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Category: Books

  • Deep Work – more than productivity hack

    Deep Work – more than productivity hack

    For months, “Deep Work” by Cal Newport popped up in my social media feeds as a productivity bible, a game-changer for focus, and the key to thriving in a distracted world. Honestly, I was starting to wonder what all the hype was about!

    In a culture obsessed with “busy,” and where simply appearing productive often takes precedence, I decided to finally pick up a copy and see if Newport’s arguments held water. Because let’s be real, in a world that rewards hustle, it’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing quantity of work over quality.

    What you’ll find inside:

    This book promises a path to doing the opposite – to produce truly meaningful work, and to do it with intention. In this blogpost, I’ll share what resonated with me, and ultimately, tell you whether or not this book lives up to its reputation.

    Is Your Work Valuable? (And Why It Might Not Be)

    Ever feel like you’re busy all day, but haven’t actually accomplished anything truly meaningful? You’re not alone. Cal Newport argues that we’re rapidly entering an economy where the ability to perform “deep work” – focused, distraction-free concentration that pushes your cognitive capabilities to their limit – is becoming increasingly valuable, and frankly, rare.

    He posits that routine cognitive tasks are increasingly being automated. And we see this already today, that certain tasks are being fulfilled by AI. With the rise of Agentic AI, this trend might get even more traction. This means being ‘busy’ isn’t enough nor “shallow work” is something we can expect to be paid for in future.

    In essence, deep work isn’t just a productivity hack; it’s a skill. The ability to deeply focus, to wrestle with complex problems without distraction, is becoming the most valuable skill you can possess.

    Deep work isn’t about working more; it’s about working differently. It’s about reclaiming your attention and intentionally cultivating the ability to focus intensely. If you’re feeling increasingly overwhelmed and unfulfilled in your work, or worried about the future of your career, understanding the principles of deep work might just be the key to not only surviving, but thriving in the years to come.

    Beyond the Hype: Where “Deep Work” Feels Shallow

    While Newport paints a compelling picture of a future demanding “deep work,” it’s easy to fall into the narrative of seeing it as a revolutionary prophecy rather than a nuanced observation.

    The AI Revolution: Prophecy or Premature Celebration? This book has a compelling case for the rising value of “deep work” in an age of automation, predicting a future where those who can think critically will thrive. But let’s be honest: the “AI revolution” has been perpetually “just around the corner” for decades. While AI is undoubtedly advancing, the claim that it will fundamentally reshape the economy and create a clear divide between “deep” and “shallow” workers feels optimistic, to say the least. It’s a compelling narrative, certainly, but one built on a lot of “what ifs” and a somewhat selective reading of technological history. Maybe shallow work will just move along as we do into new jobs and functions.

    Distraction Isn’t the Problem – Our Brains Are.

    The book frames the struggle for focus as a modern affliction, exacerbated by smartphones and social media. But this feels like treating a symptom, not the disease. The real issue isn’t the increase of distraction, but the decades-long conditioning of our brains to crave instant gratification. From sugary cereals marketed to children to the endless scroll of social media feeds, our environment has systematically trained us to seek dopamine hits, eroding our capacity for sustained attention. We’ve become addicted to novelty.

    The Lost Art of Deep Thinking: A Matter of Neuroplasticity.

    This conditioning isn’t just a matter of willpower; it’s a neurological reality. Our brains are remarkably plastic, meaning they adapt to the stimuli they receive. Years of constant stimulation and instant gratification have literally rewired our brains, making it harder to focus, concentrate, and engage in deep, complex thought. It’s not that we can’t focus; it’s that our brains have been trained not to. The challenge isn’t simply eliminating distractions; it’s actively retraining our brains to resist them. While eliminating distractions is a good start, I hoped to learn more about what we can do to revert this conditioning.

    Habits derived from “Deep Work”

    The following are three habits, I derived from this book.

    Habit: 15-Minute Drift

    Every day, at a set time (e.g., after lunch, before dinner), I dedicate 15 minutes to intentional doing nothing. I sit comfortably, close my eyes (or gaze softly out a window), and simply allow my thoughts to wander. No phone, no book, no music – just quiet observation of whatever arises.

    Why it Works: This isn’t laziness; it’s cognitive rest. Our brains aren’t designed for constant, focused attention. This “drift” time allows the Default Mode Network (DMN) to activate. The DMN is responsible for creativity, problem-solving, and consolidating memories. By letting your mind wander, you’re essentially letting your unconscious mind process information and recharge, leading to improved focus and deeper work when you do concentrate. It’s like defragging a computer.

    Shot-down ritual to have peace in mind of today’s work assignments, but plan for the next day. Especially relevant for home office work!

    Habit: Daily Closure

    At the end of my workday, spend 5-10 minutes to recap all loose ends. I review my completed tasks, quickly note any unfinished items, and specifically write down the 1-3 most important things I need to tackle first tomorrow.

    Why it Works: This ritual creates psychological closure. It prevents work from bleeding into your personal time, which is especially crucial when your office is in your home. The act of planning the next day reduces anxiety about what needs to be done, and prioritizing those 1-3 tasks ensures you start with the most impactful work.

    Habit: Time Blocking

    Every Sunday evening, I create a detailed schedule for the entire week, blocking out 30-60 minute segment for the most important, high-value tasks (the “payout” tasks) when my energy is highest. I treat these blocks as appointments I can’t break, and I strictly adhere to the schedule, including breaks and buffer time.

    Why it Works: This is a powerful application of Parkinson’s Law (work expands to fill the time available). By timeboxing, you create artificial deadlines that force focus and prevent procrastination. Prioritizing high-value tasks first ensures you make progress on what truly matters, even if unexpected things come up. The detailed schedule reduces decision fatigue (you don’t have to constantly decide what to work on) and promotes a sense of control over your time. It’s about being proactive, not reactive. Over time, you get a feeling on how long these blocks should be. If the task is not finished, don’t extend your block but start with the next task.

    Conclusion

    The fact that this book resonates with the audience underlines the problem that many face with concentrating especially at work. While there are already several productivity and time management practices laid out with concepts like Eisenhower Matrix, GTD or Pomodoro Technique, the most important aspect of this book to understand that distraction is present and you can do something about it.

  • Stop Chasing Happiness: The Secret to Actually Enjoy Life

    Stop Chasing Happiness: The Secret to Actually Enjoy Life

    We’re constantly told to find happiness. To seek it out, chase it, manufacture it. But what if happiness isn’t something you find, but something you experience – a byproduct of being fully engaged in life?

    Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, in his groundbreaking work “Flow – the psychology of optimal experience” argues exactly that. He reveals how our state of consciousness dramatically impacts our quality of life, and introduces the concept of “flow” – that feeling of complete immersion in an activity where time melts away and satisfaction surges.

    Could learning to cultivate this state of “flow” be the key to not just getting more done, but to living a richer, more fulfilling life? It’s time to stop chasing happiness and start designing experiences that naturally create it.

    I enjoyed this book so much, that I have to apologize for this more in depth blog post.

    What you’ll find inside:

    What the heck is “flow”?

    Engaging in a captivating conversation with a friend often creates a flow experience, as ideas flow effortlessly and we become completely present with each other. During these moments, we lose track of time, fully immersed in the reciprocal exchange and building of understanding, feeling energized and deeply connected.

    Flow represents an intense focus on an activity that leads to a loss of self-consciousness and a feeling of great satisfaction. It’s akin to being in ‘the zone,’ where time seems to fly by, and you’re fully immersed in what you are doing.

    Mihály describes flow as the mental state that people often experience during activities that they find intrinsically rewarding. This combination leaves us with a impression of being self-fulfilled and happy.

    How to “go with the flow”

    Reaching a state of flow isn’t random; it requires certain conditions and an understanding of one’s own motivations and abilities. The interesting aspect is, that to some extent any given task can be transformed into a “flow” state.

    Mihály identifies several factors necessary for entering this optimal experience:

    Balance between challenge and skill

    One of the most crucial elements of achieving flow is finding a balance between the challenge of a task and your skill level. If a task is too easy, you become bored; if it is too difficult, you may feel overwhelmed. The sweet spot is similar to goal setting – you have to have 80% confidence in reaching the goal but leave a bit of “unknown” to make it challenging.

    Immediate Feedback

    Feedback during a “flow” state informs you whether or not you’re succeeding. It has to allow Rea-time assessment to stay in the present moment and in sync with your goals in order to progressing with the activity.

    Deep Involvement

    “Flow” requires full immersion in an activity. The sense of being deeply involved is characterized by the aforementioned concentration and a merging of action and awareness. When you are entirely absorbed, you are more likely to experience flow.

    The effect of a “flow” on your self

    Entering a state of “flow”, is more than just a means to achieve optimal performance or enjoyment; it’s an experience that has profound effects on the self. When you find yourself in flow, where your mind and body are fully engaged in what you’re doing, you don’t just accomplish tasks with heightened efficiency – you also undergo significant personal development.

    One of the remarkable outcomes of experiencing flow is the differentiation of the self. As we engage deeply with challenges and successfully navigate them, our sense of capability expands. Overcoming a challenge not only leaves us feeling more skilled but also enhances our understanding of who we are and what we can achieve.

    Flow experiences compel us to push beyond our perceived limitations, confronting tasks that stretch our abilities without exceeding them entirely. As we rise to meet these challenges, we gather evidence of our capabilities, which contributes to a richer sense of self. Each successful flow state is an opportunity for growth.

    This differentiation isn’t just about acquiring new skills; it’s also about refining them. The more we practice in the presence of clear goals and immediate feedback, the better we become at those activities, which further differentiates and develops our sense of self.

    Flow Integrates the Self

    In addition to enhancing our sense of differentiation, flow is instrumental in integrating the self. During a flow state, consciousness operates with exceptional clarity and orderliness. This profound level of focus aligns our thoughts, intentions, feelings, and senses toward a single goal. Everything converges harmoniously, which facilitates not just an efficient performance but also a unified experience!

    When we are fully immersed in an activity, there’s no room for internal conflict or distraction. Our cognitive processes synchronize with our actions, creating a seamless interaction between mind and body. This integration fosters a sense of wholeness—an alignment of all aspects of the self that contributes to a more coherent identity.

    By consistently experiencing flow, we train ourselves to enter this state of well-ordered consciousness more readily. Over time, this can lead to a general improvement in our ability to focus and integrate various elements of our lives, resulting in greater personal harmony.

    „Flow helps to integrate the self because in that state of deep concentration consciousness is unusually well ordered.“

    Source: Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s “Flow”

    The aftermath of a flow experience often leaves individuals feeling more connected—not only internally but also with others and the world around them. When thoughts, intentions, feelings, and senses are harmonized toward a common objective during flow, this unity spills over into other areas of life once the activity concludes.

    Does the “Flow” state have any side effects?

    What if your goals aren’t truly your own, or if you set them so easily that they stifle personal growth? Perhaps you’re pursuing goals that lack real meaning, simply to feel a temporary sense of accomplishment.

    This implies that with the wrong boundaries you can flow as much as you want but still stall or drift into the wrong direction. This depends on the information that keeps coming into awareness is congruent with your goals. If the information is reinforcing your goals you will experience flow.

    I am not certain yet if this is a good or a bad thing. Due to lack of better knowledge I stick to my explanation in the Goals are for losers post. As long as the net sum of energy you invested vs. gained out of your flow activity is positive, it is a good thing to continue.

    Maybe there is another book that has the answer.

    Habits to cultivate “flow”

    As mentioned earlier with a bit of practice, flow state can be achieved with by intention. The following habits might be of help.

    Practice focused attention:

    Action: Schedule dedicated blocks of time (e.g., 25-minute Pomodoro sessions) for uninterrupted work on a single task. Consciously redirect your attention back to the task whenever your mind wanders.

    Why it works:  Flow isn’t something that just happens; it requires practice. Training your ability to focus and resist distractions strengthens the neural pathways needed to enter and sustain a flow state.

    Challenge Yourself (but not too much):

    Action: Before starting any activity, define specific, manageable objectives. Break down larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps. Choose activities where the challenge matches your abilities – not so easy you’re bored, but not so difficult you’re overwhelmed. Regularly push your skills slightly beyond your current comfort zone.

    Why it works: Flow arises when skill and challenge are balanced. A moderate level of difficulty keeps you engaged and motivated, requiring focused effort without inducing anxiety or frustration. Clear goals provide direction and a sense of purpose, allowing you to focus your attention and measure progress.

    Conclusion

    What makes “Flow” particularly fascinating is its grounding in scientific research and psychological principles, providing a more empirical perspective compared to Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now,” which leans towards spirituality. While both books share themes about living in the present moment, Csíkszentmihályi offers insights that are deeply rooted in observable phenomena, making it an excellent read for those interested in how our minds work and how we can optimize our mental states for a better life.

  • Secrets of Longevity: Transforming Aging into Empowerment

    Secrets of Longevity: Transforming Aging into Empowerment

    My son asked me today, if we all have to die. The answer is yes. But he at least demanded that we life until 100, so we can be longer together. This inspired me to read Outlive by Peter Attia to get clarity of what most of us struggle when getting older and understand what to do about it.

    What you’ll find inside:

    According to Attia, longevity has two components. The first is your chronological lifespan – the hope of my son to spend as much time together as possible. The second component is called health span the quality of your life which he defines as free from “disability and disease”. All action you take to improve the health span will result in longer lifespan.

    Spoiler alert: eat healthy, exercise and sleep well is what impacts both. But how to do this is not so simple answer for each individual. The right tactic to approach is trying to improve the overall health aspects as well as individual measures depending on your life situation. The book will not reveal what exactly to do, but you will learn how to think about these things. It explains the system holistically, so you can adjust what might work for you to “outlive”.

    The Four Horsemen of chronic disease

    In his speech for … Steve Jobs inspired us with the quote “life you live as it was the last day”. This does not mean to go wild, but rather to make yourself aware of what is really important for you right now and also to think if you would spend your time on it, if you’d know that this is the last 24h you have.

    Attia calls out the four horsemen of death chronic disease that might challenge your quality of life.

    • Cancer: F*ck cancer! I bet you also lost someone to that.
    • Neurogenerative disease leading to performance decrease of your brain like Alzheimer.
    • Atherosclerotic disease affecting your blood flow causing heart attack or brain stroke.
    • Diabetes: disfunction of how your body handles Insulin. Causing fat liver etc.

    Today’s medicine has answers for all of these diseases. There are pills, surgeries or therapy that might get you out of trouble for some time. Due to technological advancements this will improve in future even more. Still today’s medicine is not there to address the nuances involved when treatment is applied, impacting our unique mix of symptoms and risk factors.

    “Risk is not something to be avoided at all costs; rather, it’s something we need to understand, analyze and work with”

    – Peter Attia MD, Outlive: The science and Art of Longevity

    This fall in line the what I mentioned in my post about risks, that every single thing we do in life is based on some calculation of risk versus reward.

    That is why Attia states, that at the level of the individual patient, we should be willing to ask deeper questions of risk versus reward versus cost for any therapy. You must be certain about your goals well informed and understand the true nature of these risks.

    Eat, Exercise and Sleep as health factors

    It is no surprise that Attia dwells into the topics of nutrition, exercise and quality of sleep as factors to improve your health. On the other hand he clearly states, that there is no silver bullet that fits all of us. It is rather to seek tactics that are likeliest, based on what we know now, to deliver a better-than-average return for our health span.

    Attia proposes that with some unorthodox but very reasonable lifestyle changes, you can minimize the most serious threats to your lifespan and health span and achieve your own measure of longevity alpha

    If you exercising consistently you might secure an increased mobility at high age. This on the other hand exposes you to the risk of injuries, that might decrease your chances of mobility in future.

    The same is true for what and how you eat. Calorie reduction diets or time restrictions for calorie intake might lead to weight loss. On the other hand you might miss the chance to provide your body with the nutrients required to renew cells etc. Attia calls that you might fall short on proteins with some diets.

    If you are one of them who believes that sleep is a waste of time, think twice. Evolution would have already found a way to get rid of sleep, wouldn’t this be helpful of our system. Not only your body is recovering from dem strapazen of the day, but also your brain will sink in all the information you collected. Consistent good quality of sleep is the baseline for emotional health.

    Emotional Health

    Diving into the topic of emotional health is worth another post. So spare with me, if you are here for further details. But to get you started with this topic, I’d like to leave you with the following:

    The emotional state might be the least factor you’d associate with longevity. Thinking about living beyond your 80s, life can be lonely. Not all your friends will follow your lead in consistently challenging yourself on your eating, exercising or sleeping habits to achieve longevity. You might truly outlive them – then what?

    Behind the facade of a best nutrient, exercised and out slept person in the world you might end up as an emotional douchbag constantly fighting over things you feel attached to.

    You might want to dwell into the science of belief or “The power of Now” by Eckart Tolle for further inspiration about emotional health.

    Derived habits from “Outlive”

    As summary on strategies and habits that promote longevity and enhance overall well-being, here are my three habits:

    1. Regular Physical Activity:

    • Action: Engage in a combination of aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility workouts throughout the week. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, along with strength exercises twice a week.
    • How it Helps: Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, enhances muscle strength, and boosts metabolic function. It plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and improving mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    2. Nutritional Excellence:

    • Action: Follow a balanced, nutrient-dense diet that emphasizes whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Limit the intake of processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
    • How it Helps: A nutritious diet fuels the body with essential vitamins and minerals, supports immune function, and reduces inflammation. It also helps maintain optimal body weight and reduces the risk of chronic illnesses, thereby contributing to longevity and improved quality of life.

    3. Prioritize Sleep:

    • Action: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night by establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a restful environment, and minimizing exposure to screens and blue light before bed.
    • How it Helps: Adequate sleep is critical for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health. It allows for cellular repair, supports brain function, and reduces the risk of conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Prioritizing sleep is essential for recovery and longevity.

    The more I learn about life, the more I realize it is truly a miracle. Life is like a gift that deserves to be opened with intention and care.

  • Proof: Better Beliefs Lead To Better Biology

    Proof: Better Beliefs Lead To Better Biology

    While there are several books about positive thinking, this book provides scientific proof on the impact of positive thinking and negative perception. If you want to explore the biological processes that drive how our cells function and their relevance to your life, read “Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton.

    What you’ll find inside:

    Cooperation instead competition

    In school we learned about the “survival of the fittest” principle. This is based on Darwins theory which describes that random genetic mutations. Some genetic mutations help individuals to adopt better to their environment and are beneficial for survival. These genes are passed on to the offspring, encouraging evolutionary progress.

    Lipton points out Lamarck’s view as closer to our current understanding of evolution. The french biologist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Lamarck points out cooperation between species and individuals as extremely important to evolution. This is being untermauert with several examples in the book. For example when our antibodies successfully fought a virus, they “remember” how to kill it. This is then passed on to the antibody’s daughter cells. Also symbiotic relationships like each of us has with our gut bacteria, that help us to digest, are good examples of cooperation and evolution.

    So genes, the blueprint of our cells, don’t necessarily have to be passed on through reproduction, but genetic patterns can evolve independently in response to similar environmental conditions and can be shared with members of other species.

    In this context it is worth to mention the fact that Wallace Wattle in his book “the Science of getting Rich” published in 1910 also emphasises the need to transform from a competitive mind to a creative one. Read more in my blogpost “In 1910 someone discovered the science of getting rich“

    Cells membrane is what controls the cell

    Lipton did a lot of research on cells with the goal to find out what controls it or e.g. more relevant for us what turns a regular cell into a cancer cell. Following Darwins theory, it has to be in the genes, that tells the cell how to develop. But Lipton did an interesting experiment by removing the nucleus and by that all genes, the cell was still alive. It could not reproduce, but was still functional.

    Lipton identified the cell membrane and their receptors as a crucial structure that acts as a barrier and a communication hub. It is embedded with receptors — proteins that can detect and bind to specific energy signals or molecules in the environment.

    When energy signals or biochemical signals interact with the receptors on a cell’s membrane, this interaction triggers a series of reactions inside the cell. Lipton emphasizes that the environment plays a critical role in cellular behavior.

    Every living cell and organism produces energy signals in the form of electromagnetic fields, biochemical signals, and other types of subtle energy. Since cells are constantly receiving signals from their surroundings, this means that a change in the environment — whether it’s physical, emotional, or energetic — can significantly affect cellular responses. For instance, stress hormones can influence cellular behaviour in a way that might lead to negative health outcomes, whereas positive stimuli might promote healing and well-being.

    “It’s the environment, Stupid”

    by Dr. Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief

    This lead to the conclusion that the cell membrane is responsible for controlling the behaviour of the cell based on the signal it receives from its environment. By the way the illustration of a cell membrane as butter olive sandwich will stay forever in my head.

    Get in control of your environment

    This findings conclude that our mental and emotional states, as well as our beliefs and perceptions, can influence the energy signals we emit and thus affect the behaviour of our cells. By fostering positive thoughts and reducing stress, you may be able to positively influence your cellular health and overall well-being.

    Many of our beliefs are part of our subconscious mind. Beliefs frequently develop during formative years, often in childhood and early adolescence, through experiences, teachings, and emotional responses. Lipton states that up until you were six years old, the brains frequency is theta. A brain state, where yogis meditate or you sleep. This state enables kids to “download” information by observing and mimicking others. These early experiences are largely absorbed by the subconscious mind, where they can shape your perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs about yourself and the world.

    “Your beliefs act like a filter on a camera, changing how you see the world.”

    – by Dr. Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief

    Now, here’s the tricky part: Many beliefs ingrained in the subconscious lead to automatic thoughts and behaviours. If you observe it carefully you will find yourself reacting very emotionally to an ordinary situation. Like getting 🤯 over a tube of toothpaste left uncapped. Another example is someone with a belief that they are not worthy of love may unconsciously sabotage relationships, even if they consciously desire connection.

    While subconscious beliefs can be deeply rooted, they are not immutable. Practices such as mindfulness, therapy, positive affirmations, and visualisation can help you access and reprogram your subconscious beliefs. The goal is to replace limiting beliefs with more empowering ones, which can lead to changes in behavior and emotional well-being.

    In summary, our beliefs are often stored in the subconscious mind, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in ways that we may not be fully aware of. Understanding this relationship enables you to explore and, if desired, change your beliefs to promote personal growth and positive change.

    In case you want to hear and see instead of reading Liptons book, watch this video from one of Tony Robbins seminars.

    Derived habits from “Biology of Belief”

    You need to be aware, in order to feel responsible. These habits can help you to be more aware of your current beliefs.

    1. Journaling for Self-Reflection:

    • Action: Dedicate at least 10-15 minutes each day to journaling. Focus on your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, particularly in areas where you notice patterns or challenges.
    • How It Helps: Writing can help expose underlying beliefs that may be influencing your behaviour. Reflect on specific triggers or situations that evoke strong emotions and ask yourself what beliefs might be behind those feelings. Look for recurring themes, assumptions, or narratives that arise in your writing.

    2. Mindfulness and Meditation Practices:

    • Action: Incorporate mindfulness or meditation into your daily routine, even if just for a few minutes. You can start with guided meditations focused on awareness and self-discovery, or simply practice being mindful of your thoughts throughout your day.
    • How It Helps: Mindfulness allows you to observe your thoughts and beliefs without judgment. This practice can increase your awareness of automatic thought patterns and help you differentiate between your conscious desires and subconscious beliefs. It cultivates a sense of inner peace and clarity, making it easier to identify and address limiting beliefs.

    3. Affirmations and Reframing Techniques:

    • Action: Create a set of positive affirmations that counter your limiting beliefs. For example, if you believe “I am not good enough,” reframe it as “I am capable and deserving of success.” Practice these affirmations daily—consider saying them aloud in front of a mirror or writing them down.
    • How It Helps: Repeating positive affirmations can help overwrite negative subconscious beliefs over time. This technique encourages a shift in mindset and reinforces empowering beliefs. Additionally, when you encounter situations that trigger old beliefs, consciously reframe those thoughts by identifying a more positive or constructive perspective.

    By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can cultivate greater awareness of your subconscious beliefs and work towards transforming any limiting beliefs into more empowering ones.

    Consistency is key, so try to engage in these practices regularly to observe meaningful shifts over time.

    Conclusion

    • Good news: It is not your genetics (fault) who you are.
    • Your cells need stimulation from the environment in order to grow or protect themselves.
    • It is the environment that shapes us paired with our beliefs on how we perceive the environment.
    • Our unconscious mind is where most of our beliefs are.
    • With a conscious mind, we can control this environment and how we react to it.

    If you found this post helpful, consider sharing it with someone who could benefit from it. Also leave a comment, if you have own experience to share.

  • In 1910 someone discovered the science of getting rich

    In 1910 someone discovered the science of getting rich

    Wallace Wattles argues in his book “the science of getting rich” that the universe is abundant and desires to lavish its riches upon us. It appeared in print in 1910 and inspired Rhonda Byrne’s ‘The Secret’. You will also find it for free at Project Gutenberg.

    What you’ll find inside:

    The power of positive thinking

    Wattles advocates for the power of positive thinking and constant focus on one’s goals to attract wealth and success. His mantra start with the following sentence and he repeats it throughout the book.

    „Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created“

    Source:
    The Science of Getting Rich
    Wallace D. Wattles

    This might sound familiar, if you read “the secret” or are familiar with the idea of “law of attraction”. But to believe that good things are coming your way in a sense of “Just make a wish” is not what the author is up to.

    For him it is about priming yourself towards what you truly desire. To create a clear and definite mental image of the things you wish to have, to become or to do. Basically he asks you to focus on what you want with all you have. According to him, it is not about how hard you focus, but how firm you believe is.

    Transform from Competitive to a Creative mind

    Wattles states one prerequisite that is true today, as it was 100 years ago: it is to pass from the competitive to the creative mind.

    Have you ever wished for something so bad, that you were envious of others? Or have you wished to be able to do something and you tried so hard, that you didn’t recognised the solution at hand? This is the mindset that Wattles wants you to pass since it is not in harmony with the “formless intelligence” as he calls it.

    Gratitude is for him the key to align your creative mind. When you are grateful, you crowd out envy and competition. Being grateful will make you aware of your life situation and all the positive things around you. This will allow the creative energy to flow through established channels of natural growth and industrial and social order, as he states.

    This sounds very similar to thought shared by Ken Honda in his book “Happy Money“. He also emphasises on gratitude when it comes to your income, but also spending. Also in the book “Psychology of Money” you will find references towards greed vs. learning what you actually really desire.

    Believing is not enough, be useful

    While the creative mind is what enables the law of attraction, it does not imply that you get what you want. “The secret” by Bryan stops here and states, that it is enough to believe and you shall receive. Wattles believes in taking inspired action and living in harmony with nature’s intentions to achieve prosperity and personal growth.

    „In order to receive his own when it shall come to him, man must be active; and this activity can only consist in more than filling his present place.“

    Source:
    The Science of Getting Rich
    Wallace D. Wattles

    Wattles also has a timeless answer how to be active. According to his instructions, you should give everyone a use value in excess of the cash value you receive. If you think about it, he encourages you to contribute to abundance in life. So every of your transactions makes for more life.

    I would simplify this by stating that instead of just being and wishing, you could be useful to others and add your value to life. Being grateful will make you see what you have to offer already today, even if this might not seem much to you, it might mean the world to me or others.

    Conclusion

    • Be aware if your mindset is in the competitive or creative.
    • Establish an habit of gratitude. This can be in form of a question what you are thankful for in the evening or by saying thank you to yourself every time you do something that creates value e.g. spending money or finishing a craft etc.

    Further reading:

  • You’re an expert – how to make money with it

    You’re an expert – how to make money with it

    “Expert Secrets” is a comprehensive guide by Russell Brunson that teaches us how to become really good at something and share it with others. It encourages you to make friends with lots of people who like what you do. And to turn those friends into happy customers.

    What you’ll find inside:

    It is a great a blueprint that guides you step-by-step on this journey. While it primarily addresses entrepreneurs and business owners a loyal following is valuable for any professional and is an important aspect of personal growth.

    Key concepts outlined

    I highly recommend reading through this book end-to-end. To my surprise it starts off actionable steps without further ado. Brunson starts with the thesis that everyone of us has some kind of expert knowledge. It is based on your core beliefs and passions. He gives the example that he sold DVDs on how to build a potato gun, because this is something he did for himself.

    Once you identified your area of expertise, you need to define your ideal customer and understand their needs, desires and challenges. From there it is about developing your persona that resonates with the audience of customers and tell your story.

    Share your origin story, which highlights your struggles, breakthroughs and successes. This is the foundation for a community where your followers can connect, engage and support each other.

    Consistency and authenticity with your audience is the key, but also the hard part. Similar to what every blogger tries to achieve as well.

    Habits to derive from Expert Secrets

    Based on the content of “Expert Secrets” by Russell Brunson, I derived three habits that you can cultivate to build your expertise, grow an audience, and drive business but also personal growth:

    1. Regularly share your story, experience and insights with your audience

    This habit is about cultivating your story telling skills. By regularly sharing your story you will reinforce your message and you authority for a topic. This will help to build a stronger connection to your followers and position you as an authentic and relatable expert. But continuously refining and updating your origin story as you evolve and grow.

    I am not there yet, as you can see from the activities on my social media accounts. My story is to share all I read, learn and apply to thrive for success and a fulfilled live. But when it comes to regular updates I mostly overthink what is worthwhile to share. This makes me feel like I missed the spontaneous moment.

    But it is on my list for this year – simply because I want to improve my story telling skills but also connect more with you.

    2. Continuous learning is a must for every expert

    This habit helps you stay informed about the latest trends, identify opportunities for improvement, and create innovative strategies for your endeavour.

    Subscribing to industry publications, blogs, and podcasts. While I love to read primary literature about topics because it gives me the unfiltered facts, I understand that this is not for everyone. I see podcasts as alternative to this, as most of the podcast content creators pick up more recent topics and you don’t have the risk of being exposed to GPT generated content (for now). Hard Fork is one of my favourites when it comes to technology trends.

    Joining online communities and forums to discuss your expert topics is also a good way to stay up-to-date. This will allow you to also contribute and proof your experts knowledge. Because you only have truly understood a topic, if you can teach it to someone.

    In case you can’t find any good resources, it might be a good idea to be the one who starts it.

    3. Engage with your community and other experts

    Proactively engage with your audience and foster a sense of community around you is one of the goals Brunson suggested in his book.

    This is a no-brainer, if you already have followers. For those of you, who are at the beginning I’d suggest to do what Dale Carnegie suggests in his book “how to win friends and influence people“: pace. Find someone on social media who is in the context of your expert knowledge and comments a lot. Follow his or her lead and comment the posts with what you have in mind.

    Do it consistently every day and maybe you’ll find new friends. At least this will establish your habit of engaging with others online regularly. From there you could go further of creating a forum or group for your followers to connect and engage on a more “exclusive” channel.

    Conclusion

    • Each of us is an expert in something. This knowledge is of worth for others.
    • Examine if your expert knowledge is already in a niche. The more specific you are able to describe your knowledge, the easier it will be to find and address your audience.
    • Selling your expert knowledge for a living take some marketing efforts – therefore share your story and connect with friends over social media, a meal, or a shared hobby.

    Further readings

  • My Personal Growth Reading List for 2025

    This is my backlog of books for this year. Most of these books are in the context of self-development and mindfulness. Looking forward to learn about the parallels and new aspects proclaimed by the authors. In case there is something worth to share I will provide a summary of it in the books section. Subscribe to my newsletter, if you’d like to receive it directly in your inbox.

    Also happy to hear from you in the comments section below, if you are missing something.

    Book cover: "the Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace D. Wattles

    The Science of Getting Rich (read)

    by Wallace D. Wattles

    This book was written in 1910 and mentioned in “the science behind ‘the Secret‘” as inspiration for the bestseller by Bryan. It is a practical description of the “law of attraction”.
    Find it on amazon.

    Book cover: "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce H. Lipton

    The Biology of Belief (read)

    by Bruce H. Lipton

    I saw Bruce on YouTube explaining his discovery that it is not genes that impact how our cells behave, but impulses from our environment. By controlling our environment, we could influence who we are – will be an interesting read.

    Find it on amazon.

    Book Cover: "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" by Peter Attia MD

    Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity (read)

    by Peter Attia MD

    Self-improvement is not just for the brain, but also for the body. Maybe this book is worth the time.

    Book cover: "Flow - the psychology of optimal experience" by Mihaly Cziskzentihalyi

    Flow

    by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

    Would it be weird if I say, that I am addicted to the flow moment? I need to understand the rational behind it.

    Book Cover Deep Work by Cal Newport

    Deep Work

    by Cal Newport

    I am curious about why this book is so popular. To which extent are people having trouble to focus on their work and what exactly does Cal recommend to do about it.

    Book cover: "Power vs. Force" by David R. Hawkins

    Power vs. Force

    by David R. Hawkins

    This book was mentioned in a Podcast about emotions. It is about the hidden determinations of human behaviour based on the research around kinesiology.

    Book cover: "This is Marketing" by Seth Godin

    This is Marketing

    by Seth Godin

    Already read “the linchpin” years ago. It is time to refresh my mind around the topic. Also in light of better addressing my blogposts.

    Book cover: "Practicing the Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

    Practicing the Power of Now

    by Eckhart Tolle

    I read “the power of now” years ago. This book is said to be a good refresher.

    Book cover: "Traction" by Gabriel Weinberg

    Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers

    by Gabriel Weinberg

    This book was recommended by a reddit follower in order to learn more about customer growth and reach

    Book cover: Richard Brandler's Guide to Trance-Formation

    Richard Bandler’s Guide to Trance-Formation

    by Richard Bandler

    Not sure if this book beats seeing Richard Bandler live.

    Book Cover: "The let them theory" by Mel Robbins

    The Let Them Theory

    by Mel Robbins

    I got this book as a gift and summary reads like “the subtle art of not giving a f*ck”.

    Book Cover: "don't believe everything you think"

    Don’t believe everything you think

    by Joseph Nguyen

    I am looking forward seeing what parallel Nguyen has to Tolle with his book “the power of now”. At least the title reminds me of it.

    Book cover: "the courage to be disliked" by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

    The courage to be disliked

    by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga

    Habits are still underestimated when it comes to self-improvement. It is not only about what you do, but also what you avoid to do.

    Bookcover: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

    Atomic Habits

    by James Clear

    People tend to underestimate habits when it comes to self-improvement. It is not only about what you do, but also what you avoid to do.

    Book Cover: "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

    The Power of Now

    by Eckhart Tolle

    It was quite a while, when I read it – Smartphones didn’t even exist back then. Just in case the other Eckhart Tolle book is not enough and time permits.

  • Get Rich Quick With Millionaire Fastlane

    Get Rich Quick With Millionaire Fastlane

    The author of “the Millionaire FASTLANE” MJ DeMarco sheds some light on how he got wealthy and how you can do the same. It sounds like a “get rich quick” scheme but I was surprised to find many timeless lessons about responsibility, market value and customer centricity.

    What you’ll find inside:

    I got this book as a present and it turned out to be an interesting read on entrepreneurship and how to accommodate wealth over a couple of years instead of decades.

    Millionaires mindset

    In contrast to the past books I shared in the past, DeMarco postulates, that becoming a millionaire will not work out for the most of us via compounding and patience.

    Don’t just chase money; create value—wealth follows those who solve problems for others. #successhabits

    In his view there are three types of paths when it comes to money:

    • sidewalks: Is about poorness, both in time and money. Most people on the sidewalks life for the moment and don’t consider their impact on tomorrow. They life beyond their means.
    • slowlane: The slow lane is an employment. You basically exchange your time and skills for money to work for someone else. As employee you make someone else rich. There is limited growth potential because increases on wages are more or less linear. Also any day has just 24h, so nothing to scale on this side as well.
    • fastlane: The fast lane is a business system allowing exponential growth by definition. Not every business falls into the category of a fast lane. If you are a self-employed electrician you can’t scale your time same as with the slow lane. The important factor is the business system that allows you to generate wealth independent of your time. I see parallels to goals vs. systems post shared earlier.

    3 Timeless lessons learned from this book

    #1 – You are responsible for your life situation. This also includes your financials. If desire to be wealthy but you are not, you should consider changing your behaviour.

    “If you want to keep getting what you’re getting, keep doing what you’re doing” – DeMarco

    With this you don’t have to resign your employment. But first acknowledge the fact that you are in the driver seat of your life. Reflect on your spending habits as a starting point.

    #2 – Be aware of your behaviour as a consumer and experience the creator point-of-view. Because we are all targets to the marketing machinery exposed 24/7 on all channels. Even this blog is an example of me selling you my thought process and you paying with your time and attention. Your mindset about money will change, once you understand that for the most cases, someone is constantly trying to sell something to you. The best way to grasp what this means is becoming a creator, a maker or producer to others. It will sharpen your senses about multiple means around you to address you as a consumer.

    #3 – riding the fastlane is hard work as nothing comes for free. “Rich people got lucky” is something attributed to the wealthy. What most of us neglect is the fact that being wealthy is not an event. It is the aftereffect of a process by which you improving your probabilities to deliver yourself to true wealth. This is to identify a business need, deliver a scaling solution and improve it by talking to your customers until you found the right formula.

    The dark side of the Millionaire FASTLANE

    DeMarco states, that the risk profile of a fast lane strategy isn’t much different from the slow lane but the rewards are far greater. While I agree on the later, I don’t agree with the risk part. It is oversimplified and does not count the individual life situation. This unfortunately leads to the impression that entrepreneurship is glorified without point out enough on the actual risk that is part of the game.

    There is still a lot of opportunities out there to “collect money on the streets”, but still the majority of startups fail. And if you decide to follow that path, you have to accept failure culture as part of you daily life. “Fail early, fail often” they say.

    Summary and takeaways

    • Getting rich quick not only about self employment, but a business system that generates wealth independent of your time contribution.
    • The fast lane strategy is not for everyone, because it requires a high tolerance for coping with failure.
    • Think of habits that fuel your maker mindset to become a producer first and consumer second.

    My next read is “Expert Secrets” by Russel Brunson on how to make profit out of your knowledge.

  • Interesting viewpoint on money and psychology

    Interesting viewpoint on money and psychology

    The Psycholog of Money by Morgan Housel grounded me on my current belief about money and investment. To some extend it was a relieve to learn that it is not about how smart you are but has a lot to do with how you behave. While on the other hand this seems to be the hard part when it comes to investing.

    What you’ll find inside:

    I was always under the impression that I don’t know enough about how investing works in detail. Because I am not familiar enough with KPIs and what to keep an eye on etc. But what the author aims to teach us here is that the psychology of money is not a hard science. It is a soft skill first, where how you behave is more important than what you actually know about it.

    Emotions Guide Your Financial Actions

    I can relate to that since a lot of people are in the game of investing and who not aware of how much their emotions influence their behaviour. How I behave might make sense to me, because of my past experiences and conclusion I derive from, but I might look crazy to you. And this characteristic makes it hard to predict a system with a lot of emotional decisions using hard facts alone. And also explains, why simply asking a friend for an investment advice might not work out for you the same way as it does for your friend.

    The emotions are on both sides of the investment outcomes. There is FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) when your investment is in the red where you are tempted to sell to avoid further loss. Or FOMO (fear of missing out) when greed may guide you to invest in raising and trending assets like we have seen with crypto recently.

    About luck and risk

    There is sometime you get everything right, but still loose the game. These failure situation can be a lousy teacher, because it seduces us to think we made the wrong choices. Because the accidental impact of actions outside of your control have a bigger impact than the ones you consciously take. See also “happy money” by Ken Honda.

    The book made me acknowledge the role of luck in investment success but also the role of risk. And especially for the later to arrange my financial life in a way that the bad investments won’t wipe me out of the game, so I can keep playing until the odds fall in my favour.

    Gordon Gekko from Wolf of Wallstreet about greed

    I still recall this phrase from Wolf of Wall Street about greed and how it leads to exceptional results. Greed lets you take more risks and push your luck. This might be OK when you are young, because you have enough time left to learn and experiment. But keep in mind: once greed is fueled by envy, you will sabotage your sense of enough risk to loose it all and being pushed out of the game.

    The million dollar advise about money and investment

    The profound advice on money I understood from this book is taking calculated risks, being optimistic and patient.

    In order to make calculated risks, you have to have a plan about your investments. A plan with enough room for failures, because with most often likely not everything will be going according to plan.

    Being optimistic and having fate when investing into the future is true beyond the relevance for investment. If you don’t believe that the future is going to be better than today, even if your life situation dropped compared to yesterday, you will not have enough mental strength to stay committed.

    Last but not least it is about being patient with your investments. Over time, compound will do the heavy lifting of your financial gains. But this is nothing our brains understand naturally. We are more used to linear growth. Exponential growth like compound is therefore hard to grasp since also the results take some to materialise.

    And if there is a habit you’d want to think of when it comes to patience and investment, then to stop looking at your brokers app every minute. Set a notification instead and be aware of what your emotions are telling you when things don’t work out as planned.

    Conclusion

    • Focus more on broad patterns and less on specific individuals.
    • Keep calm and diversify your investment.
    • Be patent and establish an anti habit to stop checking your brokers app for the most current balance. Set a notification instead.

    Next on my reading list is “fast lane millionaire” by MJ DeMarco, who shares a different path to wealth.

  • Challenge Your Relationship with “Happy Money” by Ken Honda

    Challenge Your Relationship with “Happy Money” by Ken Honda

    I chose this book to broaden my money and investing views beyond “buy and hold.”

    What you’ll find inside:

    What I liked about the book is that it raised my awareness about the importance of how I earn and spent my money. While I already was cautious about what my spendings, I neglected the earning side.

    There is only scarcity of money, if you choose to believe it.

    As with life itself, it is the attitude we have towards financials that drives our beliefs. If we had bad experiences on how to pay our bills, we perceive money as a scarce resource – it needs to be protected. This may make us blind towards the fact that in today’s world there is more than enough. Federal Reserve is not printing it, but effectively adding funds to the money supply – we just have to somehow get on hold of it.

    Be appreciative for your financial income

    This brings me to the topic of earning money. For most of my life I believed that I did not deserve it. Be it my monthly salary, my earnings from all the side hustles I enjoy or gains and dividends from my investments on the stock and crypto market. I simply didn’t think much of getting paid for my time and skills.

    But this is something the author aims to educate us on. To observe whether the money you receive is based on an activity that you enjoy, and understand that you and your productivity are the money’s worth. If you are not happy with what you do to get paid for, then instead of suffering daily find something you enjoy or a reason to enjoy your daily work beyond the financial aspect. Maybe by reframing your purpose in what you do for living.

    Think of Norman Lawson who figured out 39 ways of not working lubricant formulas, but with WD40 found a rust preventive, penetrant and moisture displacer most of use already used.

    Say “arigato” to the money that leaves your wallet

    The author encourages us to apply the same mindful exercise while spending money. Also being thoughtful, about if the money spent is for something that really makes you happy on the long run. This implies, that you are aware of what makes you truly happy.

    Take for example a new shirt that you always wanted, think of the all the necessary steps that are required to produce it. Starting from someone who had an idea to design the shirt, compose the materials and colours, create the fabric, sew everything together, transport it to the shops or distributors and finally reaching you after you bought it.

    So when you say arigato (thank you in Japanese) while spending your money on that shirt, it is acknowledging that there are several people involved in producing this shirt and to be thankful for their work. But this is also acknowledging that you are also part of some value creation you deserve to get paid for.

    As addition to that book, I recommend the following TED talk, that wraps the topic up.

    What I derive from “Happy Money” by Ken Honda:

    • Get mindful about money and try the habit of saying arigato while spending and receiving it.
    • Occasionally, we overspend and lose money, but sometimes it’s due to changing financial rules, so avoid being too hard on yourself for the latter.
    • Before buying, consider if your happiness comes from spending or the product/service itself.

    Next book on my list is “the Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel. Stay tuned.