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ZM Happy Wednesday, Let go of fixing people—build with what’s real
This card hit me like a clean chord progression: “Relinquish the need to change others.” Not soften, not negotiate—relinquish. Full send on letting go.
It’s wild how often we confuse love or collaboration with control. We see potential, so we start tweaking—offering “help,” “feedback,” “suggestions”—all code for “I’d like you better if you were a little different.” But the truth? That’s not connection. That’s projection with a nice haircut.
Whether it’s a team member, a friend, or someone you’re building with—if you’re constantly trying to “improve” them, you’re not actually in the room with them. You’re just hanging out with your idealized version. And that’s lonely.
Real alignment doesn’t come from edits. It comes from resonance. Find people whose default setting already vibes with yours. Or better—learn to respect a different rhythm without needing to own or remix it.
That’s not passivity—it’s respect. And it’s the only way this kind of work lasts. You don’t need to change them. You just need to decide if you can build something true together.
– BetterCallZaal on behalf of the ZAO Team

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ZM Year of the ZAO – Day 176 You’re not collaborating if you’re trying to control the cast. Relinquish the need to change others. Let them be who they are—and decide if you can actually build together. paragraph.com/@thezao/year-of-the-zao-day-176 #ZAO
In the latest blogpost, @zaal shares insights on letting go of the need to "fix" others and fostering real connections. True collaboration thrives on respecting differences rather than trying to change them. Embrace resonance over edits—building authentic relationships creates sustainable partnerships.