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This video from Uplift talks about dealing with your inner world to improve your outer world, after all your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Self awareness is a very powerful skill to develop.

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This is a great video detailing how to be effective in your meditation practice. Susan Piver talks you through her recommended mediation process.

  1. Place attention on your breath,
  2. Openness – allow your thoughts to be as they are. Don’t try to fight them coming and going, just don’t let them distract you,
  3. When you notice you are being distracted, let it go. There is nothing to hold onto.

If you’re interested in persuasion, this is a must watch for you.

Watching This Video From Alan Watts Will Help You To No Longer Fear Death

Jim Carrey is a multi talented guy, as well as being hilariously funny in films like Dumb and dumber, Ace Ventura and many other popular movies, Jim is a great motivational speaker. This is one of his best talks, about how to think about living your life, enjoy

We are all the same under our “labels”, we are all members of the human race. Our “labels” act to separate and divide us, they try to fool us into thinking we are different to others, but in reality these labels are lies. We are more than our names, ages, race, religion, politics, our country of origin.. we are more than the colour of our skin. We are one, we are the human race….check out the video above for more insight.


Posted by Get Lasting Results on Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Goal setting is a key component for improvement. After-all you need to have at least an idea of the direction you’re heading. A direction-less life, without purpose is one without passion. Find out more about goal setting here

The cycle of behavior

A video posted by @getlastingresults on

I wrote abit about the cycle of behaviour here

Avoid Self Deception And Work Towards Self Improvement

Get Results: Jim Rohn quotes
Get Results: Jim Rohn quotes

Self-deception is a major barrier to self-improvement, and people may engage in self-deception for a variety of reasons. It’s a complex psychological phenomenon with both adaptive and maladaptive aspects. Here are some reasons why self-deception can occur:

Coping Mechanism

Self-deception can be a coping mechanism to protect ourselves from painful or uncomfortable truths. Facing certain realities may cause emotional distress, so the mind creates a defense mechanism by distorting or denying those truths.

Preserving Self-esteem

People often want to maintain a positive self-image. They may deceive themselves to avoid acknowledging their weaknesses, mistakes, or failures, as this could threaten their self-esteem.

Confirmation Bias

Humans have a natural tendency to seek information that confirms their preexisting beliefs and to ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts them. This can lead to self-deception as individuals selectively perceive and remember information that supports their preferred view of reality.

Biased Perception

Perception is not purely objective; it can be influenced by emotions, personal biases, and desires. This subjectivity can lead to distorted interpretations of reality.

Social Conformity

Sometimes, people adopt beliefs or behaviors to fit into a particular social group or to be accepted by others. This desire for acceptance may lead individuals to deceive themselves about their true feelings or values.

Avoiding Responsibility

Self-deception can be a way to shirk responsibility for one’s actions. By convincing themselves that they are not at fault or that their actions were justified, individuals can avoid feelings of guilt or remorse.

Overconfidence

Overestimating one’s abilities or the accuracy of their beliefs can be a form of self-deception. People may deceive themselves into thinking they are more competent or knowledgeable than they truly are.

Emotional Regulation

Sometimes, self-deception can be an attempt to regulate emotions. For example, individuals might convince themselves that a situation is not as bad as it seems to lessen their emotional distress.

What to do about it?

It’s important to be aware of the fact that people, you included, can fool themselves about their strengths and weaknesses. It’s often harder to see fault in yourself, or at least to admit to it, than seeing fault in other people. We often excuse our failings as being down to circumstances, or reasons in the situation, but fail to afford that courtesy to other people, preferring to question the quality of their character or abilities for their mistakes.

You need to separate out your value or worth as a human being, from your competencies,  abilities, and performance. Being a success really doesn’t make you a better person, it just means you’re better at doing a particular thing, or even many things, but that doesn’t make you more valuable as a person. So, let go of the fear of losing your value if you make mistakes or fail. Testing your limits requires stepping outside your competency, and faltering sometimes, it’s part of the process of learning and getting better and extending your comfort zone.

Ultimately, the only way to get better is to fully acknowledge and accept your present weaknesses, biases, and flaws, so you are better able to accurately map out a path forward toward a more capable version of yourself.

Becoming Successful

build character
build character

“Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.” -Jim Rohn

This quote by Jim Rohn emphasizes a different perspective on achieving success. Instead of viewing success as something to be actively pursued or chased, it suggests that true success is a natural outcome or consequence of personal growth and development.

In essence, the quote suggests that the key to achieving success lies in becoming the kind of person who naturally attracts success. It places emphasis on self-improvement, character development, and the cultivation of positive traits, habits, and skills.

By focusing on becoming the best version of yourself, you naturally align with the qualities and attributes that lead to success in your chosen field or endeavor. Success becomes a byproduct of your personal growth journey rather than the sole destination of your efforts.

This perspective on success encourages individuals to invest in continuous learning, self-discipline, goal-setting, and a growth mindset. It emphasizes the importance of developing the qualities, values, and attitudes that draw success towards you.

The quote also implies that success is not solely measured by external achievements or material possessions but is also deeply connected to one’s internal qualities and character. It suggests that personal fulfillment and satisfaction come from the process of becoming a better, more accomplished, and purposeful individual.

20 Wise Things To Apply To Your Life

wisdom
wisdom

While wisdom is subjective and can vary from person to person, here are 20 general principles that are often considered wise and insightful and that you can apply to your life:

  • Embrace change and adaptability.
  • Practice gratitude and appreciate the present moment.
  • Cultivate self-awareness and personal growth.
  • Foster meaningful relationships and connections.
  • Learn from failures and embrace resilience.
  • Seek balance in all aspects of life.
  • Prioritize your physical and mental well-being.
  • Embrace uncertainty and take calculated risks.
  • Practice empathy and kindness towards others.
  • Pursue lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity.
  • Be authentic and true to yourself.
  • Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process.
  • Choose experiences over material possessions.
  • Embrace diversity and value different perspectives.
  • Practice forgiveness and let go of grudges.
  • Set clear goals and take consistent action towards them.
  • Practice patience and trust the process.
  • Find joy and purpose in meaningful work.
  • Live with integrity and uphold your values.
  • Remember that happiness is a journey, not a destination.

These points serve as general wisdom, and individuals may have different interpretations or additional insights based on their own experiences and beliefs. It’s important to reflect on these principles and personalise them to align with your own values and aspirations in life.

Learning New Skill Quickly – The Tim Ferriss Way

Get Results: Knowledge requires learning, comprehension and recall
Get Results: Knowledge requires learning, comprehension and recall

Tim Ferriss, a renowned author, entrepreneur, and podcaster, has shared several teachings and strategies for learning new skills quickly. One of his prominent approaches is outlined in his book “The 4-Hour Chef,” where he applies his principles of rapid skill acquisition to the domain of cooking. Here are some key teachings from Tim Ferriss regarding learning new skills quickly:

  • Deconstruct the Skill: Break down the skill into its fundamental components and identify the 20% of key elements that produce 80% of the desired results. By focusing on the most crucial aspects, you can accelerate your learning curve.
  • Find the Best Learning Resources: Look for the best available resources, including books, online courses, mentors, or experts in the field. Seek out those who have already achieved mastery and learn from their experiences and insights.
  • Apply the Pareto Principle: Prioritize your efforts on the high-value activities that yield the most significant results. Identify the critical few techniques or strategies that offer the most impact and dedicate your time and energy to mastering them.
  • Practice Deliberately: Engage in deliberate practice, which involves focused, intentional, and repetitive practice of specific skills. Break down the skill into smaller components and practice them individually before integrating them into a cohesive whole.
  • Experiment and Iterate: Embrace a mindset of experimentation and iteration. Don’t be afraid to try new approaches, adjust your methods, and learn from your failures. Iterate and refine your techniques based on feedback and results.
  • Utilize Accelerated Learning Techniques: Employ memory techniques such as mnemonics, visualization, or spaced repetition to enhance retention and recall. Find creative ways to make the learning process more engaging and memorable.
  • Practice Active Learning: Actively engage with the material rather than passively consuming it. Take notes, ask questions, and apply the information in real-world contexts. Actively participating in the learning process enhances comprehension and retention.
  • Find Accountability and Feedback: Seek accountability and feedback from others. Join communities or find accountability partners who can provide support, guidance, and constructive criticism. Regularly seek feedback to identify areas for improvement.
  • Embrace Discomfort: Recognize that learning new skills involves stepping out of your comfort zone. Embrace the discomfort and challenges that come with acquiring new knowledge or abilities. Push yourself to take risks and embrace a growth mindset.
  • Time Management and Efficiency: Optimize your learning process by managing your time effectively. Identify the most productive times for learning, eliminate distractions, and adopt efficient learning strategies, such as speed reading or audio learning.

It’s important to note that these teachings are based on Tim Ferriss’s personal experiences and insights. While they may be effective for some individuals, it’s essential to adapt and tailor these strategies to your specific learning style and the skill you aim to acquire. Experimentation and finding what works best for you is key to rapid skill acquisition.

Order, Chaos Interrupts Order, and Response

Get Results: expand comfort zone through discomfort
Get Results: expand comfort zone through discomfort

We, humans, navigate the world using schemas, conceptualisations, and abstractions that help us simplify the world, so we don’t get overwhelmed by its complexity, but that allows us to map the world around us well enough to predict cause-and-effect relationships. What we mustn’t do is mistake the map for the territory.

At a very high abstract level, we often see the following pattern at work…

  • Order – safe space. the world we are familiar with
  • Chaos – is all the unknown territory that surrounds the safe space we inhabit. It’s all the complexity we’re shielded from
  • Chaos interrupts order – inevitably order is invaded by chaos.
  • How to respond – the question is how we respond to the interruption.

Whenever things don’t work out as planned, the car breaks down, the relationship goes down the pan, the business we put so much effort into fails, all these are examples of chaos invading order.

We live our lives on a knife edge, and as the saying goes, it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it.

We have seen so many films, and read numerous books that reflect these dynamics in action. Here’s a short story, which I hope highlights how this pattern plays out.

A short story of order and chaos

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Metropolis, there lived a young and ambitious entrepreneur named Alex. Alex had always been captivated by the world of business and dreamed of establishing a successful company of his own. With a relentless determination and an innate ability to organize and strategise, Alex embraced order in his life.

Driven by his passion, Alex meticulously planned every step of his entrepreneurial journey. He diligently researched market trends, analyzed potential risks, and developed a solid business plan. With a clear vision in mind, he began laying the foundations of his company, diligently adhering to his structured approach.

As the business began to take shape, the first few months were marked by remarkable success. Clients were drawn to Alex’s professionalism and meticulous attention to detail. Orders poured in, and the company steadily gained recognition and respect within the industry. Alex’s commitment to order and organisation seemed to be paying off.

However, amidst the triumphant atmosphere, chaos lurked in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Unexpectedly, a major supplier failed to deliver a critical component essential for the production of Alex’s flagship product. Chaos had interrupted his carefully organized operations.

Staring at the obstacle before him, Alex felt a surge of panic. He had meticulously planned for every foreseeable scenario, but this unforeseen disruption threatened to throw everything off balance. In that moment, Alex faced a critical decision—how to respond to the chaos that had disrupted his ordered life.

Instead of succumbing to despair, Alex chose to confront the chaos head-on. He rallied his team, encouraging open communication and brainstorming sessions to find alternative solutions. Alex reached out to other suppliers, forging new partnerships to ensure the uninterrupted flow of materials. The chaos had interrupted his order, but it had also presented an opportunity for growth, innovation, and new relationships.

As time passed, Alex’s response to chaos proved to be a turning point for his business. The experience forced him to think outside the box and embrace flexibility in his approach. He realized that even the most meticulously planned endeavors can be vulnerable to unpredictable disruptions. By adapting to the challenges, He discovered new avenues for improvement and expansion.

In the face of chaos, Alex’s business not only survived but thrived. The company emerged stronger, more resilient, and adaptable. The initial disruption became a catalyst for innovation and propelled Alex’s business to new heights. Through his unwavering determination and ability to respond to chaos, he had transformed his dreams into a resounding success.

Alex’s journey serves as a testament to the power of order and the ability to navigate chaos. By maintaining a strong foundation of organization and planning, he was able to weather unexpected storms and emerge victorious. His story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace the balance between order and chaos, recognising that it is through chaos that true growth and success can be achieved.

End of story

So it’s important to realise that the #1 order, #2 chaos invading order, #3 response pattern is an intrinsic part of everybody’s lives, and we should not fear it, but embrace the opportunity of growth and improvement it presents us with.

Use OKR Framework For Goal Setting

OKR goal setting framework
OKR goal setting framework

The OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework is a goal-setting methodology used by organizations to align their teams and individuals with strategic objectives. Here’s an explanation of the OKR framework:

  • Objectives: Objectives are the overarching goals that define what you want to achieve. They are qualitative, aspirational, and time-bound. Objectives should be challenging, inspirational, and aligned with the organization’s mission and vision. Each objective should be clear and specific, providing direction and focus for the team or individual.

Example: Increase customer satisfaction by improving product usability and support responsiveness.

  • Key Results: Key Results are measurable outcomes that indicate progress towards the objectives. They are specific, quantitative, and time-bound targets that define what success looks like. Key Results should be ambitious yet achievable, and they should provide a way to track and evaluate progress.

Examples of Key Results: Increase the Net Promoter Score (NPS) by 10 points within six months.
Reduce average response time for customer support tickets to under one hour.

  • Alignment and Transparency: OKRs are typically set at multiple levels within an organization to ensure alignment from top to bottom. Company-level objectives are cascaded down to team-level objectives, and individual objectives are aligned with team objectives. This alignment ensures that everyone’s efforts contribute to the overall strategic direction. OKRs are often shared transparently across the organization, fostering collaboration and accountability.
  • Regular Check-Ins: OKRs are not set and forgotten. Regular check-ins, typically conducted on a quarterly basis, are essential to review progress, discuss challenges, and make adjustments as needed. These check-ins provide an opportunity to track key results, assess performance, provide support, and ensure that objectives remain relevant and aligned with the evolving business context.
  • Stretch Goals and Aspirational Targets: The OKR framework encourages setting ambitious goals that push individuals and teams beyond their comfort zones. It promotes a mindset of continuous improvement and challenges the status quo. Stretch goals inspire innovation and encourage individuals to explore creative solutions to achieve exceptional results.
  • Focus and Simplicity: The OKR framework emphasizes focus by encouraging a limited number of objectives and key results. It promotes prioritization and avoids spreading resources and attention too thin. By focusing on a few key objectives, individuals and teams can concentrate their efforts on what truly matters.

The OKR framework provides a structured approach to goal setting that promotes alignment, transparency, and accountability. It encourages a balance between ambitious goals and measurable outcomes, ensuring that progress can be tracked effectively. By using OKRs, organizations can foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and goal-driven success.

Using AI To Improve Productivity

improve productivity
be more productive

You’ve no doubt already heard a great deal about artificial intelligence (AI), some of it positive, but much of it designed to stoke fear. Sure, we should be concerned about AI being misused, and growing into something we don’t fully understand, and can’t control, but that’s not something I’m going to cover in this short article. I’m going to focus on how to make use of AI in your business and make you more productive, particularly by using ChatGPI,  which at the time of posting this article, is free to use.

So, ChatGPT can be used to improve productivity and potentially increase income. Here are some recommendations on how to leverage ChatGPT for this purpose:

Improve time management and planning: ChatGPT can assist you in optimizing your time and creating effective schedules. You can ask for advice on time management techniques, productivity tools, or strategies to prioritize tasks. ChatGPT can provide suggestions tailored to your specific needs and help you make the most of your available time.

Decision making: When faced with important decisions related to your work or business, you can use ChatGPT as a tool to brainstorm ideas, evaluate options, and explore different perspectives. Describe your situation or provide relevant details, and ChatGPT can offer insights, pros and cons, or alternative approaches to consider. However, remember to critically evaluate the responses and use your own judgment.

Skill development: ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for learning and acquiring new skills. You can seek recommendations for online courses, books, or tutorials in areas that can enhance your professional expertise or improve your business operations. ChatGPT can provide suggestions based on your interests, goals, and the specific skills you wish to develop.

Problem-solving: If you encounter challenges or obstacles in your work or business, ChatGPT can help you brainstorm solutions or provide different perspectives on how to overcome them. Explain the problem you’re facing and ask for advice or potential strategies. While ChatGPT can offer suggestions, remember to exercise critical thinking and adapt the recommendations to your unique situation.

Industry insights and trends: Stay up to date with the latest industry insights and trends by asking ChatGPT about relevant news, market research, or emerging technologies in your field. Understanding the current landscape can help you make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and stay ahead of the curve.

Networking and collaboration: ChatGPT can suggest networking strategies, platforms, or industry events that can expand your professional connections. You can also seek advice on collaboration opportunities or finding potential partners or clients. Remember to combine ChatGPT’s suggestions with your own research and judgment.

Personal finance and investment: If you have questions about personal finance, investment strategies, or managing your income, ChatGPT can offer general information and principles to consider. However, keep in mind that ChatGPT does not have real-time financial data and its responses may not be tailored to your specific financial situation. Consult with financial professionals for personalized advice.

Remember that while ChatGPT can provide useful insights and suggestions, it is always important to exercise critical thinking, validate information independently, and make informed decisions based on your unique circumstances. ChatGPT should be seen as a tool to augment your own judgment and expertise, rather than a substitute for it.

Tools And Obstacles On Your Journey From A to B

Get restuls: Productivity - focus on being productive instead of busy
Get restuls: Productivity – focus on being productive instead of busy

In a journey where you’re moving from A (your current state) to B (your desired goal), there are several tools and obstacles that you may encounter along the way. Here are some examples:

Tools:

Planning and Goal Setting: Establishing a clear plan and setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can provide you with direction and guidance throughout your journey. Planning helps you outline the steps you need to take and identify the resources required to reach your goal.

Self-Discipline and Motivation: Self-discipline is essential to stay focused and committed to your journey. Motivation serves as the driving force that keeps you moving forward, even when faced with challenges. Cultivating habits and practices that enhance self-discipline and maintaining a strong sense of motivation can propel you toward your goal.

Continuous Learning: Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and personal growth. Seek out opportunities to acquire new knowledge, skills, and perspectives related to your journey. Learning from both successes and failures can equip you with valuable insights and help you adapt along the way.

Support Networks: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends, mentors, or accountability partners. These individuals can provide guidance, encouragement, and assistance when needed. Sharing your journey with others can also provide motivation and perspective.

Obstacles:

Challenges and Setbacks: Challenges are a natural part of any journey. You may encounter obstacles, setbacks, or unexpected circumstances that make progress difficult. It’s important to anticipate and prepare for these challenges, develop resilience, and be flexible in adapting your approach when necessary.

Self-Doubt and Fear: Inner barriers such as self-doubt, fear of failure, or fear of stepping out of your comfort zone can hinder progress. Recognize these emotions and actively work on building self-confidence and challenging limiting beliefs. Cultivating a positive mindset can help you navigate through these obstacles.

Time Constraints: Limited time can be a significant obstacle when pursuing a goal. Balancing competing priorities and managing time effectively is crucial. Break down your journey into manageable tasks and allocate time accordingly. Prioritize activities that contribute directly to your goal and eliminate or delegate tasks that are less essential.

Lack of Resources: Insufficient resources, whether financial, informational, or logistical, can pose challenges. Identify the resources required to support your journey and explore creative solutions to overcome limitations. Seek out available resources, leverage technology or community support, and consider alternative approaches to achieve your goal.

External Factors: External circumstances beyond your control, such as economic conditions, societal factors, or environmental changes, can impact your journey. While you may not have control over these factors, maintaining adaptability, resilience, and a proactive mindset can help you navigate and overcome external obstacles.

It’s important to approach your journey with a mindset of perseverance, adaptability, and self-reflection. Embrace the tools available to you, proactively address obstacles, and remain committed to your goal. Remember that the journey itself can be transformative, and each step brings you closer to your desired destination

Why You Believe The Things You Believe

Get Results: all decision making is based on beliefs
Get Results: all decision making is based on beliefs

Have you ever considered why you believe the things you believe, what shapes your views, and the things you like or dislike?

Our personality traits are a big influence on our beliefs and preferences. Personality traits are enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that shape how individuals perceive and interact with the world. These traits can affect our cognitive and emotional processes, leading us to gravitate toward certain beliefs over others.

For example, individuals with a high degree of openness to experience tend to be curious, imaginative, and open-minded. They may be more receptive to unconventional or alternative beliefs, embracing new ideas and perspectives. On the other hand, individuals with a high degree of conscientiousness tend to be organized, disciplined, and value order. They may lean towards more conservative or traditional beliefs, seeking stability and structure.

Moreover, other personality traits such as extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism can also play a role in shaping our beliefs. Extroverted individuals may be more inclined to adopt socially endorsed beliefs and enjoy engaging in discussions and interactions with others. Agreeable individuals, value harmony and cooperation and may be more receptive to beliefs that promote empathy and kindness. Neuroticism, which involves the tendency to experience negative emotions, could influence the types of beliefs that offer comfort or security in the face of uncertainty or anxiety.

While personality traits can contribute to our belief preferences, it’s important to note that they are not the sole determinant. Factors such as upbringing, culture, education, and personal experiences also play significant roles in shaping our beliefs. Human beings are complex, and beliefs are influenced by a multitude of interacting factors.

Goal Setting To Set Up A More Fulfilling Life

Get Results: which way goal setting
Get Results: which way goal setting

In life, it’s crucial to set goals that strike a delicate balance.

They shouldn’t be too effortless to achieve, for that would deprive us of the sense of accomplishment and growth.

Conversely, goals shouldn’t be overwhelmingly difficult either, as the temptation to give up would loom large.

The key lies in selecting the level of improvement that suits us best. It’s about finding the sweet spot, where our aspirations lie just beyond our current capabilities, pushing us to expand our boundaries.

Rather than striving for perfection, we should acknowledge our flaws and commit to overcoming them. This mindset can fuel a lifelong game of personal development.

Embracing the inevitable suffering of life is essential in transcending it. By taking responsibility and uncovering a purpose, we navigate the world with intention. Our potential should not be overshadowed by our current state; instead, we should focus on constant renewal and growth.

Letting go of the old and making room for the new becomes a fundamental practice.

Rejecting despotic tendencies and nihilism, we should strive to aim for love and truth, steering our actions towards an ideal that guides us in shaping a fulfilling life.

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