibility is often rooted in fear of failure. Many people fear that if they don’t take on everything themselves, they will fail or disappoint others. However, constantly worrying about failure can create anxiety and tension that makes everything more difficult. Ironically, this can lead to poorer outcomes in the long run. Learning to delegate and trust others with responsibilities is crucial for both personal well-being and workplace efficiency.

Real-Life Examples of Over-Responsibility and Its Consequences

One story shared by a therapist highlights the experience of a client who was given an important task at work. This client was extremely anxious, fearing they would fail or disappoint their boss. As a result, they went above and beyond, trying to take on more of the task than they could handle. Another colleague, with less experience, accepted the task without hesitation. Throughout the project, this colleague sought guidance when needed and learned along the way. Eventually, the colleague completed the task to a higher standard, while the client’s excessive responsibility led to missed opportunities. The over-responsible person ended up sidelined, while the colleague who took a more balanced approach succeeded.

This example highlights the fact that over-responsibility can be a trap. People often believe that being overly responsible will earn them praise and career advancement, but the opposite is often true. Over-time, the excess burden becomes stifling, and the individual may fail to grow or take on new challenges.

Healthy Responsibility vs. Over-Responsibility

True responsibility is about being accountable for your actions and managing your tasks effectively. However, there is a difference between healthy responsibility and over-responsibility. Healthy responsibility is about understanding that you can’t do everything alone. It’s about setting clear boundaries and knowing when to say "no" when things get too overwhelming.

Over-responsibility, on the other hand, stems from a fear of failure and the belief that you must carry the weight of others’ tasks and problems. It can lead to emotional burnout, resentment, and the feeling of being taken for granted.

Three Key Strategies to Manage Responsibility

1. Look Inward and Focus on Your Own Needs: Responsibility begins with understanding your own emotional and physical needs. If you feel overwhelmed by tasks, don't hesitate to speak up. Don’t let frustration or resentment build up by silently accepting everything. Also, before taking on a new task, ask yourself if you're genuinely willing to take it on without expecting perfection.
2. Separate Responsibilities: Follow the concept of "task separation," which comes from Adlerian psychology. This idea suggests that while we can offer advice, we cannot control others’ actions or carry their burdens. Helping others is fine, but taking on their entire workload can lead to burnout. Recognize when you’re crossing the line and focus on your own tasks instead.
3. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Instead of fixating on the outcomes of every task, focus on what you can learn and how you can grow through the process. Embrace challenges with a mindset of growth, allowing yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. This mindset reduces the pressure to be perfect and allows you to handle tasks more effectively.

Conclusion: Balancing Responsibility

In the workplace and in life, it's important to remember that responsibility is about balance. While it’s good to be dependable, over-responsibility can be harmful. By learning to set boundaries, managing our emotional energy, and recognizing when to say "no," we can avoid the dangers of burnout and maintain a healthy, fulfilling work-life balance. True responsibility involves knowing when to help others and when to focus on yourself. Life is short, and our personal well-being should always be a top priority.

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Middle Age Minimalim: Stop Doing These 5 Things When You're Broke!

Some friends say they earn just a small monthly salary and don't have any side gigs, so they can't save any money at all! For ordinary office workers who follow the same routine every day, it's indeed difficult to save a large sum each month without any additional sources of income. However, the advice on saving money has always been: it's not about being frugal to the point of stinginess, nor is it necessary for everyone to start a side hustle; it's simply about avoiding wasteful spending.

In daily life, if you can consciously avoid wastefulness, while you might not save big bucks immediately, you'll certainly be able to save some pennies.

Many people might think, "Since I don't have much money anyway, why not enjoy life to the fullest?" Forgive me for being blunt, but this is not the mindset of someone who's living life well. Particularly with these 5 things, the sooner you stop them when you're broke, the better!

1. Stop staying up late

I know quite a few people who stay up late either to work and earn money or to self-improve in hopes of making more money. But if staying up late to earn money compromises basic health, won't it lead to even more financial strain when your health deteriorates? During a period when my children were very young, I tried to improve myself as quickly as possible by working super hard and being extremely disciplined (often staying up late to finish tasks). However, that was also the time when my immune system was at its lowest, and I frequently had to visit clinics for injections and medication. Not only did I not make any money, but I also spent quite a bit, not to mention the suffering. Eventually, I came to a conclusion: Regardless of whether you make money or not, prioritize your health, stop staying up late, and take care of your body first.

2.Stop impulse shopping

I truly understand the impulse to buy things. Just last weekend, I bought a pair of jeans myself. However, jeans are a necessity because the ones at home are either very old or too tight (okay, I admit I might have gained a bit of weight in middle age). But did you know? At that time, I also really wanted to buy a top to match the jeans. I tried on about six or seven options, and there were two that I really liked: one was a light green striped linen shirt with 3/4 sleeves, and the other was a cream-colored long-sleeved T-shirt. I was truly tempted to buy them all. However, after a moment of thought, I realized I already had two shirts at home and several white short-sleeved ones. Thinking of this, I controlled myself and left without making any purchases. Thank goodness for that moment of reflection, which prevented me from making an impulse purchase.

3.Stop being idle

From childhood to adulthood, I've always been aware that without any special resources or innate talent, hard work is the key to success in both learning and life. After all, isn't living about finding things to do for ourselves regularly? I've always had a somewhat biased view: once someone becomes idle, trouble follows. So, you see, wherever there are many idle people in a household, things usually don't go well. Many years ago, there was a young man who hadn't studied much. Later, through a referral, he got a job at a mobile phone repair shop and has been working there for many years. It's said he's still there now. Yes, people aren't afraid of you earning less or lacking big ambitions; they're afraid of you being idle all day and drifting aimlessly. Don't ever try those shortcuts to make money; sooner or later, you'll land yourself in trouble. If you're broke, find a decent job, work diligently, and enjoy the warmth of family life!

4.Stop complaining about being poor

I truly can't understand why some people keep complaining about being poor. Complaining about being poor doesn't solve any problems or earn any money. So, remember, don't cry poverty in front of others because they won't give you any money; they'll just laugh at you. Also, don't often think to yourself that you're just like this and will be poor for the rest of your life. I believe that in life: you must often encourage yourself, keep yourself energized, and then work hard to make money. This kind of outlook on life may not make ordinary people rich and prosperous, but living a stable and comfortable life shouldn't be a problem. Look around, those families that were once very poor but kept quiet about it later turned out fine. Parents' hard work is seen by their descendants, who then tend to be more capable. I think this is how most individuals, through self-motivation and effort, achieve family transformation. So, never cry poverty; strive and work hard at all times.

5.Stop comparing

Comparing yourself to others brings nothing but frustration. When poor people compare themselves to rich people, it feels like they've fallen from heaven to hell. When I was young, my family was really poor. Our family squeezed into two small rooms. At that time, I envied classmates who had their own houses. My mother probably sensed what I was feeling because she said: "You're students now, so don't compare what you eat and wear with others. Instead, compare who studies better. If you study well, you'll get a good job in the future and can have whatever you want." Looking back now, those words might have been a bit crude, but there was nothing wrong with the values they instilled: don't compare what you don't have with others; create what you want for yourself. So, whenever I hear about who's rich and what they've bought, I'm almost indifferent, and I don't feel any vanity or jealousy. Because I know: what others have is what they've created, and what I want, I'll create for myself.

Some friends might think, "We work so hard every day to earn money, isn't it for spending?" I admit, it's for spending. But, the key is how you spend it: I have no hesitation when it comes to: buying books for myself, buying jeans (I try them on in stores rather than endlessly comparing options online), signing up for lessons with experienced teachers when I want to learn a new skill… These are non-negotiable for me. What people see might be my frugality and simplicity, but only I know: this is my abundance in life, and I find joy in it.

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Leading by Example

I've always believed: there are no subordinates who can't be managed well, only leaders who don't know how to manage.

Ultimately, management is about two things: managing people and managing tasks.

If people aren't managed well, problems arise; if tasks aren't managed well, failure follows.

How to manage people and tasks? It boils down to eight words: manage people steadily, manage tasks accurately.

Let's explore this together today.

01 Don't overly concern yourself with others' attitudes

What does managing people steadily mean? It means not being impatient, not being afraid, and not losing face.

When managing people, we inevitably encounter various problems. For example, subordinates may be growing too slowly and not meeting expectations, or they may not respect you, lack motivation in their work, and quit at the slightest disagreement.

At such times, you must remain steady. The key is to remain unhurried, unafraid, and unashamed.

1.Remain unhurried

Almost all management problems stem from people issues. When managing people, avoid rushing for quick results.

Because once you rush for quick results, you're prone to overlook the natural growth process of talent, resort to crude methods, and often end up with unsatisfactory outcomes.

Rome wasn't built in a day; you need patience and timing.

So, don't be in a hurry. Do what you need to do, wait patiently, some flowers bloom slowly on their own, and some things gradually fall into place; you must have patience.

2.Don't be afraid

What do managers fear? One is the fear of conflicts within the team, and the other is the fear of employees making mistakes.

Some managers fear conflicts with subordinates. They always say "okay" no matter what the subordinates do, and agree to whatever requests the subordinates make. They never have their own bottom line and always compromise.

Managers grow through conflicts, not harmony. If you always seek harmony, your subordinates won't respect you, and no one will listen to you, making it impossible to manage the team well.

Some managers are also afraid that subordinates will make mistakes, resulting in low efficiency. To get results faster, they may end up doing the work themselves.

However, if a subordinate never makes mistakes, they may not be doing anything at the company.

Procter & Gamble even has a rule: if an employee goes three months without making a mistake, they are considered an unsatisfactory employee.

So, don't be afraid of subordinates making mistakes; give them the opportunity to make mistakes. Because only then will they learn from their mistakes and grow.

Of course, if someone keeps making mistakes and refuses to learn, you don't need to be afraid; you can persuade them with reason, encourage them with incentives, and if all else fails, take disciplinary action.

3.Don't be ashamed

Losing face means being able to set aside your ego and not overly concern yourself with others' attitudes.

When managing people, don't be afraid to offend anyone. If a subordinate makes a mistake, stick to your principles and point out the issue firmly, rather than trying to cover it up to save face.

Be willing to speak frankly, lead with the ugly truth, explain the consequences of failing to meet objectives, and urge the team to stay committed to the goals.

And during the process of managing tasks, also supervise execution rigorously, correct processes, evaluate results, and make rewards and punishments clear. Replace or dismiss those who are not up to standard.

By being "unhurried, unafraid, and unashamed," you can elevate your management to a higher level.

02 Managing tasks accurately ensures results.

1.Focus on the big picture

Focusing on the big picture means prioritizing major tasks, focusing on the most important things.

Some managers don't do this; they usually try to handle everything at once, ending up busier and less efficient, which is essentially being busy for the sake of it.

According to the Pareto Principle, the most important things account for only 20%, while the remaining 80%, although the majority, are not actually crucial.

So, you only need to focus on the big tasks, the key points.

The so-called big tasks are those that have a significant impact on the results. To judge the importance of a task, you must think deeply, identify the main contradictions, and understand the essence of the matter.

2.Delegate authority

Delegating authority means empowerment. Some tasks don't require you to do them yourself; you can delegate them to the right people.

Which tasks can be delegated? A good reference is whether the task or project will be affected if you're not involved.

So, what kind of subordinates should you delegate authority to? It mainly depends on two factors:

First, whether they can do it. To successfully complete the work, you need to find someone among your subordinates who are skilled and experienced enough to deliver results.

Second, whether they are willing to do it. Capability is one thing, but willingness is another. If someone is capable but unwilling, don't force them.

If they're capable and willing, they will continue to be self-driven, constantly seeking solutions to problems.

It's important to note that while delegating authority, you should also learn to mitigate risks. Mitigating risks means following up on the process, providing timely help and support, acting as a coach rather than a supervisor.

3.Pay attention to details

Paying attention to details means focusing on critical junctures, important details, and areas where results can be achieved; you must see things through to the end.

Paying attention to detail means being able to conduct checks on areas where mistakes may occur.

By focusing on the big picture, delegating authority, and paying attention to detail, managing tasks accurately ensures results.

03 In conclusion, management is about two things: managing people and managing tasks.

Managing people requires steadiness - not being in a hurry, not being afraid, and not losing face. Managing tasks requires accuracy - focusing on the big picture, delegating authority, and paying attention to detail, seeing things through to the end.

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Life experiences

1. Pay attention to those who are very good in dealing with others.

People who are good in dealing with others are all savvy individuals; they have high emotional intelligence, articulate well, and make you feel comfortable in their presence. But that doesn't necessarily mean they are good people.

When judging someone, don't just listen to what they say; observe their actions. Pay attention to details, feel with your heart, not just with your ears.

2. Make money as much as possible, save money diligently, money is very important.

No matter what your financial situation is, save money whenever possible. In this society, money is the most important shield for you and your family.

Nowadays, it feels like the weekend hasn't been spent if they haven't gone shopping, and it feels like they haven't gone shopping if they haven't bought anything. They feel wronged if they go shopping without having a cup of milk tea or a meal.

Save money in life, and there's no need to spend $6 on milk tea when $1 bottled water can do the job. Your savings are your lifeline.

3. Don't deliberately flatter others.

Those whom you flatter and fawn over, what real help can they offer you? Even if they do help you, sooner or later you'll have to repay them twofold. Moreover, why should they help you? The more you flatter others, the more others will flatter them, and the more incapable you'll appear.

Instead of trying to flatter others, spend that energy thinking about how to improve yourself.

4. Don't try to take shortcuts in anything.

For example, don't cheat on homework normally, don't think about cheating on exams, don't lie to deceive people; you are deceiving yourself.

Do you think you're deceiving the teacher by copying homework?

5. Things that make you suffer actually bring you happiness, and things that make you happy are often not real happiness.

Playing games and browsing on your phone are very comfortable, but that kind of short-term happiness often brings permanent pain.

Studying is painful, especially in the early stages. Stretching and running are painful. But these brief pains often bring long-term happiness.

6. It's never too late to start working hard.

It's never too late to start learning anything.

Many skills are usually acquired with just a few years of hard work. As long as you persist, regardless of what it is, you will gradually reap rewards.

7. Be calm and not judge others based on yourself.

Everyone's experiences are different, and their attitudes toward things are also different. You can disagree with someone's opinion, but don't question or oppose it. Don't try to impose your thoughts on others; it will only make you look foolish.

8. Don't prioritize interpersonal relationships.

Interpersonal relationships are built on the circle you're in and are more determined by your abilities. If you have achieved nothing and have no value to offer, why should others help you? Only when you have the ability do you have the right to talk about interpersonal relationships.

9. Learning is a lifelong process, and reading is the lowest-cost, fastest way to grow.

Don't stop learning just because you're working. Many things can only be truly understood through practice. By learning while working, you will grow rapidly.

10. Stay away from trashy people.

If a dog bites you, would you bite the dog back?

If you encounter trashy people in life, endure a little grievance and leave as soon as possible. It's better to have one less thing to worry about.

11. Don't deliberately please others, and don't force yourself into circles you don't belong to.

Whether in school or after work, if you can't get along with classmates or colleagues, keep your distance. Focus on learning seriously and working diligently to enrich your life. You live for yourself, not to please others.

12. The more you talk, the less weight your words carry.

In daily life, except with friends, don't become a chatterbox when interacting with others. In this day and age, besides family and friends, no one has so much free time to listen to your nonsense.

13. Time will reveal true intentions.

People's hearts are unpredictable, and seeing someone's true intentions over time may not always be accurate. Communicate more, and you'll eventually see people's true intentions.

14.  Face is earned, not given by others.

When you feel that others don't respect you, don't get angry.

Others are not obliged to respect you. Whether or not you can earn others' respect depends on your abilities and character.

As the saying goes, face is earned, not given by others.

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Revitalize: Embracing Exercise for Lifelong Well-being After Middle Age

Have you ever experienced this:

When work stress mounts and you feel restless, going for a run immediately lifts your mood significantly.

Feeling sad and down, struggling to get motivated, breaking into sweat quickly brings relief.

Exercise seems to have a magical effect, releasing stress, relieving boredom, and swiftly lifting you out of emotional turmoil.

Just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise can immediately improve depressive moods and restore a sense of pleasure.

"If you're feeling down, exercising will lift your mood, and that feeling of knowing you're about to get better will completely change your mindset."

As people enter middle age, work, life, and family matters pile up, bringing constant worries.

Instead of feeling lost in emotional turmoil, why not dissipate it through the joy of exercise?

Getting moving is actually the simplest way for us to relieve anxiety and stress.

Exercise is a quick-acting remedy for emotional healing.

Psychologists have found that exercise has "short-term emotional effects".

Specifically, after exercise, levels of negative emotions like anxiety and depression significantly decrease, while feelings of happiness significantly increase.

This phenomenon is determined by the unique structure of the human body:

When faced with difficulties, the amygdala in the brain continuously releases stress hormones, making us feel nervous and anxious.

Exercise allows the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in the body to inhibit the excessive reaction of the amygdala, thereby alleviating emotions.

As the saying goes, "Exercise is a quick-acting remedy for emotional healing."

I once came across a story shared by a netizen, which left a deep impression:

An elder, in his fifties, lost his son.

Unable to accept reality, he was melancholic all day long, shedding tears.

One fine day, the elder's office organized a running event.

His colleagues hoped to change his mood and took the initiative to sign him up and brought him to the event.

After persevering through it, this elder completed the entire run.

Unexpectedly, it was this exhilarating run that began to change his life:

Upon reaching the finish line, he listened to his own heartbeat and felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

And all the negative emotions seemed to be temporarily forgotten.

From then on, he started morning runs regularly.

Day after day, he gradually emerged from the pain of losing his son, no longer feeling angry or sad all day long, and even became more emotionally stable than before.

Exercise is an efficient "spiritual detox," evaporating negative emotions along with sweat, refreshing both body and mind.

So, when you're feeling down, why not exercise? Go for a run, punch a bag, kick a ball, swim...

With the rhythmic breathing and stretching of the body, the shackles of emotions will quietly loosen, and everything will return to peace without a fuss.

Finnish scientists have conducted specialized experiments on this:

They found 10 pairs of twins and had one exercise at least twice a week, while the other one did not exercise.

Three years later, it was found that those who exercised every week had clearer thinking, and were better able to cope with stress.

To gain continuous emotional control, one must maintain a long-term exercise habit.

In this way, emotional issues can be addressed from the root.

Middle age is a time when the waves of stress are constantly rising and falling:

The oppression of setbacks in the workplace, pessimism in marriage, and helplessness in life... The waves of emotions challenge our hearts time and time again.

And exercise is the simplest way to improve cognition and manage emotions.

By constantly elevating cognition through exercise, one can truly gain the power to resist the flood of emotions.

In this way, even with the twists and turns of life, we can still find a way out.

Exercise not only heals the present gloomy mood but also provides long-lasting spiritual nourishment.

To manage your emotions through exercise, you may consider the following suggestions:

Choose exercises based on emotions to quickly dispel negativity.

Feeling angry? Try boxing.

Overwhelmed with stress? Try yoga.

Feeling impulsive? Go hiking.

Feeling sad and upset? Dive into the pool.

Maintain a long-term exercise habit to hold the key to emotions.

In addition to short-term emotional relief, making exercise a habit to thoroughly improve cognition and enhance the ability to manage emotions.

Regarding the perseverance of long-term exercise, here are some suggestions:

Exercise at least 3 times a week, each time for about 45 minutes.

Focus on aerobic training, while also incorporating strength training, ensuring a significant increase in heart rate during exercise.

Maintain enthusiasm for exercise and avoid giving up halfway. Here are a few tips to use:

a. Set gradual goals

b. Diversify exercise choices

c. Join a sports groups

Middle age is an age when life is not easy, but we must persevere.

When you encounter setbacks and are filled with sadness, go exercise.

With your head held high, sweat pouring, the haze in your heart will eventually dissipate.

When you feel anxious and stuck in inner conflicts, also go exercise.

Stretch out your arms, keep moving, and all the suppression will vanish with the wind.

When you are self-sufficient and disciplined enough, you will find that there are no hurdles that cannot be overcome and no problems that cannot be solved.

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Escaping the Comfort Zone: The Most Toxic Chicken Soup I Ever Had

As the end of the year approaches, it seems like everyone is falling into various states of confusion:

Maybe you're about to graduate, torn between the careers your family recommend and your own aspirations;

Maybe you've been working hard for years, only to find that your job no longer suits you;

Or perhaps you want to invest your energy outside of work and find a side hustle that suits you.

At times like these, it seems like everyone around you is earnestly advising:

"Staying in your comfort zone all the time will make you stagnant; only by stepping out of your comfort zone can you become a better version of yourself."

But what's the reality?

When you want to step out but lack suitable references, you can't help but feel lost and confused.

Is stepping out of the comfort zone really about going to uncomfortable places?

The more appropriate advice should be trying to continually expand our comfort zone to make more things comfortable for us.

Stepping out of the comfort zone isn't about breaking it, but about establishing and expanding more comfort zones.

Everything should be based on your own capabilities, take it easy.

As soon as you hear the word "comfort," many people's first reaction is to think it's not progressive.

"Young people should strive hard. If you don't work hard now, you'll regret it later."

"Why don't you go for a master's degree? Having a degree will make it much easier to find a job or switch jobs."

This panic of falling behind forces those who have finally caught their breath to keep busy.

Once they stumble, there are people behind them saying with a strange tone, "See, I knew it wouldn't work. I should have advised you to change earlier."

Feeling restless and wanting to relax online, what you see is:

Naturally beautiful women still doing homework every day to maintain their appearance; knowledgeable scholars tirelessly sharing study abroad opportunities; sweet couples continuously recommending items to warm up their relationships...

These groundless "appearance anxiety," "financial anxiety," and "educational anxiety" spring up like whirlpools.

So, we start desperately trying to escape our old selves.

But have you ever thought that this isn't stepping out of your comfort zone but stepping into the circle drawn by others?

Many netizens have asked, "Is choosing to stay in your comfort zone not progressive?"

Jumping around, hitting walls everywhere, she still didn't live the better life her mother wanted.

Stepping away from comfort and embracing discomfort must be the right thing to do, right?

Even if you listen to others and change your environment, what then?

For someone who doesn't like studying, even if you drag them to the library, they'll still play with their phones;

For someone who's used to living in the countryside, even if you take them to adapt to the big city, they still can't seek change.

The stupidest thing is to abandon your strengths and desperately try to compete with others in areas where you're weak, suddenly switch careers to compete with experts.

And those who advise you to step out of your comfort zone with ill intentions are just trying to make money off your anxiety.

There's absolutely no need to use the "glamorous and bright" in other people's mouths as a reference to measure your own life.

Being blindly led by others will only bury your own brilliance.

Just like for fish, stepping out of the comfort zone should be from the pond to the river, not from water to land.

What we really should do is to base everything on ourselves and take it easy.

After all, in this life, knowing who you are, what you want to do, is enough.

Stepping out of the comfort zone is a ridiculous idea.

When you're in your comfort zone, you feel like you're in control and safe;

When you're in the learning zone, you face challenges but don't feel too uncomfortable;

When you jump into the panic zone, facing things far beyond your abilities, you're very likely to collapse.

That's why truly smart people never easily step out of their comfort zone but constantly expand it.

As the saying goes, "Not everyone has to live like a warrior in life."

If you like reading and writing, there's no need to force yourself to rely on speaking to make a living;

If you like to work quietly alone, there's no need to force yourself to be sociable;

Only by forgetting about the idea of "stepping out" and trying to expand your comfort zone as much as possible, getting familiar with more and more environments, will your heart be more stable.

In this way, your life will have both relaxed pleasure and high-speed fun.

In the end, every area becomes your comfort zone.

Such a life is wonderful.

I once heard a saying:

The scariest thing for a person is to stay in one place all the time, limit their own life, and draw lines, missing out on more possibilities.

Indeed, if you stay in your comfort zone for too long, it will become a breeding ground for laziness.

But to avoid this situation, you don't necessarily have to go to extremes.

It's more like a tree, firmly rooted in the ground to withstand the storm.

Digging Deep into the Comfort Zone: Creating New Layers Around What You're Good At

I think of a friend around me.

She has worked for two well-known media companies, and then she jumped to a booming tech company.

In theory, such a woman with career planning and professional skills should continue to advance step by step and strive for better jobs in the workplace.

But two years ago, she suddenly told me that she had quit her job and planned to start her own media platform.

I asked her why, and she only said that in today's rapidly changing content landscape, she wanted to explore more possibilities related to "writing."

In hindsight, she was right and met a better version of herself in her passion.

After all the twists and turns, it's hard for a person to get rid of their talents, interests, and industry accumulations to do things.

Without talent, you can't be strong; without interests, you can't last long; without industry experience, it's impossible to make money.

Just like why a compass can draw circles, because it has its center of gravity.

Life is like drawing a circle.

Once you've determined the center, just keep going, and you'll draw a complete circle.

Expanding the Comfort Zone: Expand the Edge of the Comfort Zone Outward and Turn the Learning Zone into the Comfort Zone

So how do you gradually expand your comfort zone?

A line from a movie might inspire us—

"You have to go to a restaurant one day and order a dish you've never ordered before, eat it all, and then realize it's quite delicious."

In daily life, you might as well set aside 15% of your time and energy to try things you've never done before, understand aspects of life or ideas you've never tried to understand.

For example, buy a book you've never been interested in before, sign up for a course you've never thought of taking, accept an invitation you were planning to refuse, or actively talk to a colleague you're not very familiar with...

You don't have to force yourself to go out, just try to explore the edge of your comfort zone slowly and expand it.

It's like when a gym trainer asks students to do two more sets of exercises when they can't.

You might ask why, but actually, doing these two extra sets each time promotes the continuous tearing and growth of muscles, ultimately achieving the goal of fitness.

That's 80% comfortable and 20% boundary breakthroughs.

Once you take the first step, you'll find that it's not as terrifying as you thought.

Someone once asked about "how to step out of the comfort zone," and expert only replied with, "Why?"

Expert isn't asking for a reason, but letting the person ask himself why he want to step out of his comfort zone. Once you have an answer, you naturally know how to do it."

Indeed, the answer to this question lies within ourselves.

When you know who you are, where to go, and what to do, whether you're inside or outside the circle becomes irrelevant.

Next year, if someone advises you to step out of your comfort zone again, you can confidently reply:

"No need, I've already learned how to expand my own comfort zone."

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