Think about your thoughts..

      One of the model that we have about our brain is that it is a layered architecture, one layer is based on top of the other one. ( my simplified view).
 Our rational layer relies on the emotional layer. If the emotional layer is in a NOK state it will inhibit/limit the operation of the rational layer. It is easy to observe others, but it is way more difficult to detect it yourself. This requires practiced mindfulness. One easy way is to look at the picture above and identify if some of the quotes from the thoughts type apply. There are also more  like that, my favorite one ( red )  is "This is not what I have expected". Most of the time you see in the news that something bad is going to happen, or something is unfair, etc this is when the people who make the news try to manipulate you, they shortcut your rational layer of the  mind by inducing a state to your emotional layer. So, try to protect your shortcuts!

 Here is a nice TED talk how to practice the habit of mindfulness:

Know your values !

 

If I may, I would rephrase it to: Be aware of what you value.

Based on the following definition value is a concept that describes the beliefs of an individual or culture. A set of values may be placed into the notion of a value system. Values are considered subjective and vary across people and cultures.


Take this test to find out your personal values for free at the Valuescenter. 
I like that they have defined a value system and tell you about your positive and negative values.
You will receive by e-mail your personal values assessment.
There is also a detailed description of the system.


Values vary across people and cultures but it seems that there are still some similarities if you look at generations. Generic values of generations is also important ( here is a list for  mY generation , even more details here  )

 

Values

• Self-expression is more important than self-control
• Marketing and branding self is important
• Violence is an acceptable means of communication
• Fear living poorly—this is related to lifestyle enjoyment, not wealth
• Respect must be earned; it is not freely granted based on age, authority or title

Attributes

• Adapt rapidly ( agile )
• Crave change and challenge
• Create constantly
• Exceptionally resilient
• Committed and loyal when dedicated to an idea, cause or product
• Accept others of diverse backgrounds easily and openly
• Global in perspective ( one planet one people )

 Keep in mind that if you value something, you are likely to pay ( work )  more for it.. ;)
 Your values might ( and will ) change over time ( this is why every generation has a different set of values ).

And you should also  check if the company that you work for has the same/similar  corporate values or if your values are compatible. Be careful not to mix strategies and values. ( here is a good article on this topic )

If you are in a relationship, make sure your partner shares the same values. It might be the right bond between you.

If you have a child ( or more of them  ) mindful parenting is also based on shared values. Otherwise the kid will not know what to value.

You are never tired! You just lost your motivation...

 
  When you are motivated and when you are in the Flow state, you do not feel tiredness at all. Sleep is just an interrupt that is not letting you do what you were doing.
Simply put motivation is like a force. ( let the force be with you ..;)
Most of the time, a lack of motivation is experienced, especially in the work-life, due to a missing or incomplete enabler:

• Mastery  ( you should master what you are doing, the more mastery the better )
• Autonomy ( self governance. you chose what to do )
• Purpose ( why are you doing what you do, what's the meaning of it,does it matter? ) 

 More on this in the following TED Talk: ( watch TED and not TV!)

Your Purpose depends on your needs.( the unfulfilled ones!)  For sure you know Maslow's pyramid. You go from bottom to top, you kind of have to fulfill the current level before you go to the next. ( sounds like a computer game, right..? the game designers have to keep you motivated to play the game.. ).

I feel tired now.. it is 11:35 PM, time to sleep, the brain needs to do its housekeeping.

The Book of Life

Initially I was watching  YouTube movies related to psychology on this channel : CrashCourse 
As related videos I have found the School of Life. I was amazed to see all this knowledge in one place nicely packaged and organized. It took me some time and some digging to find out about the latest project of the school : The Book of Life. I did not finish it reading/understanding but one chapter had a huge impact on me... Self Knowledge. I would recommend you to take the questionnaire and allocate time  to read and understand the entire article. ( i would even recommend to use several days ).
Many thanks Alain de Botton.  

Strenghts 2.0

Last year I got the message (advice)  from one of the managers (thx. Uwe ) to focus on my strengths. It took me some time (and a special situation)  to ask myself the question : What are my strengths ?
Google helped me ( and I help google)  and I got to this page : Strengths Finder 2.0
I was not sure if the test and result is effective, but I remembered about Strengths 2.0  in this TED talk:  Scott Dinsmore.  ( by the way... Watch TED instead of  TV!)  and I have read this article.
So I have decided to take the test.  ( was also curious about my weaknesses so I took the  big test with all the strengths  ). I have payed the money ( now after the results I see it more as an investment in myself )  and I got the list.  Actually I have used the app from my mobile phone to do all the stuff .

My top 5 strengths:
1. Individualization
2. Analytical
3. Connectedness
4. Learning
5. Responsibility

Note: These words have a definition in the book that you get if you do the test.
For some of them I was aware, not so much about others.


   

To-Do Apps

I don't like stupid mistakes. To forget something can be frustrating. It is just a Human Error  (Omission :) 
I have used electronic To-Do lists and Calendar for quite some time now. I like to have several list based on topics. Back in the days without mobile internet I had old Nokia phone ( for 5 years! ) and I was happy with it. Then with Android and Google Tasks I have started using GTasks. 
It was really good since I was able to edit tasks also on the laptop and I had a backup in the heavens ( also called clouds ) 
But then things got complicated, the need to share and to sync with family and friends. So I have started to evaluate some new tools.
These were my main requirements:

• Simplicity
• Storage in cloud and Android devices.
• Web interface  - need to edit some of the bigger lists
• Multiple lists ( since there are more areas/categories ) 
• The ability to create a copy of an existing list. 

The last one is very important since we have a generic grocery list ( a superset of things ). Every week we just create a copy of it, check what we already have,  then the remaining items have to be purchased.  Small customization can be done to the list to add new stuff or unique items needed only for that week. ( Extra Belgian dark chocolate for birthdays :P )

I have tried Any.do, Wunderlist, Todoist, but the chosen one is Google Keep, since the other ones did not have the feature of the list copy for free.
A review of the apps above can be found here.