#Toolkit for Success

[webdevelopments-ava]

Webflow vs WordPress: Selecting the Right Toolkit for Success

Delve into the decision between Webflow and WordPress: Balancing design finesse and a versatile CMS. Find the ultimate toolkit for achieving online success.

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Preface: A Powerful Toolkit for Advanced Substack Mastery

How to Scale Your Newsletters and Reach Thousands for a Successful Writing Business Advanced Newsletter Writing Skills Dear Freelance Writers and Content Entrepreneurs, You asked for a more advanced book for established writers, so I wrote a new book to empower you. Welcome to a unique writing journey of growth and transformation to find a better version of yourself as a content creator and…

[nicopengin]

Itemization Strategies: Equipping Yourself for Success in and out of the Game

Greetings, fellow seekers of greatness! Step into the world of itemization, where every choice carries weight, both in the battlefield of League of Legends and the grand stage of life. Today, we embark on an enlightening journey, exploring how these strategic principles not only empower champions but also hold the key to unlocking your true potential.

🛡️ Significance of Itemization in League of Legends 🏹 Picture this: A formidable jungler enters the Summoner's Rift, ready to face the challenges ahead. Their selection of items tailored to their champion's strengths and countering their opponents' weaknesses puts them on the path to victory. Similarly, in life, our choices of knowledge, skills, and experiences can amplify our strengths and minimize vulnerabilities, propelling us toward our ambitions. In-Game Example: The aggressive marksman who equips life-stealing items to stay resilient in teamfights. Real-Life Application: Equipping yourself with resilience and adaptability to face challenges head-on, emerging stronger after life's battles. 🚀 Applying Itemization Strategies to Personal Growth 🌱 In the vast expanse of Summoner's Rift, adaptability reigns supreme. Champions swiftly adjust their build to suit ever-changing circumstances. Embrace this philosophy in life, where self-awareness and continuous improvement empower you to optimize your choices. In-Game Example: A mid-laner adjusting their build to prioritize magic resist against an opponent's potent spellcasting. Real-Life Application: Tailoring your approach when communicating with different individuals, adapting your style to resonate and build meaningful connections.

💼 Acquiring and Utilizing Resources for Success 🧰 As a support champions rally behind their team, unlocking vision and buffing their allies, resourcefulness is equally paramount in life. Identify opportunities, harness available resources, and utilize them strategically to surge ahead on your path to success. In-Game Example: A support champion providing vision control with wards and assisting teammates with crucial utility items. Real-Life Application: Utilizing networking opportunities, tapping into mentorship, and embracing lifelong learning to acquire the resources needed for your growth.

🔧 Selecting the Right Tools and Resources 🛠️ A seasoned top-laner understands the importance of tailor-made items to suit their playstyle and foil their opponent's plans. In life, too, curating the right toolkit of skills and knowledge empowers you to tackle diverse challenges with finesse. In-Game Example: A top-lane tank building armor items against a physical-damage-heavy enemy team. Real-Life Application: Equipping yourself with specific expertise and skills to conquer professional challenges in your career domain. 🔄 Adapting Strategies for Changing Circumstances 🌀 In the ever-shifting landscape of Summoner's Rift, flexibility decides victory. Likewise, life presents unforeseen twists, demanding agility and open-mindedness to navigate through uncharted territories. In-Game Example: A jungler modifying their ganking routes based on enemy vision and lane movements. Real-Life Application: Adapting your career trajectory, embracing new opportunities, and evolving to thrive in a dynamic world.

Embark on a transformative journey, where itemization in the game aligns with self-empowerment in reality. Unleash the potential within, guided by the wisdom of champions, and forge a path of success, both in and out of the game. Fortune favors the bold, and as you venture forth, the road to greatness awaits! With unwavering determination, Nico Pengin🚀🌟 P.S. Embrace the path to excellence. Follow our newsletter for invaluable insights and empowering strategies! 🗞️📈 Read the full article

[leadtheteam]

Unlocking the Science of Human Thriving: A Conversation with Dr. Renee Moorfield

It’s time for positive transformation! Leadership isn’t just about guiding teams and driving revenue—it’s increasingly about fostering well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Mike, the engaging host of the Leadership Toolkit podcast, recently welcomed Dr. Renee Moorfield, a pioneer at the intersection of well-being and leadership, to delve into how the science of human thriving can…

[some-programming-pearls]

𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 Toolkit

Here are some of the key points that form the system design toolkit that comes in handy when discussing many system design problems. It serves as a list of things that can be discussed during the system design discussions. 𝗔𝗣𝗜 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆An API Gateway (AG) is a server that acts as a single point of entry for a set of microservices. AG receives client requests, forwards them to the appropriate…

[rosajs]

AI Creative Suite – Ultimate Creator’s Toolkit

AI Creative Suite – Ultimate Creator’s Toolkit

NEVER Buy Another Product Again To See Success

Stupidly Simple Formula To Get Paid $238 Again & Again..

Save THOUSANDS On The Most Recent & Trendy A.I Tools & Use Them All In 1

Create EVERYTHING Your Heart Desires..4, 8K, UHD Videos, A.I Art, Emotional A.I Voice Overs, Professional A.I Support Agents, A.I Support Assistants & Generate Autopilot Social Media Traffic In 1 Place..

Works With ChatGPT4

Create Scripts, Shorts, VSL’s & Many Other Forms of High Converting Copy & Content

Do It In Seconds Without A Learning Curve

Beginner & Tech Dummy Friendly

30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Commercial License Included

Agency Support Materials Included

Money Making Method Included

Truly Unique & Up To Date A.I Technology

NEVER Buy Another Product Again To See Success

Stupidly Simple Formula To Get Paid $238 Again & Again..

Save THOUSANDS On The Most Recent & Trendy A.I Tools & Use Them All In 1

Create EVERYTHING Your Heart Desires..4, 8K, UHD Videos, A.I Art, Emotional A.I Voice Overs, Professional A.I Support Agents, A.I Support Assistants & Generate Autopilot Social Media Traffic In 1 Place..

Works With ChatGPT4

Create Scripts, Shorts, VSL’s & Many Other Forms of High Converting Copy & Content

Do It In Seconds Without A Learning Curve

Beginner & Tech Dummy Friendly

30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Commercial License Included

Agency Support Materials Included

Money Making Method Included

Truly Unique & Up To Date A.I Technology

[glowettee]

✧ the elle woods study method: mindset makeover & foundation building ✧

hey lovelies! 💗

omg, i'm literally bursting with excitement to start this transformative series with you all! we're going to dive deep into actually studying like elle woods, and all her study methods. it's going to change your academic life. (while keeping you fabulous, obviously!)

let's start with the most crucial element - the elle woods mindset. you know how elle went from being underestimated at harvard to graduating with honors? that transformation began in her mind, and that's exactly where we're starting too!

the core principles of the elle woods mindset (get ready to take notes!):

unwavering self-belief: elle's iconic "what, like it's hard?" attitude wasn't just cute - it was crucial

authenticity as your superpower: your unique perspective is your strength

resilience through positivity: turning every "you can't" into "watch me"

strategic determination: working smarter, not just harder

maintaining your essence: success shouldn't mean losing yourself

let me break down how to actually build this mindset (because theory without practice is like a perfect outfit without accessories - incomplete!):

mindset foundation building: • start a daily confidence journal (pink, obviously!) • write three daily affirmations • document your wins, no matter how small • reflect on challenges and how you overcame them

goal setting the elle way: • dream big (harvard law big!) • break down major goals into mini-milestones • create realistic timelines • identify potential obstacles and plan solutions • celebrate every achievement (even the tiny ones!)

your personal success toolkit: • a dedicated study planner (color-coded, elle would approve) • positive affirmation cards • vision board (mix academic and personal goals) • progress tracking system • reward system for reaching milestones

practical assignments for this week:

yes, i'm giving you all homework, because what's a lesson without doing homework? <3

mindset makeover tasks: • create your confidence corner (a designated study space that makes you feel powerful) • write your personal academic manifesto • identify and challenge three limiting beliefs • create a morning power routine

organization prep: • get your study essentials (cute but functional!) • set up your planning system • create a semester overview • design your ideal weekly schedule

community building: • find your study buddies (your personal warner hunting club, but for academics!) • join study groups • set up accountability partnerships • create a support system

elle's journey wasn't about memorizing legal terms - it was about believing she belonged in those hallowed halls while wearing her signature pink. you deserve to feel that same confidence in your academic journey. <3

advanced tips for the overachievers (because why not be extra?):

record yourself giving pep talks for tough days

create a study aesthetic that energizes you

develop personal success rituals

build a playlist that makes you feel powerful

photograph your progress for motivation

coming up in this series:

time management secrets

memory techniques that actually work

note-taking methods that slay

exam preparation strategies

self-care routines for academic success

group study dynamics

presentation skills

stress management

celebration strategies

and more of course <3

remember: elle woods didn't just survive harvard - she thrived while being unapologetically herself. that's our goal too! you're not just going to study better; you're going to build an academic approach that celebrates who you are.

homework time (but make it fun):

create your academic vision board

write your semester goals

design your ideal study schedule

set up your success tracking system

prepare your study space

xoxo, mindy

p.s. don't forget to reblog and follow for the complete series! we're building our own little academic sorority here! <3

[psychotrenny]

It's so stupid when revisionists go "this isn't what Marx wrote about" as an instant gotcha to criticise the policies of actually existing socialist regime. Like he wasn't a fucking prophet. Marx established an incredibly useful methodology of analysing politics and society in a scientific way, which to this day forms the basis of the world's most successful and enduring revolutionary movements, and many of his specific analyses and predictions remain true and useful. But at the end of the day he was only a scientist and a philosopher, not a messenger of the gods, and his writings are not sum total of everything socialism could ever be. He got stuff wrong, and stuff that was right for one particular set of material conditions are gonna be wrong when applied to another. Marx's writings are much more useful and meaningful as a toolkit then as a comprehensive guide; you can apply his methodology in a range of circumstances but it's stupid to dogmatically stick to his specific conclusions. And ironically, by treating this limited set of writings as absolute truths that can never be contradicted, the Liberal Idealist approach that these Revisionists take is far more contradictory to the spirit of Marx than the Dialectical Materialist thinking employed by actual successful Communists.

Same goes for Lenin or Mao or whichever communist theoretician you think established the perfect ideal of communism from which all deviations lead to disaster. It's like communism 101 to evaluate actions from their material bases and effects rather than whatever idealistic value they hold in a vacuum, yet so many ostensible "communists" will condemn socialist policies for their deviation from the holy texts rather than their actual implications for the international working class. Marxism isn't a religion and you're doing it wrong if you treat it like one. "This isn't as Lenin wrote it down" is just the red painted cousin of "None of these words are in the Bible"; meaningless phrases spouted by the most obnoxious of dogmatists

[mariacallous]

Russian President Vladimir Putin is skilled at escaping the optics of defeat. He came to power in 2000, projecting authority in Russia’s ongoing war against the breakaway region of Chechnya, where Russia did over time prevail. He put himself forward as a decisive leader in Georgia (via the 2008 Russo-Georgian War), in Ukraine (via the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale invasion in 2022), and in Syria (via a Russian military incursion in 2015). In none of these theaters has Putin notched a lasting success. Georgia is up for grabs, and Russia’s presence in fading away in Syria, but Putin will accept no responsibility for setbacks on the global stage. He always acts the victor.

With Ukraine, Putin can orchestrate scenes of success. He did so on May 9—Victory Day in Russia, commemorating the Nazi surrender in 1945—standing shoulder to shoulder with Chinese President Xi Jinping. They watched Russian troops marching proudly by on Red Square, sending the message that Russia is not isolated; it is unvanquished. It is Ukraine, the Russian state media tells us, that will falter. It is Europe that cannot overcome its post-national anomie. It is the United States that has bowed to Russia, acknowledging that NATO expansion caused the war, that Ukrainian intransigence has perpetuated it, and that in 2022, when the war began, President Joe Biden was the doddering man who brought the world to the brink of World War III.

But for Russia, Ukraine is not Syria, and it is not Georgia. Syria was a far-away adventure where Russia’s retreat can be swept under the carpet. Georgia is stuck in a holding pattern, vacillating between Russia and the West, which is no disaster for Moscow—whereas Ukraine is a disaster for Moscow. In Ukraine, Russia’s military is stalled while deaths and casualties mount. Putin has no way out of the war—other than to admit a version of defeat. The Kremlin can try to hide the war’s misery from Russians but only to the extent that it can tell the war’s story. Putin cannot as effectively erase evidence of a faltering economy. Nor can he offer Russians any coherent political promise other than endless Putinism. Slowly and not yet suddenly, Russia is starting to lose the war.

Long wars demand integrated efforts. Military aims rest on diplomatic capacity and economic heft, which in turn rest on political will. Russia is struggling in each of these domains. The problem for Putin is that the military and diplomatic challenges of the war compound one another, as do the economic and political challenges. Were the war going well or were it an obviously defensive war, diplomacy might be peripheral, uncertainty and economic hardship might be bearable, and political discontent could be put on hold. This was the Soviet Union in World War II. With his massive war against Ukraine, Putin is in almost the opposite position. Nor can he procrastinate by narrating his way out of this strategic cul-de-sac. With an autocrat’s toolkit, he can only postpone the eventual reckoning.

Russia faces two serious military dilemmas. One is its own inability to advance. In some technical sense, momentum is on Russia’s side, as it takes square miles of Ukrainian territory, but this momentum is going nowhere. For months, Russia has tried and failed to take the Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk. Its failure has been accompanied by enormous losses: an estimated 790,000 killed or injured since the beginning of the war (plus 48,000 missing), including more than 100,000 casualties this year alone. By the end of 2025, at this rate, Russia will have over a million casualties, and its strategic situation will not be any better than it was in 2022. Putin has no easy way to alter a trajectory that translates (if unaltered) into stalemate. Mostly war zones, the territories that Russia controls in Ukraine are of no material benefit to Russia.

Russia’s other military dilemma is Ukraine. When Russia failed to deliver a knock-out blow in 2022 and to split Ukraine down the middle, Putin had a choice between a reduced war and a war on civilians across Ukraine. He went with the war against civilians—not to be seen as backtracking and to compel Ukrainians to surrender. This decision also backfired. The brutality of the Russian occupation coupled with countless assaults on civilians and civilian infrastructure convinced most Ukrainians that they had to fight. Ukraine is poorer and smaller than Russia, not ideally suited to a war of attrition, and on the battlefield Ukraine is acting alone. These circumstances matter, of course, though not as much as Ukraine’s morale and its formidable ability to innovate (such as in drone warfare), which among other things is a function of Ukrainians’ morale.

Russia has ways to gain advantage in a long war of attrition. It could facilitate a U.S. withdrawal from the war, which would have a severe effect on Ukrainians’ morale, limit the day-to-day capabilities of the Ukrainian military and send a strong signal globally that Ukraine was unable to sustain its most important bi-lateral relationship. Were the United States to opt out, Russia could then try to pick off individual European states, pushing them either toward neutrality or toward active support for Russia in the war. By driving a wedge between the United States and Europe, Russia could do more than improve its position in Ukraine. It could move closer to its dream of a Russian sphere of influence in Europe and of a transatlantic alliance in utter disarray.

But Russia has mismanaged its diplomacy with the West. It squandered the opportunities presented by an avowedly pro-Russian Trump administration in February, March, and April, bombing its way past multiple cease-fires. This has pushed Trump toward Ukraine and Europe, and Moscow has found no way to separate Europe from Ukraine. Germany’s newly elected chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who has excellent relations with the United Kingdom, France, and Poland, is staunchly pro-Ukraine, and he has committed Germany to some half a trillion dollars in defense spending. Russian diplomacy cannot engineer a friendly or neutral West, not least because of the way Russia fights in Ukraine. Putin also prevents Russian diplomats from exploring the compromises that might save Russia from the wartime nightmare he has fashioned for his country.

Putin’s obsession with not losing in Ukraine has damaged the Russian economy. The sugar high of military spending is over, and growth has dwindled from 5 percent at the war’s start to zero. An overheated labor market has inflation running at around 10 percent. Falling energy prices due to Trump’s burgeoning trade wars and China’s slumping economy could eviscerate Russia’s state budget, which relies heavily on the sale of gas and oil. Russians, who are far from going hungry, have to be asking themselves about the wisdom of their government at the moment, about higher prices and a grim economic horizon for the sake of a stalemated, counterproductive, and unnecessary war. The only thing more dangerous to a political leader than a war of choice is a war of choice that goes badly.

Putin has asked the Russian people to trust him on the war in Ukraine. Many have, and many do. Those who do not trust Putin might encounter the repressive tactics of a police state, although Russia is not totalitarian. Its social contract is a curious mix of mobilization for the war (in parts of the country) and disengagement from politics (in all of the country)—a largely apolitical society alleged to be fighting a holy war.

Real political power is concentrated in Putin’s hands. But his dictator’s prerogative makes him uniquely the man in charge, which is as much a vulnerability as it is a strength—a strength to the degree that he can win the war and a vulnerability to the degree that he is losing it. Perhaps for this reason, after years of silence on the topic, Putin has begun to speak about a successor. As he himself may be aware, he has staked his political fortunes on a foolish war, and he is not winning.

[my-hobby-is-finding-the-source]

To help spread the honorable arts of source-seeking far and wide, I have compiled a list of websites I often rely on. It is by no means comprehensive but it should be helpful for those who want to try looking for sources on their own.

Google Lens:

More specifically, the "Search by Image" option that replaced the reverse image search functionality of Google Images in 2022. Although it focuses on image segmentation and recognition, it has the most encompassing image set by far. It will rarely point you towards the source directly, but you can use it to find different or more complete samples, which is a good way to start.

Yandex Images:

Its "Visual Search" functionality resembles the older Google reverse image search, which can be better in some situations. It lists pages that contain fairly similar matches and a board of looser samples.

TinEye:

Although smaller and less-capable than other options, it stores the date and address it found each result, which really helps narrowing down potential sources. It works best with unedited or nearly complete samples.

Above are general-purpose tools that are suited for images of any subject matter. Following are sites with narrower scopes, mainly focused on artworks or anime-adjacent media.

SauceNAO:

If you have an unedited image, this is the tool for the job. Though weak against crops and edits, it indexes heaps of works from artist-focused communities, social media platforms, and image boards.

trace.moe:

In the "rare" occasion that I stumble upon a screenshot of an anime I don't recognize, this tool is a lifesaver. It is "comparatively" much smaller than the others, but it can give you the exact moment you're looking for, down to the minute.

For now, these are the stars in my toolkit! There are other notable tools out there, but these are the ones I have the most success with.

[emmkayyy03]

🎾 Jupiter vs. Venus: The Duel of Gurus. 🏅

In the infinite drama of the cosmos, two larger-than-life forces play the role of celestial teachers: Jupiter (Brihaspati) and Venus (Shukracharya). These two aren’t just gurus—they’re the ultimate life coaches, each with their unique vibes. Jupiter is the philosopher who hands you a map to enlightenment, while Venus is the savvy mentor who teaches you how to conquer the world and look fabulous doing it.

But wait—there’s more to Shukracharya than just luxury and indulgence. He wasn’t only the guru of the asuras; he was a healer extraordinaire, the cosmic doctor who literally brought the dead back to life with the Sanjeevani mantra. So, while Jupiter gives you the wisdom to transcend, Venus might just save your skin (and soul) when things go south.

Let’s dig deeper into this ultimate cosmic clash of the titans and see how their wisdom, morals, and approach to life shape their disciples.

🎓 Knowledge: Universal Truths vs. Practical Skills

Jupiter’s Wisdom: Jupiter’s knowledge is like a sacred text—ancient, profound, and illuminating. As the guru of the devas, he specializes in timeless wisdom that transcends the material world. He’s your go-to for unlocking the mysteries of dharma (duty), moksha (liberation), and the universe’s ultimate purpose. Think philosophy, ethics, and everything that makes you go, “Wow, life is deeper than I thought.”

Venus’s Knowledge: Venus is the practical genius who hands you a toolkit for mastering life’s complexities. From diplomacy to healing, Shukracharya doesn’t just teach you how to survive—he teaches you how to thrive. His lessons are rooted in the art of living: navigating relationships, enjoying material pleasures, and even harnessing the secrets of immortality. He’s the cosmic mix of a life coach and a healer, ensuring you’re prepared for anything life throws your way.

⚖️ Morals: Righteousness vs. Pragmatism

Jupiter’s Morality: Jupiter is all about the straight and narrow. He champions dharma and universal harmony, even if it means personal sacrifice. He’s the teacher who insists that doing the right thing is non-negotiable, no matter how tough it gets. With Jupiter, it’s always about the bigger picture.

Venus’s Morality: Venus operates in the real world, where things aren’t always black and white. His moral compass is more flexible, designed to help you navigate life’s gray areas. Shukracharya understands that sometimes bending the rules is necessary for survival—and that’s okay. His pragmatism is his strength, making him relatable and incredibly effective.

💎 The Hedonist vs. The Ascetic

Venus: The Sensual Healer Venus doesn’t shy away from the material world; he embraces it. He teaches that beauty, luxury, and pleasure aren’t distractions—they’re part of the human experience. But Venus is more than a connoisseur of indulgence; as a healer, he shows how to channel these desires into personal growth. His mastery of the Sanjeevani mantra highlights his deep understanding of life and death, proving that he’s not just about the good times—he’s about second chances too.

Jupiter: The Ascetic Sage Jupiter is the spiritual minimalist, urging you to detach from desires and focus on higher truths. He’s the guru who reminds you that fleeting pleasures pale in comparison to eternal peace. While Venus heals your body and mind, Jupiter seeks to heal your soul by guiding you beyond the illusions of the material world.

🌌 Life’s Approach: Harmony vs. Mastery

Jupiter’s Path: Jupiter leads with faith, devotion, and the pursuit of inner peace. His approach is about finding harmony within yourself and with the universe. His teachings encourage gratitude and humility, aligning your actions with the greater cosmic order.

Venus’s Path: Venus believes in mastering the art of life. Whether it’s relationships, success, or overcoming obstacles, Shukracharya equips you to excel in the material realm. His lessons emphasize empowerment and resilience, reminding you that even in chaos, there’s beauty—and power.

If Jupiter is the grand monastery, steeped in philosophy and higher learning, Venus is the opulent palace ballroom, alive with music, dance, and earthly pleasures. Jupiter’s domain is the university lecture hall, a sanctuary of timeless wisdom, while Venus presides over the art gallery, where beauty and creativity are celebrated. Jupiter governs the sanctum of a temple, a space for introspection and spiritual growth, whereas Venus sparkles in the marketplace, where life’s sensual joys and connections unfold. Each represents a world of its own: Jupiter uplifts the soul, and Venus enchants the senses

The Verdict 💫

So, here’s the cosmic tea: Jupiter and Venus aren’t competing; they’re balancing forces. Jupiter offers the wisdom to transcend life, while Venus gives you the skills to embrace and heal within it. Jupiter is the sage who helps you unlock eternal truths, and Venus is the healer and mentor who ensures you enjoy the ride and survive the bumps along the way.

Are you drawn to Jupiter’s lofty ideals or Venus’s grounded guidance? Let me know—Team Jupiter or Team Venus? ✨

[loassbarbie]

The science behind "Act as If": it's actually a CBT technique

Although science has yet to prove the 3D manifesting effect of the Law of Assumption, the “act as if” manifestation technique we so very often read about and practice does have some research support as a cognitive-behavioral intervention.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been a cornerstone of modern psychology and psychotherapy, offering individuals practical tools to understand and improve their mental well-being. "Act As If" has emerged as a powerful and transformative intervention technique.

"Act As If" is a behavioral strategy that encourages individuals to consciously adopt the mindset and behaviors of the person they aspire to become, even when faced with self-doubt or challenging circumstances. Whether you're seeking to enhance your self-esteem, overcome obstacles, or simply better understand the inner workings of your mind, the "Act As If" approach can be a valuable addition to your mental health toolkit.

🎀 Why "Act As If" Works (in psychology, anyway)

At its core, the "Act As If" technique is a cognitive-behavioral strategy designed to encourage individuals to adopt the mindset and behaviors of the person they want to be. It is rooted in several core principles that guide its implementation. "Act As If" requires individuals to consciously act as though they have already achieved their goals, even when they may doubt their abilities or face daunting challenges. This helps build self-confidence and creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the mind and body work in tandem to manifest positive change.

The theoretical underpinnings of "Act As If" are deeply intertwined with self-perception theory - people infer their own attitudes, emotions, and abilities by observing their own behaviors. In the context of "Act As If," this means that by consistently engaging in the behaviors associated with their goals, individuals can alter their self-perception, ultimately reinforcing their self-belief.

🎥🎲 The Role of Role-Playing

By immersing oneself in the character of the person they want to become, individuals can better understand and internalize the attitudes and behaviors required for success. Role-playing provides a practical and hands-on approach to "Act As If," allowing individuals to experiment with different mindsets and behaviors and assess their impact on their self-perception and real-life outcomes.

We often engage in "self-sabotage," acting ineffectively despite knowing better ways of handling difficult situations. There are many reasons for this, and one is our dysfunctional, automatic thoughts. Thoughts like "I won't succeed no matter how hard I try" or "I can't do this" can hinder our actual abilities to do something well.

For example: you believe you are too overweight to go to the gym and not feel bad about yourself, or you don't believe you can actually lose the weight you need. When you let these kinds of thoughts influence your behavior, you might find yourself avoiding situations you find intimidating for thinking they're not for someone like you, or believing it's a lost cause. "Acting as if" can help alter these dysfunctional thoughts. Instead of engaging with these thoughts, "acting as if" might have you engaged in all of the activities someone who believed they could succeed would engage in: for instance, making an appointment with a personal trainer, which would result in more accountability, a better ability to perform exercises correctly, and a more rewarding experience overall. If you were out of shape before, "acting as if" can help you get in shape sooner.

The catch in the "act as if" technique is that we can use it even if we are 100% sold on our dysfunctional automatic thoughts. We don't have to wait until our thoughts change to step into the role we'd prefer. We instead step into the role, which can result in our thoughts changing more quickly and more permanently. Better yet, we don't have to wait for the law to kick in before we get what we want.

🧸👩🏻‍🏫Steps for "Acting As If"

💭Step 1: Identify the automatic thought or dysfunctional belief that is getting in your way.

🔄Step 2: Identify all of the things you would do if you believed the exact opposite of that thought to be successful in your goal.

🎭Step 3: Rehearse those behaviors: Act as if. Literally role-play. You can do it talking to yourself when you are alone, you can do it in your head during mindless moments of the day; you can even do it with your eyes closed, laying in bed, and visualize yourself engaging in those behaviors. The point is to be familiar enough with the behaviors that you can use them without thinking about them too much.

🎬Step 4: "Act as if" some more. Rehearse the behaviors some more. Maybe get more creative (start dressing up as the person you want to be, make a journal of all the things that happened on your role playing day, don't feel stupid - no one has to know anyway!)

💁🏻‍♀️Step 5: Engage in the behaviors you rehearsed. Each time a dysfunctional thought comes to mind, smile at it, and continue as planned.

By following this you may, at the very least, come across more confidently. Most people find that in practicing this regularly, they start to disbelieve the self-defeating thoughts. Having several experiences of success is a great way to undo the assumption that you will always fail. And after a while, there's no "acting" necessary. ;)

[chloe12801]

hi hiii ! hope ur doing well 🩷 i have a request for u if u'd like ! im curious to know how u think trevor would be with an s/o who is very quiet/shy/anxious? could be a headcanon list or a short fic or whatever u want ! no pressure and no rush ofc 🩷

Thank you so much for the request! Hope you are doing good as well :))

Headcanons: Trevor with a shy/anxious partner

TW: Drugs and violence mentioning

- He would take it personally at first, feeling that you think you’re better than him

- Really, that’s just because he’s never been shy himself so it doesn’t make sense in his head

- Once he realizes it’s not just a reaction to him and that’s just who you are, he’s way more understanding and respectful about it

- Essentially, it stops being a point of tension anymore

- He gets really happy once you start talking more and more, opening up to him as you get comfortable

- He sees it as his success

- If anyone is mean or even just says something teasing to you about your shyness like “cat got your tongue” or “wow, you talk so much I can’t even get a word in” Trevor will take offense and will start a fight over it on your behalf

- Sometimes the fights end in someone being dead and you being a bit mortified to say the least

- You’re used to people’s reactions about you being shy, it’s at most a bit annoying, but for Trevor it’s extremely disrespectful and makes him see red

- He makes sure your voice and opinions are heard even if he has to say them louder and with more force, getting mad that others aren’t listening close enough or at all

- For example, if you say something and no one pays attention, he’s going to yell at everyone to “shut the fuck up” and that “y/n just said *insert comment you made* but you fucks are too busy being pricks to hear them”

- His reactions might make things worse or embarrass you, but he’s honestly just trying to be helpful

- It would piss him off seeing how often you get pushed around and overlooked due to your shyness and anxiety. He never really experienced that and hates that you deal with it all the time, so he’s going to do everything he can to prevent it

- He always makes sure you’re comfortable and not overly shy or anxious

- If you do become anxious, he’s more than happy to go somewhere quiet with just the two of you to help you calm down

- He prefers your company over everyone else’s anyways

- He’s constantly checking on you and giving you support, even if it’s just him wrapping an arm around you, he always does something to keep you comfortable

- He likes talking and since you’re quiet, it works pretty well. You can listen to his ramblings and enjoy doing so

- He draws attention to himself and therefore to you, so you will likely fight about that. If you bring it up he will take it personal, like you’re embarrassed by him

- His lewdness and worshiping towards you is going to make you blush and feel awkward at first, but after a while it’s one of your favorite things he does

- If you bring up anything the helps you become less shy and anxious he’s going to make a note of it and have it in his mental or physical toolkit when you’re around

-He will probably offer you drugs to stop the anxiety, not realizing it would just make things worse

[leadtheteam]

How to Win in Business: It's a Process

Want to learn how to win? This week on ‘The Leadership Toolkit’ we rev up your leadership success as I interview the dynamic and growth-focused, Matt Raymond! Matt was named to Automotive News ’40 Under 40′ and received a myriad of accolades in sales and leadership excellence! Matt is a ‘process’ guy for sure and we talked a lot about how to win and the process of success. In fact consider this……

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

The twerking video has definitely given them a boost. The comments on all the Instagram entertainment pages (People, Page Six in the US and The Telegraph in the UK) are overwhelmingly positive. The only place where I found a mostly negative response is The Times (UK). But immediately afterwards there was another post on People about how H&M feel differently about the distance from the RF and again the comments were criticising both of them. This has also happened on the past where people would be hating on Meghan but she'd go to some gala thing looking good and everyone in the comments would be like she's so gorgeous but then something else would pop up and people would be ready to annihilate them.

But the thing is that the success of the twerk must've given Meghan some idea of how to attract more people, hence the fun Disney Land pics which are also being appreciated (People insta). I hope the tide finally turns for them and they make it big in the US cuz only then would they leave the RF alone or maybe Meghan would. She does seem kinda over them since As Ever. Harry, however is the real problem and would never be able to be a success across the pond and would therefore, never let go of the BRF.

The Disney pics are pretty typical and common for CA-based (and American) celebs. There's really no correlation between the video and the Disney photos other than the public was interested in more "behind the scenes" family footage.

We were always going to get the Disney photos, no matter what. That's not a surprise. It's actually a standard in the American PR toolkit - want to bury a controversy that might affect your family-friendly reputation? Take the kids to Disney! Plus we also have Diana taking the boys to Disney when they were young, so it was coming.

What is a surprise is how much footage we got from Disney, compared to all the other known Sussex family vacations. Granted, most of those other vacations took place before Meghan had her social media back, but again that begs the question of if social media was/is so important to her (as it's been intimated several times before), then why did she wait 5 years post-Megxit to bring it back? Why didn't she launch her social media with Lili's birth or Archie's fourth birthday aka Coronation Saturday. Why didn't she launch it with the Netflix docuseries, instead of waiting for her lifestyle show three years later?

So either this is a pivot in Meghan's approach to social media - more family moments, both in volume and in frequency - or it's crisis management. We'll have to wait and see which one.

FWIW, I've been reading some of the commentary about the Disney photos. I think the photos are from two separate visits mashed together to look like one day. (I have a very low confidence in that, and my only proof is the separate outfits for Lili.) I also wonder who else was with the Sussexes when they went to Disney, because there's a photo of Harry and Meghan together on Space Mountain sans kids, which means the kids were left somewhere with someone else, rather than a parent swap. It's probably a nanny, but it goes to show how blind Meghan is; she could've gotten a ton of PR points had Doria been in just one of the photos because otherwise you've got everyone talking about nannies. Again.

[theresattrpgforthat]

Mint Plays Games: REDACTED MATERIALS (External Containment Bureau & Bump in the Dark)

As I continue to play with the Forged in the Dark toolkit and the different ways you can shift it to fit the genre of choice, I embarked on a small campaign of Bump in the Dark, which I've been itching to play for probably about a year at this point. I managed to pull together a group of 4 friends, and we set up 4-session play-through of a mystery together online.

At the same time, I also revisited my first experience with the Redacted Materials system, External Containment Bureau, by Mythic Gazetteer. The Redacted Materials system is a method of dropping the mystery mechanic popularized in Brindlewood Bay into Forged-in-the-Dark. I've played ECB a number of times, usually in a one-shot or two-shot. The system involves players gathering clues and crafting a theory using the pieces of information they cobble together to answer some key question.

Redacted Materials / Forged in the Dark

Like a typical Forged in the Dark game, Redacted Materials games both have you cultivate a d6 dice pool. When you roll, you look for the highest number: a 6 is a success, 4/5 is a mixed of success & consequences, and a 1-3 is a failure, typically with an interesting extra. In ECB, you answer a list of standard questions, while Bump has classic Blades-style Action Ratings. In both, you can spend Luck/Resonance to give yourself more dice, which culminates in a long-term consequences clock that allows for some flavorful character moments.

In Bump in the Dark, I made a story inspired by the examples in the book: teen lycanthropes, a church shrouded in mystery, and a giant elk that was menacing the town. In ECB I used a mystery I found for free on Itch: The Sidhe Conservancy of Portland, by VinMakesGames.

One thing I LOVE about these kinds of games is the amount of stuff the mystery does for you as a GM. The mystery clock helps you figure out pacing, and the clues are bite-sized pieces of inspiration that can help set the vibe, act as a life raft for a flailing GM to grasp on to, and propel the players into making interesting decisions. Couching the game into episodic mysteries also gives you an end point to look at. A short mystery makes an excellent one-shot (ECB). A longer mystery makes for a more drawn-out procedural (Bump). But even in multi-session games, the group can see the end point; this can make a game much easier to dedicate yourself to.

The Game Sessions

Our Bump in the Dark series had a number of punchy story beats. The group allowed themselves to work slowly on the mystery, checking in on the teens' families, musing on how the local church might be involved, and finding ways to make the most of their special abilities. I made 3 teen NPCs that could have been a body or a killer; the crew investigated each teen and I had to improvise elements of their home life as we went. I gave one NPC an abusive dad, another a large family with a suspicious shackle by the barn, and a third no visible family at all. One of my players made an observation that all of the teens who seemed to be suffering lycanthropy had shitty home lives: while this was never a direct clue, it became an integral part to the "why" of the mystery. It added a level of depth that I wasn't angling for at the beginning, but I was thrilled that my players decided to go there.

I've had a similar experience in a past session of External Containment Bureau, where I made a choice in one location to have an NPC seem to be unable to recognize the number 4, and while it never became an official clue, the PCs latched onto it. I carried that pattern to the other locations they visited, and part of their solution to fix the problem therefore had to include doing things in four parts.

My most recent ECB session took place on The Open Hearth, and involved the agents investigating a building that no longer appears to be standing, and small forest appearing in its' place. The PCs had to deal with an affliction of flowers growing out of peoples' heads, and a strange coffee shop that appeared to have chased out all surrounding competition. The solution involved offering a group of pixies a job with the Bureau, and trying to hide a portal to the faerie realm under the guise of a new coffee franchise. Because the entire game was a one-shot, we started with partially created characters, and filled in a few details to customize the characters according to the players' preferences.

My Bump in the Dark spreadsheets, available for public use!

The Structure

I really appreciated the clue structure in both of these games, but even when I designed them, I didn't stick by them. I found myself coming up with new ideas as the players started talking theory and making choices. In both instances, I gave myself the liberty to change some of the clues or invent new ones to fit the story that was starting to unveil itself. I think this is something I'm likely to take with me in future games; appreciating the structure a mystery provides, while also giving myself the license to add as I go. The structure breeds improvisation: it gives you the vibes to start presenting clues to the players, but you don't have to stick rigidly to what's already there.

One of the things I find myself sometimes struggling with in other Forged in the Dark games is coming up with consequences for the players in the middle of an action scene: they might overcome an obstacle faster than I thought, and it can be hard to determine when a scene is over. In Protect the Child, I'm playing with faction clocks and a Run track, but so far nothing seems to hit in the same way as a mystery clock. External Containment Bureau and Bump in the Dark add an extra tidbit in their structure as well: consequences that the GM can draw upon when the action slows down and the group needs something interesting to happen to heighten the stakes.

The question is: can you provide the same pacing mechanic for games that aren't a mystery?

In Blades in the Dark, you know you are done when you've finished the score, or when everyone is taken out. Brinkwood does the same thing with a raid; Slugblaster with a run. In each of these games however, there can still be a list of scene pieces that can give the GM something to work with: details that flesh out a location, things a faction might try to do, a list of potential NPCs, and complications sorted by scenario. I'm likely going to have to re-visit these ideas when I flesh out the setting packs for Protect the Child, since it's somewhat setting-agnostic; potentially a list of consequences that might happen depending on what happens with the kid and the factions chasing you.

Another thing I really like in Bump is the character progression that ties story beats (and arcs) to mechanical advancement. You follow the story of your character by spending various kinds of XP in order to describe pieces of your characters' backstories, develop bonds as a group, and manage the various ways the game will try to beat you down. Bump in the Dark has something similar to Slugblaster in that you need to buy one arc before you get to another. (I'm currently playing Slugblaster, and I'll definitely have more thoughts about this when I finish.)

ECB doesn't have an equivalent to this, which means that your characters don't really have a reason to grow as a group. However, the setting kind of doesn't require them to have those connections: they're co-workers, first and foremost. This also makes ECB a great potential game for a one-shot, because there's much less character advancement compared to a stereotypical Forged game. Character advancement exists in the power creep, conspiracy theories, and the potential to transfer across departments, but it doesn't make your character experience a bump in power; it's more of a lateral move. If you DO get enough supernatural powers, your character actually just… ceases to be playable. They transcend mundane existence, and straight-up vanish.

My External Containment Bureau spreadsheets, also free for public use!

Final Thoughts

At the end of four sessions, I'm not entirely sure that I'm fully at home with the rules of Bump; not in a bad way, just that I have a hard time remembering how all the rules work. It's a great reminder of how much simplicity is needed for a first-time GM who's picking up a Forged in the Dark game - and perhaps even a veteran, considering that I run a LOT of FitD.

In Bump in the Dark, I never touched on strings, struggled to figure out arcs, and it felt like there's very few resources to increase your dice pool. I'm fairly certain that if I was to stick with the game a little longer, I'd be able to get more comfortable with these kinds of rules, and the fact that we were able to play most of the game without feeling like we were missing something, even though there were tools we didn't touch, speaks to the power of modularity in a game.

I don't typically run a lot of long-term campaigns, especially not with games like FitD or PbtA. My tastes are too broad, and my schedule too chaotic. That being said, I can see the draw of mastering complex rules, and developing a knowledge base that allows you to pull of some really cool payoff after weeks and weeks of effort. My experience with Bump in the Dark and External Containment Bureau feels like two ends of a spectrum; the same game system used for punchy, one-shot-friendly action as well as a more drawn-out, slow burn style plot. I'm still trying to find the right fit for Protect the Child; thematically, I want to be able to play the game as part of long haul, but I also want a version of the game that can be used to play a one-shot and still feel like the table has managed to engage with the main themes of the game. I definitely think modularity is the way to go.