Mikey's thoughts on Difficulty being subjective

What I meant by difficulty is subjective is that were all capable of the same things its all of a matter of time and we cant compare ourselves to others without undersranding and respecting other peoples investments. We think of things and assume were incapable because were tuned to the frequency of instant gratification (in comparison to other generations)

NICE THING XIU SAID TO ME ABOUT BEING MYSELF

Me: XIUUUUUUU!! I just wanted to say I loveeeeee you. And am grateful for you being a very close friend of mine! ^__^

Xiu: I LOVE YOU TOO!!! :3 sowwy for making you feel bad last nite D: i felt so bad about it!!! i dont want you to feel that you could ever be a traitor!! i dont think i will ever think of you that way!!! haha i only would think that if somethimg hugeee crazyyy like impossible thing like if u killed everyone i love BUT YOU WOULD NEVA DO DAT!! xD i think youre such a good person and its super admirable! i think i used to be as nice as you once but not anymo alot of people loose that sincere unconditional kindness!!! STAY THE WAY YOU ARE AND STICK TO UR MORALS AND PRINCIPLES!! people who really love you will understand and accept you for you! :3 i love chu alot and am so happy you are a big part of mah life!! so dont be sad or feel like dat ever again!!!

Me: OHHHH GAHHHD XIUU!!  THE TEARS BE ROLLLING FROM MY EYEBALLS... ;_____;  THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING ME~~~!!! It's so funny though I feel like i grew up backwards from how most people grow up! I used to really really hate people and gave no shizzlebops for anybody.  But then as I grew older I realized how good (or potentially good) that everyone is inside of them! And I become nicer and nicer... LOL @.@ but sometimes people think I'm naive because of how nice I am and I feel like they think I'm weak... But man... It's actually really hard being nice all the time especially when others aren't being kind to you and it's normal for people to hate each other and stuff. And then it gets really difficult for me to socialize with people because I have different perspectives... And they think I'm weird and I feel a bit awkward sometimes... But you're right Xiu!!  >___< I should be who I am and the people who really love me will stay and those who don't, will go~ WAAAAH~~!!! Thank chu so much for the encouragement and kind words!!!! *____* I SO LUCKY TO HAS YOU IN MY LIFE~~!! I LOVE YOUUUUUUU! AND HOPE CHU HAS A GEWD DAY AT SCHOOOOL TODAY!! ^____^ ✨💖✨💖✨💖✨

Xiu: hahha ur like a benjamin button of kindness!!! and NOOO UR NOT WEAK!!! it is much harder to turn the other cheek and be kind and try to understand!! DONT FEEL THAT U R WEIRD IN A BAD WAY OR ANYTHING! because you just think differently then other people and take the time to see good in others instead of judging negatively!! and yeah this type of thinking can clash with other peoples ideologies but people who wont socialize with you or make you feel bad for being you just show how close minded they are! im happy i have u in my life because youre such a positive influence!!!! :DDD i hope you have an amazing productive day today!!!! 💕💕💕💕💕

Sonder

The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

Steve pavlina on acting on inspiration,

Discussing about the Money Mindfest program! 

Joe is very much into acting on inspiration. We've talked in person about our creative processes a few times over the past few years. We basically use the same approach. The process I use for creating articles and workshops is the same process he uses for creating products, songs, etc. When we get an inspired idea, we each realize that we've got about 24 hours to get moving on it, maybe 48 hours maximum. It's like surfing a wave of energy. When the wave shows up, if you don't catch it quickly and ride it to shore, you'll never catch up to it. It may show up in a different form later, but that particular wave will be gone forever. When Joe gets a new product idea, he'll pretty much drop everything and create it as fast as he can. Then he can fix and polish it during editing.

Great analyzation of Candy Crush's success

In response to this article: Candy Crush Monetization and Virality

zefcan:

Here's a few of my thoughts, it doesn't cover everything, but to me these are some of the important ones from a game design POV... As a game designer when I first saw Candy Crush I thought it was a pretty average game. However after playing it I realised that it has a very clever underlying design that appeals to the various psychological needs of casual players. It also provides an experience that is in a way, quite similar to gambling.

First off it's extremely simple to play, tap to swap two candies. Can't see one to swap? It will show you an available swap after a little bit. There's a bit of skill involved in choosing which candies to swap, which gives the player some sense of control, but the game is mostly based on luck and often some levels can't be won (unless of course you have money to spend on in-app purchases if you can afford it...).

After a swap, candies will fall down to replace those that disappeared and often a combo will happen. There's heaps of positive, juicy reinforcement when something big like this happens. Lots of bright animations and a voice that says things like "Nice".

The goal is simple, complete the level and move on to the next. Each level is different, providing new and interesting challenges. Some are harder than others based on the design of the level, but these are interlaced with easy ones in order provide a relief from the difficult ones.

Also, some of the levels are ridiculous, as in 'this-level-will-take-days-of-attempts-to-complete' ridiculous. And this is simply because some levels can't be complete with the set of candies provided. This is super frustrating, and it's a gamble as to when you'll complete the level, however once you do complete it, your sense achievement is incredible. This ties in to the concept of Fiero in game design (read more here:http://xeodesign.com/whyweplaygames.html). Of course you can shortcut this process using IAPs to buy super candies. These candies won't just beat the level automatically, you still have to use them correctly and this involves some skill, but they do help in fast tracking it. (On a side note I'm personally against IAPs that provide shortcuts in games for those with money as I feel it's unfair to those who don't have the money, however it is a very popular strategy for making money these days).

Finally, throw in some social competition via Facebook so you can compare progress to your friends and then you're set to rake in 500,000 euros a day apparently :)(http://www.bubblews.com/news/781701-candy-crush-generates-500000-euros-per-day)

TLDR; really easy to play, clear goals, lots of juicy feedback, a sense of challenge, ability to shortcut using IAP, social competition

What Ngoc says on what to do when not feeling motivated,

And the best thing to do when u don't feel like doing it is to think "what bad things will happen if I don't do it now." It's gonna take longer to reach my goal. I'm gonna feel like shit because i cant even do this simple thing. i feel like im going nowhere and that ihave no purpose in life. The people around me are doing better then me. Etc think of all the negative things that will happen if u don't do it. Then think of why you really want to do it & really visualize yourself when you finally finish ur goal. I get a better life, and i get a better future. And then pick which picture u would rather be in  the future.

That's what I've been doing recently haha

Wise Words from Ngoc About Working Hard

To keep me motivated , I just think how good of a life I would get once I get there!

Always find out what u need to do, and do it.

The faster you do it, the faster u get to ur goal.

Time is so valuable, do not waste it!

When u stop being motivated, u give others a chance to surpass u.

So whatever ur goal is, keep motivated, keep doing the steps to get there everyday, and stay ahead of your competition

So whatever ur goal is, keep motivated, keep doing the steps to get there everyday, and stay ahead of your competition

U have 24 hours in a day. If u use it wisely, you can surpass someone that has been doing something that took them years to achieve in a short amount of time.

Try to focus on your goals as much as you can, & limit other distracting activities that keep u away from meeting ur goal

That's what I do

And that's prob why I move and grow a little faster than other people that's starting or have been doing it but not consistently

You're a fast learner so I know u have potential to go far in a short amount of time! Just choose something and stay dedicated to it!!

Originally Rachelle's status expressing her frustration about certain blocks occurring in her mind,

Rachelle: Damn it. I'm feeling so blocked.

I took some pictures of the smoothie I made this morning so that I could post the picture with the recipe for my go-to smoothie on my blog. ... That's something semi-productive and contributes in some small way, right?

It's just... when it comes to the idea of actually writing up such a blog post, it feels so damn forced. I'm resistant towards the idea of writing it up. Why??? Also... it's just freaking smoothie recipe. The world needs more than recipes or smoothies or green juices or kale chips.

I have a lot of ideas I want to discuss and share... but again, I feel pretty blocked when it comes to actually writing. I feel as though I need to figure out a bunch of stuff in my life first before I can make any significant progress... but siultaneously, in another sense, that type of thinking exemplifies how I am giving my power away to circumstances that are outside myself (yet also inside myself, too - if that makes any sense).

Virginia: I feel like this when I do my personal programming projects, it's actually very common for me. That's why for this three-day weekend, I focused my time on just sitting down and /writing code/. I didn't worry too much about how far I'd get, or if what I wrote would be productive. Instead, I just took one task that I wanted to work on and powered through it. One task completed lead to another, and before I knew it, I got a lot of progress done without letting my mind get in the way. 

My suggestion is to cast aside your brain blocks and just write. Don't worry about if what you're writing is productive or if the world needs it - just keep doing it. You'll find that the process of writing (or in my case, writing code) will help you figure out the things in your life that were holding you back - and that those things are much smaller and don't actually hold the power that you think they do. 

Kind words from Chelseaa,

AWWW!!!  Im excited to read those articles and I'm so lucky to have you as friend!!!! You are really smart and very positive even when your down you always get back up!! I admire it. Never met anyone as strong and ambitious. You are and inspiration. I know that people like you can help change the people in this world. Every person you meet becomes brighter because of the fire inside you. But yeah we will meet again!! Ill be in town about the same time! We can play it by ear. But I know we will whenever that is!!! Keep on inspiring girl!!! You's a Muse  lol

https://www.facebook.com/happydt/posts/10152000091429606?comment_id=32785525&offset=0&total_comments=16&ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment

Mikey's inspiring and encouraging text to follow my heart,

Hahah that blows Ive never had a shitty boss yet so I feel lucky. Follow your heart I say, but being your own boss can be very stressful in the beginning im sure it could feel unstable. But regardless of that anything worthwhile is never easy, and every second you progress is an accomplishment in it of itself. You always become stronger as long as your strive! I say follow your heart and do it! Your young its the age to take risks!

Reading "Choose Yourself" on his iPad at the Renaissance hotel in Phily!

Krys Villaster inspirational post about productivity and how age is irrelevant,

27 years old. Running out of time? for what. Time doesn't exist for me. I am a living being constantly changing/constantly growing. After graduating school, i do not stop studying. After finishing an event I do not stop practicing. While you encounter friends/enemies...people... I focus on the self. double the production time. balance. turn my work into an art. turn my art into work. I will make the most of my time. To the people that have played RPGs or anything simliar; you play a character, you build him, make him stronger, makes your experience in playing the character more fun because you have made him stronger and now have an advantage over walls and barriers that come in your way. but there is going to be stronger enemies. stronger characters played by other people. don't waste time fooling around. if you want to win the game. double time it ! your method of practice is traditional. everyone can practice the way you are practicing. every second counts. the amount of time it takes for you to go out and eat. or meet a friend . you can just ask over the phone. you do not have to meet. you can just get food close to you. you do not have to travel so far or so "close". save time. time is what makes us grow. one minute. two minutes saved. they add up. driving to get food . then driving to go back home. a lot can be done in that amount of time. fill in the gaps. fill in the gaps. you are driving somewhere. you hit a stop light. 20 seconds pass. 45 seconds. waiting for green light. that is time wasted. working out at the gym. or doing push ups at home. rest time in between sets? keep going. time was wasted. running and running. you stop to take a breather. too tired/no breath for push ups ? running does not work out the arm muscles. straight to the point. how do you know you can't do it if you haven't tried. keep going. don't stop. if you stop the flow. then you will waste time and energy to restart again. you have to continue the flow of movement. running. you stop for a breather. or you stop to tie your shoe. or a car passing by. that is time and energy wasted to restart. you have to make the work flow correct . in order for movement to go one direction. flow must not be interupted. when you get the flow going. you will go deeper in that direction, everything will be easier. conitue that flow. lets relate flow to age. age. age is nothing but a number. why is that so? people say that too. its a common quote. "age is nothing but a number" people don't understand. ive been called too old. i've called older people than me "too old". age is just a label. it is the individual that counts. too old for this or that? that is a limit you put on yourself.--- this is also a common quote. so when i say age is just a number. it doesn't exist for me. time doesn't exist. because i do not think or focus or even bring up the past or future. i concentrate on now. what is going on. if you say i am 27. that is 27 yrs from when i was born. i do not care about the past the past does not exist for me. so it there was no younger self of me. then you cannot say . i am 27 yrs old (i.e. 27 yrs after i was born). past does not exist. if i look at the past it is a distraction/ looking away from the direction i am running towards. the now/ the present is what direction must be done. the future is not a direction either. so since there is no focus in the past. there is no age. time is a label. 3am. 2am right now ? too late ? too late for what. i do what i have to do. i am progressing in work. i am going towards that direction. how is this too late for that? it is the same thing. so when i am tired. i will rest. if i wake up 2 hours later. 5 am. continue to work. it does not have to be the common 8am/10am. that is tradition. break the habbit. that is how you become free.

Something I ponder about often,

What if we were suppose to talk to everyone we happen to catch eye contact with. What if it means that our paths should cross when an event like that happens? But we ignore it because we don't want to come off as strange or awkward? How many interesting people and adventures would we encounter if we just said "Hi"? Hmmmm... 30 day challenge of saying "Hi" and attempting to strike conversation with anyone I exchange eye contact with.

Haruki Murakami makes me think. Realized I met and became friends with Adam because I wrote on his wall randomly one day, asking him to tell me a story.... He wanted to call me.. And tell me the story... What a strange and life changing moment...

Discussing about what Love means with Sarah,

"it (Love) brings you just as high as it brings you low. and sometimes youre middling in between. its a force that takes all prisoner and favors no one just as equally as it frees us and favors us."

Perfect comment from Annie (met her at Studio 69)

DT fb status: THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE IS TO BE A POSITIVE~ THAT IS ALL THERE IS TO IT.
Annie Williams: Look on the bright side of the dark side :)

SUPER NICE THING XIU SAID TO ME WHEN I WAS FEELING BAD

YEA TAMMM DONT FEEL INSECURE!!! U R SO AMAZING AND TALENTED AND ALOT OF PPL RELY ON U FOR BEIN U CUZ IT MAKES THEM HAPPY AND A GOOD PERSON!!!

Conversations about negative mindsets with Xiu

DT: Negative mindset will NEVER bring happiness!! It just doesn't make logical sense!!
DT: negative =/= positive
Xiu: I KNOW RITE IF U R NEGATIVE NOTHING GOOD WILL HAPPEN
Xiu: like it doesnt motivate you and pull u back! if u have a goal or dream and believe u can reach it then u will! but if u keep saying oh i can never do it or i dont have time or money then you really wont get it!