Peter Drucker once said:
I have been saying for many years that we are using the word ‘guru’ only because ‘charlatan’ is too long to fit into a headline.
That’s hilarious, but it was too long to fit on the graphic, so I made a modified shorter version. 🙂
I think it was the whole guru charlatan thing that kept me away from the personal growth space for most of my life. There was always some clown exploiting a contrived cult of personality to separate suckers from their dollars.
That’s why Further is a “no guru” zone. There’s plenty of information out there on how to take it to the next level and live your best life, and I’m trying to bring you the good stuff, wherever it may be found.
We can still admire the achievements of others, and follow the advice of those we aspire to emulate. But there’s no need to go from aspiration to adulation.
Most of personal growth is about psychology. Yours, in particular. Getting to know yourself in a brutally honest fashion and then applying basic techniques for breaking old habits and forming new ones is what it’s all about.
No guru necessary. Or simply resolve to be your own guru (teacher). Because only you can change your life.
Which brings us to this week’s Further original from Claire Emerson:
Get Unstuck: How to be Your Own Life Coach
Keep going-
Brian Clark
Further
further: top ten
A Weight Lifted
James Clear thinks you should be lifting weights. But not necessarily for the reasons you might think. In fact, James doesn’t even believe that strength is the main benefit of weightlifting.
3 Reasons Why You Should Lift Weights
Got Pull?
Ironically, one of the best strength-training exercises you can do doesn’t involve weights. It’s the pullup, and it’s tough. Pullups are the ultimate test of relative body strength, and here’s how to do more and see progress.
Better Workouts: How to Master The Pullup
Well Aged
Some older people can remember things just as well as peers who are nearly half their age. Scientists are calling them “super-agers” for their unique ability to stay sharp into old age.
Scientists Have Found a New Clue About How ‘Super-Agers’ Stay Sharp as They Age
Pain is Learned
One of the cool things you can do with mindfulness meditation is to focus on an unpleasant sensation — like pain — and experience a change in the way you perceive the sensation. Brain imaging reveals that it is indeed our perception of pain that makes it worse, and CBT techniques can help you “unlearn” your conditioned responses.
Brain Imaging Shows We Can Unlearn Chronic Pain
And I Would Walk 15,000 Miles …
Holly Harrison had a goal: tackle the longest possible land journey across the Americas. The 57-year-old started on December 17, 2016, in Ushuaia, Argentina, and has already stomped through 12 countries, crossing both South and Central America.
This Man Is Hiking from Patagonia to Alaska
Play Hard, Work Hard
Research has found evidence that play at work is linked with less fatigue, boredom, stress, and burnout in individual workers. Play is also positively associated with job satisfaction, sense of competence, and creativity.
Playing Up the Benefits of Play at Work
Stage Fright
The average person ranks the fear of public speaking above death. That’s ridiculous, but I used to be the same way many years ago (okay, it’s never been scarier than death). Solid tips here.
20 Tips for Mastering the Art of Public Speaking
Zen and the Art of Work
Our days can feel like a crazy sea of distraction, stress, busyness, and overwhelm. The answer is in the pure elegance of simplicity. Simplify to find focus. Simplify to find peace. Simplify to find a way through the sea of chaos.
Creating the Elegance of Simplicity and Focus in Your Work Day
Excellent Sleep
In last week’s Further original, we learned that excellence is achieved by lots of deliberate practice, and getting plenty of sleep. Now it seems that having a purpose (like the pursuit of excellence in a particular skill) helps you sleep better. How circular.
The Secret to a Better Night’s Sleep: A Sense of Purpose?
Listicle Love
This isn’t your average massive listicle. Lots of solid points. I was impressed. Alrighty then.
50 Ways To Live On Your Own Terms
further: sharing
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