SNAPlife: Meaning Comes From Your Mind - s2e130

Getting heard is easy. Being understood is different.

There are two barriers to communication that bear consideration. First, there are physical barriers, relatively easily overcame. In the mid-twentieth century, radio communication was obfuscated by static. Further into history, slow mail service—or no mail service—was a barrier to communication.

In the early twenty-first century, however, physical barriers are not entirely gone. Noise in the environment or loss of cell service emerge as physical barriers, but for the most part, the physical obstacles are easily and routinely overcome.

The second type of communication barrier is psychological. Though the words and images are received well enough, it is the mind of the receiver who interprets the signals and gives them meaning. The life experiences, expectations, and beliefs derive meaning from the words and images.

When such precognitions about a situation are rigid and unchallengeable, misunderstandings abound! The meaning the sender intended is lost to the prejudices of the receiver.

When the person receiving the message has preexisting beliefs and expectations, the chances of the intended meaning coming through are very slim.

SNAPlife: The Whole Meaning Package - s2e129

Meaning is far more than words. Trust me!

Context sets the stage for meaning. The content of the message is highly influenced by where, when, and why it is said or written.

For example, saying "This is going to be great!" when someone invites you to a nice dinner is different from saying "This is going to be great!" when you discover you get to have a tooth pulled.

Context changes the meaning of the words drastically. Further, you will never (probably) understand the context if you don't do more than hear the person.

Listening is usually construed to mean getting through the sounds (or written words) and finding meaning. Listening is the process of going past the content and bringing it in to clear light of context.

As the speaker, you need to make sure you are being clear and accurate. You don't simply say the easy words and let it go. Fully and completely expressing yourself and making sure the other person understands is of huge importance!

Words, alone, deliver only a part of the message. (So, you should watch the video!)

SNAPlife: Should You Be Power-leveling? - s2e128

That thing you want to do? How are you going to get there?

You can put your blinders on, focus on the goal, and charge forward. You can ignore all the distractions and single-mindedly attack the goal, get it done, and move on.

Power-leveling is a reference to gaming whereby you set a single goal and forsake everything else as you work towards it. Applying this idea to real life is to attend to and only to the demands of the accomplishment you are seeking.

The upside to this is getting done and moving on.

But…

When power-leveling, you don't take time to see the sights and experience the ambiance as you work toward you goal. You miss out.

If you've been there before and know what your missing, that's one thing. But if you sacrifice quality of life as you go for you goal, then make sure the destination is worth sacrificing the fun stuff on the journey getting there.