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Tag: Self Help

  • Learn the Art of Slow Productivity

    Learn the Art of Slow Productivity

    Why learn the art of Slow Productivity?

    If there is something I would like to advise you all it would be to learn the art of slow productivity. This is what I have started practicing on a regular basis.

    In his book, the author Cal Newport enlightens us on the merits of not trying to do too many things at a time. He makes us aware of the harmful consequences of being “always on”.

    In essence there are three principles of slow productivity extended from the concept of a slow cooked healthy traditional meal:

    1. DO fewer things
    2. Work at a natural pace
    3. Obsess over quality

    When these principles are applied in our daily work and personal lives, it would not only become fulfilling it would give us more enjoyment as well as work life balance.

    Hence I encourage all of you to consider adopting these principles.

    Learn the Art of Slow Productivity

    For another similar insight inspired from the same book please visit:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/slow-productivity-and-fulfillment/

    To know more about the author and his work, please visit:

    https://calnewport.com

  • Importance of Books In Life

    Importance of Books In Life

    How are Books closely Intertwined with human lives?

    The importance of books in human life is undeniable. They touch our lives in every possible manner sometimes even without our notice.

    In her book Bird by Bird, the author Anne Lamott makes us aware of the all pervasive impact of books in our lives.

    The below insight inspired from her book elaborates on the same.

    Importance of Books in our Life

    For another insightful post on books, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/why-books-are-our-best-friends/

    If you an aspiring writer, Bird by Bird should be the book that you should start reading right away.

    To know more about Anne Lamott and her work, please visit this link:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Lamott

  • The problem with Perfectionism in Writing

    The problem with Perfectionism in Writing

    Why should a writer not obsess with perfectionism?

    The problem with perfectionism in writing has been illustrated very crisply by Anne Lamott in her book Bird by Bird.

    According to the author if we think too perfectly it can come in the way of making a start. A first draft is never perfect but if we get bogged down with perfectionism it comes in the way of shipping a first draft.

    Once we overcome this obsession and get the first draft out more often that not the rest of the journey falls in place.

    This has been elaborated in the below insight inspired from the same book.

    The problem with perfectionism in writing

    For another similar insight from the same book, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/approaching-a-problem-bird-by-bird/

    To know more about the author and her work, please visit the below link:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Lamott

  • Merits of Clutter and Mess for Artists

    Merits of Clutter and Mess for Artists

    Why does clutter and mess go hand in hand with Artistry?

    True artists are those who revel in situations are chaotic. This is what brings out the best in them. Read this blog post to know the merits of clutter and mess for artists.

    In her book Bird by Bird the author Anne Lamott highlights the shortcomings of perfectionism since it can come in the way of creating truly inspiring work.

    Whenever the environment is chaotic and unpredictable genuine artists are able to solve problems in a more creative manner.

    The insight below inspired from the same book highlights the same.

    Merits of Clutter and Mess for Artists

    For another insightful post from the same book, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/best-way-to-start-writing/

    To know more about the author and her work, please visit this link:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Lamott

  • Merits of Mindful Hobbies

    Merits of Mindful Hobbies

    Why should you invest in hobbies that encourage mindfulness?

    There are several merits of inculcating mindful hobbies in our lives. From experience and evidence from research these are hobbies which can make our lives fulfilling in the long run.

    Research has proven that mindfulness can improve our immune system and reduce anxiety and stress in our lives.

    This has been known to reduce the flow of cortisol thus helping us in staying focused.

    All of these hobbies would encourage you to focus on the present to avoid regrets of past and fear of the future.

    Since focusing on the present moment does not come naturally to the human brain (as mentioned below) hence the request to adopt such hobbies as your past time to stop feeling anxious or stressful.

    Merits of mindful hobbies

    For another such insightful post please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/how-happiness-depends-on-individual-self/

    To more about David Rock and his research done on the human brain, please visit this link:

    https://davidrock.net/

  • Slow Productivity and Fulfillment

    Slow Productivity and Fulfillment

    How can Slow Productivity lead to fulfillment?

    One of the most important things about which I have changed my mind in recent times is around productivity. Doing more things and always being on is not productivity. Rather in this blog post my goal is to highlight how slow productivity can lead to fulfillment.

    In his book Cal Newport mentions that this is the best way to approach a fulfilling life based on three key principles:

    1. Do fewer things
    2. Work at a natural pace
    3. Obsess over quality

    Also important is the fact that doing work in small increments at a natural pace over a period of time can destress ourselves yet help achieve success over the long run.

    This is a far cry from what we end up doing in the hustle and bustle of modern life wherein doing more stuff and remain always on matters.

    Here is another wonderful tip to relax our brain for high quality output.

    slow productivity and fulfillment

    For another insightful post around the same topic, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/why-i-am-a-big-fan-of-cal-newport/

    To know more about Cal Newport and his work, please visit this link:

    https://calnewport.com

  • Detach from Computer for Deep Work

    Detach from Computer for Deep Work

    Life away from Computer is where Deep Work starts

    As mentioned by Cal Newport in his book, deep work is becoming increasingly valuable in the new economy. For me life without computer helps me detach from computer for deep work.

    In his hypothesis, Cal Newport says that all of those who inculcate the ability to work for extended period of time with intense focus will become valuable by the day in this new economy.

    This needs a life without social media and use of any form of electronic gadget that takes away our focus from things that matter. The below interesting insight inspired from the same book of Cal Newport elaborates on the same.

    Detach from computer for deep work

    For another interesting insight from the same book, please visit:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/avoid-social-media-overuse-why/

    To know more about Cal Newport and his work please visit:

    https://calnewport.com

  • Purpose driven versus Pleasure driven

    Purpose driven versus Pleasure driven

    Are you purpose or pleasure driven?

    Research on purpose driven versus pleasure driven characteristics has shown that gritty people prefer the former over the latter.

    While the former is for long term the latter is for near term satisfaction.

    Viktor Frankl has highlighted that man’s search for meaning in life is key to deriving fulfillment as opposed to dopamine driven short term excitement.

    The below insight inspired from the book Grit, shows the curve of Gritty people where meaning dominates to realize a calling.

    Purpose driven versus Pleasure driven

    As we move higher on the grit scale the sense of meaning in our lives takes center stage.

    For another similar insight from the book Grit, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/best-definition-of-grit/

    To know more about the author Angela Duckworth and her work, please visit this link:

    https://angeladuckworth.com

  • Grit and Growth Mindset are Intertwined

    Grit and Growth Mindset are Intertwined

    Evidence that Grit and Growth Mindset are Intertwined

    To know how Grit and Growth Mindset are deeply Intertwined read this blog post.

    In her book Angela Duckworth cites a reference from Carol Dweck’s book to prove this point.

    As proven by research gritty people develop a growth mindset that gives them the tenacity and perseverance to tide over adverse circumstances by embracing hope.

    These are the successful people who indulge in optimistic self talk that gives from the strength to face adverse circumstances.

    Grit and Growth Mindset are Intertwined

    For another such interesting insight from the same book, please visit this link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/daily-deliberate-practice-limit/

    To know more about the book Mindset by Carol Dweck, visit this link:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ

  • Daily Deliberate Practice Limit

    Daily Deliberate Practice Limit

    In her book Grit, the author Angela has touched upon a very interesting metric of the daily deliberate practice limit.

    This metric has been derived after studying the behavior patterns of all world experts and their deliberate practice regime.

    After studying all such patterns the limit for such rigorous practice has been capped between three to five hours per day at a maximum.

    The below insight inspired from the same book elaborates on this interesting metric.

    Daily Deliberate Practice Limit

    For another such interesting insight from the same book, please visit the following link:

    https://viewpointsunplugged.com/four-psychological-assets-of-grit/

    To know more about Deliberate Practice please visit the below link:

    https://sentio.org/what-is-deliberate-practice