You can only do something for so long without having any result. There will be a time where a mental switch will activate itself and tell you “alright, it’s time to get serious … you should be further ahead of where you are; what’s going on?”
At that point, you’ll do what ever it takes to get success because you finally believe that you can achieve it. After all, you've put up the effort up to that point.
The length of the "failing period before it we're serious" depends on the individual. It usually takes me a long time before I kick it a gear but I've seen some people go in serious mode right away.
What type are you?
---
Revision Wednesday
Blog post originally created on December 6, 2011 and can be found here.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
The Positive Power Of Love
There's no emotion greater, to get us moving, than the power of love. When we're in love, it makes us want to do things that we wouldn't of done otherwise.
The lost of love also inspires us to change. Hoping, perhaps, that our change would help win back the heart of our lost love. As we come to find out, however, our changes often goes unnoticed since it's difficult for someone to change the image they have of us.
For a time, love is what inspired me to workout more but time has changed the source of inspiration I rely on to workout. Has love made you do great things?
The lost of love also inspires us to change. Hoping, perhaps, that our change would help win back the heart of our lost love. As we come to find out, however, our changes often goes unnoticed since it's difficult for someone to change the image they have of us.
For a time, love is what inspired me to workout more but time has changed the source of inspiration I rely on to workout. Has love made you do great things?
Monday, December 29, 2014
Extended Warranties on Computers
Extended warranties that only promises to fix what ever breaks in your computer for the next 5 years are pretty much just a scam. Companies know that most people will decide to upgrade rather than fix an ageing computer. The cost of the replaced parts will be less in the upcoming years making those 500$ extended warranties an odd thing to purchase. You also don't have a choice of the parts they put in.
To give you an example, the graphic card on my ageing, 5 year old, computer died recently and I manage to get a better one for 60$. If I would of been on the 5 years, 500$, extended warranty – they would of replaced my graphic card with the same one that probably would of also cost around 60$ today. I would of lost 440$!
Buying extended warranties on products that depreciate in value is an odd thing to do since you almost always end up on the loosing end. It is usually best to learn how to fix things ourselves rather than buy those extended warranties.
To give you an example, the graphic card on my ageing, 5 year old, computer died recently and I manage to get a better one for 60$. If I would of been on the 5 years, 500$, extended warranty – they would of replaced my graphic card with the same one that probably would of also cost around 60$ today. I would of lost 440$!
Buying extended warranties on products that depreciate in value is an odd thing to do since you almost always end up on the loosing end. It is usually best to learn how to fix things ourselves rather than buy those extended warranties.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Future Proofing Computers
Many companies will offer upgrades on their base computers for those looking to “future proof”. Those upgrades usually includes processor, ram and Hard drive. Are better specs the way to go to future proof a computer?
While it's true that a better processor, more ram and a bigger hard drive is better today; all those things will be irrelevant in 2-3 years due to how fast technology changes. Your computer might even break before then.
In other words, if you do not need the processing power today – don't get it hoping that the added power will benefit you in the future since there's also a possibility of it breaking.
Computer reliability, not power, is what we should be looking for when looking into future proofing our purchase.
While it's true that a better processor, more ram and a bigger hard drive is better today; all those things will be irrelevant in 2-3 years due to how fast technology changes. Your computer might even break before then.
In other words, if you do not need the processing power today – don't get it hoping that the added power will benefit you in the future since there's also a possibility of it breaking.
Computer reliability, not power, is what we should be looking for when looking into future proofing our purchase.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
How Do You Learn?
Do you learn because you have to or because you’re curious to know what you don’t know?
We remember what we want to learn more than the things we have to learn. Once our mindset is set up straight (meaning that once we fully realize that we don’t know everything), what ever we set our minds to learn becomes easier. We no longer learn because we have to, we learn because we are genuinely curious to know.
A thing to note is that when we think we "know", we sometime become arrogant and take offence when exposed to new ideas. It is, therefore, important that we remain humble and curious so we can be opened to those new ideas and keep growing as human beings.
---
Revision Wednesday
Blog post originally created on December 31, 2013 and can be found here.
We remember what we want to learn more than the things we have to learn. Once our mindset is set up straight (meaning that once we fully realize that we don’t know everything), what ever we set our minds to learn becomes easier. We no longer learn because we have to, we learn because we are genuinely curious to know.
A thing to note is that when we think we "know", we sometime become arrogant and take offence when exposed to new ideas. It is, therefore, important that we remain humble and curious so we can be opened to those new ideas and keep growing as human beings.
---
Revision Wednesday
Blog post originally created on December 31, 2013 and can be found here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Public Ethic
Don't criticize someone in public – it only adds up to the embarrassment that will then turn into resentment in your regard. If someone needs to improve on something, meet somewhere private where you can share the problem with them.
On the other side of the coin, if you have something good to say about someone – say it in public. It will boost their confidence and they will appreciate you more for it.
On the other side of the coin, if you have something good to say about someone – say it in public. It will boost their confidence and they will appreciate you more for it.
Monday, December 22, 2014
The Self-Improvement Children Book
The Bible is a cheat sheet on how to live a fulfilling life but I also want to share to my future kids the lessons that I have learned in the hope that it helps them move ahead.
I write in a, what I call, “Kid Journal” the small nuggets of information that was the most beneficial for me. I want to hand it to them one day with empty pages so they can add some of their thoughts to then hand it to their children with the hope that this self-improvement ethic goes on for generations.
I write in a, what I call, “Kid Journal” the small nuggets of information that was the most beneficial for me. I want to hand it to them one day with empty pages so they can add some of their thoughts to then hand it to their children with the hope that this self-improvement ethic goes on for generations.
Friday, December 19, 2014
For The Sake Of It
Reading just for the sake of it doesn't have the same effect as reading for the purpose of learning the material to then apply it in your life. You know you're on the right track when you read with the thought of being tested later on.
Do you read to learn or for entertainment purposes?
Do you read to learn or for entertainment purposes?
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Advertisement Robs Us
"The individual, it is said, should be free to pursue his own interests as long as he keeps the peace and does not interfere with the rights of others. He should be free to make as much money as he can and to spend it as he sees fit. There is a need for men who are industrious, resourceful, thrifty, and self-reliant, and who have initiative and a spirit of adventure." -Harold H. Titus / Marilyn S. Smith
The goal of an advertisement is to plant a seed in the mind of consumers to buy a product. We don't buy a product as much as we buy the advertisement itself. The best product in the world, that's advertised poorly, won't sell as good (initially) as the worse product in the world with the best advertisement.
After a product as been release, word to mouth usually takes over and bring the advertisement hype to the level of the product.
Advertisement sells but it also creates an artificial need in the consumer's mind effectively removing some of his freedom to choose. They appeal to our emotional being. Sure, we might think that we're in control; that we decide what we want but if we look around our home, we'll likely find items that we did not intend to buy but that are there none the less due to an advertisement that appealed to our emotional side.
Orrin Woodward created a rule in an attempt to remove emotional purchases. The rule is if the item is more than 100$, he waits a day to see how he feels about it the next morning. Often, if we take a day to think about it, we realize that we don't really need the item. Maybe we should all apply this rule?
The goal of an advertisement is to plant a seed in the mind of consumers to buy a product. We don't buy a product as much as we buy the advertisement itself. The best product in the world, that's advertised poorly, won't sell as good (initially) as the worse product in the world with the best advertisement.
After a product as been release, word to mouth usually takes over and bring the advertisement hype to the level of the product.
Advertisement sells but it also creates an artificial need in the consumer's mind effectively removing some of his freedom to choose. They appeal to our emotional being. Sure, we might think that we're in control; that we decide what we want but if we look around our home, we'll likely find items that we did not intend to buy but that are there none the less due to an advertisement that appealed to our emotional side.
Orrin Woodward created a rule in an attempt to remove emotional purchases. The rule is if the item is more than 100$, he waits a day to see how he feels about it the next morning. Often, if we take a day to think about it, we realize that we don't really need the item. Maybe we should all apply this rule?
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Socrates and The Oracle
"The Death of Socrates", by Jacques-Louis David (1787)
Socrates' friend, Chaerephon, asked the oracle, in Delphi, if there was someone wiser than Socrates to which the Oracle replied “no one”. Socrates, who had heard of the tale thought it was ridiculous since he felt like he wasn't the wisest man. This began his journey to find a wiser man than he was.
He found a politician on his journey who was known to be wise. Socrates spoke to the man and pointed out what the man didn't know which angered the man. He then famously said:
“I am wiser than this man: neither of us knows anything that is really worth knowing, but he thinks that he has knowledge when he has not, while I, having no knowledge, do not think that I have. I seem, at any rate, to be a littler wiser than he is on this point: I do not think that I know what I do not know.”
He had a similar experience with every wise person he met. This quest eventually brought his death after he angered too many wise people in power; who then gave him the death penalty. Socrates died in 348 B.C. by willingly drinking poison following is death penalty.
There are no known written document, by Socrates, that survived. Everything we know about this Philosopher was brought down to us by his students, mainly Plato, who followed him and documented his journey.
What we can learn from this story is that when we think we “know”, we sometime become arrogant and take offence when exposed to new ideas. It is important that we remain humble and curious so we can be opened to those new ideas and grow as human beings.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Emotion of Lust
The above quote doesn't create lasting relationships since it's based on the emotion of lust rather than love. Sex shouldn't be at the center of love but should occur as a result of it.
"Men need to be loved physically in order to love emotionally. Women need to be loved emotionally in order to love physically.”-Unknown
Friday, December 12, 2014
Emotions - Only One At A Time
"Positive and negative emotions cannot occupy the mind at the same time." -Napoleon Hill
No emotion last for ever, we're constantly bombarded by them. According to Napoleon Hill, there are 7 major positive emotions (desire, faith, love, sex, enthusiasm, romance, hope) and 7 major negative (fear, jealousy, hatred, revenge, greed, superstition, anger).
"Here the law of habit [it takes 21 days for a habit to form] will come to your aid. Form the habit of applying and using the positive emotions! Eventually, they will dominate your mind so completely that the negatives cannot enter it." -Napoleon Hill
Since we only can feel one at a time, it's important for us to learn how to identify them and to put forth effort to prolong the positive ones and reduce the duration of the negative ones.
No emotion last for ever, we're constantly bombarded by them. According to Napoleon Hill, there are 7 major positive emotions (desire, faith, love, sex, enthusiasm, romance, hope) and 7 major negative (fear, jealousy, hatred, revenge, greed, superstition, anger).
"Here the law of habit [it takes 21 days for a habit to form] will come to your aid. Form the habit of applying and using the positive emotions! Eventually, they will dominate your mind so completely that the negatives cannot enter it." -Napoleon Hill
Since we only can feel one at a time, it's important for us to learn how to identify them and to put forth effort to prolong the positive ones and reduce the duration of the negative ones.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Prepare For A More Expensive Internet Package
The internet plans have already gone up in price lately and part of the reason why is because more and more people stop using cable t.v. in favor of a good internet connection. This is obviously eating in the profit margins of the major cable providers and they want to recoup those looses by raising the price of other services that they have - which is, in most cases, internet and mobility.
The fee for the internet packages, in other words, are not set to go down anytime soon. In-fact, I believe, the unlimited internet plan will be replaced by a fee based GB per download type of deal (which many carriers have already adopted).
If you do have an unlimited plan at a reasonable price I would suggest you hold on to it as you may not be able to get it again.
The fee for the internet packages, in other words, are not set to go down anytime soon. In-fact, I believe, the unlimited internet plan will be replaced by a fee based GB per download type of deal (which many carriers have already adopted).
If you do have an unlimited plan at a reasonable price I would suggest you hold on to it as you may not be able to get it again.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Trial and error: The Relationship Edition
"The art of love ... is largely the art of persistence." -Albert Ellis
When you’ve been on the dating scene for quite some time you come to realize that there’s somewhat of a pattern to be found. A thing you might notice is that more often than not the problem is with you more than it is with your encounters.
If it’s true that the perfect person doesn’t exist - what now?
It’s easy to find someone with similar interest than ours. We might have feelings for them for a while and it eventually goes out. At this point, most relationships ends but it shouldn’t. That’s when the real work should start. The work is what it is - work. It’s not sit down and wait till the feelings comes back. It’s getting up and trying to figure out the reason why the feeling is gone.
I often find myself in stressful position at work that I sometime bring home. If this is done too often, we might come to the conclusion that the problem is home and not with the work. Be careful of where the feeling originally originated.
Relationship is mostly about accepting people for who they are. If we focus on finding things to respect about them, love will take care of itself.
---
Revision Wednesday
Blog post originally created on November 8, 2010 and can be found here.
When you’ve been on the dating scene for quite some time you come to realize that there’s somewhat of a pattern to be found. A thing you might notice is that more often than not the problem is with you more than it is with your encounters.
If it’s true that the perfect person doesn’t exist - what now?
It’s easy to find someone with similar interest than ours. We might have feelings for them for a while and it eventually goes out. At this point, most relationships ends but it shouldn’t. That’s when the real work should start. The work is what it is - work. It’s not sit down and wait till the feelings comes back. It’s getting up and trying to figure out the reason why the feeling is gone.
I often find myself in stressful position at work that I sometime bring home. If this is done too often, we might come to the conclusion that the problem is home and not with the work. Be careful of where the feeling originally originated.
Relationship is mostly about accepting people for who they are. If we focus on finding things to respect about them, love will take care of itself.
---
Revision Wednesday
Blog post originally created on November 8, 2010 and can be found here.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Give Yourself A Raise!
As you probably know, the “Get it now, pay later” is the biggest scam one can get into. If finances are tight, then you shouldn't own the most expensive gadget, live in the biggest/nicest place or own the newest car.
Too often, I hear people say they don't have any money but walk around with the latest smart phone in their pockets. When you go to their place, they have a 55 inch HD flat screen T.V. with cable, the internet plugged to a powerful computer and so on... No wonder you don't have any money!
I think it would be wise to look into what we spend to find money to save rather than look for a higher paying job or ask for a raise. Give yourself a raise by removing Cable T.V. (even internet if you're really in a jam – don't worry, you'll survive without it), selling the newest gadgets and cutting back on the restaurants and bars!
Too often, I hear people say they don't have any money but walk around with the latest smart phone in their pockets. When you go to their place, they have a 55 inch HD flat screen T.V. with cable, the internet plugged to a powerful computer and so on... No wonder you don't have any money!
I think it would be wise to look into what we spend to find money to save rather than look for a higher paying job or ask for a raise. Give yourself a raise by removing Cable T.V. (even internet if you're really in a jam – don't worry, you'll survive without it), selling the newest gadgets and cutting back on the restaurants and bars!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Love Talk
"There should be no disappointment over love, and there would be none if people understood the difference between the emotions of love and sex. The major difference is that love is spiritual, while sex is biological. no experience that touches the human heart with a spiritual force can possibly be harmful, except through ignorance or jealousy." -Napoleon Hill
Life isn't about finding the perfect person. It's about learning to love an imperfect person perfectly. The heart can be deceived and you should not let it lead your life but lead it throughout life.
Should someone leave when the love is gone? No – Love doesn't last when you don't work on it. Love, like happiness, is a feeling and feelings sometime come and goes but you'll never love someone you don't respect. Focus on finding things to respect about your partner and love will take care of itself.
Should someone leave an abusive relationship even if love is felt? Yes – Change is difficult. To wait for an abusive partner to change is like waiting for a cancer to heal ... it requires outside help before things change. If your partner doesn't work on improving himself daily, then he'll probably never change unless he seeks professional help (sometimes both are required).
Low self esteem, not love, is usually the reason why people stay in abusive relationships.
"Love is, without question, life's greatest experience. It brings us into communication with Infinite Intelligence. When mixed with the emotions of romance and sex, it may lead us far up the ladder of creative effort. The emotions of love, sex and romance are sides of the eternal triangle of achievement-building genius. Nature creates geniuses through no other force." -Napoleon Hill
Life isn't about finding the perfect person. It's about learning to love an imperfect person perfectly. The heart can be deceived and you should not let it lead your life but lead it throughout life.
Should someone leave when the love is gone? No – Love doesn't last when you don't work on it. Love, like happiness, is a feeling and feelings sometime come and goes but you'll never love someone you don't respect. Focus on finding things to respect about your partner and love will take care of itself.
Should someone leave an abusive relationship even if love is felt? Yes – Change is difficult. To wait for an abusive partner to change is like waiting for a cancer to heal ... it requires outside help before things change. If your partner doesn't work on improving himself daily, then he'll probably never change unless he seeks professional help (sometimes both are required).
Low self esteem, not love, is usually the reason why people stay in abusive relationships.
"Love is, without question, life's greatest experience. It brings us into communication with Infinite Intelligence. When mixed with the emotions of romance and sex, it may lead us far up the ladder of creative effort. The emotions of love, sex and romance are sides of the eternal triangle of achievement-building genius. Nature creates geniuses through no other force." -Napoleon Hill
Friday, December 5, 2014
Let It Out!
“There is a voice inside which speaks and says: This is the real me!” -William James
Don't try to shut that voice out - Let it out! Others will respect you more if you are true to yourself. The world is filled with people who mindlessly try to become copies of who they think they should be. You don't have to be the copy of someone else for people to accept you – just be you!
Don't try to shut that voice out - Let it out! Others will respect you more if you are true to yourself. The world is filled with people who mindlessly try to become copies of who they think they should be. You don't have to be the copy of someone else for people to accept you – just be you!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Have a Purpose for Spirit Sake
"Without a strong sense of values and of direction, the human spirit tends to weaken or deteriorate." -Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
If you don't know who you are, then you probably haven't figured out your purpose. After all, you have to know the type of person you are to know what you want and don't want out of life.
If you don't have a purpose then you're probably stuck in a job you don't like. If you're stuck on a job you don't like, it affects negatively your spirit. Your smile no longer feels real and your interaction seems rushed rather than fulfilling.
You won't find your purpose by occupying your mind with mindless entertainment - set up some time to think about it.
If you don't know who you are, then you probably haven't figured out your purpose. After all, you have to know the type of person you are to know what you want and don't want out of life.
If you don't have a purpose then you're probably stuck in a job you don't like. If you're stuck on a job you don't like, it affects negatively your spirit. Your smile no longer feels real and your interaction seems rushed rather than fulfilling.
You won't find your purpose by occupying your mind with mindless entertainment - set up some time to think about it.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
The Comfort Zone
I like to think that I don't have a comfort zone but I'm constantly reminded that I do have one when ever I complain or make excuses about something.
A couple of days ago, I was asked to do a French translation video and I kept poking holes at it and complaining. Now that it's done and I think back on it, I did this because I wasn't comfortable doing it since I had never done it before.
If something is comfortable for us to do, we'll be less likely to complain about it. After all, it is part of our comfort zone and therefor we know what to expect. Complaining about something may point out to you that it's not part of your comfort zone.
At the end of the day, those experiences are fun and makes you grow so suck it up!
A couple of days ago, I was asked to do a French translation video and I kept poking holes at it and complaining. Now that it's done and I think back on it, I did this because I wasn't comfortable doing it since I had never done it before.
If something is comfortable for us to do, we'll be less likely to complain about it. After all, it is part of our comfort zone and therefor we know what to expect. Complaining about something may point out to you that it's not part of your comfort zone.
At the end of the day, those experiences are fun and makes you grow so suck it up!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
The Success Boat
Success in business is to build a boat, learn to ride the boat yourself to then eventually find and train a captain to take it away from you. Sure, you might want to help by calling and advising the captain during storms but you shouldn't be on board steering the wheel.
In the beginning, a captain needs a clear direction of where to go. If the boat tends to go the wrong way every time you leave it, then you either have the wrong captain or you haven't trained him properly. After a while, the captain should have a general knowledge of where the boat is supposed to go and should get there with little to no supervision.
It's important to develop to trust with the captain so you don't feel like you have to deal with the problems of the boat.
In the beginning, a captain needs a clear direction of where to go. If the boat tends to go the wrong way every time you leave it, then you either have the wrong captain or you haven't trained him properly. After a while, the captain should have a general knowledge of where the boat is supposed to go and should get there with little to no supervision.
It's important to develop to trust with the captain so you don't feel like you have to deal with the problems of the boat.
Monday, December 1, 2014
The Outcast
I turned my back on cable T.V. for almost 8 years now and home internet for 2 years (I get early to work to update this blog) to give way to personal development. It pretty much made me an outcast to most of my friends as I was no longer in the loop regarding shows, news or any other things requiring a plug to the wall.
I still listen attentively to what they say but I can not actively participate to the conversation beyond my limited knowledge point regarding current shows/events. They, in return, listen to me when I speak about the principles I have learned and am currently trying to apply in my life. While we have that mutual respect, our conversation can be somewhat limited at times.
Obviously, I have lost some friends in this process, to no fault of our own, but I have made some new ones with whom I share similar interests. I understood this prior to disconnecting my life from most entertainment media and I don't regret my decision as I believe your real friends will stick with you no matter what. The friends that decide to leave were probably going to leave anyway.
If you are in this predicament, remember that it's your life and that while it can be difficult to loose some friends, there are many more out there that are just waiting for an opportunity to develop a friendship with you.
I still listen attentively to what they say but I can not actively participate to the conversation beyond my limited knowledge point regarding current shows/events. They, in return, listen to me when I speak about the principles I have learned and am currently trying to apply in my life. While we have that mutual respect, our conversation can be somewhat limited at times.
Obviously, I have lost some friends in this process, to no fault of our own, but I have made some new ones with whom I share similar interests. I understood this prior to disconnecting my life from most entertainment media and I don't regret my decision as I believe your real friends will stick with you no matter what. The friends that decide to leave were probably going to leave anyway.
If you are in this predicament, remember that it's your life and that while it can be difficult to loose some friends, there are many more out there that are just waiting for an opportunity to develop a friendship with you.