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Articles from Steve Gillman | Selfgrowth.com
- New Ideas About Retirement - by Submitted on Jun 22, 2009 from Steve GillmanThe very concept of retirement is flawed. It is based on several false premises. First is the premise that at a certain age you are no longer able to provide economic value. That is clearly nonsense as shown by the many millionaire entrepreneurs and business people in the sixties, seventies and ...
Views: 1303 - Transcending the Self - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2009 from Steve GillmanComing from a philosophical background which sees self interest as both natural and even the basis of morality, it was difficult for me to understand how transcending the “self” might actually be a good thing. For years I hesitated to even give any credence to the idea, and so I didn’t explore ...
Views: 1298(1 vote) - Meditation - Having More Fun - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from Steve GillmanThere are a lot very good reasons for developing a meditation practice. You are likely to be healthy both physically and mentally. You’ll have less stress. You might gain some insight into the workings of your own mind. Your friends may find that you are easier to be around. Then there are ...
Views: 1291 - Problem Solving Techniques For Business And Life - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2005 from Steve GillmanLearning a few good problem solving techniques can improve your bottom line and your life.Do you ever run out of good ideas, or go around in circles trying to come up with a solution for a persistent problem? Maybe you just need to learn some simple problem solving techniques, and then start ...
Views: 1272(1 vote) - How To Invent New Products - by Submitted on Oct 30, 2007 from Steve GillmanTo invent new products, you need to know how to generate new ideas - lots of them. Then you look them over and pick out the good ones. Here is one of the many simple techniques for coming up with ideas for new products. New Products From Old Start with an existing product and extract some of ...
Views: 1263 - How To Be A Mind Reader - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Steve GillmanDo you want to be a mind reader? Well, lets get the disappointing part out of the way: You won't be able to hear the thoughts of others, and there is little evidence that anyone has ever had this kind of ability. Most of what passes as mind reading is a mix of nonsense and psychological tactics ...
Views: 1253 - Make Money Online - Honestly - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2009 from Steve GillmanI get a lot of newsletters and other emails on how to make money online. One recent newsletter suggested a technique for stealing the username of blog posters so that all of their posts were then linked to your website. That's just one of the dirty tricks being used by some internet marketers. I ...
Views: 1252(1 vote) - Right And Wrong - A Matter Of Context - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2008 from Steve GillmanHow do we determine right and wrong, and can we really capture them with philosophical rules or religious commandments? The answer to the first question is that we call something right or wrong according to whether or not it helps achieve our moral values. That makes the answer to the second ...
Views: 1242 - Try This Creative Problem Solving Technique - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2008 from Steve GillmanThere are many creative problem solving techniques, and each will lead you to different kinds of solutions. One of the simplest, though, is the "add, subtract and change" technique. What follows is a basic explanation of how to use it to generate more creative solutions. Add Whatever you are ...
Views: 1237 - What Is An Open Mind? - by Submitted on Dec 24, 2007 from Steve GillmanAn open mind is like an open well. It is easily contaminated by anything blowing in the wind. At least that is the problem with what many call an open mind. For example, you may have heard someone called open minded because he believes in visitors from space, bending spoons with mind power, and ...
Views: 1229 - Metaphors We Live By - by Submitted on Oct 17, 2007 from Steve GillmanWhat are the metaphors we live by? Is life a journey, a game, a dream, or a movie we are watching? How do these metaphorical perspectives affect our lives? Let's take a look at a few of them. Life Is Purgatory Some people see life as a sort of purgatory to be suffered through. In fact, many ...
Views: 1219 - Nine Reasons For Your Money Trouble - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2010 from Steve GillmanPeople have money trouble for different reasons. On the other hand, there are some mistakes and bad financial habits that are common in these situations. This explains why some people have these problems with money over and over. See if any of the following apply to you. 1. Not wanting to ...
Views: 1213(2 votes) - Affordable Housing Solutions - by Submitted on Nov 19, 2009 from Steve GillmanThere are many ways to find affordable housing. There are even ways to make the home you have more affordable. Here are some of the best. Move to a cheaper location. This is often not considered by people, but the difference in housing costs between two cities within an hour of each other can ...
Views: 1207(8 votes) - Three Opportunities During a Recession - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2009 from Steve GillmanOf course there are opportunities during a recession, including those listed below. In fact, many "lucky people" will prosper in these tough economic times. If you want to be one of them, you have to start to think like them. To begin with, you might want to turn off the stream of bad news on ...
Views: 1202 - The Best Relaxation Music - by Submitted on Aug 29, 2008 from Steve GillmanHow do you choose the relaxation music that works best? You can certainly start by experimenting with many different types. After all, it seems likely that what one person finds relaxing another will find irritating. But is it all just a matter of personal preference? Actually no. Though ones ...
Views: 1199 - Where Are Real Estate Values Going Now? - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2009 from Steve GillmanAt the moment (late 2009), it seems that real estate values may have stopped falling finally. Are they headed back up now, or are we in for a period of stable prices that barely move for years? Or are they going to start dropping again? I suspect we are in a slow recovery, but let's look at some ...
Views: 1195(4 votes) - Creative Concepts - A How To Guide - by Submitted on May 01, 2008 from Steve GillmanWant to have more creative concepts for your business, job or home life? Practicing can help, especially if it is with others. The first time you brainstorm with a group of creative people, you might feel like you are mentally slow, but soon you'll find that you are coming up with more and more ...
Views: 1173 - Creative Thinking Using Meditation - by Submitted on Nov 21, 2009 from Steve GillmanThere are a lot of specific techniques for more creative thinking. You can combine concepts, tear ideas apart to find new ones, and do group brainstorming sessions. Those all work, but to have a naturally more creative mind you might also want to try meditation. Because meditation can clear ...
Views: 1169(3 votes) - Six Ways To Be Dumber - by Submitted on Nov 13, 2007 from Steve GillmanWhy do we need ways to be dumber? We don't of course, but there are two basic ways to improve oneself. The first is to actively engage in new thoughts and behaviors that are better, and the other is to avoid those patterns of though and behavior that make matters worse. This is based on the ...
Views: 1165 - Two Speed Reading Techniques - by Submitted on Jul 20, 2009 from Steve GillmanThere are a number of speed reading techniques that you can learn quickly. The key to their effectiveness is not just in how well you understand the idea, though, but in how much you actually practice them. Here are two to get you started. Forced Speed Simply forcing yourself to read ...
Views: 1154 - Signs of Lying and Getting The Truth - by Submitted on Jul 02, 2010 from Steve GillmanSome of the more obvious signs of lying include different answers when you repeat a question, and hesitation in answering. You also can watch for eye movements that differ from the usual. Be careful with these individual signs, since shifty eyes may be normal for some people, even when telling ...
Views: 1151 - IQ Test Or IA Test? - by Submitted on Apr 10, 2008 from Steve GillmanAn IQ test is supposed to measure one's "intelligence quotient," to provide a basic rating of how smart a person is. When we try to measure people in this way, we hope it will predict how well they will perform in either their profession or academic work. Of course we know that this doesn't work ...
Views: 1148 - Financial Freedom? - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from Steve GillmanWhen talking about financial freedom, different people can mean entirely different things. For some it means getting to do what they want because they have enough money. For others it means having enough income from investments that they are free of any financial concerns. Of course, few ...
Views: 1145 - The Best Jobs in a Recession? - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2009 from Steve GillmanWhat are the best jobs in a recession? That depends on what you goals are. Mostly they are the same jobs as at any other time. If you are working to make the most money you can, they are high-paying jobs. If you are working to train yourself for a future business, they are the jobs that ...
Views: 1144(1 vote) - Lessons From Behavioral Economics - by Submitted on Feb 25, 2010 from Steve GillmanThe filed of behavioral economics repeatedly shows that we are not as rational as we think when making financial decisions. No big surprise there. But can we become more rational with our money? We can if we learn to spot our irrational tendencies and correct them. Let’s look at some ...
Views: 1136 - Three Power Nap Routines - by Submitted on Nov 06, 2008 from Steve GillmanThe idea of a power nap isn't new. They used to be called catnaps. They consist of just a little bit of sleep in order to refresh you. There has been some research done more recently, though, and it shows that there is a right way and a wrong way. More precisely, there is a right length and a ...
Views: 1131 - What is the American Dream? - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2009 from Steve GillmanWhat is the American Dream? Is it two kids, a new car, a good job, and a big new house with a pet dog to greet you at the door? Hmm... At least there was a deeper conception of it when it was invented. James Truslow Adams answered the question "What is the American Dream?" in his book, "The ...
Views: 1130 - Neurobics - A Workout For Your Brain - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2007 from Steve GillmanNeurobics is a term invented by Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin to describe exercises that help the brain stay fit. Specific types of sensory stimuli and activities, especially those that involve non-routine actions and thoughts, produce more of the chemicals that encourage growth of new ...
Views: 1127 - Probabilitism - Playing The Odds In Life - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2007 from Steve GillmanProbabilitism? I just invented the word to describe an ideology of living life according to the odds, or more specifically, making decisions according to them. Life, after all, is all about making decisions, and we need some guide for making better ones. The most common explicit guide to ...
Views: 1122 - The Best Self Help Books - by Submitted on Mar 11, 2009 from Steve GillmanHow do you choose the best self help books? That depends on what you want to accomplish. Are you looking for peace of mind, more money or less fear? Here are five self help books which I have read and can recommend, along with some tips on how to find more that are right for you. "Feel the Fear ...
Views: 1113 - Try This Decision Making Process - by Submitted on Jun 25, 2007 from Steve GillmanNot sure what to do? Try the following seven step decision making process the next time you need to make up your mind about something important. And take notes! 1. What are your immediate intuitive feelings? Make a few notes about your immediate "gut reaction." For example, if you're not sure ...
Views: 1105 - How To Think Outside Of The Box - by Submitted on May 02, 2008 from Steve GillmanPeople talk about the need to think outside of the box as though everyone understands what that means. It is assumed to simply mean being more creative and open minded in your thinking. But shouldn't we ask what the "box" is that we want to get out of? We'll get to an answer for that in a ...
Views: 1102 - How To Write Profitable Articles - by Submitted on Feb 01, 2010 from Steve GillmanThe following is not about how to write profitable articles for print magazines. In fact, it isn't about selling articles at all. There is nothing wrong with selling your writing, but it is a difficult field to get into and your income will always be limited. For example, how much can a new ...
Views: 1095(1 vote) - Secrets Of Clear Thinking - by Submitted on May 13, 2005 from Steve GillmanNo More Brain Fog Where is...car...my keys...hmm...and that...oh yeah, but...hmm - Does your brain feel like that sometimes? How can you combat "brain fog," and think more clearly? Try some of the following. Clear space equals clear thinking. Despite many protests to the contrary, it's rare ...
Views: 1078 - The Two Most Important Critical Thinking Skills - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2009 from Steve GillmanThe two most important critical thinking skills are not keen observation nor logic. These help, but both of these come pretty naturally in humans (though we often choose to ignore logic). The skills I am referring to are less common, at least in their fully developed forms. That's sad, ...
Views: 1073 - America - Love It Or Leave It? - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2008 from Steve GillmanYou have probably seen the bumper stickers that say, "America - Love It Or Leave It." Most polite people won't put it that bluntly, but many share the sentiment. They think that if a person doesn't like the system here, they have no right to be here. What an ignorant and hateful idea! To show ...
Views: 1072 - How To Sell Ebooks - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2009 from Steve GillmanIf you ask an internet marketer who makes tens of thousands of dollars daily how to sell ebooks, he might lay out the following steps for you to follow. First, get a product to sell, whether your own or someone else's ebook. Price it high to increase its perceived value, and then offer it a ...
Views: 1062(2 votes) - A Bad Real Estate Market? - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2010 from Steve GillmanYes, it has been a bad real estate market in many ways (this is being written in early 2010). But there are ways to protect yourself when buying a home. If the following tips are coming too late to help you in your current situation, at least remember them for next time. In May of 2006, at ...
Views: 1058(2 votes) - Should You Do What You Love? - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Steve GillmanThere is a saying that is also a book title: Do what you love and the money will follow. Is it true? Not entirely. Is it better to simply find the best way to make money? No. The truth as is common, is somewhere in between. Let's get the extremes out of the way. If you really love to wander ...
Views: 1058(3 votes) - Thinking-Games That Boost Brainpower - by Submitted on Jan 26, 2008 from Steve Gillman"Thinking games" are games and exercises that help develop thinking skills and so boost your brainpower. While some brain games exercise memory, or test knowledge (usually trivia), the following require analysis, creativity and imagination. They can all be played alone in theory, but try to get ...
Views: 1048 - Financial Mistakes You May Be Making - by Submitted on Sep 04, 2008 from Steve GillmanAll of us make financial mistakes, and research in the new fields of evolutionary economics and behavioral economics are starting to explain why. It will be good to have this knowledge someday. But in the meantime, here are ten of the more common money mistakes you may be making, so you can ...
Views: 1039 - Make Money Online - Four Basic Approaches - by Submitted on Apr 16, 2010 from Steve GillmanThere are hundreds of ways to make money online, but they each generally fall into one of the four basic approaches outlined below. In our own business, my wife and I have had the best luck with the last two, but each of us is different, and each of these approaches to making money has its ...
Views: 1031 - Six Real Estate Tips - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2009 from Steve GillmanThe real estate tips that follow are meant to help you avoid common and not-so-common mistakes. Buying a house or other property always involves some risk, but there are many ways to reduce those risks. 1. "As Is" Property Inspections Some sellers (including banks) specify that a property ...
Views: 1031(2 votes) - Save Money Using This Negotiating Technique - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2010 from Steve GillmanThere is a simple negotiating technique you can use to save money on many purchases. In the world of high-power negotiators, it is referred to as time investment. The simplest description is this: Spend enough time with a seller and he or she is more likely to accept your offer. Time ...
Views: 1005 - Two Problem Solving Skills - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2007 from Steve GillmanThere are many problem solving skills that can make you a more effective and creative problem solver. Knowing how to direct your attention and use visualization are two of the best. Here are some examples of how to use these tools, and how to develop them. Problem Solving Skill: ...
Views: 1003 - Three Real Estate Investing Secrets - by Submitted on Oct 01, 2009 from Steve GillmanThe following real estate investing secrets are not so much secrets as they are principles that are not widely applied and often ignored. Use them and you will have less risk and a greater chance for success. 1. Speed Equals Profit When investing in a fixer upper, many people are tempted ...
Views: 990(1 vote) - Article Ideas Are Easy - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Steve GillmanYou probably know that distributing your writing through various online outlets is a great way to promote your website or blog, but how do you come up with article ideas? Here are some simple ways to generate as many ideas as you need to keep your fingers busy on that keyboard. Using The News ...
Views: 989 - Walking Meditation - A New Kind - by Submitted on Jun 11, 2010 from Steve GillmanTraditional walking meditation involves paying close attention to your breathing and every movement of your body as you walk back and forth or in a circle. It can be a refreshing change from sitting still to meditate. But now there is another way to meditate while walking, and it may be more ...
Views: 984(1 vote) - Get Your Thinking Out Of The Box - by Submitted on Jun 20, 2008 from Steve GillmanWhat is thinking out of the box? It is getting outside the usual ways of looking at things (that's the box) to arrive at new and useful ideas. How do you do it? Here is one of the many ways. How To Get Your Thinking Out Of The Box One of the simplest techniques for "out of the box" thinking is ...
Views: 977 - How To Think Outside The Box - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2008 from Steve GillmanYou hear that to be more creative you need to think outside the box, but what is the box? It is your normal ways of thinking, and all the hidden assumptions you make. Imagine actually living in a box, and knowing the outside world only through the pictures and descriptions written on those four ...
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