You came into this world without instructions. You have spent decades trying to operate the machine (You) by trial and error.
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You tried to work 12 hours straight (and burned out).
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You tried to be an extroverted leader (and felt exhausted).
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You tried to wake up at 5 AM (and felt groggy).
This is not a “Discipline” problem. It is a Specs problem. You are trying to run Diesel fuel in a Gasoline engine.
The Concept of “Specs”
In engineering, every component has a “Tolerance Profile.”
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Load Limit: How much pressure before it cracks?
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Thermal Limit: How hot before it shuts down?
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Fuel Type: What energy source does it require?
The Protocol: Writing Your Manual
Stop guessing. Start documenting. Create a document called MY_USER_MANUAL.md.
1. The Fuel Spec (Energy Source)
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Am I a Solar Panel or a Battery?
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Solar (Extrovert): I gain charge from people. Isolation drains me.
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Battery (Introvert): I hold charge well, but people drain me. I need isolation to recharge.
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Action: If you are a Battery, stop scheduling back-to-back meetings. That is engineered failure.
2. The Peak Performance Window (Chronotype)
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Am I a Lark or an Owl?
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Lark: IQ is highest at 8 AM.
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Owl: IQ is highest at 10 PM.
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Action: Protect your Peak Window. Do not waste your 140 IQ hours on low-value emails.
3. The Failure Mode (Warning Lights)
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How do I know I am about to crash?
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Signs: Irritability, Sugar cravings, Cynicism, Silence.
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Action: When the warning light blinks, pull over. Do not push the accelerator.
The Sharing Protocol
Once you write the manual, publish it to your team. “Hi Team, this is how I operate. I am grumpy in the mornings (don’t talk to me until 10 AM). I prefer written memos over meetings. If you see me pacing, I am thinking, not angry.”
This is not a weakness. This is Interface Design. You are making yourself easier to use.
#DhandheKaFunda: If you don’t tell people how to use you, they will misuse you. And then you will blame them for breaking you.