Living For Improvement - Latest Comments

Re: A Powerful Method for Skill Mastery

Jean Fan — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:54:09 -0000

Great post! I'm currently trying to master spoken-word poetry and this will help me a lot. Thanks.

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 2

jrrera — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:47:27 -0000

Hey Dilema. I'm glad to hear you find what I'm doing inspiring. I'll share with you a few texts, resources, and quotes I use to motivate myself.

The first is a modified version of my Statement of Epic Meaning, which I crafted using a lot of the ideas from "Life on Purpose" by Brad Swift (excellent book, by the way):

Today, I will likely encounter my deepest insecurity -- I'll pat him on the back and walk with him side-by-side as I live my life.

Today, I will likely see chances to talk to strangers throughout my day. I will embrace these situations, rather than ignore them. I'm at my happiest when connecting with people -- for this reason, it has become part of my life's purpose.

Today, I will -- in Bruce Lee fashion -- push at my limits, reaching levels I never thought possible. Whether at work or at home, at a coffee house or at a desk, with a group or working solo, there's always higher levels to be achieved. Game on.
--
Here are a few quotes I post around my room:

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." - George Bernard Shaw

"Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free." - Jim Morrison

I hope this gives you a bit of guidance for how you can find more motivation using epic meaning! Game on :)

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 2

Dilema — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:39:25 -0000

I find your approach to gamifying your life very inspiring, I'm at the moment in a very dark pocket, lacking any motivation to do anything and feeling tired and defeated most of the time. I landed on you page while searching a way of solving my current procrastinating state and I am going to give it a try. I know that your "Epic Meaning" is something very personal, but would you mind to share the text and the reminders you placed around as an example?

Keep on blogging about your progress, I'm so very curious about the results :)

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 1

jrrera — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:39:48 -0000

Hey Shakesbeard,

I agree that everything one does can be viewed in terms of how it benefits others. For example, if this experiment is successful, I will certainly be using gamification to motivate me to get more involved in my community and in service to others.

And here's the RSS link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Li...

Thanks for commenting!

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 1

Shakesbeard — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:14:06 -0000

Jon- You have done a nice job working to quantify your goals and determine their results. Everything can be viewed as how it benefits others also can't it?
I have spent years looking at myself and for all the benefit I've received I admit humbly that my greatest breakthroughs have come from working with others. Not "needy" others but "needing".
I'm looking forward to using an RSS to download this site or it's tools. Any directions?

Re: Using Instant Gratification to Achieve Tough Goals

jrrera — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:04:10 -0000

Hello Saikat! I'm glad that this article gave you some inspiration to help prepare for the exam. The full e-book is completely free if you'd like to learn more about motivation and success. I hope everything goes well with the IPS exam!

Re: Using Instant Gratification to Achieve Tough Goals

Saikat Bhattacharjee — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:40:51 -0000

i am from india..... and am a aspiring police officer. in our country,there is an all india exam called IPS (indian police service). only 50 to 60 candidates get selected each year out of about 5 lacks applicants. IPS officers starts their career as a top rank police officer. Its a dammmmmmmm tough exam.... and this article really helped me a lot in the road to success. thanks a lot... may god bless you always.

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 1

jrrera — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:17:47 -0000

Hey Frank! Unfortunately, there is no Level Me Up alternative for Android users (I actually use an Android now as well.. I hold onto my iPod Touch for all iPhone apps). I've actually been moving away from that app and using a combination of Microsoft Excel, a stopwatch (which any phone has), and Habit Streak (an app for Android that lets you track how diligent you are with building habits). You just have to get creative with how you wish to track your progress (time? length of a streak? a custom-made formula or your choosing?). Hope that helps!

Re: How to Gamify Your Life: An Experiment – Part 1

Frank. J — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:12:57 -0000

keep us updated! Also, what options do non-apple users have is interested in trying out this self development experiment? Any alternatives for android users?

Re: Jon’s Bucket List

Kerstin B — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:53:03 -0000

Nice list! I have one too and it just keeps growing, it's out of control! As it should be though right. Never cease the pursuit! :)

Re: Goals, Sacrifices, and Expectations: How They Can Make You Happy (or Miserable)

Ahmad Safieh — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:37:01 -0000

Great post!!

Re: Why Self Motivation is Essential to Success

Robert — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:44:17 -0000

Self motivation is the key word to success. There is no better time like now.

Re: You Create Your Own Reality: Here’s How

Stefan | StudySuccessful.com — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:51:07 -0000

Great article and a great example especially. I totally agree with the last couple of paragraphs and I think the title should be 'create your emotions own world' because emotions rules everything. That is why I always try to put all of them down and make a rational decision (especially when I'm angry)!

Thanks for the insights!

Re: Jon’s Bucket List

Smook Justin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:24:12 -0000

Nice! I didn't realize you had this posted

Re: The Top 5 Must-Have Health Supplements for High Performance

natural health supplements — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:36:49 -0000

My health is important to me that is why I take natural
health supplements because they are a natural product and better for
you.

Re: You Create Your Own Reality: Here’s How

Tessa Tauschek — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:15:52 -0000

I want to be holding a bubble tea sitting across from you right. this. very. MINUTE. Skype date ASAP.

Re: Jon’s Bucket List

jrrera — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:49:45 -0000

Glad to hear that my bucket list has inspired you in some way! I'll definitely be checking out your site too. Thanks for commenting :).

Re: Jon’s Bucket List

Bjenn206 — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:00:18 -0000

this is great I like your site. I saw it on my Facebook page. One of my FB friends blog is on the "Upstate Blogs to Subscribe to now. "Congratulations !!!
I may add a page like this. I talk about my bucket list all the time. I graduated from BU as well, years ago though !!
I write about improvemnt on my blog and always search for ways to help others. Visit my site www.soberfreeandlovingme.com i would love to do : 4,5, 6, 8. 9.10. 11 You pray for me and I will pray for you !! that we get there sooner rather than later ...

Re: The Top 5 Must-Have Health Supplements for High Performance

ashwagandha supplements — Fri, 20 May 2011 04:54:33 -0000

Probiotics are generally considered safe that help to regulate the absorption or excretion of water and minerals
through the colonic lining and the elimination food wastes or feces.

Re: The Top 5 Must-Have Health Supplements for High Performance

probiotic supplement — Thu, 19 May 2011 16:13:19 -0000

This is cool! And so interested! Are u have more
posts like this? Please tell me, thanks

Re: Extreme Change vs. Incremental Change

Trevor @ Today's Goal — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:12:45 -0000

I believe goal setting is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Having a sense of direction and purpose in life can make all the difference.

Re: Personal Development Happens Everywhere

Ryan Chua — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:24:50 -0000

"When we’re trapped by our situation, the only proper course of action is to learn more, develop new skills, and challenge ourselves until we’re strong enough to reinvent ourselves and alter our circumstances."

I like this one. When we're trapped and do nothing to improve, in my opinion that's when life ends. Why? Life is a never ending learning process, ever second is a chance for us to improve, every situation gives us a chance to learn and become better at something be it positive or negative.

Re: On Speaking the Language of Your Mind

Tessa Tauschek — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:58:23 -0000

LOVE the blog face lift and of course love the positivity post. :)

Re: Two Powerful Life Lessons from John Adams

Ryan Chua — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:24:06 -0000

“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves. Self-discipline, with all of them, came first.” This one is very true. Brilliant article Jonathan.

Self-discipline is very important. If you don't have self-discipline it's pretty much impossible to be successful at anything else.

Re: The Overwhelming Benefits of Vitamin D

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