Motivation

Short post, but this is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

We Get it. You are bored, and lockdown hasn’t been helping with your boredom. So how can we eliminate our boredom?

#8 Look at pictures of cute animals

Turn them into daily mantras and enjoy your path to happiness.

By Leo Babauta The focus of my life in recent months has been living mindfully, and while I don’t always remember to do that, I have learned a few things worth sharing.

I mean, if you’re into that sort of thing

How to be more of a risk-taker.

They will be working anyways, so better use them to your advantage.

Now I spend less time checking the clock and more time focusing on my work.

Working towards becoming healthy is all about forming habits

Welcome to the realm of harsh truths, where I, Mark Manson, will make you question everything you've ever believed in.

And why you have to meet them or die trying.

When good, principles can be far more effective than any sort of “do this, do that” imperative. Here are three I've used for a better life.

Inspiration from an individual who gets the job done every time.

We all suffer from negative thoughts, and it's about time we learned how to deal with them effectively. Here are three things you can do.

Simple things that help me stay focused and on track to building my business.

Cut them and make giant strides in the happiness journey

Sometimes staying happy can be extremely difficult.

By Leo Babauta As we see more and more holiday gift guides, articles espousing the perfectness of glitzy products, I’d like to offer an alternative perspective.

Quantity over quality.

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do and not listen to what others are telling you

Simple one-minute actions to break the pattern of inaction and chronic procrastination.

If I could reset my post-college years and start all over again, I’d work at a startup. Without hesitation. Without worrying about making…

No, you’re not “lazy.”

I’m not ONLY reading productivity books. Actually, when I read too many sequentially, it gets quite tedious. Too many lessons, not enough…

She has shaped me into the person that I am now; I am forever grateful for that

Learn how to face your fears, stop worrying what other people think, and achieve the eternal bliss of a fuckless life.

A shift from “dependence” to non-dependence” has changed my approach to life

“Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none.” — Richard DeVos

You will start to notice things about yourself that you never knew existed.

Looking for a way to calm your anxiety? Here are five quick things you can do, plus a slower, long-term approach.

Oddly specific reasons to be happy today.

By Leo Babauta Sometimes you just aren’t motivated, maybe you’re feeling depressed (as opposed to full-blown clinical depression), maybe you just don’t have the energy to focus on work.

You can make more money, have good relationships, and be satisfied with your life.

There’s a book out there waiting to be read by you

By Leo Babauta Are there people who constantly criticize you, tell you that you can’t do things, make you feel bad about yourself, even yell at you? These are toxic people.

“Words are free.

The text explores various dichotomies through the lens of Hanlon���s Razor, emphasizing the importance of attributing actions to ignorance rather than malice. It highlights the value of learning from mistakes, the significance of adapting routines to avoid boredom, and differentiates between shame and embarrassment. Additionally, it stresses the dangers of working hurriedly versus quickly, the necessity of prioritizing tasks, and the transformative power of daily renewal over mere resetting.

Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like.

A deep dive into the way I create and what works for me.

Easing symptoms can create a positive ripple effect across many areas your life.

Something we may all need right now.

By Leo Babauta We don’t like to think that our way of living is wrong, that our beliefs are untrue, that we participate in cruelty or injustice.

By Leo Babauta The more I talk to people about their struggles, the more I realize that we all have some sense of dissatisfaction with ourselves.

By Leo Babauta If I’ve found two guiding principles in my life, they are contentment and compassion. With these two ideas, life becomes better.

By Leo Babauta Despite the insipid title of this post, work-life balance is a bit of a myth. Sure, w ...

‘I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

By Leo Babauta The other day while I was visiting a friend, she offered her dog a bone. The dog wanted the bone, but didn’t want to drop the toy animal in his mouth to get the bone.

By Leo Babauta There isn’t a person amongst us who doesn’t have insecurities – some are just better at dealing with them, or perhaps hiding them.

In this article, Gemma Honour shares her fantastic, easy-to-use, yet drastically different to-do list for you to download and use.

Letter delivered by Donald H. Rumsfeld

As Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld emphasized the importance of delivering aid to the right recipients amidst conflict, despite potential criticisms. The text juxtaposes Rumsfeld's humanitarian efforts with Albert Einstein's pivotal letter urging the U.S. nuclear program, which led to the atomic bombings during World War II. Both figures faced moral complexities. The Sine Qua Non Mind (SQNMind) theory posits extracting quintessential lessons from literature to enhance cognitive adaptability and success.

The process of bringing ideas to life in a product is messy, difficult, and relies on people. Megan Folsom talks about building trust with stakeholders.

By Leo Babauta A young woman wrote to me recently about fears about the future: ‘I’m in my 20s and I’m trying to figure my future out.

Agile can bring about productivity increases because it taps into what motivates us, what drives us, and what makes us want to do the best work we possibly can.

If I had to pick one word to be the theme of my life for the last three years, it would be “disappointment.

By Leo Babauta I’ve come to the realization that most of us don’t allow ourselves to feel joy most days.

By Leo Babauta We set out for the Sierra Nevada as a family, all eight of us, excited but unsure of what to expect from our first family camping trip in the mountains.

By Leo Babauta Many of us go through our days awake, but following patterns we’ve developed over the years.

There are some counterintuitive, paradoxical ways you can reach a truly new level of contentment and peace in your life.

The one question to get you to discover yourself to do what you were born to do

In several previous posts, The Essence of Agile Metrics: http://rgalen.com/agile-training-news/2012/6/2/the-agile-project-managerthe-essence-of-agile-metrics.

The key to success is never stop learning. Whether you are at work, or at home, always focus on developing skills that can help you advance…

7 Incredible Lessons From the life of Arnold

Photo courtesy of RodrigoFavera

You’ll gain more peace of mind and mental health.

Yet this is one of the most forgotten skills

Post written by Leo Babauta. I am a huge fan of reading online — I can generally do it for hours a day.

By Leo Babauta Last week I came down with a bad case of poison oak rash. Now, that might not sound that bad, but this rash covers all over my body (including places best left undiscusssed) and also my face, eyes, mouth.

By Leo Babauta I’m the first to admit that for many years, I was a bit emotionally needy. Not in a crazy, desperate way, but in the way that many of us are.

In the middle of a CPO coaching session last week, I recalled the passing of Daniel Kahneman, the Nobelist who created behavioral economics.

By Leo Babauta Yesterday I had to drive somewhere, which I don’t do much anymore, and it was a fascinating experience.

It’s not a gift basket or a coffee mug. It’s recognition.

Improving businesses with valuable solutions motivates a business analyst.

A celebration poetry

A psychologist’s honest perspective on the loneliness epidemic

Two Stoic principles and a journaling routine to help you embrace happiness even in the darkest of times.

By Leo Babauta Whether you’re in the U.S. or not, the results of yesterday’s election can bring up some strong feelings – maybe outrage or depression, maybe elation and shock, maybe contempt for others.

By Leo Babauta If someone tells you that they don’t care what other people think, they are fooling themselves.

‘Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.

A Guide for Parents

‘When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Success in life comes after long stretches of plateaus and dips. If you want to achieve anything significant, you need to put a lot of…

By Leo Babauta One of the best long-term things you can do for a happier life and better relationships is to cultivate a positive mindset.

By Leo Babauta One of the things we tend to do habitually is move away from things we’re afraid of. How very human, how very loving, to protect ourselves! Unfortunately that tendency to avoid fears is exactly what limits us.

‘So if we love someone, we should train in being able to listen. By listening with calm and understanding, we can ease the suffering of another person.

Surprisingly, the answer is not obvious.

By Leo Babauta For most of us, our biggest sin is taking things for granted. I’m as guilty as anyone else: I wake up and rush into online work or reading, forgetting to appreciate what a miracle this new day is.

It hurts when you hit it, but you can make it a solid foundation

By Leo Babauta Lately I’ve been struck with the idea of how limited our lives are, and how little time we have to make something of them.

*If you build your life on values and game plan for your present and future.

The essence of living life on your terms involves defining personal values, converting powerful ideas into actionable plans, and embracing success without fear. Through examples like a friend achieving rock band success and my own journey to becoming a bestselling author, this text underscores the importance of dreaming big, setting goals, and committing to continuous self-improvement. It advocates for bold living, pushing past mediocrity, and realizing dreams through proactive planning and action.

An equation that can help you stay motivated and avoid procrastination.

By Leo Babauta I’m on my first international flight since the pandemic started, and I got lucky enough to have a window seat.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve received questions and learned about the lives of around 50,000 people. And this has been my biggest lesson learned from all of you.

Why the pursuit of transformation takes more than just inspiration

By Leo Babauta Every problem you or I have (and they are many, small and large), is rooted in fear. For some, that might seem obvious: the question is how to beat the fears.

How a dying author published an amazing book

Post written by Leo Babauta. How do you find a balanced life when you’re overloaded with work? How do you switch off work when you’re away from the office? The answers to these very common questions are elusive.

You can be happier with the money you have if you spend it thriftily

By Leo Babauta Parenting can be stressful. That’s probably one of my bigger understatements, but as the father of 6 kids, I’ve learned a little about handling these stresses so that it’s not such a big deal anymore.

Feeling slammed? Try these things:

‘You owe it to us all to get on with what you’re good at.’ ~W. H. Auden By Leo Babauta Yesterday as I walked among the mass of humanity near Union Square in downtown San Francisco, a man with a megaphone and a “Trust Jesus” sign started preaching the good word to the crowd. He […]

The six simple but effective ways to get what you want out of life

By Leo Babauta When I set out to convert my unhappiness with my life into happiness, about 7 years ago, I had some ideas about how to do it.

Happy employees are productive employees. That's a fact. But what do we need to do to help everyone to love their jobs?

I don’t believe in creators who say they are having writer’s block.

Myths of a youth-oriented culture

Behind smile a sorrow hides Behind joy a sadness hides Behind success a failure hides Behind thought a hope lies

Introspecting…

During my undergraduate years, the unsatisfactory food quality at my hostel led to widespread dissatisfaction, including my own. Initially indifferent, I gradually developed a negative mindset towards the meals, resulting in reduced appetite and illness. After introspective reflection during my illness, I realized my health issues stemmed from my negative attitude, not the food itself. This experience taught me the importance of adapting to circumstances for mental peace and self-control, while still advocating for justice.

Learning to drink green tea taught me how to commit to small habit change

Even during my midday slumps and when I have zero motivation.

How a simple change in perspective helped me excel in university.

This article explores my journey from academic failure to success in Computer Engineering, emphasizing the transformative power of mindset. Initially struggling with programming courses and personal issues, I faced the ultimatum of either improving or dropping out. Influenced by my successful friends, I shifted my perspective, using their achievements as motivation. This change, coupled with increased effort and peer support, led to significant academic improvement, culminating in a high GPA and a prestigious internship.

The most powerful well-being secret I’ve found so far.

I’m not preparing for a “gold experience” at some point in life; I want an immersive life now.

I had to learn the way to set a default position for my mind so I could run (or achieve anything) all year round

Understand the real reason you missed your workout-and never miss another one

By Leo Babauta Over the last five years or so, as I’ve worked with thousands of people on changing their habits, I’ve come to a realization: dissatisfaction with ourselves is a pretty universal phenomenon.

By Leo Babauta Sometimes life throws you into a miserable situation, and it can seem pretty dark. Ju ...

Find serenity in any situation.

‘Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Keep your hands open, and all the sands of the desert can pass through them. Close them, and all you can feel is a bit of grit.

By Leo Babauta You reject the limitations of being a romantic Cassanova, restricted to loving only those who fall for your seductions.

That Actually Stick

By Leo Babauta If only we could get others to be more considerate, less annoying, more diligent, see our point of view … How often have you wanted to change other people so they’d be better? ...

By Leo Babauta Developing a strong sense of self is one of the most under-appreciated ways to be happy.

By Leo Babauta Let’s say you’re feeling unmotivated, unsure of yourself, aimless, can’t find your passion, directionless, not clear on what your purpose in life is.

Everybody hits rock bottom at some point, but like a basketball, you have to bounce back.

‘Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.’ ~Seneca Post written by Leo Babauta.

Why it's so difficult to make friends as an adult, and four counterintuitive principles that will help you make lasting adult friendships.

By Leo Babauta I’ve been happily married 11 years, and I’m still as in love with my beautiful wife Eva now as when I first fell for her 13 years ago.

By Leo Babauta Imagine you had a gorgeous blueberry sitting on the otherwise empty plate in front of you.

Sometimes just we feel like doing nothing, even though we know we should be productive to achieve goals like working out or reading a book…

‘If you’re going through hell, keep going.’ ~Winston Churchill By Leo Babauta We’d like to think that making positive life changes is a straight line from beginning to where we want to go.

The short, the long, and the surprising answer to the question: How to not give a fuck about what people think of you?

‘How much of human life is lost in waiting?’ ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Post written by Leo Babauta. So much of our lives are spent waiting.

By Leo Babauta There’s a part of today’s consumerist world that drives us to want more, buy more, act on our impulses, hoard, spend to solve our problems, create comfort through shopping, seek thrills through travel, do more, be more.

Everyone has the right to enjoy work. You could be the catalyst that your organisation needs in order to change for the better.

Suffering is a wake-up call to lessons you need — but don’t want —  to learn.

And You Don’t Need Permission To Be You

By Leo Babauta It’s a feeling deep within your heart, one you try to ignore, of heaviness. Of dread and discouragement.

Not the stuff you get in textbooks, but real, down-to-earth stuff that will totally shift your perspective.

Motivation is one of the consciously based topics that I have often pondered to understand inside out but in vain. Though this topic sounds…

My experiment with energy resulted in four tactics that work, and three that don’t

Easy steps and inspiration for anyone who wants to begin (or resume) a running practice

One day, when I was in first grade, my teacher gave me a copy.

Today was just one of those days. A day when you think you’re a loser. That no matter what you do, it’s never good enough.

Boring is great!

Gorgeous life advice from an author with the weirdest first name I’ve ever seen

By Leo Babauta About 10 days ago, my wife Eva’s father Juan “Brand” Salas Cruz passed away, and he left an immense legacy.

‘It is a happy talent to know how to play.’ ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Post written by Leo Babauta. When I write about loving every moment and loving what you do, people often ask, “What about when you have to do something you don’t like?” You can’t always enjoy what you’re doing, right? Actually, you can. […]

‘We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.

It’s not easy feeling left behind

Lately I’ve been feeling uninspired. For a while I didn’t know why but as I was skimming through an article that talked about 10 ways to…

By Leo Babauta Most of us deal with jealousy in some form, and when it comes up, it’s never pretty. ...

How to Motivate Yourself When Enthusiasm Wanes