04 Oct 2023
0 Comments
Does Following Your Passions in Life Really Work?

Does Following Your Passions in Life Really Work?

There are many cliches about making sure you have a job that aligns with your passions. That way, you will, “never be bored” and, “never want to retire.” But does following your passions in life really work? Who is doing this right now? And is this even possible for most people? We also wonder if “following your passions” is better advice than “maximizing your natural strengths.” This is the first rule in our Ten Rules for Life, so we are going to explore this difference to share with our readers and potentially adjust our first rule. Following Your Passions in…
Read More
06 Sep 2023
0 Comments
Sam Altman’s Take on “How to be Successful”

Sam Altman’s Take on “How to be Successful”

Photo Credit: Vox Sam Altman is a computer programmer, entrepreneur, and the current CEO of OpenAI. He was previously the CEO of the incubator Y Combinator and founder (at the age of 19) of a social network mobile app, Loopt. I recently came across a blog post Altman shared in 2019 titled, “How to be Successful,” where Altman shares 13 thoughts on how to achieve outlier success. I am going to read and comment on the 13 thoughts in his post and share my take with the Personal Kaizen community. Will some of Altman’s 13 thoughts be worth adding to…
Read More
26 Apr 2023
0 Comments
Meditating on Your Mortality

Meditating on Your Mortality

Meditating on your mortality can be scary, but it can also help you focus on maximizing each day. What would you change about your life if a doctor told you that you have cancer? Would you stop wasting your life and prioritize your limited time remaining? We are here to tell you that you are going to die. All of us have a terminal diagnosis. Most of us don’t know how or when, but it is going to happen. Near Death Experiences Many people describe a renewed clarity and focus on the future after having a brush with death. Sixteenth-century…
Read More
17 Aug 2022
0 Comments
On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

On the Shortness of Life by Seneca

We have recently studied works of Stoic philosophy that we believe can be inspiring to our followers. We have shared 5 Ways Stoic Philosophy Improves your Mood and Attitude, and some simple Meditations from Marcus Aurelius. This week we highlight Stoic teachings from a letter by the Roman Seneca titled, On the Shortness of Life. Seneca the Younger Photo Credit: wikipedia.com Lucius Seneca (often referred to as Seneca the Younger) was raised in Rome 2,000 years ago. His father (Seneca the Elder) was a Senator and had Seneca the Younger trained in philosophy. Seneca became a powerful man when the…
Read More
18 May 2022
0 Comments
Brain Hack 3: How To Calm Down and Reduce Stress

Brain Hack 3: How To Calm Down and Reduce Stress

Our previous post shared a brain hack that improves your mood instantly. Brain hack 3 will also improve your mood by helping you calm down and reduce stress. This hack can be used anytime you notice that you are feeling anxious, nervous, or overly stressed. How Stress Affects the Brain and Body Stress affects all systems of the body, especially the nervous system. The first part of our brain to form is the limbic system, responsible for our fight-or-flight response to danger. The nervous system responds to stress and danger by forcing shorter, more rapid breaths that will provide us…
Read More
11 May 2022
0 Comments
Brain Hack 2: Easily and Instantly Improve Your Mood

Brain Hack 2: Easily and Instantly Improve Your Mood

Our last post shared a brain hack that will help you feel more alert and awake in only 15 seconds. This hack is even quicker and simpler. If you are feeling sad or down, all you have to do to feel better is force a smile and improve your mood instantly! Neural Loops in the Brain The human brain uses neural loops as shortcuts in thinking. Many of these loops are innate, meaning even babies do this without being taught how. For example, try holding your breath and tell your brain not to take a breath. Our brain circuitry is…
Read More
05 May 2022
0 Comments
Brain Hacks: How To Trick Your Brain for Maximum Effectiveness

Brain Hacks: How To Trick Your Brain for Maximum Effectiveness

Our last post explains how to use the power of our subconscious mind and visualization to help us achieve positive outcomes. This is the first lesson in a Personal Kaizen topic on brain hacks - simple ways we can use neuroscience to trick our brain for maximum effectiveness. I’m about to share a brain hack that will help you feel more alert and awake in only 15 seconds! Our Incredible Brain I first began studying the workings of the human brain in 2005 after accepting a position as a Director of Operations for a medical device company manufacturing deep brain…
Read More
27 Apr 2022
0 Comments
When You Worry You Visualize What You Don’t Want!

When You Worry You Visualize What You Don’t Want!

I’ve been wanting to share this concept for a few years now but haven’t known where to begin. Rule 4 of the Personal Kaizen 10 Rules for Life is to Live in the Moment with a Positive Mindset. I have too many friends and family members who experience anxiety and worry about outcomes. The problem with this is that when you worry, you visualize what you don’t want to happen. The visualization remains in your subconscious thoughts and becomes more likely to occur! Think Positively Visualization can be a helpful tool for achieving a goal. Simply envision how you will…
Read More
13 Apr 2022
0 Comments
12 Small Habits that will Change Your Life for Good

12 Small Habits that will Change Your Life for Good

I recently saw a new book in my local library that I knew I had to read and share with the Personal Kaizen community. Liquids Till Lunch: 12 Small Habits that Will Change Your Life for Good by MaryRuth Ghiyam is a 2021 release with a title that made me skeptical and a subtitle that made me interested. I wondered – how many of her 12 small habits would agree with the Personal Kaizen 10 Rules for Life? The author is a certified health educator and nutritional consultant with several episodes of personal loss as defining life experiences. This post…
Read More
15 Dec 2021
1 Comment
12 Minutes is All You Need for Effective Meditation

12 Minutes is All You Need for Effective Meditation

I plan to begin a new meditation practice habit and recently heard Amishi Jha speak about the benefits. Amishi is a professor of psychology and neuroscientist at the University of Miami and the director of Contemplative Neuroscience for the UMindfulness Initiative. Meditation is a great way to follow Rule 4 (Live in the moment with a positive mindset) of the Personal Kaizen 10 Rules for Life. I am very busy already so want to begin a meditation practice that provides benefits to my focus, attention, and attitude with the minimum amount of time and effort. Amishi has spent the past 30 years…
Read More