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Mind Spark #32 - Reflections on an Unexpected Win: A Lesson in Self-Belief
A simple gym challenge turned into a powerful lesson on self-doubt and perseverance. I learned that strength isn’t just physical—it’s the belief to keep holding on when doubt whispers you can’t. Sometimes, the real victory is discovering you’re stronger than you think.
Shujian Zhang
7 hours ago3 min read


Mind Spark # 31 - We Don’t Act Rationally; We Rationalize
Learn how recognizing emotional reasoning in human behavior can help leaders motivate their teams and communicate with greater impact.
Shujian Zhang
3 days ago3 min read


Mind Spark #30 - Remember the Underdog
Inspired by a line under Tiny Thoughts Section of Brain Food : “When people feel like you deserve more than you have, they'll go out of their way to help you. But the minute you forget you were once the underdog, they'll root against you.” It made me think about how success changes both how others see us and how we see ourselves. When we are still working our way up, people often want to help. They notice our determination, our hard work, and sometimes see their own struggle
Shujian Zhang
Oct 262 min read


Mind Spark #29 - Lifelong Learning: A Spark from an Unexpected Book
Inspired by a book found unexpectedly on my children’s bookshelf. The other evening, while reading with my four-year-old daughter, I came across something unexpected. When she went to get a drink, I started browsing through the bookshelf filled with my children’s books. Among the colorful covers, one title caught my eye: Success: The Psychology of Achievement by Deborah Olson, published by DK. At first, I thought it was a children’s book because of its clean design, thick pa
Shujian Zhang
Oct 242 min read


Mind Spark #28 - The First 20 Words Matter: Unlocking Secrets to a Powerful Introduction
Inspired by Rebecca Okamoto’s TEDx Talk “ How to introduce yourself—and get hired ” Have you ever frozen up when someone asks during an interview or a social event, "Tell me about yourself?" It's okay to feel nervous and ramble. Even people with lots of experience can find this question hard. Rebecca Okamoto, a communication expert, found that how you introduce yourself can matter even more than your resume. Okamoto shares that early in her career, she tried to impress interv
Shujian Zhang
Oct 143 min read


Mind Spark #27 - 3 Simple Ways to Build Stronger Relationships at Work
Inspired by Alyssa Birnbaum’s TEDx Talk, “ 3 Simple Ways to Build Stronger Relationships at Work .'' In her TEDx Talk, psychologist...
Shujian Zhang
Oct 82 min read


Mind Spark #26 - The Underlined Life: From Highlights to Habits
Many of us highlight, underline, or bookmark passages while reading books, but how often do we really put those words into practice? Most...
Shujian Zhang
Sep 282 min read


Mind Spark # 25 - 3 Shifts to Boost Your Spontaneous Speaking
Have you ever been caught off guard in a meeting, during a Q&A session, or even in a casual conversation, unsure of what to say? Speaking on the spot is something we all face, yet few of us actively practice. I recently tuned into Matt Abrahams’ Think Faster, Talk Smarter podcast (Episode #229: Rethinks—How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot ). It got me thinking about how small mindset shifts can make a big difference when we’re under pressure to respond. Her
Shujian Zhang
Sep 242 min read


Mind Spark #24 - Small Stuff Is Where the Magic Happens
Inspired by a LinkedIn post by Steven Bartlett after being interviewed by Jimmy Fallon. Here is what Steven said: "You absolutely...
Shujian Zhang
Sep 172 min read


Mind Spark #23 - Visibility Starts in the Meeting Room
In my last blog, “ Breaking Barriers by Lifting Others ,” I shared my learning that supporting one another helps us grow together....
Shujian Zhang
Sep 63 min read


Mind Spark #22 - Think Fast, Talk Smart: A Podcast for Better Communication
Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, whether at work or at home. Being able to convey our message effectively,...
Shujian Zhang
Aug 302 min read


Mind Spark #21 - Breaking Barriers by Lifting Others
Inspired by a recent Career Firechat webinar on Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling. Last Saturday evening, I attended a webinar titled “Career...
Shujian Zhang
Aug 242 min read


Mind Spark #20 - Letting Go Is Not Giving Up: A Personal Reflection on the Heart Sutra
Have you ever held onto something so tightly, a goal, an idea, a relationship, or an outcome, that when things didn’t turn out the way...
Shujian Zhang
Aug 42 min read


Mind Spark #19 - For Those Still Dreaming: Don't Stop
Today, I want to share a story that made me pause and reflect more deeply. One of my former colleagues, Matt West , recently shared an...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 293 min read


Turning Disagreements into Dialogue: Notes from Bits and Pieces
This post was inspired by an article published in Bits and Pieces (The Economic Press), which Dale Carnegie cited in his classic book...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 194 min read


Mind Spark #18 - Why One Day-End Note from 2008 Still Matters Today
Last night, I found a small piece of paper tucked inside an old notebook while searching for a document. It was a brief journal entry I...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 162 min read


Mind Spark #17 - Live in the Moment: Extraordinary in the Ordinary
This morning, I went to church with my older daughter Emma. The message was about Extraordinary Moments . The pastor shared something...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 132 min read


Mind Spark #16 - Practice in Public: Why Cringe Is the Price of Growth
Reflecting on a LinkedIn post from Steven Bartlett. I came across a LinkedIn post ( link ) from Steven Bartlett the other day, and he...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 122 min read


Field Notes From A Conference: Biopesticides, Big Ideas, and Bridging Perspectives
I recently returned from an inspiring trip to China. I had the privilege of attending a major biopesticide conference, where I delivered...
Shujian Zhang
Jul 73 min read


Mind Spark #15 - Redefining Mentorship in the Digital Age
Reflecting on a speaker’s powerful mentorship journey " Not all mentors have faces or titles; some guide us quietly through their words...
Shujian Zhang
Jun 82 min read
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