#50Days Philosopher Notes Challenge Digest (1 of 10)

Brian Johnson summarized 100 self-help / philosophy books into a series of 6-page PDFs in what he calls Philosopher's Notes. I bought and printed them off about a month ago, but they've just been sitting on my floor taunting me. Luckily, Johnson is in the process of holding a 50-Day challenge of reading one note per day over the next 10 weeks. He's making a 10-minute video for each note, and then having people digest and comment on their takeaways.

So I'm watching the video and then reading the full note, and making a 1000-character summary of my takeaways.

Here's my digest of Week 1:

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Re: 1. Be Impec­ca­ble w/Your Word
If I say it, then do it. If I don't intend on doing it, then don't say it.
Follow through.

Re: 2. Don’t Take Any­thing Personally
Everyone's projecting their shadows on everyone else. And if I feel triggered by someone else, then take a look in the mirror for what lies underneath.

Re: 3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Ask clarifying questions so that there's not a misunderstanding, and default to clear communication.

Re: 4. Always Do Your Best
Be conscious. Don't throw the game. Set the intention for persistent quality in all that I do.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey

Private victory before Public victory.

1. Be Proactive
Behavior from conscious choice, not reactive victim of conditions (manifested in commitments).

2. Begin with the End in Mind
All things are created twice. Strategic visualization + Doing. Your eulogy is a map for your future.

3. Put First Things First
Time management
Quadrant 1: Firefighting leads to stress
Q2: Preventative planning on important things before they become urgent fires
Q3: Important to others, but not us / False sense of urgency / Interruptions
Q4: Time-wasting distractions (sometimes guilty pleasures recharge your batteries)

Everyone "no" has a "yes" component

4. Think Win/Win
Look for collaborative symbiosis rather than dichotomous victories

5. Seek First to Understand
Listen to other's POV before being heard.

6. Synergy
There's more resilience in cooperation.

7. Sharpen the Saw
Review & practice each of the 6 previous steps. Feed your soul w/ meditation, journaling, loving, playing, dancing & hobbies

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

Stress & worry can cause sickness

"Day-tight compartments" is to live in the now, not worry about future or regrets about the past. Seize the day!

"Be willing to have it so" is to accept reality in the moment, not wishing for something else.
Eliminate 50% or worries by making a clear definite decision + 40% more by carrying it through.
1. Document worry.
2. Possible actions?
3. Decision.
4. Do it.

We know about "Don’t cry over spilt milk" (PAST) & "Don’t cross your bridges until you come to them" (FUTURE) but contemplate & apply the proverbs. Knowledge isn't power until applied.
Rest before you get tired.

Relaxation counters worry, and so take naps & prevent fatigue which comes from mental & emotional attitudes. Do spontaneous relaxation, breathing & stretching & be comfortable while working. Don't allow tension to build up over the entire day.

Don't worry about what people think about you -- they're probably worrying about themselves.

Defeat worry by being engaged & start living.

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

We have zones of incompetence, confidence, excellence & genius. Burst through our upper limits to make the big leap to zone of genius where our deepest strengths match our passions.

Increase the amount of time we feel good & life goes well until it's all the time.
Stretch our minds w/ what's possible & strive towards our full potential of love, money & creative contribution.

We made a handshake deal w/ the universe to live an extraordinary life & actualize our highest potential. Dignity comes from our daily decisions.

We have happiness thermostats that are usually set too low by artificial Upper Limits that prevent us from making the Big Leap.

Acknowledge fears without having to abolish them. Wave Hi ;)

Fear = Excitement - Breathing
Transmute fear into exhilaration by adding breathing.

Stabilize & Integrate to make Breakthroughs permanent.

Sweaty 10-minute conversations dissolve problems.

Only worry about things we can act upon.

Don't imitate others, manifest your gifts.

Ask and It Is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks

Law of attraction = like attracts like. Tune into higher vibrations to receive matching signals back.

Victim-mentality & external locus of control leads to unhappiness. Be an empowered visionary who creates your meaning for resilient happiness.

Emotions are a fuel gauge for how connected to Source you are

22-pt Scale
1. Joy/Knowledge/Empowerment/Freedom/Love/Appreciation
2. Passion
3. Enthusiasm/Eagerness/Happiness
4. Positive Expectation/Belief
5. Optimism
6. Hopefulness
7. Contentment
8. Boredom
9. Pessimism
10. Frustration/Irritation/Impatience
11. "Overwhelment"
12. Disappointment
13. Doubt
14. Worry
15. Blame
16. Discouragement
17. Anger
18. Revenge
19. Hatred/Rage
20. Jealousy
21. Insecurity/Guilt/Unworthiness
22. Fear/Grief/Depression/Despair/Powerlessness

Nurture yourself up the scale, don't be self-critical.

"What do you want?" focuses on essence of intentions.

If you can imagine & script it, then Universe can provide resources for manifesting it.

Appreciation increases happiness.

Segment Intending is being conscious of desire moment-to-moment