Common pitfalls of the Napoleon technique

Generally, ennui makes you feel almost always bored (in general or in specific parts of your life - your job or your hobbies); you feel this boredom on a deep, existential level, in a way that is hard to change.

You may also lack enthusiasm or excitement and show no interest in how the future will look like.

A person can suffer from ennui but not depression. Similarly, this also means that it’s possible for someone to suffer from depression but not ennui.

Depression is well defined from a clinical perspective, and is therefore a commonly used medical term, whereas ennui isn’t, and shouldn’t be viewed as such.

The common way to tell the importance of our work is by how meaningful this is for us. Practically, it is about how well, how rewarded we feel after having done our shift.

When it comes to economics, productivity is what measures this meaningfulness. And it most often translates into the amount of money that has resulted from doing our work.

There are three main elements that lead to a certain outcome when it comes to individual productivity: energy, information and creativity.

The first two go together very well, as we need energy in order to be physically able to work, while information is what guides us in regards to how to make better use of our energy and time, in order to reach a certain goal. Creativity, on the other hand, can be perceived as a unique feature, as it enables us to be more efficient while also discovering new ways to do things.

"We should ignore the theory of evolution because the dictionary says that a theory is just an opinion that you have about something you can't prove."

The person using this fallacy is basing their statement on a specific definition of the word "theory" while ignoring alternative definitions that will better capture the meaning of the term as it's used in a scientific context.

Not every use of a definition is necessarily fallacious. If the definition is properly justified and is selected in a properly justified way, it is generally not fallacious. However, it is fallacious when at least one of the following conditions are true:

• There is no valid reason for using the definition.
• The definition was cherry-picked out of a range of possible definitions.

Individuals can engage in virtue signaling, as can groups, companies, or governments.

Someone might even engage in virtue signaling in private, by saying things that are meant to convince themselves of their own good character.

• Make sure that a person is really virtue signaling.
• Clearly outline the issues tied with this kind of behavior.
• Avoid using the concept of virtue signaling as a trivial way to dismiss others without consideration.
• Be aware of the fact that just because someone is doing something that demonstrates their good moral values doesn’t mean that they’re virtue signaling.

We can change our emotional state by focusing on our physiology rather than our emotions. Using the following tricks can give you energy and an emotional boost to stay productive.

• Put on some upbeat music.
• Stand up and stretch. Try to reach the ceiling. Get on your tippy-toes.
• Take several deep breaths. Oxygenating the blood make you more alert and awake.
• Get your body moving. The more vigorous you can move, the better. Go for a run, a bicycle ride, or simply a walk outdoors. If you do it for long enough, your brain will release endorphins that elevate your mood.
• Focus on the positive. Think positive thoughts. Give thanks for what you have rather than complaining about what you don't.

To counteract it the Law of Diminishing Intent, use the LEAP Principle, which states that you should never leave the scene of clarity without taking decisive action.

• Lean into the change with confidence, especially if you are aware of the fact that a change is desirable or necessary.
• Engage with the concept until you have a fair image about it. Work with it until you’ve got a sense of what to do.
• Activate and do something. Don't wait until you feel you have all the information.
• Pounce and do it now. Once you’ve determined your next step, take it.

The concept of meaning, points to objective and subjective modes.

• Objective: The world or the universe as it exists.
• Subjective: The ‘I’, the person that exists to experience the universe.

Isaac Newton gave visibility to this very fabric of reality, making meaning an action, a synthesis of objectivity and subjectivity, both of which are vital.

The architect Christopher Alexander concludes that life is everywhere, in an interconnected way, by design. Nature, animals, plants, mountains, clouds, rivers, valleys, birds and insects just fit together in harmony. Nature’s design is integrated and flawless.