Chapter 1.1 - LOST ONESWe are the lost ones, those who are always adrift between happiness and sadness. We live in a constant state of uncertainty, questioning whether the path we follow is the right one or if we are drifting further away from what truly matters.Our feelings are like a turbulent ocean, carrying us from moments of love and joy to depths of anxiety and depression. We go through intense experiences, some painful, others wonderful, but all leave indelible marks on our souls. Sometimes, the confusion is so great that it seems impossible to know what the next step will be.

"Lost, but guided by inner light. Connect with your courage and move forward."

Still, amidst this emotional chaos, we have the power to choose. And it is this choice that defines who we are and who we will become. Choices can lead us down unexpected paths, shaping our destiny and influencing not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. The decision to be good or evil, to persevere or give up, is in our hands.

In many moments, we find ourselves suffering, but there are also times when happiness envelops us. Life is thus a dance between light and shadow, hope and despair. What is important is to remember that even when the path is dark, there is always a light within us that can guide us.Staying strong is not easy, but it is crucial. For inner strength is what helps us not to lose ourselves forever. Even when everything seems to crumble, we can find the courage to move forward, knowing that each step is a new opportunity to find meaning and purpose.

In the end, only you can know if your choices will bring peace and fulfillment. Action generates reaction, and each choice can be either a blessing or a difficult lesson. But by acting according to what you believe is right for yourself, you are living authentically and courageously. Not everyone has the bravery to do this.I consider myself lost, but not because I am disoriented on the way home. I am lost in the search to understand my place in the world, in the attempt to find a balance between external expectations and internal truth.

On our journey, we may feel lost, but we are not alone. There is beauty in uncertainty, and it is in moments of doubt that we can discover what really matters. Life offers us the chance to grow, learn, and transform each experience into an opportunity to touch the hearts of others. By embracing our vulnerability and accepting our condition of "lost," we find the strength and courage to continue. In the end, it is love that guides us, and human connection is the anchor that keeps us steady when life's storms threaten to sweep us away.

We are all in this search together, and this understanding brings us hope and comfort.

This post is for those who feel lost in life or who don't see any meaning in it.

productivity

Productivity

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

habits

Habits

mentalhealth

Mental Health

timemanagement

Time Management

"Dark Perspective"-THE LOST ONES

"Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared."

"Wealth like a tree grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth shall grow."

“A man’s wealth is not in the purse he carries. A fat purse quickly empties if there be no golden stream to refill it.”

“Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.”

"Desires must be simple and definite. They defeat their own purpose should they be too many, too confusing, or beyond a man’s training to accomplish."

“Perhaps there is some secret we might learn if we but sought from those who knew.”

Short Summary of a Book.

A timeless classic that offers financial wisdom through a series of parables set in ancient Babylon.

The Richest Man in the Babylon. This book deals with the personal success of each of us. Success means results coming from our efforts and ability. A good preparation is the key to our success. So keep a part of what you earn with yourself. From the benefits of saving to the essentials of getting rich, this collection of educative Babylonian fables gives you timeless information on how to make money. It guides to getting rich, attracting good fortune and the five golden rules. As a guide to understanding hydro-wealth and a powerhouse has been inspiring readers for generations. You know that Babylon became the richest city of the ancient civilization because it had reserved part of its earnings for the future. Thats why citizens got everything they wanted. How can you always keep your wallet heavy, the author has taught very beautifully on this topic.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

moneyandinvestments

Money & Investments

education

Learning & Education

books

Books

George Samuel Clason, also known as George S. Clason. George Samuel Clason was born in Louisiana, Missouri, and died in Napa, California.During his eighty two years he was a soldier, businessman and writer. He served in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War.Clason started two companies, the Clason Map Company of Denver Colorado and the Clason Publishing Company. The Clason Map Company was the first to publish a road atlas of the United States and Canada, and did not survive the Great Depression.George Clason is best known for writing a series of informational pamphlets about being thrifty and how to achieve financial success. He started writing the pamphlets in 1926, using parables that were set in ancient Babylon.

George S. Clason

The Richest Man In Babylon

Instead of seeking motivation from external sources like money, praise, or instant gratification, focus on building intrinsic motivation.Example: A student studying for an exam solely for the reward of a good grade might lose motivation if the reward isn't immediate or as expected. However, a student who finds the subject interesting and enjoys learning will likely be more intrinsically motivated to study.

Avoid relying on external rewards or quick fixes for motivation

Discover the joy and fulfillment in the process of working towards a goal, rather than solely focusing on the end result.Example: A runner might find satisfaction in the physical challenge and mental clarity gained from training, even if they don't win a race.

Find intrinsic satisfaction in the effort itself

Overwhelmingly large goals can be discouraging. By breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps, you can create a sense of progress and accomplishment.Example: If your goal is to write a novel, break it down into chapters, then scenes, and finally paragraphs. Celebrate completing each chapter.

Break down large goals into smaller, achievable steps

Recognizing and rewarding your progress, no matter how small, reinforces positive behavior and keeps motivation high.Example: If you're trying to eat healthier, celebrate choosing a salad over fries or going for a short walk.

Celebrate small wins along the way

Mindfulness helps you focus on the present moment, reducing distractions and increasing your ability to enjoy the task at hand.Example: While working on a project, try to avoid multitasking or checking your phone. Instead, focus on the task at hand and be fully present in the moment.

Practice mindfulness to stay present and engaged in the task

By shifting our focus from the end result to the process, we can harness the power of dopamine to create lasting motivation and achieve our goals.

Conclusion

Andrew Huberman's guidance on sustainable motivation

Dr. Andrew Huberman shares a practical daily protocol to help regulate your dopamine levels and achieve more motivation and focus.

Andrew D. Huberman is an American neuroscientist and tenured associate professor in the department of neurobiology and psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. 

Speaker: Andrew Huberman
YouTube: @hubermanlab 
Original Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmOF0crdyRU&t=642s

Fair Use Disclaimer
Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

* We do not own the rights to all content. They have, in accordance with fair use, been repurposed with the intent of educating and inspiring others.
* We must state that in no way, shape or form are we intending to infringe rights of the copyright holder. Content used is strictly for research and education, all under the Fair Use law.
* If any owners would like me to remove the video we have no problem with that, just send me a letter: therespirechannel@gmail.com. 

#motivation
#focus
#dopamine
#growthmindset 
#caroldweck 
#mindset
#neuroscience
#davidgoggins 
#andrewhuberman
#cyclicsigh
#physiologicalsigh

problemsolving

Problem Solving

videos

Videos

RESPIRE – (1) to breathe (2) to recover hope, courage, or strength.

Our main goal is to create short films that highlight key concepts and insights of the best thinkers and authors of our time. With our content, we want to inspire, motivate and change people, light a fire inside and mentally support those, who have stopped believing in anything, but have found the strength to step on the path of development.


RESPIRE

Neuroscientist: "This Simple Skill Will Keep You Motivated" | Andrew Huberman

“Every time your customers purchase from you, they’re deciding that they value what you have to offer more than they value anything else their money could buy at that moment.”

"Focus on Options, not issues, and you’ll be able to handle any situation life throws at you."

"Experimentation is the essence of living a satisfying, productive, fulfilling life. The more you Experiment, the more you learn, and the more you’ll achieve.”

“Here’s a curious fact about human beings: we have a really hard time realizing that something isn’t there.”

"Business schools don't create successful people. They simply accept them, then take credit for their success."

"Never let success get to your head; never let failure get to your heart."

Find a short summary of the book - https://thetometreasure.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-richest-man-in-babylon_24.html

An MBA at a top school is an enormous investment in time, effort and cold, hard cash. And if you don't want to work for a consulting firm or an investment bank, the chances are it simply isn't worth it. Josh Kaufman is the rogue professor of modern business education. Feted by everyone from the business media to influential business writers including Seth Godin and David Allen, he's torn up the rulebook and given thousands of people worldwide the tools to teach themselves everything they need to know about business. The Personal MBA teaches simple mental models that help students understand every subject that's key to commercial success. From the basics of products, sales & marketing and finance to the nuances of human psychology, teamwork and creating systems, this bestselling title distils everytyhing you need to know to take on the MBA graduates and win. This book gives you everything you need to transform your business, your career or your working life forever.

strategy

Strategy

business

Business

Josh Kaufman is an independent business teacher, education activist, and author of The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business.Josh's unique, multidisciplinary approach to business education has helped hundreds of thousands of readers around the world master foundational business concepts on their own terms, and his work has been featured in BusinessWeek, Fortune, and Fast Company, as well as by influential websites like Lifehacker, HarvardBusiness.org, Cool Tools, and Seth Godin's Blog.

Josh Kaufman

The Personal MBA

Wealth is having ASSETS that earn while you sleep.Money is how we transfer time and wealth.Status is your place in the social hierarchy.<a href="https://elevatedpath.beehiiv.com/subscribe">The Art of Habits</a> (It's free)

💡 SEEK WEALTH NOT MONEY OR STATUS

● Making money is not a thing you do, it's a skill you learn."You will get rich by giving society what it wants but does not yet know how to get. At scale"● The means of learning are abundant. It's a desire to learn that is scare. ● Read what you love untill you love read.

💡 EARN WITH YOUR MIND NOT YOUR TIME

Getting rich is about knowing what to do, who to do it with, when to do it. It is much more about understanding than purely hard work.● BUILD SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE● USE LEVERAGE● BUILD JUDGMENT● LEARN MENTAL MODELS● BUILD ACCOUNTABILITY● DO HARD THINGS BE PATIENT● BE AUTHENTIC● PLAY THE RIGHT GAMES

💡PRINCIPLES OF WEALTH

It cannot be trained.It is found by pursuing your genuine curiosity and passion.It will feel like play to you but will look like work to others."Become the best in the world at what you do. Keep redefining what you do until this is true."<a href="https://elevatedpath.beehiiv.com/subscribe">The Art of Habits</a> (It's free)

● BUILD SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE

"You're never going to get rich by renting your time."3 classes of leverage:<ul><li>Labor </li><li>Money</li><li>Products with no marginal cost of replication (books, media, code). They're permissionless.</li></ul>

● USE LEVERAGE

Wisdom applied to external problems is judgment.Stay on the bleeding edge of study technology design, and art. Become really good at something.The really smart thinkers are clear thinkers. They understand the basics at a very fundamental level.

● BUILD JUDGMENT

Mental models are really just compact ways for you to recall your own knowledge.Evolution, inversion, complexity theory. economics, principal-agent theory, compound interest, basic math, black swan, calculus, falsifiability

● LEARN MENTAL MODELS

Build a unique character, a unique brand, a unique mindset, which causes luck to find you.Put your name on it and take the risks. Earn credibility, build your reputation And people will pay for your judgment

● BUILD ACCOUNTABILITY

"Impatience with actions, patience with results."Go struggle! You have to do hard things to create your own meaning of life.Everybody wants to get rich immediately, but the world is an efficient place, immediate doesn't work. You have to put in the time

● DO HARD THINGS BE PATIENT

Escape competition through authenticity."No one can compete with you on being you."Figure out what you were doing as a kid or teenager almost effortlessly. Something you didn't even consider a skill, but people around you noticed.

● BE AUTHENTIC

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."Avoid Status Games. They make you into an angry, combative person. Always fighting to put other people down.

● PLAY THE RIGHT GAMES

The state when nothing is missing, mind running into the past or future to regret something or to plan something. It's about the absence of desire, especially for external things.● HABITS● FREEDOM● RATIONAL BUDDHISM

💡 HAPPINESS

At the end of the day, you are Combination of your habits and the people who you spend the most time with.Prioritize your health:<ul><li>Diet</li><li>Exercises </li><li>Cold exposure</li><li>Meditation</li></ul>"To have peace of mind, you have to have peace of body first."

● HABITS

"The hardest thing is not doing what you want, it's knowing what you want.'Look for free yourself FROM....<ul><li>expectation</li><li>anger sadness</li><li>being forced to do things</li></ul>

● FREEDOM

Try everything, test it for yourself, be skeptical, keep what is useful and discard what is not."The older the question, the older the answers."<a href="https://elevatedpath.beehiiv.com/subscribe">The Art of Habits</a> (It's free)

● RATIONAL BUDDHISM

Wealth is having ASSETS that can earn well you Sleep.

Getting rich is not just about luck; happiness is not just a trait we are born with. These aspirations may seem out of reach, but building wealth and being happy are skills we can learn. So what are these skills, and how do we learn them? What are the principles that should guide our efforts? What does progress really look like? Naval Ravikant is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and investor who has captivated the world with his principles for building wealth and creating long-term happiness. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant is a collection of Naval's wisdom and experience from the last ten years, shared as a curation of his most insightful interviews and poignant reflections. This isn't a how-to book, or a step-by-step gimmick. Instead, through Naval's own words, you will learn how to walk your own unique path toward a happier, wealthier life.

Eric Jorgenson is an entrepreneur, writer, and investor. He is on the founding team of Zaarly, and has been publishing online since 2014. His blog has educated and entertained over a million readers.Eric is on a quest to create (and eat) the perfect sandwich. He tweets at @ericjorgenson and publishes new pieces and projects on ejorgenson.com/blog

Eric Jorgenson

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Make a list of all the things you have to do. Break your workload down ito manageable chunks. Prioritize. Schedule your time realistically. Begin studying early, with an hour or two per day, and slowly build as the exam approaches.

"I Don't Know where to Begin"

Preview. Survey your syllabus, reading material, and notes. Identify the most important topics emphasized, and areas still not understood. Previewing saves time, by helping you organize and focus in on the main topics.

"I've Got So Much to Study... And so Little Time"

Get actively involved with the text as you read. Ask yourself, "What is important to remember about this section?" Take notes or underline key concepts. Discuss the material with others in your class. Stay on the offensive.

"This Stuff is so Dry, I can't Even Stay Awake Reading It"

Elaborate. We remember best the things that are most meaningful to us. As you are reading, try to elaborate upon new information with your own examples. Try to integrate what you're studying with what you already know. You will be able to remember new material better if you can link it to something that's already meaningful to you. Try using methods like chunking and making mnemonics.

"I Read It. I Understand It. But I Just Can't Get it To Sink In"

Test yourself. Make up questions about key sections in notes or reading. Examine the relationships between concepts and sections. Often, imply by changing section headings you can generate many effective questions.

"I Guess I Understand It"

Organize : Information is recalled better if it is represented in an organized framework that will make retrieval more systematic. Write chapter outlines of summaries; emphasize relationships between sections. Group information into categories or hierarchies, where possible. Information Mapping : Draw up a matrix to organize and interrelate material.

"There's Too Much to Remember"

Review. After reading a section, try to recall the information contained in it. Try answering the questions you made up for that section. If you cannot recall enough, re-read portions you had trouble remembering. The more time you spend studying, the more you tend to recall. Even after the point where information can be perfectly recalled, further study makes the material less likely to be forgotten entirely. How you organize and integrate new information is still more important than how much time you spend studying.

"I Knew It A Minute Ago"

I hope that this helps you to study more effectively. If you have any questions or something you didn't understand you can just comment below and I'll be happy to help :)You can also read out my courses for free here on the app. You'll get FREE certificates once you complete them!<ul><li><a href="https://dsta.sh/B4YFWGZ6rnmojFC29">Click here for Personal Development Course</a></li><li><a href="https://dsta.sh/Bn4AnQG92mR7E6656">Click here for Journaling for Personal Growth Course</a></li></ul>I'll post such ideas and awesome courses everyday untill I get enough money for college. <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/manas.purwar">Click here to help me buy books for college.</a>

For The Readers

Hi there friend! I'm enlisting some common problems that you must have encountered while studying and their solutions that I personally use to study effectively.

writing

Reading & Writing

How to Study effectively? 

Making small changes consistently over a long period of time can lead to significant results. 🌟 
 Aim to improve by just 1% every day, rather than focusing on one big moment. This may seem small, but over a year, it adds up to 37 times better. 🚀 
 Small changes compound into remarkable results when done consistently. 🔥 
 Don't underestimate the power of daily improvements that may seem small. 💪 
 1% better each day for a year leads to 37 times better, while 1% worse each day for a year causes a drastic decline. 👎

Start Small - Tiny Changes for Big Results

🔥 Small Steps = Big Changes 🚀Just like how boiling water results from small bubbles joining together, your small daily actions build up and lead to a major breakthrough. It may seem like nothing is happening, but keep going - the results will come.🧊 Remember, even at 31 degrees, an ice cube won't melt. But at 32 degrees, it melts instantly. Your hard work may not be visible yet, but it's building up just like that one degree higher. 💡 Pro tip: Stay consistent and don't give up, even if the results aren't immediate. Your breakthrough moment is just around the corner.

Breakthrough Moments

Winners and losers both have the same goals, but the most successful people focus on systems instead.🎯 Instead of just setting goals, focus on creating and implementing effective systems.👉 Problems may be solved temporarily by addressing symptoms, but true improvement comes from addressing the underlying systems.🚫 Don't wait to be happy until you reach your goals - focus on creating effective systems and happiness will follow 🚀

Systems Not Goals

Did you know that your habits are shaped by your identity? 🤯 You might start a habit because of motivation, but only your pride can make it stick. Why? Because good habits can make rational sense, but if they conflict with your identity, you will fail to act on them.

<ul>
<li>Become the best version of yourself 💪</li>
<li>Edit your beliefs and upgrade your identity 📈</li>
<li>Repeat behaviors to reinforce your identity 🔄</li>
<li>Use habits to prove to yourself who you are 👊</li>
</ul>

Identity Affects Your Habits

1st Law (Cue): Make it Obvious
2nd Law (Craving): Make it Attractive
3rd Law (Response): Make it Easy
4th Law (Reward): Make it Satisfying
Eliminate the Cue and Your Habit will Never Start.
Reduce the Craving and You Won't Experience Enough Motivation to Act.
Make the Behavior Difficult and You Won't Be Able to Do It.

The Four Laws Of Habit Formation

Want to create a new habit? Here's how to make it stick: 
<ul> 
<li>Be specific: decide exactly what you want to do and when to do it</li>
<li>Start fresh: choose first day of week/month/year to boost motivation 🎉 </li>
<li>Create a mental anchor: when X happens, I'll do Y 💪</li>
<li>Make it obvious: remind yourself of the habit by placing visual cues in your environment 🏋️ </li>
<li>Stay hopeful: with hope comes motivation to take action 🤞</li>
</ul>

Implementation Intention: Making Habits Stick

Habit stacking is when you pair a new habit with one you already have. 🤝 The formula is: 🧠 After [current habit], I will [new habit]. 💪Here's an example: After I brush my teeth, I will do 10 push-ups. 🦷💪 Habit stacking works best when the cue is specific and doable right away. 🙌

Habit Stacking

If you want to drink more water, fill up a few water bottles each morning and place them in common locations around the house.🍶
Be the designer of your world, not merely the consumer of it. Our behavior is not defined by the objects in the environment, but by our relationship to them.📝
Habits can be easier to change in a new environment. It helps to escape the subtle triggers and cues that nudge you towards your current habits.✅
When you can't manage to get to an entirely new environment, redefine or rearrange your current one. Create a separate space for work, study, exercise, etc.👍

Design Your Environment for Success

In the short run, you can choose to overpower temptation. In the long run, we become a product of the environment that we live in.

Joining a community where your desired behavior is the norm is key to creating lasting habits. Seeing others do it daily makes a new habit seem achievable. When change means fitting in with the tribe, it's more attractive.<ul><li>To build better habits, join a culture where your desired behavior is the norm</li><li>Seeing others doing the desired behavior makes it seem achievable</li><li>Make change more attractive by joining a tribe where you share a common interest🤝</li></ul>

Fitting In - The Power of Community for Building Better Habits

The Law of Least Effort states that people will naturally choose the option that requires the least amount of work. To form good habits, make them easy to do in your environment. Make bad habits hard to do by eliminating triggers and cues for them. Practice environment design to decrease the friction associated with your habits.
Remember: Making good habits easy and bad habits difficult can help you achieve your goals with less effort. 👍🚀

Make It Easy

What is rewarded is repeated. What is punished is avoided. But there is a trick. We are not looking for just any type of satisfaction. We are looking for immediate satisfaction.<ol><li>The road less traveled is the road of delayed gratification.🛣️</li><li>If you're willing to wait for the rewards, you'll face less competition and often get a bigger payoff.✅</li><li>The best way to do this is to add a little bit of immediate pleasure to the habits that pay off in the long run.🤩</li><li>Add a little bit of immediate pain to the ones that don't.😖</li></ol>

Make It Satisfying

Habit tracking is a powerful way to improve yourself and stay motivated with simple tasks that add up over time.It's easy to lose sight of our goals, but with habit tracking, we can focus on the daily progress and enjoy instant gratification along the way. Here are some essential tips:<ul><li>🧐 Keep track of small wins every day</li><li>🏆 Stay committed to the process</li><li>🚀 Avoid missing two days in a row</li></ul>By using habit tracking, you are actively shaping yourself into the person you want to be, one small habit at a time.

Habit Tracking - A Tool for Personal Growth

The secret to achieving lasting results is to continuously work on improving yourself. Even small adjustments can lead to significant progress over time.🚀To create good habits, make them easy to remember, attractive, and achievable. And to maintain those habits, make them satisfying and rewarding. This will help you stick to your goals and achieve long-lasting results.🎉

Secret to Lasting Results

Habits are the compound interest of self improvement.

All the key takeaways from the book Atomic Habits! If you find it valuable, please leave a like!😊

The #1 New York Times bestseller. Over 10 million copies sold! Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving--every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Here, you'll get a proven system that can take you to new heights. Clear is known for his ability to distill complex topics into simple behaviors that can be easily applied to daily life and work. Here, he draws on the most proven ideas from biology, psychology, and neuroscience to create an easy-to-understand guide for making good habits inevitable and bad habits impossible. Along the way, readers will be inspired and entertained with true stories from Olympic gold medalists, award-winning artists, business leaders, life-saving physicians, and star comedians who have used the science of small habits to master their craft and vault to the top of their field. Learn how to: <ul><li>make time for new habits (even when life gets crazy);</li></ul><ul><li>overcome a lack of motivation and willpower;</li></ul><ul><li>design your environment to make success easier;</li></ul><ul><li>get back on track when you fall off course;</li></ul>...and much more. Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits--whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

James Clear is the author of "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" He writes about habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement at jamesclear.com. His website receives millions of visitors each month and hundreds of thousands subscribe to his popular email newsletter.His work has appeared in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Time, and on CBS This Morning. He is a regular speaker at Fortune 500 companies and his work is used by teams in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Learn more at jamesclear.com

James Clear

Atomic Habits

I’ve relied on SMART goals my whole life.I never left them since I got to know them almost ten years ago. But there comes a day when we need a change. Even if just for a bit.For me, that change was a DUMB goal. And I’ve been using it for a couple of months now.They allowed me to take a deep breath. They were the fresh air my lungs needed. And since it has been a great experience, I plan to try it again.

The Strategy That Will Uplift Your Life

DUMB goals are a new strategy that rejects almost everything SMART goals have taught us. The SMART strategy focuses on creating systemic goals you can achieve following a pattern. So, all your goals will be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Specific: your goal must be as specific as a single sentence. This is the only way to focus on one thing without any distractions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Measurable: SMART goals focus on a simple action you repeat with consistency. But you have to know how much of it you must do. How many repetitions? How much time?</li></ol>

What Have SMART Goals Taught Us? (1)

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Achievable: SMART goals only have one purpose — achieving the goal. So you should assess its achievability before you even start. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Relevant: if it doesn’t change your life, it doesn’t matter. The only way you will reach your goal is when it matters. It must give you some improvement. </li><li class="ql-align-justify">Time-bound: limit your goal’s length in mandatory boundaries. You can’t work towards a goal all your life. You haven’t split it into specific and achievable steps yet if it happens. </li></ol>Now, take this SMART summary and throw it out of the window. DUMB goals are the exact opposite. Or, at least, they try to be.

What Have SMART Goals Taught Us? (2)

You are reading an excerpt from <a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/">The Challenge</a>, a newsletter where I discuss self-improvement, goal-setting, habits, time management, and health tips and tricks.Every week, you will get the following:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">a challenge to pursue to improve your life</li><li class="ql-align-justify">an infographic to track it.</li></ul><a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/subscribe">Subscribe now</a> and start your first challenge.

The Challenge

DUMB goals don’t care about specificity, measurability, and time boundaries. Their only goal is to make you set inspirational and emotionally engaging goals. Also, they should be more intuitive and creative than traditional SMART goals.So, what does DUMB stay for?<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">D = Dream-given </li><li class="ql-align-justify">U = Uplifting </li><li class="ql-align-justify">M = Method-friendly </li><li class="ql-align-justify">B = Behavior-triggered </li></ul>Let’s analyze each step.

What are DUMB Goals?

Goals should always start with a big, inspiring dream that stretches your capabilities.You are allowed to dream with DUMB goals. And your dream could become true if you take actionable steps towards it.Without a dream, you won’t always have the motivation to do what’s necessary. So dream big! <a href="https://www.cosmopolitanmindset.com/the-hidden-reason-you-havent-found-your-life-purpose-yet/">Find a purpose </a>. And you will never lack motivation.Also, you don’t need to know the exact steps that bring you to your dream now. Focus on defining the first steps. And you’ll be good to go.

1 — Dream-Given

Ensure your goal uplifts your energy and motivation.Most of my SMART goals drained all my energy daily. So, I abandoned them soon. But with DUMB goals, it’s different.Find a way to make the goal fill you with energy. It has to give you a daily or weekly pump of motivation and excitement. Or it won’t work.I write The Challenge weekly for the instant gratification each new subscriber and interaction gives me, for example.Living thanks to The Challenge is my dream. But without those daily motivators, I don’t know if I would have kept doing it.

2 — Uplifting

The goal should align with a method that makes it achievable.Look, I told you DUMB goals reject everything about SMART goals. And for most things, it’s true. But they have a touchpoint — this one.You can’t set a goal and never adopt any method or strategy to achieve it. But while SMART goals give it to you, DUMB goals only say you should have one.It doesn’t matter which strategy you use. You can even use the SMART strategy if you wish. But you must have one. Otherwise, you will never advance towards your goal.And all the motivation you build is useless if you procrastinate — a waste of time.

3 — Method-Friendly

Associate the goal with specific behaviors or habits.SMART goals have always had two weaknesses:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">they should have another M for motivation</li><li class="ql-align-justify">and another B or H for behavior/habits.</li></ul>Unluckily, SMMARTB is not a word. So, we stick with this incomplete strategy. But DUMB goals took those two weaknesses and transformed them into their strengths.That’s what I call competition!You build a link to behavior and habits with the last point of DUMB goals. A link that strengthens your goal. It makes it a consequence or preparatory step for a habit you already built.

4 — Behavior-Triggered

DUMB goals bring you many benefits compared to their SMART counterpart.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Inspiration and motivation: SMART goals miss a way to motivate you. Sometimes, you will abandon your goals because of that.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Flexibility and creativity: unlike SMART goals, DUMB goals allow a flexible and creative approach. And this adaptability can lead to innovative solutions and new pathways to success.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Long-term vision: with DUMB goals, you can have a long-term vision.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Behavioral and habit focus: the habits and behavior link make DUMB goals easier to maintain. Your goal requires less willpower once you build a habit.</li></ul>

The Benefits of DUMB Goals

This is a million-dollar question. And, as with many other million-dollar questions, the answer is “it depends”.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">DUMB goals are ideal if you focus on long-term visions and struggle with motivation. They promote flexibility, creativity, and habit-building. So, go for them if you are an ambitious person.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">SMART goals are ideal if you focus on clear and practical targets. They offer a structured approach that focuses on short-term achievements. So, go for them if you need a well-detailed plan.</li></ul>

Should You Go For DUMB or SMART?

I won’t challenge you to change your goals structure in a week. Don’t worry. It would be counterproductive and may ruin everything that’s been working for you.So, if you’re using SMART or DUMB goals and they’ve been working, keep doing it.But if it’s not working. Or try it if you want to know how the other strategy works.The next time you set a goal, use one of these strategies. Or, if you are already using one, try the other.[<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/dumb-goals">DOWLOAD</a> THE FREE INFOGRAPHIC]

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Before you Go

I've relied on SMART goals my whole life. But everything changed when I tried DUMB goals.

Transform your life with DUMB goals! Discover how this unique strategy can uplift you instantly. Set dynamic, uplifting, meaningful, and bold goals for rapid personal growth!

DUMB Goals: The Strategy That Will Uplift Your Life Right Now

A reading slump is a state in which you just do not want to read because you feel like you are just reading the words on the page and they are not flowing in (iykyk).

What Are Reading Slumps

<ul><li>You just don't want to pick up any book and read it.</li><li>You quickly lose interest while reading a book.</li><li>You are replacing reading with other, possibly worse, activities.</li><li>You tend to self-sabotage yourself when it comes to procrastinating on reading.</li></ul>

Signs To Notice

As humans, feeling a loss of control about any area of her life puts us down, and this applies to reading books as well. This is why reading slumps are the worst states for avid book readers to be in. Good for you, though, there are ways in which you can get out of it.

It's A Bad State To Be In

Fiction or Non-fiction? Romance or Thriller? Slow-burns or binge-reads? Identify your types. Awareness is a key aspect of change. Find out which genres you like best, then get a good-rated book of that genre to read. It's okay if the book you choose is popular, because your main priority should be to start reading and NOT to finish the book. Don't immediately set a deadline and pressurise yourself. If this tip seems a tad-bit difficult for you, I have more easier ones to try first below!

1. Identify Your Favourite Genres

This tip is an easier one since you can probably start right away without searching and buying a new book. This allows you to get into reading again while feeling comfortable because you know that what you are reading is good because YOU liked it. It gives a sense of assurance which helps in forming a reading habit again.

2. Re-read A Favourite Book

Reading slumps can be bad, I know, but what's worse is not being able to get out of them. Here is some practical advice for you to jump back into your reading game!

How to: Get Out of A Reading Slump 

Find 100+ Facts and Tips on Productivity - Curated from inspiring sources like Books, Podcasts & Articles - Genuine Insights from like-minded Users like You!

"Dark Perspective"-THE LOST ONES

The Richest Man In Babylon

Neuroscientist: "This Simple Skill Will Keep You Motivated" | Andrew Huberman

The Personal MBA

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

How to Study effectively?

Atomic Habits

DUMB Goals: The Strategy That Will Uplift Your Life Right Now

How to: Get Out of A Reading Slump

Be Present & Enjoy Life

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

"Dark Perspective"-THE LOST ONES

The Richest Man In Babylon

Neuroscientist: "This Simple Skill Will Keep You Motivated" | Andrew Huberman

The Personal MBA

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

How to Study effectively?

Atomic Habits

DUMB Goals: The Strategy That Will Uplift Your Life Right Now

How to: Get Out of A Reading Slump

Be Present & Enjoy Life

It's time to Read like a Pro.

It's time to
Read like a Pro.