The Lifelong Learner
:: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::
The Lifelong Learner
:: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::
Just do it. And do it often.
Sounds easier than it is, I know. But I think it’s important to take the plunge and learn something new. Continously. We get to grow by doing that. We grow and see improvement only when we stretch ourselves. If you keep repeating the same things over and over, you’re going to get the same results. One of the quotes I remember and really like says the following:
“If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.”
This year, I’ve got a lot of new things on my mind. I’d like to become a better software engineer, a better communicator, and a better person overall (better husband? 
). But how? I’m going to learn new technologies (web services, ajax) and new programming languages (Python) to become a better engineer. I’m going to try new techniques when I’m speaking/communicating at Toastmasters (I’m already getting a lot of ideas from the Toastmasters magazine); and try to improve my writing by trying new techniques to become a better communicator (I’m reading a good book on the subject now). And I’m also going to spend more quality time with my wife (this one is easy). I get a lot of ideas for improvement by reading books, and I read (and listen to books) a lot.
What are you going to do to improve? Think about it for a while.
Just remember: learn something that you don’t know yet. Try something else.
When you learn something new, you initially take a plunge. In essence, you become worse. You suck for a while. This period always happens. It’s hard. It’s tempting to go back to the old ways. Don’t do it. Get used to the new way. After some time adjusting, you will move to a new level. A level that would not have been possible had you been doing the same thing over and over (go ahead and re-read that quote ).
Don’t be scared to suck for a while. It’s normal.
ReferenceBranching Out – Steve Pavlina (He elaborates more on this topic. Excellent read.)
Did you know that happy people make more money? Did you know that happy people live longer? I have not read about it until now (see below), but I believe it’s true. So be happy, enjoy your life! Concentrate on the positives: we know there are negatives in everything, but see the positive instead.
Some excerpts from the article.
“Happiness, rather than working hard, is the key to success, according to research published today. Cheerful people are more likely to try new things and challenge themselves, which reinforces positive emotion and leads to success in work, good relationships and strong health, say psychologists.”
“The recipe for success: get happy and you will get ahead in life.”
Read this article, link below, and find out more!
)))))
ReferenceThe recipe for success: get happy and you will get ahead in life — The Guardian
Steve Jobs is a very successful man. He has it all. He is still a human being: he has problems, letbacks, etc. He recently addressed the graduating class at Stanford. The speech that he gave is probably the best piece of writing I read in a really long time. If not ever. He shares his personal experiences there. He shares three intersting stories of his life. I really recommend that you read it. And re-read it.
Here is some great advice from Steve:
Are you living your life like it’s your last day in your life? Steve does. This is what he says.
How good is that? Just excellent.
Reference[1] Jobs: You’ve got to find what you love
Do you want to be successful? That’s easy, , follow these 5 easy steps. Deborah Brown-Volkman, in her article at net-temps.com, Career Success Is Within Your Reach, provides more detail.
I’ve read quite a few articles and books on success and the list below summarizes most of them. At least the good ones.
Believe, Plan, and Commit.
