Le mieux est le mortel ennemi du bien. (The best is the mortal enemy of the good.)

Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

productivity

Productivity

marketingandsales

Marketing & Sales

timemanagement

Time Management

product

Product & Design

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Perfect Is The Enemy Of Good

Think about self-control less as the quality of a person and more as the quality of a place.There are some places and situations that lean toward lower self-control and others that lean toward higher self-control. Self-control is about your context as much as your character.Put yourself in good positions.

To hold our tongues when everyone is gossiping,to smile without hostility at people and institutions,to compensate for the shortage of love in the world with more love in small, private matters;to be more faithful in our work,to show greater patience,to forgo the cheap revenge obtainable from mockery and criticism:all these are things we all can do.

Self-control is about our context as much as our character.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

habits

Habits

3-2-1 Thursday: Self-Control As A Quality Of Place, And Good Positions

High performers don’t just work more—they work smarter.✔️ They focus on making the right decisions instead of just doing more tasks.✔️ They prioritize outcomes over effort.✔️ They build systems to stay efficient and consistent.💡 The secret to success isn’t just working harder—it’s working intentionally.

Productivity is About Making Better Choices, Not Just Working Harder 🎯

The most successful people don’t wait to feel motivated—they train themselves to take action.✅ Start small—take one step, even if you don’t like it.✅ Control your decisions—having autonomy fuels motivation.✅ Tie your work to a bigger purpose—ask “Why does this matter?”💡 Productivity isn’t about waiting for motivation but creating it.

Motivation is a Skill, Not a Feeling 🔥

Your brain relies on mental shortcuts to make decisions.✔️ Train your brain to anticipate success and failure before they happen.✔️ Build mental habits like visualizing success and planning responses to setbacks.✔️ The best decision-makers think several steps ahead before taking action.💡 Think like a chess player, not a checkers player—always anticipate your next move.

Mental Models Shape Your Performance 🧠

Time management isn’t enough—you need to control your focus and energy.✅ Eliminate distractions—turn off notifications, and set deep work blocks.✅ Use mental contrasting—compare where you are now vs. where you want to be.✅ Practice selective attention—focus only on what truly moves the needle.💡 Time is finite, but your attention is your real superpower.

Focus on Managing Your Attention, Not Just Time ⏳

Charles Duhigg’s Smarter Faster Better provides a science-backed blueprint for achieving more in less time. <a href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101290670-11552245?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booksamillion.com%2Fp%2FSmarter-Faster-Better%2FCharles-Duhigg%2FQ48272906%3Fid%3D9394285605823">Get your copy here</a> and start optimizing your productivity today!

Are You Ready to Work Smarter, Not Harder? 🚀

The best teams aren’t the ones with the smartest people—they are the ones where everyone feels safe to contribute.✔️ Encourage open dialogue—team members should feel heard.✔️ Value input from everyone, not just top performers.✔️ Trust leads to innovation—people take smarter risks when they feel safe.💡 The strongest teams are built on trust, not just talent.

Teams Succeed When They Create a “Culture of Psychological Safety” 🤝

The best performers set two types of goals:1️⃣ Stretch Goals – Huge, ambitious targets that push you beyond limits.2️⃣ SMART Goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound steps to achieve stretch goals.✔️ Dream big, but break it into actionable steps.✔️ Measure progress regularly and adjust when needed.💡 Success happens at the intersection of ambition and execution.

Stretch Goals + SMART Goals = Maximum Results 🎯

The best creative minds don’t start from scratch—they remix existing ideas.✔️ Look for patterns and connections between different fields.✔️ Take inspiration from unrelated industries and apply it to your work.✔️ Creativity isn’t about talent—it’s about learning how to connect the dots differently.💡 Innovation happens when you break old ideas apart and put them together in a new way.

Creativity Comes from Combining Old Ideas in New Ways 💡

Your brain has limited decision-making power each day.✅ Make critical decisions in the morning, when your mind is fresh.✅ Automate small decisions (like meal choices or routines) to free up mental energy.✅ Create systems to reduce unnecessary decision-making (e.g., batching tasks).💡 The fewer small decisions you make, the more energy you have for big ones.

Decision Fatigue is Real—Make Important Choices Early 🕰️

Highly productive people don’t avoid failure—they recover from it quickly.✔️ Reframe failures as learning opportunities.✔️ Develop a growth mindset—ask “What can I learn from this?”✔️ Train yourself to push through resistance.💡 Your ability to bounce back determines how far you’ll go.

The Power of Mental Resilience—Bounce Back Faster 💪

Habits determine success more than willpower.✔️ Use triggers—connect habits to existing routines.✔️ Make it easy to start—remove obstacles to success.✔️ Reward yourself to reinforce positive habits.💡 Success isn’t about one big breakthrough—it’s about small habits, repeated daily.﻿

Stay in Control by Building Productive Habits 🔄

Where others see obstacles, high achievers see potential solutions.✔️ Ask “What’s possible here?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”✔️ Look for hidden opportunities in every challenge.✔️ Train yourself to focus on solutions, not problems.💡 Your perspective determines your reality—choose a perspective that fuels growth.

Train Your Brain to See Opportunities, Not Just Problems 🌍

✔️ Productivity isn’t about personality—it’s about learning better habits.✔️ The best performers aren’t born—they are made through daily practice.✔️ Start small, improve daily, and watch your productivity skyrocket.💡 The most successful people in the world got there by mastering the skill of productivity.

Productivity is a Skill—You Can Train It 🛠️

The biggest barrier to success? Overthinking instead of taking action.✔️ Take the first step—momentum builds motivation.✔️ Don’t wait for perfect conditions—start now.✔️ Keep moving forward, even if progress feels slow.💡 Thinking smarter is important, but action is what creates results.

Action is the Ultimate Productivity Hack ⚡

By applying these principles from Smarter Faster Better, you can:✅ Make smarter decisions by managing attention and eliminating distractions.✅ Boost motivation by creating autonomy and purpose in your work.✅ Improve team dynamics through trust and open communication.✅ Develop lasting productivity habits that fuel long-term success.✅ Stay adaptable and resilient in an ever-changing world.💡 Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters most.

Summary – The Science of Productivity in Action 🌟

Visit my Linktree at <a href="https://linktr.ee/maxturzan">https://linktr.ee/maxturzan</a> for:📌 Access to my LinkedIn profile for actionable insights and strategies.📌 Direct links to Books-A-Million, where you can find all the books I summarize.📌 Exclusive 25% discount on Natural Shilajit on Amazon – a powerful supplement for energy, immune support, and vitality.📢 Join me on this journey of learning and transformation! 🚀

Explore More Ideas on Decision-Making, Mental Clarity, and High-Performance Thinking 🤝

Learn how the world’s most productive people and organizations achieve more in less time using proven science-backed strategies.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of The Power of Habit and “master of the life hack” (GQ) explores the fascinating science of productivity and offers real-world takeaways to apply your life, whether you’re chasing peak productivity or simply trying to get back on track. “Duhigg melds cutting-edge science, deep reporting, and wide-ranging stories to give us a fuller, more human way of thinking about how productivity actually happens.”—Susan Cain, author of Quiet   In The Power of Habit, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Charles Duhigg explained why we do what we do. In Smarter Faster Better, he applies the same relentless curiosity and rich storytelling to how we can improve at the things we do.    At the core of Smarter Faster Better are eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—that explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics—as well as the experiences of CEOs, educational reformers, four-star generals, FBI agents, airplane pilots, and Broadway songwriters—this book reveals that the most productive people, companies, and organizations don’t merely act differently. They view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways.   Smarter Faster Better is a story-filled exploration of the science of productivity, one that can help us learn to succeed with less stress and struggle—and become smarter, faster, and better at everything we do.

entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

business

Business

books

Books

Charles Duhigg is an American journalist and non-fiction author. He was a reporter for The New York Times, currently writes for The New Yorker Magazine and is the author of two books on habits and productivity, titled The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business and Smarter Faster Better.

Charles Duhigg

Smarter Faster Better

“Most of what we think, feel, and do is not under our conscious control.”

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Most thoughts, actions, and emotions are driven by the unconscious mind.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Consciousness is like a “CEO” that only intervenes in critical moments.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Example: Reflexively hitting the brake before consciously recognizing danger.</li></ul>

The Unconscious Runs the Show

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The brain constructs reality by filling gaps (e.g., blind spots) and making assumptions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Sensory input is limited; what we experience is a curated version of reality.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Optical illusions demonstrate how easily the brain is fooled.</li></ul>

Perception is a Brain-Made Illusion

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">The brain can learn to interpret new inputs (e.g., UV light) with practice.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Skills like driving become automatic as the unconscious takes over.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">This adaptability allows for future tech integration (e.g., sensory enhancements)</li></ul>

Brain Plasticity and Adaptability

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Charles Whitman’s violent outburst was linked to a brain tumor pressing on his amygdala.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Behavior is shaped by biology (genes, brain chemistry) and environment, not just choice.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Justice systems should focus on rehabilitation over punishment.</li></ul>

Case Studies Challenge Free Will

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Different brain regions compete, causing internal conflicts (e.g., cravings vs. willpower).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Decisions emerge from these battles, not a single “self”.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Explains habits, addictions, and self-sabotage</li></ul>

The Brain is a “Team of Rivals”

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Actions stem from unconscious processes, not conscious intent.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Blameworthiness is outdated; behavior is often beyond conscious control.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Society must rethink moral responsibility using neuroscience.</li></ul>

Free Will is an Illusion

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Tasks like walking require immense unconscious computation.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">AI struggles with these tasks, highlighting the brain’s sophistication.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Consciousness only narrates actions after they occur.</li></ul>

The Hidden Complexity of Simple Tasks

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Recognize unconscious biases to make better decisions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Trust intuition (unconscious processing) in complex tasks.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Embrace adaptability—your brain can rewire itself.</li></ul>

Practical Insights for Daily Life

How the unconscious mind controls our behavior.

If the conscious mind—the part you consider to be you—is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing?   In this sparkling and provocative new book, the renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman navigates the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising mysteries: Why can your foot move halfway to the brake pedal before you become consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation that you didn’t think you were listening to? What do Ulysses and the credit crunch have in common? Why did Thomas Edison electrocute an elephant in 1916? Why are people whose names begin with J more likely to marry other people whose names begin with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? And how is it possible to get angry at yourself—who, exactly, is mad at whom?   Taking in brain damage, plane spotting, dating, drugs, beauty, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, artificial intelligence, and visual illusions, Incognito is a thrilling subsurface exploration of the mind and all its contradictions.

David Eagleman is an internationally bestselling author, a TED speaker, and a Guggenheim Fellow. He teaches neuroscience at Stanford University and is CEO of a neurotech startup, Neosensory. At night he writes. His books have been translated into 33 languages.

David Eagleman

Incognito

"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that helps us live better lives.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It emphasizes reason, self-control, and inner strength.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism teaches us to focus on what we can control.</li></ul>

Introduction to Stoicism

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism began with Zeno of Cyprus and was later developed by Epictetus.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Epictetus was a former slave who became a prominent Stoic philosopher.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">His teachings are central to modern Stoicism.</li></ul>

Stoic Origins

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism is about living in harmony with nature.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It emphasizes the importance of reason and self-control.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoics believe in accepting things they cannot change.</li></ul>

Core Stoic Principles

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">This discipline involves controlling what you want and don’t want.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It’s about focusing on things that truly matter.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">By managing desires, you can live more peacefully.</li></ul>

The Discipline of Desire

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">This involves acting wisely and virtuously in the world.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Wisdom is the key virtue for Stoics, guiding all actions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Actions should be based on reason and integrity.</li></ul>

The Discipline of Action

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">This discipline is about how you react to situations.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It involves pausing before reacting to difficult situations.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoics encourage thoughtful responses rather than impulsive ones.</li></ul>

The Discipline of Assent

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism emphasizes four main virtues: wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">These virtues help individuals lead balanced and content lives.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Practicing these virtues brings personal growth.</li></ul>

Stoic Virtues

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions but managing them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">It teaches you to acknowledge emotions and use them wisely.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Emotional control helps you make better decisions.</li></ul>

Emotional Control

Stoicism helps you cope with life’s uncertainties.It encourages acceptance of things beyond your control.Focus on what you can control to reduce stress.

Living with Uncertainty

<ul><li>Stoicism is relevant today as it helps deal with modern challenges.</li><li>It provides a framework for living a virtuous life amidst chaos.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">By applying Stoic principles, you can find peace and resilience in a busy world.</li></ul>

Applying Stoicism in Modern Life

A philosopher asks how ancient Stoicism can help us flourish today Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that focuses our attention on what is possible and gives us perspective on what is unimportant. By understanding Stoicism, we can learn to answer crucial questions: Should we get married or divorced? How should we handle our money in a world nearly destroyed by a financial crisis? How can we survive great personal tragedy? Whoever we are, Stoicism has something for us—and How to Be a Stoic is the essential guide.

Massimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press). His new book is The Quest for Character: What the Story of Socrates and Alcibiades Teaches Us about Our Search for Good Leaders (Basic Books). More by Massimo at https://massimopigliucci.org.

Massimo Pigliucci

How to Be a Stoic

My first year of university was a nightmare. In high school, I studied every afternoon. I spent hours on the same pages, sacrificing my social life and free time. But what frustrated me most wasn’t the lost time — I understood that was necessary. What got me?I couldn’t remember anything after a few days.

The Studies Struggle

My brain hit the delete button as soon as I passed the test. And I couldn’t accept that. But instead of switching methods, I stuck to my old methods.I was afraid to experiment. What if I wasted even more time? So, I kept repeating the same failing routine.Then, in my first year of university, I finally leaped. It was a disaster.

Forgetting what you've learned

The gap between high school and university is huge in Italy. In high school, you must study. At university, you juggle projects, evening classes, study groups — it’s chaos. Most students spend their first year figuring out how to survive. I made it even harder by experimenting with new study techniques. High school stole my afternoons. University tore apart my nights. But I found a method that worked.I tested countless techniques. Most failed. But by combining them, I built a system that changed everything. Now, I want to share what I learned. Let’s start with the methods I tried.

The High School - University Gap

You're reading an excerpt from <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/">The Challenge</a> — a weekly newsletter dedicated to self-improvement, goal-setting, habits, time management, and health tips.Every week, you'll receive:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">A life-enhancing challenge</li><li class="ql-align-justify">A custom infographic to track your progress</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Join 3400+ driven individuals</a> and take your first challenge.

The Challenge

The world overflows with information. And knowing how to learn effectively has become a superpower.You may be a student taking exams, a professional tackling complex projects, or an entrepreneur juggling countless responsibilities - it doesn't matter. You’ll fall behind if you don’t have an effective way to learn.Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, believed that the best way to learn something was to teach it. His method forces you to simplify and break down complex topics. Here's how it works:

1 — The Feynman Technique (1)

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Pick a topic. Choose something you want to understand.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Explain it. Pretend you teach it to a child. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Spot the gaps. If you can’t explain something clearly, you don’t understand it well enough. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Refine and simplify. Go back, study the gaps, and rework your explanation until it’s clear.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Test yourself. Keep simplifying your explanation until it feels effortless.</li></ol>It sounds simple, right? Well, It is.Teaching forces you to break down ideas until they make sense. And while you pretend to teach others, you solidify those ideas in your head. You expose blind spots and fill the gaps.

1 — The Feynman Technique (2)

Back in high school, I wasted hours re-reading my notes. I’d read, forget, and repeat — thinking that somehow, through brute force, I’d remember everything.At the time, it felt productive. It felt like I was doing something important, and it was working. But it wasn’t.Sure, I’d retain most of the information for a few hours — long enough for a test. But the next day? Gone.And that’s because I needed spaced repetition to retain the information long-term.

2 — The Leitner System (1)

That’s where spaced repetition changed everything. Instead of cramming, I used the Leitner System , which relies on flashcards and strategic review. Here’s how it works:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Hard Cards: Study these three times a week.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Medium Cards: Review twice a week.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Easy Cards: Check once a week.</li></ul>But that’s not all. As you improve, you will move cards to the next level. But if you forget, you will move it to a more frequent category.

2 — The Leitner System (2)

Here's why the Leitner system works:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Writing flashcards forces active learning. You don’t passively consume — you engage.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You don’t waste time on what you already know. You review less frequently as you improve.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">You track your progress. The number of hard and easy cards shows how well you're doing.</li></ul>The Leitner System prioritizes your weak spots and strengthens recall over time. You won't only remember information for a test but for life.

2 — The Leitner System (3)

I made many mistakes studying in high school. But do you know which is the worst? Highlighting and underlining everything. I’m not saying it’s useless — it can help you with quick reviews. But if you rely only on highlights, you will never remember things long-term.The Active Recall Method flips the script. Instead of reviewing your highlights, you force your brain to retrieve information.

3 — The Active Recall Method (1)

Here's how you do it:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Quiz Yourself: Cover your notes and try to recall key points. Act as at an oral exam and build a speech that makes sense.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Write What You Know: Reconstruct concepts from memory before checking your notes. Many people think summarizing the documents they are studying can help them. But it takes too much time.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Speak Aloud: Explain concepts without looking at your materials. Listen to yourself talking, and you will recall information for longer.</li></ul>The Active Recall Method strengthens neural connections. You force and train yourself to remember things.

3 — The Active Recall Method (2)

The three methods transformed how I studied. But they weren’t the only factors that affected my productivity and speed.Here are six other tips:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Diversify Your Resources: Don’t stick to one source. Use books, videos, and podcasts to engage different senses.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Draw Connections: Link new knowledge to what you already know. Analogies help ideas stick.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Focus on Your Health: Sleep, exercise, and good nutrition boost focus and memory. Spending your day studying is less productive than rotating study and leisure sessions. </li></ul>

6 Retention Tips to Boost Your Learning (1)

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Space Your Learning: Studying over time beats last-minute cramming. The pressure doesn’t help. And you won’t have enough time to memorize new ideas if you start studying today for tomorrow. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Seek Deep Understanding: Don’t just memorize — dig into the reason behind ideas. What is the purpose of what you are reading? Why does it work like that? </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Chunk Information: Break down big topics into bite-sized pieces. Flashcards are the perfect example of chunking. It helps you organize and recollect ideas faster. </li></ul>

6 Retention Tips to Boost Your Learning (2)

We’ve seen three different techniques and many tips in this article. But how can you get the most out of them?Don’t worry — I've got you covered!<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Combine strategies. You don’t have to pick one and stick to it. Experiment with all of them, and use the best of each.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Track your progress. Use tools like Notion, Anki, or a physical study journal (including this week’s infographic).</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Experiment and adapt. Everyone learns differently. And there are countless learning techniques you can use. These three worked for me, but you can find other methods to suit your style.</li></ul>

Take Your Learning to the Next Level

Pick one of the techniques and apply it to a skill or topic you’ve wanted to learn. Track your progress for a week. Reflect on how much more confident you feel about the material at the end.Mastering the art of learning isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter.Don’t wait until the stress kicks in, like I did. Start today, and you'll unlock a lifelong superpower.<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/mastering-the-art-of-learning">[DOWNLOAD THE FREE INFOGRAPHIC]</a>

<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Unlock exclusive content</a> and take your self-improvement to the next level with a premium subscription.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">✅ The Productivity Mastery Series – Proven productivity systems in Notion, ready for you to implement.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">📚 The Challenge Book Club – Actionable insights from the best personal growth books so you can apply their lessons without reading them all.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">🔥 Monthly Exclusive Content – The top 5 must-read articles, behind-the-scenes life updates, full archive, and more.</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Join 3400+ driven individuals</a> who are serious about growth. Upgrade now and invest in your future.

Next Steps

Boost your learning with proven techniques like the Feynman Technique, Active Recall, and the Leitner System. Learn faster, retain more, and study smarter!

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

career

Career

writing

Reading & Writing

education

Learning & Education

Mastering the Art of Learning: Unlocking Your Brain’s Full Potential

<ol><li>Reframes don't need to be true or logical. They just need to work. </li><li>Our imagination has significant power over our bodies. They have the same ability to rewire our brains as actual experiences. </li><li>No individual reframes work for everyone, so find what works for you and stick with them. </li><li>Rewiring the brain requires focus, repetition and optionally, emotion. </li><li>Emotional energy can expedite the transformative process. </li><li>Reframes are simple, memorable concepts that can influence behaviour and are easily shared. </li><li>Reframing has the power to influence personal habits and promote overall mental health. </li></ol>

Introduction To Reframing Your Brain

Usual frame : Find yourself.Reframe : Author yourself.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">You are a blank canvas. You get to paint your life by changing your actions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you want to become a kind person, do kind acts.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you want to be capable and successful, build a talent stack and so on.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">If you take authorship (ownership) and design systems for improving yourself in key areas, you can carve your names on reality in ways you never imagined possible.</li></ul>

Author Yourself

Usual frame: Success requires willpower and discipline.Reframe: Success follows energy, not just discipline.<ul><li>If you rely on willpower alone, you’ll burn out. Instead, manage your energy by optimizing sleep, nutrition, exercise, and daily routines. </li><li>When you feel energized, discipline comes naturally. </li></ul>

Success Follows Energy

Usual frame: Failure means I’m not good enough.Reframe: Failure is data collection. <ul><li>Every failure teaches something valuable. Instead of seeing it as a personal flaw, treat it as an experiment. </li><li>Refining your approach based on past failures increases your chances of success. </li></ul>

Failure Is Data Collection

Usual frame: I need motivation to act.Reframe: Action creates motivation. <ul><li>Waiting for motivation is a trap. Start small, and momentum will build naturally. </li><li>Even taking the tiniest step forward can ignite motivation and get you moving. </li></ul>

Action Creates Motivation

Usual frame: I must set goals to succeed.Reframe: Systems beat goals.<ul><li>Goals can be overwhelming and temporary. Instead, build daily systems that ensure continuous progress. </li><li>Example: Instead of setting a goal to “lose 10kg,” commit to a system of exercising daily and eating better. </li></ul>

Systems Beat Goals

Usual frame: Some people are just lucky.Reframe: Luck is engineered. <ul><li>Luck isn’t random - it favors those who build skills, take risks, and put themselves in the right environments. </li><li>By expanding your network, improving your skills, and staying open to opportunities, you make luck inevitable.</li></ul>

Luck is Engineered

Usual frame: Find your passion.Reframe: Develop your passion.<ul><li>Passion isn’t something you discover it’s something you grow by investing time and effort into what interests you. </li><li>Start with curiosity, take action, and passion will follow. </li></ul>

Develop Your Passion

Usual frame: Happiness is something to pursue.Reframe: Happiness is a skill. <ul><li>You don’t find happiness - you cultivate it by practicing gratitude, reframing problems, and engaging in meaningful activities. </li><li>Small daily habits shape long-term happiness.</li></ul>

Happiness is a Skill

Usual frame: I should wait for the perfect moment.Reframe: The perfect moment is now. <ul><li>Waiting for the “right time” is an illusion. Conditions are never perfect, so start with what you have. </li><li>You refine and improve along the way. </li></ul>

The Perfect Moment is Now

Usual frame: People who disagree with me are wrong.Reframe: Persuasion is better than argument. <ul><li>Instead of trying to “win” arguments, learn how people think and frame your ideas in a way that resonates with them. </li><li>Influence is more effective than confrontation. </li></ul>

Persuasion is Better

Usual frame: Rejection means I’m not good enough.Reframe: Rejection is proof of progress. <ul><li>If you’re getting rejected, it means you’re putting yourself out there. Every rejection is a step closer to success. </li><li>Reframe it as a necessary part of growth. </li></ul>

Rejection is Proof of Progress.

Usual frame: Money is about earning more.Reframe: Money is about creating options.<ul><li>Instead of chasing a high salary, focus on acquiring skills, building assets, and creating multiple income streams. </li><li>Money should give you freedom, not just material things. </li></ul>

Money is about Creating Options

Usual frame: Health is about avoiding sickness.Reframe: Health is an investment in your future.<ul><li>Taking care of your body today ensures you have more energy, productivity, and longevity tomorrow. </li><li>Think of exercise, nutrition, and sleep as deposits into your future success. </li></ul>

Health is an Investment in Your Future

Usual Frame : I failed at 90% of the things I tried.Reframe : I only need to succeed 10% of the time.<ul><li>You can choose to feel like a loser everytime something doesn't go right.</li><li>Or, you can reframe your situation as a winner's journey - which will later on will become part of your success stories that you will share with the world and people around you! </li></ul>

I Only Need To Succeed 10% Of The Time

Usual Frame : I want to do (something). Reframe : I have decided to do (something). <ul><li>Wanting versus deciding is a very powerful distinction. </li><li>If you want something, you might be willing to work hard to get it. </li><li>BUT if you have decided to have something, you will do whatever it takes. </li><li>It's a choice and commitment that you have made. </li></ul>

I Have Decided To Do...

Usual Frame: The task is so big and daunting, I can't even start.Reframe: What's the smallest thing I can do that moves me in the right direction?<ul><li>Have you ever wanted to do something in your personal or work life but couldn't motivate yourself to start?</li><li>Momentum can often create more momentum, especially if you find "fuel" along the way - like in some games; you only continue your mission if you find energy sources as you go. Treat the real world as if it's that kind of video games.</li><li>Good projects become somewhat self-fueling, so over time, they will supply you the energy to keep going. </li></ul>

What's The Smallest Thing I Can Do?

Usual Frame : Another problem! Why me?Reframe : Oh, a new puzzle to solve! This is exciting! <ul><li>Amazingly, this absurb little reframe can almost instantly make us unbothered by the problems. In effect, we can choose to gamify our burdens and challenge ourselves to find smart solutions! </li><li>Humans are good at solving problems. Find what reframe works for you. Make it fun too!</li><li>The author recommends turning daily tasks at home into a fun game too. For example, when the author folds a bath towel capably, he feels like a circus performer!</li><li>Chase those tiny dopamine release in our daily lives! </li></ul>

Oh A New Puzzle To Solve

Don't make a mistake of sitting on the couch waiting for luck to find you. Luck needs you to do your part, and that generally looks like this :<ul><li>Work on your fitness and health</li><li>Build your talent stack</li><li>Meet more people</li><li>Go where there is more energy</li><li>Create system for your success</li></ul>If you follow that recipe and tell yourself the Universe owes you some luck, you'll have your odds. The first rule of "luck" is you need to "do something" to have the chance of luck noticing you. Go where the energy is the highest.

Conclusion - Go Where The Energy Is The Highest

Usual Frame : I am my inner thoughts.Reframe : I am what I do. Usual Frame : Find yourself.Reframe : Author yourself. Usual Frame : Some people are good, some are not.Reframe : We are all flawed, and we're good in different things. Usual Frame : Art is entertaining.Reframe : Art is powerful, mind altering drug. Usual Frame : I eat too much of the wrong food.Reframe : I spend too much time with the wrong people. Usual Frame : I have a weight loss goal.Reframe : I am creating a weight loss system for myself. Usual Frame : Sugar is delicious, but don't overdo it.Reframe : Sugar is poison.

Summary - Mental Health, Social Life & Physical Health Reframes

Reframe Your Brain by Scott Adams is about using mental reframing techniques to change how you perceive challenges, opportunities, and everyday situations. Knowing how to reframe our brain is a powerful perspective shifting habit that can help us to reprogram our world.

In Reframe Your Brain, Scott Adams, the contrarian genius behind Dilbert and author of the most influential personal success book of all time-How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big-gives you the complete operating system for lasting happiness.Are you familiar with this old saying?"All publicity is good publicity."That's a classic reframe. The quote shifts your thinking from the shame of whatever you did wrong to your probable benefit. You can't change the past, but you can change how you feel about it.Trained hypnotist and persuasion expert Scott Adams has packed more than 160 new, counterintuitive, and effective reframes into Reframe Your Brain. For example: Usual Frame: Manage your time.Reframe: Manage your energy.Usual Frame: Success depends on who you know.Reframe: Success depends on how many people you know.Usual Frame: Your critics are evil monsters.Reframe: Your critics are your mascots.Usual Frame: The universe is acting against you.Reframe: The universe owes you.Usual Frame: Luck is random and can't be managed.Reframe: You can go where there is more luck (more energy).These instant perspective-shifters will help you feel better on demand and succeed at any endeavor without the usual pain or pitfalls. The reframe collection covers personal fulfillment, business and career success, mental health, social activities, and physical well-being. If only 10 percent of the reframes work for you, your life will never be the same.Prepare to embark on a journey of transformation as Scott Adams shares his most invaluable insights and practical techniques to date, empowering you to reprogram your own reality using words alone.

problemsolving

Problem Solving

Adams was born in Windham, New York in 1957 and received his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Hartwick College in 1979.He also studied economics and management for his 1986 MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.In recent years, Adams has been hurt with a series of debilitating health problems. Since late 2004, he has suffered from a reemergence of his focal dystonia which has affected his drawing. He can fool his brain by drawing using a graphics tablet. On December 12, 2005, Adams announced on his blog that he also suffers from spasmodic dysphonia.

Scott Adams

Reframe Your Brain

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