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  • When Life Gets Hard: 12 Stoic Lessons To Change Your Life Before 2024

    The topic was taken from

    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, and sometimes it can feel overwhelmingly difficult. During such times, the ancient philosophy of Stoicism can offer invaluable lessons to help us navigate life’s challenges. As we approach 2024, here are 12 Stoic lessons that can change your life for the better.

    1. Accept What You Cannot Control

    Lesson:

    The Stoics teach us to focus only on what we can control—our actions and reactions—and to accept what we cannot control.

    Application:

    When faced with adversity, remind yourself that worrying about uncontrollable factors is futile. Focus on your response instead.

    2. Live According to Nature

    Lesson:

    Stoicism advises us to live in harmony with nature, which includes understanding our own nature as rational beings.

    Application:

    Make decisions that align with your true self and the world around you. Don’t fight against the natural order of things.

    3. The Obstacle is The Way

    Lesson:

    Challenges are not hindrances; they are opportunities for growth.

    Application:

    When faced with an obstacle, don’t shy away. Tackle it head-on as an opportunity to learn and grow.

    4. Practice Negative Visualization

    Lesson:

    Imagine the worst-case scenarios to appreciate what you have and prepare for challenges.

    Application:

    Regularly take a few moments to consider the worst that could happen and how you would cope. This prepares you mentally for any outcome.

    5. Virtue is The Highest Good

    Lesson:

    According to Stoicism, virtue is the only true good and vice the only true evil.

    Application:

    Prioritize ethical actions and moral integrity above all else.

    6. Be Present

    Lesson:

    The present moment is all we truly have.

    Application:

    Practice mindfulness to focus on the here and now, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

    7. Don’t Be a Slave to Your Desires

    Lesson:

    Freedom comes from mastering your desires, not fulfilling them.

    Application:

    Practice self-control and don’t let short-term desires derail your long-term goals.

    8. Take Responsibility

    Lesson:

    You are the author of your own life.

    Application:

    Own your actions and their consequences, good or bad.

    9. Practice Gratitude

    Lesson:

    Being thankful for what you have brings contentment.

    Application:

    Regularly list things you are grateful for to shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.

    10. Avoid The Opinion of The Crowd

    Lesson:

    Public opinion is fickle and not a reliable measure of worth.

    Application:

    Value your own judgment over popular opinion.

    11. Death is Not to Be Feared

    Lesson:

    Death is a natural part of life.

    Application:

    Live each day as if it could be your last, focusing on meaningful activities.

    12. Memento Mori

    Lesson:

    Remember that you will die.

    Application:

    This Stoic practice serves as a reminder to live a virtuous life.

    Conclusion

    As we look forward to 2024, these Stoic lessons can serve as a guide to living a more fulfilling and resilient life. When life gets hard, remember these teachings and apply them to your daily life. Your future self will thank you.

  • 5 Fundamentals of Leadership – Leadership Development

    5 Fundamentals of Leadership Largely taken from

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZXRs6fAkA

    Simon Sinek delves into the contrasting philosophies of finite and infinite games in the realm of leadership. He argues that to excel in the infinite game of leadership, one must concentrate on five core principles:

    1. A Just Cause: A compelling purpose that motivates individuals to willingly make sacrifices.
    2. Trusting Teams: Cultivating a culture where team members feel secure and empowered, thereby encouraging innovation and teamwork.
    3. A Worthy Rival: Having a competitor that helps you identify your shortcomings and pushes you to improve.
    4. Existential Flexibility: The ability to make significant changes in strategy to further a cause, even if it disrupts current success.
    5. Courage to Lead: The bravery to challenge traditional leadership norms, focusing on long-term gains and the well-being of others.

    By adopting an infinite mindset, leaders can create a lasting, positive impact that goes beyond their own lifetime.

  • Change your future

    5 Transformative Lessons from Simon Sinek to Change Your Future

    Here are five lessons that stand out:

    Lesson One: Forge Your Own Path, But Let Others Do the Same

    The Road Less Travelled

    Sinek emphasizes that you are free to chase your dreams and ambitions, but this freedom should extend to everyone else. In a world that often follows the beaten path, daring to take the road less travelled can be liberating.

    The Balance of Individualism and Community

    While it’s essential to focus on your goals, it’s equally crucial to respect others’ journeys. This balance creates a harmonious community where everyone can thrive.

    Lesson Two: Own Your Actions, Both Good and Bad

    The Double-Edged Sword of Responsibility

    Taking credit for your achievements is easy; owning up to your mistakes is the real challenge. Sinek advises that true leadership involves taking responsibility for both.

    The Growth in Accountability

    When you hold yourself accountable, you not only earn the respect of those around you but also pave the way for personal growth and improvement.

    Lesson Three: Be a “Lead Worrier” by Supporting Those Around You

    The Essence of Leadership

    According to Sinek, a true leader worries about their team. Leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in your charge.

    The Power of Collective Success

    When you focus on helping the person to your left and the person to your right, you create a supportive environment that fosters collective success.

    Lesson Four: Listen Before You Act

    The Value of Being Heard

    Sinek points out that allowing others to speak before you do gives them a sense of being heard, which is empowering and fosters a collaborative spirit.

    The Wisdom in Listening

    By being the last to speak, you also benefit from hearing multiple perspectives, which can lead to better decision-making.

    Lesson Five: Position vs. Person

    The Illusion of Importance

    As you climb the ladder of success, people will treat you differently. Sinek cautions that this newfound respect is for your position, not for you as a person.

    The Humility in Leadership

    Being grateful for the accolades and respect that come your way is important, but remembering that these are not a reflection of your worth as a person is crucial for grounded leadership.

  • Brain Hack: 6 secrets to learning faster, backed by neuroscience

    Taken from

    Table of Contents

    The Challenge of Learning as You Age and How to Overcome It

    As we get older, the ability to learn new things can become increasingly challenging. However, there are several strategies to enhance your learning capabilities. Here are six essential tips to boost your learning effectiveness:

    1. Prioritize Attention

    Concentrating on a single task can significantly improve memory retention. Constantly switching between tasks can dilute your focus. To enhance your attention, consider stepping away from your mobile phone, practicing meditation, or even exercising, which has been shown to improve memory and focus for up to two hours afterward.

    2. Maintain Alertness

    Being alert can significantly improve your focus on tasks. Techniques such as controlled breathing, taking cold showers, and physical exercise can help. While caffeine can provide a temporary boost, remember that it’s impossible to maintain 100% alertness all the time.

    3. The Importance of Sleep

    Sleep not only affects your alertness but also plays a crucial role in immune function, metabolism, emotional well-being, and the consolidation of short-term memories into long-term ones.

    4. The Power of Repetition

    As the old adage goes, “practice makes perfect.” Repeating information over time is more effective than cramming all at once. Opt for shorter learning sessions spread over multiple days rather than trying to absorb everything in one go.

    5. Take Breaks

    Allow your brain some downtime to process and internalize new information. A 10-20 minute break post-learning can be beneficial. Wait at least an hour before diving into a new topic to give your brain ample time to assimilate what you’ve just learned.

    6. Embrace Mistakes

    Learning is an iterative process, and mistakes are an integral part of it. Understanding how to cope with failure can make you more resilient and enhance your learning experience.

    Sample Timetable for Learning a New Task: “Introduction to Python Programming”

    Day 1: Introduction to Python Syntax

    • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Breathing exercises to enhance alertness
    • 9:10 AM – 10:10 AM: Study Python syntax (Prioritize Attention)
    • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Short break and light exercise (Take Breaks)
    • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Review Python syntax (Repetition)

    Day 2: Variables and Data Types

    • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Cold shower to boost alertness
    • 9:10 AM – 10:10 AM: Study variables and data types (Prioritize Attention)
    • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Short break and meditation (Take Breaks)
    • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Review variables and data types (Repetition)

    Day 3: Control Structures

    • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Light exercise and a cup of coffee (Maintain Alertness)
    • 9:10 AM – 10:10 AM: Study control structures like loops and conditionals (Prioritize Attention)
    • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Short break and a healthy snack (Take Breaks)
    • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Review control structures (Repetition)

    Day 4: Functions and Modules

    • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Breathing exercises to enhance alertness
    • 9:10 AM – 10:10 AM: Study functions and modules (Prioritize Attention)
    • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Short break and light stretching (Take Breaks)
    • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Review functions and modules (Repetition)

    Day 5: Review and Practice

    • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Cold shower to boost alertness
    • 9:10 AM – 10:10 AM: Review all topics covered (Repetition)
    • 10:10 AM – 10:30 AM: Short break and meditation (Take Breaks)
    • 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Attempt a small project and note down any mistakes (Embrace Mistakes)

    Nightly Routine (All Days)

    • 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Wind-down routine to prepare for quality sleep (Importance of Sleep)

  • Time management

    largely taken from

    and https://www.udemy.com/course/productivity-and-time-management/learn/lecture/3958682#overview

    My takeaways:

    • We have 168 hours in a week which is a lot of time.
    • There is Time, Build the life you want from the time you have.
    • Let presume you are in a full time job =40 hours
      • sleeping 8 hours a night = 56 hours.
    • That Leaves 72 hours for other things.
    • Think about turning of Tech i.e phones and Tv
    • Could you find 8 hours in your week if your car broke down while driving your child to school? So time is there if it’s a high enough priority.
    • Time is highly elastic you cannot make more time, it can though stretch to accommodate what we choose to put in it. (Parkinson’s law)
    • So the key is prioritize those really important items and treat it with the importance of a broken car.
    • For the average person, I don’t have time really means it’s not important enough.
    • Tops tips use Top priorities for the day and week.
    • Plan your day, block out time, turn off phone and close slack and emails
    • Don’t try and multitask, stay focused on 1 core task at a time. You will get stuff done quicker overall as with a distraction on average it takes 15 mins to get back in the flow
    • Don’t let email and Slack interrupt and overly dictate your day.
    • Try and find solutions to save your time through things like automation
    • use Parkisons law to your benefit (think about working hard to a deadline )
    • the Jack Dorsey approach – think about having a theme for each day & batch activities i.e emails , training etc
    • Make use of “Dead” time (for example while you are travelling to work, 10 mins between meetings)
    • Think of your day as being like a Formula One race, you need to build in pit-stops (breaks) to get the most out of the race (day). You cannot run at 100% the whole day and race.