My former classmates at the prestigious university remarked during a reunion that I got one of the best courses

Be better than before, than yesterday...

During one of the get togethers we had of alumni of a prestigious Catholic universities we went to the topic of courses taken at the undergrad and their values.   Mine was on behavioral sciences.  Most of them were on sciences and engineering, math.

They said they are fixed and and predictable but human behavior is not.

But even behavioral sciences is perplexed on human behavior -  no one can predict.  Maybe BF Skinner

behavioral reeenforcements works on birds, and dolphins but not much on homo sapiens.  Did you see the horror video on the  orcas devouring the trainer, or tigers too mangling trainers?

Some of the most ungrateful species belong to the homo species.  You do everything to please and motivate them but in the end they bite back (like the snakes) and are ungrateful.  And that you must accept.  No behavioral science theory can predict and or shape how people behave.  You have to be prepared for the worst

Just look at our well paid policeman teachers, and solons.    They have not changed.     

    Has the police force improved its public service?

    How about the quality of education?

    How about the graft and corruption allegation vs solons and members of the executive branch

The question lies in the human character, will and integrity.     Not much of external carrots and sticks

Kaya the military excels in instilling internal changes in the mindsets of soldiers.  Hence theirs success

Lack of integrity, lack of corde seen in many quarters - "when the cat is away...."

Be better than before, than yesterday...

I have to do a lot of repeated travels to talk face to face with people.  The pandemic and the current "repre sent tabits"   "tong gressman"   have thrown integrity and character to the window and the dogs.    Our staff dont care about the community -  about the bayan   Forgot to become BAYANI.  Panay sarili.

That means:   no improvement, walang malasakit, walang unity, walang teamwork

No sense of mission.    Selfish.    Kanya kanya and with it comes feeling entitlement and with it theft and dishonesty.    Sayang mga Pinoy.    Sayang pinag aralan

Nawalang integrity...

All you need in life are your intellect and character - not cars, condos, watches or flashy gadgets

Be better than before, than yesterday...

Early in my life I built and reenforced my perceived success with its trappings:   expensive cars -  BMW, Range Rover  Patrol SUV, Land Cruiser etc watches, big house.  Of course you need to impress others with your achievements   You need trophies for them to trust you

But later on this post found more basic things in life:   good health, good family relationships, kindness to people, legacy, character

And to build your business you need speaking nego skills, knowing math and knowing how to balance your need vs the other negotiator and its going to be win win for both.    I found out that negotiation is not easily learned and some falter in negotiation and have not prepared well for it when the issue comes.

What does self improvement really mean?

Be better than before, than yesterday...

Does it mean being fitter, or reading more books or attending seminars and coaching sessions.

It means taken criticisms and reprimands to corrrect you to be better. It is humility to accept that some people are ahead, there are systems governing a work environment.  That there are legalities that dictate what can be and cant be.  

It means being honest and factual, No alibis, no excuses.    You cant pass the blame on others or circumstances   Own to the shit that you made

And from there on we can mature.  I have seen individuals remain the same  (Bob Seiger)

Still the same

Other self improvement tips

20 ways to improve yourself every day

Behavior change can be a long process, but it doesn’t have to be grueling. In author James Clear’s Atomic Habits talk, he discusses the power of improving yourself by just 1% every day. Reinventing yourself can be a series of small habit changes, like taking five minutes in your day to be more mindful. Or, it can be a more involved process, such as gradually exposing yourself to things that give you anxiety to overcome your fears.

Regardless of the impact you hope to achieve, the following exercises can help you learn how to improve your life and work toward personal development.

1. Make time for rest

You’ll never be the best version of yourself if you’re constantly mentally exhausted and overworked. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs says you must have your basic needs met before you can achieve your goals for self-improvement, and that means making time for sleep, rest, and self-care.

There are many different types of rest, including mental rest, physical rest, and social rest. Try to nail down where exactly you’re feeling drained, then work to identify moments in your schedule when you have the opportunity to take a break. Those quiet moments of rest can help you decompress and process your day. 

According to UW Medicine, a highly respected clinical system at the University of Washington, rest can also increase your brain’s capacity for attention, focus, and creativity. This can give you more bandwidth to work on yourself in other ways.

2. Read more books

Reading more books can help you explore your current passions, develop new interests, and learn new skills. Some books are written specifically to help you start working on self-improvement and personal growth. However, even becoming deeply engrossed in a novel can do wonders for you. 

Reading introduces you to new perspectives and can help you learn to set and achieve your goals. It can also help you work through your emotions and develop empathy by helping you view the world in new ways. All of these benefits directly contribute to self-improvement.

If you’re not a fan of reading, try listening to self-improvement podcasts or watching self-help videos to gain new perspectives on how to improve yourself every day.

3. Start a gratitude practice

One way to learn how to be a better person is by practicing gratitude for what you have. Research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies showed that practicing gratitude for just 15 minutes a day, five days per week for six weeks, can improve mental wellness and contribute to a lasting change in perspective.

You don’t have to feel grateful only for huge things, either. Try to notice the small, everyday things that make you happy, such as the gift of laughter or spending time with a beloved pet. Better yet, write them down each day to build a healthy habit of gratitude.

With practice, it becomes easier to naturally think of what you’re grateful for. This new perspective can change your life for the better.