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Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Guiding Lights: A Journey of Courage, Compassion and Faith Health Immigration Information Technology Leadership Development Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

Embrace the Flight: Savoring Productivity and Progress in Life’s Swift Passage

For Di Tran, renowned author of the insightful books “Drop the ME and focus on the others” and the newly released “Guiding Lights: A Journey of Courage, Compassion and Faith,” the sensation of a day passing like a swift breeze is not a complaint but a blessing in disguise. When the sun sets and Tran reflects upon his day, realizing it seemed to have flown by, he does so with a feeling of fulfillment and gratitude.

Each day is an opportunity for Tran to create new value, learn, grow, and connect. When he accomplishes these tasks, it signifies that his day was more than just successful; it was lived in alignment with his purpose. To some, the quick passing of a day might feel overwhelming or disappointing, a sign of lost time. But for Tran, a day that flies by signifies a day spent in the service of his goals and the people around him.

Tran’s perspective serves as an empowering reminder that our perception of time is less about the hours on a clock and more about what we fill those hours with. Time is an unchangeable constant, yet how we perceive its passage is entirely dependent on our actions and mindset.

Tran’s daily goals revolve around creating value and sharing that value with others. Each day, he commits to learning something new to increase his mental strength, partaking in physical activities for physical strength, engaging in productive conversations, and lending a helping hand wherever possible. It’s not just about being productive; it’s about being productively progressive. And in this whirlwind of meaningful activity, it’s no wonder that the day seems to race by.

In Tran’s perspective, our days are vessels to be filled with value-adding actions, learning, sharing, and helping. If our days are full of these endeavors, their swift passage is not a loss but a celebration of life lived productively.

As our days whirl past, filled with the tasks and activities that lend our lives purpose and meaning, we might sometimes wish for time to slow down. This is not a longing for less productivity but rather a desire for more time to continue being productive. For Tran, a day flying by is a sign of a day well spent in pursuit of a life well lived. It’s an indication of his commitment to personal growth and dedication to serving others.

Every night, when Tran takes stock of his day, he doesn’t count the hours; he counts the values shared, the new learnings acquired, the connections deepened, and the lives touched. For him, a day flying by isn’t a loss of time; it’s an affirmation of time well spent. It’s the tangible proof of a day devoted to living his purpose.

Each day that flies by for Tran is a testament to his purpose-driven life. It’s a life that creates and shares value, promotes learning, strengthens the mind and body, cultivates productive conversations, and uplifts others. It’s not just about doing more but doing what matters more.

His days might fly by, but they leave behind a trail of positive impacts, personal growth, and meaningful interactions. Tran doesn’t just thank God for the blessing of a swift day; he thanks God for the opportunity to live his purpose and make each day count. And therein lies a profound lesson for us all – not to slow down our days, but to speed up our purpose and passion, to make every fleeting moment meaningful, every hour count, and every day fly by in the service of what truly matters.

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Drop the FEAR and Focus on the FAITH Drop the ME and focus on the OTHERS Early Childhood Education Health Immigration Leadership Development Self-Improve Small Businesses Workforce Development

The Power of Belief: Engaging Your Mind to Shape Your Actions

In a world where information is aplenty and cognitive skills are prized, understanding the mechanisms through which our brain operates becomes paramount. Jim Kwik, a renowned brain coach, succinctly captures this in his saying, “All behavior is belief driven” (Kwik, 2018). This article explores how our beliefs drive our behaviors, and how engaging in certain practices, such as creativity, focus, and memory enhancement, can be transformative.

The Foundation: All Behavior is Belief Driven

The idea that our beliefs shape our behaviors is not new. Psychologist Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory also posits that personal beliefs are critical in determining one’s actions (Bandura, 1986). A cornerstone of this theory is self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to achieve goals. This idea resonates with Jim Kwik’s message. It’s about understanding that your mental and cognitive functions are not static properties but are shaped by what you believe.

Creativity: A Dynamic Process

Contrary to popular belief, creativity is not a trait that one either possesses or lacks. Rather, it’s an active process that can be nurtured and developed. In “Imagine: How Creativity Works”, Jonah Lehrer explores the science of creativity and shows that it’s something anyone can cultivate through certain practices (Lehrer, 2012). Engaging in various experiences, being open to novel ideas, and actively seeking connections are just some of the ways to foster creativity.

Focus: The Fruit of Effort

Similarly, focus is not a fixed resource but can be cultivated. In “Deep Work”, Cal Newport argues that the ability to concentrate is a skill that can be developed through dedicated practice (Newport, 2016). By creating environments conducive to focus and actively scheduling uninterrupted periods for concentration, we can train our minds to be more focused.

Memory: Trained vs. Untrained

Jim Kwik insists that there is no good or bad memory, only trained and untrained memory (Kwik, 2018). In “Moonwalking with Einstein”, Joshua Foer documents his journey from being a journalist with an average memory to becoming the U.S. Memory Champion (Foer, 2011). Through techniques like the Method of Loci, Foer shows that memory can be vastly improved through training.

Learning Through Creation

Kwik also posits that the mind learns not by passively absorbing information but by creating or co-creating it. This echoes the work of David Perkins, who in “Making Learning Whole”, emphasizes that understanding is deepened through actively engaging with the material (Perkins, 2009). Paraphrasing, translating, recalling, retelling, teaching, and sharing are all part of this active engagement.

Action Steps: Cultivating Positivity and Belief

So, how does one start “more doing”? It begins with cultivating a positive mindset and having faith, not just in oneself but also in a higher power if that aligns with one’s beliefs. This creates a foundation for strong and consistent beliefs, allowing goodness to manifest. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset provides tools for cultivating this positivity, where she emphasizes the belief in one’s ability to grow and improve through effort (Dweck, 2006).

Conclusion

Jim Kwik’s assertion that all behavior is belief-driven is supported by a wealth of research and literature. By understanding that creativity, focus, and memory are not fixed traits but skills that can be cultivated, and by engaging with information in an active manner, we can harness the power of our beliefs to shape our actions. Cultivating positivity and faith are crucial steps in this journey of personal growth and self-im