Category: Self developement

How to Do Things You Hate: Lessons from Peter Hollins

It was one of those afternoons. Energy gone. Procrastination wrapping around me like chains. Bills on the table. Emails stacking. My workspace a battlefield of clutter. That’s when I hit play on Peter Hollins’ audiobook, How to Do Things You Hate.

His voice wasn’t fluff. It wasn’t hype. It was real. Straight talk. Like a fellow warrior saying: Get up. Move forward. Stop hiding.

And the lessons hit me like a wake-up call.

1. Accept Discomfort

Growth is pain. Hollins made it clear: it’s not about avoiding discomfort, it’s about owning it. You don’t need to like the task. You just need to face it. Every distasteful chore is training. Every moment of resistance is a chance to sharpen discipline.

2. Win Small

The mountain is climbed one step at a time. Hollins calls it the power of small wins. Break the beast into pieces. One bill. One email. One drawer organized. Stack victories. Momentum builds. Discipline compounds.

3. Visualize Victory

Before the fight, see the outcome. Hollins’ visualization exercises aren’t soft—they’re strategic. Picture the relief when the task is done. Picture the order after the chaos. That vision is fuel. It drags you forward when willpower runs dry.

4. Stay Present

The dread of a task is heavier than the task itself. Hollins taught mindfulness. Focus on the now. Not the dread. Not the what-ifs. Just the action in front of you. One breath. One movement. One stroke of the pen, one click of the key.

5. Build the Growth Mindset

Fixed mindset says, I can’t. Growth mindset says, I’ll learn. Hollins hammered this home. Every hated task is training. Every challenge is a chance to adapt, evolve, and strengthen.

6. Prioritize with Clarity

Chaos kills momentum. Clarity builds it. Hollins showed how to strip away noise and zero in on what matters most. Order the battlefield. Attack the high-value targets first.

7. Reward Discipline

Discipline is the foundation. But reward locks it in. Hollins stressed the power of positive reinforcement. Finish the job, then enjoy the win. Not before. Not during. After. That’s how you train the mind to embrace the grind.

Final Thought

Doing what you hate isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about discipline. It’s about confronting discomfort, stacking small wins, and owning the process. Hollins’ words are a reminder: stop waiting to feel motivated. Start moving. Motivation follows action.

PS: take action right now:
☑︎ Start treating every hated task as training, a chance to learn, adapt, and grow.
Write down this task now!

Whats the task?

September 16, 2025
Ninjutsu – art and philosophy of ninja

Ninjutsu (忍術), sometimes used interchangeably with the modern term ninpō (忍法), is the martial art strategy and tactics of unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare, insurgency tactics and espionage purportedly practiced by the ninja.

The philosophy of ninjutsu encompasses a spiritual journey, where practitioners, akin to warrior monks, relinquish material desires to find harmony through nature, training, and simplicity. This path is rooted in transcending the ego-self, which is often ensnared in the dualistic struggles of the physical realm.

Central to this journey is the cultivation of energy efficiency, essential for preserving vital life force, known as ki or chi. By minimizing unnecessary expenditure of energy, practitioners amplify their senses, intuition, and inner power. This efficiency not only enhances physical and mental well-being but also nurtures spiritual growth, ultimately leading to enlightenment.

Dualism and duality are key concepts to overcome on this path. Dualism, the perceived separation between masculine and feminine principles, breeds duality, which manifests as conflicts within oneself and with the world. Spiritual progress involves embodying higher principles through “modeling,” aligning with the divine design of the universe.

Efficiency in body and mind is achieved through various practices, including minimalism in movement and communication, natural diet, and detoxification. Mental efficiency requires minimizing reliance on past memories and future anxieties, embracing intuition, logic, and compassion.

The journey progresses from the activation of the fifth element, representing effortless awareness, to opening the third eye, which pierces through the illusion of duality. This heightened awareness leads to unity with the Ultimate, transcending ego and realizing the interconnectedness of all things.

Action Points:
1. Embrace Minimalism: Simplify life by reducing unnecessary distractions and possessions.
2. Practice Energy Efficiency: Conserve and cultivate life force through mindful movement, diet, and detoxification.
3. Cultivate Mental Efficiency: Develop intuition, logic, and compassion while minimizing reliance on past and future.
4. Activate the Fifth Element: Engage in meditation, movement, visualization, and incantation (magic spell) to enhance awareness.
5. Open the Third Eye: Progress towards non-duality by piercing through the illusion of separation.
6. Unite with the Ultimate: Transcend ego and realize the interconnectedness of all existence.
7. Embody Divine Principles: Balance masculine and feminine energies, nurturing gentleness, kindness, and intuition.

Win the Inner War: Prioritize inner harmony and spiritual growth to achieve external success without conflict.

Want to dig deeper in elements of ninjutsu:

Body-Energy Efficiency: This refers to optimizing physical energy through practices such as minimal movement, natural diet, posture, and detoxification. It emphasizes the importance of conserving physical energy for spiritual growth.
Mind-Energy Efficiency: This involves maximizing mental energy by minimizing reliance on past memories and future planning. It promotes intuition, critical thinking, logic, and compassion while reducing mental clutter.
Art (Air Element): Art is mentioned as the beginning of the air element, suggesting creativity and expression. It signifies the importance of cultivating artistic pursuits as a means of spiritual growth.
Feminine Element (Softness, Kindness & Compassion): The text discusses the feminine elements, particularly emphasizing softness, kindness, and compassion. These qualities are seen as essential for spiritual development, especially in balancing masculine and feminine energies.
Effortlessness (5th Element): Effortlessness refers to the activation of the fifth element, which involves being in a state of ease and flow. It suggests the importance of letting go of effort and allowing natural processes to unfold.
Third Eye (6th / Soul Element): The third eye represents the sixth element, associated with the soul and inner vision. Opening the third eye is seen as crucial for gaining insight into the nature of reality and transcending duality.
Unity (Ether of Unity): Unity refers to the concept of oneness and interconnectedness. It highlights the realization that all things are interconnected and sacred, leading to a sense of unity with the universe.
Ultimate (9th / Spirit Element): The Ultimate represents the highest spiritual realization, beyond ego and duality. It signifies the attainment of enlightenment and oneness with the divine.

May 7, 2024

Japanese wisdom

1. IKIGAI – 生きがい – Discover your purpose in life, find something that makes you want to wake up each day because your purpose fuels you.

2. KAIZEN – カイゼン – Focus on small improvements each day instead of trying to do everything at once.

3. THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE: Work for 25 minutes without distractions take a break for 5 minutes and then repeat. It’s a great way to get more done in less time. 🍅 Can use pomodoro-tracker

4. Hara hachi bun me – 腹八分目 – Don’t stuff yourself with food. When you’re 80% full, stop eating. This will increase your energy.

5. Shoshin – 初心 – is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner’s mind: Approach every task like a beginner, with the same curiosity as if you were doing it for the first time.

6. Wabi-sabi 侘び寂び – is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection – : Embrace imperfection instead of stressing over every little detail. Taking action is better than waiting for perfection because it is often unattainable.

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Follow this channel, they make amazing motivational videos with this low voice

Still reading? Let’s focus on first and main word – IKIGAI.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines the terms “iki” (生き), which translates to “life,” and “gai” (甲斐), which describes value or worth. In essence, ikigai is about finding joy in life through purpose. It represents what gets you up every morning and keeps you going. Imagine it as the intersection of four essential elements:

What You Love: Am I doing what I love or just waisting 8 hours at work which I hate?
What You Are Great At: What I am great at? Maybe I still code, but I am great at leading and communicating. Or maybe I could realise myself in the trading, and crypto industries?
What the World Needs: That’s tough, cause things I do could be well paid, but does it bring value to humanity?
What You Are Paid For: It comes to the question of how many hours I really work per day. Maybe I will be promoted or get a bigger salary if I ask my boss what does he really needs to be done.

Arrogance

Antonym of Arrogance: The opposite of arrogance is humility. Humility is characterized by a modest or low view of one’s own importance. It involves acknowledging that you can be wrong, accepting that others may excel in certain areas, and recognizing your own flaws and capacity for mistakes¹ ².
How to Train Yourself to Be Less Arrogant: Here are some steps you can take to shift away from arrogance and embrace humility:
- Self-Reflection:
  - Admit When You’re Wrong: Recognize that nobody is infallible. Be open to acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them.
  - Learn to Laugh at Yourself: Embrace your imperfections and quirks. Sometimes, our own foibles can be amusing.
  - Treat Yourself with Kindness: Avoid being too hard on yourself. Understand that everyone has flaws and struggles.
- Shift Your Focus Outward:
  - Active Listening: During conversations and social events, genuinely listen to others. Seek to understand their experiences and feelings.
  - Avoid Comparison: Refrain from constantly comparing yourself to others. Each person has unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Practice Empathy:
  - Put Yourself in Others’ Shoes: Consider different perspectives. Understand that everyone has their own life experiences and challenges.
  - Value Others’ Opinions: Recognize that no one has all the answers. Be open to learning from others.
- Stay Curious and Open-Minded:
  - Embrace Learning: Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning. Be curious about different viewpoints and ideas.
  - Challenge Your Worldview: Be willing to question your assumptions and beliefs. Growth comes from being open to change.
- Celebrate Others’ Successes:
  - Acknowledge Others’ Achievements: Instead of feeling threatened, celebrate when others succeed. Their victories don’t diminish your worth.

How to Train Yourself to Be Less Arrogant: Here are some steps you can take to shift away from arrogance and embrace humility:
Self-Reflection:
Admit When You’re Wrong: Recognize that nobody is infallible. Be open to acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them.
Learn to Laugh at Yourself: Embrace your imperfections and quirks. Sometimes, our own foibles can be amusing.
Treat Yourself with Kindness: Avoid being too hard on yourself. Understand that everyone has flaws and struggles.

Shift Your Focus Outward:
– Active Listening: During conversations and social events, genuinely listen to others.

Seek to understand their experiences and feelings.
– Avoid Comparison: Refrain from constantly comparing yourself to others. Each person has unique strengths and weaknesses.

Practice Empathy:

Put Yourself in Others’ Shoes: Consider different perspectives. Understand that everyone has their own life experiences and challenges.

Value Others’ Opinions: Recognize that no one has all the answers. Be open to learning from others.

Stay Curious and Open-Minded:

Embrace Learning: Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning. Be curious about different viewpoints and ideas.

Challenge Your Worldview: Be willing to question your assumptions and beliefs.

Growth comes from being open to change.

Celebrate Others’ Successes:

Acknowledge Others’ Achievements: Instead of feeling threatened, celebrate when others succeed. Their victories don’t diminish your worth.

Remember, humility doesn’t mean underestimating your abilities; it means recognizing that everyone has something valuable to offer. By practicing these steps, you can foster a healthier mindset and build better relationships with others. 🌟

Generation Z or the guys born after 1993

Working in IT is fun cause your are on the edge of technologies, but also it means that bunch of your colleagues will be younger than you. Especially if you are a millenial or boomer how I am called sometimes. It’s kinda cool hang out with them, but at some point you stop understanding the reasons behind their motivation and actions.

Here are 7 reasons why:

Digital Natives: Gen Z grew up in a world immersed in technology, being exposed to the internet, social media, and mobile devices from an early age. They are comfortable with digital tools and have a high level of digital literacy.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Gen Z tends to have a more entrepreneurial outlook, valuing independence and seeking opportunities for self-employment or freelance work. They are often motivated to create their own paths and explore innovative solutions.

Pragmatic and Realistic: Gen Z individuals are often described as pragmatic and realistic, having witnessed economic downturns, political instability, and environmental challenges. They tend to be more cautious and risk-averse compared to Millennials.

Diverse and Inclusive: Gen Z embraces diversity and inclusivity, valuing equality and social justice. They are more likely to challenge traditional norms and advocate for inclusiveness across various aspects of society, including race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Global Awareness: Gen Z is highly connected and globally aware. They have access to a vast amount of information and are more likely to be knowledgeable about global issues, cultural diversity, and social movements.

Short Attention Span: Growing up in the age of information overload, Gen Z tends to have a shorter attention span and prefers quick, bite-sized content. They are adept at multitasking and consuming information from multiple sources simultaneously.

Desire for Authenticity: Gen Z values authenticity and transparency. They are more skeptical of traditional advertising and prefer brands that align with their values and demonstrate genuine social responsibility.

Create Atomic Habits to Become a Better Developer #buildstuffconf

Habit Formation:
- Describes the four stages of habit formation: cue, craving, response, reward.
- Outlines four rules for building good habits, corresponding to each stage.
- Uses the example of checking phone notifications as a habit to explain the rules.

Implementation of Habits:
- Shares personal habits focused on becoming a better developer.
- Emphasizes setting specific implementation intentions, stacking habits, and bundling new habits with desired activities.
- Highlights the importance of reducing friction, making actions easy, and connecting actions immediately after completion.
- Advocates for habit tracking as a gamification technique for maintaining streaks.
- Two minute rule – always stay below the point where it feels like a work. Do at least one #coursera
- Reduce friction – minimize actions you need to take ( have a bookmarked page, setted up enviroment)

Breaking Bad Habits:
- Discusses strategies for making bad habits unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying.
- Stresses the value of an accountability partner and even publishing a habit contract to the world.
- A commitment device A choice you make in the present tht controls your actions in the future

Results and Impact:
- Reports personal success using these habits, including a job promotion and improved focus.
- Encourages the audience to start working on tiny habits for personal development.
Q&A:
- Addresses questions about the duration of using these techniques, adapting habits to circumstances, and the applicability of habits to developers at different career stages.
Key Takeaways:
- Small, consistent changes lead to significant results.
- Lifelong learning is crucial for personal and professional development.
- Personal examples demonstrate the effectiveness of atomic habits.