From the category archives:

Personal Growth

The Countdown – Day 11: What Do YOU Think?

December 22, 2010

As a teacher, I’m not interested in getting the right answer from my students, just an answer.
Why?
Because giving the right answer feels intimidating.
Students don’t want to look stupid, so they prefer to stay quiet.
But how they answer my questions reveal what their understanding of the subject is, and I use that as a basis to explain [...]

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The Countdown – Day 12: No Pain, More Gain

December 21, 2010

I’m not quite sure where the human race went wrong, but we’ve developed some unhealthy masochistic tendencies.
Many religious teachings reinforce the idea that pain and torment are the hallmarks of the pious, and Immanuel Kant’s philosophy established selflessness as the foundation of morality.
If it’s enjoyable, then it’s bad.
If it’s for your own pleasure, then it’s [...]

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The Countdown – Day 13: Hypothetically Thinking

December 20, 2010

My wife (a.k.a. the wifey) once presented me with this hypothetical scenario:
Suppose you are a waiter at a restaurant.
There are two women, one fat and the other skinny, sitting at a table. You were asked to take a Pepsi and a Diet Pepsi to them.
Who would you offer the Diet Pepsi to?
Making [...]

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The Countdown – Day 14: You Don’t Have To Convince Others

December 19, 2010

Unfortunately, the line between your convictions and other people’s convictions is often blurred.
You may feel obliged to accept other people’s convictions, or demand that they accept yours.
This problem can halt your progress in life, since you can’t move a step forward with your own convictions when there’s someone, somewhere who happens to disagree with you.
Others [...]

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The Countdown – Day 15: The Spectator Mode

December 18, 2010

One of the unhealthiest ways you can approach life is as a spectator.
Rather than live life, you observe it.
You offer a commentary on the world, without taking part in it.
You don’t make any decisions, so as not to suffer the consequences of bad judgments.
You don’t expose yourself to criticism or subject yourself to ridicule.
You play [...]

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