Rediscover Quietness

March 30, 2010 5 Comments

Car with many big speakers

Listen to this postI use to drive a sport car fitted with an excellent sound system. I improved that system with more electronic gadgets that made the sound loader and crisper. I used to increase the sound volume so high that made the side mirrors shake with the beat of the drums in the song. I only lower the value when I stop at the traffic light so as I do not bather the drivers next to me. That was then, but now, I just smile when I hear the music coming from the passing sport cars and remember how much I enjoy that back then.

I punished my ears for about 18 months with load music until one day I drove the car while the stereo was off. It was a relaxing and comfortable feeling. Quite, no noise at all, just the sound of the air coming from the window. I drove for about 15 minutes then I realized that I am missing the music, so I switched on the stereo, but switched it off immediately. I rediscover quietness and the comfort it brings with it. I was like carrying extra wight for 18 months and then suddenly dropped it down. Now I only listen to smooth jazz while working on the computer and listen to audio-books while driving. I wonder what other drivers listen to these days?

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Self Development Programs are Like Ice Cream

March 11, 2010 5 Comments

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Robin Sharma and Me

Robin Sharma and Me

Yesterday I attended a nice full day workshop by the best-selling author Mr. Robin Sharma. His most popular book is “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari“. I enjoyed the workshop but there is a variety of self-development books which I read before made this workshop look similar. Once you read few of these self-development books you will find them repeat the same principles. They are like choosing a flavor at Baskin-Robbins, the color and taste might be different but the basic ingredient is Ice Cream. I distilled the presentation to the following important points:

  • All human are equal and anybody can be an amazing leader.
  • We all have equal opportunities which we should take advantage of before it is too late.
  • We need to set long-term personal targets (10-50 years) and then dissect them into smaller tasks.
  • Work everyday on 1% of the task (or goal). You will accomplish the goal withing the target date without being overloaded.
  • Ice Cream

    Baskin Robins Ice Cream

    Keep on focusing on your goals all the time.

  • Fall in love or be passionate about what you do. Keep your focus on that ultimate goal and neglect other distractions.
  • Do not make yourself a victim. Do not blame other people or circumstances for your failures.
  • Learn from you failures, they are a good opportunity to learn.
  • Do not be afraid of risk. Change will always bring the best in you.

Mr. Robin Sharma has a good presentation style that captivate the audience and has a talent for telling passionate stories that makes the audience want to cry. On my scale I would give Mr. Sharma 7/10 when compared with other motivational speakers.

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Try Listening to Your Books

February 5, 2010 4 Comments

Freakonomics

Freakonomics my favorite book

AudioI love to read and I am sure that you like it too because you chose to spend some time reading (or listing) to this post. I do not read newspapers though, I just skim through the newspaper‘s pages and then throw it away every morning. Few yours ago I heard about the audio books, and I thought of trying them instead of reading the regular paper back books. I did not like it in the beginning because I like the feel of holding the book and  paging through it, but then I liked the convenience of listening to the book while I am on the move.  The main problem with audio books is the impression they give to others. When you see somebody holding a book you would imagine that they are educating themselves.

I am listening to

I am listening to

But if you see somebody inserting those white ear-buds in their ears and listing to an audio book you would think that they are wasting time listening some useless music. Do not get me wrong, I like music and I am now listening to one of the Smooth Jazz internet radio channels now while writing this post.

I was able to read, or better said, listen to a book every week. Which total to almost 50 books every year. I listen to the book while I am driving, walking or while exercising in the gym. Below I listed (alphabetically) some of the books I listened to in the past few months and I would like to recommend them to you. Go ahead try listening to books instead of reading them and let me know about your new experience. Also, please recommend for me a good book that you read and enjoyed.

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