Mitch Rayburn > Recent Status Updates

To be fair, the author discusses valuable insights and lessons that one can apply not only in the financial world but in life at large. However, I feel like he only justifies labor-related abuses and engages in victim-blaming. Maybe this is too early to tell, but I am writing this because it is honestly how I felt after just one chapter.

Re: Why You Should Not Practice Speaking.

This chapter presented some important reminders for people who want to improve their speaking skills, especially fluency and pronunciation. And it's still about being unconventional. You learn not by correction from others, but instead by simply talking and letting the words flow. Talk to someone like he/she is your friend, not your teacher

Im not so amused by what I read so far. The first 19 pages presented the perspective of "2 dads" one rich, one poor. Maybe this is just me, but author implied that the rich one has the better mindset. However, I believe that one's perspective is about his /her values, and values r rooted in deep stories - and it's important to explore these before jumping to judgments. So yeah, basically, I am not happy at this point

Re: The Secret to Good English Writing

The chapter discussed valuable tips for improving writing. I also find it interesting that the author has been consistent in his stance on the natural way of learning the language, even in writing. More than the grammar and other traditional stuff, he argued learners to do pleasant reading more and more as they will be able to improve their writing in the process.

Re: The Power of Pleasure Reading

I agree. You'll improve your reading skills by reading -- a basic equation. But easier said than done because many learners find reading difficult as they find no pleasure in doing such. Hence, what the auhor argued, which is to read what's interesting for you is the key. I also love the idea of killing two birds (read+listening to audiobook) idk if this is applicable to all tho

Re: Rule #07

Learn English with compelling stories.

I guess this makes sense as interacting with stories is an emotional activity. The more emotion you invest in something, the more likely you'll remember it, even subtly. I guess this is one of the reasons, if not the main reason, why different groups use stories to teach the ideas they want to spread. So, yeah, this strategy is applicable to different endeavors.

Apparently, the Industrial Revolution played a major role in determining the success of the West, particularly of the English relative to others. However, it is only a result of the real game-changer (i.e., inclusive institutions) which emerged from historical contingency, especially how institutions interacted with critical junctures of history. The question is, what can countries like the Philippines learn from thi

Re: Rule #06

Learn Real English.

This is another practical tip that aligns with the preceding rules. I think learning real English through podcasts and other media is better suited for those who want to be fluent in speaking English, rather than those who want to improve their writing.

Re: Rule #05

Learning Grammar UnconsciouslyThis aligns with how babies learn. The idea of learning grammar by repeatedly listening to point-of-view stories makes sense. However, I think this may not be applicable to me.

Re: Rule #04

Repetition.

The author proposed the idea that one must listen to the same material at least seven times because the most important thing is to achieve deep learning. To be honest, I personally find this boring but interesting at the same time because, truth be told, it makes sense. I think this is helpful, especially for beginners. But for intermediate learners and above, they must contextualize

Rule #3

Learn with your ears. This is aligned with the idea that one must learn to speak the language as babies do. They neither memorize words nor study grammar; instead, they do a lot of listening. I love the fact that the author mentioned a lot of related studies that support this claim. They make the argument stronger. Props as well for providing specific strategies and methods on how to do this.

Re: Rule #02

Stop learning grammar. This is somewhat agreeable as well. In terms of speaking, I believe it would also be better not to think about grammar a lot, just like how a child learns their native language without minding the grammar. It's also good that the author clarified that the story will be different in terms of writing, as that's also the reservation I have about this claim.

Re: RULE#

*spoilers alert*

Learn phrases, not words. This is indeed a very convincing method. It makes a lot of sense that you'll learn more through the former than the latter. Phrases are more likely to help you remember words better since they are used in context, giving them deeper meaning and implying grammar rules. In contrast, memorizing individual words is less effective, as you are likely to forget them .

Re: Babies Learn Best

This chapter basically proposes the idea of learning a language the way babies do. It's interesting because, personally, I cannot recall how I began to converse or learn the language per se, but somehow I did. Hence, it’s effective, and apparently, it’s effective for most people (if not all) too. Yet, why don’t schools implement this method in teaching languages?

Re: Drifting Apart

Chapter prvided pictres of d usual trajectory of extractive institutions. They initially prompt economic growth which d ruler will tend to exploit eventually. Elements include unsustainable growth, infighting, and downfall with Venice, Jericho, Maya, and Roman Civilizations as examples. They are quite convincing. Prosperous countries, interestingly, started like this as well but drifted away from

Re: I've Seen the Future, and It Works

Extractive institutions, by nature, prompt growth. Yet, it won't be sustainable as it doesnt promote creative destruction. It also incites infighting among groups dt want to steal the seat of power so that they will be d ones to do the extraction. 

This is the argument of the authors in this chapter. But is this always the case with authoritarian regime? I need more convincing

Re: Gentle Movements, Longer Life

The Eastern exercises presented in this chapter are helpful. However, one must research them because they were not discussed in detail. Further, persons with disability will find it difficult to apply the exercises or it could also be that I didn't understand them deeply as they were just summarized and described in this chapter.

Re: Program Your Brain For English Success

Tbh, Im doubtful about the effectiveness of manipulating your mind to get over a negative emotion or feeling. It also goes against my philosophy which is more aligned with the Detachment Method of Buddhist or Daoist way of dealing with them. Yet, trying the swish method discussed in this chapter, somehow, I also felt its effectiveness. The test of reliability is next.

Re: The Ikigai Diet

Valuable insights about healthy foods or nutritional elements that one must take into account. I would also like to highlight the line where the Japanese government has also been actively involved in reminding its citizens about healthy diets - I think this, among other social structures, are very significant factor that the authors were not able to look into.

Re: Lessons from Japan's Centenarians

They taught a lesson that I believe everyone already knows - one must live a good life. At the same time, most people for some reason just don't choose to follow this. I hope the remaining chapters could have some discussion as to the 'how' part of this matter.

Re: Masters of Longevity

Lifestyle + Psychology = Longevity

Re: Use Big Real-World Goals To Motivate Yourself For Success

I agree with this. This is aligned with the flow concept discussed in Ikigai. If you have a deep goal in doing something, you'll be more passionate and determined to pull it off. Hence, at every onset of each endeavour, we must reflect upon our goal, making sure we'll do something for a deep purpose.

Re: English is a Physical Sport

This metaphor is interesting. Arguing that learning english will be more effective because of the fun experience that it creates is a sensible idea. At the same time, I am just worried about learning styles and preferences of learners. I believe those are factors that still need to be taken into account in learning.

Re: Finding Flow in Everything You Do

This chapter has been magical. I am so grateful to have been reminded to find deep happiness in whatever I do. That way, I'll be able to finish the task with rejuvenated soul.

Moreover as an educator, I realized that I must also do my best to create a learning environment where students can also find themselves in flow.

Re: Your Beliefs Determine Your English Success

I agree with the author when he noted that positive or empowering beliefs are helpful in successfully learning the language. For instance, having the belief that learning English is fun and one can be proficient with it in 6 months gives you the confidence and drive to learn the language. However, I disagree with the author when he said that to build such beliefs, ...

Re: From Logotherapy to Ikigai

Knowing your raison d'être or reason for being may allow you to triumph over any challenges life throws at you. This is easier said though. One has to have a deep understanding of how this works. I hope the proceeding pages will have some discussions that can illuminate this better.

A lot of useful tips that one can use in daily life. I just finished the chapter about anti-aging secrets and yeah, I am kind of feeling guilty reading the chapter on a past midnight.

I'll try my best to have a healthier timetable moving forward. 😏

I've been imagining the Philippines while reading this book. And, so far, in this chapter, my takeaway is that our current state is the result of the interplay of institutions and historical factors. WWII is an opening that our country should have seized to develop inclusive institutions. Yet, it was the elite who took over and maintained the extractive institutions of the colonizers which created a 'vicious circle.'

There is a contingent path of history - historical epochs depend on the dynamics that happen between and among institutions. The prosperous countries of modern times had some critical historical wins that allowed them to prosper.

Our country had been under several colonizers. But a critical juncture called WW2 happened. Yet, we still live under the same terms. There were political struggles that we lost apparently

I agree that learning english does not only depend on the method but also with the psychology of learners. Being passionate, energetic, enthusiastic, and simply happy in the process are big factors in effective learning, just like the number of studies that have been cited in this chapter. Yet, I have some reservations about the author's notion of anchoring, that learners must simply make themselves happy. Yes, ...