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- The Coder's Mindset
The Greatest Coding Tool by The Dysania Concept (2022) Coders, also known as developers or software engineers, are the construction workers of the digital world. Coders are responsible for creating and developing websites, apps and most technology we use nowadays. As artificial intelligence is surging rapidly, Coders play an incredibly significant role in the development of our society, as inventions like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa are quickly becoming tools of our every day. Coders are constantly developing tools to solve problems and enhance human efficiency; like John Johnson said, “First, solve the problem. Then, write the code.” So, as a profession taking over many aspects of our daily lives, it is crucial we know what makes a good Coder. Therefore, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll explore the essential qualities, virtues and skills that allow Coders to revolutionise everyone’s lives. 1. Problem Solving Coders are fundamentally tasked with designing solutions. As they are in charge of designing operating systems, user interfaces, and technology that enhances human performance, problem-solving is one of the primary skills they need. The most extraordinary Coders are the ones who enjoy being faced with a complex problem, as they relish the process of reaching the perfect piece of code, the perfect solution. Similarly, we should always look forward to finding a solution when faced with a problem. Even though most of the time we don’t look forward to them, problems and challenges are a part of life, and the quicker we learn to solve them efficiently, the better we’ll be able to enjoy our every day. Who knows? Maybe you are meant to live solving people's problems, not necessarily like a Coder does, but in another way. 2. Self-awareness Coders are self-aware of all the territories they explore. As Coders are confident when they face problems they know how to solve, they are also self-aware and humble when facing other challenges they don’t. Recognising what areas need improvement in their craft is an essential quality for all Coders, as it allows them to improve their abilities and become more secure when handling future problems. Like Coders, we must be able to recognise both our strengths and our weaknesses, even though it can be hard sometimes. Knowing where you need help and improvement is a sign of self-confidence and self-awareness, as it demonstrates you are open to growth and take learning opportunities. So don’t be afraid of not knowing but embrace those scenarios and turn them into learning opportunities. 3. Self-learning Coders are always in pursuit of new knowledge. Technology evolves daily, and parallel to it, the pool of knowledge surrounding it extends too. As technology is one of the most prominent fields of study, Coders must stay on top of new ideas, methods and tools to become the most efficient version of themselves when designing solutions. So as Coders are self-aware of their areas of improvement, they are also constantly self-learning, meaning they understand what they need to conceptualise, set goals and gain that knowledge through any means at their disposal, like books, articles or even colleagues. So, when facing an area in your life where you don’t feel comfortable due to a lack of understanding, find your way through by self-learning! With all the resources available nowadays, both physical and digital, the only thing stopping you is yourself. Coders are one of the most fundamental members of today’s technologically uprising society. They are the builders of the digital world and the designers of all these tools which help us be more efficient daily. Thus, it makes complete sense to understand why they are crucial to our future and what qualities, virtues and skills make them shine in their roles. Therefore, we invite you to adopt The Coder’s Mindset as you work your way through solving life’s problems and designing solutions and answers to any challenge you face. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- The Fiction Writer's Mindset
The Beginning of a Story by The Dysania Concept (2022) “Fairytales are more than true. Not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten,” said Neil Gaiman, as his pen brushed against his journal, filled with characters, plots and stories. Fiction Writers are minds who explore the truth through lies as they create worlds, characters and situations which may only take place inside the pages they fill yet can be used to comprehend what we see every day. In this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll explore the essential qualities, virtues and skills Fiction Writers must have to elaborate their ideas and explore their mind and our society. 1. Attention to Detail Fiction Writers must pay attention to detail to create the perfect story. Details bring stories to life; the smell of the road, the sound of the wind or the intention of a look. Yet, to incorporate these details, they must have sources of inspiration. Hence, Fiction Writers not only pay attention to detail when they write but when they live. To accurately describe how the sea smells, how the wind blows or how a heartbreak feels, they must’ve lived it first. So, as a Fiction Writer does, pay attention to every detail in life, enjoy it and remember it. As much as it may hurt, truly feel a heartbreak, as uncomfortable as it may be, get wet in the rain, and as incredible as it is, cherish every moment with a loved one. Additionally, pay attention to details surrounding your goals and dreams to be more accurate when aiming for them. 2. Persistence Fiction Writers must be persistent in pushing through obstacles during their creative process. Have you ever had to write an essay? As small as 500 words or as hefty as 4,000 words? Writing takes time, and Fiction Writers know this best. Brainstorming, outlining, writing and endlessly editing a book is a creative process which can only last as much as the Fiction Writer needs. Still, if someone wants to become a Fiction Writer, that can only happen if they write a book. Thus, Fiction Writers must be persistent through writer’s block and editing sessions to accomplish their goal. Similarly, if you feel the need to accomplish something, you must persist through all obstacles and challenges, as a Fiction Writer will always return every day, sit in front of that scary blank piece of paper and write. 3. Imagination Fiction Writers must use their imagination to build fictional worlds to tell their stories. Geography, history, politics, technology, weather and society are some elements Fiction Writers must focus on when creating a fictional world, and their imagination is their best tool to accomplish this. Similarly to their attention to detail, their ability to be imaginative is not something they are born with, as they must have referencing points and influences to draw ideas from. Their imagination becomes their magic weapon when finding innovative ways to create something new from what they already know, like Star Wars drawing inspiration from Ancient Rome or Harry Potter from World War Two. So, as you chase your goals, implement your imagination into the methods you use. Find creative and innovative ways to explore new approaches and invent new strategies to reach your objectives. Fiction Writers are the conduit between our minds and the truth. Through their attention to detail, persistence and imagination, they can build the worlds and stories in which their themes and ideas are explored. So, as a writer does, pay attention to the world around you, be persistent with your goals and use your imagination to create solutions and opportunities. Remember, we are all creating our stories so they may be told once we are not here anymore. Therefore, we invite you to adopt The Fiction Writer’s Mindset as you make your own story and remind yourself to live to the fullest as you do. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- The Historian's Mindset
Hygiea Statue in Edinburgh by The Dysania Concept (2022) We may not all be Historians by profession, but we are all most definitely part of human history. Thus, our decisions and actions, no matter how small, create a ripple effect in our story. That’s why we believe this edition of The Mindsets is vital for everyone. It allows us to understand how everything we have lived, everything surrounding us and everything we will create is the shared pool of a single story. It allows us to know how Historians learn from the past to teach us how to build a better future. So use these qualities, virtues and skills as a guide to building a reliable plan towards your goal and becoming more in tune with our shared story and yours within. As Henry Glassie famously said, “History is not the past but a map of the past, drawn from a particular point of view, to be useful to the modern traveller.” 1. Resourceful Historians must be resourceful to find all information on their subject. When researching a topic of interest, they must cover all angles through different perspectives and find these from various media sources. An example of this would be the beginning of any international conflict. When conducting research, Historians must use different resources to acquire the perspective and information related to both parties in dispute and any short-term and long-term affected parties. Additionally, they must use various data to understand all members of each party in conflict; governments, citizens, immigrants, etc. So, when attempting to understand the past to face a goal in life, be resourceful by finding information from all possible angles. Be sure you find information on why you are on this path. Be clever and train yourself to acquire what you need efficiently. 2. Analytical Historians must be analytical of the information they come across. As a natural next step, Historians must analyse and digest the information they’ve found on the subject they’re researching. After their resourcefulness helped them build a reliable pile of information, they must organise it and understand its meaning. The analytical process consists of deconstructing, understanding and learning the information in front of them, then allowing them to compare and evaluate the similarities and differences between both to reach an answer to their question. Thus, once you’ve acquired all the information you need to tackle your goal, take your time to analyse it and ask essential questions: What is the best approach? Why is it the best approach? How can I tackle it? 3. Impartial Historians must be impartial to reach a valuable lesson. During the process of analysing the information they’ve found, Historians must be able to not only deconstruct, understand and learn it but do it impartially. This means Historians must be able to have no bias when comprehending why a conflict took place, if there was a party with more responsibility or if the conflict was necessary. Historians must be able to detach themselves from the information they are evaluating and come to their best possible conclusion without letting their belief systems get in the way. Similarly, as you analyse the best path towards your goal, you must impartially evaluate what the best path is. Why is it the best path? How did you come to this conclusion? Where is the proof? History, like life, does not work in a black-and-white system but a scale of greys. Nothing is ever absolute, and this makes being a Historian a challenging profession. There is never a single solution to a relevant question, like who’s to blame for the start of a conflict. Questions attempted to be answered seldom have a single explanation, like your path towards a goal. So don’t get stuck in the study of the past to understand how to tackle your goal. Be a Historian, use, analyse and learn from the past, but remember you’re doing it to build a map towards tackling your dream now, not in the future. Learn from the past to avoid the same mistakes in the present and, consequently, create a better future. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- The Traveller's Mindset
Anonymous Traveller by The Dysania Concept (2022) Travelling is one of human’s favourite hobbies. Travelling gives us the opportunity to learn to see the world with new eyes and a more well-informed perspective, and it creates spaces to learn about different cultures, languages, nature and even yourself. Even though we all love to travel and do it as frequently as we can, there is a set of qualities, virtues and skills which can allow us to take better advantage of our adventures. As Andre Gide said, “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore”. So, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll talk about how the best Travellers can gather all possible knowledge and memories from their travelling experiences and how they implement these in their lives. 1. Courage To face the unknown, one must have courage; travelling means facing the unknown. When one travels, one meets a new culture, a different thinking process, a foreign language, new food, and many more unknown factors. To leave your home and travel to discover the wonders of a distant city, country or continent, one must be able to face the unfamiliar, which to humans is frightening by nature. Still, something frightening does not mean it’s unfaceable, and that’s where courage is key to the Traveller. And it is often when the Traveller faces the fear of the unknown they find themselves living the best experiences. So, be afraid of the unknown. Be afraid of lengthy flights or long drives. Be afraid of a new language, culture, and way of thinking. But do not let that fear stop you from discovering the wonders of these things. 2. Curious To learn from the unknown, one must be curious. When travelling, humans have the most powerful tool to find the best and most fruitful experiences: engaging in conversations and asking questions. Why? Because it is through questions that we start to understand what is unknown to us at the time. Through questions, we can learn why a culture thinks and behaves as they do. Through questions, we can learn how society works and the systems they have. Through questions, we can learn from a community’s nuances and how we can take and apply some of them. So ask away! Ask when you travel, meet a stranger or even at the farmers market. Use questions and generate conversations to build relationships and clear the fog from what is unknown to you right now. 3. Respect To survive the unknown, one must be respectful. Perhaps survive is a harsh word, but the meaning gets through. When one courageously faces the unfamiliar and asks questions about the unknown, respect is key to creating memorable memories. As one explores something new, there is much excitement to clear the fog, yet it’s essential to remember you are clearing the fog; hence, we don’t know what can be right in front of us. So, a good Traveller is thoughtful of how they approach the new culture they are meeting and the questions they ask. Respect the community that has allowed you to enter their space. Always ask, converse and behave as you would expect them to if they were in your community’s space. Be mindful of how you approach the unknown, always. Travelling is adaptable to everyone’s style and wishes. Yet, these three qualities, virtues and skills are at the core of the activity. Now that you understand why some Travellers can grow and mature more as they travel, we invite you to start taking the most advantage you can whenever you are. We also invite you to apply these qualities, virtues and skills to your life to grow wherever you are, whatever you are doing. Remember, travelling doesn’t just mean leaving your country or continent but perhaps uncovering your city and its surroundings. So start working on your courage, curiosity and respect, and you’ll slowly be able to open your eyes and see a new world, as you‘ll not only create and discover more when you travel but also rediscover where you already are. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- The Violinist's Mindset
Strings and Bow by The Dysania Concept (2022) The modern violin has been around for approximately 500 years. Throughout this time, composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Nicolo Paganini and Johannes Brahms have created some of the most beautiful and extraordinary violin pieces. Consequently, Violinists such as Jascha Heifetz, Hilary Hanh and Anne-Sophie Mutter have performed them as close to perfection as a human can. So, in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll explore the qualities, virtues and skills required to be a Violinist. As Samuel Butler famously said, “Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on”. 1. Discipline There’s a direct correlation between a Violinist’s discipline and sound quality. Discipline is committing to a way of life; for a Violinist, that usually means practising around eight hours daily. A devoted, perseverant and dedicated work ethic is the best method for anyone to reach their striving standard. So, how can you apply discipline in your life? Using the same approach a Violinist does. Start with reasonable standards by understanding your limitations. And then commit to those, aiming to increase them over time until you reach your goal. For example, if you want to do a 10k marathon, don’t commit yourself to running 10km every day starting tomorrow, but start with a reasonable distance, and as your physique, resistance and strength increase, do the same with your standards. 2. Emotional Intelligence As Joshua Bell said, “When you are playing a violin piece, you are a storyteller”. All Violinists must be able to connect with the music they are interpreting and use their instincts and intuition to find the most appropriate way to tell its story. All Violinists must use their emotional intelligence to dissect the piece before them and understand the story it’s trying to convey. And once they have, along with their discipline, work towards reaching their perfect interpretation and performance. How is this relevant to you? When working towards a goal, understand and work with the emotion it carries. Be aware of your feelings and of the ones who surround you. Control them and express them most appropriately. Live within a balance of thinking and feeling. 3. Openness to Criticism Different to many instruments, the violin is microtonal. That means it doesn’t have specific labelled sections to produce particular notes, but a millimetre difference can change the pitch of the sound produced. Hence, playing in tune can be tricky, and mistakes can be made easily. Additionally, you have to focus on how you use your bow: the pressure, the length, the angle, etc., and that also creates space for mistakes to occur frequently. That’s why discipline is needed to take the time to work on these, and emotional intelligence allows Violinists to understand how to approach the piece to produce adequate expression. But throughout all this discipline and analysis, one must learn from the mistakes one makes. Hence, Violinists need to be open to criticism to understand how to perfect their craft. Criticism usually comes from a teacher, your audience or the critics, but be aware it can and should come from yourself, too. So, as Violinists need to be able to criticise themselves and accept other’s criticism to improve their craft, one must be able to do the same regarding their life. If I realised I’d made a mistake, I must ask myself, why did I make that mistake? How can I avoid it next time? What did it teach me? To be a Violinist requires many qualities, virtues and skills, but these are at the core of the activity. Now that you understand how Violinists work with their instruments, music, and themselves, you can apply similar ways to your daily life. So remember to be disciplined, use your emotional intelligence to create a balance between thinking and feeling, and be open to criticism, as it’s a doorway towards growth and improvement. Finally, remember to always strive towards your best performance. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
- The Fisher's Mindset
Anonymous Fisherman by The Dysania Concept (2022) Since the dawn of humanity, fishing has been a profession necessary to sustain human life. Today, humans fish as a profession, hobby and sport. All Fishers share a joint core group of skills, qualities and virtues. Besides the primary goal of catching a fish, fishing teaches its participants more than the naked eye might assume, and in this edition of The Mindsets, we’ll discover what these teachings are. As Henry David Thoreau said, “Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” 1. Patience The very essence of fishing relies on casting your rod until you catch a fish. Some days, this may take three, two or even one cast, but others may take fifteen or thirty, or you might not even catch a fish. The ability to accept or tolerate delays and lack of results without becoming annoyed or angry makes patience key when fishing. Now, I ask you, have you ever stopped casting your rod because you weren’t getting results? Is it worth falling towards a path of anger because you face delays? Or is it better to accept these delays and problems, tolerate them and find a proper solution? 2. Resilience Similarly to being patient, a Fisher must not only accept and tolerate possible lack of results but have the strength and will to overcome these and keep trying to find a solution. Perhaps working as the continuation of patience, a Fisher’s resilience is elemental to spring back to reality, fight through the lack or delay of results, and find the most appropriate way to deal with these. So, I ask you again: Have you ever given up after not getting the desired results? Why did you not spring back and fight for the outcome you are striving for? Why did you stop working towards your goal? 3. Analytical Thinking As a Fisher casts the rod and works patiently and resiliently towards the ultimate goal, there’s always a string of thoughts going through the back of their mind. These thoughts are usually related to the environment in which they are fishing and how these affect the path towards the ultimate goal: catching a fish. The Fisher is constantly analysing the weather, the current, the colour, temperature and transparency of the water, the shape and size of the bait, and many other factors directly correlated to the chances of success. And through all this analytical thinking, the Fisher reaches the best decisions towards the most effective method. So I ask you, are you constantly analysing your environment correctly? Are you using the information around you to find the best approach to your problem? Are you thoroughly researching your surroundings to find the best method to reach your goal? Fishing requires many qualities, virtues and skills. Yet, these three are at the core of the activity. Now that you understand why Fishers rely so much on these and how they increase their success chances, you can start comprehending how to use them in your life and path towards your goals. So start working on your patience, resilience and analytical thinking, and you’ll slowly be able to handle situations in the most effective, intelligent and approachable way, as a Fisher does. If you want to know more about The Dysania Concept, read more in the ‘Who We Are’ section of the website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.