I help people learn and grow through the power of words, visuals and AI. There is always a better way.
Here's advice you won't normally get on LinkedIn: If you want to be more creative, productive, happy, inspired, and so on.... close your LinkedIn app right now and go outdoors for a walk. Over the CNY weekend, my family visited Labrador Park in Singapore, and we encountered the resident peacock scrounging for food. When enough people crowded around it, the peacock got ready for showtime. There was a loud rustling sound, like the rushing of wind, and the peacock unfurled its magnificent train of iridescent colors! "Are you entertained!??" the peacock seemed to declare to us as it strutted around like a king. It was such a feast for the eyes and a salve for the soul to see God's creation in all its natural beauty. On the other hand, scrolling through LinkedIn for longer than a minute can be tiring. It's like walking through a busy market where many stallholders are shouting at you things like "Be successful like me!", "Transform your business!", "Use these AI prompts!", "Did you miss out on the news?" What a contrast from the peacock which is naturally confident and lets its beauty speak for itself. Hmm, can LinkedIn become more like a nature park rather than a "pasar malam" (night bazaar in Malay)? I used to avoid LinkedIn because of the endless hustling, but as it became the business network of the world, I decided I would post content that will give you some pain relief from the hardcore selling or self-praise. That's why I post arty stuff here, even though they get fewer likes. (People still prefer posts that can help them make money or get a better job.) Don't get me wrong. We're all here to build our personal brand and you should put effort into it. However, to differentiate yourself, ask what you don't like about what you see and then do the opposite. Zig instead of Zag. In all this cacophony, being unique and quietly confident might help you stand out better than "Have you seen what certificate I just earned?" -- I help people learn and grow through the power of words, visuals and AI. Subscribe to my newsletter "Integrate This!" https://lnkd.in/gaS9Uv8H
And I thank the LinkedIn Algo God for showing me posts like this and individuals like you. With literally everyone here talking about how they became successful by embracing 'abundance' and 'gratitude', I'm starting to wonder whether I'm too critical for my own good because I get exhausted by this night market easily. Will I even have any friends left here if I don't feel like being abundant and grateful just for a few hours? 🤣 Now I know I'm not alone. Great 👍
I can definitely relate... Coming on here sometimes I compare myself to other people who are successful and feel bad about the progress I'm making but I try to remember and tell myself to focus on my lane and to be grateful for what I have Truly thanks for this post
Lovely picture of how the peacock tries to impress the hen while the hen is nonchalant about its "proud" display of magnificence. The peacock is almost telling the hen "Have you seen my beautiful feathers?" - just like "Have you seen what certificate I just earned?"😂 Great sharing and reflection Ian YH Tan
That's a beautiful sight. There are a few in Sentosa near to the Cove area but they hardly strut their stuff or maybe my timing was wrong... Then again, serendipity brings out the most authentic wow.
Ian YH Tan - Did I tell you about that new certificate I just earned? 😂
Small but certain happiness = a short or long walk in nature. Works for me every single time.
your “pain relief” almost always works for me. so does your “eye drops”. please stay complimentary ya😂
That's a beautiful, and rare sight without any feathers being clipped off. Thanks for sharing Ian YH Tan
Business Development | Coaching (CCSP) | Cultivating Strategic Partnerships | Product Management
1yThank you for the refreshing reminder, Ian! Connecting with nature can indeed be a powerful source of inspiration and rejuvenation amidst the hustle of the business world.