Three Pillars

Self-Improvement, Neuroscience, and WordPress

Welcome to my first newsletter! Today, I want to share the three pillars that shape my interests and passions: self-improvement, neuroscience, and WordPress. These areas have influenced my journey, and I hope they also inspire you.

Self-Improvement: A Lifelong Journey

Self-improvement has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember. It all started back in school when my report cards often suggested that I could improve. This feedback ignited a spark in me to strive for continuous growth. For instance, I used self-improvement techniques to overcome my fear of public speaking, a skill that has been invaluable in my career.

In my twenties, I faced a significant challenge: quitting smoking. This challenge led me to explore self-help books and hypnosis. I even underwent hypnotherapy, which successfully helped me quit smoking. My journey didn't stop there. I discovered Tony Buzan's "The Mind Map Book" and joined Tony Buzan's Brain Club. Through this, I learned mind mapping from Vander North, who worked closely with Tony Buzan.

These experiences have taught me that self-improvement is a lifelong endeavour. It's about constantly seeking ways to improve oneself through books, techniques, or new experiences.

I am an avid reader, constantly seeking new knowledge and insights. The vast amount of information available through digital books, audiobooks, and apps like Readwise and Blinkist allows me to access a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips, helping me stay informed and inspired on my journey of self-improvement and exploration.

In my journey of self-improvement and exploration of the mind, I've found self-hypnosis and meditation to be particularly effective. These methods provide deeper access to the mind, allowing for profound personal growth and change. I am committed to experimenting with these techniques to continue evolving and improving.

Neuroscience: The Science of the Mind

The second pillar of my interest is neuroscience. The vastness and constant advancements in this field, especially with the rise of the Internet, make it an incredibly fascinating subject. Neuroscience is at the forefront of scientific discovery today, and it offers profound insights into how we think and perceive the world. I'm eager to share the excitement of exploring this field with you.

One of the most compelling ideas in neuroscience is that we are what we think. The saying, "If you think you can, or if you think you can't, you're right," resonates deeply with me. I've always been an optimist, believing in the goodness of people and striving to maintain a cheerful outlook on life.

Neuroscience is a vast and intriguing field, like a deep rabbit hole. While I lack formal education in this area, I avidly read works by scholars and authors who share their knowledge and discoveries. Doing so helps me stay updated on the latest developments and better understand the science behind our minds.

The significant relationship between self-improvement and neuroscience lies in the mind. We can improve ourselves by changing how we think and perceive the world. Understanding the science of how the brain works serves as a doorway to the mind, enabling us to unlock our full potential.

WordPress: A Tech Enthusiast's Playground

My third pillar of interest is my tech background, which includes over 30 years in IT. WordPress stands out as a particular passion of mine among the various technologies I've worked with. Over the years, I've enjoyed working with WordPress and learned much about it.

WordPress is a vast ecosystem with millions of sites, themes, and plugins. It offers a never-ending source of knowledge and challenges that keep me engaged and motivated. While I've faced frustrations due to my inexperience and lack of knowledge, my insatiable thirst for learning drives me to overcome these obstacles. The joy of education and the satisfaction of overcoming these challenges keep me inspired and motivated in my work with WordPress.

I love playing around with WordPress Themes and Plugins—to the extent that I would never do so online! To overcome this, I use Varying Vagrant Vagrants (VVV) in a Windows environment using VirtualBox. I’ll write more on this in a later newsletter.

Walk ‘n’ Talk

A few weeks ago, Ali Abdaal released a new tool called Voicepal, a ghostwriter in your pocket. It’s a fantastic little tool. I have used it for the last week or so.

You go for a walk, switch it on, put your earbuds in, and chat to yourself. People may look at you strangely, but they do that anyway. As my thoughts materialise, I talk as I do now.

Voicepal, my little VA ghostwriter, records every word I say. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t make sense or if the sentences are disjointed. I speak, expressing the thoughts in my head.

With a click of a few buttons, Voicepal makes sense of your ramblings, and before you know it, you have some Tweets or a Newsletter. I love it!

Check Voicepal.me now [No affiliation]—it’s worth a trial.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for joining me through my three pillars of interest. I look forward to expanding on these topics in future newsletters and sharing more insights and experiences with you. The joy of sharing and the anticipation of hearing your thoughts and experiences on these subjects is what makes this journey of growth and discovery genuinely fulfilling. Together, we can inspire and support each other on our paths of growth and discovery.

Stay curious and keep exploring,

Paul.