Comments on: Nine Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Life

By: kc

kc — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:08:04 +0000

The thread on reddit: bit.ly/oH9hfs

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:12:21 +0000

#7 Brittany – I agree with #12. Sounds like you are in a good place. Those ‘what now’ times are inevitable and an integral part of life. When you’re done celebrating, from Trent’s list I’d suggest the giving component perhaps as a starting point for you. Whether it’s volunteering time or picking a cause to support in some other way.

By: slccom

slccom — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:00:31 +0000

#7 Brittany: Take some time to celebrate your accomplishments! Figure out what you want to do to play, and just have some fun. New goals will come to you as you are ready, but if you don’t enjoy your accomplishments, it makes future accomplishments seem more like work and less worth doing.

Congratulations! Now, put down that keyboard and go outside and play!

By: kristine

kristine — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:17:37 +0000

de ruiter, a lot of soup kitchen recipients are homeless, and do not practice proper hygiene. Some may have TB or hepatitis- many may not have normal medical care. I have worked in a soup kitchen, and I can think of only 1 or 2 clients I would feel even OK about serving my food. Given that there is already a stigma to overcome to go there for food in the first place- the embarrassment of being asked to clean-up, or not being asked to help (which might highlight a disheveled condition), could prevenrt people from coming. Many of the clients we had were also obviously mentally ill, pushed out of state institutions, and living on the sides of highways, under bridges, etc. Knowing this- fear of liability issues might be a factor as well. I once saw a violent outburst over a dropped hamburger bun.

By: Sonja

Sonja — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:13:54 +0000

NOT COOL. I saw this exact thread on Reddit a couple days ago. Guy posts the question “What is one thing I can do today to make me a better man?”. Among the hundreds of responses were a few (about 9!) that keep popping up: meditate, read a book, purge your stuff, complement someone, etc. I think taking that thread and boiling it down into a quick read is fine, but pawning it off as your personal wisdom to your “friend” is phony and disingenuous.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:25:16 +0000

@#8: Read Toxic Charity (charities?). I just finished it. It is by a minister who works in Atlanta and his ventures into ministry and charity and charitable giving and why those who receive scorn those who give, depend on giving, and what to do about it. Excellent book. Makes you think twice about how to go about your giving.

By: deRuiter

deRuiter — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:16:36 +0000

Nice post. Your mention of soup kitchens brought to mind a long time question. Why is it (and if you know, please post answer) why soup kitchens are always staffed by those who don’t need them, and the clients are never asked to contribute by dishing out food on the line, cleaning up, etc.? On Thanksgiving we’re always treated to pictures of politicians and the middle and upper class folks who give up their holiday to serve food at food pantries. Seems that the people accessing the pantries might have a lot of time on their hands but are never asked to do the work. Just curious. Thank you!

By: Brittany

Brittany — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:45:51 +0000

TSD has been up and down lately, but this post was a home run.

I wouldn’t say I’ve been stuck in a meaningless rut lately–quite the opposite, really. All the goals I’ve been working for finally all fell into place. Finished my contract with my old job (loved the work, but hated the job) with the skills to land my dream job. Paid off my student debt. Have a great friend group, a wonderful relationship, and a strong broader social network. But the problem is… what do I do now? I’ve been feeling a little lost and directionless (but not nearly ready to plan for Big Future Things, like family, house, going back for a Ph.D., etc.). This post has some great steps for finding “little direction” in the meantime.

By: Mari

Mari — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:45:32 +0000

Very thought-provoking post and a good reminder that the way we look at our lives is our own decision (no matter how much or how little money we earn).

By: jackie

jackie — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:01:44 +0000

Nice post today!

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:55:04 +0000

Great post. So nice to hear of some positive things people can do to change their situation. Often just taking that first step can be a life changer.

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:46:15 +0000

Thanks for remnding me of what my priorities should be! Yes it is easy to get stuck in a rut.
Great post Trent and some brilliant ideas.

By: Tara C

Tara C — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:53:54 +0000

Great post! I plan to start working on it tonight. I am in a terrible rut and today I am going to start getting out of it.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:08:25 +0000

I’m glad I saw this post on twitter, it’s exactly what I needed to see right now, especially reflecting for a half hour, and creating a list, I guess many people are feeling stuck right now, I just bought the book “The Law of Success” by Napoleon Hill, because of feeling the same way “stuck” so, now I have the book and your list to help get started.