Edric Teo

I have turned on dark mode for my iPhone since its launch in 2019.

However, there is one issue and that is some newsletter on the default Mail app continues to display the white background.

Turns out, you can can use the Smart invert feature on specific app. This makes the color weird, but at least you will no longer be blinded in dark environments.

Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Setting > Mail > Smart Invert

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1. Search Accessibility in settings.

2. Scroll all the way down to Per-App Settings.

3. Add Mail and change Smart Invert to On.

In both our personal and professional spheres, it’s a given that conflicts will surface. They’re the natural byproduct of the collision of diverse perspectives, preferences, and objectives. The conventional wisdom for navigating these conflicts leans heavily towards compromise — a method that often involves finding a midpoint or concocting a third option where both parties find themselves equally shortchanged. This strategy, though popular, is fundamentally flawed.

Consider the act of choosing what to eat for dinner. Imagine one person has a craving for Italian, while another yearns for Thai. The “logical” compromise? Settle for Western cuisine. Yet, this resolution often leaves both parties less than thrilled. The reason is straightforward: if Western cuisine had been a genuine desire, it would have been part of the initial conversation. This example underscores the inefficacy of the middle ground, which ends up pleasing no one.

The business realm is not immune to this. Budget allocations is one obvious example. The go-to strategy here is to simply divide the difference between the departments. The belief that it’s better for everyone to “lose” equally rather than seeking a resolution that might fully satisfy any party affirm this approach.

The mentality, that all should “lose equally,” is a misguided approach to compromise, as it ensures that no one truly gets what they want or need.

A more productive strategy would be for one party to gracefully step aside, allowing the other’s preference to prevail. This requires more than just agreeing on the surface. It requires a real commitment to support the chosen path, including both its successes and failures. This tactic shines in long-term relationships, be they personal or professional, where there’s ample opportunity for reciprocity over time.

I was down with Covid the other day, and it was bad. At some point, I was wheezing. I sought whatever advice and recommendations my friends gave me.

One common suggestion is to drink more water and to sleep well.

That’s a great idea! Or at least, it sounded like one.

And so, I decided to drink lots of water before heading to bed to get some sleep.

Except for the fact that I had to wake up every 2 hours to answer nature’s call.

This prompted me to reflect. What kind of advice sounds good in theory but is impractical?

Here are some of them:

1. Follow your passion – As inspiring as this sounds, it overlooks the practicalities of life. Sometimes passion might not align with market demands and might not be a viable career choice.

2. Never give up – There is a difference between persistence and stubbornness. The general idea of never giving up is great. Sometimes, things don’t work out, no matter how much effort you put in. And it is important to recognize when to pivot.

3. Stay true to yourself – Authenticity is important, but there is a time and place for everything. There is a saying that “honesty is the best policy”, but it is more accurate to say that even the best policy has to be implemented at a good time. The ability to adapt to new situations while not compromising core values would be more valuable.

This piece might sound like an advice. The question is, should you heed it?