𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰...

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

mentalhealth

Mental Health

communication

Communication

loveandrelationships

Love & Relationships

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

Discovering Life's Best Things When You're Not Looking for Them

I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives.

Surrounding Yourself with Positivity and Productivity

I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.

The Path to Overcoming Fear

Hard work has made it easy. That is my secret. That is why I win.

Hard Work as the Key to Ease and Success

You can't jump from little things to big things. It just takes time and patience.

Growth Journey

Other kids had more talent, but I was the most focused.

Focus Over Talent

Life is not easy for anyone. You have to have ups and downs. You can make mistakes. You learn and try not to make them again. That's pretty much my principle.

Learning from Ups and Downs

Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don't lose the passion and the love for what you do.

 Embracing the Journey of Continuous Improvement

I believe that what she has accomplished is quite admirable, and we could learn a great deal by examining her work ethic

If there were such a thing as an "elder" stateswoman in women's gymnastics today, Nadia Comaneci would win that title as readily as she once won gold medals. Olga Korbut came before her, and many other medalists would follow, but none has ever been as dominant in winning the hearts of millions around the world. With grit and determination, Nadia Comaneci ushered in a new era for women's sports, one where young girls could vault into the arena of superstardom. Even today, almost thirty years after her greatest triumphs, you need only mention the name "Nadia" and gymnastics fans know instantly whom you are talking about. In Letters to a Young Gymnast, Nadia shows what it takes to achieve athletic perfection and become the best. With inspiring and dramatic stories from her own experience, she tells us how the young girl that Bela Karolyi discovered in a Romanian elementary school found the inner strength to become a world-class athlete at such a young age. This collection of Nadia's memories, anecdotes, and advice grants unique insights into the mind of a top competitor. From how to live after you've realized your dream, to the necessity of "a spirit forged with mettle," Nadia's thoughts on athleticism and sacrifice are eye-opening and surprisingly challenging.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

exerciseandfitness

Exercise & Fitness

sports

Sports

Nadia Comaneci

Letters to a Young Gymnast

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple.But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.

822 quotes from George Bernard Shaw: 'Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.', 'A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.', and 'Make it a rule never to give a child a book you would not read yourself.'

problemsolving

Problem Solving

creativity

Creativity

George Bernard Shaw: Apples and Ideas

The enduring bond between Harry, Ron, and Hermione exemplifies the profound strength found in genuine friendships. Navigating challenges together and unwavering support define this powerful connection.

1.The Power of Friendship:

Harry's journey, riddled with challenges, underscores the significance of confronting fear and adversity. His resilience emphasizes the vital role courage plays in overcoming life's obstacles.

2. Courage in the Face of Adversity:

Caracters like Harry and his friends courageously defy injustice, emphasizing the imperative to resist wrongdoing and advocate for what is right, even in the face of daunting odds.

3. Standing Up Against Injustice: 

The narrative underscores the potency of unity. When individuals unite for a shared purpose, their collective strength and resilience surpass individual capacities, highlighting the transformative force of togetherness.

4. Unity and Strength

The story encourages making choices rooted in kindness and empathy. This narrative thread emphasizes that understanding and compassion are not only virtues but essential qualities that foster harmonious relationships.

5. Choosing Kindness and Empathy:

Woven throughout the book is the theme of love as a transformative power. Whether familial or born of friendship, love possesses the extraordinary ability to effect positive change and healing.

6. Love as a Transformative Force:

Despite Harry's tragic past, the narrative emphasizes his agency to shape his destiny. This lesson resonates profoundly, highlighting that one's history need not dictate the trajectory of their future.

7.  The Past Doesn't Define the Future:

7 valuable lessons from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone" (Part 1)

Harry Potter spent ten long years living with Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, an aunt and uncle whose outrageous favoritism of their perfectly awful son Dudley leads to some of the most inspired dark comedy since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But fortunately for Harry, he's about to be granted a scholarship to a unique boarding school called THE HOGWORTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, where he will become a school hero at the game of Quidditch (a kind of aerial soccer played high above the ground on broomsticks), he will make some wonderful friends, and, unfortunately, a few terrible enemies. For although he seems to be getting your run-of-the-mill boarding school experience (well, ok, even that's pretty darn out of the ordinary), Harry Potter has a destiny that he was born to fulfill. A destiny that others would kill to keep him from.

movies

Movies & Shows

books

Books

Joanne Rowling CH OBE FRSL, also known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author and philanthropist. She wrote Harry Potter, a seven-volume children's fantasy series published from 1997 to 2007.

J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

8 LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM  THE BOOK IIKIGAI 

"Ikigai" emphasizes the importance of small acts of affection, meditation, affirmation, journaling, and gratitude for maintaining our connection to happiness hormones.

1.Don't Retire, Stay Active 

Ikigai and Joe Robinson both emphasize the importance of walking slowly for better habit formation, as it allows for the adjustment of new habits.

2.Take Your Time

The quote "Dinosaurs always roared and never laughed" emphasizes the importance of smiling and laughing in our lives, as it brings happiness and doesn't cost money.

3.Always Smile

Human preference for cities has increased condo rates, but connecting with nature recharges the soul's batteries and brings contentment through enjoying the seasons and their meanings since birth.

4.Reunite With Mother Nature 

Lavretsky and Newhouse suggest that excessive work can cause premature aging, and promoting "Ichi-go ichi-e," or living in the moment, can help combat this.

5. Live In The Present 

Ikigai recommends reducing food intake by reducing serving sizes by 20% and promoting proper digestion through walking. Experiment with different sizes and ratios to find the best balance.

6. Eat Just 80%

Daily plant watering, exercising, doing yoga, and engaging in gym activities are all essential for optimal oil function. They can help remove dirt, release happiness hormones, and keep us feeling refreshed and happy.

7. Maintain Fineness For Your Next Birthday 

Ikigai believes that everyone has a unique passion that can bring both simplicity and complexity, and finding it can lead to a fulfilling journey. It's the perfect blend of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.Follow these key principles to find your Ikigai:<ul><li>Reflect on what makes you truly happy.</li><li>Explore different activities and find your strengths.</li><li>Consider how you can make a positive impact on others and the world.</li><li>Find a way to turn your passion into a source of income.</li><li>Embrace your Ikigai and make it a central part of your life.</li></ul>

Follow Your Ikigai

There is no future, no past. There is only the present. The happiest people are not the ones who achieve the most. They are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow.﻿

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • 1.5 MILLION+ COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE “Workers looking for more fulfilling positions should start by identifying their ikigai.” ―Business Insider   “One of the unintended—yet positive—consequences of the [pandemic] is that it is forcing people to reevaluate their jobs, careers, and lives. Use this time wisely, find your personal ikigai, and live your best life.” ―Forbes Find your ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) to live longer and bring more meaning and joy to all your days. “Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” —Japanese proverb   According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai—a reason for living. And according to the residents of the Japanese village with the world’s longest-living people, finding it is the key to a happier and longer life. Having a strong sense of ikigai—where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap—means that each day is infused with meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning. It’s also the reason many Japanese never really retire (in fact there’s no word in Japanese that means retire in the sense it does in English): They remain active and work at what they enjoy, because they’ve found a real purpose in life—the happiness of always being busy. In researching this book, the authors interviewed the residents of the Japanese village with the highest percentage of 100-year-olds—one of the world’s Blue Zones. Ikigai reveals the secrets to their longevity and happiness: how they eat, how they move, how they work, how they foster collaboration and community, and—their best-kept secret—how they find the ikigai that brings satisfaction to their lives. And it provides practical tools to help you discover your own ikigai. Because who doesn’t want to find happiness in every day?

health

Health

timemanagement

Time Management

Hector Garcia was born in Spain in 1981 and has been living in Tokyo since 2004. During his spare time he writes aGeekinJapan.com, one of the most widely-read blogs in the world in Spanish and in English, as well as books about his experiences in Japan. He is the author of the bestsellers: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life and A Geek in Japan. You can find more of Hector's musings at ageekinjapan.com

Héctor García

Francesc Miralles Contijoch is a Catalan writer, essayist, translator, and musician.

Francesc Miralles

Ikigai

When I started with self-improvement, I didn't know which were the best books to start. So, I had to search for many hours before deciding on one book that would give me an introduction.Many times, the best book depends on your past and beliefs. But, in this list, everyone can find at least one book that is the best book for them. So, here are the best 10 self-improvement books for your transformative start.[This post contains affiliate links that help me support my work. Thank you!]

Top 10 Self-Improvement Books for a Transformative Start

In "<a href="https://amzn.to/3GXhgRk">Atomic Habits</a>," James Clear unravels the power of small habits in creating significant life changes. Clear provides actionable insights backed by scientific research, guiding readers to understand and transform their habits.This book is a practical guide to building positive routines and breaking free from detrimental ones, paving the way for a life of continuous improvement.

1 - Atomic Habits by James Clear

You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

This list is sponsored by The Challenge - a weekly newsletter where I discuss self-improvement, goal-setting, habits, time management, and health tips and tricks.Every week you will get:<ul><li>a challenge to pursue to improve your life</li><li>an infographic to track it.</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Subscribe now</a> to help me continue publishing this type of content.

The Challenge

Carol S. Dweck explores the concept of mindset and its profound impact on success in "<a href="https://amzn.to/4azzl5B">Mindset</a>." Dweck distinguishes between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset, showing how one's beliefs about abilities profoundly influence achievement. This book empowers readers to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and cultivate a mindset that fosters personal development.

2 - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Why waste time proving over and over how great you are when you could be getting better?

Stephen R. Covey's timeless classic, "<a href="https://amzn.to/3v5x9m4">The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People</a>," outlines principles for personal and professional effectiveness. Covey's holistic approach encourages readers to cultivate habits that lead to lasting success and fulfillment. This transformative guide is a cornerstone for anyone seeking to enhance their productivity, relationships, and overall well-being.

3 - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

Eckhart Tolle's "<a href="https://amzn.to/3vaEzo9">The Power of Now</a>" is a spiritual guide to living in the present moment. Tolle emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and sheds light on the transformative power of being fully present. This book serves as a practical manual for overcoming negative thought patterns and achieving a state of peace and fulfillment.

4 - The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Time isn't precious at all, because it is an illusion.

Jen Sincero's "<a href="https://amzn.to/3GRQLwR">You Are a Badass</a>" is a vibrant and humorous guide to unleashing your inner potential. With a no-nonsense approach, Sincero encourages readers to overcome self-doubt, embrace their power, and create the life they desire. This book is an uplifting kick-start for those ready to make positive changes.

5 - You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.

Brené Brown explores the transformative power of vulnerability in "<a href="https://amzn.to/48rVaSQ">Daring Greatly.</a>" Brown challenges societal expectations and encourages readers to embrace vulnerability as a source of courage and strength. With research-backed insights, this book is a guide to cultivating resilience and fostering genuine connections with others.

6 - Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.

Don Miguel Ruiz distills ancient Toltec wisdom into "<a href="https://amzn.to/48uv0ib">The Four Agreements</a>," offering a code for personal freedom and fulfillment. Ruiz imparts principles such as being impeccable with one's word and not making assumptions. This concise guide empowers readers to break free from self-limiting beliefs and live authentically.

7 - The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.

In "<a href="https://amzn.to/41CFMAF">Eat That Frog!</a>," Brian Tracy provides practical strategies for overcoming procrastination and boosting productivity. Tracy's approach is centered on tackling the most challenging tasks first, enabling readers to achieve more in less time. This book is a roadmap for taking control of one's time and aligning actions with personal goals.

8 - Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy

The ability to concentrate single-mindedly on your most important task, to do it well and to finish it completely, is the key to great success, achievement, respect, status, and happiness in life.

Viktor E. Frankl's "<a href="https://amzn.to/41CFObL">Man's Search for Meaning</a>" is a profound exploration of finding purpose and meaning in the face of adversity. Based on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, Frankl shares insights into the human capacity for resilience and the importance of discovering meaning even in the darkest moments.

9 - Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

Hal Elrod introduces a transformative morning routine in "<a href="https://amzn.to/4axy8M2">The Miracle Morning</a>." Elrod's approach, known as the SAVERS system, includes Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing. This book empowers readers to create a morning ritual that sets a positive tone for the day, fostering personal growth and productivity.

10 - The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

The moment you accept responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life is the moment you gain the power to change ANYTHING in your life.

The Challenge sponsored this list. So, if you want to support my work, you can subscribe and share <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/">The Challenge</a> with your friends and families!Or, if you want to read more of my content, visit the <a href="https://www.cosmopolitanmindset.com/">Cosmopolitan Mindset</a>.<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Subscribe now</a> to help me continue publishing this type of content.

Before you go

When I started with self-improvement, I didn't know which were the best books on the market. But with this list, you will find yours in a second.

productivity

Productivity

habits

Habits

Begin Your Journey: Top 10 Self-Improvement Books for a Transformative Start

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Cultivate vigor, patience, will, purity; avoid malice and pride. Then, you will achieve your destiny."

You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of the work.

“Even if one’s father is a misdemeanor, even if the world abandons him, it is the duty of the son to worship the father like God.”

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

education

Learning & Education

Rising from Falls: Wisdom from Inspirational Minds

With a new year can come many changes and shifts, it is important to make the most out of your time using small, but powerful goals and new habits. With this there are a few reasons to make a goal; for advancement (in a hobby, activity, or skill), to remove a bad habit, to enhance new experiences, or to save or enhance your time. It is important that everyone has an activity a part of there life in each of the categories below.

Preamble 

These goals are in pursuit of knowledge or anything that enhances the mind, such as reading 30 minutes a day, or committing to learning a language or a new math skill. Really anything that enhances your learning/knowledge.

Mental

These are any goals that strengthen/exercise the body, such as playing basketball 1 hour a day, or lifting weights 2 hours a day.

Phyisical

Any goals that enhances your spiritual or religious knowledge/life. Like reading the Bible 1 hour a day or meditating each day before bed

Spiritual 

Anything that expresses/trains your creative thinking. Such as painting or playing the game of chess each day

Creative 

Implement one of each of these habits of each category into your life and you shall be fulfilled…

Closing

This is in response to the impending New Year..,

philosophy

Philosophy

Goals for 2024

<ul><li>There’s no such thing as too much self care. Cleanliness is a mood booster and the perfect way to maintain order and the quality of your environment.</li></ul>

Indulge In Self Care 

<ul><li>Setting alarms on your phone or electronic device of choice is a great way to reset or maintain your focus.</li><li>Label alarms after specific activities or goals you’re currently working on.</li><li>Work ahead of alarm or get started right away.</li></ul>

Set Reminders 

<ul><li>Calendly</li><li>Google </li><li>Apple</li><li>Microsoft</li></ul>

Online Calendars 

To Do List are great, but another level of organization and productivity management are priority charts. See next idea for template.

Utilize A Priority Chart  

PRIORITY CHART 

<ul><li>Exercise/Go for a walk</li><li>Enjoy nature </li><li>Go to work, volunteer, intern, give service </li><li>Meet up with a friend</li><li>Utilize local resources : Parks, Coffee Shops, Shopping centers, Bookstores, Restaurants, Boba 🧋 Shops, Ice-cream </li></ul>

Get Outside 

<ul><li>Photos/Canvases</li><li>Plants</li><li>Lamps</li><li>Pillows</li><li>Rugs</li><li>Candles</li></ul>

Decorate Your Home

<ul><li>Affirm Self</li><li>Practice Self-acceptance </li><li>Forgive Self</li><li>Mirror Talks </li></ul>

Increase Self Love

<ul><li>Distance self and isolate in order to educate self on enforcing healthy firm boundaries.</li><li>Start with a few boundaries. </li><li>Consider setting boundaries early on. </li><li>Try to be consistent with your boundaries. </li><li>Carve out time for yourself.</li></ul>

Set Boundaries

Life is constant and as humans we are left to deal with our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. Here are some simple, yet effective ideas to make sure we take care of the captain of our soul- self.

How To Show Up For Yourself

In 'A Christmas Carol' by Dickens, we learn that tough experiences don't just happen once and disappear. They hang around, coming back again, much like Freud later explained. It's a deep idea that helps us understand why certain experiences stay with us.

Trauma Stays with Us  

Scrooge's grumpiness isn't just about being old; it goes back to his lonely childhood. Dickens shows us how our early years can shape who we become. It's a reminder to consider people's pasts when understanding them.

Scrooge's Lonely Childhood 

Even before Freud, Dickens suggests that facing and mourning our past can be healing. Scrooge's journey involves tears and acceptance. It's a touching idea that tells us embracing our history, with all its pain, can lead to personal growth.

Healing through Mourning

Lessons from 'A Christmas Carol'

Find  Self Improvement Tips - Curated from popular Books like Atomic Habits, 48 Rules of Power, Deep Work, Rich Dad Poor Dad and way more!