Author: Joshua Arimi (40 Articles)
When I learn something beneficial in life, I want to tell it to everyone so that they can do the same. Where you are, what you have, what you will become is as a direct result of what you choose to think. Change your T.
Author: Joshua Arimi (40 Articles)
When I learn something beneficial in life, I want to tell it to everyone so that they can do the same. Where you are, what you have, what you will become is as a direct result of what you choose to think. Change your T.
creative zen-X-Fi
Boys are known to be obsessed with gadgets. As boys grow up they change but the mentality is still boyish. Men are just big boys. They are big boys obsessed with gadgets.
Big boys talk of the latest car, the latest phone, the latest TV, the latest features of a computer etc.
Funny enough, all of the most talked about gadgets of today were invented by men. Henry Ford came with the four wheeled animal called a car. The Wright brothers had their share of contribution the flying experience and lately Steve Jobs added an iPod to the gadget crowded life.
IPod mutated to a variant of mp3 players.
At first I thought mp3 players are reserved for the teenagers.
I never thought I could buy an mp3 player. This thinking has since evaporated.
By now you are wondering why did I change my mind and buy an mp3 player. I will try to explain.
Last year, was one of the darkest years in my life. I experienced one of the worst depressing moments. These moments were as a result of the way I thought.
Normally I aim very high in life. I aspire greatness, excellence and high achievements. I never settle for mediocrity.
That time of the year I was pursuing perfection. My perfection was driven by fear of failure. I have always dreaded failing in life.
All along, I have been thinking that failing in academics leads to failing in life. However, my fears were unmerited. I was actually completing my PhD. So in reality, I was not a failure by any standard and there was no warrant for worry.
However, the opposite was true. My thinking was very negative and compulsive. My negative thoughts were extremely toxic and overwhelming. Sometimes they drove me to tears. I thought that everybody hated me. Everybody was out to catch me. I thought I was not going to amount to anything. I thought I am doomed.
The moment of epiphany came when I found myself crying in a meeting. You may not believe it. But it happened and those who were there were utterly shocked.
I realised everything was not well with my life. I had to change and change quickly. I needed a radical change. I need 180o turn in my life.
So where do I start from. The starting point was to seek help. I searched the internet. It directed me to some very good books. Some of the books that I found useful were The Bible, The Power of Now, a New Earth, Road less travelled, Feel the fear and do it any way, Feeling Good – The new mood therapy, You can Heal your life The list is big.
Finding the necessary books did not end my dilemma, I needed change desperately. Reading a book cover to cover has never been easy. I needed a quick way to read those books and absorb the material.
I found out that most books are available in audio format. One problem was solved. The second issue was how to listen to them. The easiest way was to use an mp3 player. Viola, I had solutions at hand. So I bought Creative ZEN-X-Fi. 8 Gb.
I easily got all the books that I needed from http://www.audible.com or http://www.learnoutloud.com. These sites also offer free podcasts to download.
Equipped with several audio books, I embarked on the journey of self-development. Actually this blog is a result of this transformation.
My library is now composed of over 200 audio books, over 150 e-books and over 25 books.
My mp3 player revolutionarised the way I view life. I can now listen to books easily and quickly. I can find mental and emotional solutions instantly.
You may wonder how do these books help. Listening to a book is like attending a counselling session. You hear all the advice you need in one go. This offers a quick fix. In addition, you can listen to a book several times which is a bit difficult in actual reading.
When I feel my moods are down, instead of running to the fridge, I grab my mp3 player and listen to an mp3 by Zig Zigler or any other author and my mood soars instantly.
In May, I was preparing for a very important presentation. The presentation was for best Food Science PhD students in Europe. Before the presentation, I listened to audiotape stand up and Deliver by Dale Carnegie. It offered me very wonderful tips. I was brilliant on the podium.
When I was preparing for the defence of my PhD thesis, I listened to Communication by Bob Proctor. I whizzed through the defence until my supervisor said ‘I was exceptionally good and she was proud of me’.
The other day I was attending an interview. As I was walking to the interview venue, I listened to Success series by Bob Proctor. The confidence soared. Even though I did not get the job, I delivered to my best.
I have been struggling with setting goals. I listened to the Goal setting ideas by Jim Rohn and improved tremendously.
My other weakness was in organisation and effectiveness. Listening to 7 Habits of Highly effective people, I am now very effective and organised.
Imagine listening to Joel Osteen before you sleep.
Imagine listening to courtship after marriage by Zig Zigler with your spouse/partner.
I would highly recommend an mp3 player. It is a good gadget to have. Not for a show, but use it to improve your life by listening to wonderful audio material that will transform your lifestyle. Most of mp3 players nowadays come with docking speakers. So you can listen to your favourite files similar to the way you listen to a radio. This is very good especially in the kitchen (for the busy mums) or when in the house.
You can even use some of mp3 players to record those wonderful sermons/talks in church or in a conference. This will save you from buying the tape or CD later.
Most of the personal-development speakers offer free podcasts that you can download and listen to. The ones that I know and I have listened to are Robin Sharma, Joel Osteen, Zig Zigler and Steve Pavlina. This list is not conclusive. Check the like-minded page in my site http://www.changeyourt.com
By the way some phones can be used effectively as mp3 players. So if you have such a phone you may take its advantage. However, there are issues with battery life and memory.
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SORRY FOR THE DEPRESSION.AM GLAD YOU GOT THROUGH IT.POLE
Thanks Purity
hello sir uve tached me thanks
Thanks Frank. Hope it will help you move to the next step.
I hope that not everybody will walk with those ear buttons in their ears … social contact is also very important … imagine that everybody is just listening to those things and forget to talk to eachother.
@ Patricia, Thanks.
@ Peter, Thanks bro. I know self-help and motivational stuff some times is viewed negatively. Evangelical motivation is not good and I do not support it. However practical stuff like 7 Habits of highly effective people is proven that it works. Several of these books work, and work extremely well. Just try some.
@ Muchai.Thanks. I know people associate counseling with alot of stigma. It is the high time people look for help. One way to find help is listen to these books discretely. keep well.
@ Mercy, Thanks. I believe in spirit of sharing. Let me know the specific title you are interested in and I will send it to you. God Bless mum Zig.
@Norah. Thanks mum. I believe listening to these mentors helps us to move to the next level. If you need specific help, am ready to assist. keep well.
@ Waweru. Thanks. I like apple products, but their prices put me off. So I do not use ipod although I know its very good. I am not sure whether it only uses itunes or you can also also use mp3s. If it can use mp3s, these are the steps to download and playback. 1. Find the mp3 file in the net, either you buy or the free ones. Find below are free podcasts by Zigler. http://zigziglar.libsyn.com/index.php?post_year=2009&post_month=102. Copy that link into your browser and it will take you to the page of zigler.3. The first podcast there is 'How to be of service'.4. On the bottom corner of Zigs photo there is a link to the mp3 file.5. Right click it and 'save the link as' thats saves the file to your desired location in your computer.6. From there its a walk in the park. transfer the file to your ipod.Let me know how it goes. I will give you more links to free podcasts.
@Kirimi, Thanks sir. Fear of failure can drive you to achieve alot. But it has its own downside. Ideally our achievements should be not fear driven.
Very inspirational. Thanks J.
Hey Joshua, you know what, I always dismissed a lot of that motivational literature as nanny-speak or the energy-drink-feel-good approach to problems and their solutions; but maybe you got something here. Not that I haven't read a bunch of these, but I still have a somewhat dim view of their everyday value, and my high never lasted that long anyways!I prided myself as a 'Just Do It' person, but maybe that too could always get better. So you've touched a relatively tough-skinned brother, and I get a fresh look at 'external self motivation'. Thanks homie, you might have sparked something that the world may find hard to dampen. God bless you, and watch over you!
Very inspiring and insightful. The cost of counselling keeps on going up by day as the knowldege and demand emanating from complexities of various social problems. On the account of cost effective alternative such as this, everyone is truly covered. The timing of these sessions can also coincide with those moods and deliver when face to face counseling cannot. A very good idea for the day. Thanks
You have been helped and you have turned around to be a people helper.thanks for the advice and the insight.I have ipod 8GB but i don't know how to download content.help me out.
GREAT! Seems like we share lots of things! I hav done what u hav done….listening to books over and over especially in the car and doing long drives; It makes so much sense what u saying! The choice of ur reads is great too! Zig is our family hero; we even named our son after him
Al try and be nice to you and see whether i cud get some copies from ur rich library….cheers and good day!Totally agreeing with Norah
Realy inspiring joshua I think this will just be the solution for me.Where am as at now it is critical to just move a step of glory higher.I like your choice of mentors and audio books brilliant even saving on storage space.I especially like Joel osteen one of the most inspiring men of God in the century. anothe is Zig Zigler and Dale great men too.So much is being expected of us at the moment.like you are saying fear of failure is one thing many people dread.me being one of them.And like being in school, being a mother, a wife also working and holding key responsibilities and working on several projects at work, it can be nerve wreckingand the solution of an MP3 player is brilliant coz already one may not have time to read books cover to cover that is cool.Thank you for your tips.
You have been helped and you have turned around to be a people helper.thanks for the advice and the insight.I have ipod 8GB but i don't know how to download content.help me out.
This is really inspiring. Am impressed. have lost two mp3 players and decided to stay without one but i change my mind again. 2rd i thought the only person who fears failure. Sincerely i fear failure more than death.