Rob Maisel
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How To Be A Changemaker

7/29/2020

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This topic is of utmost importance, especially given current events and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Although not all members of a society necessarily agree with all laws that govern it or the ethics connected to those laws, l
aws enforce what a society at large believes to be morally correct.

But societal ethics aren't stagnant. They evolve over time. And therefore, laws do as well.

When the United States was established, slavery was legal. It no longer is.

When the United States was established, women were unable to vote. A century ago, that law changed.

So how does change come about?

Some people believe that criticizing, condemning and coercing others is the best way to enact change. I would argue that this proposed way of change brings about resentment, and if change does occur, it generally happens with reluctance and is not genuine.

So instead of using aggression and force, let's show the world a better way of doing things. Let's conduct ourselves in an ethical and exemplary way, and let's inspire others to follow in our footsteps with integrity and on their own volition.

Let's imagine two scenarios. Think about how each situation makes you feel and determine which of the two you believe will be more effective:

1) I tell you that recycling is of utmost importance, and by not doing so, you are contributing to destroying the environment
2) I show you that I recycle, and explain that I do so in an effort to preserve our environment for generations to come

But talking to people about an alternative way to do things isn't always enough. People need to be setup for success. Let's assume you hadn't recycled in the past, but have now decided to take recycling more seriously and desire to change your habits. Consider the following two scenarios, and in which you would be more likely to begin recycling:

1) You have no recycling options in your building or anywhere close to where you live
2) Your building has a designated location where you can easily separate and deposit your items

In order for us to inspire positive change, we must:

1) demonstrate an alternative path and lead by example
2) provide easily accessible ways for people to implement change into their lives

What important changes do you feel should be made in today's world, and how will you make them?
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Focus On What's Important

7/24/2020

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A lot of money. A prestigious position. A large home. A fancy car.

The above paragraph lists what many people believe to be important. Are these things actually important to you? Maybe all of them are. Perhaps only some. Possibly none.

For me personally, none of them are.

Helping others. Empowering people to create positive change in their lives. Inspiring people to realize their true potential and go after what they dream of and want in life. Spreading the joys and benefits of travel. Teaching about other cultures. Sharing the value and advantages of learning new languages.

Fast forward to your funeral. What will people speaking on your behalf say about you? 
About your accomplishments. About the kind of person you were. About how you affected their lives. About the changes you made in this world.

Few people enjoy thinking about their own mortality, however considering it is helpful in putting our lives into perspective. It causes us to think critically about what is truly important to us, and therefore, what we should be focusing on.

What is important to you?

I would like to thank Steven Covey for writing the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. That book inspired this post, and motivated me to evaluate what is important in my life, and to focus on it!

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The World Is Your Teacher

7/17/2020

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Formal education is great and I have learned a lot from schools and universities. I have also gained a lot of knowledge from work places. There is another form of learning however, which I have found to be extremely powerful.

My Outside-of-the-Classroom Learning Experiences (extensive travels) however, have served as my most practical, meaningful and beneficial sources of knowledge. I hand-picked each experience, and therefore learned about topics I am interested in. Studies have shown that when people are engaged and interested in what they are learning, the information is more likely to stick.

Actually BEING INVOLVED IN THE EXPERIENCE, rather than reading about it in a book or watching it on television, for me, is one of the key reasons I find this form of learning to be so potent. The ability to use my five senses during this experiential learning is another reason why I am able to clearly remember what I have learned. I will describe below, my experience at 10 Commandos Beach in the Philippines:

And what a perfectly sunny day it was. A hammock swaying in the wind. Many actually. I chose one. I laid on it and relaxed, swaying back and forth in the gentle breeze, watching the waves come in to shore and then retreat back out to sea. I later moved out of the shade and into the sun and sat down in the sand. But not before purchasing a coconut from the only vendor the island had -- a small hut, but a memorable one.
The coconut water was cool and refreshing. Absorbed in the warmth of the sun, sandy, and slathered with the usual obscene amount of sunblock, I was content. Content beyond belief.

What have your learning experiences been like? Have you found one form of learning more effective than another?
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Get To The Final Destination But Don't Forget To Enjoy The Ride

7/10/2020

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While it's imperative to set goals and focus on results, it's vital not to lose sight of the process and the present.

The moment in time when a goal is achieved takes mere seconds, minutes, hours at most. The process that gets us there takes days, weeks, months, years, even decades. Therefore, the process of achieving our goals is far more time-consuming than the moments in which they are actually accomplished.

How great it felt for me to walk up on stage and be handed my diploma at my SUNY Albany undergraduate graduation! Yet, had I spent those four years with my head buried in textbooks at all times, solely focused on those three seconds of my life, I would have missed out on four incredible years of adventure!

How amazing it felt to return to New York after completing a seven-month trip around the world! Yet, could you imagine how much I would have missed out on had I plowed through each country, focusing solely on the completion of the journey and forgetting to enjoy each epic experience along the way?

Rather than being fixated solely on the final destination, let's ensure we are enjoying the ride that gets us there! I encourage you, right now, to think about the goals you've set for your life. Now think about the journey these goals have taken you on. Are you enjoying the ride?
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Self-Compassion

7/3/2020

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Being kind to ourselves is one of the most beneficial and important things we can do, and something we MUST do.

Everyone goes through challenging times at some point in life. Right now, we are collectively going through a challenging time as an entire, interconnected world.

It is therefore crucial for us to remember to show ourselves love and compassion. To be caring, kind and considerate to ourselves. To treat ourselves with dignity and respect.

The golden rule states that we must treat others the way we want to be treated. We must also treat OURSELVES the way we want others to treat us.

A rather well-known principle states that you must love yourself before you can love others. If we can't be genuinely kind to ourselves, how can we be genuinely kind to others?
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