#personal-development

Why Gurus Break Bad
▻https://hackernoon.com/why-gurus-break-bad-1cf3d6c04777?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*435QKlsnjyjHXWKUowAZ-A.jpeg

Why Gurus Break BadWhat causes so many spiritual teachers to abuse their pupils — and how to transcend the problem with Digital-Age disruptionThe head of the largest Tibetan Buddhist community groomed students to have sex and knowingly spread AIDS to others. His master, the legendary teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, knew about this—and did nothing. Soygal Rinpoche, who leads a network of 100 Buddhist retreat centers, punched a nun in the stomach for having his step up to his throne in the wrong place, has “ ‘left monks, nuns, and lay people… with bloody injuries and permanent scars”, and, where that not enough, has been accused of multiple acts of sexual assault.Luminaries of the New Age scene like Marc Gafni and Andrew Cohen have been accused of all kinds of mental, physical, and financial (...)

#spiritual-growth #personal-development #personal-growth #spirituality

You Have A Superpower
▻https://hackernoon.com/you-have-a-superpower-a32e6d41271d?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*0_wLgBhPRgnB_wZ8diKxBQ.png

Kapow! Image source: PixabayWe software engineers have a superpower. It’s true! We do. And you came here to find out what your superpower is. How long do I keep you in suspense? One sentence? Two? Or do we just cut the chase. Let the cat out of the bag.Well okay, I’ll tell you. In a moment. First, I want to show you a number:16%I was astounded when I saw this number. I was working for a software engineering department that very generously granted all engineers a sizeable personal training budget. You could spend it on anything related to personal education that wasn’t a paper book (for tax reasons…). It was more then enough for a ticket to a decent conference, a workshop, or a virtually limitless supply of online courses. And it wasn’t being spent. 16% was the amount of the overall training (...)

#diversity #innovation #tech-superpower #personal-development #software-development

You Don’t Need to Quit Your Job to Make
▻https://hackernoon.com/you-dont-need-to-quit-your-job-to-make-844b7c65f5ea?source=rss----3a8144

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*TQDGUbzdUMQBA1j43kA2xQ.jpeg

“I want to debunk the myth that originality requires extreme risk taking and persuade you that originals are actually far more ordinary than we realize.” — Adam Grant, OriginalsHi readers. Allow me to introduce myself: I’m Steph. I’m an indie maker. I also lead a remote team of a couple dozen as the Head of Publications at Toptal. On top of that, I’m a self-taught developer, a woman, and identify with many more things.As I continue to tackle all of these in tandem, I often have people asking how I manage it all. Although it’s not a walk in the park, I believe that most people limit the dimension of what they think is possible and ultimately, limiting beliefs become more of a blocker than actual bandwidth.Moreover, I’ve always found it strange how people like to put things neatly into boxes or (...)

#entrepreneurship #personal-development #learning #startup #lessons-learned

8 Ways To Start Becoming A Better Leader
▻https://hackernoon.com/8-ways-to-start-becoming-a-better-leader-790722589fea?source=rss----3a81

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*wRaNDbgT7X2Bf5e-JCp5Iw.jpeg

Being an effective business leader takes years of practice.The primary reason it takes so long is because effective #leadership means being able to balance a number of skills, all of which require their own learning curve. In fact, “skills” isn’t even the best word for it. They’re really more virtues than anything else.Though different leadership styles can be used at different times to build and run an effective business, these eight character traits should be universal in each and every leader:1. Self-awarenessOne of the most important characteristics of a business leader is self-awareness, and the ability to understand your own strengths and weaknesses.Very often, I run into leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs that make the mistake of going to great lengths to cover up their weaknesses —  (...)

#company-culture #personal-development #productivity #teamwork

The Cult Of Personality And How You Are Harmed
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-cult-of-personality-and-how-you-are-harmed-50bf3939f723?source=rss--

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/620/1*t1ay1GxgxCaZ6oz3FPyO-g.jpeg

Musk On The Cover Of Ashlee Vance’s BiographyThe cult of personality is waging a war in your mind but you many not even be aware of its existence.The cult of personality is designed to stunt your growth and I’m about to show you how. The cult of personality is best personified by none other than Elon Musk. I never thought I’d be #writing this kind of article because I may be one of the biggest fans of Elon Musk. In fact, three years ago, when I came across one of his videos by accident, it was much like being struck by lightning. My mind went on fire. Last year, I even sent Musk a custom-designed portfolio that contained a proposal for Uber drivers to be paired with Teslas.I have a long tradition of sending things to people I greatly admire and respect. I’ve been doing this since I was a (...)

#media #personal-development #elon-musk #self-improvement

The future of tech according to Mark Cuban, Zuck and Bill Gates is…liberal arts?!?
▻https://hackernoon.com/https-medium-com-stevenchien-the-future-of-tech-according-to-mark-cuban-

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/300/1*MCXGzmdaY8B_moaLfYF-ow.png

When these billionaire tech heavyweights speak, it’s worth a listen.We’ve all heard of the impending Robot-pocalypse, where robots come and steal everyone’s job.A sample of some fear-mongering headlines:JP Morgan just outsourced finance and legal work to a robot that can complete 360,000 hours of billable work in a few seconds.Mark Cuban predicts robots will soon be able to write better computer code than humans.Even some doctors may get displaced by smart toilets and other sensors that provide a more accurate diagnosis.Imagine that…Doctors, lawyers, accountants and engineers being displaced by Robots…it’s every Tiger Mom’s worst nightmare!Hold up! So what’s this all mean?Mark Cuban, the billionaire software developer and owner of the Dallas Mavericks says:“I personally think there’s going to be (...)

#side-project #leadership #personal-development #entrepreneurship #side-hustle

First day using my own app
▻https://hackernoon.com/first-day-using-my-own-app-2a1f72a335a3?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*z_Kz_0hPOYdoJ27a7tY0Dw.png

The results have been amazing, dare I say it myselfDisclaimer: You can jump straight to “Day 1: My experience” if you’re uninterested in the history.History: The back storyNear the end of last year, I went through an unhealthy habit of wasting a lot of time and money by indulging myself with nights out with friends. I would spend about 2–3 nights out weekly (usually Fridays and Sundays).On top of this unhealthy layer of bad decisions, I adopted an even more interesting one: About halfway through the evening, albeit incredibly dangerous, I would abandon my friend group and take a lone walk through the city.Identifying my prioritiesGoing out and, dare I say, being surrounded by an unproductive atmosphere…and being unproductive myself, would put me in an unbent state of reflection.What am I (...)

#productivity #mindfulness #development #apps #personal-development

How to manage the highs and lows for creative consistency
▻https://hackernoon.com/how-to-manage-the-highs-and-lows-for-creative-consistency-fb8f9884ccef?s

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*eDiNC0PZMFy_vFK9RSg3gA.jpeg

The Path to Creative ConsistencyI think you really take on a the bipolar attribute of manic and depressive states when you take on the burden of anything “creative”. I run a creative business, so unfortunately it’s both a personal and professional struggle.Maybe 6 months ago, I was on fire creatively and professionally. I could handle anything coming my way with enthusiasm and execution. It was a wonderful feeling as I’m sure you’ve experienced.Recently, I finally decided to address past sexual abuse at the hands of a family member and deal with it properly. The process opened the Pandora’s box of the feelings of being absolutely worthless and powerless. This took a massive toll on my #creativity and ability to fight resistance to create. I found myself full of so much doubt and negativity (...)

#creative-consistency #writing-tips #entrepreneurship #personal-development

A Year of Sponge
▻https://hackernoon.com/a-year-of-sponge-3b4f48d00042?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

Originally published at blog.stephsmith.io.Quarter Life CrisisThis year I turned 25. Last year I turned 24 and naturally saw this “quarter-century” milestone coming. So long as I survived the year, I would (and did) turn 25.It was the only semi-certain thing that I could predict and naturally, it freaked me out. This 25th birthday could mark the quarter point in my life, but depending on where fate takes me, it may mark something more substantial — my half-life, my 80% life, etc. Without a doubt, it marked halfway through my twenties which is arguably the most opportunistic period of one’s life. With little responsibility and a lot of naivete, the room for potential growth during this period is immense.A few months into this 24th year, I wanted my road to 25 to embody that. During my very (...)

#productivity #personal-growth #new-year #learning-to-code #personal-development

How to be a Leader in the Software Industry
▻https://hackernoon.com/how-to-be-a-leader-in-the-software-industry-b7e31bc9bc4?source=rss----3a

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*Ybm-BN8FnsRErKJ4ztyg0Q.png

…or how my performance review got out of hand and I ended up writing a blog post insteadHey, look at that! 2018 is all but done and my performance review is due. As I have looked back at this past year to evaluate myself and as I piece together personal goals for next year, a bunch of #leadership-related stuff coagulated in my mind.Photo by Stephan Henning on UnsplashDevelop more than codeBeing a leader is not just about being an awesome developer but about influencing and enabling others to be awesome developers as well.Don’t get me wrong. In order to influence others to write better code, you have to have a certain level of proficiency yourself. But if you look back at your career, however long it may be, I guarantee you that the most impactful leaders are not the ones who were the best (...)

#personal-development #software-development #software-thought-leader #performance-reviews

Rewire your brain — be efficient, organised and smart
▻https://hackernoon.com/rewire-your-brain-be-efficient-organised-and-smart-e6fd7c337d79?source=r

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*A-DOHKBcDPrlzM9PBI_Ugg.png

Rewire your brain — be efficient, organised and smartAs human beings, we all have likes, dislikes, moments, memories, fears, hopes, wishes, dreams and aspirations. They are all infinitely, formed and reformed every day, every second.We are also a slave to our subconscious patterns, habits and reflexes. It could be something as simple as wetting our feet before starting a bath or wearing a pair of socks in the right foot first — we don’t do it intentionally, do we? Our brain, in effect, becomes the ultimate recorder for all of these versions and iterations of thoughts. And we continue to wire our brain subconsciously.Let’s quantify the amount of information our brain can store — it has a storage and memory power of a super-duper-computer — it can store about 2.5 petabytes i.e. 2.5 million gigabytes (...)

#personal-development #productivity #self-improvement #tips #thinking

8 Uncommon Hacks To Make A Great First Impression
▻https://hackernoon.com/8-uncommon-hacks-to-make-a-great-first-impression-2d332f8ad728?source=rs

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*oLBr1wMiwM5o5r_h3CFxGQ.jpeg

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash​If you’ve ever wondered how to make a great first impression you’re not alone.Here are a few messages from my readers who want to master first impressions.It’s okay if you’ve made some cringe worthy first impressions.Take this gem from my wife: A few years ago she was at her boss’ house for a party. ​She was joking around with some of her coworkers, who were on the other side of the room.She playfully extends her middle finger.At that PRECISE MOMENT her boss’ father turns around and intercepts the middle finger. ​I imagine that space and time slowed down while my wife watched him go through different emotions:Confusion, disbelief, denial, shock, sadness, and finally disdain.After the fabric of reality had stabilized, he looked away while saying “How RUDE.”This story (...)

#self-improvement #personal-development #communication #hackernoon #life-hacking

WorkLife — You Need Balance
▻https://hackernoon.com/worklife-balance-2771b0f9deef?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

Work-Life — You Need BalanceWhy is it an essential factor in a career choice?The so-called experts would tell you to #work hard until you’re 60 so that you can chill for the rest of your life. It was not a straightforward suggestion from a specific person, but I heard the same old story from various people at various points in my life.When I was in school, my mom encouraged me to work hard and get good scores in 10th and 12th grade. I didn’t chill at all during those two years. The pressure from family and school kept me occupied. I went through it without a second thought only to find out that nothing changes in college.Now you start running for grades, again. This time not just for two years but four. Along with that, you had to learn skills that will get you a job. Guess what?! Those CPGAs (...)

#work-life-balance #personal-development #development #self-improvement

How to Start Setting Long Term Goals
▻https://hackernoon.com/how-to-start-setting-long-term-goals-3e5dccb2f274?source=rss----3a8144ea

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*X17lc0rTDOXT8QBKR_kElg.jpeg

By Praveen Tipirneni, CEO of Morphic Therapeutic Inc. Originally published on Quora.When beginning a large project or complex task, the problems you’ll run into aren’t always apparent.This can be an issue, because lack of clarity often leads to an unproductive response. We often rush into implementing new solutions before thinking about whether we’re even solving the right problem.On the other hand, it’s possible to get so wrapped up in trying to understand the problem that you never begin working on solutions.The trick is: You want to get a sense of the actual problem, but you also need to take measurable and readily quantifiable steps to keep yourself from getting bogged down.Over the past few years, I experienced this first hand while trying to bring a TEDx event to the auditorium in the (...)

#personal-development #goal-setting #productivity #leadership #self-improvement

Stop Overthinking & Never Run Out Of Things To Say
▻https://hackernoon.com/stop-overthinking-never-run-out-of-things-to-say-78864f94d8c1?source=rss

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*mUQh61o0vXN3hLtH0-Oi5A.jpeg

Use these 3 hacks to stop overthinking and have effortless conversationsPhoto by rawpixel on Unsplash​If you’ve ever had your mind spontaneously go blank in the middle of the conversation, then you know that feeling…Searching your mind for something…anything to say.Yet, the harder you try to come up with something, the less you have to say. Then the awkward silence creeps in.That overthinking vortex sucks.I’m here to help.Recently I’ve received messages from people who are struggling with their minds going blank. ​Messages like:I have great news for you:It isn’t because you can’t think fast enough to respond.It’s not because you were “born awkward”.It’s something you can overcome with a little planning, practice and mindset shift.You are the center of your world. (But not everyone’s)There’s this jerk of a (...)

#lifehacks #personal-development #life-hacking #conversations #personal-growth

The Problem with a Comfortable Career
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-problem-with-a-comfortable-career-d586dd7cc362?source=rss----3a8144e

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*Xr-TsMk9GTvoOQXK.jpg

A framework for assesssing and re-evaluating things when your work life is just a little too easy.Have you ever found yourself worrying that your life or career was a little too comfortable? And then maybe immediately felt guilty because of how privileged a problem that is to be able to have?This post is for anyone who — like me — has ever asked themselves the question: is everything just a little too easy?I drafted this piece from the 13th floor of a Bangkok condo looking out over a beautiful, modern and foreign city. I had spent the previous week in Chiang Mai hiking mountains, exploring temples, and eating some of the most delicious — and cheapest — food I could imagine.The view from where I drafted this post. Bangkok, Thailand.From Thailand I flew back to Cape Town — arguably one of the best (...)

#entrepreneurship #careers #work-life-balance #life-lessons #personal-development

The Easy But Powerful Process That Crush Your Huge Goals
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-easy-but-powerful-process-that-crush-your-huge-goals-8637d822a1dd?so

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*lJg_QPFNhp581-CCPuX4Uw.jpeg

Proven Ten Steps to Win at Life Right Here…Type-A hyperactive overachievers love being productive. However, there’s a difference between “being busy” and “achieving your goals.”The former leads to burnout because you’re running out of energy on the hamster wheel of forced overachievement. The second is a methodical way of achieving the things you set out to do without sacrificing your health and happiness.The second one is way more fun wouldn’t you say? Thought so. Let’s talk about creating that process for you.1. Create a BHAGThe first thing you should do is create a BHAG.A BHAG is a Big. Hairy. Audacious. Goal.It’s something way too ambitious and way too big. It should be something almost unreachable. However, it should also be something that make you think:“If I really put in the work, maybe I’ll (...)

#personal-development #creativity #self-improvement #entrepreneurship #productivity

How You Can Connect With Anyone In 90 Seconds Or Less
▻https://hackernoon.com/how-you-can-connect-with-anyone-in-90-seconds-or-less-5f8f689b719?source

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*thVtNQFMLBP_WZmRaib23w.jpeg

The 10 hacks I’ve used over the last decade to make 89,400 (mostly good) first impressions.Photo by Annie SprattWhen we meet a new person, what thoughts run through our mind right before we meet them?“I hope this person isn’t strange.““I hope I don’t do something stupid.”“I hope we have something in common.”And then what happens in the seconds after we meet the person?“He seems interesting.”“She’s kinda quiet.”“I bet he dives a BMW… like a jerk.”When we meet people, we’re trying to get as much knowledge as possible from as little information as possible. What if I told you that you have less than 90 seconds before someone you just met has formed an impression of you? Well, it’s true.After an insanely small amount of time, we make up our minds about other people, and after that, we actively try to back up our (...)

#personal-development #self-improvement #hackernoon #lifehacks #life-hacking

How to biohack your intelligence — with everything from sex to modafinil to MDMA
▻https://hackernoon.com/biohack-your-intelligence-now-or-become-obsolete-97cdd15e395f?source=rss

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*LpUcnFkresOG4sMvsx9u8g.png

I had some free time over the holidays and wrote this article to showcase, on the basis of a personal story, many highly actionable, science-based, approaches and tools that can be used to significantly enhance intelligence.In my case these include legal/illegal drugs; using sex as a biohacking tool; drinking ketone esters; using beta blockers or testosterone to gain advantage in negotiations; eating only once a day; and a lot more.Editor’s Note: This story contains some R-rated approaches to bio-hacking. We published it because we want readers to be informed of what’s actually happening in the technology industry. Proceed at your own risk :-)BackgroundI’m a cliche Silicon Valley techie —Russian, Stanford, YCombinator, started a couple large/successful companies, working in artificial (...)

#life #life-lessons #health #personal-development #self-improvement

The Average Paradox
▻https://hackernoon.com/the-average-paradox-338dfa011cc3?source=rss----3a8144eabfe3---4

https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/768/1*Plm_MdDTVv_IkX4Qe1s0yg.png

The world’s most successful people tend to do things differently. Take any great artist/athlete/performer/entrepreneur and you’ll quickly see that they followed a different path than most of their peers which enabled them to achieve success and be unique.Many of us want to be successful, to stand out and be above average. However, But being successful and standing out isn’t always easy, it means having the courage to do what you think is right even when it’s different than what almost everyone else is doing. Conformity brings comfort, which also is important. I came across a nice article that illustrated this point:“We instinctively think we are above average. We don’t want to be average. Yet ironically, we want to be normal and have the same interests as most people do. We don’t want to be (...)

#career-advice #personal-development #careers #the-average-paradox #entrepreneurship