The 4 T and 4 A’s To Live Your Life By after COVID-19
In this unprecedented crisis we are all currently experiencing, I decided to return to some of my favourite classics that have made an impact on my life and try to find further wisdom to manage through the difficulties. Clients have also come forward to talk through the anxiety of this new “normal” at work of expected new behaviours and attitudes.
I have turned to a talk by Dr Fuster, the Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr Fuster is the only cardiologist to have received the highest awards for research from the 4 leading cardiovascular organizations. In addition to his dedication to research, Dr Fuster is strongly committed to communicating to the public which has led to a documentary, the publication of seven books and the launch of the Science, Health and Education Foundation (SHE). His achievements are inspirational as well as his wisdom.
He suggested that we should have 8 clear ideas of how to live and these are really essential especially after going through tough times. He developed this idea further by citing 4 Ts of how we evolve and mature personally. And 4 A’s of how we communicate with our world.
1. The first T is the Time we need take to think and reflect every day. Each one of us need 15 min every day to think about what is a priority and what needs to be done and what can wait. This is fundamental for keeping with our objectives and having a sense of achievement.
2. Talent. This is also essential to live a good life, making sure you are using and investing in your talent every day (that applies too for stay at home parents who are using their talent to care for their children). The best investment one could do, Dr. Fuster adds would be to get to know oneself so deep that there would be no doubt about their Talent is. It’s critical to invest in increasing such self-awareness.
3. Transmit Positivity. One should always do its best to transmit positivity to those around. Even in times of adversity, the better way is to help others with staying positive.
4. Tutoring, or listening to a Mentor. Making sure we learn from significant others and mentors. Dr. Fuster became a Doctor after reconsidering a career as a professional tennis player, when an imminent surgeon told him to get into that field. Another example is Mr Son, founder of Softbank who says that at 16 years he met with the CEO of Mc Donald in the 70’s who advised him to get into the computing business and look into the business of the future not the past. He attributes his early success to the fact that he chose to listen to that advice and never looked back.
4A’s: I am often asked whether how we communicate will change after Covid-19 and I think no. Humans are social animals and we thrive on our social exchanges and communication. However, more than ever now, we need to do these 4 things.
The 4 A’s are about how you present yourself to the world and this is also fundament to feel useful in your world, community and environment. According to Dr Fuster, it is critical to make yourself useful to others, this is what gives you self-esteem.
1. Attitude. How you need to present yourself as a positive person. Acknowledging that you will encounter difficulties along the way but that you will overcome them by trying your best or at least manage through them. Giving in to panic or fear wont help for example.
2. Acceptance. Accepting oneself and not trying to be accepted by others is fundamental.
3. Authenticity. In other words, being congruent with who you are. You don’t change your discourse depending on whom you are talking to. You are the same person whatever the situation is.
4. Altruism. He noticed that the happiest people he met were the ones who gave more than they received. If one can go beyond individualistic needs, and be useful to the society, one will have a better life.
