Ultimate List 2025 Updated: Books, Smart Gadgets, Productivity Tools and Studio Equipment tested by Xue Mei Rhodin

As a public speaker, entrepreneur and executive I get asked both in media interviews and during lectures or workshops to share tools that I use regularly and books that I recommend.

It got to the point where I had a mini-library next to my work desk to be able to pull out the 30 most important books I recommended for business owners, leaders, students and clients so they could take a screenshot of the book while I held it up to my screen.

So instead of each individual just getting one or two of my tried and true ones, I gathered this master-list that contains all the books, smart gadgets, journals, pens, computers, cameras and studio equipment that I have used for years.

I'm a very efficient and optimizing type of person so when I decide to buy something I research deeply to make sure I get a high quality product that really delivers to my specifications. So these are the ones I chose and also repurchased over the years.

---

Books for productivity, personal development, recommendation entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing and psychology 2024:

---

Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne 

Blue Ocean Strategy is a marketing book that introduces the concept of "blue oceans" - untapped new market spaces ripe for growth and free from competition. It provides a systematic approach for companies to create uncontested market spaces and make the competition irrelevant.

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/3UXTGLy

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a book that presents philosophical guidelines for how people gain and maintain power and influence over others. It analyzes tactics employed by historical figures and modern leaders to help readers understand how to handle situations when people are trying to manipulate them by control and power mechanism. It helps the reader understand how power is used around them and can therefore react more appropriately and not be used as easily in power-struggles. 

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books https://amzn.to/4lV5Kb6

Go for No! Yes is the Destination, No is How You Get There by Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz 

I got this book from one of my many mentors early in my career. I can’t remember anymore who of them gave it to me but it was impactful enough that I recommend it to anyone. This book is only 82 pages long. But a very important read for anyone who wants to learn what promoting or selling a product is really about. It contains important lessons about the difference between failing and being a failure, how successful sales people outperform 92% of their competitors with this reversed methodology and how to mentally get past failures more quickly. Even if you do not work in sales or marketing or run a company, this is a book that can teach you important lessons on how to be resilient and stop fearing being told no or failing. 

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4ndK3o2

The Millionaire Master Plan: Your Personalized Path to Financial Success by Roger James Hamilton

Roger has actually been a personal mentor and coach to me earlier in my career. I learned a lot about how to recognize and evaluate different levels of mastery and mindsets among entrepreneurs and business leaders from him. 

Roger James Hamilton, himself a highly successful entrepreneur and successful investor, has designed nine steps - from barely surviving - all the way to the highest level of ultimate wealth for life - and he lays out his nine steps in an easy-to-understand color-coded manner that ranges from red (barely living paycheck-to-paycheck) all the way to ultra-violet (where generating income is simply no longer a worry). Why this book is important is because it explains the real mental pitfalls you will go through when trying to build a company or acquiring wealth and what mistakes you will make on each step of the ladder. Most millionaires don’t keep their millions more than 3 years before it starts to decline again and many “gurus” that sit on podcasts talking boastfully about their wealth never speak of the real psychological shifts one has to go through to advance up the wealth ladder. A dynamic and interesting read for anyone. 

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/3VsgcMC

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

An anti-coddling self-help book that argues for the benefits of caring less about unimportant things and focusing energy on what truly matters. It uses blunt and humorous philosophical advice to encourage readers to find values and lead a more grounded, happier life. In a world that is more and more focused on anxiety over things that doesn’t really matter for one's long term happiness but takes a lot of energy out of people's lives, this is a thought-provoking book for anyone. 

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/45OKn6U

Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin outlines leadership principles based on the authors' experiences in the U.S. Navy's SEAL teams. The book advocates taking complete responsibility for everything in one's personal and professional lives to help overcome obstacles and achieve victory in any situation. I recommend this book to anyone who is a parent, a leader or business owner and anyone who want to build true self-reliance and confidence.

• Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4lZ6fRQ

Harvard Business Review Guides Ultimate Boxed Set (16 Books) (HBR Guide)

This 16-volume, specially priced boxed set makes a perfect gift for aspiring leaders looking for trusted advice on such diverse topics as data analytics, negotiating, business writing, and coaching.

This set includes:

• Persuasive Presentations

• Better Business Writing

• Finance Basics

• Data Analytics

• Building Your Business Case

• Making Every Meeting Matter

• Project Management

• Emotional Intelligence

• Getting the Right Work Done

• Negotiating

• Leading Teams

• Coaching Employees

• Performance Management

• Delivering Effective Feedback

• Dealing with Conflict

• Managing Up and Across

Amazon Books, Kindle books and Audio books: https://amzn.to/4lZ6fRQ 

---

Journaling, Note Taking, Planning and Goal Setting Equipment

---

The only journal I buy since 2020

The Official Bullet Journal Edition 2 from LEUCHTTURM1917

Notebook Built for BuJo, Medium A5 204 Pages of 120gsm Paper, with Bujo Pocket Guide (Black)

Bullet Journal Edition 2 from LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m368EJ

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliners 08, 05, 03

Durable Ink: Waterproof, fade resistant ink is quick drying and pH neutral.

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 08 - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 05 Point Size - 6 Pack

No 08, 0.50 mm line size

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 08 on Amazon https://amzn.to/4p0LOql

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 05 Point Size - 6 Pack

No 05, 0.45 mm line size

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 05 on Amazon https://amzn.to/467kyhe

SAKURA Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens - Archival Black Ink Pens - Pens for Writing, Drawing, or Journaling - Black Ink - 03 Point Size - 6 Pack

No 03, 0.35 mm line size

Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens 03 on Amazon https://amzn.to/47XG9Lq

108-Piece ABT Dual Brush Pen Set by Tombow - Complete Marker Collection in Portable Case

Tombow ABT Dual Brush Professional waterbased, non-bleed pens - Full colorspectrum, all 108 pens. Water based and therefore odorless, Water-soluble, Non-Bleed, Non-Toxic and Acid free

I use these for everything. Color-coding my bullet journal and GoalPlan Session notes.

Drawing ideas, brands, highlighting text, illustrations, map-buildining and concept art when I write fiction books. Everything.

108-Piece ABT Dual Brush Pen Set by Tombow on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JLqkgU

---

Productivity Tools, Office Wear and Desk Equipment

---

Sony WH-1000XM4

My Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling overhead headphones.

I love these. Not only do they contain my initials in their name (XM) but I use them at the gym, when traveling and around my house to listen to podcasts, youtube videos, audible books and talk to my friends in different countries for hours. These are the only ones I’ve tried that are comfortable for a 3 hour gym workout or a 4 hour phone call or a full day of doing my Goal Plan Session while listening to music. One of the few headphones that you can automatically switch from several devices, like switching from your work phone to your private phone or from your computer or ipad to your phone quickly. 

Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones - 30 hours battery life - Over Ear style - Optimised for Alexa and the Google Assistant - with built-in mic for phone calls - Black

https://amzn.to/4n57uzy

---

Videography, Photography, Podcast and Studio Equipment

---

Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam – Full 1080p HD Camera, Black

Never had a problem with this one. Plugs in seamlessly to any computer and the internal sound is actually great in meetings. The video is very clear.

https://amzn.to/460xpBF

Logitech Webcam Mount,Webcam Clamp Mount Suspension Scissor Tripod Stand Holder for Logitech Webcam C922 C930e C930 C920 C615

Give me control in what I want to show in different meetings, getting better angles and be able to flip it away when not in us.

https://amzn.to/4g5bFJz

Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone with Rycote Lyre Shock Mount

Best on-camera mic I've used for outdoor vlogging, interviews, on-the-go filming.

https://amzn.to/45YBbvm

JOBY GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit, 6.Lb Load Capacity

Honestly, this always solves my issues with filming close-up angles of something or getting a second angle. So heavy duty and sturdy it can actually hold up a full Canon or Nikon camera and stay up. Most others are simply too weak or not stiff enough to withstand the weight of the camera.

https://amzn.to/4lTmdNj

Canon DSLR Camera EOS 90D with 18-135 is USM Lens

https://amzn.to/46h33My

Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital Camera with 4.2x Optical Zoom Lens

Lightweight vlogging camera with good automatic white balance and light adjustment when moving between different levels of light sources. Great for documentation when on work trips or in movement. Personally I have the previous version, Canon PowerShot Digital Camera G7 X Mark II, and it's my tried and true companion for a lot of documentation. From photographing and tracking the growth of my rare tropical plant collection with Philodendron, Monstera and Scindapsus to shooting B-roll when the opportunity presents it self as well as documenting different processes with vlogging/ video journals. Simple to use even if you are not an experienced photographer.

Use this for:

• Second angles in interviews

• Documenting workshops, meeting notes, projects

• Digitalizing my bullet journal notes or illustrations

• Social media content

• Vacations

• Progress photos and videos for my plant collection's growth rate

https://amzn.to/3K4lStC

SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card

One of the things I think a lot of beginner photographers and videographers do is underestimate the difference the right memory card can do. Having high quality memory cards makes sure you have a less chance of getting corrupted photos and videos that renders your work useless. As well has how fast the card is to upload the material to your computer. It can be the difference between taking hours and seconds to upload the same footage, and the longer it takes, the more chance something goes wrong and you have to start the process all over again. Don't buy unknown brands and cheap ones where you don't know how reliable they are. It's not work your hard work. I only use the SanDisk cards and buy the fastest and largest the have. Never had an issue with those memory cards but have had issues with every other memory card for cameras I've owned.

https://amzn.to/3I3icYA

Neewer® Photography Photo Video Studio Umbrella Flash Mount Hot Shoe Kit, Kit includes: (2)79"/2m Tall Photography Studio Output Light Stands + (2)Light and Umbrella Shoe Mount Clamps + (2)White Umbrella Reflector + (2)Black/Silver Umbrella Reflector + (2)220V 135W Day-Light Studio Light Bulbs + (1)Umbrella Carrying Case

This is the set I have, no longer available.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WLIYX9I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

This is the updated, much better version:

https://amzn.to/4p5hwCA

NEEWER 74 Inch Pro Video Tripod with Fluid Head, QR Plate Compatible with DJI RS Gimbals, Durable Camera Tripod with Telescopic Handle Scaled Base for DSLR, Max. Load 17.6 lb/8 kg, TP74

74Inch! 187 CM tall tripod.

Don't buy to short tripods!

They are all too short to shoot a standing person in a good angle.

Regular tripods are for shooting birds and landscapes, not people.

Your tripod needs to be taller than the people you're going to film!

https://amzn.to/4lXu38y

19 inch LED Ring Light LCD Display Touch Screen with Tripod Stand

Don't buy the smaller Ring Lights, they give too intense light and can only be used in limited filming setting.

This gives natural glow and a high quality, soft light and is adjustable.

https://amzn.to/4m39Eip

LED video lights

NEEWER RGB1200 60W RGB LED Video Light with APP & 2.4G Control, 22000 Lux@0.5m/1% Precise Min Dimming/360° RGB/CRI 97+/TLCI 98+/2500K-8500K/18 Light Scenes for Studio Lighting Photography Videography

I love these. The quality and the precision you can get when adjusting the warmth and level of light; this is how you get that studio quality.

https://amzn.to/46ivMAy

EMART Backdrop Stand Kit, 3x3.6m (10 x 12ft) Large Background Support System Adjustable Photography Stand for Video Studio Party Wedding Decoration

You want a backdrop that is wide and tall enough to fill the entire frame even when standing. Most are too small! This is extra tall an wide and can be adjusted down if needed.

https://amzn.to/4gpsXBv

Neewer® 12x12"/30x30cm Transparent Color Correction Light Gel Filter Set Pack of 8 Gel Sheet for Photo Studio Strobe Flashlight (Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Pink, Light Blue, Dark Blue) 

Gel photography color sheets.

These you clamp onto your directly NEEWER RGB1200 60W RGB LED Video Light (here https://amzn.to/46ivMAy)

They fill the entire LED light to create all the color effects you want for a low price.

This is how you create:

• mood lighting and contrast

• color chrome effect in fashion photography or for magazine covers.

• Duo-color effect that you see many youtubers use to create a high quality movie-like set.

https://amzn.to/3VvpXJT

Neewer 24-pack Muslin Backdrop Spring Clamp 4.5 inches/11.4 centimeters Heavy Duty Clip for Photo Studio Photography Backgrounds, Canvas, Artwork or Home Applications

These clamps solves all your problems in the studio:

Clamping backdrops to make them straight, attach color gels to your lighyts, clamp cords and other things in place.

https://amzn.to/3Vw2BUw

BOYA BY-WM4 Pro Wireless Lavalier Microphone System with Lightning Connector Receiver for iPhone iPad IOS Podcast Facebook Youtube Live Stream Video Recording

Double lavalier (podast, interview, host microphones that you clip discreetely ontop your shirt) for interviews and podcasts or content creation. Very easy to use.

https://amzn.to/3JHMdhc

SteelSeries Alias Pro Microphone And Mixer Kit — XLR Mic + Stream Mixer — 3x Bigger Capsule for Gaming, Streaming and Podcasting — USB/XLR Interface

Advanced customization with the pro amp while streaming or recodring.

Different setting in the program that you can flip between yourself.

Best podcast mic I've had.

https://amzn.to/463WvzO

---

Computers, Laptops and Computer Equipment

---

Computer Screen Acer Predator X35 UltraWide QHD Gaming Monitor with NVIDIA G-SYNC Ultimate

My everyday workscreen.

https://amzn.to/4mO4Dvo

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread

Graphics card ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4080

https://amzn.to/47lCBT5

Memory Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB

https://amzn.to/4p5tSKY

SSD Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB

https://amzn.to/4p4eLSd

Motherboard ASUS TUF Gaming B650-PLUS WiFi

https://amzn.to/4ncgGlJ 

Cooling System Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Elite Liquid CPU Cooler

https://amzn.to/4n5giWm

PSU Corsair RM850e

https://amzn.to/4mJYlg6 

Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB Mid-Tower Case

https://amzn.to/4p6tmfY

This article contains affiliate links to amazon.com for purchases both in the US and Europe If you chose to purchase anything I earn a small commission.

If you want to support me sharing more methods, articles and processes that can benefit you, using these links when buying anything on Amazon is a great way to say thank you.

When you click a link, it doesn't matter what you buy on the site, you can buy books or soap, you're still contributing. :)

The Radio Silence Weekend Method: How to train yourself to take executive decisions faster and smarter by Xue Mei Rhodin

The Radio Silence Weekend Method: A method for taking executive decisions faster and smarter by Xue Mei Rhodin

Here is my Linktree profile where you can find all my social media links, methods, newsletters and more ways to connect with me in a neat list: https://linktr.ee/xuemeirhodin 

Radio Silence Weekends is my method I created to get away from the noise and decision fatigue of others and build strong self-reliance and make informed decisions without stalling or procrastinating in difficult situations. 

It is a major part of why people now perceive me as having strong self-boundaries, self-reliance and courage and why many people come to me for authentic and non-coddling advice when making major decisions like buying, selling or investing in companies, switching careers, dealing with difficult business partners, large mistakes in business, solving crisis in business, and even deciding to get married/divorced. (Yes, people actually call me about that.)

Learning to make informed decisions with full awareness of the risks/rewards, being deeply connected to your intuition and experience while focusing on long term results and authentic human needs is a superpower.  And it can be trained.

That's right, it's not about you being too inexperienced, knowledgeable or brave, you're just haven't training yourself with a method.

Scroll down to learn the method and start practicing it in your private and professional life.

---

As a person who has been running companies and has been a board member, CEO and executive for my whole career I’ve had my fair share of difficult decisions. And it was my company's business offer to analyze, evaluate and give company leaders solid plans with an A, B and C option on how to handle difficult situations. 

How to get out of cash flow problems and make their companies profitable. 

How to market and brand their companies and products better to increase sales and loyalty from their customers. 

Or how to mitigate the negotiations between two former business partners that couldn’t be in the same room with 6 million being trapped in their inability to collaborate.

As you probably understand, I have a knack for reading people, understanding human needs and making strategic plans. I absolutely love solving problems for people. Really.

The relief on their face when I can provide a solution that they can actually implement is so gratifying.

In fact, that is the role of a board member and CEOs and leadership positions in general; taking informed difficult decisions that other people either don’t have the data, insight, experience or permission to make.

Yet so many leaders shy away from decisions. 

I’ve also had to make difficult decisions in my personal life, like deciding if I should move to a different country and work in a timezone 9 hours away from my family where I don’t speak the language properly. Or decide if I’m gonna accept proposals on different occasions from men that on the surface might look impressive but something told me I need to truly ask myself if it’s the right choice. Or deciding to sell my previous company or not after building it for over 11 years.

Everyone has to make difficult decisions in life.

In all of my business ventures I was the person with the dynamic experience and strategic skills that made people gravitate towards me when difficult decisions needed to be made.

Even when I had business partners, the burden of tough and critical decisions landed on me.

Radio Silence Weekends became my most effective process for getting major decisions dealt with in assertive, constructive and healthy ways. 

The difference between informed self-reliant decisions and externally validated decisions

When you get great opportunities like taking a job abroad, investing in a new company or someone proposing to you, others might get really excited and impressed because they see your life from the outside like a fairy tale.

To an outsider or friend or family member, your life is like a movie they are watching from a safe distance with popcorn.

That might make you want to suppress your real feelings and thoughts about the risks and rewards of the choice, because you think you need to “fulfill your role” as the main character in someone else's movie. Or even your own movie in your head. 

Remember: they don't have to live with the choice, you do.

In general I believe that having new experiences and taking opportunities are a great source of growth. But there is a difference between taking opportunities completely blinded by external validation or the excitement and attention something brings you; and taking informed decisions with a self-reliant and responsible process.  

Going through life just taking any opportunity that presents itself to you without learning to critically clarify for yourself the risk and reward and effect they will have, is not growth.

That is just being a follower who says yes to anything and never learns real self-reliance and self-boundaries. 

This can lead to becoming someone who bounces around in life and never learns to listen to your internal cues and critically look at an opportunity with discernment. 

You become anxious, addicted to other's approval or simply someone who avoids difficult decisions.

The lack of decisions is stacking a long to-do list in your head without ever ticking off an item. The longer it is, the more anxious and incapable you will feel. You're not actually incapable or lack the information or skills to make the choice, but you've trained yourself to believe that with avoidance or over-reliance on other people.

Seeing Beyond Superficial Allures: Respect, Transparency, Consideration, and Accountability Outshine All

People who want you to do what they want will try to overload you with their feelings, needs, wants and expectations. A person who wants you to stay in a chaotic and destructive relationship will continuously try to bombard you with emotional highs and lows so it will be difficult for you to calm down and process the decision clearly. 

A person who doesn't want to take difficult decisions will encourage you to avoid, self-sooth or invalidate the importance of the decision because they don't want to be challenged on their own inaction.

A person who proposes without actually having gotten to know, trust and love you and has built the same in return, just wants you to say yes without an informed and self-reliant decision making process to confirm their ego and make sure you don’t leave. 

Just because a proposal includes an expensive ring or public romantic displays of affection does not automatically mean that the person is reliable, loving, respectful and has good intentions. But traditions, movies and the pressure to be nice and positive will make you more likely to accept it to confirm the “success story” you have in your head. 

In the same way you need to be able to separate a company's offer that seems to have all the bling and glitter and corporate jargon and the reality of how they treat their employees and if it aligns with your personal goals. 

Just because a company has a cool startup office doesn’t mean it pays an appropriate salary for the hours you work or respects you as an employee.

Just because a client has a well known name and brand doesn’t mean they will pay their invoices on time or be your most profitable client. 

One of my best clients in my previous company came into our office in blue overalls and a dirty cap. Sometimes other people at the office would mistake him for being a janitor. He was a multi-millionaire that had the most profitable company of all of our clients. His company was in ocean-based construction and his company was often the only one who could complete complicated jobs that demanded construction on water or on remote islands. He was irreplaceable in his industry and could charge what he wanted. 

Don’t let superficial judgment and cover-emotions lead how you take decisions and evaluate people and situations. Nothing beats reliable, trustworthy people with high integrity and self-boundaries. No amount of sparkling diamonds, trends or excitement should outweigh your real experience of someone's lack of respect, transparency, consideration and accountability. 

Decision Fatigue: Navigating Anxiety and Paralysis in High-Stakes Decisions

Research has shown that making a large number of decisions can lead to a phenomenon called "decision fatigue," which can impair an individual's ability to make sound judgments. This depletion of cognitive resources can result in decision avoidance, impulsive decisions, or reliance on heuristics (mental shortcuts).

When the stakes are high it creates anxiety and stress. When there is too much data and possible choices it creates a sense of paralysis. And the fear of the unknown that we all have as human beings heightens the discomfort and feeling of not being in control of the situation. 

You will feel the same stress when making big decisions like getting married or divorced, leaving your job, moving to a new city as when making major decisions in business. 

Business owners and executives avoid decision making more than you think

It is commonly said in business that a lack of decision making is often a reason why companies stay still. The fear of making the wrong decision and the accompanying ruminating is what keeps people in high-stress and high-anxiety mindsets while still not progressing towards a solution. 

“The reduced cost of communications brought on by the digital age has compounded matters by bringing more people into the flow via email, Slack, and internal knowledge-sharing platforms, without clarifying decision-making authority. The result is too many meetings and email threads with too little high-quality dialogue as executives ricochet between boredom and disengagement, paralysis, and anxiety. All this is a recipe for poor decisions: 72 percent of senior-executive respondents to a McKinsey survey said they thought bad strategic decisions either were about as frequent as good ones or were the prevailing norm in their organization.” 

As someone who has been running companies for many years and advised other business owners and their teams I can tell it to you straight

Most business owners, executives and managers rather talk endlessly about how difficult a problem is instead of taking 3 practical steps to solve it. Don’t continue being part of that club. 

Let’s take some active steps towards training yourself to make informed self-reliant decisions. 

The Radio Silence Weekend Method by Xue Mei Rhodin.

Taking timely, informed and intuitively strong decisions is a skill you build over time. 

Research using brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), has shown that intuitive decision-making involves the activation of various brain regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, and anterior cingulate cortex. These areas are associated with emotional processing, bodily awareness, and decision-making under uncertainty, suggesting that intuition involves the integration of emotional and somatic (bodily) signals.

You could call it intuition, but you could also call it instinct. More often than not you are focused on the feelings and physical effects in your body. Heightened anxiety, cortisol rising in your body and sense of unease and tension in your shoulders. Blaming yourself for being in the situation you are in and ruminating on what bad choices that got you there. And questioning if you are strong enough or good enough to take the right decision. 

What you are forgetting is that heightened stress hormones are a defense mechanism in our body that is made to make us aware, alert and move into action. It’s made for us to get out of dangerous situations and get moving. It’s when you do what is unnatural for your nervous system, ruminating, focusing on the anxiety and your heightened feelings instead of using the alertness to take action and search for a solution that you stop building good intuition and decision making skills. 

Studies have found that individuals who have experienced more intense emotional events in their lives tend to have a stronger reliance on intuition. Researchers believe that emotional experiences can shape and refine intuitive abilities by providing a rich database of somatic markers and gut feelings that can be accessed during decision-making processes.

Taking timely, informed and intuitive decisions is a skill you build with time and a method and by imposing self-boundaries that makes it easier for you to build that skill and use the method without getting distracted or resisting the process.

How I do my Radio Silence Weekends. 

The Radio Silence Weekend Method by Xue Mei Rhodin.

I would book a suite at a hotel with a spa and gym in my own city for a weekend and bring all the documents and data needed to make decisions and turn off my cell phone connection and allow myself 2-3 days of fully submerging myself in the decision that needed to be made and emerge clear, focused, certain and composed in my decision.

Day 1, Friday: I’d check in to the hotel on Friday afternoon, go directly to the gym and workout, thinking about possible choices I could make for my Decisions Question. Then I’d read through my Bank of Information and make notes of what could inform my choice while eating dinner in the hotel restaurant and go to bed early to get a full night's rest.

Day 2, Saturday: On Saturday morning I’d wake up and go to the gym for 1-2 hours and then to breakfast. Afterwards I’d go back to my suite and write up my choice columns and answer each question for all the different options, referring to my Bank of Information when needed. No matter how much I wanted to write I wouldn’t stop. I’d write down all my fears, all the people affected by the decision, the possible financial loss and possible financial gain. For all fears I’d write down a solution. For people involved I’d write down how I’d handle those interactions. For each of the 2 to 3 choices I’d write out a negative and a positive outcome for that choice and write down how I could mitigate the negative effects. 

This way I would turn the fear of the unknown into a few possible logical outcomes and a contingency plan for all of them. Often I’d order food to the room or have brought some with me to be able to keep going uninterrupted throughout the day. 

When I felt I couldn’t add anything valuable anymore I’d take a break and go down to the spa and bring my own personal spa-kit with me and do a full body spa routine as well as swim in the spa pool to relieve stress and tension. 

While doing my spa routine I’d think about my 2-3 choices and feel what each choice made me feel. I would think about my moral and ethical values and if these choices aligned with them. I’d look at if the choices aligned with my purpose and goals. And I’d look critically at if I had abandoned self-boundaries for someone else or not. 

I’d eat dinner at the hotel restaurant and then go to bed early again. Sleep solves a lot of problems. Your brain can sort through thought and clarify many things when it gets the clarity of deep and restful sleep. 

Day 3, Saturday: On Sunday morning my decision, my best choice and all its benefits and risks would be clear to me and the emotional experience of sorting through fears, worries and self-doubt would be gone. The emotional bank account would be emptied and I’d feel incredibly free, focused and determined. 

I also would go through with my choice with confidence and energy, having validated the choice and accepted it fully. The decisions I’ve made this way I’ve never regretted or doubted afterwards. Not 1 year, 5 years or 10 years later. 

Radio Silence Weekend Method

Radio Silence Space:

• Book a hotel room, cabin or house that you can easily get to in under an hour for a Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Sunday. Or simply take a tent and go out camping in the woods. The main purpose is this: it can’t be at home where your regular life is and it has to feel calm and undisturbed. 

• Make sure it is a place where you won’t run into your family, colleagues or people you know. The purpose is to make it a place where you can be completely present with the problem you are trying to solve without being interrupted or seeking advice, attention or comfort from others. 

• By going to a separate space from your regular life and work you can immerse yourself in focusing on the decision completely and when you leave after the weekend is done you also leave the worry, rumination and preoccupation with the problem. The decision is made, you weighed out all your options, felt all the emotions and shut nothing down. You have given yourself the full opportunity to make a conscious choice. 

Physical Activity:

• Make sure that whatever you booked has access to a gym, spa, yoga, hiking or some form of physical activity that you enjoy. Physical activity and movement is crucial to lower your anxiety and stress and bring clarity and sort out your thoughts. Do physical activity all days during your radio silence weekend at least for 1 hour each day. 

The Decision Question

• Write down the specific problem you are trying to solve in question form in a document or journal. Write this down before you leave for your Radio Silence Weekend. Your brain will already start to try to find solutions for your problem and you will be primed for the weekend. 

• The Decision Question examples: 

• Should I sell my company?

• Should I get a divorce?

• Should I move to a new city?

• Should I take the job offer?

• Should I fire this employee?

• Should I pursue a career in medicine or in finance? 

Radio Silence Weekends: A method for taking executive decisions faster and smarter by Xue Mei Rhodin

Your Bank of Information: 

• Gather all the information and data you need to make the decision the days before leaving. 

• Bring your folders or laptop with a file that contains all the data you gathered beforehand and decide it’s gonna be your Bank of Information for this decision.

• Resist going on long google searches and scrolling for more information on your Radio Silence Weekend. More data won’t make you smarter and more clear. It will only serve as a distraction and create decision fatigue. 

• Your Bank of Information is what will be your data. You are here to make a decision, not to do more research.

Your Decision Document:

• Write your Decision Question at the top. 

• Make a simple list with two or three separated columns. One for each possible option you have in the decision. Narrow it down to only 2-3.

  • Choice 1

  • Choice 2

  • Choice 3

• Write down responses to these questions for each column:

  • What will I gain from this choice?

  • What will I possibly lose?

  • Why is this choice important to me?

  • Is there any reason here that I am afraid to choose this option?

  • How will this affect my self-image, confidence?

  • How will this affect my career options and reputation moving forward?

  • How will this affect my family or personal relationships?

  • How will this affect my finances?

  • Can I deal with these consequences in a practical and responsible way?

  • How can I do this with honesty, respect and consideration?

  • Can I do anything to mitigate the possible negative effects for each area?

  • Write down a list of 5 bullet points. This is where you will write down your 5 next steps before you leave your Radio Silence Weekend. 
    

Download a PDF and Docx version of my Decisions Document here.

Trust your intuition and lifelong experience:

• The constant second guessing that has become normal in today's society, especially in the younger generations is constructed habits of ruminating and negative self-talk that is so loud, many no longer have any connection to their natural intuition. They have habitually been second guessing themselves to where they no longer trust themselves. They have internalized a thought-model that say they are weak, unsure, unreliable and don’t know enough. A lack of stable self-reliance but also accountability and responsibility. When you tell yourself you’re weak, unsure and don’t know enough, you are also opting out of having to make the hard choices. It is weaponized incompetence used on yourself. 

• What you need to accept is that you already have the ability to make this decision. You have the necessary intuition, life experience and self-insight to take this decision and even more difficult decisions in the future. 

• Millions of people in the world have taken the same type of decisions before and survived it and thrived after it. Don’t make it bigger and more complicated emotionally than it really is. 

• You thinking you need more time or more data is just you procrastinating and avoiding the problem that needs to be solved. 

• When this weekend is over, you will know intuitively which decision is best for you and your current situation. 

Be fully immersed, emotionally and mentally:

• Allow yourself to not fill the time with distractions. Allow yourself to actually think about this problem, the possible solutions and effects of your decisions during your Radio Silence Weekend. 

• Allow yourself to feel all the fear, sadness, happiness, uncertainty or certainty. The way to get through a difficult decision is to go right through it. Feel all of it instead of holding the emotions back and suppressing yourself. Then they lose their power and you gain sober clarity and get intouch with your intuition and experiences. 

• Research has shown that intuition plays a crucial role in expert decision-making. Experts in various fields, such as firefighters, nurses, and chess players, often rely on their intuitive abilities to make quick and accurate decisions in complex situations. This intuition is built upon years of experience and pattern recognition, allowing experts to rapidly process information and make decisions without consciously analyzing all the details. 

• All humans know what they deep down feel is right and wrong, moral and immoral. Make sure what you choose aligns with your basic truth.

• All people know when they are abandoning themselves and their values for someone else's gain or attention. 

Your 5 Next Steps and people to inform:

• On the last day of the Radio Silence Weekend, when you have made your decision, write down the next 5 steps you need to take to implement your decision.

• Write down every person who will be affected by the decision so that you clearly see which conversations you must handle in a clear, non-confrontational, goal-oriented and respectful way. When you haven't written out what you need/want to say to have a good outcome of a difficult conversations, they will always feel impossible to have.

• When you check out from your Radio Silence Weekend, the decision making process is completely done and you know exactly how to handle the effect of it. Nothing is left for ruminating or imagining catastrophic outcomes, you just stick to your steps.

• Write down:

  • Your 5 steps to implement your choice (what you personally need to do).

    • 1.

    • 2.

    • 3.

    • 4.

    • 5.

  • People you have to inform about your choice. (legally, PR wise, ethically and/or emotionally)

    • Person 1.

    • Person 2.

    • Person 3.

    
    

  • People your choice will impact (legally, PR wise, ethically and/or emotionally) and what you will do:

    • What they have to be informed of specifically.

    • What you don't want to/shouldn't inform them of.

    • How you want to phrase it to have a good outcome. (remove ego, anger, sadness, irritation and make it non-confrontational, clear and respectful.)

    • If they have a positive response, what will you say/do?

    • If they have a negative response, what will you say/do?

Download a PDF and Docx version of my Decisions Document here.

---

You've read an article written by Xue Mei Rhodin, international speaker and entrepreneur from Sweden, with more than 19 years in developing methods for personal development, leadership and business.

Here is my Linktree profile where you can find all my social media links, methods, newsletters and more ways to connect with me in a neat list: https://linktr.ee/xuemeirhodin

Want to ask me questions or share your thoughts?

I'd love to hear from you!

Ask questions on my Instagram or Linkedin or any thoughts on the article you want to share with me. I'd love to hear from you!

Here is the link to this article to share on social media like LinkedIn or Facebook: https://www.xuemeirhodin.com/post/xue-mei-rhodin-radio-silence-weekends-method-for-taking-executive-decisions-faster

Xue Mei means "Plum blossom in Snow" and represents people who are pioneers, who break through the ice and snow during spring.

Pronunciation: "Shue May". Like 'Shoe' and the month of 'May'.

If you like these types of methods, I suggest you read my articles on Think Weeks by Bill Gates and my own strategies and experiences doing Think Weeks since 2012.

You'll find my finishing notes and further reading recommendations below.

If you’re trying to cop out of making a choice during your Radio Silence Weekend

• If you still are trying to procrastinate the decision after answering all the questions and letting them marinate during the weekend, you simply use an online roll a die site and put in the number of choices you have and roll the dice. Here is the fastest way to do it: https://rolladie.net/. Just do it now. 

• Whichever choice you land on it is what you do and move forward with. It is highly unlikely that you’d ever need this. But if you do, you need to practice making choices and implementing them as a skill desperately. 

• Choosing an option for your decision and then adapting to what you need to do to make it the best option you can is better than not taking a decision at all.

• Don’t romanticize chaos, drama and stress that comes from prolonging making responsible decisions. Dragging out difficult situations to be the center of the drama and get attention and comfort does not make your life more valuable or interesting than anyone else. It makes you irresponsible and unkind to the people involved. Including yourself. You might be addicted to the attention it gets, and then you need to deal with that.

• Don’t keep yourself in a constant state of heightened stress hormones, fight, flight or freeze mode and telling yourself that the weaponized incompetence you are using on yourself is your personality. It’s not. It’s just a bad habit you need to break.

• Let that start today. It's simple. You just have to practice it over and over again.

• If you struggle severely with decision fatigue and procrastination of decisions in your everyday life or work for smaller tasks too, you can download my decision making PDF and use it on your everyday life. It helps you sort your thoughts, get clarity and make decisions faster without getting stuck.

You can download my worksheet for my Radio Silence Weekend Decision Document here:

Download a PDF and Docx version of my Decisions Document here.

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation

When we teach ourselves, our employees and our children that learning stops at three of the six levels of deep learning, we are robbing ourselves and them of the ability to achieve mastery and self-autonomy.

It creates a world where we encourage self-victimization, codependency and lack of self-initiation instead of resilience, accountability, responsibility and purposeful activation.

In this article Xue Mei Rhodin will break down the foundations of deep learning, how we misuse them in self-development, education and companies. As well as provide tools and sample questions you can use to implement application, synthesis and evaluation for yourself or others to achieve deep learning, progression and self-mastery. 

---

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives is the standard for educational development around the world. It was developed by Benjamin Bloom, an educational psychologist and first published in his book “The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals, Handbook II” in 1965. 

The taxonomy (classification system) identifies different domains of learning: cognitive (knowledge), affective (attitudes), and psychomotor (skills). It is the 6 different mental processes that lead to deep levels of learning and ability to apply those ideas in dynamic and critical ways with complete autonomy. 

We have created a society and businesses that concentrates on 1. Knowledge, 2. Comprehension and 4. Analysis. 4. Analysis is barely included, often at a very superficial level. But the steps that lead to maturity, autonomy and mastery are 3. Application, 5. Synthesis and 6. Evaluation. 

Table 4: Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives: cognitive domain

Educational objective	Definition	Example: Beauty and The Beast	Example: Content Creator at a marketing agency
Knowledge	Remembering or recalling facts, information, or procedures	List three things Belle did or said before arriving at the Beast's Castle.	List all the parts of blog post that creates the structure
Comprehension	Understanding facts, interpreting information	Explain why Belle didn’t like Gaston	Explain why we are using this structure with titles, paragraphs and call to actions
Application	Using concepts in new situations, solving particular problems	Predict some of the things that Gaston could have done that would have made Belle like him.	Write a 1000 words blog post containing all the structural parts you listed.
Analysis	Distinguish parts of information, a concept, or a procedure	Select the part of the story where Belle seems the most uncomfortable or afraid.	List the three most important parts of a blog post to achieve the best click-through rate
Synthesis	Combining elements or parts into a new object, idea, or procedure	Tell how the story would have been different if Gaston would have been a kind and honest person.	Using the structure of a blog post with a good click-through rate, how can you apply this on an Instagram or Facebook post to get a good click-through rate?
Evaluation	Assessing and judging the value or ideas, objects, or materials in a particular situation as well as it’s moral and ethical implications	Decide whether you think the Beast acted like a good or bad person and what he should have done differently to be seen as a purely bad or a purely good person. Justify your position. Describe what you would have done differently if you had a choice in his position and why.	Evaluate whether the blog post for a new product launch was effective and what possible changes could be tried to make the click-through rate higher. Also evaluate if the post was ethical and moral, taking into account potential manipulative language, stereotypes or misleading claims. Propose changes to make it more transparent and with proven claims.

In your own personal goal setting and life planning process, stopping at the lower levels means you never fully progress to the next step of self-awareness, fulfillment, confidence (resilience) and self-leadership. It stops you from creating emotional and mental resilience that gives you the ability to take on more challenging and rewarding tasks and goals.

Companies Cripple Effectiveness, Market-Adaptability And Innovation by Limiting Deep Learning

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

In a company, having employees stuck at the knowledge, comprehension and analysis levels severely limits their potential and the organization's ability to continuously improve and manage risk. As well as adapting to new technology or market developments. They remain stuck in a junior or mid-level capability, unable to progress into becoming self-directed specialists who can independently plan, lead, execute and evaluate their own work or that of their team. Instead, they must perpetually rely on managerial hand-holding - awaiting instructions on what to do and how to do it, with the leader spoon-feeding them through every step of the process.

When seeing the lack of application, synthesis and evaluation that goes on at most companies I was shocked at how they can even stay afloat. Usually the staff had very low skills in these three areas and even when the team tried to reflect on previous projects and results, it often stayed at a conversational level. It wasn’t taken seriously by the management team and implemented on a large scale. 

The meetings stopped before the reiteration of evaluation, synthesis of evaluation and application of new synthesis and insights was identified, planned out and executed on. It’s like telling a law student to only memorize the laws but never expecting them to apply them to real situations in the most effective way. Or expecting a surgeon to read all the surgical literature and disinfect and prepare the operating room but never teaching them to become better at heart surgery or expect them to save anyone. 

The conversations in the meetings are often a type of future-faking: “that’s interesting. We could/might use that in the future.” That is an open-ended statement that sounds good, but completely lacks accountability and a true plan for implementation. Usually the employees were waiting for direction, guidance and plans from the management team that never came. Because they were taught to have no self-autonomy and self-leadership.  

Instead of a testing, evaluation and synthesis process of:

• What’s the most valuable insight we found that we can test and implement in the next 3 months?

• How will we do that?

• Who will be doing it?

• What is our measurement of acceptable effectiveness and results?

• When/how do we know if it’s ineffective and we should discard it?

• What are the next 2-3 insights we want to test after this?” 

This lack of company wide expectation on evaluation, synthesis and application of insights cripples the critical stages of strategizing, planning, reviewing, reflecting and modifying which are imperative for effectively managing risk, maximizing efficiency, ensuring optimal results, and facilitating the ongoing optimization of the team's production processes. 

Without developing their employees' mastery through the highest levels of learning, companies undermine their biggest competitive advantage - an autonomous, continuously self-improving workforce capable of navigating an ever-changing landscape with creativity and resourcefulness.

And if you didn't know, reaching application, synthesis and evaluation in any skill is how we feel satisfaction, confidence, passion and self-motivation in our work. So you are robbing your own company of having passionate, self-motivated and result-driven employees. Let that sink in.

Why companies and leaders need to make better evaluation tools

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

There is a method called Well of Knowledge, a workshop method that categorizes and explains the levels of learning into 4 stages: Repeat, Refer, Review, Reflect. This is a method taught in a lot of design, marketing and business schools to help the students continuously reflect on their process and their results. In universities and schools where I’ve done workshops and lectures for the last 12 years, many of them use this method. And similar methods are used in a lot of companies' human resources processes for employees, such as staff appraisals/performance appraisals. 

In the book “How successful people think” John C. Maxwell explains his view on Reflective Thinking. His definition is: “looking at the past to gain a better understanding of the future.” This is a simple and straightforward description of the reflective level of learning. Reflective thinking is a more loose term that could encompass Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation but is most times used only as the equivalent of Evaluation. 

Translated to the official Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives this means:

• Repeat - Knowledge

• Refer - Comprehension

• Review - Analysis

• Reflect - Evaluation

• It is still missing Application and Synthesis. Important steps to self-autonomy and the ability to apply learnings in future situations. 

This is why I think many people experience vastly different results when asked to reflect on their process, output and learning from past experiences. Very few are given a full process and list of questions that includes questions for 3. analysis, 4. application, 5. synthesis and 6. evaluation, most only get questions for 6. evaluation. We use loose terms or pick and choose between the different levels of critical thinking and application and therefore never create definitive autonomy and progression towards mastery. 

The Pitfalls of Positivity-Biased Reviews: Reclaiming Resilience and Critical Reflection

When going through questionnaires for employee yearly reviews processes and staff appraisals, I’ve found them to either be skewed towards ego-driven answers from the employee or aimed at giving feedback to the manager or company, not insight for the employee themselves how to progress. 

Ego-driven questionnaires usually contain lists of questions that all aim at the employee responding to what they are great at, without having to critically think about where they are lacking and need to improve or get support to improve on. 

It gives a great feel-good review for self-conscious employees who perform on lower levels, while promoting an even more ego-driven attitude in confident employees that think they are the best performers. Both without giving them tools to properly improve and neutrally assess their processes, results and skill levels. It is the fear of critique and having authentic discussions that lead this type of leadership. Often based on the positive thinking movement, a recent method in psychology that has been proven to create unsure and anxious children who can’t properly learn from failure and lack resilience. 

There is usually also a superficial overview of assessing which knowledge, skills and processes the employee needs to learn and practice to achieve better results and more autonomy. If there even are questions at all about it. 

Usually this stems from a lack of budget-allocation towards skill-development in employees and the managers and executives lack of knowledge and skills in the area that they lead. So by forgoing these crucial questions towards skill development, efficiency, result-focus and autonomy, the managers and executives do not have to deal with their own lack of leadership, knowledge and budget-responsibility. 

I also find that most companies and schools when doing evaluation processes don't explain the process and why each part is important and what it gives the employee to clarify these questions for themselves. So employees and students go into this process blind, not being aware of the significance and importance of each step. It’s seen as something for the teacher or managers, not for the person performing the assessments themselves. 

Cultivating Problem-Solvers: The Crucial Role of Application and Synthesis

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

If someone has not previously been trained in school, through responsible parenting or in other situations to use the last four (Analysis, Application, Synthesis and Evaluation) and make reflections in each area, their reflection will be more lofty and vague and not as effective for them. Therefore I think it’s irresponsible of many companies when doing evaluations with their employees to use methods that lack the complete system for deeper learning and autonomy. They teach their employees to be followers, not self-lead specialists. And if you are a small company trying to grow, this is often the reason you stay small. Because you are not making your employees self-leading specialists who actively solve problems for you. 

My personal problem with the Repeat, Refer, Review, Reflect methods are that Application and Synthesis that are missing, are specifically the steps that teach you action and applying new learnings independently. The very process that makes you progress from a junior level to more advanced team leadership roles or specialist roles. 

I know, as a specialist in goal setting and strategy with over 19 years of experience, that the hardest part for everyone is doing, not thinking or talking. Applying insights and experiences to new situations and independently without support is what is mentally and emotionally hardest to do. So why are we skipping helping students or employees with the most important steps to autonomy and mastery?

Be your own supportive teacher when doing Analysis, Application, Synthesis and Evaluation

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

In my opinion, an important thought-model to apply when using reflective processes is to look at the past work and results with a neutral emotion. This means not ruminating or putting emotional judgment on past experiences, actions or results. This is where people usually go into the evaluation stage with the wrong mindset: they let their fear-driven ego lead the process instead of with the curiosity of a student trying to achieve mastery. 

Example 1: Analyzing a Failed Job Interview

If you tried a new job interview technique and it didn't work as expected, the neutral mindset would be to analyze what specifically went wrong without judgment of yourself as a person. Perhaps the body language was off, or the questions asked didn't fully showcase your abilities. The negative judgmental mindset unproductively thinks "I'm so bad at interviews" and dwells on shortcomings instead of creating an action plan to improve next time.

Example 1: Analyzing a Failed Project 

Instead of beating yourself up over a project that didn't go as planned, approach it with curiosity. Review the project objectively, identifying areas that could be improved without self-criticism. Ask yourself supportive questions like, "What were the key challenges I faced?" and "What resources or knowledge could have better prepared me for those challenges?" Treat it as a learning opportunity rather than a personal failure.

Example 2: Analyzing a Creative Project 

When reviewing a creative project you've completed, such as a piece of writing, artwork, or a performance, avoid falling into self-judgment. Instead, approach it as a supportive teacher would. Identify the strengths you can build upon, then analyze areas that need further development with a curious, solution-focused mindset. Ask yourself, "What worked well here?" and "How could I synthesize these successful elements with new techniques to improve next time?"

Instead, take on the role of a scientist or good teacher: the goal is to find the problems you can solve and better options for improvement in the future. A good teacher doesn't judge you, they are interested in how to help you progress. A good teacher doesn't expect you to know or do it perfectly the first time, but they do expect you to correct your mistakes and improve. Be your own supportive teacher - don't judge, just look for solutions you can implement.

Questions for Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, Application

The following are sample questions you can ask yourself thoughtfully when you want to reach deep levels of learning and progress towards resilient autonomy and mastery in any area of life. They are set in an order to create the strongest concrete results and clarity on how to apply the insights.

Knowledge

• What concepts or processes do I need to have access to knowledge about to be able to complete these projects? Where can I find it?

• What knowledge, skills or experience do I have already that will help me complete these projects?

• What knowledge, skills or experience do I not currently have?

• Where can I get access to this knowledge or practice these skills in the most efficient way?
  

Comprehension

• Do you know which specific process is crucial for you to apply to make progress on your projects?

• Which process, knowledge, skill or habit will give you the most progress in the simplest and most effective way?

• What important information do you need to remember to keep your motivation, focus and progress up?
  

Analysis

• If you chose 3-5 steps that would make the most effective progress towards your projects, which would these be?

• How can you make it as simple as possible?

• Do you know if the method you chose is backed by research, data, testing and experience? Or is it just a trend or one person's opinion?

• What method or process would give the most valuable results?

• Why are these projects important to you?
  

Synthesis

• Where in your day, week or month would it be easiest for you to work on the habits or projects that make you complete your project?

• Can you combine them or attach them to a previous habit you have to make it easier to implement?

• Which 1-5 methods, skills or experiences combined would make you achieve self-mastery in these projects?
  

Evaluation

Before starting project:

• How will you know if you're progressing on your projects? 

• What are the indicators telling you that progress is made?

• When implementing your project, what will tell you if you are off track and need a better system, tools or help to get back on track?

• Do you need to remove a distraction, action or presumption you make that hinders your progress?

• What is an acceptable minimal result to consider the completed project successful?

• What is the estimated maximum result that can be expected with the allocated process, budget and time?

After finished project:

• What became obstacles for you to progress?

• What could you simplify to make it easier for you to progress next time?

• What makes it easy for you to progress and work actively on your project that you noticed during the project?

• What time of the day, week or month was the best time to work actively on your project? Do you need to switch up your planning to make it easier to start or finish your projects in the future?

• What else do you think could be improved? How would you improve it?
  

Application

• What is the project you're trying to complete?

• What effect is this project trying to accomplish?

• Who needs to be involved and why to make it work?

• What effect will that have on you, your life, health, wealth, relationships, career, confidence or skill set?

• What are the habits or processes you need to plan and execute on to complete the project?

• What are 1-5 steps that need to be completed?

• In what environment would it be easiest for you to accomplish this?

• What tools do you need to have available to complete each step of your process?

• Which is the smallest first step that you can take that makes it easy to start?

---

Putting It All Together: An Example

Unlocking Deep Learning: The 6 levels to authentic reflection and evaluation by Xue Mei Rhodin

Here's an example of someone trying to become a professional speaker using this method:

Knowledge:

• What concepts or processes do I need to know about public speaking, storytelling, audience engagement, etc? I can find books, courses, and mentors on these topics.

• My existing skills in communication, presenting at work, acting experience will help.

• I lack specific knowledge on crafting speeches, managing stage fright, building a speaker brand/business.

• I can take public speaking classes, join a club like Toastmasters, hire a speaking coach.
  

Comprehension:

• Understanding audience analysis, speech structure, and delivery techniques will be crucial.

• Practicing repeatedly and getting feedback will help me improve most effectively.

• Remembering to focus on the audience's needs and desired takeaways is important.
  

Analysis:

• Key steps could be: 1) Develop keynote speeches 2) Practice delivery 3) Get video feedback 4) Market myself 5) Book gigs

• Keeping it simple by starting locally and focusing on 1-2 core topics is best

• I should study proven methods from accomplished speakers, not just trends.
  

Synthesis:

• I can practice speeches during my commute or before bed

• Combining speaking skills with my existing strengths in X,Y,Z fields

• To master speaking, I need experience delivering talks, studying great speakers, stage time
  

Evaluation: 

Before 

• Progress indicators: Getting bookings, positive audience feedback, speech quality improving. 

• If I'm not getting gigs or buzz after 6 months, I need to reassess my methods 

• A "successful" baseline is getting hired for 5 paid gigs in year 1

After 

• Obstacles were lack of video examples to study, stage fright during Q&A 

• Could simplify by starting with shorter formats like 10-15 minute mini-talks before keynotes 

• Best times were weekend mornings to prepare with few distractions
  

Application:

• Project: Become a paid professional speaker

• Effect: Build a business sharing ideas to inspire others while earning income

• People Involved: Speaker coach, local event planners, my professional network

• Supporting habits: Writing speeches, joining Toastmasters, creating speaker website/materials

• 5 steps to my first speaking gig: 

• Write one 30 minute presentation on a topic I’m experienced in and passionate about

• Practice doing my speech at home by myself 20 times during a 4 day period, then practice my speech in front of family members 10 times and get feedback.

• Put together a ½ page pitch for my speech to send to business networks that might wanna hire me. 

• Do 5 gigs for free to get the experience and build proof of reputation and quality by asking for reviews. 

• Apply for a speaker agency or pitch myself for a paid gig to business networks

• First step: Write 1000 words on a topic I am experienced in and passionate about so I can later translate that into a presentation. 

---

You've read an article written by Xue Mei Rhodin, international speaker and entrepreneur from Sweden, with more than 19 years in developing methods for personal development, leadership and business.

Xue Mei means "Plum flower in Snow" so for every article published on xuemeirhodin.com I add an image representing my name generated by a AI engine. You'll find my finishing notes and further reading recommendations below.

Xue Mei Rhodin’s important notes: 

Want to know how to implement different methods for evaluation in your company, team or in your personal life? 

Read my articles on:

Think Weeks created by Bill Gates

Input and Output Fasting created by Xue Mei Rhodin

Radio Silence Weekends created by Xue Mei Rhodin

Recap Fridays created by Xue Mei Rhodin 

Get in contact with me to work together. Send me an email and describe what problem you wanna solve. 

If you want to assess if you are stuck in lower levels of feedback loops in your professional life, you can read my article “Assess if you’re leading with the fear of your ego instead of the curiosity of your inner mastery-student.”

Conclusion

By diligently working through questions at each of Bloom's levels and synthesizing the insights into a concrete plan, you develop true mastery, self-motivation and resilience around any skill. Revisit the evaluation questions periodically to stay on track and make adjustments. The lack of habit and process to look critically and dynamically at all aspects of one's work or the team's work is why professionals and professional teams stay ineffective and do not progress towards self-mastery, resilience and accountability. 

In companies

If you do this as workshop with each team and a development plan for each employee once or twice a year and actually go through each stage of Bloom’s taxonomy on the main work process, results and goals of that team and employee, you are taking active responsibility and accountability as a leader to instill a motivating, effective, clear and result-oriented mindset in you employees in their individual work as well as the team production. 

Allowing employees to opt out by saying they are too busy or by allowing yourself as a leader to blame deadlines and poor time management of your teams as an excuse to not do this properly is not an option anymore. If you don’t make time for this, it’s not your employees fault the culture at the office lacks effectiveness, self-leadership and result-focus. You’re the one keeping the culture enforced. So make a plan to solve that moving forward.  

In your personal development

The highest levels of Bloom's taxonomy - application, synthesis and evaluation - are essential for achieving autonomy, creative problem-solving abilities, and fulfillment in your endeavors. Don't shortchange yourself by stopping at mere knowledge and comprehension. Make reflecting at the deepest levels of learning a consistent practice using these techniques. Embrace the process of continuous growth and actualization by consistently challenging yourself to apply, create, and critically evaluate your skills and understanding.