> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #208 - Curiosity + Failure = Brilliance - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/208-curiosity-failure-brilliance/ - Published: 2024-10-07T04:55:36.000Z - Updated: 2024-10-07T04:55:35.000Z - Description: This week, I have advice to help you handle feedback, and ways to motivate your team remotely (and when under pressure). I look at how Flow state works, who can see the most blue and finally, we decide who came first. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter ### The Stuff that MattRs **Monday Motivation.** Let this week be the one where you [improve your skills at receiving feedback](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/how-to-receive-feedback-actionable-tips-for-professional-growth/). We’ve spoken about how [feedback is crucial for growth](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/feedback/), but it can be difficult to hear, especially when it’s critical. Developing the ability to accept feedback and act on it can be a game-changer for your career progress. **Remote**. [How to create serendipity on remote teams.](https://www.remoteworkprep.com/blog/how-to-create-serendipity-on-remote-teams?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Some good practical steps that will help create some of the ‘magic’ of working together, when your team is distributed. *Bonus Stuff. Looks like t*[*he pressure of returning to the office will continue to increase*](https://www.the-sentinel-intelligence.com/p/heres-why-they-want-you-back-at-the-office-so-bad?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *for some at least.* **Leadership**. [How to lead your team when the house is on fire.](https://peterszasz.com/how-to-lead-your-team-when-the-house-is-on-fire/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) An excellent article on leading during challenging times, with practical steps that you can take. *I love the section on ‘taking care of yourself first’, it’s a critical step when the team is under pressure.* **Unlocked**. [How to tackle a task you have been avoiding for weeks.](https://zenhabits.net/unlocked/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) I like this gentle and simple process to help you face that task you have been delaying. *I used this for a couple of tasks this week, and it helps.* **Inclusive**. [Five practical ways to change your language to be more inclusive.](https://mailchi.mp/b666da9e620f/5-ally-actions-sep-27-2024?e=d1365bf01e&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) #4 is an excellent way to phrase a question that everyone should be able to ask. **Strategy**. [Six key abilities of strategic thinkers.](https://bigthink.com/series/the-big-think-interview/michael-watkins-strategic-thinking/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Great advice here - *don’t focus on the endowment, focus on the improvement.* Every one of these dimensions can be learned and developed. ✍️ ****Random Journal Prompt:** How do you handle negative people or negative environments? [From my prompts for Positivity.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journal-prompts-self-understanding/) ****Bonus Stuff.** [Try my 30 day Journalling Challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journalling/). ![A close up shot of water flowing along a path in the shape of a tunnel](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1472783725153-dd7f61cd8b1e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE5fHxmbG93fGVufDB8fHx8MTcyODExOTkyMnww&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [wu yi](https://unsplash.com/@takeshi2?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) **Flow**. [How flow state works.](https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/20/flow-state-science-creativity-psychology-focus?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) This is a great way to understand what happens in your brain when you achieve flow state. You can train your brain, and [take actions that will help you](https://www.clearerthinking.org/post/the-flow-state-definition-benefits-and-how-to-achieve-it?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) get into flow state. [My Flowstuff playlist is an ideal way](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/introducing-flowstuff/) to get yourself in the mood for creativity and productivity. **Curiosity**. [How to turn your curiosity into long term success.](https://bigthink.com/business/5-ways-to-turn-curiosity-into-long-term-success/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) A simple mindset shift that can open up new possibilities for your career success. *Bonus Stuff.* [*How to cultivate Intentional Curiosity*](https://nesslabs.com/intentional-curiosity?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *and* [*How curiosity + failure = brilliance.*](https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/curiosity-plus-failure-is-a-passport-to-brilliance/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Reslience**. [Six Steps To Success When Life Gets Hard](https://bakadesuyo.com/2024/07/how-to-be-more-resilient?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). #4 on this list is important, and will get you through some of the most challenging times. **Stairs**. It’s time to [take the stairs.](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-finish-line-323c2230-79e8-11ef-aea9-29da84cae70a.html?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) It seems such a simple piece of advice, but the benefits are many. **Blue**. [Is my blue, your blue](https://ismy.blue/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk)? My boundary is at 180, bluer than 80% of the population. However, I’m also a bit colourblind so I’m probably wrong! **Finally**. [What came first?](https://artsandculture.google.com/experiment/what-came-first/ZQGBUPErEE3bVg?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Another excellent game from the team at Google Arts and Culture. 🎵 Have you tried ****FlowStuff**? It's my ever growing and changing playlist of music for concentration and relaxation. 35 hours of mostly beatless and wordless music. [You can follow along here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rXoop87aCB6oe1HBERtyn?si=f38e9657e468481c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### 🔈 Stuff to Listen to... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/10/beachclosed-3.jpg) 🎧 This week, my musical recommendation is [the latest in my monthly series](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/29-september-2024/) of [mixtapes](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/mixtape/), compiled exclusively for Stuff readers. In September I gathered some great tunes, including some modern rocksteady from The Frightnrs, a beautiful ballad featuring James Blake and dancefloor friendly tracks from Jamie XX and Four Tet. As ever, I have some great cover versions including a fun rendition of an Adele tune, and an Ibiza classic from Sebastian Tellier delivered by a singer-songwriter. I love making these monthly mixtapes, and I hope you enjoy giving them a spin. . [Listen to Stuff #29 here](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/34IA8YrvTM4UCKr26G5PyJ?si=9ebdc26b109b4389&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### Stuff Someone Said (feel free to share) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2024/10/Stuff-208-1.png)