Book Review – How To Get Free Accommodation Around The World
The “Professional Hobo”, aka Nora Dunn, provides readers concise, real-life examples of how to creatively find resources for free accommodation while traveling.
I came across Nora’s website after doing some research on those who have traded in their “rat-race” lifestyle for more “lifestyle design”, as Tim Ferris would put it. I’ve been intrigued lately with the psychology of-
1) letting go of materialistic possessions (living more of a minimalistic life), and
2) escaping the 9-5 and living a more stress-free life.
Many of the clients I see in therapy talk to me about how much pressure and stress they’re under. Working 50+ hours/week while trying to pay their bills, meeting their individual and family needs (they say there are never enough hours in the day), and complain about how many hours a day they spend commuting. Sometimes, I think, “there has to be more to life than this!”
After reading a bit about Nora’s exotic locations, seeing her pictures of paradise, and “care-free” smile on her face, I decided to change something. What inspired me to reach out to her specifically is that she’s an Ontario born-and-raised lady as well. Nora’s bio (in brief): in 2006 she sold her lucrative financial-advising practice, got rid of most belongings, and decided to set sail on an excursion most dream about.
Nora’s Tricks for Those Who Like to Travel and Get Free Accommodation Around the World
In, How To Get Free Accommodation Around The World, Nora walks through 5 areas you can realistically use along your travels to get free accommodation. At first, I was a little skeptical about some of the suggestions Nora points out. However, after some double-checking on the Internet, I found out that lots of other people do it too! What I liked most about this resource is that Nora provides specific examples of how and where you can come across free accommodation. I was curious about most, so I checked out a few of them…
and…
after looking, I actually signed up for some of her suggestions for my travels. Nora also shares hers, or other travelers’ experiences with the suggestions she provides. Don’t most of us look for some type of “testimonial” when embracing something new?
This book, by far, is a comprehensive resource guide for those who are thinking about ditching the traditional lifestyle. It’s also immensely useful for those who already started with it and try to find smart ways to save money. Nora’s bubbly personality is seen throughout the book, and, of course, her personal website: The Professional Hobo.
Book Review – “Love Is Never Enough” by Aaron Beck
Aaron Beck is an American Psychiatrist and professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. In the field of psychology, Aaron Beck is known as one of the pioneers of cognitive therapy – you can call him the Father of Cognitive Psychology.
I’m reading Aaron Beck’s 1988 published book: “Love Is Never Enough – How couples can overcome misunderstandings, resolve conflicts, and solve relationship problems through cognitive therapy.” Here are my thoughts on it.
A Short Review of “Love Is Never Enough” by Aaron Beck
Aaron begins his book describing the Power of Negative Thinking. The way we think about people, situations, ourselves, so powerfully influences our moods and the way we interact with others. Throughout Chapter 1 he gives great examples identifying different “thinking trap” conversations we have with ourselves. These patterns of thoughts can hinder what we feel for our partners. What stands out for me the most is Chapter 4, where he gives examples describing the tyranny of the Shoulds that we place on our partner’s behaviors.
One of the main challenges in a romantic relationship (or marriage) are the unwritten rules/expectations that each spouse has for the other. For example, these rules include how to give and receive love, how much time to spend with friends, how to raise children, how much time to spend with the in-laws on vacation and any other number of things. These unspoken expectations create havoc in a relationship precisely because they go unspoken. Furthermore, they lead to criticisms about the other person that are general rather than specific.
Without proper training, it’s usually difficult for the couple to discuss these expectations aloud for two reasons. One – they are unaware (only semi-conscious) of these expectations in the first place. Two – they are usually too wrapped up in conflict to properly examine these automatic thoughts, let alone express them properly. Usually, these expectations become evoked as the couple grows closer and more intimate. Usually.
Overall, “Love Is Never Enough” by Aaron Beck is great. I am more than happy with the content of the book. It brings enlightenment to the power of our thoughts, and how to work through changing your own cognitive distortions.
NLP: Principles in Practice by Lisa Wake
Have you ever heard of NLP (short of Neuro-linguistic programming)? Here is the definition of it:
“Neuro-linguistic programming is a controversial approach to psychotherapy and organizational change based on “a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them” and “a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour”.
Ok, let’s switch to English now. Simply put, NLP is the view in psychotherapy that describes the way people interpret their own experiences. It bases on the hypothesis that, if people are aware of these processes, they can also improve them. Thus, with the knowledge about how “our brain works”, we can start using it more effectively to improve our relationships and our lives. NLP teaches us how to communicate effectively with others and with ourselves, to achieve our goals and stay motivates, to recognize our strengths and weaknesses and use it in our favour. Shortly, NLP is a self-improvement-oriented approach in psychotherapy.
Where Can I Learn More About NLP?
In several occasions, I heard clients asking where they can learn more about NLP. The first source that comes to mind is NLP by Lisa Wake; here is the link: http://books.google.ca/books?id=oahwVEXfmNwC&dq=sensory+acuity&source=gbs_navlinks_s
She made fantastic work here, covering the basics of NLP to help you understand it completely. Also, she introduces different NLP tools and techniques that you can use for self-improvement. Here is a list of chapters in the book, to give you a better idea of what you can find in there:
In conclusion, I hope you like NLP by Lisa Wake and use it to create a better version of yourself and your life, whatever it means to you.
Interested in learning more about coaching or therapy? Contact us today.
The 4-Hour Workweek
You work long, hard hours. You feel overworked, overwhelmed, and exhausted, which might lead you to consider leaving your job or finding another one that has flexible work hours. It is not just you, everybody is in the same boat. When you feel burnt out or overworked, you may ask yourself, “Where is my passion? Where is my joy?” They’re all buried under piles and piles of work that seem like it’ll never stop coming. Well, it’s time to stop the misery, especially if you want to save your health and even your life. You have to prioritize what you want in your life– sanity and happiness or money and success.
Overworked Die Young
A recent study has shown that long working hours can have a significantly negative effect on your health, increasing the risk from heart attack and, in an even higher degree, stroke. Scientists from University College of London found that people who worked more than 55 hours a week had a 33% higher risk of stroke and 13% higher risk of heart attack compared to people who worked 35-40 hours per week. The reason for this is not yet entirely clear, but it may have something to do with higher levels of “stress” hormones – cortisol and epinephrine – in overworked individuals.
Now is the right time to make a decision – make a change and try something different. Start here.
Who is Tim Ferris and why should you listen to this guy?
“Timothy Ferris, nominated as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People of 2007,” is author of the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek, which has been sold into 33 languages.
He has been featured by more than 100 media outlets, including The New York Times, The Economist, TIME, Forbes, Fortune, CNN, and CBS. He speaks six languages, runs a multinational firm from wireless locations worldwide, and has been a popular guest lecturer at Princeton University since 2003, where he presents entrepreneurship as a tool for ideal lifestyle design and world change.”
Interested in learning more about coaching or therapy? Contact us today.
The Work by Bryon Katie
Feeling stress during the Holiday season? Think about these questions from The Work by Bryon Katie.
- Is it true?
- Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
- How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
- Who would you be without the thought?
- Then turn it around (the concept you are questioning), and don’t forget to find three genuine, specific examples of each turnaround.
Reference:
http://www.thework.com/thework.asp#2