Identity Crisis: A Possible Root Cause of the Afghanistan Fiasco
I have been following the development in Afghanistan in the past few days. At a blistering speed, the Taliban took over control of the country.
The chain of events felt bizarre to me. There were many things that didn’t make sense. Among those things, one thing stood out: Why didn’t the Afghan army fight to defend the capital? How could the Taliban take over the capital without any resistance?
This is especially bizarre because just a couple of days prior, I read in the news that the Afghan president and minister of defense were inspecting Kabul’s defenses. They said in effect that the Taliban wouldn’t be able...
Source: Life Optimizer - August 19, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Purpose Source Type: blogs
Ask the Readers: What Is the Best Book That You Read Recently?
In my last post, I wrote about how to choose a good book to read. There I gave you three simple steps: be curious, find potential books, and choose the best book for your current situation.
Related to that, I’d like to hear from you about a good book that you read recently, a book that has made a difference in your personal growth. Maybe it inspires you, gives you insights, or makes you think about your life. So here is my question:
What is the best book that you read recently and why?
Please share your answer in the comments so that everyone can read it. Thanks! (Source: Life Optimizer)
Source: Life Optimizer - August 12, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Learning Source Type: blogs
How to Choose a Good Book to Read: Three Simple Steps
If you have been with me for some time, you might know that I love reading nonfiction books. I believe that self-education is important, and reading books is a great way to self-educate yourself.
I’m a slow reader, though. In a typical month, I can only finish two books of average length. This is fine for me because my emphasis is on quality. Even if the book is difficult to read, if I believe that it’s the best book for my situation, I will read it. I will also spend the time necessary to get the most out of the book without getting lost in details.
I haven’t always read books this way. Years ago, I did try to...
Source: Life Optimizer - August 3, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Learning Source Type: blogs
A Way to Think Differently: Embrace Old Thinking
In conclusion, embracing old thinking is a good way to think differently. Whether the old thinking comes from world history or your personal history, it can give you new “lenses” to see the world through.
#####
For concise insights on personal effectiveness, follow me on Twitter. (Source: Life Optimizer)
Source: Life Optimizer - July 23, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Thinking Source Type: blogs
A New Website Design + 50% Off Motivation Booster
I have an announcement to make: Life Optimizer has a new website design! I’ve been working on it for some time, and now it’s ready. If you read this through an email or feed reader, you can click here to check it out.
I believe that this new design will better prepare Life Optimizer for the future. I have some plans in mind, and this new design can better represent them when the time comes. I’m excited about the possibilities!
To celebrate the launch of the new design, I’d like to give you 50% off Motivation Booster. Motivation Booster contains my best motivational writings in the first nine years of Life Opt...
Source: Life Optimizer - July 15, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Announcement Source Type: blogs
Mid-Year Reflection: How Has This Year Been for You?
Here we are at the beginning of July. That means we are at the half-year mark of 2021. Six months have passed, and we have six more months to go this year. I think it’s a good time to pause and reflect on how this year has been.
In my case, I learned a lot in the first half of this year. From books to personal experiences, I absorb insights that have enriched my perspective and given me a renewed sense of purpose. I’m excited about the second half of this year, and I’m determined to make the most of it.
What about you? What lessons did you learn from the first half of this year to make the most of the second half? Is...
Source: Life Optimizer - July 1, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Purpose Source Type: blogs
Action Required if You Read This Through an Email
If you read this through an email, I have an announcement for you: Google (which delivers this and the previous emails from me) will stop sending blog posts via email in July. That means you can no longer receive updates from me.
To keep receiving updates, please take a simple action:
Click here and fill out the form with your email address and first name ››
It shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds of your time.
I hope to stay connected with you and keep sending you tips on personal effectiveness. Thanks and have a great day!
– Donald Latumahina @ Life Optimizer (Source: Life Optimizer)
Source: Life Optimizer - June 30, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: General Source Type: blogs
What Is the Difference Between Perseverance and Stubbornness?
In conclusion, here is to have perseverance but not stubbornness:
Keep the final destination in mind, keep moving toward it, but be willing to take a new route if necessary.
#####
Do you want to get new insights on personal effectiveness? Sign up here. (Source: Life Optimizer)
Source: Life Optimizer - June 18, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Attitude Purpose Source Type: blogs
The Two Key Components of Making Good Decisions
How do you make good decisions? What are the key components? The answer to these questions, of course, is important. After all, the quality of your decisions can make or break your life. That’s why we should strive to improve the quality of our decisions.
I’ve written about some aspects of decision making before, such as probabilistic thinking and risk management. This time, I’d like to share my thoughts on what I believe are the two key components of making good decisions: clarity and information.
You see, a good decision has two characteristics:
It takes you to the place you want, and
It gets you there in an e...
Source: Life Optimizer - June 4, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Purpose Thinking Source Type: blogs
The Two Key Components of Making Good Decisions
How do you make good decisions? What are the key components? The answer to these questions, of course, is important. After all, the quality of your decisions can make or break your life. That’s why we should strive to improve the quality of our decisions.
I’ve written about some aspects of decision making before, such as probabilistic thinking and risk management. This time, I’d like to share my thoughts on what I believe are the two key components of making good decisions: clarity and information.
You see, a good decision has two characteristics:
It takes you to the place you want, and
It gets you there in an e...
Source: Life Optimizer - June 4, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Purpose Thinking Source Type: blogs
Stamina, Not Just Competence: A Key to Winning in Life
A while back, I found a quote that got me thinking: “Amateurs think about tactics. But professionals think about logistics.”
I first heard it in an episode of Hardcore History podcast. It talks about how logistics is often the determining factor in wars. You might have superior troops and tactics, but without good logistics, you wouldn’t be able to achieve your objectives.
This, for instance, is what happened in Operation Barbarossa when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. Here is an excerpt from Wikipedia:
Four weeks into the campaign, the Germans realized they had grossly underestimated Soviet strength. The Germ...
Source: Life Optimizer - May 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Attitude Productivity Source Type: blogs
Why I Love to Learn History
I’m learning history more these days than before. While I’m far from being an expert, my interest in it has grown over time. I mainly learn through reading, but sometimes I also listen to podcasts and watch documentaries.
What is so interesting about history? Well, here are four reasons why I love to learn history.
1. Learning from the experiences of others is a smart way to learn.
There is a quote I like from Ken Schramm: “A smart person learns from his mistakes, but a truly wise person learns from the mistakes of others.” It’s good to learn from your mistakes, but it’s even better to learn from the mistakes o...
Source: Life Optimizer - May 14, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Donald Latumahina Tags: Learning Source Type: blogs
