Summary: This is episode is one full of techniques that can really help you. Being selfish has a very negative connotation, but in this podcast you will find there are very good reasons to be a bit more selfish in your daily life. Please comment down below and subscribe to the RSS feed or e-mail list for updates. EPISODE OVERVIEW: Why being selfish is important What would happen if EVERYONE was more selfish? Things you can do to be more selfish. Was Marcus Aurelius selfish? A technique you can use to immediately identify the two or three things in your life that you do on a regular basis, that make you miserable and you don’t even know it. Resources Technique for Emotional Identification: STEP 1: Take a piece of paper and start listing all of the activities you do on a regular basis. Make an effort to be as thorough as possible. An example of a few things to get you started might be as follows: Work out at the gym Go to work Surf reddit Surf Facebook Watch episodes of TV show Hang out with Jody Smoke cigarettes Go to meetings at work Eating fast food Do dishes Have tea Practice learning spanish Study Philosophy Etc... You should have at least 20-30 different things on your list.Make it as comprehensive as possible. STEP 2: Next to each activity write out the emotion you feel that activity creates. You can NOT use generic terms like "Happy" or "sad", and don't make it a full sentence. Be like a cave man, a full sentence means you are starting to justify. Make it raw and to the point. Examples as follows: Work out at the gym | Makes me feel strong Go to work | Makes me feel exhausted and frustrated etc.... RESOURCE: If you need help coming up with emotions, check out this PDF with a ton of different examples. STEP 3: Go have a cup of a coffee or tea. Do something to take a short 5-10 minute break to distance yourself from the emotional feelings you had to remember and categorize. STEP 4: Look back at your list. Notice anything surprising? You might find that some of the activities you do on a regular basis are actually creating negative emotions like alienation, frustration, and emptiness. Ask yourself if those activities are really adding to your life and the person you want to be, or if they are just holding you back from accomplishing your goals. STEP 5: Start making changes. They can be small changes, or big changes. Start eliminating the things that cause you harm, and start cultivating the things that bring you joy and happiness. You don't have to change everything right away either, don't be afraid to start small and to gradually change those behaviors. Remember Pareto's Principle of 80/20. Chances are, 20% of the things you are doing on a regular basis are generating 80% of your negative emotions! Books I reference: The Emperor’s Handbook by Marcus Aurelius The Hagakure Songs by Slayerment
