QnA Archives - TOM READS

October 28, 2017January 3, 2018 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What should I do before moving into a new house?

Purge Take inventory of belongings Schedule MoveMoving VanMoving Elevators Change Addresses Driver's License Health Card Banks Credit cards Professional agencies Subscriptions Vehicle Registration Set up cable TV Set up internet service Transfer Utilities Cancel old utilities Electricity aka Hydro Water Gas Change locks Install new smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors Clean the house before unpacking

February 28, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

Are Sam Harris’ arguments irrefutable?

A Simplified Conversation about Free Will with Sam Harris: Sam: Do you have free will? Me: Maybe, I sure hope so. Sam: Are you future decisions based on your past, your deep conscious and unconscious past? Me: Yes. Sam: Now, do you have any control of the past, genes, childhood and other experiences? Me: No. Sam: If you have no control of your future decisions because they are based on your uncontrollable past, do you have free will? Me: I guess not, Sam Harris. A person’s conscious thoughts, intentions, and efforts at every moment are preceded by causes of which he is unaware. What is more, they are preceded by deep causes—genes, childhood experience, etc.—for which no one, however evil,…

January 24, 2017February 28, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What are the biggest lessons you have learned in the corporate world?

I discovered that the best innovation is sometimes the company, the way you organize a company. A-plus players like to work together, and they don't like it if you tolerate B work. It's too easy, as a team grows, to put up with a few B players, and they then attract a few more B players, and soon you will even have some C players. Steve Jobs

January 19, 2017February 28, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What’s the third picture on your phone? How does it depict what’s going on in your life right now?

Lafayette Coney Island Hotdogs in Detroit [caption id="attachment_1401" align="alignnone" width="300"] Coney Island Hotdogs[/caption] Went to Detroit with a couple friends. We got these dogs before watching the Pittsburg Penguins play the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. This picture was taken the next day after strolling through the North American Auto Show. We enjoyed a weekend full of fun events but the highlight were still these dogs.

January 18, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

If you had one last breath and the entire world was listening to you, what would you say?

Take a long deep breath and reflect on the life I've had. Nothing else matters. The world might be listening, but honestly, the people of the world wouldn’t care what I would have to say. Smile and Breathe. Quora: If-you-had-one-last-breath-and-the-entire-world-was-listening-to-you-what-would-you-say ?

January 18, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What is the #1 reason you are successful?

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, They have to be a little faster, They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. Muhammad Ali Quora: What-is-the-1-reason-you-are-successful?

January 17, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

Why do people read the same book multiple times?

Why do people eat the same cake multiple times? Similar concept. I know I enjoyed it once before, so I read the same book to stimulate my senses in a familiar way. Or I just want to read the same book to see if I can squeeze out more details the second time. https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-read-the-same-book-multiple-times/answer/Tom-Reads

January 16, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What do you do after you finish reading a book?

I read mostly self-improvement, business and psychology books. I used to feel frustrated because I would quickly forget everything I learned after finishing a book. It seems some people only remember 2% of each book read. Some people don't mind, but it really bothered me. I figured the best way to learn was to teach what I was reading immediately. I started jotting notes while reading and compiling them into book reports after I finish a book. I would reread my notes and edit the article until I feel comfortable with publishing the notes on my blog. It decreases the rate I finish books, but I’m synthesizing my thoughts and solidifying the contents in my long term memory. I feel…

January 12, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

What stops people from having the life they want?

My answer, based on what I learned from The Willpower Instinct Willpower is a mind-body response, not a virtue. It is a biological function that can be improved through mindfulness, exercise, nutrition, and sleep. Willpower is not an unlimited resource. Too much self-control can actually be bad for your health. Temptation and stress hijack the brain's systems of self-control, but the brain can be trained for greater willpower Guilt and shame over your setbacks lead to giving in again, but self-forgiveness and self-compassion boost self-control. Giving up control is sometimes the only way to gain self-control. Willpower failures are contagious—you can catch the desire to overspend or overeat from your friends—but you can also catch self-control from the right role…

January 8, 2017February 2, 2017 tomreads All Posts, QnA

Can you provide an ordered checklist for self-improvement?

Here's my checklist, based on what I learned from The Power of Habit Understand keystone habits and small wins start a series of other small wins Start with exercising every day The small win of dedicating time to exercise will cause you to set a time to eat properly, more mindful of the foods you eat. Another small win. Exercise may also reduce insomnia by decreasing arousal, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Another small win. The increased energy you get from eating and sleeping well will result in more focus on the other improvements you want to make in life. Quora: Can-you-provide-an-ordered-checklist-for-self-improvement