I’d love to hear. It can be huge or tiny, profound or trivial, simple or complex. But in your own life, what challenge is fortune making you deal with?
Studying for finals. 4th year of mechatronics engineering. Anyone else got any tips on how to concetrate?
Thinking about what I have to gain hasn't done much to me. I respond well to specific challenges and anything game-like (levelling up, gaining experience and so on). Any advice on how to proceed with my studies to get the better scores on my exams?
I think you just answered your question. You have to gamify your study. What I like to do is use flashcards on Brainscape, input all my study materials into that and aim to "complete" the flashcard decks with 100% mastery. This really works well with me. Beyond this, aim low, and aim to be consistent. Do something every single day without fail. With concentration, the best thing you can do is cut out distracting things that sabotage you, get good sleep, make a clear intention before each session of study, and have a daily meditation practice. Read The Attention Revolution for more on this.
Something like focus tends to be a by-product of the entire system working in harmony.
It starts with asking about where you are finding the most "speed bumps" in the study road.
There is a base-line to consider too, and after that, creating a picture of what each system of mastery look like?
- How good is your revision system for things you already have done
- How good is your memory (encoding data into the ol' cranium)
- How good is your 'reformulating' system (in order to reconfigure presented data into your own understanding)
- how much are you involving all the parts of the brain that are the "heavy-lifters" or "biggest muscles" (basically the most dominant functions of the brain such as visual spatial, movement/ bodily kinaesthetic, linguistic oral or written, etc.)
If you would a session to discuss your situation and ideas, feel free to message me and we can set up a time to chat, no strings attached and at least you'll get some ideas or at minimum a better sense of what is your barrier
Pivoting into new stuff while keeping doubt and fear at bay. Reminding myself of the importance of keeping my mind in shape. The rest will fall into place provided my mind is fit. Letting go of old rationales. Being ok with Chaos. Perfectionism is my self-imposed trap. Learning as I go :).
Hmmm. Seems like an invitation to whine a little, which I seldom allow myself.
Without my humor and personality to soften the edges, I'll share my story, as I know letting it out is good for coping.
At the beginning of the year I was standing too close to gun fire without ear protection. Resulting consequence is hearing damage and now hearing aids. Hearing aids are being a surprisingly huge challenge and stress on my relationship with my wife of 50 years. But we're experienced at adjusting to life's surprises. However, at the same time I have had a diagnosis of "Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Moods". Sounds kind of bogus on the surface except where it shows up as big bouts of 'stupid' when feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Am told it can follow the death of a loved one, which it has in my case, a dear friend, a veteran, with no family, for whom I was his PoA and Guardian. He passed more than a year ago, diabetes and consequent dementia, as well as a tumor he didn't want treated. Trying now to stay present and accept that this is my life. My wife is being very supportive, but even that has meant a role reversal for us that I was not prepared for.
Covid isolation is not too bad right now given these circumstances. Thankfully I'm basically pragmatic and can roll with the punches life dishes out. Stoicism seems to fit well with the bits of Buddhism that resonate with my view of life.
Hey Paul, thank you for your share. It didn't come across as whining at all. It sounds like you have been presented quite a few challenges in short succession, but that you also have the kind of attitude to help you navigate those challenges with minimal unnecessary pain. Though of course, some pain is only natural. Do you have any daily practices that you've found helpful?
Purging to make room for more... I decided to redecorate my bedroom so I am purging old clothes and clutter to make space for the dresser I have my eye on.
Another challenge is synthesizing all the things I know need to be done for my business without getting lost in the feeling of overwhelm.
This is such a great process, Nancy. The founder of Stoicism lost everything to a ship wreck and had to start again. It was in losing everything that he was able gain philosophy and shape Stoicism. There is a big theme here if letting go of things for new things to come. 🙏🏻
That's a great definition. One of the things I struggle with as a parent is balancing adversity with protection. We know that being overly protective is not helpful to our children and takes away their agency. But at the same time, we are aware that the world is not a guaranteed safe place to exist, and so some protection is vital.
Hey Bernado, great answer. That must be very challenging, having to adapt to a completely different way of living. What is the hardest part about being single?
Haha, right. Well when we are in a relationship, we are validated almost daily. When we become single we are once again The New Person and people can take a snapshot of us and reject us based on that. It's hard on the ego, but also very good for the soul. Rejection therapy is a thing. At the same time, why do you need good game? There are some wonderful benefits to not being in any kind of relationship.
The design of my life has always revolved around the idea of a relationship, so the idea of a game surges from that thinking. What are the benefits you've mentioned?
So there are without doubt major benefits to being in a great relationship. There are also benefits to being in a bad relationship. There are also benefits to being single. What I’m suggesting is to simply explore the benefits of the situation you’re in instead of feeling resistance to the situation you are in due to contemplation of the benefits of a situation you are not in. For me, being single has a sort of freedom. I can do whatever I like, seek any goal, without having to negotiate with a partner. I like that I can change my mind about things much more easily. I like that I can explore other relationships at whim without feeling any sense of obligation or guilt.
It's strange: all my solvable problems are being solved, but all the perennial problems, the unsolvable ones are looming larger than ever, such as my parents getting older. These are the best times of my life, when I'm happy and healthy and have my parents with me. But I am acutely conscious of the fact that they won't be here forever, time marches on inexorably, and for every single day after they're gone I'll have to face a cold, empty universe without them...until I die, of course haha which doesn't exactly present itself as "the solution." Cheery, I know :)
I can always rely on you for an uplifting response to a question, Matt. Haha. But an incredible answer none the less. So from a Stoic perspective, death is not a problem. It is our judgment of death that is also a problem. And I see that you describe the universe as cold and empty without them. This is again a judgement that is not necessarily accurate. How can you come to a more reasonable and accurate description of life after the passing of your parents?
The challenge of believing in myself and actually going after my dreams. It scares me, I've been saying someday for a million years now. It's ridiculous.
I am aspiring to create innovative products and solutions to the challenges people face almost on a daily, especially in Africa. Also, believing in my prospectus of meeting someone.
If you have big aspirations but you are stalling on them. I highly recommend checking out Jordan Peterson's Future Authoring Program at selfauthoring.com 🙏
Another challenge I'm facing is how to write 'About me's or my bio's'. It's an interesting dilemma because shouldn't this be the easiest thing to explain? Who am I and what do I have to offer?
HOWEVER. It's proving to be quite challenging.
The way my brain makes sense of all of this is that as someone who has spent YEARS of her life making excuses, living in doubt, not trying to put my own works out into the world because that could lead to failure and rejection - this path has been quite interesting, challenging and yet, very rewarding.
But like with anything new, it feels weird and squishy at first. Like walking into a lake that has layers of sand and mud and as you step you release all the air bubbles and it feels slimy and gross. Mildly ungrounded because you sink a bit with each step.
So it makes sense to me that I'm currently facing this challenge because I've spent years denying ever facing this question.
So many good things coming up here. Regarding the bio, that may be an example of putting the cart before the horse. It might not be a bad idea to write your bio after you have figured out exactly who you are in the role you create. Trying to force the explanation of that in a bio is very difficult and in some ways pointless.
Beyond this, the question "Who am I and what do I have to offer?" may be suboptimal. The place from which something stems alters the course it takes.
How about the questions:
1. What do I enjoy consuming that I also like creating?
2. Out of the answers to question 1, what can I do better than the competition?
Thank you for this redirection - very good questions. Because like you said, the questions like "what do I have to offer" is absolutely putting the cart before the horse. If I don't give attention to what I like consuming/creating how will I know what I have to offer?
As for question 1, I love meditation and energy work. I love helping people create more space within themselves and in their immediate environment. I love creating content that creates contentment.
While this may not be the best business model, I wish to help people in such a way that they no longer need to come back to me, that when they walk away from our time together they are able to take what they've learned and help themselves. And help others too. Essentially.
As for question 2, no one is Mia Migliero. No one can be me. I am someone who has a kind heart and a huge capacity to be a space of calm and peace. I can offer my understanding of adaptability and determination in the face of a challenge.
My biggest challenge at the moment is emptying my boat. Letting go of all attachments and identities while still somehow functioning within society.
Studying for finals. 4th year of mechatronics engineering. Anyone else got any tips on how to concetrate?
Thinking about what I have to gain hasn't done much to me. I respond well to specific challenges and anything game-like (levelling up, gaining experience and so on). Any advice on how to proceed with my studies to get the better scores on my exams?
Thanks in advance,
S. V.
I think you just answered your question. You have to gamify your study. What I like to do is use flashcards on Brainscape, input all my study materials into that and aim to "complete" the flashcard decks with 100% mastery. This really works well with me. Beyond this, aim low, and aim to be consistent. Do something every single day without fail. With concentration, the best thing you can do is cut out distracting things that sabotage you, get good sleep, make a clear intention before each session of study, and have a daily meditation practice. Read The Attention Revolution for more on this.
I LOVE BRAINSCAPE. The 'mastery' labels and the colouration really are great motivators
Hey, S.V.
Something like focus tends to be a by-product of the entire system working in harmony.
It starts with asking about where you are finding the most "speed bumps" in the study road.
There is a base-line to consider too, and after that, creating a picture of what each system of mastery look like?
- How good is your revision system for things you already have done
- How good is your memory (encoding data into the ol' cranium)
- How good is your 'reformulating' system (in order to reconfigure presented data into your own understanding)
- how much are you involving all the parts of the brain that are the "heavy-lifters" or "biggest muscles" (basically the most dominant functions of the brain such as visual spatial, movement/ bodily kinaesthetic, linguistic oral or written, etc.)
Feel free to first check out any of my stuff at www.two20twoconsulting.com/blog or instagram @two20twoconsulting
If you would a session to discuss your situation and ideas, feel free to message me and we can set up a time to chat, no strings attached and at least you'll get some ideas or at minimum a better sense of what is your barrier
I hope it helps bring some clarity
Pivoting into new stuff while keeping doubt and fear at bay. Reminding myself of the importance of keeping my mind in shape. The rest will fall into place provided my mind is fit. Letting go of old rationales. Being ok with Chaos. Perfectionism is my self-imposed trap. Learning as I go :).
"The rest will fall into place provided my mind is fit." 💥
Hmmm. Seems like an invitation to whine a little, which I seldom allow myself.
Without my humor and personality to soften the edges, I'll share my story, as I know letting it out is good for coping.
At the beginning of the year I was standing too close to gun fire without ear protection. Resulting consequence is hearing damage and now hearing aids. Hearing aids are being a surprisingly huge challenge and stress on my relationship with my wife of 50 years. But we're experienced at adjusting to life's surprises. However, at the same time I have had a diagnosis of "Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Moods". Sounds kind of bogus on the surface except where it shows up as big bouts of 'stupid' when feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Am told it can follow the death of a loved one, which it has in my case, a dear friend, a veteran, with no family, for whom I was his PoA and Guardian. He passed more than a year ago, diabetes and consequent dementia, as well as a tumor he didn't want treated. Trying now to stay present and accept that this is my life. My wife is being very supportive, but even that has meant a role reversal for us that I was not prepared for.
Covid isolation is not too bad right now given these circumstances. Thankfully I'm basically pragmatic and can roll with the punches life dishes out. Stoicism seems to fit well with the bits of Buddhism that resonate with my view of life.
That's enough. Thank you, Paul
Hey Paul, thank you for your share. It didn't come across as whining at all. It sounds like you have been presented quite a few challenges in short succession, but that you also have the kind of attitude to help you navigate those challenges with minimal unnecessary pain. Though of course, some pain is only natural. Do you have any daily practices that you've found helpful?
Purging to make room for more... I decided to redecorate my bedroom so I am purging old clothes and clutter to make space for the dresser I have my eye on.
Another challenge is synthesizing all the things I know need to be done for my business without getting lost in the feeling of overwhelm.
This is such a great process, Nancy. The founder of Stoicism lost everything to a ship wreck and had to start again. It was in losing everything that he was able gain philosophy and shape Stoicism. There is a big theme here if letting go of things for new things to come. 🙏🏻
Also taking dominant position on Jon at BJJ
The first challenges is taking dominant position. The real challenge is keeping it. 😆
Navigating a bright future for my child
What is your criteria for success as a parent?
To enable my child to be as happy and healthy as possible
That's a great definition. One of the things I struggle with as a parent is balancing adversity with protection. We know that being overly protective is not helpful to our children and takes away their agency. But at the same time, we are aware that the world is not a guaranteed safe place to exist, and so some protection is vital.
Moving on from a recent divorce and learning to be single after an 8-year relationship.
Hey Bernado, great answer. That must be very challenging, having to adapt to a completely different way of living. What is the hardest part about being single?
My game is rusty 😂 and I'm starting to realize I have to find new single friends to hang out with.
Haha, right. Well when we are in a relationship, we are validated almost daily. When we become single we are once again The New Person and people can take a snapshot of us and reject us based on that. It's hard on the ego, but also very good for the soul. Rejection therapy is a thing. At the same time, why do you need good game? There are some wonderful benefits to not being in any kind of relationship.
The design of my life has always revolved around the idea of a relationship, so the idea of a game surges from that thinking. What are the benefits you've mentioned?
So there are without doubt major benefits to being in a great relationship. There are also benefits to being in a bad relationship. There are also benefits to being single. What I’m suggesting is to simply explore the benefits of the situation you’re in instead of feeling resistance to the situation you are in due to contemplation of the benefits of a situation you are not in. For me, being single has a sort of freedom. I can do whatever I like, seek any goal, without having to negotiate with a partner. I like that I can change my mind about things much more easily. I like that I can explore other relationships at whim without feeling any sense of obligation or guilt.
It's strange: all my solvable problems are being solved, but all the perennial problems, the unsolvable ones are looming larger than ever, such as my parents getting older. These are the best times of my life, when I'm happy and healthy and have my parents with me. But I am acutely conscious of the fact that they won't be here forever, time marches on inexorably, and for every single day after they're gone I'll have to face a cold, empty universe without them...until I die, of course haha which doesn't exactly present itself as "the solution." Cheery, I know :)
I can always rely on you for an uplifting response to a question, Matt. Haha. But an incredible answer none the less. So from a Stoic perspective, death is not a problem. It is our judgment of death that is also a problem. And I see that you describe the universe as cold and empty without them. This is again a judgement that is not necessarily accurate. How can you come to a more reasonable and accurate description of life after the passing of your parents?
Coping with a recent measure of hearing loss and adjusting to the limitations of communications with wife and friends
The challenge of believing in myself and actually going after my dreams. It scares me, I've been saying someday for a million years now. It's ridiculous.
What are your dreams?
I am aspiring to create innovative products and solutions to the challenges people face almost on a daily, especially in Africa. Also, believing in my prospectus of meeting someone.
If you have big aspirations but you are stalling on them. I highly recommend checking out Jordan Peterson's Future Authoring Program at selfauthoring.com 🙏
Thank you. Jordan is quite the thinker.
Another challenge I'm facing is how to write 'About me's or my bio's'. It's an interesting dilemma because shouldn't this be the easiest thing to explain? Who am I and what do I have to offer?
HOWEVER. It's proving to be quite challenging.
The way my brain makes sense of all of this is that as someone who has spent YEARS of her life making excuses, living in doubt, not trying to put my own works out into the world because that could lead to failure and rejection - this path has been quite interesting, challenging and yet, very rewarding.
But like with anything new, it feels weird and squishy at first. Like walking into a lake that has layers of sand and mud and as you step you release all the air bubbles and it feels slimy and gross. Mildly ungrounded because you sink a bit with each step.
So it makes sense to me that I'm currently facing this challenge because I've spent years denying ever facing this question.
Who am I and what do I have to offer?
So many good things coming up here. Regarding the bio, that may be an example of putting the cart before the horse. It might not be a bad idea to write your bio after you have figured out exactly who you are in the role you create. Trying to force the explanation of that in a bio is very difficult and in some ways pointless.
Beyond this, the question "Who am I and what do I have to offer?" may be suboptimal. The place from which something stems alters the course it takes.
How about the questions:
1. What do I enjoy consuming that I also like creating?
2. Out of the answers to question 1, what can I do better than the competition?
Thank you for this redirection - very good questions. Because like you said, the questions like "what do I have to offer" is absolutely putting the cart before the horse. If I don't give attention to what I like consuming/creating how will I know what I have to offer?
As for question 1, I love meditation and energy work. I love helping people create more space within themselves and in their immediate environment. I love creating content that creates contentment.
While this may not be the best business model, I wish to help people in such a way that they no longer need to come back to me, that when they walk away from our time together they are able to take what they've learned and help themselves. And help others too. Essentially.
As for question 2, no one is Mia Migliero. No one can be me. I am someone who has a kind heart and a huge capacity to be a space of calm and peace. I can offer my understanding of adaptability and determination in the face of a challenge.