29 Jul 2025
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27 Conflicting Answers on How to Live

27 Conflicting Answers on How to Live

Have you ever asked yourself if the choices you are making in your life are the right ones? This month we are summarizing the 2021 Derek Sivers book How to Live: 27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion. I love this simple book. Sivers goes all-in on 27 different, and contrasting, philosophies for how to live your life. All 27 are listed below, and Sivers makes a strong, rational, and logical case for each of these ways. Which one (or more) resonates with you? Conflicting Answers from How to Live Most of Sivers' answers to How to Live are explained…
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08 Jul 2025
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Make Your Thoughts Useful, Not True

Make Your Thoughts Useful, Not True

Rule 4 of our 10 Rules for Life is to Live in the Moment with a Positive Mindset. Living in the moment means being present – not getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. Having a positive mindset can probably best be explained by the 2024 Derek Sivers book Useful, Not True. I love this short, simple book and have been giving copies away to my friends and family. Here is a short summary of how to make your thoughts useful, not true. If you enjoy this summary, I highly recommend reading the book. Sivers masterfully builds…
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04 Oct 2023
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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…
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06 Sep 2023
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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…
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26 Apr 2023
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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…
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17 Aug 2022
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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…
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18 May 2022
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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…
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11 May 2022
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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…
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05 May 2022
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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…
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27 Apr 2022
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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…
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