Looking Ahead to the Weekend Edition

>What is SIG?

Self Improvement General started years ago as a means to help people achieve their dreams and to stop being helpless. We share knowledge, resources, and above all a commitment to be the best versions of ourselves.

>How do I participate?

Easy! You become a regular in the general. Adopt a posting style, a character you associate yourself with, and then hop in the general whenever you see it to update us on your progress!

>What should I improve?

Anything! Talk about fitness goals, finance, talk about your book, college, dating, ect.

HEY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I NEED YOU TO RECOMMEND ME A BOOK THAT REALLY CHANGED YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REPLY TO THIS POST WITH IT AND EXPLAIN WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>81792408
never split the difference by ex fbi hostage guy, legit speech persuasion hack, had some ideas from my own observation but this guy had solved the whole picture for me

Now finished my internship at the court. Over the next 2 werks I shall organise everything to swiftly move out and switch my residence to Bavaria in time with the start of my first entrance into the university.

Unfortunally no time for the gym, maybe I'll manage to squeeze in a private workout somewhere during the weekend.

>>81792408
Probably the best "self-help" book I ever read was the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

>>81792408
Stoner by John Williams
Simply read Stoner by John Williams and you'll get why

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

>>81792567
>>81792639
>>81792719
YEAH BUT I ASKED WHY?

>>81793363
Why are you so mean Jazz T_T
I recommended 7 Habits because it gives actionable and realistic advice. Some of it is obvious, but still worthwhile to read. I think it's more likely to change your lifestyle than any other self-help book.

>self-improvement
i'm tired, anons
i'm tired of being tired

i notice i only ever get shit done when i'm angry
i need to get angry is all, i need spite to be my main motivation in life

>>81792408
Out with that utilitarian worldview. That's a weird question. That's not how books work. It's you, not a book, that will bring change. And while a book can inspire you to do that, the same effect could be achieved by introspection (through journaling for example). So I don't know if with that question you want book recommendations or help identifying what exactly you want to change in your life.

That being said, American Psycho, unironically. Describing everything in thorough descriptions is a good grounding exercise and helped me be a bit more concise when it comes to public speaking.

>>81793390
Thanks! I'm sorry if I have to be firm but you.guys have gone too long without anyone actually holding you to STANDARDS. I have the same expectations of you that I do my students! If I say explain something then EXPLAIN SOMETHING!
>>81793394
Anger is a finite resource! It could also have long term implications on your self esteem, self image, and overall emotional health. Use it sparingly!

>>81793363
Stoner is a black and white depiction of a man from life to death with zero commentary from the author. It is one of the most harrowing, brutal reads you will ever encounter while at the same time being as accessible as a YA novel. It is the perfect piece of literature.
>>81793478
American Psycho is a weird pull. I found the overly descriptive paragraphs obnoxious about halfway through. It's ceaseless and the movie does everything the book wanted to do better.

>>81793485
>Anger is a finite resource
i know, i read up on how it also releases dopamine
i need that shit right now, anon
anger will be my new high

>>81793600
Have you tried exercising? It's a GREAT way to release all the good chemicals your brain needs to love you!

How are you guys gonna tackle your weekends? Any big productive plans or you actually spend them as periods or rest and respite? :3

>>81793736
i dont think i need love right now
i'll reserve that for my future gf
>exercising
i'm gonna go for a run in... half an hour

Jazzbros...we're so back :')

>>81793839
That's great! It's way too hot to run here haha
>>81793861
Hey you! Answer the questions in the 2nd post and the 15th post or I'll stomp you into the dirt!

>>81793363
investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. it will not only improve your life, it will improve the lives of all those around you.

>>81794312
THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID!!!!!!!!!!!
I SAID TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU RECOMMENDED THE MONK BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY THAT SPECIFIC BOOK?????????????

>>81793915
>I'll stomp you into the dirt!
ok :3

>>81792393 (OP)
GOOOOOOOOD EVENING, SIG, IT'S YA BOY.

TODAY I HAD A 9 HR WORK DAY AND A GREAT BACK AND ARM WORKOUT BEFOREHAND. MY SKINCARE PRODUCTS ALSO FINALLY CAME IN.

MY ROUTINE THAT I'VE BEEN NEGLECTING IS A CHARCOAL CLEANSER FOLLOWED BY AN EXFOLIATING GEL SCRUB. AFTER THAT, I USE A RETINOL OR VITAMIN C SERUM TO HELP SKIN ELASTICITY BEFORE APPLYING AN ALOE VERA BASED MOISTURIZER. FINALLY, I USE A RESTORING EYE CREAM TO HELP THE DARK BAGS UNDER MY EYES, AND NOW THAT I HAD THE MONEY, A RESURFACING ANTI-AGING BALM.

>>81792408
SUN AND STEEL BY YUKIO MISHIMA BECAUSE I AM PREDICTABLE.

SHOUTOUTS TO THE DRAWFAG WHO DREW A TURLES WITH CAT EARS THIS SHIT FUCKS

>>81792393 (OP)
Jazz you're the only girl who's ever been nice to me and now I'm developing romantic feelings for you. What do I do?

>>81793827
>be me, 6'0
>age 18
>137 lbs because I have an eating disorder
>go to college full-time while working full-time
>leaves almost no time for exercise or food prep, swell up considerably
>after being too afraid to check my weight, clock in at 245 lbs this past November
>wife is immediately diagnosed with cancer around Christmas time
>decide to take the summer off for once as a teacher, focus only on diet and exercise
>old shirts fit again
>pants fit a bit better
>decide to check my weight again
>262 lbs
I guess I didn't realize that 6 months of eating like absolute dogshit due to stress would take such a toll. I've shown all of my /fit/ friends my diet and they agree I'm on the right track. I've definitely /lost/ weight since I can fit into old shirts again, but there's still quite a ways to go.
My weekend will be spent mired in self hatred and loathing, again.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To self-improve.

>>81794926
DIE!
>>81795099
Thanks for the book recommendation! :3

>>81795186
jazz is so cute!

>>81795169
What's your diet looking like these days? Glad you've got a friend to lean on!
>>81795309
CONTRIBUTE TO THE THREAD TOPIC OR I'LL REALLY BOP YOU ONE!

I think maybe it'll be worth it posting here.

I'm 25, in gradschool physics and have taught an undergrad quantum mechanics course for the past year. I'm not ugly, I'm just mid and average height 5'11 and my friends (who are all guys) think I'm funny and retarded. I have no fucking clue what I can do to get a gf because most woman in the dating pool think they're hot shit and fail to realize just how ugly they are and how much shit for brains they hide behind confidence, cunty-ness and sassy-ness and I don't wanna put up with that shit but I don't wanna die alone.
I've thought about going to a schul (synagogue) or a church and praying that God can send someone humble, kind and mid into my stupid baka life. Maybe getting ripped will help too, idfk. I've spent around 3 years like this and these sudden outbursts pass when I'm up to my neck in work but its just sad than whenever I get an inkling of free time this is all I can think about.

>>81795407
jazz gives me the motivation to self improve

>>81795153
Look, I get it. You don't have that much interaction with girls. You really, REALLY have to learn though that basic human interaction does not equal romantic feelings.
You're allowed to have crushes on people!!! It's totally normal!!!!!! Just keep them to yourself if the other person isn't interested or is, say for example, a complete stranger over the internet.

>>81795407
Usually some variant of
>Muscle Milk
160 calories
>Yogurt
180 calories
>Burger
360 calories
>Peanut Butter Crackers
190 calories
>Bacon
50 per slice for 100 calories
>Eggs
200 calories

Throw in a proteinslop snack or substitute a chicken/salad here or there and that's what I'm at. I suck down water & Coke Zero.

>>81792393 (OP)
You are a bad person.
You ignored my request and follow up responses.

>>81795750
jazz is super mean and refuses romantic advances...

>>81795459
How am I supposed to know they aren't interested if I don't ask them? What if I want to get to know a stranger over the internet better?

>>81795418
You cannot just pray the Most High like a Genie and get your wishes, but if you Put Him first he will give you one of his daughters.

>>81795803
>you can't pray for what you want
nta but what's even the point of prayer then

>>81795750
Were you worth being nice to?
Did you post something you were proud of?
Are you the kind of person who should be listened to?
Did you consider any of that?

>>81792393 (OP)
Since last week I have lost 8lbs and am at 172lbs currently, with a little bit of bloat. I went back up to 174 because I marked the week with a cheat day and I had pasta and a ton of protein. I'm on track to getting to the 160s range this week. This will be the first time I've seen 16x on the scale since highschool. I'll probably need to get around 150lbs to see abs.

>>81792408
The Screwtape Letters because it's been a perennial source of inquiry into my conscience, and I think demons are real. Every single time I re-listen to it there's something new I can get from it.

>>81795803
>>81795813
I'm sure that if I pray in a reflexive and humble manner my request will at least reach his mailbox. In any case, it's frustrating. Why the fuck is the dating pool so bad? Why do I have to work on myself when I'm just some guy, just like my dad and his father before him and they got laid (source: I exist)? I get the point of improving but what is left to improve that wouldn't just serve the purpose of attracting vain people, like for example getting ripped?

What can I do to put myself out there? What hobbies are there that could put me in touch with down to earth women who're easy going? Speluking or some shit

>>81795813
Every time you pray, you're praying for what you want

>>81796113
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WbIZCsavH0&t=45s

>>81796038
I've never seen the Screwtape Letters spotted in the wild

i exercised for 8 days in a row. it was, relatively, a lot. my body felt great. but then i got lazy. again. and now i'm sitting here in my dark room listening to model 500.

>>81794926
control yourself.

>>81792408
love that dog by sharon creech
nothing revolutionary it is my fav book tho

>>81795099
Thank u anon i am glad u liked irt

UHHH
today i sold six paintings in the gallery show, they went really quickly so thats great
i didnt really do much art practice all day because i spent 1/3 of it sleeping and another third trying to save myself from being cancelled on twitter but im drawing right now (finally) so thats good

not the most successful day so far but it is what it is hopefully i can get some good practice in b4 i go to bed flex emoji

>>81796879
You mean like in a bookstore?

>>81796959
>i exercised for 8 days in a row. it was, relatively, a lot. my body felt great. but then i got lazy. again. and now i'm sitting here in my dark room

>tfw low IQ
Are there any videogames I can play that would give my brain a workout and that will make me eventually learn and get better at the game. I'm tired of the brain atrophy and having idle numb thoughts.

>>81797578
Soroban abacus app on your phone
Practice until you can do speed mode
You can do like, multiplication of 4 digit numbers in your head without thinking within the year

>>81797578
Hate to be le "there's an app for that" faggot, but I used to use this thing called Elevate all the time, its a brain training/puzzle app. It wasn't bad but I maxed out at it before too long. Maybe look at something like that, it might help for a while.

>>81797578
Play the Professor Layton games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're fun and cute :3

I forgot to say we have a Discord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry lol
Here's the link-MVYmFghK
Anyone's welcome, we just post & track our goals & vibe :3

>be me
>eat healthy
>workout
>have hobbies
>have job
>study
>incelwalk (daily for 5k steps)
>read books
i am killing it

>>81798657
good morning jazz!

>>81799893
Proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>81799933
I'm going to bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>81799893
>being (You)

>>81792408
What about visual novels? Didn't really change my life, but helped me battle depression.

Like the thread idea but OP is as gay as ever and the thread is at page 10 lol. Not saving ;^]

>>81801850
>forgot to sage award

>>81801879
but i did sage this morning

my siging journey is going well, i did a thing today ;3

isn't avatarfagging against the rules

>>81792408
>I NEED YOU TO RECOMMEND ME A BOOK THAT REALLY CHANGED YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
facing the dragon by Robert moore
>EXPLAIN WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
total evil death

>>81797578
carnage heart exa
gladiabots

this is just another garbage avatarfagging femanon orbit thread, except in a new flavor and with ugly ai art.
It's obvious that all the men are charmed by, and wish to bone and flirt with OP and it's a matter of time before OP will give in to the flattery and these threads will die.

>>81802606
It is and it's selectively enforced.

>>81800657
That works!!!!!!! I'm making a SIG recommended reading picture :3

>>81803744
good afternoon jazz!

>>81803783
It's 11:29 AM!!!!!!

>>81803425
alright I'll bone you instead

>>81803829
No its not, its 19:45 PM! Get out of bed Jazz, come on, up and at 'em

>>81796959
>control yourself.
NTA, but op is literally asking for that by announcing that she's a woman, avatarfagging and making a thread where she's the center of attention. Masturbating to, and flirting with women against their concent is based.

>>81792393 (OP)
cut ties with toxic people group
feels good
should've done it sooner. some new cool person passing by once a month isn't worth it

self-improvement books are a waste of time. I can get as much out of dale carnegie from reading a synopsys of his book as I can from reading the whole thing and in less time and without boring myself to tears. Reading books doesn't make sense unless it's a subject that is dense in information.

>>81804071
Do you guys have a lot of friends?
I have my mom, that's #1, and I have a friend I met on /r9k/, that's #2
I feel like friends are necessary for a well balanced life but all of my coworkers are like, twice my age

>>81804108
best SIG books are the books that aren't SIG, but your SIG mindset makes them to be such

>>81804108
I kind of agree, but a lot of people have different exposure to different things. Especially if someone grew up with only one parent, went to a crummy school, ect. Those fundamental life lessons feel really "No duh" when you read them but I think it's inherently valuable to read a few if you've had a rocky foundation to life.
I'm currently reading "the Greatest Salesman in the World" and it's top tier. Nothing is new but the way it's phrased is second to none

>>81804122
I have only a few reliable IRL friends, but they're not the kind of people I'd discuss my more obscure interests with (they're just not very interested)
so it's like 90% of me is friendless

>>81804140
>Those fundamental life lessons feel really "No duh" when you read them but I think it's inherently valuable to read a few if you've had a rocky foundation to life.
That could also be your way of rationalizing your spending habits. I think I'll read a review online and then I can write down the lessons as I hate reating books because adhd.

>>81804229
Books are $5-$10 a pop, and the idea that I can read an entire book with zero good ideas has always seemed stupid to me. I consider writing my main hobby, so the thought that in an entire book there's not one single good sentence, even by accident, is insane.
Have you tried audiobooks?

>>81804229
>I hate reating books because adhd.
NTA but find audiobook versions or use text to speech audiobooking software for listening during chores or transit

>>81804267
>Books are $5-$10 a pop,
They're usually 100+ dkk in my country if I want a specific book and not just some random shit at the library.
>so the thought that in an entire book there's not one single good sentence, even by accident, is insane.
Sure, but did you really need all those well written sentences that are there to pad the wordcount and justify whatever is written in the chapter title? Can't you just test out the theory and see if it works for yourself?
>Have you tried audiobooks?
They don't work for me, even worse than normal books.
>>81804270
audiobooks are even worse since I have to constantly rewind because I get stuck in my own thoughts. I think I'm just gonna read the synopsis.

>>81792408
wonderful fool by shusaku endo

i'll just post a quote from it:
>Not all men are handsome and strong. There are some who are cowards from birth. There are some who are weak by nature. There are even some who cry easily. But for such a man, a man both weak and cowardly, to bear the burden of his weakness and struggle valiantly to live a beautiful life-- that's what I call great. The reason I'm so fond of Gaston is not because he has a strong will or a good head. Rather it's because, weakling and coward that he is, he keeps on fighting in his own way.

basically just shows a way to beautifully live your life as an ugly retard no one likes

>>81804435
struggle fetishism is grandiosity fuel, which is giving only poetic sabotage in the end, t b h
t. been there deep

>>81804456
no clue what you are talking about it's not that it's specifically like an application of what I would broadly call existentialist ethics as a way to order one's life (fidelity to the presencing of being)
sort of this
https://youtu.be/uCjK5Y6wzak

but the book is obviously quite a bit more accessible

>>81804480
just a pre-fire question before I (possibly) watch - is this not academic framing overcomplicating the common sense sensibility basics of extrapolatable social cybernetics?

>>81804537
no it's just a piece of more complex philosophy that is very far from common sense, one of the key ideas of it would in fact by our common sense is in fact basically trained to cut us of from this fundamental experience that's essential to leading a good life and actually being well grounded in reality. If you want a more popular exploration of it the anime toradora actually kind of does it.
this short (10pg essay) by Heidegger also touches on it well but obviously it's kind of hard to concisely express they wrote long books about it for a reason
https://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/Discourse-on-Thinking.pdf
essay on on pg 42 it was a public lecture and is fairly accessible compared to his other stuff

>>81804577
all 3 resources seem like the repackaged stuff of what I've already been through, so I won't engage. it doesn't feel like it's worth it to rubber duck it and steelman it if the authors didn't bother so
sorry and thanks. have a good day

>>81804733
you sound like a bitch frfr on God

>>81804994
projection is helluva drug f a m, no cap

>>81792408
Man and his symbols
Zarathustra
Bhagavad gita
Bible
Myths to live by
Home repair and improvement bible

>>81805165
>Man and his symbols
>Zarathustra
>Bhagavad gita
>Bible
>Myths to live by
mid
>Home repair and improvement bible
based

>>81805165
ARE YOU READING ANOTHER POST WHEN I TELL YOU TO EXPLAIN WHY? DO YOU THINK I'M STUPID?

>>81804435
Reminds me of how alcoholics consider themselves faustian and spiritually more advanced for rejecting samsara through a devils bargain of addiction and conciousness alteration

>>81802644 (me)
pentuple bumping this btw

>>81805181
Gita says haha lmao just play your role
Zarathustra says lmao there are no heros to worship
Bible has 1000 applicable parables to daily life
Myths to live by is just my favorite campbell book
Home repair and improvement is self explainatory, quit paying people to fix stuff for you because everything is pretty easy and tools aren't really that expensive only foundation concrete is hard to diy, everything else is simple as fuck

>>81805225
>play your role
>campbell
vs
>there are no heros to worship

which is it. you can only choose one.

>>81805239
Heros are mortals and playing your role isn't. Gita says not to worship the sub-gods despite them being able to grant you power. Just play your part and chill none of this is real anyway

>>81792393 (OP)
>go help uncle put up shelf
>do like no work
>get paid
>feel guilty for doing very little work and getting money
>buy paint for wh40k minis
>drive like a retard back home, feel like shit
>fuck up my mini with too much nuln oil
how do other people live? is anyone actually happy, or satisfied? is there an entire feeling that other people have that let them feel good?

I'm at like 17% body fat after bulking for 2 years, and cutting for 3 months. I look alright I guess, but I wish I could get it down to 10%, but it's been quite hard, since it takes longer.

I bought fiber cereal thinking it would fill me quicker, but I'm eating way too many calories when snacking on it, and it doesn't fill me unless I eat a considerable amount of it.
Thinking about just toughing it out, and drinking broth whenever I feel like snacking.
I also don't have that much motivation left on me. Being in shape is nice, but I feel a bit empty knowing I don't have a cute girl to touch my muscles, and only I will see them, since I don't like wearing tight t-shirts.

Oh, well, whatever. I'm doing it because I want to be like Goku, and Kenshiro and Joe Yabuki and other cool anime buff guys.

>>81805288
Do carnivore, you'll drop weight in 2mos

>>81805252
no sub-gods implies no hierarchy - as gods are whatever is on the one end of the extreme
play your roles implies hierarchy and an obligation to entertain it

how come?
protip: nietzsche's twilight of the idols

Is this an actual self-improvement general? All I see is some avatarfag?

>>81805276
>how do other people live?
Normalfaggots never feel guilty about anything, they trample on each other to climb the social ladder

>>81805304
It's basically just radical acceptance of samsara without rejection of participation in it

>>81805334
I disagree that this is auspicious but whatever

>>81805347
There's nothing more pathetic than the buddhist monks living on welfare from others thinking that doing nothing at all is doing something

>>81805306
It's crazy that you can see people posting real life situations and stuff for over a hundred posts but you're just focused on the woman

>>81805326
sounds like something to adapt instead of complaining about it

>>81805371
that's exactly a form of radical acceptance, which I don't relate to

>>81805394
Not really, they just reject samsara no differently than any other form of parasitic escapism, same as a drunk or drug addicted homeless person

https://youtu.be/ioa6BjuSOt4?t=1128
I would like you to know that mainstream psychologist has confirmed that your self improvement works and you will get a girlfriend in 7 years. So assuming you are 22-23.... that is about the time when you hit 30. Keep working hard guys.

>>81792393 (OP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqBZAxCfWHA

>>81805478
I self improoooooooved for 14 years since early teens. I lost interest in proper human contact but I learned that self-improve narratives themselves are bullshit and a copium refusal to live as you are. That's what mainstream is.

>>81805478
>listening to what an indian guy says
fucking lmaoooo

>>81805576
Did the self improoovement work and are you highly educated and in excellent shape?

>>81805478
>assuming what he's saying is actually true all you need to do is become a /sig/ger for 7 years and you can get an ex-prostitute who forgot to charge clients
wowsers bowsers i'm really gonna start working to pay taxes now
psama

>>81805594
Unironically yes, I am. It's disassociating me that what I couldn't reach before is what I gutturally reject to reach now out of visceral disdain.

>>81805584
I actually like what he did here. I don't see anything controversial about saying that if you self improve for 10 years it will work out for you. And he avoided just lying to your face that it will surely work if you work hard enough. To be honest that is the best way he could have answered this question.

>>81805276
>>fuck up my mini with too much nuln oil
Using GW slop wash and not Pro Acryl black wash was the problem here.

>>81805376
I am focused on "I am scrolling down and a wave of avatarfaggotry assaulted my senses"

>>81805638
That's good then, the real goal was the friends we make along the way

>>81805677
would never listen to anything an indian guy says about anything i have no idea what he said and I don't care

>>81805778
Based and saaar pilled

How do I move on?

>>81806337
One paw in front of the other. Same as the rest of us

>>81806389
I miss my mom and grandma. Mom died back in January last year, Grandma died first week of February the following month.

>>81806406
were you close anon? hopefully you have others to talk to in order to fill the void

>>81806406
wow I wish mine died instead

>>81806519
Yeah. My mother was perfect. A genuine angel. Gave her entire life for others only to die completely alone. The entire family had turned their back on her for decades because they had gotten what they wanted out of her (raising their kids, pressuring her into selling her house, ect). I've never forgiven them and following my grandmother's death I'm done seeing them all.

>>81807103
>he entire family had turned their back on her for decades because they had gotten what they wanted out of her
pretty brutal. i don't understand the cruelty of people, especially family-on-family stuff. why not just withdraw or go no contact?

>>81807390
I have. I'm completely done seeing any biological family for the rest of my life.