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| author | Paul Buetow <paul@buetow.org> | 2024-08-26 23:07:44 +0300 |
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| committer | Paul Buetow <paul@buetow.org> | 2024-08-26 23:07:44 +0300 |
| commit | fa3426b5d9ac9eeccaea3aa7e4eb44e1fa2eab65 (patch) | |
| tree | f391aa531e8837ffe3ef0601d2a3aa8135c9fcca /notes | |
| parent | 87d2c5cdd30fbed688eeac23e173398e95edda10 (diff) | |
Update content for gemtext
Diffstat (limited to 'notes')
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi.tpl | 69 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.gmi | 55 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi | 10 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi.tpl | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/mind-management.gmi | 30 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/never-split-the-difference.gmi | 15 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/slow-productivity.gmi | 24 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.gmi | 32 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi | 13 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi.tpl | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | notes/the-stoic-challenge.gmi | 18 |
12 files changed, 198 insertions, 83 deletions
diff --git a/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi b/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi index 03d6f6be..280270f5 100644 --- a/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi +++ b/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi @@ -2,6 +2,17 @@ > Last updated 21.5.2023 +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "A Monk's Guide to Happiness" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ Understanding Happiness +* ⇢ ⇢ The Role of Meditation +* ⇢ ⇢ Managing Thoughts and Emotions +* ⇢ ⇢ Practice and Discipline +* ⇢ ⇢ Perspectives on Relationships and Interactions +* ⇢ ⇢ Reflective Questions +* ⇢ ⇢ Miscellaneous Guidelines + ## Understanding Happiness * Happiness is a skill we can train. diff --git a/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi.tpl b/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi.tpl new file mode 100644 index 00000000..d9c74e0d --- /dev/null +++ b/notes/a-monks-guide-to-happiness.gmi.tpl @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ +# "A Monk's Guide to Happiness" book notes + +> Last updated 21.5.2023 + +<< template::inline::toc + +## Understanding Happiness + +* Happiness is a skill we can train. +* Happiness is not about accomplishing goals, as that would be in the future. +* Feel free now. No urge about past and future. +* We can learn to produce our own happiness independently of physical needs. When we walk in a park, how do we feel? We can train to reproduce that feeling independently. + +## The Role of Meditation + +* Meditation is not about clearing your mind. A busy mind has nothing to do with interfering with your meditation. +* Our problem is that we need to detect that awareness. Meditation connects us with awareness. Awareness is freedom. +* We can let the mind be and don't care about the thoughts. It will have benefits for your life. It will protect you from all kinds of stress. +* Better meditate with open eyes so you don't associate it with the dark. You will also be able to be in a meditation state of mind outside of the meditation session. +* Have a baseline for time to build up discipline. +* We don't need to do anything about stress, just take a step back. + +## Managing Thoughts and Emotions + +* Our flow of emotions is really just habits. That can be changed through training, e.g., meditation training. +* A part of the mind recognises that we are sad or angry. That part is not sad or angry by itself, obviously. So we can escape to that part of the mind, be the observer, and not draw in the constant flow of emotions and thoughts. +* Let the front and back doors of your house open, and let the thoughts come in and leave. Just don't serve them tea. This once said, a great Zen master. +* Thoughts are friends and not enemies. +* Thoughts help the meditation as they make us notice that we wandered off, and therefore, we strengthen the reflection. + +## Practice and Discipline + +* The importance of habits to practice mindfulness. Bring mindfulness into the daily practice. +* Integrating short moments of mindfulness during the day is the fast track to happiness. Start off with small tasks, e.g. while washing your hands. +* Have many small doses of mindfulness and don't prolong as otherwise, your mind will revolt. +* Have a small moment of mindfulness when you wake up and go to sleep. +* Practice staying fully present in an uncomfortable situation and without judgement. +* Don't become two persons who never meet: the meditator and the not meditator. So integrate mindfulness during the day too. + +## Perspectives on Relationships and Interactions + +* Who is the opponent? The other person. The things he said or our reactions to things? Forgiveness is a high form of compassion. +* Understand the suffering of the person who "hurt" us. Where is the aggressor really coming from? +* People who are stressed or unhappy do and say things they wouldn't have said have done otherwise. Acting under anger is like being influenced by alcohol. +* People don't have a masterplan to destroy others, even if it seems so. They are under strong bad influence by themselves. Something terrible happened to them. Revenge makes no sense. +* Be grateful for people "trying" to hurt you as they help you to practice your path. + +## Reflective Questions + +* Why do I do all the things I do? What do I try to achieve? +* What am I doing about that? +* Is it working? +* What are the real causes of happiness and suffering? +* What about meditation? How does that address the situation? + +## Miscellaneous Guidelines + +* Posture is important as the mind and body are connected. +* Don't use music, so you don't rely on music to change your state of mind. Similar regular guided meditation. Guided meditation is good for learning a technique, but you should not rely on another voice. +* You are not trying to relax. Relaxing and trying are two different things. +* When you love everything, even the bad things happening to you, then you are invincible. +* Happiness is all in your mind. As if you flip a switch there. +* Digging for answers will never end. It will always cause more material to dig. + +If happiness is a mental issue. Clearly, the best time is spent training your mind in your free time and don't always be busy with other things. E.g. meditation, or think about the benefits of meditation. All that we do in our free time is search for happiness. Are the things we do actually working? There is always something around the corner... + +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + +=> ../ Back to the main site diff --git a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.gmi b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.gmi index 64812f89..96d5b443 100644 --- a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.gmi +++ b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.gmi @@ -2,16 +2,29 @@ > Published at 2023-07-17T04:56:20+03:00 +These notes are of two books by "John Sommez" I found helpful. I also added some of my own keypoints to it. These notes are mainly for my own use, but you might find them helpful, too. + +``` + ,.......... .........., + ,..,' '.' ',.., + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', +,' '............ '.' ............' ', + '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' + ''' +``` + ## Table of Contents * ⇢ "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes -* ⇢ Introduction -* ⇢ Improve -* ⇢ ⇢ Always learn new things -* ⇢ ⇢ Set goals -* ⇢ ⇢ Ratings -* ⇢ ⇢ Promotions -* ⇢ ⇢ Finish things +* ⇢ ⇢ Improve +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ Always learn new things +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ Set goals +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ Ratings +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ Promotions +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ Finish things * ⇢ ⇢ Expand the empire * ⇢ ⇢ Be pragmatic and also manage your time * ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ The quota system @@ -35,25 +48,9 @@ * ⇢ ⇢ Testing * ⇢ ⇢ Books to read -# Introduction - -These notes are of two books by "John Sommez" I found helpful. I also added some of my own keypoints to it. These notes are mainly for my own use, but you might find them helpful, too. - -``` - ,.......... .........., - ,..,' '.' ',.., - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', -,' '............ '.' ............' ', - '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' - ''' -``` - -# Improve +## Improve -## Always learn new things +### Always learn new things When you learn something new, e.g. a programming language, first gather an overview, learn from multiple sources, play around and learn by doing and not consuming and form your own questions. Don't read too much upfront. A large amount of time is spent in learning technical skills which were never use. You want to have a practical set of skills you are actually using. You need to know 20 percent to get out 80 percent of the results. @@ -70,18 +67,18 @@ Fake it until you make it. But be honest about your abilities or lack of. There Boot camps: The advantage of a boot camp is to pragmatically learn things fast. We almost always overestimate what we can do in a day. Especially during boot camps. Connect to others during the boot camps -## Set goals +### Set goals Your own goals are important but the manager also looks at how the team performs and how someone can help the team perform better. Check whether you are on track with your goals every 2 weeks in order to avoid surprises for the annual review. Make concrete goals for next review. Track and document your progress. Invest in your education. Make your goals known. If you want something, then ask for it. Nobody but you knows what you want. -## Ratings +### Ratings That's a trap: If you have to rate yourself, that's a trap. That never works in an unbiased way. Rate yourself always the best way but rate your weakest part as high as possible minus one point. Rate yourself as good as you can otherwise. Nobody is putting for fun a gun on his own head. * Don't do peer rating, it can fire back on you. What if the colleague becomes your new boss? * Cooperate rankings are unfortunately HR guidelines and politics and only mirror a little your actual performance. -## Promotions +### Promotions The most valuable employees are the ones who make themselves obsolete and automate all away. Keep a safety net of 3 to 6 months of finances. Safe at least 10 percent of your earnings. Also, if you make money it does not mean that you have to spent more money. Is a new car better than a used car which both can bring you from A to B? Liability vs assets. @@ -93,7 +90,7 @@ The most valuable employees are the ones who make themselves obsolete and automa * If you want a raise be specific how much and know to back your demands. Don't make a thread and no ultimatums. * Best way for a promotion is to switch jobs. You can even switch back with a better salary. -## Finish things +### Finish things Hard work is necessary for accomplish results. However, work smarter not harder. Furthermore, working smart is not a substitute for working hard. Work both, hard and smart. diff --git a/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi index 769a6116..269f1000 100644 --- a/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi +++ b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi @@ -6,6 +6,16 @@ These notes capture key strategies from "Influence Without Authority" by Allan R These are my personal notes, but maybe you will find them usefull too. +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "Influence without Authority" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ Building Relationships and Communication +* ⇢ ⇢ Managing Emotions and Conflicts +* ⇢ ⇢ Strategic Influence and Reciprocity +* ⇢ ⇢ Working with Management +* ⇢ ⇢ Adapting to Workplace Culture +* ⇢ ⇢ Diplomacy and Discretion + ## Building Relationships and Communication * Make relationships before they are needed. A good reputation acts as a reserve for difficult times. diff --git a/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi.tpl b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi.tpl index 769a6116..725c2bcd 100644 --- a/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi.tpl +++ b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.gmi.tpl @@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ These notes capture key strategies from "Influence Without Authority" by Allan R These are my personal notes, but maybe you will find them usefull too. +<< template::inline::toc + ## Building Relationships and Communication * Make relationships before they are needed. A good reputation acts as a reserve for difficult times. diff --git a/notes/mind-management.gmi b/notes/mind-management.gmi index 346d155f..6892b67d 100644 --- a/notes/mind-management.gmi +++ b/notes/mind-management.gmi @@ -2,21 +2,6 @@ > Published at 2023-11-11T22:21:47+02:00 -## Table of Contents - -* ⇢ "Mind Management" book notes -* ⇢ ⇢ Introduction -* ⇢ ⇢ Empty slots in the calendar -* ⇢ ⇢ When you safe time... -* ⇢ ⇢ Follow your mood -* ⇢ ⇢ Boosting creativity -* ⇢ ⇢ The right mood for the task at hand -* ⇢ ⇢ Creativity hacks -* ⇢ ⇢ Planning and strategizing -* ⇢ ⇢ Fake it until you make it. - -## Introduction - These are my personal takeaways after reading "Mind Management" by David Kadavy. Note that the book contains much more knowledge wisdom and that these notes only contain points I personally found worth writing down. This is mainly for my own use, but you might find it helpful too. ``` @@ -31,6 +16,21 @@ These are my personal takeaways after reading "Mind Management" by David Kadavy. ''' ``` +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "Mind Management" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ It's not about time management +* ⇢ ⇢ Empty slots in the calendar +* ⇢ ⇢ When you safe time... +* ⇢ ⇢ Follow your mood +* ⇢ ⇢ Boosting creativity +* ⇢ ⇢ The right mood for the task at hand +* ⇢ ⇢ Creativity hacks +* ⇢ ⇢ Planning and strategizing +* ⇢ ⇢ Fake it until you make it. + +## It's not about time management + Productivity isn't about time management - it's about mind management. When you put a lot of effort into something, there are: * The point of diminishing returns diff --git a/notes/never-split-the-difference.gmi b/notes/never-split-the-difference.gmi index 7dbb9fc4..c6813d21 100644 --- a/notes/never-split-the-difference.gmi +++ b/notes/never-split-the-difference.gmi @@ -16,6 +16,21 @@ These are my personal takeaways after reading "Never split the difference" by Ch ''' ``` +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "Never split the difference" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ Tactical listening, spreading empathy +* ⇢ ⇢ Mindset of discovery +* ⇢ ⇢ ⇢ More tips +* ⇢ ⇢ "No" starts the conversation +* ⇢ ⇢ Win-win +* ⇢ ⇢ On Deadlines +* ⇢ ⇢ Analyse the opponent +* ⇢ ⇢ Use different ways of saying "no." +* ⇢ ⇢ Calibrated question +* ⇢ ⇢ The black swan +* ⇢ ⇢ More + ## Tactical listening, spreading empathy Be a mirror, copy each other to be comfy with each other to build up trust. Mirroring is mainly body language. A mirror is to repeat the words the other just said. Simple but effective. diff --git a/notes/slow-productivity.gmi b/notes/slow-productivity.gmi index 8857f96d..f16e69a9 100644 --- a/notes/slow-productivity.gmi +++ b/notes/slow-productivity.gmi @@ -2,18 +2,6 @@ > Published at 2024-04-27T14:18:51+03:00 -## Table of Contents - -* ⇢ "Slow Productivity" book notes -* ⇢ ⇢ Introduction -* ⇢ ⇢ Pseudo-productivity and Shallow work -* ⇢ ⇢ Accomplishments without burnout -* ⇢ ⇢ Do fewer things -* ⇢ ⇢ Work at a natural pace -* ⇢ ⇢ Obsess over quality - -## Introduction - These are my personal takeaways after reading "Slow Productivity - The lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout" by Cal Newport. The case studies in this book were a bit long, but they appeared to be well-researched. I will only highlight the interesting, actionable items in the book notes. @@ -32,6 +20,18 @@ These notes are mainly for my own use, but you may find them helpful. ''' ``` +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "Slow Productivity" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ It's not "slow productivity" +* ⇢ ⇢ Pseudo-productivity and Shallow work +* ⇢ ⇢ Accomplishments without burnout +* ⇢ ⇢ Do fewer things +* ⇢ ⇢ Work at a natural pace +* ⇢ ⇢ Obsess over quality + +## It's not "slow productivity" + "Slow productivity" does not mean being less productive. Cal Newport wants to point out that you can be much more productive with "slow productivity" than you would be without it. It is a different way of working than most of us are used to in the modern workplace, which is hyper-connected and always online. ## Pseudo-productivity and Shallow work diff --git a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.gmi b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.gmi index 56cb5418..9660e697 100644 --- a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.gmi +++ b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.gmi @@ -2,10 +2,23 @@ > Published at 2023-05-06T17:23:16+03:00 +These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. This is mainly for my own use, but you might find it helpful too. + +``` + ,.......... .........., + ,..,' '.' ',.., + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', +,' '............ '.' ............' ', + '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' + ''' +``` + ## Table of Contents * ⇢ "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes -* ⇢ ⇢ Introduction * ⇢ ⇢ Reframe your perspective * ⇢ ⇢ Embrace rationality * ⇢ ⇢ Control your response @@ -19,23 +32,6 @@ * ⇢ ⇢ Love everything that happens * ⇢ ⇢ Conclusion -## Introduction - -These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. This is mainly for my own use, but you might find it helpful too. - - -``` - ,.......... .........., - ,..,' '.' ',.., - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,' : ', ', - ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', -,' '............ '.' ............' ', - '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' - ''' -``` - "The obstacle is the way" is a powerful statement that encapsulates the wisdom of turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success. We will explore using obstacles as fuel, transforming weaknesses into strengths, and adopting a mindset that allows us to be creative and persistent in the face of adversity. ## Reframe your perspective diff --git a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi index 8476dcdc..7607462b 100644 --- a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi +++ b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi @@ -2,6 +2,19 @@ These notes capture key points from "The Power of Neuroplasticity" by Shad Helmstetter. These are for my personal use, but you might find them useful, too. +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "The Power of Neuroplasticity" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ Your thoughts can influence changes in your brain +* ⇢ ⇢ Wire on what we can do and not what we can't +* ⇢ ⇢ Choose the friends you spend time woth carefully +* ⇢ ⇢ Beware of the brain's autopilot +* ⇢ ⇢ Cultiate a positive mindset +* ⇢ ⇢ The monkey mind +* ⇢ ⇢ Wiring good attitudes +* ⇢ ⇢ Techniques to train the brain +* ⇢ ⇢ Meditation + ## Your thoughts can influence changes in your brain Your thoughts can influence changes in your brain, a concept derived from the field of neuroscience. It's observed that your brain can rewire itself based on your thoughts and it doesn't remain fixed once you reach adulthood. Its plasticity allows it to adapt even in old age - yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. If you want to change your life, you need to rewire your brain. This rewiring is a continuous feedback loop. You can program your future self by focusing on your desired outcomes, and your brain will then unconsciously guide you toward them. For instance, if you ruminate negatively about an upcoming presentation, you're likely to perform poorly. You would perform significantly better if you had approached it with a positive mindset. Ultimately, you become what you think about most. diff --git a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi.tpl b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi.tpl index 8476dcdc..e911345f 100644 --- a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi.tpl +++ b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.gmi.tpl @@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ These notes capture key points from "The Power of Neuroplasticity" by Shad Helmstetter. These are for my personal use, but you might find them useful, too. +<< template::inline::toc + ## Your thoughts can influence changes in your brain Your thoughts can influence changes in your brain, a concept derived from the field of neuroscience. It's observed that your brain can rewire itself based on your thoughts and it doesn't remain fixed once you reach adulthood. Its plasticity allows it to adapt even in old age - yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. If you want to change your life, you need to rewire your brain. This rewiring is a continuous feedback loop. You can program your future self by focusing on your desired outcomes, and your brain will then unconsciously guide you toward them. For instance, if you ruminate negatively about an upcoming presentation, you're likely to perform poorly. You would perform significantly better if you had approached it with a positive mindset. Ultimately, you become what you think about most. diff --git a/notes/the-stoic-challenge.gmi b/notes/the-stoic-challenge.gmi index e6d9058b..024e14b6 100644 --- a/notes/the-stoic-challenge.gmi +++ b/notes/the-stoic-challenge.gmi @@ -2,15 +2,6 @@ > Published at 2024-07-07T12:46:55+03:00 -## Table of Contents - -* ⇢ "The Stoic Challenge" book notes -* ⇢ ⇢ Introduction -* ⇢ ⇢ Negative visualization -* ⇢ ⇢ Oh, nice trick, you stoic "god"! ;-) - -## Introduction - These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher's Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient" by William B. Irvine. ``` @@ -25,6 +16,15 @@ These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Stoic Challenge: A Philosoph ''' ``` +## Table of Contents + +* ⇢ "The Stoic Challenge" book notes +* ⇢ ⇢ Got sets you up for a challenge +* ⇢ ⇢ Negative visualization +* ⇢ ⇢ Oh, nice trick, you stoic "god"! ;-) + +## Got sets you up for a challenge + Gods set you up for a challenge to see how resilient you are. Is getting angry worth the price? If you stay calm then you can find the optimal workaround for the obstacle. Stay calm even with big setbacks. Practice minimalism of negative emotions. Put a positive spin on everything. What should you do if someone wrong you? Don't get angry, there is no point in that, it just makes you suffer. Do the best what you got now and keep calm and carry on. A resilient person will refuse to play the role of a victim. You can develop the setback response skills. Turn a setback. e.g. a handycap, into a personal triumph. |
