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  Punctuality, Culture, and Trust: The Practical Project Manager’s Guide Punctuality, Culture, and Trust: The Practical Project Manager’s Guide By Desalegn Terecha — BA (Economics), MA (Social Anthropology), BED (Education), CIPM (Certified International Project Manager). Experience across higher learning institutions, development & humanitarian programs, and business development services. This article blends practical project management experience with clear examples, tables, and two charts illustrating competency and time allocation. Royalty-free images are embedded to support the narrative. Project teams that respect time tend to perform with greater clarity and cohesion. In project work, whether you’re coordinating a school eye-screening program, managing procurement for an agribusiness hub, or running a training course across regions, punctuality is more than “being on time.” It is a cultural signal—a quick test of respect, reliab...

  Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All By Desalegn Terecha June 19, 2025 Introduction: The Simplicity and Power Behind “Don’t Be Evil” "Don't Be Evil" — a three-word motto that once defined Google’s ethical core. While it may seem like a minimalist corporate slogan, this phrase contains profound moral, psychological, and philosophical implications. In an increasingly digitized and ethically complex world, this reminder echoes timeless wisdom — like the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In this article, we explore how this guiding principle aligns with ancient moral teachings, psychological insights, and the urgent need to observe and resist toxic and narcissistic behaviors — in business, personal relationships, and online life. The Origins of “Don’t Be Evil” First introduced by Google employees Paul Buchheit and...

  The Missed Flight That Saved a Life: A Story of Grace, Timing, and Perspective The Missed Flight That Saved a Life: A Story of Grace, Timing, and Perspective Life has a strange way of teaching us the most profound lessons — not through books or lectures, but through experiences that shake us to the core. Such is the story of Bhoomi Chauhan , an ordinary woman whose missed flight turned out to be an extraordinary event that saved her life. Missed by Minutes: The Story of Bhoomi Chauhan On what was supposed to be a routine trip, Bhoomi left for the airport to board Indian Airways Flight AI171 . As fate would have it, traffic delays caused her to miss check-in by just 10 minutes. Frustrated and disheartened, Bhoomi was turned away at the gate. Minutes later, as she stepped outside the airport, she received the devastating news: the flight she was meant to board had crashed shortly after takeoff . Everyone on board had perished. "I was upset aft...

  The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature The Nest Isn’t Always Safe: A Career Lesson from Nature By Desalegn Terecha | Economist, Sociologist & Human Development Specialist A Peaceful Scene... or a Warning? Imagine a tranquil image: two small birds resting on a fresh green branch, gentle rain falling around them. Beneath them lies a perfectly crafted nest—symbol of home, safety, and purpose. But inside, coiled in silence, is a snake. What was meant to be a cradle of life has become a place of hidden danger. And in this image lies a powerful metaphor for our careers. Sometimes, the Workplace Is the Snake's Nest Many of us enter new jobs with hope. The company looks great on the surface. The onboarding feels smooth. Managers smile. The office coffee is good. But sometimes, beneath that welcoming exterior lies disarray—poor leadership, internal politics, or burnout culture. What you thought would protect your future might ...

  Everything Changes: Embracing Life’s Shifting Nature with Humility and Grace Everything Changes: Embracing Life’s Shifting Nature with Humility and Grace The Unchanging Truth About Change Everything in life is transient. Seasons shift, fortunes fluctuate, and even the strongest eventually bend to time. Understanding the impermanence of our condition is key to developing humility and compassion. This blog explores the timeless wisdom that reminds us: we are no better than anyone else . Symbolism of Life’s Turning Wheel Alive, the Bird Eats Ants When alive, the bird rules the sky. It consumes the ants below without a second thought, a symbol of dominance. Yet this dominance is fleeting. Dead, the Ants Devour the Bird In death, the mighty fall. The very ants that once cowered beneath the bird now feast upon it. This reversal illustrates that life’s roles are never fixed. What is high may fall; what is low may rise. Time: The Ultimate L...

  Life Is So Much Bigger Than Self | Desalegn Terecha Life Is So Much Bigger Than Self By Desalegn Terecha Introduction: The Illusion of the Self-Centered Life We live in a time where self-optimization is a buzzword, individualism is often celebrated, and personal achievements are held up as the pinnacle of success. But in chasing personal ambitions, it’s easy to lose sight of a deeper truth: life is so much bigger than self . Beyond our own experiences lies a vast web of interconnected lives, stories, and impacts. Why We’re Wired for Connection The Science of Human Interdependence Studies in psychology and neuroscience show that humans are biologically wired for connection. From mirror neurons that enable empathy to hormones like oxytocin that bond us to others, our brains are designed t...

  How True Strength Is Built: 9 Lessons from Lifting Yourself Up, Not Weights My Strength Did Not Come From Lifting Weights “My strength came from lifting myself up when I was knocked down.” Understanding Inner Strength What Is Inner Strength? Inner strength is the ability to handle emotional turmoil, mental stress, and life's challenges with grace and grit. It is the core part of you that says, "I will try again tomorrow," even after today broke you. How It Differs From Physical Power Unlike muscle mass, which can be measured, inner strength is intangible. It's shown through perseverance, emotional regulation, and the ability to bounce back after falling hard. The Origin of the Quote Who First Said It? This quote doesn't have a widely confirmed author, but it's been echoed in various motivational speeches and self-...

  Those Who Left Me in the Storm Have No Place on My Shore Those Who Left Me in the Storm Have No Place on My Shore By Desalegn Terecha | Reflections on Resilience and Boundaries Life has a way of revealing people—not through their words, but through their silence. Especially in your darkest hour, when the storm howls and the ground beneath you disappears, you learn who truly stands with you. And more often than not, it's not who you expected. I’ve lived through moments where I felt like I was drowning—emotionally, mentally, sometimes even spiritually. And what hurt most wasn’t the struggle itself. It was the sudden emptiness around me. The people I thought would hold me up were gone. Some vanished quietly. Others justified their absence with shallow logic. But in the end, I was alone. Resilience Isn’t Just About Survival. It’s About Memory. When we talk about resilience, we often imagi...

  The High Cost of Staying on the Wrong Train: How to Recognize and Correct Missteps in Life The High Cost of Staying on the Wrong Train: How to Recognize and Correct Missteps in Life Introduction There’s an old Japanese saying that illustrates a profound lesson about decision-making: “If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station; the longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be.” At first glance, this may seem like simple advice for someone traveling by train. However, the wisdom contained in this metaphor runs much deeper and extends far beyond the realm of public transportation. In fact, it offers valuable insight into the way we navigate the twists and turns of our everyday lives, from our personal relationships to our professional endeavors and even our broader life choices. The Wrong Train: A Metaphor for...

  Embracing Tomorrow: Why the Best Is Yet to Come Embracing Tomorrow: Why the Best Is Yet to Come In a world that often clings to nostalgia, it takes courage to believe that the future holds greater promise than the past. This belief isn’t mere wishful thinking—it’s a thread woven through parables, philosophies, and proverbs across cultures. From classical Stoicism to modern motivational voices, thinkers have reminded us that hope is not passive; it’s an active force that shapes our destiny. The Power of Present Actions “The power for creating a better future is contained in the present moment: you create a good future by creating a good present.” 0 This insight from BrainyQuote reminds us that every choice today writes the first line of tomorrow’s story, urging a mindful engagement with the here and now. Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic emperor, echoed this centuries ago: “Every man's life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the ...

  The Power of Pure Hearts: Ancient Wisdom on Virtue Over Possessions The Power of Pure Hearts: Ancient Wisdom on Virtue Over Possessions By Desalegn Terecha In a world driven by material success and outward appearances, the deepest admiration belongs to those whose inner goodness shines brighter than any luxury. Across cultures and centuries, great philosophers have taught that true worth lies not in what one owns, but in the purity of one’s heart and the sincerity of one’s intentions. The Primacy of Character Over Materialism From Socrates’ emphasis on the examined life to modern critics of consumer culture, thinkers have long condemned the pursuit of status as an end in itself. As Aristotle argued, eudaimonia (flourishing) depends on cultivating moral virtues—habits of character that cannot be bought or feigned through possessions. Similarly, Stoics taught that external goods are “indifferents,” and that only virtue—right intention and...

  Manifesting Miracles: Unlocking the Magnetic Power of the Present Moment Manifesting Miracles: Unlocking the Magnetic Power of the Present Moment Have you ever experienced a moment where everything just fell into place—unexpectedly, unexplainably, almost magically? This isn’t coincidence; it’s a reflection of what many spiritual practitioners and scientists call the magnetic power of the present moment . The Secret of Now: More Than a Philosophy Being in the present—fully, wholly—activates what can be described as a magnetic energy. The ancient wisdom of Eastern philosophies and the modern teachings of authors like Eckhart Tolle converge on one principle: the now is all we ever truly have . And within it lies infinite potential. “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle What Does It Mean to Be Magnetic? To be magnetic is to radiate an energy of receptivity. When y...

  Be Patient: Trusting Divine Timing By Desalegn Terecha Patience is a universal virtue extolled across religious traditions, philosophical schools, and secular wisdom. From the Bible’s assurances of God’s providence to Islamic teachings on steadfastness, from Hindu and Buddhist injunctions against attachment to Stoic practices of equanimity, countless voices have counseled waiting with trust and perseverance. This article examines traditional quotes, proverbs, and philosophies that affirm why sometimes we must wait longer for a greater blessing, weaving together insights from Judeo-Christian, Islamic, Eastern, and Stoic thought. Introduction: The Challenge of Waiting Waiting can feel like a trial—an uncertain stretch of time filled with anxiety and impatience. Yet many traditions teach that this very interval holds purpose and promise. By examining time-honored sayings and philosophical reflections, we can uncover why patience is more than passive delay: it is an ...