Einstein understood the value of developing an informal avocation. “Mainly play the things on the piano which please you,” he tells his son, “even if the teacher does not assign those.”Doing what you love, the way you like to do it, he goes on, “is the way to learn the most, that when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice that the time passes."

Do What You Love, The Way You Like To Do It

Csikszentmihalyi’s insights into human flourishing mirror Einstein’s: he calls such creative immersion “flow,” or the state of “being completely involved in an activity for its own sake.”"The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost." - Csikszentmihalyi

Creative Immersion, Flow ~ Human Flourishing

Contrary to our usual conceptions of using one’s “skills to the utmost,” Csikszentmihalyi tells us that the reward for entering such a state is not the material benefits it generates, but the positive emotions. These, as Einstein theorized, not only motivate us to become better, but they also provide a source of meaning no amount of financial gain above a minimum level can offer.

The Reward Of Positive Emotions Give Sense Of Meaning 

“The lack of basic material resources contributes to unhappiness,” Csikszentmihalyi’s data demonstrates, “but the increase in material resources does not increase happiness.” While none of us can be Einstein, Csikszentmihalyi tells us we can all benefit from Einstein’s advice, by doing whatever we do to the best of our abilities and without any motive other than sheer pleasure.

Do What We Love To The Best Of Our Abilities For Sheer Pleasure

Flow is indeed a lovely state to be in. Sharing this here as a reminder to self and to everyone else too.

As one particularly astute observer of human emotions might put it, it is a truth universally acknowledged that we can’t all be Albert Einstein. In fact, none of us can. Open Culture, openculture.com

productivity

Productivity

philosophy

Philosophy

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

health

Health

creativity

Creativity

Albert Einstein Tells His Son The Key to Learning & Happiness is Losing Yourself in Creativity (or “Finding Flow”)

Did you know there’s a new “pandemic” in town? Yes, apart from COVID and any other disease you might be thinking of. Hold on, don’t panic. It’s actually not fatal, but it’s taking a toll on quite a number of people who keep failing to understand the dynamics behind this whole new infection. I’m talking about the “Entrepreneurialism” pandemic.

New “Pandemic” Alert🚨 

The truth is, a lot of people are confusing the term&nbsp;“entrepreneur”&nbsp;with&nbsp;“business owner”. The two are similar in so many aspects, but they are definitely not the same. Surprised? Well, let me break it down for you.

What’s Really Going On…

A business owner is the owner of a company that provides a product or service to its clients.From the moment they start their business, most business owners have a deep understanding of their market and know who they should sell their products to. They frequently profit from the success of their company, which is either a sole source of income or a side hustle.An entrepreneur, on the other hand, goes way beyond just owning a business.

The Not So Obvious Differences

Entrepreneurs want to disrupt the market by sweeping out the traditional dynamics of how things are thought to work.Entrepreneurs are always all in. They are passionate about their work and obsess over it. It’s a tendency; a predetermined route. It’s a personality trait, a labor of love, an unteachable zeal, a disease that can’t be cured, and an illness that can’t be caught. It’s either you have it or you don’t.Money isn’t what motivates an entrepreneur. That is what pushes businesses and business owners. But for an entrepreneur, money is merely a yardstick.&nbsp;

The Traits To Look For

The status quo is never enough for an entrepreneur. They do not become fat and content. They’re always thinking about the next thing, the next endeavor, The “Big One.” They prefer being in the thick of things. They thrive in a state of turmoil and have their fingers in various jars. That’s why it’s common to hear about them failing at a half-dozen businesses before finally succeeding.That is not the personality of business owners. They usually like focusing on one thing at a time. They are mostly not jugglers and try as much as possible to stay away from failure.

There’s More 

Determining whether or not you have “Entrepreneurialism” is just a matter of self-analysis and careful observation. Here are a few symptoms to help you out with that.

So, How Do I Know?

Entrepreneurs always want to know the answers. They are like sponges, constantly trying to learn more, improve their skillsets and find things out for themselves. They are never afraid to ask questions and won’t stop till they get the answer.

Always Asking Questions 

Entrepreneurs tend to see opportunities all around them, even in simple conversations. They try to make the most out of every situation and connect with people that they believe will be instrumental in the growth and success of their venture.

Sees Opportunity Everywhere And In Everything 

Entrepreneurs have a “don’t stop until the task is done” mindset. They try to hit their marks every time, going the extra mile to make sure they achieve their goals before they can rest.Do any of these sound like you? You’ve definitely caught the bug!

Time Is Never Enough

If you do not relate to any of these, don’t beat yourself down. Not everyone can be an entrepreneur,&nbsp;and it is perfectly okay. You don’t need to force your way into becoming one. Instead, figure out what you do best and do it better than anybody else.

Be Yourself And Achieve Greatness Your Own Way

Entrepreneurship seems to be the new craze in town…but is everyone cut out for it. This article will help you find out!

A lot of people are confusing the term "entrepreneur" with "business owner". The two are similar in so many aspects, but not the same!

entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

business

Business

Are You Really an Entrepreneur?: What Separates Entrepreneurs From Business Owners

According to Lawrence Kohlberg, there are six stages of moral development. STAGE 1 - Punishment/Obedience Motivated by fear of punishmentSTAGE 2 - Self-interest/Rewards Motivated by the promise of rewardSTAGE 3 - Conformity/Pleaser (social norms) Motivated by a desire to please others STAGE 4 - Law & Order Motivated by a belief in rules and social orderSTAGE 5 - Empathy Motivated by a consideration of othersSTAGE 6 - Integrity Motivated by a personal code of ethics

6 Stages of Moral Development

An inspiring guide to transforming education for children describes the methods through which the author exposes first-generation immigrant students to classic culture and enables them to score in the top one percent on standardized tests.

education

Learning & Education

books

Books

Read Rafe Esquith's posts on the Penguin Blog. The New York Times bestseller that is revolutionizing the way Americans educate their kids-"Rafe Esquith is a genius and a saint" (The New York Times) Perhaps the most famous fifth-grade teacher in America, Rafe Esquith has won numerous awards and even honorary citizenship in the British Empire for his outstandingly successful methods. In his Los Angeles public school classroom, he helps impoverished immigrant children understand Shakespeare, play Vivaldi, and become happy, self-confident people. This bestseller gives any teacher or parent all the techniques, exercises, and innovations that have made its author an educational icon, from personal codes of behavior to tips on tackling literature and algebra. The result is a powerful book for anyone concerned about the future of our children.

Rafe Esquith

Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire

Everyone yearns for a better life in some sort of way. However, not everyone gets to realise the life they want because they may not know where to start. Most of the time, getting to where you want in life is easier than it sounds. Here are 3 things that will change your life forever if you let them. If you found this article helpful in any way, don't forget to like, comment, and share. All your support is greatly appreciated!

These 3 Things Will Change Your Life Forever (Life-Changing Habits)

Habits are important pillars in all our lives. Today we're going to be talking about 3 big habits that will change your life forever if you build them

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

habits

Habits

They look broadly to do the job that needs to be done. They build a reputation of being a flexible utility player, with the agility to adapt to changing needs.One of the best ways to encourage this is to be a good communicator, both by letting people know what is happening, and really listening to other people.

Top performers look beyond their assigned role

They don't wait to be asked; they get things started and involve others, even when they're not officially in charge. They lead or follow on-demand rather than by command. They don't assume that other people are in charge who will tell them when they are needed and what to do. In leadership circles, this is often called "leadership from behind."

Top performers get things started

... rather than workers who measure their contribution by hours worked. Too many average workers operate on an avoidance mindset, taking responsible action, but when things get tough, they stall out or escalate issues up the management chain rather than taking ownership.The best business leaders and business professionals are also ones who produce more results.

Look for those obsessed with completion

Many employees interpret change as annoying, unfair, or threatening to their stability. Top performers interpret new targets and new rules as a need to recalibrate and refocus their efforts, as well as the business. The result is a culture of innovation, keeping the organization relevant and responsive.

Top performers see change as an opportunity to learn 

The best players provide a lift, not by taking on other people's work but by being easy to work with. They bring a sense of equanimity that reduces drama, politics, and stress, and promotes a positive and collaborative work environment for everyone. They offer to help, rather than seek help.

Top performers make heavy demands lighter

corporateculture

Corporate Culture

leadershipandmanagement

Leadership & Management

How to Identify a Top Performer in Your Business

<ul><li>The Dunning-Kruger effect is a type of cognitive bias in which people believe that they are smarter and more capable than they really are.</li><li>The combination of poor self-awareness and low cognitive ability leads them to overestimate their own capabilities.</li><li>The term lends a scientific name and explanation to a problem that many people immediately recognize—that fools are blind to their own foolishness. </li></ul>

Overview 

<ul><li> Overestimate their own skill levels.</li><li> Fail to recognize the genuine skill and expertise of other people.</li><li> Fail to recognize their own mistakes and lack of skill.</li></ul>

Causes 

<ul><li>EVERYONE.Everyone has areas in which they are uninformed and incompetent.</li><li>The reality is that everyone is susceptible to this phenomenon, and in fact, most of us probably experience it with surprising regularity.</li><li>The dose is a bit higher in some cases though :)</li><li>Note ;The Dunning-Kruger effect is not synonymous with low IQ.</li></ul>

Affected People

<ul><li>Keep learning and practicing. </li><li>Ask other people how you're doing.</li><li>Question what you know.</li></ul>

Overcoming The Bias

THE DUNNING KRUGER EFFECT IS A type of cognitive bias you would not like to have .

The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which the incompetent lack the skills and cognitive abilities to recognize their own inability.

Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why Incompetent People Think They Are Superior

A growth engine is a process that startups use to achieve sustainable growth i.e. growth where new customers come from the actions of past customers.There are three growth engines, each with its own set of metrics:<ol><li>Sticky engine of growth</li><li>Viral engine of growth</li><li>Paid engine of growth</li></ol>Successful startups usually focus on a single growth engine. Chasing multiple engines at once creates confusion and leads to poor results.

Growth engines

Applies to products designed to attract and retain customers for the long term. They rely on high retention rates to grow.Metrics to track: Growth rate, Churn rate, RetentionRule of growth: Growth rate > Churn rate. The larger the difference, the faster the product grows.Focus on: Improving the product to make it more engaging and to drive retention.

Sticky engine of growth

Applies to products designed to spread rapidly from one person to another. They rely on existing users to bring in new users.This is different than word-of-mouth growth because customers are not intentionally promoting the product. Instead, they are promoting the product by using it. Viral growth happens automatically as a side effect of customers using the product.Metrics to track: k-factorRule of growth: The higher the k-factor, the faster the product spreads.Focus on: Increasing the sign up rate and the number of invites sent per user.

Viral engine of growth

Applies to startups that acquire users through ads or sales, make a profit on each new user, and then reinvest the revenue to acquire more users for larger profits. They rely on getting more money from a user than they paid to get him.Metrics to track: CAC, LTVRule of growth: LTV > CAC. The larger the difference, the faster the growth.Focus on: Increasing LTV and decreasing CAC

Paid engine of growth

startup

Startups

Growth Engines for Startups

Don’t be left behind. Ensure you remain relevant to your sector by keeping up-to-date with trends and adapting your skill set. <ul><li>To function effectively in this rapidly changing world of technology, you need to learn new things to remain valuable.</li></ul>

1. Remain relevant

Lifelong learning will help you adapt to unexpected changes – for example, losing your job and having to depend on new skills to find work. <ul><li>By continuing to learn, you’ll more easily step out of your comfort zone and take on new job opportunities.</li></ul>

2. Prepare for the unexpected

When you’re always learning, you’ll keep improving, will grow in your career, and start to receive recommendations from colleagues and managers. The chances are that you’ll switch jobs multiple times throughout your life and you need to learn new skills to adapt accordingly.

3. Boost your profile

Learning new things gives us a feeling of accomplishment which, in turn, boosts our confidence in our own capabilities; you’ll also feel more ready to take on challenges and explore new business ventures.

4. Competence leads to confidence

Acquiring new skills will unveil new opportunities and help you find innovative solutions to problems. This could earn you more money.

5. Spark new ideas

Continuous learning opens your mind and changes your attitude by building on what you already know. The more you learn, the better you’ll get at seeing more sides of the same situation – helping you understand more deeply.

6. Change your perspective

Continuous learning opens your mind and changes your attitude by building on what you already know. The more you learn, the better you’ll get at seeing more sides of the same situation – helping you understand more deeply.

Continuous learning isn’t just about you. Lifelong learning helps develop your leadership skills which then translates into fostering lifelong learning in other individuals, by encouraging them to pursue further education.

7. Pay it forward

Learning has been a concept that has evolved with time, which does not end with a degree or after you settle down with a good job. It is a lifelong process.

Seven reasons why continuous learning is important

Don't complain for a whole day and observe how your day unfolds.<ul><li>This will shift your focus to see the good in everything.</li><li>Amor Fati — accept and love everything that happens</li><li>Be grateful for all the things and events that happened and may happen because it may help you realize the things you can improve on.</li><li>We must embrace uncertainty. </li><li>Recognize that we have no control over everything; we only have control over how we perceive and respond to it.</li></ul>

Don't complain

Practice what you Preach or change your Speech<ul><li>Walk the talk</li><li>Reflect on the actions that you did today if it represents who you want to be.</li></ul>

Practice what you preach

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We must not force ourselves to finish everything all at once. Take one step at a time.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Keep in mind that we have the option to take a break. We don't have to push ourselves all the way to the brink of exhaustion.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">We must also reflect on the things that we did to visualize our progress.</li></ul>

Act. Rest. Reflect. Repeat.

Keep moving forward

This serves as a gentle reminder that we always have the option to rest. We're not obligated to complete everything at once. Just concentrate on one thing at a time and savor the experience. Have a nice day!

Thoughts for the Day [Nov. 3]

"Efficiency is about getting more things done. Effectiveness is about getting the right things done"

“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

One of the most trusted approaches is to use the Pareto Principle, which is more commonly known as the 80/20 Rule.

How do you decide what the “right things” are? 

The 80/20 Rule states that, in any particular domain, a small number of things account for the majority of the results.

The 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 Rule is like a form of judo for life and work. By finding precisely the right area to apply pressure, you can get more results with less effort.

The Upside of the 80/20 Rule

A new path will never look like the most effective option in the beginning.

The Downside of the 80/20 Rule

<ul><li>The 80/20 Rule will help you find the useful things in your past and get more of them in the future. But if you don’t want your future to be more of your past, then you need a different approach.</li><li>The downside of being effective is that you often optimize for your past rather than for your future.</li></ul>

Optimizing for Your Past or Your Future

<ul><li>Given enough practice and enough time, the thing that previously seemed ineffective can become very effective. You get good at what you practice.</li><li>The process of learning a new skill or starting a new company or taking on a new adventure of any sort will often appear to be an ineffective use of time at first.</li><li>Compared to the other things you already know how to do, the new thing will seem like a waste of time. It will never win the 80/20 analysis. </li></ul>But that doesn't mean it's the wrong decision.

Where to Go From Here

You get one, precious life. How do you decide the best way to spend your time?

history

History

movies

Movies & Shows

When the 80/20 Rule Fails: The Downside of Being Effective

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