• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Living the Good Life

The Dark Side of Selfies

September 22, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Selfies are generally acceptable to a certain extent. They provide a means to chronicle oneself and curate the highlights of one’s life, and as humans, we have an innate need to feel acknowledged and seen.

Selfies can be a tool for self-love and expression, allowing individuals to communicate something about themselves and present themselves in a certain way. When taken intentionally, a selfie can give the illusion of control over one’s fleeting identities, which is a natural desire. It’s perfectly fine to create a persona and seek others’ approval, as a healthy self-identity depends on it.

However, when taken too far, the desire to be liked and accepted can quickly become a constant need for validation and status. Self-objectification can cause one to forget that self-identity is primarily based on subjective, biased perceptions of others. Using selfies as the ultimate self-expression can lead to overinflated self-importance and shameless self-promotion.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Could Limiting Social Media Reduce Your Anxiety About Work?
  2. No One Has a Monopoly on Truth
  3. I’ll Be Happy When …
  4. 3 Ways to … Get Wiser
  5. Group Polarization: Like-Mindedness is Dangerous, Especially with Social Media

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Attitudes, Confidence, Conflict, Simple Living, Social Dynamics, Wisdom

Stop Getting Caught in Other People’s Drama

September 21, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

If you’re drawn to a drama that has nothing to do with you, it’s okay to make yourself available briefly to help others fix their issues. However, beyond the seeming entertainment value of tuning in without any strings or consequences, odds are it’s actively interfering with your responsibilities.

Is getting consumed with other people’s drama just a form of escapism, allowing you to push attention away from stressful or unwelcome events in your own life for a brief amount of time?

To break the pattern of involvement in others’ dramas, shift your perspective and pay attention to what you’ll gain by not getting involved. Getting wrapped up in other people’s drama should never come at the expense of your own well-being.

Idea for Impact: Examine if you’re becoming interested in other people’s dramas because you’re evading your own reality. Set boundaries to preserve your own energy. Face your own life.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Witty Comebacks and Smart Responses for Nosy People
  2. How to … Avoid Family Fights About Politics Over the Holidays
  3. Stop Trying to Fix Things, Just Listen!
  4. Avoid Trigger Words: Own Your Words with Grace and Care
  5. Don’t Be Interesting—Be Interested!

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Living the Good Life, Managing People Tagged With: Conflict, Conversations, Discipline, Etiquette, Getting Along, Social Life

What a Daily Stoic Practice Actually Looks Like

September 11, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Stoicism as a philosophy is a way of life; it should change how you live your life daily. This is what a basic Stoic practice means for most folks:

  • Start the day by setting your intention after meditation and reflection. Marcus Aurelius used to prepare himself through futurorum malorum præmeditatio—visualizing what could go wrong that day to be practically and emotionally prepared for what may come.
  • Throughout the day, pause, reflect, and make sure you’re applying the foundational Stoic idea of the dichotomy of control—separating things within your control and those outside your control. When you can accept, even love, what fate is handing you, your mood becomes stiffer to negatively impact. You’re to greet adversity with arms wide open—it’s a test of character.
  • At the end of the day, ask yourself what things you did well, what you did less well, and what items you left undone. Reflecting (“hiding nothing from myself, passing nothing” per Seneca,”) gaining perspective, and adjusting is an excellent way to ensure that the day’s efforts aren’t in vain—you’re living each day well, exercising virtue and strength of character.

Idea for Impact: To live well by intentionally focusing on your days—your actions and choices—is the basis of daily stoic practice.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. I’ll Be Happy When …
  2. 3 Ways to … Get Wiser
  3. Choose Not to Be Offended, and You Will Not Be: What the Stoics Taught
  4. Why Others’ Pride Annoys You
  5. The Gift of the Present Moment

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Mental Models Tagged With: Attitudes, Discipline, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Stoicism, Wisdom

Don’t Let the Self-Proclaimed Productivity Pundits Shame You

September 7, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Productivity advice often relies on shame and condescension, presented as tough love or oversimplified “do as I do” remedies. In a shame-based approach, disorder and confusion are viewed as personal failings, leaving individuals solely to blame.

Most people seek coaches to discard or change certain aspects of themselves. The coach’s role is to help individuals recognize and overcome their fear, self-judgment, and embarrassment.

However, shame is not an effective motivator. Effective coaches instead promote self-compassion and encourage individuals to learn about themselves. This allows them to release the constraints and burdens that have hindered their productivity and prevented them from feeling proud of their achievements.

Idea for Impact: Shame undermines emotional well-being and reinforces negative self-perceptions of being ineffective. Instead, appealing to understanding and self-compassion can lead to significant behavioral breakthroughs.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. The Power of Negative Thinking
  2. Get Everything Out of Your Head
  3. How Thought-Stopping Can Help You Overcome Negative Thinking and Get Unstuck
  4. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  5. This May Be the Most Potent Cure for Melancholy

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Adversity, Mindfulness, Motivation, Personal Growth, Resilience, Suffering

The Key to Living In Awareness, Per Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’

September 4, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Eckhart Tolle’s bestselling The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (1999) proposes neither a grand scheme for success nor ethereal concepts for “achieving transcendence.”

Hidden in the New Agey-spin (“The power and infinite creative potential that lie concealed in the now are completely obscured by psychological time”) is a nuanced assertion about silencing the mind’s chatter.

Tolle suggests that you shouldn’t try to be in the present so much as to realize that you always, inescapably, are. Nearly all stress and anxiety come from mental projections about the past or the future. This has been the cornerstone of Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and other traditions for over two millennia. Instead of suppressing thoughts of regret about the past or anxiety about the future in a strenuous, counterproductive endeavor to “be present,” you’re to see them for what they are.

By putting your mind into perspective and gently observing—without judgment—what it says and thinks, you’re merely a witness to the rolling tides of reflection and emotion. You are not your thoughts. The moments you spend spinning stories of hope and anxiety, delight and regret, are being centered in the present—you’re doing so now. Nothing ever happens except now, when you’re supposed to be filled with an awareness of being alive.

The present moment is problem free. Troubles need to exist in their own space and time. Consequently, by being in the present, you give less life to them. You’re free from regret and apprehensions when you act from a sense of deep being instead of restlessly seeking to become something.

'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle (ISBN 1577311523) Take things as they come and adjust quickly to what becomes. Disconnect from the thinking mind, accept what is, and be mindful of your presence.

To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a certain way, good or bad. It seems paradoxical, yet when your inner dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of your life, the outer forms, tend to improve greatly.

Idea for Impact: Life is sacred; being alive is sacred. Relishing that you’re alive, experiencing the sacredness of aliveness, and just being—these are the most integral facets of Tolle’s vision of enlightenment, the “natural state of felt oneness with Being” and feeling “more together.”

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to Be Happy, per Cicero
  2. To Live a Life of Contentment
  3. The More You Can Manage Your Emotions, the More Effective You’ll Be
  4. I’ll Be Happy When …
  5. The Simple Life, The Good Life // Book Summary of Greg McKeown’s ‘Essentialism’

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Books, Happiness, Mental Models, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Suffering, Wisdom

External Blame is the Best Defense of the Insecure

July 31, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

In the realm of excuses, accountability tends to retreat while blame takes center stage. You find yourself playing the “blame game,” swiftly shifting responsibility onto external factors to protect your ego.

When faced with challenges, it’s natural to become defensive and deflect responsibility onto your boss, a vendor, the weather, working conditions, a partner, economic downturns, or anything but yourself. However, this negative energy worsens the situation and weakens your self-perception.

Beneath the surface, though, lies a truth: externalizing blame always hinders real growth and progress. So, the next time you catch yourself falling into the trap of feeling like a prisoner of circumstances, making excuses, or pointing fingers at others, take a moment to pause and ask yourself, “What could I have done to prevent this problem?” and “What lessons can we derive from this situation?”

Idea for Impact: Assuming responsibility is a testament to your strength. It displays courage, even if it may not feel that way. Only the resilient can truly accept blame. When we externalize blame, we give up control and surrender our power to heal and improve ourselves. On the other hand, embracing accountability has numerous benefits: it strengthens relationships, enhances credibility, fosters happiness within yourself and others, promotes transparency, boosts self-esteem, facilitates learning, and ultimately helps resolve problems. Choose accountability over blame and pave the way for personal growth and success.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. How to … Change Your Life When Nothing Seems to be Going Your Way
  2. Cope with Anxiety and Stop Obsessive Worrying by Creating a Worry Box
  3. Expressive Writing Can Help You Heal
  4. This May Be the Most Potent Cure for Melancholy
  5. Choose Pronoia, Not Paranoia

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Adversity, Anger, Emotions, Mindfulness, Resilience, Success, Wisdom

Is Buddhism Pessimistic?

July 22, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Many people think Buddhism is all about suffering, making it seem a real downer. While it’s true that the Buddha acknowledged that life is characterized by suffering, he meant more than just physical pain. He taught us that our mental suffering comes from being attached to our desires and expectations. Ignorance, or a lack of understanding of reality, also plays a part.

The Buddha also warned us that our pleasure-seeking tendencies can lead to disappointment when we realize life’s fleeting nature: “Knowing this truth gives our lives wholeness and peace, as it frees us from the exhausting postures of pretense and denial.” The ultimate aim of following the Buddhist path is not to evade life’s challenges but to confront them with serenity and enhance our inner capabilities. This teaching isn’t a pessimistic approach but a hopeful one, which teaches that we can take control of our lives and find wisdom, compassion, and happiness even in tough times.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Change Your Perspective, Change Your Reactions
  2. Learn to Manage Your Negative Emotions and Yourself
  3. Anger is the Hardest of the Negative Emotions to Subdue
  4. What the Buddha Taught About Restraining and Dealing with Anger
  5. Gandhi on the Doctrine of Ahimsa + Non-Violence in Buddhism

Filed Under: Belief and Spirituality, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Buddhism, Religiosity, Suffering, Wisdom

The #1 Warning Sign That You’re Burning Out at Work

July 21, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Burnout doesn’t happen just because you work too much. Instead, it’s investing emotionally and not getting an adequate emotional return on your investment.

The primary indicator that burnout is looming is when your patience wears thin. You’ll find yourself feeling cynical and irritable most of the time, resulting in frequent arguments or constant outbursts towards your loved ones, including colleagues and superiors.

Idea for Impact: If you feel depleted or exhausted, pace yourself and set clear boundaries. Think strategically not only about the work you enjoy but also about the life you want to lead.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. The Truth About Work-Life Balance
  2. Great Jobs are Overwhelming, and Not Everybody Wants Them
  3. How to Leave Work at Work
  4. Understand What’s Stressing You Out
  5. Why You Can’t Relax on Your Next Vacation

Filed Under: Health and Well-being, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Balance, Life Plan, Stress, Time Management, Work-Life

Finding Peace in Everyday Tasks: Book Summary of ‘A Monk’s Guide to Cleaning’

June 24, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

'A Monk's Guide to a Clean House' by Shoukei Matsumoto (ISBN 0143133330) Shoukei Matsumoto’s book, A Monk’s Guide to a Clean House and Mind (2011,) provides spiritual insights into the approach to cleaning and maintenance in a Zen monastery. These practices not only align with Buddhist principles but also form an integral part of meditation and mindfulness.

Matsumoto emphasizes that cleaning the home shouldn’t be considered a burdensome task to be hurriedly completed. Instead, it can be a peaceful and fulfilling practice that purifies and nurtures the mind. It is an ascetic and transformative endeavor that restores our inner being. Matsumoto says, “We sweep dust to remove our worldly desires. We scrub dirt to free ourselves of attachments.” Each clean surface reflects our inner radiance, shining brightly.

Buddhist spirituality extends beyond formal religious rituals and encompasses everyday actions. Simple tasks are seen as sacred rituals, providing opportunities for cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and presence. By clearing away the dust obstructing our vision, we uncover the pure essence of things: “Nothing starts out as rubbish. Things become rubbish when they are treated as rubbish.”

This widely popular book in Japan offers practical cleaning tips and delves into the Buddhist perspective on life. It challenges the wastefulness prevalent in modern society and advocates for a deep reverence towards spaces and objects, highlighting the profound humanity within. Matsumoto, a Buddhist monk at Komyoji Temple in Kamiyacho, Tokyo, shares insights into monastic life and introduces various Zen concepts. Additionally, the book provides guidance on bringing the tranquility and serenity of a Japanese temple into ordinary homes. It reminds us that even in the simplest tasks, such as cleaning, enlightenment can bloom, dispelling the darkness in our hearts.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Mottainai: The Japanese Idea That’s Bringing More Balance to Busy Lives Everywhere
  2. Marie Kondo is No Cure for Our Wasteful and Over-consuming Culture
  3. I’ll Be Happy When …
  4. Addition Through Subtraction
  5. The Simple Life, The Good Life // Book Summary of Greg McKeown’s ‘Essentialism’

Filed Under: Belief and Spirituality, Living the Good Life Tagged With: Buddhism, Clutter, Discipline, Materialism, Mindfulness, Parables, Philosophy, Simple Living

Book Summary of ‘Yeah, No. Not Happening’: Karen Karbo on Rejecting the Pursuit of Perfection’s Snare

June 23, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

'Yeah No Not Happening' by Karen Karbo (ISBN 0062945548) Karen Karbo’s book Yeah, No. Not Happening (2020) is titled after a powerful mantra she uses to break free from the relentless pursuit of getting better. Karbo calls attention to a significant tragedy of our time: we spend most of our lives striving for self-improvement and setting ourselves up for failure when, in reality, we are often content just as we are.

We don’t need to constantly chase ambitious goals or sacrifice our inner peace for an unattainable ideal. It’s essential to allow ourselves a break—a deliberate act of self-care. While we naturally care for others out of responsibility, necessity, and habit, we overlook extending the same care to ourselves.

Karbo encourages us to embrace being okay rather than relentlessly pursuing an impossible perfection, even when we give our best effort. Being okay does not mean carrying regrets; it means being human, embracing every aspect of ourselves. In our flaws and scars, resilience blooms.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Everything in Life Has an Opportunity Cost
  2. Don’t Over-Deliver
  3. A Key to Changing Your Perfectionist Mindset
  4. Thinking Straight in the Age of Overload // Book Summary of Daniel Levitin’s ‘The Organized Mind’
  5. The Simple Life, The Good Life // Book Summary of Greg McKeown’s ‘Essentialism’

Filed Under: Living the Good Life, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Assertiveness, Attitudes, Balance, Goals, Perfectionism, Personal Growth, Procrastination, Simple Living, Stress

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Popular Now

Anxiety Assertiveness Attitudes Balance Biases Books Coaching Conflict Conversations Creativity Critical Thinking Decision-Making Discipline Emotions Entrepreneurs Etiquette Feedback Getting Along Getting Things Done Goals Great Manager Leadership Leadership Lessons Likeability Mental Models Mentoring Mindfulness Motivation Networking Parables Performance Management Persuasion Philosophy Problem Solving Procrastination Relationships Simple Living Social Skills Stress Thinking Tools Thought Process Time Management Winning on the Job Wisdom Worry

About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

Get Updates

Signup for emails

Subscribe via RSS

Contact Nagesh Belludi

RECOMMENDED BOOK:
The Power of a Positive No

The Power of a Positive No: William Ury

Harvard's negotiation professor William Ury details a simple, yet effective three-step technique for saying 'No' decisively and successfully, without destroying relationships.

Explore

  • Announcements
  • Belief and Spirituality
  • Business Stories
  • Career Development
  • Effective Communication
  • Great Personalities
  • Health and Well-being
  • Ideas and Insights
  • Inspirational Quotations
  • Leadership
  • Leadership Reading
  • Leading Teams
  • Living the Good Life
  • Managing Business Functions
  • Managing People
  • MBA in a Nutshell
  • Mental Models
  • News Analysis
  • Personal Finance
  • Podcasts
  • Project Management
  • Proverbs & Maxims
  • Sharpening Your Skills
  • The Great Innovators
  • Uncategorized

Recently,

  • The Dark Side of Selfies
  • Stop Getting Caught in Other People’s Drama
  • Separate the Job of Creating and Improving
  • Why Hiring Self-Leaders is the Best Strategy
  • The “Adjacent Possible” Mental Model
  • Inspirational Quotations #1015
  • How to … Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs

Unless otherwise stated in the individual document, the works above are © Nagesh Belludi under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license. You may quote, copy and share them freely, as long as you link back to RightAttitudes.com, don't make money with them, and don't modify the content. Enjoy!