From 3492c68d239854c0404fe77a00460eeedd41f5cc Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2023 15:55:00 +0300 Subject: Update content for html --- notes/index.html | 4 +- notes/mental-combat.html | 20 ++--- notes/never-split-the-difference.html | 65 +++++----------- notes/soft-skills.html | 142 ++++++++++------------------------ notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.html | 63 +++++---------- notes/the-stoic-challenge.html | 32 +++----- 6 files changed, 94 insertions(+), 232 deletions(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/index.html b/notes/index.html index be5c0cad..407c2b48 100644 --- a/notes/index.html +++ b/notes/index.html @@ -15,9 +15,7 @@ 'Software Developmers Career Guide & Soft Skills' book notes
'Never split the difference' book notes
'Mental Combat' book notes
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-That were all notes. Hope they were useful!
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That were all notes. Hope they were useful!

"Mental Combat" book notes

-Last updated 29.5.2022
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Last updated 29.5.2022

Mindfulness

-We overthink everything. Apply mindfulness. Take a step back and recognize the conflict. Then analyse and react. Mindfulness is experiencing the moment without judgement. Mindfulness can combat all kind of mental issues such as stress for example. Don't think about the future and the past. Be in the now.
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We overthink everything. Apply mindfulness. Take a step back and recognize the conflict. Then analyse and react. Mindfulness is experiencing the moment without judgement. Mindfulness can combat all kind of mental issues such as stress for example. Don't think about the future and the past. Be in the now.

Physical training only does not train your mental performance.
Visualization of success makes you practise hard.
Life will not slow down for you. You need to make your own priorities.
There is a difference between sport and exercise psychology. One is for competition, the other for exercise.

Motivation

-Your mind sets limits not to self destruct your body. But there is always a buffer for emergency situations. It is possible to overcome the limits set by your mind. Motivation is everything. Without, you won't do things and will only dream. Or you will give up. Don't be externally motivated but by personal drive. Real training is though. The only way to succeed is motivation. Enjoy the process despite the pain and sweat. In order for this be internal motivated.
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-If you are not motivated, reevaluate your goals. Is this the right sport for you? Find the inner fire.
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Your mind sets limits not to self destruct your body. But there is always a buffer for emergency situations. It is possible to overcome the limits set by your mind. Motivation is everything. Without, you won't do things and will only dream. Or you will give up. Don't be externally motivated but by personal drive. Real training is though. The only way to succeed is motivation. Enjoy the process despite the pain and sweat. In order for this be internal motivated.

If you are not motivated, reevaluate your goals. Is this the right sport for you? Find the inner fire.

Self esteem

Competitive anxiety can interfere with your performance Don't worry at the outcome but focus on the now, e.g. the correct move.
Identify why you were nervous and use it as excitement next time and remember to breathe.
Choose a key word as a trigger to breath and think positively.

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-One way not to lose is not to see a loss as a loss. Think of each defeat as a test. And go back to the drawing board. Don't take a loss emotionally. It's a super power. This is the key. To self improvement. There are no failures but tests.
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-E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)
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One way not to lose is not to see a loss as a loss. Think of each defeat as a test. And go back to the drawing board. Don't take a loss emotionally. It's a super power. This is the key. To self improvement. There are no failures but tests.

E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)

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"Never split the difference" book notes

-Last updated 29.5.2022
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Last updated 29.5.2022

Tactical listening, spreading empathy

-Be a mirror, copy each other to be comfy to each other to build up trust. Mirroring is mainly the body language. A mirror is to repeat the words the other just said. Simple but effective.
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Be a mirror, copy each other to be comfy to each other to build up trust. Mirroring is mainly the body language. A mirror is to repeat the words the other just said. Simple but effective.

A mirror needs space and silence between the words. At least 4 seconds.
A mirror might be awkward to be used at first, especially with a question coupled to it.
We fear what's different and are drawn to what is similar.

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-Mirror training is like a Jedi training. Simple but effective. A mirror needs space. Be silent after "you want this?"
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Mirror training is like a Jedi training. Simple but effective. A mirror needs space. Be silent after "you want this?"

Mindset of discovery

-Try to have multiple realities in your mind and use facts to distinguish between the real and the false ones.
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Try to have multiple realities in your mind and use facts to distinguish between the real and the false ones.

Focus on what the counterpart has to say and what he needs and wants. Understanding him makes him vulnerable.
Empathy, understand the other person from his perspective, but it does not mean to agree to him.
Detect and label emotions of others for your own powers.
To be understood seems to magically solve all problems.

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-Try: put a label on someone's emotion and then be silent. Wait the other to reveal himself. "You seem unhappy about this?"
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Try: put a label on someone's emotion and then be silent. Wait the other to reveal himself. "You seem unhappy about this?"

More tips

Put on a poker face and don't show emotions.
Being right is not the key for successful negotiation, being mindful is.
Be in the safe zone of empathy and acknowledge bad news.

"No" starts the conversation

-When the opponent is starting with a "no" it makes him feel in control and comfortable. That's why he has to start with "no".
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When the opponent is starting with a "no" it makes him feel in control and comfortable. That's why he has to start with "no".

"Yes" and "maybe" might be worthless but "no" starts the conversation.
If someone is saying "no" to you he then will be open to what you have to say next.
Start with "no". Great negotiators seek "no" because that's when the great discussions begin.
A "no" can be scary if you are not used to it, though. If your biggest fear is "no", then you can't negotiate.

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-Get a "That's right" when negotiate. Don't get a "you're right". You can summarize the opponent to get a "that's right".
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Get a "That's right" when negotiate. Don't get a "you're right". You can summarize the opponent to get a "that's right".

Win-win

-Win-win is a naive approach when you encounter the win-lose counterpart but be always cooperative. Don't compromise and don't split the difference. We don't compromise because it's right, we do it because it is easy. You have to embrace the hard stuff, that's there the great deals are.
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Win-win is a naive approach when you encounter the win-lose counterpart but be always cooperative. Don't compromise and don't split the difference. We don't compromise because it's right, we do it because it is easy. You have to embrace the hard stuff, that's there the great deals are.

On Deadlines

All deadlines are imaginary.
They push to a deal to conclusion.
They rush the counterpart to cause pressure and anxiety.

Analyse the opponent

Understand the motivation of people behind the table as well.
Determine your and the opposite negotiation style. Accommodation, analyst, assertive.
Treat them how they need to be treated.

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-The person on the other side is never the issue, the problem is the issue. Keep this in mind to avoid emotional issues with the person and focus on the Problem not the Person. The bond is very important, never create an enemy.
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The person on the other side is never the issue, the problem is the issue. Keep this in mind to avoid emotional issues with the person and focus on the Problem not the Person. The bond is very important, never create an enemy.

Use different ways of saying no

-I had positive experiences with the building and I would be sad for the landlord to loose a good tenant. "I had payed my rent always in time. I am looking for a win-win agreement between us. Pulling out the research, other neighbors offer much lower prices even your building is better location and services how can I effort 200 more".... Then put an extreme anker.
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-You always have to embrace thoughtful confrontation for good negotiation and for life. Don't avoid honest clear conflict. It will give you the best deals. Compromises are mostly bad deals for both sides. Most people don't negotiate a win-win but a win-lose. Know the best and the worst outcome and know what is acceptable for you.
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I had positive experiences with the building and I would be sad for the landlord to loose a good tenant. "I had payed my rent always in time. I am looking for a win-win agreement between us. Pulling out the research, other neighbors offer much lower prices even your building is better location and services how can I effort 200 more".... Then put an extreme anker.

You always have to embrace thoughtful confrontation for good negotiation and for life. Don't avoid honest clear conflict. It will give you the best deals. Compromises are mostly bad deals for both sides. Most people don't negotiate a win-win but a win-lose. Know the best and the worst outcome and know what is acceptable for you.

Calibrated question

-Calibrated questions. Give the opponent the sense of power. Ask open how questions, to get the opponent solve your problem and move him into your direction. Calibrated questions are the best tools. Summarize everything, and then ask "how I am supposed to do that?". Asking for help this way with a calibrated question is a powerful tool for joint problem solving
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-Being calm and respectful is essential. Without control of your emotions it won't work. The counterpart will have no idea how constraint they are with your question. Avoid questions which get a yes or short answers. Don't use "why?".
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-Counterparts are more involved if these are their solutions. The counterpart has to answer with "that's right", not with "you are right". He has to own the problem. If not, then add more why questions.
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Calibrated questions. Give the opponent the sense of power. Ask open how questions, to get the opponent solve your problem and move him into your direction. Calibrated questions are the best tools. Summarize everything, and then ask "how I am supposed to do that?". Asking for help this way with a calibrated question is a powerful tool for joint problem solving

Being calm and respectful is essential. Without control of your emotions it won't work. The counterpart will have no idea how constraint they are with your question. Avoid questions which get a yes or short answers. Don't use "why?".

Counterparts are more involved if these are their solutions. The counterpart has to answer with "that's right", not with "you are right". He has to own the problem. If not, then add more why questions.

Tone and body language need to align up what people are saying.
Deal with it via a labeled question.
Liers tend to talk in "them" and "their" and not with "I".
Also liers tend to talk in complex sentences.

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-Prepare 3 to 5 calibrated questions for your counterpart. Be curious what is really motivating the other side. You can get out the "Black Swan".
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Prepare 3 to 5 calibrated questions for your counterpart. Be curious what is really motivating the other side. You can get out the "Black Swan".

The black swan

-What we don't know can break our deal. By uncovering it can bring us unexpected success... In this world you get what you ask for, but you have to learn to ask correctly. Reveal the black swan by asking questions.
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What we don't know can break our deal. By uncovering it can bring us unexpected success... In this world you get what you ask for, but you have to learn to ask correctly. Reveal the black swan by asking questions.

-Establish a range, at top places like corp. I get... (e.g. remote London on project basis). Set a high range and not a number. Also check on LinkedIn premium for the salaries.
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Establish a range, at top places like corp. I get... (e.g. remote London on project basis). Set a high range and not a number. Also check on LinkedIn premium for the salaries.

Give an unexpected gift, e.g. show them my pet project and publicity for engineering.
Use an odd number, is which makes you seem like to have thought a lot of the sum and calculated it.
Being right isn't the key for a successful negotiation, but having the correct mindset is.
Don't shop the groceries when you are hungry.

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-Slow.... it.... down....
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-E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)
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Slow.... it.... down....

E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)

Back to the main site

"Software Developmers Career Guide & Soft Skills" book notes

-Last updated 29.5.2022
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Last updated 29.5.2022

Improve

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.
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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.

Learn a technology with a goal, e.g. implement a tool. Practice practise practice.
"I know X can do Y, I don't know exactly how, but I can look it up."
Keep learning skills every day. Code every day. Don't be overconfident for job security. Read blogs, read books.
If you want to learn, then do it by exploring. Also teach what you learned (for example write a blog post or hold a presentation).

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-Fake it until you make it. But be honest about your abilities or lack of. There is however only time between now and until you make it. Refer to your abilities to learn.
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-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
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Fake it until you make it. But be honest about your abilities or lack of. There is however only time between now and until you make it. Refer to your abilities to learn.

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

-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.
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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

-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.
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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

-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.
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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.

Raise or promotion, what's better? Promotion is better as money will follow anyway then.
Take projects no-one wants and make them shine. A promotion will follow.
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

-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.
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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.

Learn to finish things without motivation. Things will pay off when you stick to stuff and eventually motivation can also come back.
You will fail if you don't plan realistically. Set also a schedule and follow to it as of life depends on it.
Any action is better than no action. If you get stuck you have gained nothing.
You need to know the unknowns. Identify as many unknown not known things as possible.

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-Hard vs fun: Both engage the brain (video games vs work). Some work is hard and other is easy. Hard work is boring. The harsh truth is you have to put in hard and boring work in order to accomplish and be successful. Work won't be always boring though, as joy will follow with mastery.
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-Defeat is finally give up. Failure is the road to success, embrace it. Failure does not define you but how you respond to it. Events don't make your unhappy, but how you react to events do.
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Hard vs fun: Both engage the brain (video games vs work). Some work is hard and other is easy. Hard work is boring. The harsh truth is you have to put in hard and boring work in order to accomplish and be successful. Work won't be always boring though, as joy will follow with mastery.

Defeat is finally give up. Failure is the road to success, embrace it. Failure does not define you but how you respond to it. Events don't make your unhappy, but how you react to events do.

Expand the empire

-The larger your empire is, the larger your circle of influence is. The larger the circle of influence is, the more opportunities you have.
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The larger your empire is, the larger your circle of influence is. The larger the circle of influence is, the more opportunities you have.

Do the dirty work if you want to expand the empire. That's there the opportunities are.
SCRUM often fails due to the lack to commitment. The backlog just becomes a wish to get completed.
Apply work on your quality standards. Don't cross the line of compromise. Always improve your skills. Never be happy being good enough.

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-Become visible, keep track that you accomplishments. E.g. write a weekly summary. Do presentations, be seen. Learn new things and share your learnings. Be the problem solver and not the blamer.
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Become visible, keep track that you accomplishments. E.g. write a weekly summary. Do presentations, be seen. Learn new things and share your learnings. Be the problem solver and not the blamer.

Be pragmatic and also manage your time

-Make use of time boxing via the Pomodoro technique: Set a target of rounds and track the rounds. That give you exact focused work time. That's really the trick. For example set a goal of 6 daily pomodores.
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Make use of time boxing via the Pomodoro technique: Set a target of rounds and track the rounds. That give you exact focused work time. That's really the trick. For example set a goal of 6 daily pomodores.

Every time you do something question why does it make sense be pragmatic and don't follow because it is best practice.
You can also apply the time boxing technique (Cal Newport) for focused deep work.

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-You should feel good of the work done even if you don't finished the task. You will feel good about pomodoro wise even you don't finish the task on hand yet. Helps you to enjoy time off more. Working longer may not sell anything.
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You should feel good of the work done even if you don't finished the task. You will feel good about pomodoro wise even you don't finish the task on hand yet. Helps you to enjoy time off more. Working longer may not sell anything.

The quota system

-Defined quota of things done. E.g. N runs per week or M Blog posts per month or O pomodoros per week. This helps with consistency. Truly commit to these quotas. Failure is not an option. Start with small commitments. Don't commit to something you can't fulfill otherwise you set yourself up for failure.
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Defined quota of things done. E.g. N runs per week or M Blog posts per month or O pomodoros per week. This helps with consistency. Truly commit to these quotas. Failure is not an option. Start with small commitments. Don't commit to something you can't fulfill otherwise you set yourself up for failure.

Why does the quota System work? Slow and consistent pace is the key. It also overcomes willpower weaknesses as goals are preset.
Internal motivation is more important over external motivation. Check out Daniels book drive.
Multitasking: Batching is effective. E.g. emails twice daily at pre-set times..

Don't waste time

-The biggest time waster is TV watching. The TV is programming you. It's insane that Americans watch so much TV as they work full time. Schedule one show at a time and watch it when you want to watch it. Most movies are crap anyways. The good movies will come to you as people will talk about them.
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The biggest time waster is TV watching. The TV is programming you. It's insane that Americans watch so much TV as they work full time. Schedule one show at a time and watch it when you want to watch it. Most movies are crap anyways. The good movies will come to you as people will talk about them.

Social media is time waster as well. Schedule your Social Media times. For example be on Facebook only for max one hour on Saturdays.
Meetings can waste time as well. Simply don't go to them. Try to cancel meeting if it can be dealt with via email.
Enjoying things is not a waste of time. E.g. you could still play a game once in a while. It is important not to cut away all you enjoy from your life.

Habits

-Try to have as many good habits as possible. Start with easy habits, and make them a little bit more challenging over time. Set ankers and rewards. Over time the routines will become habits naturally.
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-Habit stacking is effective, which is combining multiple habits at the same time. For example you can workout on a circular trainer while while watching a learning video on O'Reilly Safari Online while getting closer to your weekly step goal.
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Try to have as many good habits as possible. Start with easy habits, and make them a little bit more challenging over time. Set ankers and rewards. Over time the routines will become habits naturally.

Habit stacking is effective, which is combining multiple habits at the same time. For example you can workout on a circular trainer while while watching a learning video on O'Reilly Safari Online while getting closer to your weekly step goal.

We don't have control over our habits but our own routines.
Routines help to form the habits, though.

Work-life balance

-Avoid overwork hours. That's not as beneficial as you might think and comes only with very small rewards. Invest rather in yourself and not in your employer.
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Avoid overwork hours. That's not as beneficial as you might think and comes only with very small rewards. Invest rather in yourself and not in your employer.

Work-life balance is a myth. Make it so that you enjoy work and your personal life and not just personal life.
Maintain fewer but good relationships. As a reward, better and integrated your life will be.
Life in the present Moment. Make the best of every moment of your life.
Enjoy every aspect of your life. If you want to take away one thing from this book that is it.

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-Use your most productive hours to work on you. Make that your priority. Take care of yourself a priority (E.g. do workouts or learn a new language). You can always workout 2 or 1 hour per day, but will you pay the price?
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Use your most productive hours to work on you. Make that your priority. Take care of yourself a priority (E.g. do workouts or learn a new language). You can always workout 2 or 1 hour per day, but will you pay the price?

Mental health

Friendships and positive thinking help to have and maintain better health, longer Life, better productivity and increased happiness.
Positive thinking can be trained and be a habit. Read the book "The Power of Positive Thinking".
Stoicism helps. Meditation helps. Playing for fun helps too.

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-Become the person you want to become (your self image). Program your brain unconsciously. Don't become the person other people want you to be. Embrace yourself, you are you.
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-In most cases burnout is just an illusion. If you don't have motivation push through the wall. People usually don't pass the wall as they feel they are burned out. After pushing through the wall you will have the most fun, for example you will be able playing the guitar greatly.
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Become the person you want to become (your self image). Program your brain unconsciously. Don't become the person other people want you to be. Embrace yourself, you are you.

In most cases burnout is just an illusion. If you don't have motivation push through the wall. People usually don't pass the wall as they feel they are burned out. After pushing through the wall you will have the most fun, for example you will be able playing the guitar greatly.

Physical health

-Utilise a standing desk and treadmill (you could walk and type at the same time). Increase the incline in order to burn more calories. Even on the standing desk you burn more calories than sitting. When you use pomodoro then you can use the small breaks for push-ups (maybe won't do as good when you are in a fasted state).
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Utilise a standing desk and treadmill (you could walk and type at the same time). Increase the incline in order to burn more calories. Even on the standing desk you burn more calories than sitting. When you use pomodoro then you can use the small breaks for push-ups (maybe won't do as good when you are in a fasted state).

You can only do one thing, lose fat or gain muscles. Not both at the same time.
Train your strength by heavy lifting, but only with a very few repetitions (e.g. 5 max for each exercise, everything over this is body building).
If you want to increase the muscle mass use medium weights but lift them more often. If you want to increase your endurance lift light weights but with even more reps.
Avoid highly processed foods

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-Intermittent fasting is an effective method to maintain weight and health. But it does not mean that you can only eat junk food in the feeding windows. Also, diet and nutrition is the most important for health and fitness. They make it also easier to stay focused and positive.
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Intermittent fasting is an effective method to maintain weight and health. But it does not mean that you can only eat junk food in the feeding windows. Also, diet and nutrition is the most important for health and fitness. They make it also easier to stay focused and positive.

No drama

-Avoid drama at work. Where are humans there is drama. You can decide where to spent your energy in. But don't avoid conflict. Conflict is healthy in any kind of relationship. Be tactful and state your opinion. The goal is to find the best solution to the problem.
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-Don't worry about other people what they do and don't do. You only worry about you. Shut up and get your own things done. But you could help to inspire a not working colleague.
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Avoid drama at work. Where are humans there is drama. You can decide where to spent your energy in. But don't avoid conflict. Conflict is healthy in any kind of relationship. Be tactful and state your opinion. The goal is to find the best solution to the problem.

Don't worry about other people what they do and don't do. You only worry about you. Shut up and get your own things done. But you could help to inspire a not working colleague.

During an argument, take the opponent's position and see how your opinion changes.
If you they to convince someone else it's an argument. Of you try to find the best solution it is a good resolution.
TOXIC PEOPLE: AVOID THEM. RUN.
Boss likes if you get shit done without getting asked all the time about things and also without drama.

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-You have to learn how to work in a team. Be honest but tactful. It's not too be the loudest but about selling your ideas. Don't argue otherwise you won't sell anything. Be persuasive by finding the common ground. Or lead the colleagues to your idea and don't sell it upfront. Communicate clearly.
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You have to learn how to work in a team. Be honest but tactful. It's not too be the loudest but about selling your ideas. Don't argue otherwise you won't sell anything. Be persuasive by finding the common ground. Or lead the colleagues to your idea and don't sell it upfront. Communicate clearly.

Personal brand

Invest your value outside the company. Build your personal brand. Show how valuable you are, also to other companies. Become an asset.
Invest in your education. Make your goals known. If you want something ask for it (see also the sections about goals in this document).

Market yourself

The best way to market yourself is to make you usable.
Create a brand. Decide your focus. Throw your name out as often as possible.

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-Have a blog. Schedule your posts. Consistency beats every other factor. E.g. post once a month a new post. Find your voice, you don't have to sound academic. Keep writing, if you keep it long enough the rewards will be coming. Your own blog can take 5 years to take off. Most people give up too soon.
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Have a blog. Schedule your posts. Consistency beats every other factor. E.g. post once a month a new post. Find your voice, you don't have to sound academic. Keep writing, if you keep it long enough the rewards will be coming. Your own blog can take 5 years to take off. Most people give up too soon.

Consistency of your blog is key. Also write quality content. Don't try to be a man of success but try to be a man of value.
Have an elevator pitch: "buetow.org - Having fun with computers!"
Have social media accounts, especially the ones which are more tech related.

Networking

-Ask people so they talk about themselves. They are not really interested in you. Use meetup.com to find groups you are interested and build up the network over time. Don't drink on social networking events even when others do. Talking to other people at events only has upsides. Just saying "hi" and introducing yourself is enough. What worse can happen? If the person rejects you so what, life goes on. Ask open questions and no "yes" and "no" questions. E.g.: "What is your story, why are you here?".
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Ask people so they talk about themselves. They are not really interested in you. Use meetup.com to find groups you are interested and build up the network over time. Don't drink on social networking events even when others do. Talking to other people at events only has upsides. Just saying "hi" and introducing yourself is enough. What worse can happen? If the person rejects you so what, life goes on. Ask open questions and no "yes" and "no" questions. E.g.: "What is your story, why are you here?".

Public speaking

-Before your talk go on stage 10 minutes in advance. Introduce yourself to the front row people. During the talk they will smile at you and encourage you during your talk.
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Before your talk go on stage 10 minutes in advance. Introduce yourself to the front row people. During the talk they will smile at you and encourage you during your talk.

Try at least 5 times before giving up public speaking. You can also start small, e.g. present a topic at work you are learning.
Practise your talk and timing. You can also record your practicing.

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-Just do it. Just go to conferences. Even if you are not speaking. Sell your boss what you would learn and "this and that" and you would present the learnings to the team afterwards.
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Just do it. Just go to conferences. Even if you are not speaking. Sell your boss what you would learn and "this and that" and you would present the learnings to the team afterwards.

New job

For the interview

Ask to touch base before the real interview and ask questions about the company. Do "pre-interviews".
Have a blog, a CV can only be 2 pages and an interview only can last only 2 hours. A blog helps you also to be a better communicator.

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-If you are specialized then there is a better chance to get a fitting job. No one will hire a general lawyer if there are specialized lawyers available. Even if you are specialized, you will have a wide range of skills (T-shape knowledge).
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If you are specialized then there is a better chance to get a fitting job. No one will hire a general lawyer if there are specialized lawyers available. Even if you are specialized, you will have a wide range of skills (T-shape knowledge).

Find the right type of company

-Not all companies are equal. They have individual cultures and guidelines.
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Not all companies are equal. They have individual cultures and guidelines.

Startup: dynamic and larger impact. Many hats on.
Medium size companies: most stable ones. Not cutting edge technologies. No crazy working hours.
Large company: very established with a lot of structure however constant layoffs and restructurings. Less impact you can have. Complex politics.
Working for yourself: This is harder than you think, probably much harder.

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-Work in a tech. company if you want to work on/with cutting edge technologies.
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Work in a tech. company if you want to work on/with cutting edge technologies.

Apply for the new job

-Get a professional resume writer. Get referrals of writers and get samples from there. Get sufficient with algorithm and data structures interview questions. Cracking the coding interview book and blog
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Get a professional resume writer. Get referrals of writers and get samples from there. Get sufficient with algorithm and data structures interview questions. Cracking the coding interview book and blog

Apply for each job with a specialised CV each. Each CV fits the job better.
Best get a job via a personal referral or inbound marketing. The latter is somehow rare.
Inbound marketing is for example someone responds to your blog and offers you a job.
Interview the interviewer. Be persistent.

Create creative looking resumes, see simple programmer website. Action-result style for a resume.

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-Invest in your dress code as appearance masters. It does make sense to invest in your style. You could even hire a professional stylist (not my personal way though).
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Invest in your dress code as appearance masters. It does make sense to invest in your style. You could even hire a professional stylist (not my personal way though).

Negotiation

Whoever names the number first loses. You don't know what someone else is expecting unless told. Low ball number may be an issue but you have to know the market.
Don't make a rushed decision based on deadlines. Make a fairly high counter offer shortly before deadline.
You should also cope with rejections while selling yourself. There is no such thing as job security.

Never spilt the difference is the best book for learning negotiation techniques..

Leaving the old job

-When leaving a job make a clean and non personal as possible. Never complain and never explain. Don't worry about abandonment of the team. Everybody is replacement and you make a business decision. Don't threaten to quit as you are replaceable.
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When leaving a job make a clean and non personal as possible. Never complain and never explain. Don't worry about abandonment of the team. Everybody is replacement and you make a business decision. Don't threaten to quit as you are replaceable.

Other things

As a leader lead by example and don't lead from the Eiffel tower.
As a leader you are responsible for the team. If the team fails then it's your fault only.

Testing

-Unit testing Vs regression testing: Unit tests test the smallest possible unit and get rewritten if the unit gets changed. It's like programming against a specification n. Regression tests test whether the software still works after the change. Now you know more than most software engineers.
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Unit testing Vs regression testing: Unit tests test the smallest possible unit and get rewritten if the unit gets changed. It's like programming against a specification n. Regression tests test whether the software still works after the change. Now you know more than most software engineers.

Books to read

Clean Code
The war of Art (to combat procrastination)
Willpower Instinct

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-E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)
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E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)

Back to the main site

"The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes

-Published at 2023-03-16T00:55:20+02:00
-
-These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Pragmatic Programmer" by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt. Note that the book contains much more knowledge and pearls of wisdom and that the following notes only contain points I personally found worth writing down. This is mainly for my own use, but you might find it helpful too.
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Published at 2023-03-16T00:55:20+02:00

These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Pragmatic Programmer" by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt. Note that the book contains much more knowledge and pearls of wisdom and that the following notes only contain points I personally found worth writing down. This is mainly for my own use, but you might find it helpful too.

          ,..........   ..........,
      ,..,'          '.'          ',..,
@@ -24,9 +22,7 @@ These are my personal takeaways after reading "The Pragmatic Programmer" by Davi
  '''''''''''''''''';''';''''''''''''''''''
                     '''

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-Think about your work while doing it - every day on every project. Have a feeling of continuous improvement.
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Think about your work while doing it - every day on every project. Have a feeling of continuous improvement.

Be a realist.
Smell challenges.
Code can always be flawed, but it can meet the requirements.
You should be proud of your code, though.

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-No one writes perfect code, including you. However:
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No one writes perfect code, including you. However:

Paranoia is good thinking.
Practice defensive programming and crash early.
Crashing is often the best thing you can do.
Changes should be reversible.

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-Erlang: Defensive programming is a waste of time. Let it crash. "This can never happen" - don't practise that kind of self-deception when programming.
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-Leave assertions in the code, even in production. Only leave out the assertions causing the performance issues.
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-Take small steps, always. Get feedback, too, for each of the steps the code does. Avoid fortune telling. If you have to involve in it, then the step is too large.
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-Decouple the code (e.g. OOP or functional programming). Prefer interfaces for types and mixins for a class extension over class inheritance.
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Erlang: Defensive programming is a waste of time. Let it crash. "This can never happen" - don't practise that kind of self-deception when programming.

Leave assertions in the code, even in production. Only leave out the assertions causing the performance issues.

Take small steps, always. Get feedback, too, for each of the steps the code does. Avoid fortune telling. If you have to involve in it, then the step is too large.

Decouple the code (e.g. OOP or functional programming). Prefer interfaces for types and mixins for a class extension over class inheritance.

Refactor now and not later.
Later, it will be even more painful.

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-Don't think outside the box. Find the box. The box is more extensive than you think. Think about the hard problem at hand. Do you have to do it a certain way, or do you have to do it at all?
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-Do what works and not what's fashionable. E.g. does SCRUM make sense? The goal is to deliver deliverables and not to "become" agile.
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Don't think outside the box. Find the box. The box is more extensive than you think. Think about the hard problem at hand. Do you have to do it a certain way, or do you have to do it at all?

Do what works and not what's fashionable. E.g. does SCRUM make sense? The goal is to deliver deliverables and not to "become" agile.

Continuous learning

-Add new tools to your repertoire every day and keep the momentum up. Learning new things is your most crucial aspect. Invest regularly in your knowledge portfolio. The learning process extends your thinking. It does not matter if you will never use it.
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Add new tools to your repertoire every day and keep the momentum up. Learning new things is your most crucial aspect. Invest regularly in your knowledge portfolio. The learning process extends your thinking. It does not matter if you will never use it.

Learn a new programming language every year.
Read a technical book every month.
Take courses.

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-Think critically about everything you learn. Use paper for your notes. There is something special about it.
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Think critically about everything you learn. Use paper for your notes. There is something special about it.

Stay connected

-It's your life, and you own it. Bruce Lee once said:
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-"I am not on the world to life after your expectations, neither are you to life after mine."
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It's your life, and you own it. Bruce Lee once said:

"I am not on the world to life after your expectations, neither are you to life after mine."

Go to meet-ups and actively engage.
Stay current.
Dealing with computers is hard. Dealing with people is harder.

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-It's your life. Share it, celebrate it, be proud and have fun.
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It's your life. Share it, celebrate it, be proud and have fun.

The story of stone soup

-How to motivate others to contribute something (e.g. ideas to a startup):
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-A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes, locking doors and windows. The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal. "There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on." "Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear. "Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . And so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The village elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day. As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, "It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic."
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-By working together, everyone contributes what they can, achieving a greater good together.
-
-E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)
-
+

How to motivate others to contribute something (e.g. ideas to a startup):

A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes, locking doors and windows. The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal. "There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on." "Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear. "Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . And so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The village elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day. As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, "It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic."

By working together, everyone contributes what they can, achieving a greater good together.

E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)

More books and other resources I found useful.
Back to the main site

"The Stoic Challenge" book notes

-Last updated 29.5.2022
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-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.
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-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.
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-It is not the things done to you or happen to you what matters but how you take the things and react to these things.
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-Don't row against the other boats but against your own lazy bill. It doesn't matter if you are first or last, as long as you defeat your lazy self.
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-Stoics are thankful that they are mortal. As then you can get reminded of how great it is to be alive at all. In dying we are more alive we have ever been as every thing you do could be the last time you do it. Rather than fighting your death you should embrace it if there are no workarounds. Embrace a good death.
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Last updated 29.5.2022

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.

It is not the things done to you or happen to you what matters but how you take the things and react to these things.

Don't row against the other boats but against your own lazy bill. It doesn't matter if you are first or last, as long as you defeat your lazy self.

Stoics are thankful that they are mortal. As then you can get reminded of how great it is to be alive at all. In dying we are more alive we have ever been as every thing you do could be the last time you do it. Rather than fighting your death you should embrace it if there are no workarounds. Embrace a good death.

Negative visualization

-It is easy what we have to take for granted.
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It is easy what we have to take for granted.

Imagine the negative and then think that things are actually much better than they seem to be.
Close your eyes and imagine you are color blind for a minute, then open the eyes again and see all the colours. You will be grateful for being able to see the colours.
Now close your eyes for a minute and imagine you would be blind, so that you will never be able to experience the world again and let it sink in. When you open your eyes again you will feel a lot of gratefulness.
Last time meditation. Lets you appreciate the life as it is now. Life gets vitalised again.

Oh, nice trick, you stoic "god"! ;-)

-Take setbacks as a challenge. Also take it with some humor.
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Take setbacks as a challenge. Also take it with some humor.

A setback in a setback, how Genius :-)
A setback in a setback in a setback: the stoic god's work overtime, eh? :-)

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-What would the stoic god's do next? This is just a test strategy by them. Don't be frustrated at all but be astonished of what comes next. Thank the stoic gods of testing you. This is comfort zone extension of the stoics aka toughness Training.
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-E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)
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What would the stoic god's do next? This is just a test strategy by them. Don't be frustrated at all but be astonished of what comes next. Thank the stoic gods of testing you. This is comfort zone extension of the stoics aka toughness Training.

E-Mail your comments to hi@paul.cyou :-)

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