Use Math to Improve Your Life
– Musings by Dr. Jamie Hsu, 3.6.2017
It is amazing how simple math can help you deal with your work projects, daily tasks, social media activities, and even your relationship with others. You just need to master the art of +, -, x, and /. Let’s contemplate their meanings:
(+) Addition, Collaboration, Inclusion:
When you add the thoughts, ideas, and talents of other people, you increase your ability and influence to get things done. It may not be easy to collaborate with people who have different views, background, and temperament than your own, but that will make you and your projects stronger, more well thought-out, and easier to implement.
(-) Subtraction, Simplification, Prioritization:
We all have too much to do — too many emails to answer, too much stored stuff at home and in the office, too many meetings to go to, too many texts, ‘Lines’, and ‘WeChat’ to read, and even too many social gathering to attend. If this sounds familiar, you need to have the will of subtraction and prioritization. Being able to let go and simplify is a must to becoming successful.
(x) Multiplication, Synergy, Innovation
Be creative and think outside the box. Using an unconventional approach and working with different groups of people will yield results which are by order of magnitude better. If you want to experience that “wow” elation of synergistic creation, go to some brainstorming trainings or team building workshops. The most successful companies and people are the ones who innovate and master the art of creation.
(/) Division, Sharing, Milestones:
None of us is a superhero. When it’s time to implement a complex program, we need to divide it into manageable pieces, to share the responsibilities with capable people, and to break the projects into measurable milestones. This will encourage teamwork, maintain accountability, and keep things moving forward. This takes discipline and leadership, but is an important success factor.
If you learn to use these basic math tools properly, you’ll be pleased with how much easier and better you can manage your life and career.
數學與人生
–作者 許俊宸博士
–中譯 薛乃綺
你是否曾經想過，用最基本的數學来幫助你處理工作專案、生活瑣事、社交活動、甚至是人際關係？你需要做的就只是掌握加、減、乘、除的藝術。讓我們來思考一下它們的意義。
(+)是”加法”、”合作”與”包容”：
當你加入了別人的想法、創意、才能時，你才能提高自己的能力及影響力來完成工作。跟自己有不同意見、不同背景或個性的人工作，有時並不是那麼容易。但這會讓你及你所做的事情格局更為宏觀、更為周全、也更容易執行。
(-)是”減法”、”簡化”與”優先”：
我們大家都有太多的事情、太多的email要回覆、太多雜物囤積在家裡或辦公室、太多會議要參加、太多的功課要做、太多的Line還是微信要回、甚至有太多的社交場合要參加。如果這些你都聽起來很熟悉，那表示你需要有執行減法及設定優先級的意志。因為願意放手與簡化生活是成功的必然法則。
(x)是”乘法”、”联發”與”創新”：
要有創新以及創意思考。使用非傳統的方法或與不同群體的人工作，都可能發揮出更加乘的效果。如果你想體驗共同創作的那種”哇”的興奮，去做一些腦力激盪的訓練、或團隊建立之類的workshop。那些最成功的企業或企業家都是具備創新或懂創造藝術的人。
(/)是”除法”、”分享”與”里程碑”：
現實生活中的我們都不是超人。當需要實施一項複雜的計劃時，我們應該要把它切分為一個個可管理的區塊，並且與有能力的人共同分擔責任，還要把整個專案拆成可量化的里程碑。如此一來，不但能激勵團隊合作，還能確保工作能順利進行。這需要紀律與領導，但這是一個重要的成功因素。 如果你能學習這些基本的數學工具，你將會很樂於見到自己能更從容、更有效地管理日常生活與工作職涯。
