Preface

This book is an expression of my personal experience and that of my colleagues, which we encountered in practical work in various fields – from personal life and various life situations to trade, services, manufacturing, construction, and more.

Over the years, knowledge accumulated, and modern technology made it possible to immediately record all this experience and all resolved issues, thereby regularly expanding the database of situations and solutions. Personally, I had to immediately figure out many things I had no idea about, things that seemed inaccessible to me, and search for solutions to various problems without any theoretical understanding.

Having accumulated a large body of diverse data, I didn't stop there, but systematized it, identifying patterns and specific principles and problem-solving methods, the adherence to which allows me to live a simpler life and resolve routine issues more easily and quickly.

I personally found it very useful to periodically return to my collection of notes and thoughts at least once a year. This allows you to refresh your memory, rethink, and adjust your existing principles, take into account current realities and changes, and thus think better. I advise you to do the same.

After reading this book, you will understand what I'm talking about and will be able to formulate your own principles for life and behavior, adapting everything to suit your needs. I wrote it as if it were for myself. You can send your questions, feedback, or suggestions to a95122@mail.ru.

Enjoy reading!

1. A memo on scientific labor organization from the USSR

Pic. 1. From the memo on scientific organization of labor

One of the reasons I wrote this book was the photograph above. It was taken in 2015 on the wall of the reception area of the head physician at the Central District Hospital in Shalinskoye, Krasnoyarsk Krai. It's 80 kilometers from the regional center, so much of what was created or built before the 1990s has been preserved here, and not much has changed outwardly over all this time—it's a provincial town, after all.

Many old Soviet enterprises and organizations had informational posters that encouraged useful activities, taught safety, motivated, and so on. This poster, hand-made by one of the employees, contains excerpts from a Soviet manual on scientific labor management. Just consider what it calls for. In fact, the folk and scientific wisdom of this single poster could put most modern efficiency teachers, "coaches," psychologists, and other info-Gypsies to shame. Also note the unique culture of information delivery from that era. An excellent collection of life principles, with which we will begin this literary work. Below is the text from the poster, also summarized.

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ALWAYS be active, proactive, and energetic.

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Work according to a schedule, plan, and account for your work.

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KEEP A BUSINESS NOTEBOOK.

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Speak LITTLE AND QUIETLY IN THE WORKPLACE.

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Speak briefly and in a low voice on the phone.

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DO NOT SMOKE in the workspace, even if it's your office.

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Perform your duties strictly according to the principle of "A designated place for everyone, and everyone in their place."

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TIME is a valuable asset; REMEMBER, saving your time and the workforce's time is an effective source of productive success for the entire team.

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NEVER. NEVER. NEVER get irritated, have endless patience, don't swear, and maintain good etiquette.

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Every job requires diligence, discipline, and initiative.

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IN YOUR WORK, BASE YOUR WORK ON FACTS, analyzing your activities, critically assessing the conditions, environment, and time.

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ALWAYS STRIVE TO clearly see the goal, objectives, prospects, and rational core – the effectiveness and profitability of your work.

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BE BRIEF!

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Have a sense of humor and appreciate it in others.

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BE NEAT AND CLEAN IN EVERYTHING.

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Don't be ashamed of elegance!

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Be polite to everyone.

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The workplace should be free of unnecessary clutter, so you don't have to fuss and search for what you need among the unnecessary.

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NEVER LOSE your spirit under any unfavorable circumstances. ON THE CONTRARY, when faced with difficulties, show more energy and persistence AND ACHIEVE VICTORY!

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DON'T BE AFRAID OF experimentation. BE CAREFUL about other people's opinions, even if they're wrong.

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KNOW HOW to speak, communicate, and listen.

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Scientists have proven that a GOOD MOOD has a positive effect on a person's health and increases productivity by approximately 18 percent.

2. A person's strategy in his life

2.1. The Importance of a Strategic Approach

You probably bought this book because you want to make your life easier, more meaningful, more fulfilling, and more enjoyable. You want to use your creativity productively, learn something new, create something you enjoy, and perhaps share your experiences, as I'm doing right now or through collaboration with others.

But to achieve all of this to the fullest, it's important to start from the very beginning:

1. Understand who you are – define yourself;

2. Understand what you want, your goals;

3. Assess your situation;

4. Assess your resources and the resources you can attract.

5. Assess your physical and mental health – after all, this is your most important resource;

6. At the intersection of all of the above, understand your strengths and weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

7. Develop a core strategic plan and tactical measures for its implementation – the objectives.

Everything listed above is called strategy, and it applies to any subject.

Ignoring any of this won't work, otherwise you'll end up in the wrong place, using the wrong methods, suffering, losing energy and other resources, and ultimately, being unhappy and living in a state of stress.

Anything that hinders you from implementing your strategy or on your life path will have to either be changed or eradicated, or accepted as is and your strategy adjusted.

2.2. Self-determination (mission or purpose)

Self-definition, or the recognition of who you believe you are, or, in other words, your mission or purpose, is subject to change. It depends on your age, the situations and experiences you've experienced, your knowledge, your available resources, and so on. Therefore, the process of self-definition should be ongoing, and at least once a year, you should reassess what you truly strive for, as you may realize you've chosen the wrong life path.

So, set aside sufficient time, find a quiet place free from distractions, and engage in self-discovery using some of the recommendations and methods listed below:

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Answer the question: "What am I willing to do and even pay for?"

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Answer the question: "What from my previous activities will remain if I get rich?"

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Answer the question: "What have I always wanted but was afraid to try? Maybe this is my calling?"

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List all your talents and abilities in as much detail as possible, identifying the primary and secondary ones, and clearly defining them all. Focus on the most important ones, as well as those without which you wouldn't be interested in living.

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Ask yourself what will happen when the goal is achieved. Will achieving it bring pleasure, and will it make you happier? Try to clearly imagine the outcome of your chosen goal in advance, so you can feel what it will be like to achieve it, right down to the sensations in your body.

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Choose famous people you admire and try to understand why. It's likely that you are drawn to them by something you deeply desire. Make lists of things or activities that fascinate and energize you—as broad as possible—and then rank their contents. This will allow you to better see yourself in all of this, understand your inclinations toward certain activities, and determine which direction to take.

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To understand your purpose, ask people in your circle or friends who have known you for years to answer a series of simple questions: "What is valuable about me? What can I do that you enjoy? What can I do better than others?" Outside opinions are invaluable. For example, my personal experience has given me this idea of myself: someone who takes on new and unfamiliar challenges and sees them through to completion. Consequently, I've developed a leadership career in the development and implementation of various projects in manufacturing, construction, and trade, with a little bit of literature—and working with texts has accompanied me throughout my career, necessary for business correspondence and solving complex problems.

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A person's caliber is determined by the size of the problems they can handle. What challenges are you drawn to? Maybe you've long wanted to write laws or organize ascents to Everest, and not all this?

Write in the comments to this book what idea of yourself you were able to form by using these methods, and which of them turned out to be closest to the truth.