The 4 Ws (Where, Who, What and Why)

 

“How often are we asked a simple question like “Who are you?” or “What do you do?” or “Where are you from?”

 

Considering it a superficial question—if we even consider it at all—we don’t bother with more than a superficial answer.”

 

“most people couldn’t give much in the way of a substantive answer. Could you? Have you taken the time to get clarity about who you are and what you stand for? Or are you too busy chasing unimportant things, mimicking the wrong influences, and following disappointing or unfulfilling or nonexistent paths?”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

The specifity of the 4Ws truly points your compass to the right direction. Know it well --- and you will be headed to the correct path.

~billymacdeus

The Figures of Speech

 

Tagging this along because it feels right to know the different figures of speech in the English language.

credits: r/coolguides

~billymacdeus

Lifehack: Clarify Your Intentions

Imagine nasa beach kayo and you want your friend to help you build a sandcastle. 

If you just say, “Let’s play,” they might not know exactly what you want to do. But if you say, “Let’s build a big sandcastle together,” your friend knows exactly what you’re thinking. If they look confused, you can show them what you mean by starting to build the sandcastle yourself. Then ask them, “Can you help me build this wall?” This way, both of you know what to do, and it’s more fun!

This is just pure wowsers!!! Imagine, when you clarify your intentions, and you get to form the habit of always having an end in mind. It would all be much simple to know what you want, and to know where you want to go.

How to Clarify Your Intentions

1. Think First: Before you say anything, take a moment to think about what you really want or need.
2. Use Simple Words: Say what you mean using simple and easy-to-understand words.
3. Be Specific: Instead of saying something general, be specific about what you want. For example, instead of saying “Help me with this,” you can say “Help me put these books on the shelf.”
4. Repeat If Needed: If someone doesn’t understand the first time, don’t be afraid to say it again in a different way.
5. Check Understanding: Ask the other person to repeat what you said in their own words to make sure they understood you.

Benefits of Clarifying Your Intentions

1. Avoid Confusion: When people know exactly what you want, they don’t get mixed up or misunderstand what you’re saying.
2. Build Trust: When you are clear about what you want, people feel more comfortable and trust you more because they know you’re honest and straightforward.
3. Better Results: When you clearly say what you want, it’s easier for others to help you or work with you to achieve that goal.
4. Prevent Mistakes: Clear intentions help avoid mistakes because everyone knows exactly what to do.

See you next round!

~billymacdeus

My Cycling Journey - Introduction

(

(3 minute read)

Quick backgrounder 

A journey begins with the single step... that is, to put into action those things conceived by the mind. Allow me to share my personal experiences about my odyssey to biking in this time of pandemic.

Quick backgrounder, as a kid - i learnt to bike using a BMX for kiddos; and from there i guess, i was able to develop the muscle memory of riding a bicycle from then, moving forwards.

Fast forward year 2020, i looked back and tried to remember when's the last time i rode a bike?

I couldn't certainly answer... prolly back in high-school? College, nah; i was in a dorm and i normally walk to the college of engineering building or go back home using a public utility tricycle.

When i started working - i never had the chance to go biking - Sampaloc to Makati, to Ortigas, or to MOA were pure LRTs, MRTs, taxis and jeepneys.

Bikes were not common back in those era... prior to pandemic - at least in the environment where i was used to.

Now... amidst the time of pandemic - bicycles became "In"; it suddenly became a new normal for all walks of life; whether you are in the low class, middle or the richie rich folks.

What inspired me?

It most certainly is due to my exposure of the bikers i see whenever i do the walks and jogs, may it be along Daang Reyna or within Vermosa.

Aside from the visuals and social media fever that talks about biking, it is just downright appealing to bike (verb); yeah!!

And to add, whenever i see folks with those caps/helmets and the "feeling great" display of adrenaline rush as they traverse the downhill path, i felt obliged to feel envy, but to sort out, it was on the eagerness to try and experience the same.

The Execution

I have a friend at church and a stranger friend; that i got to alk to in my walks/jogs, intrinsically their perceptions and attitude towards biking influenced me to try.

So the canvassing and hunting of a bike led to visit multiple shops in Dasma and Silang (Bike Bike Bike, Tulang Bikes, and Bike Plus).

We tried our best to at least buy from out of the mall built-bike (stock) - but we never get to find a suitable frame for me.

I decided, i wanted no MTB - mountain bike (at this time) but instead the RB - road bike, it's a personal choice; the RB is more appealing to me esp the drop bar portion of it and the slender frame, not to mention the thin wheels. 

RB, unfortunately is not available based on my height... so i settled to a semi-hybrid one. I haven't been able to memorize the specs but will try to learn it prolly create a separate post about it.

Learning The Basics

Road Bikes (RBs) vs Mountain Bikes (MTBs)

I got to learn the basic difference of RB versus MTB; again, the basic... without actually trying to google and just hearing it said verbally by these friends of mine who bike and race.

What stuck in my mind - MTBs are used for trails, primarily; while RBs would be used for flat roads delivering speed and the picturesque of road races.

It got me fascinated, those with the drop bars (the curly bars i used to say) are for RBs while the MTBs would normally have

 the flat straight bar handle - which makes sense, giving a more relax posture when biking.

But then, it appeals to me that the posture of riding an RB, the aero-effect style of bowing down where the torso is horizontally parallel to the lever of the bike frame is way cool thanks the ordinary ones.

What's Next?

Edi wow! 

On a serious note, i guess, i will get to take time first in learning (there' a lot to know) while enjoying the exhilarating effect it brings as i devour the beautiful greens, the winds chasing my back or opposing my fronts, the foggy scents in an early morning ride, and possibly other indescribable feelings of riding a bike that i am yet to experience.

#RideSafe

~billymacdeus

The Big Three

Day 4 - How's it going on your journey towards a Stoic life?

The big three : Perception, Action and Will are the basics - foundations of executing the Stoic life. They are overlapping to each other  but each has their critical power and discpline.

 It's like a three-legged stool, don't let one stool go down, otherwise it will tumble down.

“ the following little reminder sums up the three most essential parts of Stoic philosophy worth carrying with you every day, into every decision:

Control your perceptions.

Direct your actions properly.

Willingly accept what’s outside your control.”

Excerpt From: Holiday, Ryan. “The Daily Stoic.” Apple Books. 

~ billymacdeus