10 Articles That Changed My Life
It’s easy to find a well written article.
It’s not always easy to find a well written article with genuine value.
That’s because the Internet has nearly limitless value — you can use it to look up the correct spelling of a word, or to translate text between languages, or even figure out “what’s the name of that guy from that movie who was in that other movie?”
You can also use the Internet to go shopping while at home, or do job searching while at work, or publish blog entries while on vacation.
Taking it to the next level, you can use the Internet to interact with people, make new friends around the world, or research your next dating partner.
What I’ve discovered to be most surprising, though, is that the Internet contains life-altering advice.
Regardless of this, most people don’t think to seek it out. They regularly use the Internet as a convenient source of information, but fail to recognize its potential as an instrument for self-improvement.
Online articles that promote life-altering advice are like hidden gems of the Internet — they’re accessible, but they’re difficult to find because of the sheer abundance of everything else that’s accessible.
For this reason, I’ve compiled the following list of articles containing value so profound that they literally changed my life.
I therefore extend my gratitude to the authors of these great articles:
#1 - Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
For teaching me to stop attributing value to unimportant things, and start trusting my instincts. Before reading Jobs’ speech, I was working a job I hated because it was really the only thing I ever tried. It was what I knew. Jobs says “You’ve got to find what you love.” His article helped me realize that I was wasting my life living someone else’s dream. If I settled for someone else’s dream, I’d grow old and die without ever seeking my own.
#2 - Violent Acres’ Most People Are Depressed For a Very Good Reason
For teaching me that being depressed had nothing to do with the serotonin in my brain — the reason I felt depressed was because my life sucked. I was making choices just to appease the opinions of people around me, when I should have been making choices to appease myself. This article helped me realize that medication was not the solution to my joyless lifestyle — the true remedy was to start making my own choices to live a more fulfilling life.
#3 - Steve Pavlina’s Don’t Die With Your Music Still In You
For teaching me that “to abandon a comfortable lifestyle that isn’t deeply fulfilling is to abandon nothing.” Steve’s article helped me understand I was defending a comfortable career without good reason. At the start of each workday, I was reluctant to get out of bed. At the end of each workday, the amount of satisfaction I received from the work I was doing was nil. Steve caused me to ask myself: Why should I stay loyal to such a meaningless job?
#4 - Brian Kim’s How to Find What You Love to Do
For emphasizing the importance of self-assessment. Brian made me take a good hard look at myself and figure out what it is that makes me happiest. What’s more, his article discusses how uncertainty and fear are the most common obstacles preventing you from doing what you love to do. His solution involves self-analysis: identify your skills and interests, then use your strengths to live your passion. In Brian’s words, “conquer indecision and ACT, and you will most definitely conquer all fear.”
#5 - Fred Gratzon’s Top 10 Signs You’re Made to be an Entrepreneur
For helping me understand that the reason I’m reluctant to get a job is because I’d rather be the boss, president, or sole proprietor of my own creation. Thanks to Fred’s article, I was able to see the entrepreneur in me: I’m always looking for a way for things to be simplified, made more efficient, or automated by a computer. There’s a reason I feel this way — and it’s for the same reason that I don’t want to have to answer to someone else.
#6 - Steve Pavlina’s 10 Reasons You Should Never Get a Job
For teaching me that working for other people is stupid. Self-employment using passive income is the best way to earn money without trading away life’s freedoms. In other words, Steve helped me understand it’s possible to be “Happily Jobless.”
#7 - Darren Rowse’s 18 Lessons I’ve Learned About Blogging
For teaching me to use the power of exponential growth. Like any other long-term investment, creating a successful blog takes time. Along the way, you’re bound to have ups and downs, and people will undoubtedly tell you that you suck. Darren says that so long as you be yourself, work hard, and are willing to experiment, your efforts will be rewarded.
#8 - Caro Clarke’s Are You a Writer?
For helping me realize my dream of becoming a writer. Although many people have tried to tell me that I’m a writer at heart, I always disregarded their comments under the belief that it wasn’t true. After reading Caro’s article, I recognized the writer in me: I get my inspiration from the world around me, and write every day because I enjoy it. When I’m not writing, I’m often thinking about writing. The signs are clear — I am a writer.
#9 - Danielle Gibbings’ Need a Reboot?
For being the very first source of encouragement from a complete stranger. Danielle discovered my blog during its infancy, and was inspired by the movement I was trying to create. She wrote about LifeReboot on her own blog to help lead more readers to my site. She read my site often and left encouraging comments. She sent me my very first donation. Danielle’s supportive attitude helped me more than she’ll ever know. She helped me build confidence in my decision to pursue writing, and caused me to realize how I was finally on the right track.
#10 - My own 10 Reasons It Doesn’t Pay To Be “The Computer Guy”
For demonstrating that people enjoy the things that I write. After publishing my “Computer Guy” article, its popularity skyrocketed overnight. Until then, I had never written anything that gained such attention. To me, the immediate reaction I received from this single article was proof that I had a talent for writing.
Again, I’d like to extend my thanks to the authors. Thanks for sharing your advice, inspiration, and encouragement.
Chances are, some of these articles won’t affect you the same way they affected me. I believe that’s to be expected, since we’re all different people.
The fascinating thing is, everyone has their own “gems of the Internet” just waiting to be discovered.
Think about it. Life-altering advice exists online. Advice to help you get out of debt, leave a dead-end relationship, or whatever type of self-improvement you can possibly imagine. All you need to do is consciously seek it out.
You’ll know once you’ve discovered it. The advice will resonate with you, inspire you, and maybe even change your life.
73 Responses to “10 Articles That Changed My Life”
I find it a shame that Violent Acres has quite a bit of hate. It reminds me of uncov.com where they hate on web 2.0 companies :/
Anyway, good choice of articles.
I just want to thank you for this posting. You’re a cool guy. I’ll be pickn’ up your trail.
This is a bit more “spiritual” but this page changed my life:
http://www.taoism.net/theway/ego.htm
Although I never bragged I had a huge ego (like most people). I’m very happy to have been released from my ego at my age before I have wasted my life being controlled by the trivial things in life.
Hi Shaun, the list is cool. I did come across several articles in your list already. I especially enjoy the one by Mr. Jobs - Good Stuff. It’s a blessing to know what one really wants when he/she is young.
Great article and a source of inspirational guidance. I personally identify with “Top 10 Signs You’re Made to be an Entrepreneur”
-4MySales
Great collection of inspirational articles, Shaun. Txs for sharing it and keep up the good work.
[…] life …I haven’t read them all yet , but i wanted to share this with you ^_^http://www.lifereboot.com/2007/10-articles-that-changed-my-lifePowered by […]
After perusing the articles you found to be inspiration, which I did find to be stimulating, I came across a link for helium.com… a place that allows you to write about whatever you want and users rank your articles which could lead to you possibly having the feature spot. They pay too. Probably not much, but would be a nice side project.
I might try it, although I have been way out of practice… I figure something I say might matter enough to someone. You’ve re-opened my eyes to that!!!
Mugged by muggles? (contains no spoilers)…
From this morning’s mailbag:
Hey where’s clicked? Did you get booted off for the Harry Potter
story or the political videos?
-Heather
Will’s reply: Funny, I was just wondering the same thing.
…Plus… Infidelity in the age of Google,…
Im ognna read them all but i read steve’s and wow… if the other articles have this impact on me as that one then i think i will be forced to thank you for this
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What will you do when your money runs out, since there is more money going out than coming in, most aspiring actors, singers,journalists get another job to pay the bills.
@Peggyann: That’s a good point. That was even mentioned in Paul Graham’s book *Hackers & Painters*. He suggests that programers/hackers should get day jobs and work on their own fun stuff at night.
It’s really annoying when people write articles with one sentence per paragraph.
Like this.
They think it adds emphasis or something but really it just makes you look silly.
Otherwise, a good post.
@Dan: You’re right. Paragraphs are supposed to group sentences because they share a similar idea.
It does add emphasis though. Maybe use it in moderation?
I already read most of these articles, but I have a few that I’ve missed, so … let’s take a look.
Thanks for sharing.
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it seems you’ve found enough inspiration, but in case you need a little more, here you go:
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Move.....00932.html
it is a post in gapingvoid.com titled ‘how to be creative’ which I found to be very inspirational. hope you like it!
I want to thank you for including the article on “Why not to be a Computer Guy”
It is an enigma to me why computer skills are not respected and taken for granted - or even worse. Computers are now an essential communication tool. True most computer users do little more than browse or pay solitaire but the complete lack of respect for computer and computer repair skills are a mystery to me and a challenge to figure out why.
Most people I know , with computer repair and solvation skills have stopped asking why long ago. Indeed many are leaving the field.
Is it because the replacement costs of a computer are low - related to the selling of extended warranties at big box stores so that replacement costs are small and subsidized ? Is it because these users realize that in many cases most of their data is sitting on hotmail server or whatever in California and not on their computer so that the user can simply replace their computer with a replacement from an imaginary ad at Best Buy ???
Is it because computer skills are regarded to be so common as 99 % of kids have computer skills - don’t think so. Most kids can do little more than turn on the tv so to speak.
It is amazing that these same people who demand subsidized service would never imagine that a plumber or electrician would come to their home inexpensively. Somehow you are not only supposed to have diffcult to come by skills and yet somehow subsidize these people - and be grateful for it .
As they say - go figure.
Hi. I really like Violent Acres and I thought her article on depression was good, but I am uneasy that you didn’t put a disclaimer about the fact that some people can get out of depression with meds and some can’t. I’ve seen way too many depressed people around me be too afraid of meds. Meds are risky, but they can make life SOOO much better.
talk about inspiring! Nice to know I’m not alone.
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i stumbled upon 10 articles that changed my life. i thank you for your words of encouragement and inspiration. i myself am n a process of trying to change my life. if i told u how my life was takein away from me for the past two years you more n likely would say to yourself “yeah right” its pretty unbelievable but not to waste ur time im just happy i hv some great material to help me begin my own journey. thanxs and good luck with your writing!
Excelent post, i plan on reading it all later.
P.S. Steve jobs speech life changing for me too.
I also liked the movie pirates of silicon valey, and the documentary The Secret RELLY RELLY CHANGED my love life, hope it will bring me money two
Get a proper job and stop whinging. You are not your successful daddy. You are a middle class slacker who expects far too much. Without experience and/or wisdom you will get nowhere and it appears you have neither. You offer advice which you don’t seem to actually take and digest yourself. It seems your self-image does not match the reality. Spoilt rich kid does nothing - same old story.
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Thanks for this post, lots to chew on.
I’ve skimed over some articles you posted here and there is one sentence and one article that bothers me a bit.
“For teaching me that being depressed had nothing to do with the serotonin in my brain — the reason I felt depressed was because my life sucked.”
Fact is: being depressed has to do with the serotonin in your brain. The only question ist, why it is lacking.
Is it genetical? - You were born to become depressed.
Is it biological? - You eat and live unhealthy.
Is it behavioural? - Your live sucks because you are thinking and behaving wrong.
There is therapy form called “cognitive-behavioral therapy”. Here depression is lowered by changing ones behaviour.
I just wanted to correct the sentence because as a psychology student it really pains me.-)
[…] LifeReboot.com Ok, he’s young, he’s still has a lot to learn you say. Well, he’s chronicling his life as he goes about leaving computer support job to chase after his dream to become a writer. So far so good. He has had a couple of articles get hit the front page on Digg. He’s on to something, you should be too. Here’s his top ten lsit of articles that got him going. What I’ve discovered to be most surprising, though, is that the Internet contains life-altering advice. […]
So glad someone else is so thrilled with the Steve Jobs commencement speech. That was emailed to me by a friend and it changed my life.
Great blog!!
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I’d just like to say that the reason you were depressed was probably because you are a twat.
Thank you so much for posting these links! All of them helped me at least a little bit. The Caro Clarke one, especially- I got a 17! Way better that I feared I was going to get. It really helped me by saying, “Tiffany, you silly goose, stop worrying about not being a writer! You are, and you will be, once you stop worrying so much about it and start writing!”
Thank you! Good article!
This is so retarded.
Hi. I really like Violent Acres and I thought her article on depression was good, but I am uneasy that you didn’t put a disclaimer about the fact that some people can get out of depression with meds and some can’t. I’ve seen way too many depressed people around me be too afraid of meds. Meds are risky, but they can make life SOOO much better.
Great post. Excellent writing.
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Thanks for sharing this and I’m glad to have stumbled upon your blog. I am also a inspiring write-to-be. I have read from Steve Pavlina’s, Brian King’s, and Darren Rowse’s blogs. They are indeed good, worthy bloggers who have shared and contributed lots of values to people like myself.
I guess it’s just the abundance mentality at work, to share and believe there is enough for all. You guys are my role models!
I’d just like to signal the link to the video of Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Address… I think hearing the speech from the author himself is even more convincing than just reading it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA
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Excelent information. Best wishes from New York.%
I could add almost ALL the essays of Paul Graham.
A great list of articles. I’m almost ashamed to say that I haven’t yet come across all of them before, so thanks for the ‘heads up’ on the new ones.
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Thanks for sharing. This is my first visit to your site and have enjoyed the few articles I’ve been able to read thus far and have found them to be very insightful.
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Hello Shaun,
I’ve just read some of your fascinating articles and I would like to say “thank you”.
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Shaun,
Great collection. I love Steve Pavlina’s stuff.
Steve Pavlina’s articles are excellent. I will have to read some of the others.
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My personal favourite is
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/do-it-now.htm
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Thank you for this compilation.
I was trowling the Web for inspirational material for my students and came acoss your blog and post via DELICIOUS.
Great blog, too!
Best wishes,
Colette