Self-Improvement Archives

The Importance of Character-Building: The Ground Floor of Life

What does it mean to have good character? What difference does character make when it comes to success or failure? According to John C. Maxwell, everyone should prioritize building character over all other goals. That’s because it’s an essential part of personal growth. On the road to true success in life, there are no substitutes for—or shortcuts around—character-building. Continue reading to learn about the importance of character-building when it comes to reaching your potential.

How to Become One With the Universe: 3 Steps to Cosmic Unity

Are you trapped by religious dogma? Do you think more in terms of “I” than “we”? How often do you do things just for fun? Philosopher Alan Watts argues that the ego illusion—the false sense of being an individual separate from everyone and everything else—causes destruction and hardship in Western society. He provides recommendations for how people can escape from the ego illusion and achieve cosmic unity. Continue reading to learn how to become one with the universe, according to Watts.

A New Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow’s Theory Updated

What is Scott Barry Kaufman’s new hierarchy of needs? How has Maslow’s theory of needs changed over the years? In Transcend, Scott Barry Kaufman offers a new hierarchy of needs, updating Abraham Maslow’s ideas about what people need to reach their full potential. He argues that Maslow’s “pyramid” is misunderstood, and his updated view is more in line with modern science and Maslow’s full body of work. Read on to learn about Kaufman’s new hierarchy of needs, according to his book Transcend.

How to Stop Holding Yourself Back With Negative Thoughts

Want to know how to stop holding yourself back with negative thoughts? How do negative thoughts limit us? According to author and life coach Gary John Bishop, the way you think dictates your reality. To learn how to break free of negativity and stop holding yourself back, you have to first learn to reframe your mindset, which Bishop helps his readers do in his book Unfu*k Yourself. Read on to learn how to stop holding yourself back with negative thoughts, according to Bishop’s advice.

The 50th Law by Robert Greene & 50 Cent: Book Overview

Want an overview of The 50th Law by Robert Greene and 50 Cent? What do the authors say is the secret to overcoming your fears in life? The 50th Law, by rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) and author Robert Greene, argues that the biggest factor holding us back in life is fear. This fearfulness only holds us back from gaining power and success, but Robert Greene and 50 Cent argue that you must become fearless to truly thrive. Read on for a brief overview of The 50th Law by Robert Greene and 50 Cent.

What Is Mindfulness? Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Solution to Stress

How to Visualize the Life You Want to Have in 3 Steps

What is mindfulness, according to Jon Kabat-Zinn? What does the practice of mindfulness require you to do? Mindfulness is the subject of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Wherever You Go, There You Are. In the book, he claims that practicing mindfulness will improve your life and help you stay in the moment. Keep reading to learn more about why Jon Kabat-Zinn thinks mindfulness is important.

5 Psycho-Cybernetics Exercises to Program Your Mind

What’s your self-image? What’s slowing you down in life? Do you have a clear picture of success? Thinking of your mind as a machine can improve your self-image and dramatically increase your ability to feel successful and happy. Maxwell Maltz explores this idea in his book Psycho-Cybernetics. Continue reading for five Psycho-Cybernetics exercises you can use to program your mind and take your life to the next level.

The Things They Carried: Questions for Thoughtful Discussion

How do you handle stress? Do you stick to your principles when the going gets tough? What effect do stories have on you? The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien tells the stories of a small company of American soldiers serving in the Vietnam War. Through the narrative, the book blurs the line between autobiography and fiction, leaving the reader unsure as to what is fact and what is myth. Continue reading to see several The Things They Carried questions that you can use to get more out of your reading.

Affirmations to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting

Looking for some positive affirmations to keep going? Which affirmations should you use when you feel like quitting on your goals? According to Gary John Bishop’s book Unfu*k Yourself, you can achieve great things if you develop the resilience to stick with your goals when you feel like quitting. In his book, he provides positive affirmations to keep going and embrace uncertainty as you pursue your dreams. Read on to discover Bishop’s affirmations to help you reshape your thoughts and keep going towards your goals.

50 Cent’s Rule for Overcoming Fear & Living Your Dreams

What is 50 Cent’s rule for overcoming your fears in life? How did he overcome his own fears and become so successful? According to The 50th Law by rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) and author Robert Greene, the fear of what others think of us, what we’ll lose, the future, and so on, is the biggest factor holding us back in life. In the book, 50 Cent shares his most influential rule for facing your fears to gain power and success. Read on to learn 50 Cent’s rule for overcoming fears and living your dreams, according to The 50th Law.