461–470 of 478 posts
Just show up - I started this last year going to the gym - if I didn't feel like going to work out, I just went to the gym and messed around, did whatever I felt like, even for 15 or 20 minutes and then left. The discipline has translated into other projects - a camper reno, a game engine, etc. Just showing up is more than half the battle, even if you don't accomplish much on one given day.
I started to use two phones one smartphone and one dummy phone for messages and phone calls. I stop to google everything. I'm fine to say I don't know and I don't have to get correct answer now. I can live with it. I also started to listen more radio and push to disconnect from internet and computers. I learn to use pen and block to write old-fashion way and it helps a lot.
All this has paid back very well, I learn how to think without interruption, be more creative, talk with people, listen and it removed a lot of stress, pressure and other problems related to information overload and smartphone addiction. I want to continue on that and cut my computer time to less than 4 hours per day (all devices, smartphone, laptop, tablet...).
My concentration has improved as well. I'm able to code with better results and fewer errors.
While some could say that these results (and more) are all in my head - they would be absolutely right! I do feel better about myself, much better.
The specific method I use is the Wim Hof Method. Google this and notice he has over 20 world records. While he has a course for sale, youtube has many videos that cover all aspect of his technique.
Wim Hof has scientific proof that he can control his immune system. More importantly, he is not a freak and can teach others to achieve the same results.
My wife has cancer. We both do deep breathing exercises three times a day. She reports that chemo symptoms become much less severe after breathing. We have become driven to continue this practice due to her condition. I am so glad to have found this technique.
Disclaimer: I am not associated with the Wim Hof Method in any way and receive no compensation for this note.
Going to libraries. In 35 years I don’t even think I stepped inside one. One day two years ago I read that a nearby library (Sunnyvale, CA) had audiobooks and I decided to check it out, because I wanted something to listen on my commute. Mind. Blown. Books, movies, comics, computers, printers, ebooks, audiobooks, board games, chidren’s area, and lots more. All for free. The way my audiobook library app works (Overdri…
Recently I started giving talks by organizing meetups and workshops. Mostly teaching and spreading awareness about open source software like Blender, Krita and others. It has so much positive impact on me and the people attending the workshop as well. I became confident in public speaking. Got deeper understanding of things which am teaching. Able to meet and connect with lot of amazing folks.
Deep breathing! I started this and am absolutely in love with the results: greater clarity of mind, more feeling alive, more energetic. I had a minor problem of clearing my throat every few minutes: gone! My concentration has improved as well. I'm able to code with better results and fewer errors. While some could say that these results (and more) are all in my head - they would be absolutely right! I do feel better…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do you know what's the full potential is?
You're right. I don't know if there's anything further than what I currently perceive, but this is definitely orders of magnitude better than before I started. And that's pretty much the only thing that has changed (other habits haven't changed, such as meditation and weight-lifting).
2. Bike to/from work and to places within ~1h bike ride of home. Huge positive impact on productivity and focus. Living in LA, there's always something going on. But if it's going on outside the ~1h bike bubble I might as well not go since there's probably something else I could do at home that's more productive towards goals.
3. Go to at least one artsy event a week. Usually Wednesdays. This week it was book club - we read Endurance by Alfred Lansing. Next week it's a ballet.
4. Use an Amazon Echo to play 5-15 minutes of a book on Overdrive before I go to sleep. Overdrive can be set to stop playing after a certain time interval so, when it stops, I fall asleep instantly. I also play 15 minutes of the book when I wake up. Libby (Overdrive's younger sister/brother from another mother) also works the same way. If I get tired earlier, I tell it to stop - this is great because I don't have to look at a screen to tell it to stop earlier.
5. No electronics except the echo and the kindle and the ipod that only plays overdrive over bluetooth in the bedroom.
6. I have 6 mentors I admire for 6 key characteristics. I have their photos on a printed PowerPoint slide along with the 6 characteristics. Whenever I need to make a hard decision, I look at the slide and I imagine what they would say. They almost always agree and I do the right thing :)