William Liao @williamliao

Taiwanese American, daily blogger of ideas about impactful work in service of others, photographer (ephemera.photography)

William Liao last shared their writing on Jan 14, 2023 spotting weeds
To be “lost in the weeds” is to be so caught up in minor detail as to completely miss the point.
Imagine two people getting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum.
One person spends this opportunity scanning the painting while admiring da Vinci’s creation;...
William's Pantry
🍺 40 Beers
🥟 46 Dumplings
🧇 29 Waffles
🍪 29 Cookies
🍵 49 Teas
🍣 38 Sushis
☕️ 38 Coffees
🍫 41 Chocolate Bars
🍍 36 Pineapples
🥓 36 Bacons
🥚 36 Eggs
🥩 26 Steaks
🍊 45 Tangerines
🍓 25 Strawberries
🥃 28 Whiskeys
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36 hours and 1 important thing

36 hours ago my team received a major assignment. 

Major in the sense completing it would result in significant progress in our work. 

If you asked me 36 hours ago how long I thought it was going to take for us complete this major assignment, I’d offer an...
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Jun 25, 2021 1:51 AM

Being a don't-know-it-all

Not knowing enough isn’t the main problem.

No one can have all the answers at all times — it’s an impossibility. It’s a debilitating belief.

Instead, accept that you don’t have all the answers — that no one does.

Not having the answer is simply a your cue to put in...
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Jun 23, 2021 11:24 PM

It's not enough to be right

“It’s not enough to be right, you also have to be effective” — Cyril deGrasse TysonYour product might be capable of saving a company millions of dollars, but that doesn’t matter if the company doesn’t see value in the product first. 

Your forecast might be spot-on, but that doesn’t...
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Jun 22, 2021 9:23 PM

"Finally" vs "yet another"

Not all well-intended actions are received as well-intended actions.

When you create a new initiative, a new meeting, or a new project try reading the room first.

 
Is there a sense of dread or disappointment? Does it feel like yet another activity?


Or is there a sense of relief? A...
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Jun 21, 2021 9:16 PM

Acting on behalf of tomorrow

What kind of person do you want to be in the future? Where in the world would you be, what kinds of things would you be doing, what kinds of problems would you be solving?
What kind of world do you want to be in in the future? What problems...
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Jun 20, 2021 10:28 PM

The-way-we've-always-done-it syndrome

Routine is a two-sided coin.

When actions become routine, it means you no longer have to think about doing them. They’re effortless. 

This virtue of effortlessness is also a downside in its own right because it creates the risk of you defaulting to routines not because they make sense or...
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Jun 20, 2021 1:25 AM

Pay it forward, don't keep count

“People are oddly consistent. Karma is just you, repeating your patterns, virtues, and flaws until you finally get what you deserve. 

Always pay it forward. And don’t keep count.” — Naval Ravikant

Cooperation, compassion, and generosity breeds cooperation, compassion, and generosity. 

Hate and animosity breed hate and animosity. 

...
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Jun 18, 2021 9:53 PM

Subtext

The idea of subtext is that words and actions are sometimes driven by unstated motivations. 

Thanks to millions of years of evolution, subtext isn’t exactly rocket science — in most cases people are able to infer it.

For example, when someone reaches out on LinkedIn with a canned business proposal...
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Jun 17, 2021 9:14 PM

a beautiful mess

It’s easy to look at the list of problems you’re experiencing at work, with your projects, and within your personal & professional relationships and declare with some frustration: what a mess. 

When faced with a slew of problems, your first reflex or wish may be to be relieved of all...
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Jun 16, 2021 9:23 PM

Going at bat

The term “going at bat” originates in baseball and refers to situations where someone substitutes for another batter. 

The term has since taken on a broader definition and is used to describe situations where support is offered to someone (or something).

Friends routinely go at bat for one another by...
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Jun 15, 2021 9:25 PM