From 50e4eb7ad8b3d17a23f18f2b0fc5bfe4e5cb7e1f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2024 23:34:24 +0200 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md | 4 ++-- notes/mind-management.md | 4 ++-- notes/never-split-the-difference.md | 4 ++-- notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md | 4 ++-- notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md | 4 ++-- 5 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md index 623685dc..5b6d1220 100644 --- a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md +++ b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md @@ -272,6 +272,8 @@ Unit testing Vs regression testing: Unit tests test the smallest possible unit a * The war of Art (to combat procrastination) * Willpower Instinct +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + Other book notes of mine are: [2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) @@ -280,7 +282,5 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) -E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) - [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/mind-management.md b/notes/mind-management.md index c19ba472..b0d86f16 100644 --- a/notes/mind-management.md +++ b/notes/mind-management.md @@ -91,6 +91,8 @@ You could schedule exploratory tasks when you are under grief. Sound systems sho * Talk slowly and deepen your voice a bit to appear more confident. You will also become more confident. * Also, use power positions for better confidence. +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + Other book notes of mine are: [2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) @@ -99,7 +101,5 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) -E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) - [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md index 953e8e73..f43360f3 100644 --- a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md +++ b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md @@ -120,6 +120,8 @@ Establish a range at top places like corp. I get... (e.g. remote London on a pro Slow.... it.... down.... +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + Other book notes of mine are: [2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) @@ -128,6 +130,4 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) -E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) - [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md index 9d8ab114..5d42d741 100644 --- a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md +++ b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md @@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ Should I hate people who hate me? That's their problem and not mine. Be always c Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Each obstacle we overcome prepares us for the next one. Remember, the obstacle is not just a barrier to be turned upside down; it can also be used as a catapult to propel us forward. By embracing challenges and using them as opportunities for growth, we become stronger, more adaptable, and, ultimately, more successful. +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + Other book notes of mine are: [2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) @@ -90,7 +92,5 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) -E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) - [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md index 7c1ca4b4..c44ad505 100644 --- a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md +++ b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md @@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ How to motivate others to contribute something (e.g. ideas to a startup): By working together, everyone contributes what they can, achieving a greater good together. +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + Other book notes of mine are: [2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) @@ -84,7 +86,5 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) -E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) - [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From f8a9232949c15218460b52d3ef52ffcd5657ac06 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2024 00:29:39 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md | 10 +++++----- notes/mind-management.md | 11 ++++++----- notes/never-split-the-difference.md | 10 +++++----- notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md | 10 +++++----- notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md | 10 +++++----- 5 files changed, 26 insertions(+), 25 deletions(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md index 5b6d1220..991e87b3 100644 --- a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md +++ b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md @@ -276,11 +276,11 @@ E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) Other book notes of mine are: -[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) -[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./2023-04-01-never-split-the-difference-book-notes.md) -[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./2023-05-06-the-obstacle-is-the-way-book-notes.md) -[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) -[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/mind-management.md b/notes/mind-management.md index b0d86f16..7ef93f3a 100644 --- a/notes/mind-management.md +++ b/notes/mind-management.md @@ -95,11 +95,12 @@ E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) Other book notes of mine are: -[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) -[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./2023-04-01-never-split-the-difference-book-notes.md) -[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./2023-05-06-the-obstacle-is-the-way-book-notes.md) -[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) -[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./mind-management.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) + diff --git a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md index f43360f3..3d7e216d 100644 --- a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md +++ b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md @@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) Other book notes of mine are: -[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) -[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-04-01-never-split-the-difference-book-notes.md) -[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./2023-05-06-the-obstacle-is-the-way-book-notes.md) -[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) -[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md index 5d42d741..d7528cd7 100644 --- a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md +++ b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md @@ -86,11 +86,11 @@ E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) Other book notes of mine are: -[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) -[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./2023-04-01-never-split-the-difference-book-notes.md) -[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-05-06-the-obstacle-is-the-way-book-notes.md) -[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) -[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md index c44ad505..cb5c891d 100644 --- a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md +++ b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md @@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) Other book notes of mine are: -[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./2023-03-16-the-pragmatic-programmer-book-notes.md) -[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./2023-04-01-never-split-the-difference-book-notes.md) -[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./2023-05-06-the-obstacle-is-the-way-book-notes.md) -[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./2023-07-17-career-guide-and-soft-skills-book-notes.md) -[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./2023-11-11-mind-management-book-notes.md) +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From 53c97f25cbbc9acf9c0b6b10bcdeddb98d39e390 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2024 14:34:52 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md | 1 + notes/index.md | 1 + notes/mind-management.md | 1 + notes/never-split-the-difference.md | 1 + notes/slow-productivity.md | 138 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md | 1 + notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md | 1 + 7 files changed, 144 insertions(+) create mode 100644 notes/slow-productivity.md (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md index 991e87b3..3fb9c65f 100644 --- a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md +++ b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md @@ -281,6 +281,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/index.md b/notes/index.md index e229210c..d22ce5ce 100644 --- a/notes/index.md +++ b/notes/index.md @@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ ['The Pragmatic Programmer' book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) ['The Obstacle is the Way' book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) ['Staff Engineer' book notes](./staff-engineer.md) +['Slow Productivity' book notes](./slow-productivity.md) ['Never split the difference' book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) ['Mind Management' book notes](./mind-management.md) ['Mental Combat' book notes](./mental-combat.md) diff --git a/notes/mind-management.md b/notes/mind-management.md index 7ef93f3a..7e315742 100644 --- a/notes/mind-management.md +++ b/notes/mind-management.md @@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md index 3d7e216d..c4eafd04 100644 --- a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md +++ b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md @@ -129,5 +129,6 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/slow-productivity.md b/notes/slow-productivity.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..9ac0d2fc --- /dev/null +++ b/notes/slow-productivity.md @@ -0,0 +1,138 @@ +# "Slow Productivity" book notes + +> Published at 2024-04-27T14:18:51+03:00 + +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. + +These notes are mainly for my own use, but you may find them helpful. + +``` + ,.......... .........., + ,..,' '.' ',.., + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', +,' '............ '.' ............' ', + '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' + ''' +``` + +"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 + +People use visible activity instead of real productivity because it's easier to measure. This is called pseudo-productivity. +Pseudo-productivity is used as a proxy for real productivity. If you don't look busy, you are dismissed as lazy or lacking a work ethic. + +There is a tendency to perform shallow work because people will otherwise dismiss you as lazy. A lot of shallow work can cause burnout, as multiple things are often being worked on in parallel. The more you have on your plate, the more stressed you will be. + +Shallow work usually doesn't help you to accomplish big things. Always have the big picture in mind. Shallow work can't be entirely eliminated, but it can be managed—for example, plan dedicated time slots for certain types of shallow work. + +## Accomplishments without burnout + +The overall perception is that if you want to accomplish something, you must put yourself on the verge of burnout. Cal Newport writes about "The lost Art of Accomplishments without Burnouts", where you can accomplish big things without all the stress usually involved. + +There are three principles for the maintenance of a sustainable work life: + +* Do fewer things +* Work at a natural pace +* Obsess over quality + +## Do fewer things + +There will always be more work. The faster you finish it, the quicker you will have something new on your plate. + +Reduce the overhead tax. The overhead tax is all the administrative work to be done. With every additional project, there will also be more administrative stuff to be done on your work plate. So, doing fewer things leads to more and better output and better quality for the projects you are working on. + +Limit the things on your plate. Limit your missions (personal goals, professional goals). Reduce your main objectives in life. More than five missions are usually not sustainable very easily, so you have to really prioritise what is important to you and your professional life. + +A mission is an overall objective/goal that can have multiple projects. Limit the projects as well. Some projects need clear endings (e.g., work in support of a never-ending flow of incoming requests). In this case, set limits (e.g., time box your support hours). You can also plan "office hours" for collaborative work with colleagues to avoid ad hoc distractions. + +The key point is that after making these commitments, you really deliver on them. This builds trust, and people will leave you alone and not ask for progress all the time. + +Doing fever things is essential for modern knowledge workers. Breathing space in your work also makes you more creative and happier overall. + +Pushing workers more work can make them less productive, so the better approach is the pull model, where workers pull in new work when the previous task is finished. + +If you can quantify how busy you are or how many other projects you already work on, then it is easier to say no to new things. For example, show what you are doing, what's in the roadmap, etc. Transparency is the key here. + +You can have your own simulated pull system if the company doesn't agree to a global one: + +* State which additional information you would need. +* Create a rough estimate of when you will be able to work on it +* Estimate how long the project would take. Double that estimate, as humans are very bad estimators. +* Respond to the requester and state that you will let him know when the estimates change. + +Sometimes, a little friction is all that is needed to combat incoming work, e.g., when your manager starts seeing the reality of your work plate, and you also request additional information for the task. If you already have too much on your plate, then decline the new project or make room for it in your calendar. If you present a large task list, others will struggle to assign more to you. + +Limit your daily goals. A good measure is to focus on one goal per day. You can time block time for deep work on your daily goal. During that time, you won't be easily available to others. + +The battle against distractions must be thought to be the master of your time. Nobody will fight this war for you. You have to do it for yourself. (Also, have a look at Cal Newport's "time block planning" method). + +Put tasks on autopilot (regular recurring tasks). + +## Work in a natural pace + +We suffer from overambitious timelines, task lists, and business. Focus on what matters. Don't rush your most important work to achieve better results. + +Don't rush. If you rush or are under pressure, you will be less effective and eventually burn out. Our brains work better then not rushy. The stress heuristic usually indicates too much work, and it is generally too late to reduce workload. That's why we all typically have dangerously too much to do. + +Have the courage to take longer to do things that are important. For example, plan on a yearly and larger scale, like 2 to 5 years. + +Find a reasonable time for a project and then double the project timeline against overconfident optimism. Humans are not great at estimating. They gravitate towards best-case estimates. If you have planned more than enough time for your project, then you will fall into a natural work pace. Otherwise, you will struggle with rushing and stress. + +Some days will still be intense and stressful, but those are exceptional cases. After those exceptions (e.g., finalizing that thing, etc.), calmer periods will follow again. + +Pace yourself over modest results over time. Simplify and reduce the daily task lists. Meetings: Certain hours are protected for work. For each meeting, add a protected block to your calendar, so you attend meetings only half a day max. + +Schedule slow seasons (e.g., when on vacation). Disconnect in the slow season. Doing nothing will not satisfy your mind, though. You could read a book on your subject matter to counteract that. + +## Obsess over quality + +Obsess over quality even if you lose short-term opportunities by rejecting other projects. Quality demands you slow down. The two previous two principles (do fewer things and work at a natural pace) are mandatory for this principle to work: + +* Focus on the core activities of your work for your obsession - you will only have the time to obsess over some things. +* Deliver solid work with good quality. +* Sharpen the focus to do the best work possible. + +Go pro to save time, and don't squeeze everything out that you can from freemium services. Professional software services eliminate administrative work: + +* Pay people who know what they are doing and focus on your stuff. +* For example, don't repair that car if you know the mechanic can do that much better than you. +* Or don't use the free version of the music streaming service if it interrupts you with commercials, hindering your ability to concentrate on your work. +* Hire an accountant for your yearly tax returns. He knows much more about that stuff than you do. And in the end, he will even be cheaper as he knows all the tax laws. +* ... + +Adjust your workplace to what you want to accomplish. You could have dedicated places in your home for different things, e.g., a place where you read and think (armchair) and a place where you collaborate (your desk or whiteboard). Surround yourself with things that inspire you (e.g., your favourite books on your shelf next to you, etc.). + +There is the concept of quiet quitting. It doesn't mean quitting your job, but it means that you don't go beyond and above the expectations people have of you. Quiet quitting became popular with modern work, which is often meaningless and full of shallow tasks. If you obsess over quality, you enjoy your craft and want to go beyond and above. + +Implement rituals and routines which shift you towards your goals: + +* For example, if you want to be a good Software Engineer, you also have to put in the work regularly. For instance, progress a bit every day in your project at hand, even if it is only one hour daily. Also, a little quality daily work will be more satisfying over time than many shallow tasks. +* Do you want to be lean and/or healthy? Schedule your daily walks and workouts. They will become habits over time. +* There's the compounding effect where every small effort made every day will yield significant results in the long run + +Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do. + +It appears to be money thrown out of the window, but you get a $50 expensive paper notebook (and also a good pen). Unconsciously, it will make you take notes more seriously. You will think about what to put into the notebooks more profoundly and have thought through the ideas more intensively. If you used very cheap notebooks, you would scribble a lot of rubbish and wouldn't even recognise your handwriting after a while anymore. So choosing a high-quality notebook will help you to take higher-quality notes, too. + +Slow productivity is actionable and can be applied immediately. + +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + +Other book notes of mine are: + +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./slow-productivity.md) + +[More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) +[Back to the main site](../) + diff --git a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md index d7528cd7..f11b270e 100644 --- a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md +++ b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md @@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md index cb5c891d..3329e9c6 100644 --- a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md +++ b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md @@ -85,6 +85,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From ebc896b30875699e4f12efb868021468f87748fe Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2024 15:10:59 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/slow-productivity.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/slow-productivity.md b/notes/slow-productivity.md index 9ac0d2fc..a16f0dd8 100644 --- a/notes/slow-productivity.md +++ b/notes/slow-productivity.md @@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ Sometimes, a little friction is all that is needed to combat incoming work, e.g. Limit your daily goals. A good measure is to focus on one goal per day. You can time block time for deep work on your daily goal. During that time, you won't be easily available to others. -The battle against distractions must be thought to be the master of your time. Nobody will fight this war for you. You have to do it for yourself. (Also, have a look at Cal Newport's "time block planning" method). +The battle against distractions must be fought to be the master of your time. Nobody will fight this war for you. You have to do it for yourself. (Also, have a look at Cal Newport's "time block planning" method). Put tasks on autopilot (regular recurring tasks). -- cgit v1.2.3 From a8e3a9c099d81757bd7bf6df94b01d873e5a48b0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2024 21:58:51 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/slow-productivity.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/slow-productivity.md b/notes/slow-productivity.md index a16f0dd8..1cae4662 100644 --- a/notes/slow-productivity.md +++ b/notes/slow-productivity.md @@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ The battle against distractions must be fought to be the master of your time. No Put tasks on autopilot (regular recurring tasks). -## Work in a natural pace +## Work at a natural pace We suffer from overambitious timelines, task lists, and business. Focus on what matters. Don't rush your most important work to achieve better results. -- cgit v1.2.3 From dc9445c14f32f2d92764e13aa5d243077c91425e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:44:16 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/index.md | 1 + notes/influence-wihout-authority.md | 55 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 56 insertions(+) create mode 100644 notes/influence-wihout-authority.md (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/index.md b/notes/index.md index d22ce5ce..c6b9eefe 100644 --- a/notes/index.md +++ b/notes/index.md @@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ ['Never split the difference' book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) ['Mind Management' book notes](./mind-management.md) ['Mental Combat' book notes](./mental-combat.md) +['Influence without Authority' book notes](./influence-wihout-authority.md) ['Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills' book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) ['A Monk's Guide to Happiness' book notes](./a-monks-guide-to-happiness.md) diff --git a/notes/influence-wihout-authority.md b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..9ee67e38 --- /dev/null +++ b/notes/influence-wihout-authority.md @@ -0,0 +1,55 @@ +# "Influence without Authority" book notes + +> Last updated 28.4.2024 + +These notes capture key strategies from "Influence Without Authority" by Allan R. Cohen and David L. Bradford for effective interpersonal relationships and influencing others in the workplace without formal authority. + +These are my personal notes, but maybe you will find them usefull too. + +## Building Relationships and Communication + +* Make relationships before they are needed. A good reputation acts as a reserve for difficult times. +* Communicate inclusively by saying "we fix it" instead of "I fix it" to foster teamwork. +* Influence through a give-and-take process. Diagnose the goals of the other person to find what you can offer in exchange for what you need. +* Seeing the pressures others are under can help stop demonizing them and see them as potential allies. +* Present your thoughts in a more business-like manner, less personally. +* In remote meetings, use structured agendas and keep webcams on for better focus and easier opening up via video call as it’s less intense with fewer external clues. + +## Managing Emotions and Conflicts + +* Downplay personal feelings and focus on the task. +* Stay calm in the face of anger and avoid attacking others. Be tough and honest without being disrespectful. +* Avoid blame as it's not helpful. +* Handle conflicts by ensuring the other person feels they also won; aim for win-win situations. + +## Strategic Influence and Reciprocity + +* Insist on what is important to you but may not be to others. +* Understand the law of reciprocity: what you give is expected to be returned in one form or another. +* Give favors before you need them returned to build credit for future influence. +* Recognize the hidden costs in exchanges and represent them when negotiating to ensure fair compensation. +* Many people underestimate the "currencies" they can offer, like craftsmanship or teaching, to influence outcomes favorably. + +## Working with Management + +* Use your boss as a potential ally, seeing them as a partner. +* Be clear about your own goals and priorities when communicating with your boss. +* Ensure you fully understand your boss's directives and the resources available. +* Find projects or cases that align with your boss’s interests to involve them effectively. +* Present new ideas to your boss only when they are well thought out and the benefits are clear. +* The goal is to maintain a supportive work relationship with your boss as a partner, not to critique them. If alignment isn’t possible, consider moving on. + +## Adapting to Workplace Culture + +* Early successes can lead to better cooperation within teams. +* Adjust to company culture when asking for things. +* Recognize that truly powerful people don't need to show off but address problems directly and empower others. + +## Diplomacy and Discretion + +* The three rules of being a diplomat: never tell a lie, never tell everything, and when in doubt, go to the bathroom. +* Train your reflexes to respond appropriately in challenging situations. + +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + +[Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From 997b870b19d85f8a65a35bddf17c2c1de25ca657 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sun, 12 May 2024 18:49:02 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/index.md | 1 + notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md | 97 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 98 insertions(+) create mode 100644 notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/index.md b/notes/index.md index c6b9eefe..249eb5f1 100644 --- a/notes/index.md +++ b/notes/index.md @@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ ['The Stoic Challenge' book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) ['The Pragmatic Programmer' book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +['The power of Neuroplasticity' book notes](./the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md) ['The Obstacle is the Way' book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) ['Staff Engineer' book notes](./staff-engineer.md) ['Slow Productivity' book notes](./slow-productivity.md) diff --git a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..a4940a7e --- /dev/null +++ b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md @@ -0,0 +1,97 @@ +# "The power of Neuroplasticity" book notes + +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. + +## 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. + +## Wire on what we can do and not what we can't + +The direction you want to go is more critical than where you've been. Many people tend to focus on what they can't do. Instead, we should rewire our brains to think about what we can accomplish now. The more you repeat a thought, the stronger the pathways in your brain become. It's a case of 'use it or lose it'. + +Your environment also plays a role in rewiring your brain, but this can sometimes result in unfavorable outcomes. The world feeds information into your mental computer according to its whims. Mirror neurons fire when we observe another person's behaviors. This is why you yawn when someone else yawns. It's not just actions that get copied, but also feelings and attitudes. When other people influence your thoughts and actions, it's as though they're programming your brain. We have a 'copycat' brain that helps us learn and adapt to the world, forming the basis of empathy. + +## Choose the friends you spend time woth carefully + +Choose the friends you spend time with carefully because they can influence your thoughts. Others' opinions are based on their perspectives and not necessarily aligned with yours. While they may not affect your goals and values, they can provide different viewpoints that are worth consideration when you're open to new insights. It's about exercising independence and choosing your influences wisely. Be aware that even television, if left running in the background, can subtly shape your thoughts. Question its influence and consider if there are better ways to spend your time. Your environment can affect your mood, success, and psychological well-being. Choose hobbies that nourish your mind in desirable ways. + +## Beware of the brain's autopilot + +Be mindful of your brain's autopilot mode, which often makes decisions unconsciously, like craving a dessert. It's important to consciously override these automatic behaviors. We're often so preoccupied that we rely on autopilot mode without considering who we really want to be. We need to take charge of our attitudes and feelings. It's a matter of discerning between the mind and the brain. + +## Cultiate a positive mindset + +The seven crucial elements for cultivating a positive mindset are: + +* Mindfulness: The more aware you are of your thought processes, the stronger they become. Focused mindfulness can also improve your memory. Evaluate your current actions and question whether they align with your intentions. +* Choices: Make deliberate decisions to avoid random influences and create the right thought patterns. This approach is key to forming habits. It's about conscious versus unconscious choices. +* Intention: Your intentions and thoughts can influence the outcome. Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on your plans for the future. This mindset will manifest your desired future. For instance, if you mentally visualize lifting heavier weights, you will gain more strength. Intention is the engine of change, both physically and mentally. +* Focus: Pay attention to the details of your goals. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to achieve them. For instance, saying "I'm going to Disneyland on July 16th" is more effective than saying "I'm going to Disneyland this summer". If you don't have a clear vision of your goal, your brain may create one that doesn't align with your aspirations. Visualization is key; your brain treats what you imagine as reality. +* Repetition: Repeat your goals and intentions from various angles to embed them in your mind. This practice creates neuronal pathways and solidifies habits. +* Emotion: Strong emotions make thought patterns more robust. Incorporate feelings into your goals to strengthen your mental attachment to them. For example, if you associate a goal with joy and satisfaction, it becomes easier to achieve. On the other hand, negative emotions like anger can lower your effective IQ. Visualize the success and positive outcomes associated with your goals. Use elements like music and physical movements to help generate positive emotions. These make the rewiring process more effective, and the new neurological paths stronger and more long-lasting. +* Belief: This is the spiritual component of success. People who confidently believe in their abilities and outcomes tend to achieve better results than those who don't. + +They all work together, so apply and practise of all of them. + +## The monkey mind + +"Mental noise," also known as the "monkey mind," is an indication of our active brain; these voices are not your true self. By listening to them, you can choose what to accept and what to ignore. It's like your mind running on autopilot. These voices are the programs stored in your brain over the years. They critically influence over 90 percent of your decisions. The way you talk to yourself programs your brain. Negative self-talk can be self-detrimental, while positive self-talk can be constructive. Conscious positive self-talk is the source of success and is always effective. The way you talk to yourself can mean the difference between success and failure. Listening passively to positive self-talk in the background can be beneficial, as well as before a meeting or other significant events. + +## Wiring good attitudes + +Attitudes can form either good or bad habits, and altering these attitudes can be beneficial. Attitudes can be controlled by our will, a choice that we can actively make. Foster and practice positive neuronal pathways, as it's a case of "use it or lose it." For example, anger and jealousy are automatic attitudes that we can control by mindfully thinking about them. We are not born with these attitudes; we learn them. Make a conscious choice about your attitude for the next day on the night before. + +With this clear and mindful choice, you'll have a better day laying down the construction lines to be built with repetition. Ask yourself, "Who is directing my attitude now?" and recalibrate as needed. Music is a safe and accessible means of initiating positive attitudes. It can be used to help associate a particular action, such as writing or programming, with a positive attitude. The easiest way to change an attitude is through self-talk. + +Top attitudes to wire in (post them at the wall to remember them): + +* Love +* Optimism +* Peace and Serenity (tranquillity) +* Kindness and harmony +* Determination and focus +* Intuition and awareness +* Spiritual well-being +* Service to others +* Thankfulness, read the list +* Forgiveness, all others and also myself +* Healthiness +* Patients, removing stress +* Success + +## Techniques to train the brain + +To train your brain: + +* Remember grocery list +* Learn a new language +* Meditation +* Read books about topics you don't know about yet +* Exercise +* Games which are challenging +* Write a book or blog + +Each of these attitudes helps to wire and pattern your brain for growth. Actively participate in activities that reinforce these attitudes, repeat them, and keep doing them. Real focus is not a casual event. The activities should be fun but must also present a reasonable challenge. Think of it as growing a garden, but with your brain's neurons. The more emotional involvement you have, the stronger the rewiring will be. Love your activities and approach them with enthusiasm. + +## Meditation + +Meditation changes the physical structure of your brain. It's a focusing tool for your mind. + +* Find time and place for meditation. +* Sit in a comfortable position +* Close your eyes and relax (Note: some recommend keeping eyes open during meditation). +* Breathe deeply and slowly. +* Repeat or focus on a word (e.g., "acceptance" or "this is it"). +* Ignore the past and future, focus on your central point (e.g., the task at hand). +* Let other thoughts pass, but don't fight them +* Reward yourself for not thinking about clutter; let your mind become free of distractions. +* Listen to yourself, ask questions, you will receive short precise +* Relax, breath +* Reflect.. + +Meditation is about letting go of expectations. Every practice is unique and personal. + +E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) + +[Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From 54b4e9aa205df260a5f25b3b65e21ae29d2f5cd9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Fri, 17 May 2024 23:35:32 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/index.md | 2 +- notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md | 2 +- 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/index.md b/notes/index.md index 249eb5f1..41496241 100644 --- a/notes/index.md +++ b/notes/index.md @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ ['The Stoic Challenge' book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) ['The Pragmatic Programmer' book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) -['The power of Neuroplasticity' book notes](./the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md) +['The Power of Neuroplasticity' book notes](./the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md) ['The Obstacle is the Way' book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) ['Staff Engineer' book notes](./staff-engineer.md) ['Slow Productivity' book notes](./slow-productivity.md) diff --git a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md index a4940a7e..8ec93e53 100644 --- a/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md +++ b/notes/the-power-of-neuroplasticity.md @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -# "The power of Neuroplasticity" book notes +# "The Power of Neuroplasticity" book notes 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. -- cgit v1.2.3 From 1deb2ac65af0bc9cedbe46459d44df8f6f3ce2b6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2024 12:47:33 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md | 1 + notes/mind-management.md | 1 + notes/never-split-the-difference.md | 1 + notes/slow-productivity.md | 1 + notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md | 1 + notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md | 1 + notes/the-stoic-challenge.md | 27 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 7 files changed, 32 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md index 3fb9c65f..d46baac0 100644 --- a/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md +++ b/notes/career-guide-and-soft-skills.md @@ -282,6 +282,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/mind-management.md b/notes/mind-management.md index 7e315742..151ccb21 100644 --- a/notes/mind-management.md +++ b/notes/mind-management.md @@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md index c4eafd04..f69e7774 100644 --- a/notes/never-split-the-difference.md +++ b/notes/never-split-the-difference.md @@ -130,5 +130,6 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/slow-productivity.md b/notes/slow-productivity.md index 1cae4662..397ac44f 100644 --- a/notes/slow-productivity.md +++ b/notes/slow-productivity.md @@ -132,6 +132,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md index f11b270e..a73c8c0b 100644 --- a/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md +++ b/notes/the-obstacle-is-the-way.md @@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md index 3329e9c6..c855ccc6 100644 --- a/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md +++ b/notes/the-pragmatic-programmer.md @@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ Other book notes of mine are: [2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) [2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) [2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes](./the-stoic-challenge.md) [More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) diff --git a/notes/the-stoic-challenge.md b/notes/the-stoic-challenge.md index 60740643..26e98274 100644 --- a/notes/the-stoic-challenge.md +++ b/notes/the-stoic-challenge.md @@ -1,6 +1,20 @@ # "The Stoic Challenge" book notes -> Last updated 29.5.2022 +> Published at 2024-07-07T12:46:55+03:00 + +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. + +``` + ,.......... .........., + ,..,' '.' ',.., + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,' : ', ', + ,' ,'............., : ,.............', ', +,' '............ '.' ............' ', + '''''''''''''''''';''';'''''''''''''''''' + ''' +``` 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. @@ -32,4 +46,15 @@ What would the stoic god's do next? This is just a test strategy by them. Don't E-Mail your comments to `paul@nospam.buetow.org` :-) +Other book notes of mine are: + +[2023-03-16 "The Pragmatic Programmer" book notes](./the-pragmatic-programmer.md) +[2023-04-01 "Never split the difference" book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) +[2023-05-06 "The Obstacle is the Way" book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) +[2023-07-17 "Software Developmers Career Guide and Soft Skills" book notes](./career-guide-and-soft-skills.md) +[2023-11-11 "Mind Management" book notes](./mind-management.md) +[2024-05-01 "Slow Productivity" book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +[2024-07-07 "The Stoic Challenge" book notes (You are currently reading this)](./the-stoic-challenge.md) + +[More books and other resources I found useful.](../resources.md) [Back to the main site](../) -- cgit v1.2.3 From d4bea01c531e8c45fa01f1057ec3382b7c54301f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Paul Buetow Date: Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:46:11 +0300 Subject: Update content for md --- notes/index.md | 1 + notes/search-inside-yourself.md | 676 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 677 insertions(+) create mode 100644 notes/search-inside-yourself.md (limited to 'notes') diff --git a/notes/index.md b/notes/index.md index 41496241..a2f2f773 100644 --- a/notes/index.md +++ b/notes/index.md @@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ ['The Obstacle is the Way' book notes](./the-obstacle-is-the-way.md) ['Staff Engineer' book notes](./staff-engineer.md) ['Slow Productivity' book notes](./slow-productivity.md) +['Search Inside Yourself' book notes](./search-inside-yourself.md) ['Never split the difference' book notes](./never-split-the-difference.md) ['Mind Management' book notes](./mind-management.md) ['Mental Combat' book notes](./mental-combat.md) diff --git a/notes/search-inside-yourself.md b/notes/search-inside-yourself.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..dc8cb441 --- /dev/null +++ b/notes/search-inside-yourself.md @@ -0,0 +1,676 @@ +# "Search Inside Yourself" book notes + +> Last updated 12.7.2024 + +## Mindfulness and Personal Development + +Mindfulness is not about reaching a different destination; it's about fully inhabiting your current state and recognizing the power of your complete presence and awareness at this moment. This book is about the potential everyone has to develop an extraordinarily capable mind that is profoundly peaceful, happy, and compassionate. It emphasizes the importance of deeper emotional awareness—the ability to detect an emotion as it arises, observe it as it subsides, and notice all the subtle changes in between. + +The book also highlights the significance of giving yourself quality time, such as by reducing work hours. By prioritizing self-care, you can discover ways to achieve more while doing less. + +Additionally, it teaches you to distinguish between stories and reality. Following the exercises in this book, you will learn how to calm your mind on demand and perceive your mental and emotional processes with increasing clarity. + +## Three Steps of "Search Inside Yourself" + +1. **Attention Training** +2. **Self-Knowledge and Self-Mastery** +3. **Creating Useful Mental Habits** + +Train your attention to cultivate a mind that is both calm and clear. This quality of mind forms the foundation for emotional intelligence. + +Develop the ability to observe your thought stream and emotional processes with high clarity and from an objective, third-person perspective. This deep self-awareness eventually leads to self-mastery. + +Imagine thinking, "I wish for this person to be happy," whenever you meet anyone. This habit transforms interactions at work, as sincere goodwill is unconsciously picked up by others, fostering trust and leading to highly productive collaborations. + +## Even an Engineer Can Thrive on Emotional Intelligence + +Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of success at work and fulfillment in life, and it is trainable for everyone. Emotional competencies are not innate talents; they are learned skills that you can acquire with practice. + +Goleman classifies emotional intelligence into five domains: + +* 1. Self-awareness: Knowledge of one's internal states, preferences, resources, and intuitions. +* 2. Self-regulation: Management of one's internal states, impulses, and resources. +* 3. Motivation: Emotional tendencies that guide or facilitate reaching goals. +* 4. Empathy: Awareness of others' feelings, needs, and concerns. +* 5. Social skills: Adeptness at inducing desirable responses in others. + +## Emotional Intelligence Enables Three Important Skills + +* 1. Stellar Work Performance +* 2. Outstanding Leadership +* 3. Creating Conditions for Happiness + +### 1. Stellar Work Performance + +Top six competencies that distinguish star performers from the average in the tech sector are: + +* 1. Strong achievement drive and high achievement standards. +* 2. Ability to focus. +* 3. Conceptual thinking (intellectual competency). +* 4. Analytical ability (intellectual competency). +* 5. Initiative in taking on challenges. +* 6. Self-confidence. + +From these, only two (conceptual thinking and analytical ability) are purely intellectual competencies. The other four are emotional competencies. So the conclusion is, that training your emotional intelligence can help everyone become outstanding at work, even engineers. + +### 2. Outstanding Leadership + +Effective U.S. Navy commanders are "more positive and outgoing, more emotionally expressive and dramatic, warmer and more sociable (including smiling more), friendlier and more democratic, more cooperative, more likable and 'fun to be with', more appreciative and trustful, and even gentler than those who are merely average." "Nice guys finish first." + +### 3. The Ability to Create the Conditions for Happiness + +Happiness is a skill that can be practiced through deliberate training. The other side effects may include resilience, optimism, and kindness. + +## Attention Training + +Train your attention to cultivate a mind that is both calm and clear. This quality of mind forms the foundation for emotional intelligence. + +### Train Attention + +How to begin training emotional intelligence? Begin by training attention. A strong, stable, and perceptive attention that offers calmness and clarity is the foundation upon which emotional intelligence is built. + +To see ourselves objectively, we need the ability to examine our thoughts and emotions from a third-person perspective. The attention should be stable, clear, and non-judgmental. "Response flexibility" refers to the ability to pause before you act, allowing a moment to consider how to react in an emotional situation. + +Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and happiness. Attention is trained with "mindfulness meditation." + +Mindfulness is a quality of mind that we all experience and enjoy from time to time, but it can be greatly strengthened with practice. Once it becomes sufficiently strong, it leads directly to the attentional calmness and clarity that forms the basis of emotional intelligence. + +There is scientific evidence showing that improving our ability to regulate our attention can significantly impact how we respond to emotions. Simply with attention training, someone can become good at regulating a part of the brain as primitive and important as the amygdala (the part of the brain dealing with emotions). + +"Affect labeling" is a self-regulation technique, which simply means labeling feelings with words. When you label an emotion you are experiencing (for example, "I feel anger"), it helps to manage that emotion. + +## Self-Knowledge and Self-Mastery + +Develop the ability to observe your thought stream and emotional processes with high clarity and from an objective, third-person perspective. This deep self-awareness eventually leads to self-mastery. + +## Creating Useful Mental Habits + +Imagine thinking, "I wish for this person to be happy," whenever you meet anyone. This habit transforms interactions at work, as sincere goodwill is unconsciously picked up by others, fostering trust and leading to highly productive collaborations. + +## Optimize Thyself + +The aim of developing emotional intelligence is to help you optimize yourself and function at an even higher level than what you are already capable of. Emotional skillfulness frees us from emotional compulsion. Neuroplasticity tells us that we can intentionally change our brains with training. + +It is possible to train the brain to overcome even serious emotional disorders; just imagine the possibility of using it to greatly improve the quality of our emotional lives. This also works with physical pain. Suffering can be trained "away." Brain. Trainable. Good. + +## Train at the Level of Physiology + +Every emotion has a correlate in the body. Emotional experiences are not just psychological; they are also physiological. We can usually experience emotions more vividly in the body than in the mind. Therefore, when trying to perceive an emotion, it is often more effective to bring our attention to the body rather than the mind. + +### High-Resolution Perception + +Your perception can become so refined across both time and space that you can observe an emotion the moment it arises, perceive its subtle changes, and watch it in the moment it ceases. The way to develop high-resolution perception of emotion is to apply mindfulness to the body. + +Because emotions have such a strong physiological component, developing emotional intelligence necessitates operating at the level of physiology. Much of our intuition comes from our body, and learning to listen to it can be very fruitful. Our approach to cultivating emotional intelligence begins with mindfulness. + +## Mindfulness in Two Minutes + +In the evenings, sit together in mindfulness for two minutes. For two minutes a day, quietly enjoy being alive and being together. More fundamentally, for two minutes a day, enjoy just being. The good news is that mindfulness is embarrassingly easy. The hard part in mindfulness is deepening, strengthening, and sustaining it, especially in times of difficulty. + +The creatively named *Easy Way* is to simply bring gentle and consistent attention to your breath for two minutes. That's it. The *Easier Way* is, as its name may subtly suggest, even easier: All you have to do is sit without an agenda for two minutes. + +### Meditation is Exercise + +There is no such thing as bad meditation. After a few weeks or months of starting a regular meditation regime, you have more energy; your mind becomes calmer, clearer, and more joyful; you get sick less; you smile more; your social life improves (because you smile more); and you feel great about yourself. +The best meditation posture is one that helps you remain alert and relaxed at the same time for long periods of time. Use this as a guideline, and find whatever posture is comfortable for you. Keeping eyes closed during meditation is good because it helps you stay calm and keeps away distractions. However, the problem is that you may fall asleep. + +The idea is to open your eyes slightly, look slightly downward, and gaze at nothing in particular. Whether eyes are closed or opened, try out what works best for you. + +### Sustaining Your Practice + +The keyword is practice. Mindfulness is like exercise - it is not sufficient to just understand t