Tahukah Kamu Bahwa ….

Operator telekomunikasi dengan jumlah pelanggan terbesar di dunia ternyata di pegang oleh China Mobile. Pelanggannya mencapai 200 juta orang lebih. Melampaui posisi Vodafone yang memiliki pelanggan sekitar 186 juta orang.

Pelanggan Layanan 3G terbanyak di dunia adalah NTT DoCoMo dari jepang. Pelanggannya mencapai 29 juta orang. Urutan kedua diduduki oleh 3 Italy dari negara italy dengan jumlah pelanggan kurang lebih 8 juta. Sedangkan posisi ketiga di raih oleh SoftBank Mobile dari Jepang.

Rekor mengetik SMS tercepat dipegang oleh Ang Chuang Yang. Remaja 16 tahun asal Singapura ini berhasil mengetik SMS 160 karakter hanya dalam waktu 41,52 detik. Prestasi Ang kali memecahkan rekor yang sebelumnya dicatatkan warga Amerika Ben Cook pada bulan Juli 2006, dengan catatan waktu 42,22 detik.

Operator telekomunikasi di Indonesia yang memiliki Coverage 3G terluas di pegang oleh XL. Jangkauannya meliputi daerah Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Batam, Surabaya, Denpasar,Yogyakarta dan Mataram. Dan internasional yang meliputi; Malaysia, Singapura, Hongkong dan Australia

Operator Selullar pertama di Indonesia adalah Telkomsel. Layanan pertama mereka diluncurkan pada tahun 1995.

Layanan 3G pertama di indonesia pertama kali diluncurkan oleh telkomsel pada tanggal 14 September 2006.

Ponsel yang memiliki kapasitas penyimpan terbesar di pegang Nokia N91 dengan kapasitas mencapai 4 GB.

Ponsel 3G yang pertama muncul di Indonesia adalah Nokia 7600 yang diluncurkan pada bulan februari 2004.

Ponsel tertipis pertama di Indonesia adalah Motorola RAZR V3.

Ponsel candy bar tertipis di dunia adalah Samsung X820 dengan ketebalan hanya 6.6 mm.

Pocket PC berteknologi 3G pertama di Indonesia adalah DOPOD 900 yang dkeluarkan pada bulan november 2005.

Ponsel 3G tertipis di dunia adalah Benq-Siemens S81 dengan ketebalan 13 mm.

Ponsel kamera beresolusi tertinggi di Indonesia dipegang oleh LG KG920. Resolusi yang dimilikinya mencapai 5 MP

Ponsel candy bar tertipis dipegang oleh Samsung X820 dengan ketebalan hanya 6.8 mm.

Vendor yang memiliki jumlah ponsel berdesain clamshell adalah Samsung. Paling tidak 70 jenis tipe ponsel clamshell telah mereka keluarkan di seluruh dunia.

Ponsel pertama yang memiliki fitur pilihan bahasa Indonesia adalah Nokia 3210.

Vendor yang memiliki ponsel berdesain candybar terbanyak adalah Nokia. Lebih dari 60 jenis tipe ponsel candybar yang telah mereka keluarkan.

Vendor yang mengeluarkan ponsel 3G terbanyak di Indonesia adalah Nokia. Paling tidak 18 jenis ponsel 3G yang telah mereka keluarkan.

Biaya SMS termurah dipegang oleh Esia. Pengguna hanya perlu membayar Rp.50 untuk satu kali mengirimkan SMS ke sesama pengguna Esia.

Ponsel kamera pertama di dunia adalah Sharp J-SH04 yang dikeluarkan di Jepang pada bulan November tahun 2000. Ponsel ini memiliki resolusi kamera 110.000 piksel.

Ponsel pertama yang memiliki Sistem Operasi Linux adalah Motorola A760 yang dikeluarkan pada tahun 2004.

Ponsel pertama yang mengusung teknologi sensitive touch keypad adalah LG Chocholate.

Ponsel pertama yang memiliki teknologi layar TFT LCD adalah Samsung SGH-T100 yang dikeluarkan pada tahun 2002.

Ponsel pertama yang memiliki dual LCD adalah samsung SGH A200.

Ponsel pertama yang memiliki 16 poly ringtone adalah samsung SGH N620.

Ponsel pertama yang mendukung teknologi HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) adalah Samsung SGH Z560. Ponsel ini pertama kali diperkenalkan pada Konggres 3GSM tahun 2006.

Virus ponsel pertama di dunia dibuat oleh Job de Haas, peneliti keamanan komputer di Belanda, pada tahun 2001. Virus ini dapat merusak ponsel-ponsel Nokia lewat pesan singkat alias SMS.

Ponsel komersial pertama yang diluncurkan ke pasaran adalah Motorola DynaTAC 8000x pada tahun 1983.

SMS (Short Messages services) pertama kali dikirimkan lewat jaringan GSM Vodafone di Inggris pada bulan Desember tahun 1992. Bunyi tulisan yang dikirimkan adalah “ Merry Christmas”.

Smartphone pertama kali dibuat oleh IBM pada tahun 1992. Produk tersebut diberi nama Simon. Selain berfungsi sebagai ponsel, Simon memiliki fitur; calendar, address book, world clock, calculator, note pad, email serta games. Smartphone ini juga telah didukung oleh layar touch screen. Simon diluncurkan ke pasaran pada tahun 2003 oleh BellSouth.

Handset Blackberry pertama kali diperkenalkan ke khalayak umum di tahun 1999, Ponsel pintar ini telah didukung oleh fitur Push e-mail, internet fax serta web browsing. Blackberry dibuat oleh Research In Motion (RIM) dan khusus dibuat untuk kepentingan mengirim dan menerima email secara wireless.

Telkomsel merupakan operator selular pertama di Asia –ketiga di dunia– yang mengeluarkan produk pra–bayar.

Ponsel yang memiliki kemampuan bergerak secara dual mode (GSM/WCDMA) pertama di dunia adalah Nokia 6650. Ponsel ini diluncurkan pada tanggal 26 September tahun 2002.

Indosat menjadi operator pertama yang meluncurkan simcard berkapasitas 64 KB dengan microbrowser, yang pertama meluncurkan GPRS,MMS,Video Streaming,Java Games, dan juga transfer pulsa.

Indosat Mentari menjadi kartu prabayar pertama di Indonesia yang memberikan fasilitas bebas roaming nasional.

Kartu prabayar pertama di Indonesia adalah Simpati dari telkomsel yang diluncurkan pada tahun 1997.

Layanan push email Blacberry pertama di indonesia digelar oleh Indosat lewat kartu pasca bayar Matrix.

Ponsel bluetooth pertama di dunia yaitu Motorola Timeport 270.

Nokia 6255 adalah ponsel CDMA pertama di Indonesia yang dilengkapi bluetooth, MP3 player plus equalizer, audio-video streaming serta slot MMC.

Ponsel terkecil didunia dipegang oleh Xun Chi 138. Ponsel ini memiliki panjang 2.64 inci (6.7 cm) dan berat kurang dari 2 ons (56.69 gram). Telah didukung layar touch screen beresolusi 260 ribu warna, kamera 1.3MP , music player serta memori internal sebesar 121MB.

Samsung SCH-M105 adalah ponsel pertama di dunia yang memiliki build-in MP3 player. Ponsel ini pertama kali diluncurkan pada tahun 2000.

Ponsel kamera pertama yang memiliki resolusi 10 MP adalah Samsung SCH-B600. Telah dilengkapi dengan kemampuan 3x zoom optik, 5x zoom digital, flash, auto fokus, timer serta 1/2000 shutter speed. Plus MP3 Player, Bluetooth, EV-DO, slot MicroMMC serta voice recognition.

Panasonic menjadi vendor pertama di dunia yang mengadopsi ponsel berteknologi layar TFT 16 juta warna.

Ponsel GSM berbentuk jam pertama di dunia diluncurkan oleh SMS Development Ltd. Australia. Produk ini diberi nama M300.

NTT DoCoMo adalah operator pertama di dunia yang meluncurkan layanan 3G. Layanan komersial mereka diluncurkan pada 1 Oktober tahun 2001

Motorola adalah vendor pertama di dunia yang meluncurkan ponsel berkemampuan GPRS lewat seri V66 pada tahun 2001.

Ericsson R380 adalah ponsel berbasis sistem operasi Symbian pertama di dunia yang diluncurkan pada tahun 2000.

Nokia N-Gage adalah ponsel games pertama yang berbasis sistem operasi Symbian. Ponsel ini diluncurkan pada tahun 2003.

Nokia 7610 adalah ponsel berkemampuan megapixel (1 MP) pertama yang diluncurkan ke pasar pada tahun 2004

Jaringan GSM pertama kali di luncurkan oleh Radiolinja dari Finlandia pada tahun 1991.

Layanan telekomunikasi yang bergerak di jaringan CDMA 2000 pertama kali diluncurkan Oleh SK Telekom dari Korea pada tahun 2000.

Layanan komersial CDMA 2000 1xEV-DO pertama kali diluncurkan pada tahun 2002 oleh SK Telekom di Korea.

Flybook V33i adalah Notebook pertama di Indonesia yang dilengkapi dengan kemampuan bergerak dijaringan HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access). Diluncurkan pada bulan November 2006

Pameran telekomunikasi terbesar di Asia adalah Communic Asia. Pameran ini biasa diselenggarakan di Singapura setiap dua tahun sekali. Hampir seluruh operator, manufaktur dan service provider dari seluruh dunia ikut berpartisipasi dalam pameran ini, dan memperkenalkan inovasi dan teknologi terbaru yang berhasil mereka kembangkan.

China adalah negara dengan pengguna ponsel terbanyak. Hingga tahun 2006 penggunanya mencapai lebih dari 443 juta orang.

Mobile blogging (Moblog) pertama kali dibuat oleh Tom Vilmer Paamand pada tanggal 21 Mei tahun 2000.

Layanan HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) secara komersial pertama kali diluncurkan oleh SK Telekom pada bulai Mei 2006. Layanan tersebut diberi nama 3G+.

Be pOsitif biar hidup jadi tentram...

Pygmalion adalah seorang pemuda yang berbakat seni memahat.

Ia sungguh piawai dalam memahat patung.

Karya ukiran tangannya sungguh bagus.
Tetapi bukan kecakapannya itu menjadikan ia dikenal dan disenangi teman dan tetangganya.

Pygmalion dikenal sebagai orang yang suka berpikiran positif.
Ia memandang segala sesuatu dari sudut yang baik.

SELALU POSITIF . . . . DAN POSITIF

Apabila lapangan di tengah kota becek, orang-orang mengomel.

Tetapi Pygmalion berkata, "Untunglah, lapangan yang lain tidak sebecek ini."

* Ketika ada seorang pembeli patung ngotot menawar-nawar harga,

kawan-kawan Pygmalion berbisik,"Kikir betul orangitu."

Tetapi Pygmalion berkata,

"Mungkin orang itu perlu mengeluarkan uang untuk urusan lain yanglebih perlu".

* Ketika anak-anak mencuri apel dikebunnya,

Pygmalion tidak mengumpat. Ia malah merasa iba,

"Kasihan,anak-anak itu kurang mendapat pendidikan dan makanan yang cukup di rumahnya."

Itulah pola pandang Pygmalion.

Ia tidak melihat suatu keadaan dari segi buruk, melainkan justru dari segi baik.

Ia tidak pernah berpikir buruk tentang orang lain;

sebaliknya,

ia mencoba membayangkan hal-hal baik dibalik perbuatan buruk orang lain.

Pada suatu hari Pygmalion mengukir sebuah patung wanita dari kayu yang sangat halus.

Patung itu berukuran manusia sungguhan.
Ketika sudah rampung, patung itu tampak seperti manusia betul.
Wajah patung itu tersenyum manis menawan, tubuhnya elok menarik.
Kawan-kawan Pygmalion berkata,

"Ah,sebagus- bagusnya patung, itu cuma patung, bukan isterimu."

Tetapi Pygmalion memperlakukan patung itu sebagai manusia betul.

Berkali-kali patung itu ditatapnya dan dielusnya.
para dewa yang ada di Gunung Olympus memperhatikan dan menghargai sikapPygmalion,

lalu mereka memutuskan untuk memberi anugerah kepada Pygmalion,

yaitu mengubah patung itu menjadi manusia betul.

Begitulah,

Pygmalion hidup berbahagia dengan isterinya itu

yang konon adalah wanita tercantik di seluruh negeri Yunani.

Nama Pygmalion dikenang hingga kini

untuk mengambarkan dampak pola berpikir yang positif.

Kalau kita berpikir positif tentang suatu keadaan atau seseorang,

seringkali hasilnya betul-betul menjadi positif.

Misalnya,
* Jika kita bersikap ramah terhadap seseorang,

maka orang itupun akan menjadi ramah terhadap kita.

* Jika kita memperlakukan anak kita sebagai anak yang cerdas,

akhirnya dia betul-betul menjadi cerdas.

* Jika kita yakin bahwa upaya kita akan berhasil,

besar sekali kemungkinan upaya dapat merupakan separuh keberhasilan.

Dampak pola berpikir positif itu disebut dampak Pygmalion.

Pikiran kita memang seringkali mempunyai 2 dampak :

fulfilling prophecy atau ramalan tergenapi, baik positif maupun negatif.

* Kalau kita menganggap tetangga kita judes

sehingga kita tidak mau bergaul dengan dia,

maka akhirnya dia betul-betu menjadi judes.

* Kalau kita mencurigai dan menganggap anak kita tidak jujur,

akhirnya ia betul-betul menjadi tidak jujur.

* Kalau kita sudah putus asa dan merasa tidak sanggup pada awal suatu usaha,

besar sekali kemungkinannya kita betul-betul akan gagal.

Pola pikir Pygmalion adalah berpikir,

menduga dan berharap hanya yang baik tentang suatu keadaan atau seseorang.

Bayangkan,

bagaimana besar dampaknya bila kita berpola pikir positif seperti itu.

Kita tidak akan berprasangka buruk tentang orang lain.

Kita tidak menggunjingkan desas-desus yang jelek tentang orang lain.

Kita tidak menduga-duga yang jahat tentang orang lain.

Kalau kita berpikir buruk tentang orang lain,

selalu ada saja bahan untuk menduga hal-hal yang buruk.

Jika ada seorang kawan memberi hadiah kepada kita,

jelas itu adalah perbuatan baik.

Tetapi jika kita berpikir buruk, kita akan menjadi curiga,

"Barangkali ia sedang mencoba membujuk,"

atau kita mengomel, "Ah, hadiahnya cuma barang murah."

Yang rugi dari pola pikir seperti itu adalah diri kita sendiri.

Kita menjadi mudah curiga. Kita menjadi tidak bahagia.

Sebaliknya,

kalau kita berpikir positif,

kita akan menikmati hadiah itu dengan rasa gembira dan syukur,
"Ia begitu murahhati. Walaupun ia sibuk, ia ingat untuk memberi kepada kita."...... ..

Warna hidup memang tergantung dari warna kaca mata yang kita pakai.
Kalau kita memakai kaca mata kelabu,

segala sesuatu akan tampak kelabu.

Hidup menjadi kelabu dan suram.

Tetapi kalau kita memakai kaca mata yang terang, segala sesuatu akan tampak cerah.

Kaca mata yang berprasangka atau benci

akan menjadikan hidup kita penuh rasa curiga dan dendam.

Tetapi kaca mata yang damai akan menjadikan hidup kita damai.

Hidup akan menjadi baik kalau kita memandangnya dari segi yang baik.

Berpikir baik tentang diri sendiri.

Berpikir baik tentang orang lain.
Berpikir baik tentang keadaan.

Berpikir baik tentang Tuhan.

Dampak berpikir baik seperti itu akan kita rasakan.
Keluarga menjadi hangat.

Kawan menjadi bisa dipercaya.
Tetangga menjadi akrab.

Pekerjaan menjadi menyenangkan.

Dunia menjadi ramah.

Hidup menjadi indah.

Seperti Pygmalion, begitulah.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE PYGMALION

and the world will be filled with positive people only........ ....how nice!!!!

Live Your Dream

the first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us
to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around
when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a
smile that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi handsome. My name is
Rose. I'm 87 years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave
me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and
have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be
taking on this challenge at her age.

I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she
told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate
milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next 3 months we would leave
class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this
"time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made
friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the
attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.
I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to
the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her
three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed, she leaned into the microphone and
simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this
whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me
just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing
because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving
success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a
dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking
around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are 19 years old and lie in bed for 1 full year and don't do one
productive thing, you will turn 20 years old. If I am 87 years old and stay
in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn 88.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea
is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for
things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with
regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily
lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all
those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over 2,000 college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful
woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can
possibly be.

Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.

Five Things Happy People Do

Sages going back to Socrates have offered advice on how to be happy, but only now are scientists beginning to address this question with systematic, controlled research. Although many of the new studies reaffirm time-honored wisdom ("Do what you love," "To thine own self be true"), they also add a number of fresh twists and insights. We canvassed the leading experts on what happy people have in common—and why it's worth trying to become one of them:

They find their most golden self. Picture happiness. What do you see? A peaceful soul sitting in a field of daisies appreciating the moment? That kind of passive, pleasure-oriented—hedonic—contentment is definitely a component of overall happiness. But researchers now believe that eudaimonic well-being may be more important. Cobbled from the Greek eu ("good") and daimon ("spirit" or "deity"), eudaimonia means striving toward excellence based on one's unique talents and potential—Aristotle considered it to be the noblest goal in life. In his time, the Greeks believed that each child was blessed at birth with a personal daimon embodying the highest possible expression of his or her nature. One way they envisioned the daimon was as a golden figurine that would be revealed by cracking away an outer layer of cheap pottery (the person's baser exterior). The effort to know and realize one's most golden self—"personal growth," in today's lingo—is now the central concept of eudaimonia, which has also come to include continually taking on new challenges and fulfilling one's sense of purpose in life.

"Eudaimonic well-being is much more robust and satisfying than hedonic happiness, and it engages different parts of the brain," says Richard J. Davidson, PhD, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "The positive emotion accompanying thoughts that are directed toward meaningful goals is one of the most enduring components of well-being." Eudaimonia is also good for the body. Women who scored high on psychological tests for it (they were purposefully engaged in life, pursued self-development) weighed less, slept better, and had fewer stress hormones and markers for heart disease than others—including those reporting hedonic happiness—according to a study led by Carol Ryff, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

They design their lives to bring in joy. It may seem obvious, but "people don't devote enough time to thinking seriously about how they spend their life and how much of it they actually enjoy," says David Schkade, PhD, a psychologist and professor of management at the University of California San Diego. In a recent study, Schkade and colleagues asked more than 900 working women to write down everything they'd done the day before. Afterward, they reviewed their diaries and evaluated how they felt at each point. When the women saw how much time they spent on activities they didn't like, "some people had tears in their eyes," Schkade says. "They didn't realize their happiness was something they could design and have control over."

Analyzing one's life isn't necessarily easy and may require questioning long-held assumptions. A high-powered career might, in fact, turn out to be unfulfilling; a committed relationship once longed for could end up being irritating with all the compromising that comes with having a partner. Dreams can be hard to abandon, even when they've turned sour.

Fortunately, changes don't have to be big ones to tip the joy in your favor. Schkade says that if you transfer even an hour of your day from an activity you hate (commuting, scrubbing the bathroom) to one you like (reading, spending time with friends), you should see a significant improvement in your overall happiness. Taking action is key. Another recent study, at the University of Missouri, compared college students who made intentional changes (joining a club, upgrading their study habits) with others who passively experienced positive turns in their circumstances (receiving a scholarship, being relieved of a bad roommate). All the students were happier in the short term, but only the group who made deliberate changes stayed that way.

They avoid "if only" fantasies. If only I get a better job…find a man…lose the weight…life will be perfect. Happy people don't buy into this kind of thinking.

The latest research shows that we're surprisingly bad at predicting what will make us happy. People also tend to misjudge their contentment when zeroing in on a single aspect of their life—it's called the focusing illusion. In one study, single subjects were asked, "How happy are you with your life in general?" and "How many dates did you have last month?" When the dating question was asked first, their romantic life weighed more heavily into how they rated their overall happiness than when the questions were reversed.
The other argument against "if only" fantasies has to do with "hedonic adaptation"—the brain's natural dimming effect, which guarantees that a new house won't generate the same pleasure a year after its purchase and the thrill of having a boyfriend will ebb as you get used to being part of a couple. Happy people are wise to this, which is why they keep their lives full of novelty, even if it's just trying a new activity (diving, yoga) or putting a new spin on an old favorite (kundalini instead of vinyasa).

They put best friends first. It's no surprise that social engagement is one of the most important contributors to happiness. What's news is that the nature of the relationship counts. Compared with dashing around chatting with acquaintances, you get more joy from spending longer periods of time with a close friend, according to research by Meliksah Demir, PhD, assistant professor of psychology at Northern Arizona University. And the best-friend benefit doesn't necessarily come from delving into heavy discussions. One of the most essential pleasures of close friendship, Demir found, is simple companionship, "just hanging out," as he says, hitting the mall or going to the movies together and eating popcorn in the dark.

They allow themselves to be happy. As much as we all think we want it, many of us are convinced, deep down, that it's wrong to be happy (or too happy). Whether the belief comes from religion, culture, or the family you were raised in, it usually leaves you feeling guilty if you're having fun.

"Some people would say you shouldn't strive for personal happiness until you've taken care of everyone in the world who is starving or doesn't have adequate medical care," says Howard Cutler, MD, coauthor with the Dalai Lama of The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World. "The Dalai Lama believes you should pursue both simultaneously. For one thing, there is clear research showing that happy people tend to be more open to helping others. They also make better spouses and parents." And in one famous study, nuns whose autobiographies expressed positive emotions (such as gratitude and optimism) lived seven to 10-and-a-half years longer than other nuns. So, for any die-hard pessimist who still needs persuading, just think of how much more you can help the world if you allow a little happiness into your life.

By Gabrielle Leblanc.

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.

by Shaun Boyd