Tools so you can become the best version of yourself
Your time (and screen time)
Your time (and screen time)
Your time (and screen time)
How do you manage your time to become the best version of yourself in an age of distractions? Are you ready to take control of your time? Use this tool to see how you balance social media, friends, homework, and time to create a life where you develop your projects, passions, and initiatives. Then see how you want to balance your time moving forward.
Your activities
Your time (and screen time)
Your time (and screen time)
Do you want to create positive habits that last over time and not get stuck in bad habits? This tool helps you reflect on your current habits and see how you can start doing things that may feel heavy at first, but that make you who you want to be and that feel good in the long run. And how you can avoid things that may be easy to start with, but that make you frustrated over time because it doesn't contribute to who you want to be. Start shaping your long-term agenda.
Your reading
Your time (and screen time)
Your social media
Are you ready to take the next step in your development? This tool consists of a carefully selected collection of books that lay the foundation for your journey towards knowledge, self-awareness and success. There is no one book with all the answers, but there are many that will help you on the path to the best version of yourself.
Your social media
Your news consumption
Your social media
For UN World Philosophy Day 2024, I developed this toolkit consisting of three tools to better understand and use social media. The three tools are based on three of the leading Enlightenment philosophers: Voltaire: Freedom to question & think critically. Rousseau: Authenticity and community. Wollstonecraft: Equality and education
Your news consumption
Your news consumption
Your news consumption
Do you want to understand the world better? Do you want to become someone who shapes society instead of passively watching? Learn to critically examine the news, discover connections that give you a deeper understanding of today's society, and see opportunities to get involved.
Your goals
Your news consumption
Your news consumption
Do you want to become the best version of yourself and are wondering how to set goals to get there? Then this is a tool that may be relevant to you. It is a tool that helps you set different types of goals based on what you want and think with the help of some of the leading philosophers in world history.
Tools to help others become the best version of themselves
Philosophy Questionnaire
Philosophy Keynote and Workshop
Philosophy Questionnaire
It doesn't take much resources or planning to start a philosophical discussion. Gather a list of philosophical quotes and let friends/students vote on which ones they find most inspiring. Then just have a discussion about the quotes that people found most inspiring. As a follow-up, a Tier List of the most popular quotes can be presented.
Philosophy Table
Philosophy Keynote and Workshop
Philosophy Questionnaire
When the school has an activity for everyone, a philosophy table can be set up. A list of philosophical quotes can be used (see tool 1) and to increase interest, a competition can be organized where books are raffled off to those who participate. The important thing, however, is to create a physical place where there is space for philosophical conversations.
Philosophy Keynote and Workshop
Philosophy Keynote and Workshop
Philosophy Keynote and Workshop
If the school allows it, you could try to have a philosophy class or two, preferably in conjunction with the UN World Philosophy Day. During this, you could have a keynote where philosophy is introduced and then you could have a smaller workshop, for example on how philosophy can be used to understand and use social media in a more thoughtful way.
Your time (plan for the best version 0f yourself)
Your time and screen time
Screen time can be a problem that crowd out important parts of life, such as sleep, physical activity, relationships, meals and schoolwork. But screen time can also be a tool to become who you want to be. Screens can be seen as windows to the world, platforms where exciting tools are available for creation and creativity. Screens can provide a fantastic opportunity to communicate with people from all over the world, gain access to almost endless knowledge and learn from others.
It is therefore obvious that screen time depends on content and context, and what is important is what we do in front of the screen and what we do the rest of the time?
When I read the Swedish Public Health Agency's "Recommendations for balanced screen use among children", I wondered how they view us young people and the screen time we should have in order to be able to live life to the fullest. I contacted the Swedish Public Health Agency's Director General Olivia Wigzell to ask how they view screen time for a life where you develop your own projects, passions and initiatives.
I received a quick and encouraging response from the Public Health Agency's response service, where they clarified that their focus is on helping young people avoid negative consequences. They wrote that “the recommendations and associated tips for everyday life are to avoid negative consequences of using digital media. The rules of thumb that we state regarding times are precisely intended to show some form of indication of when use can become problematic”
According to the Public Health Agency (FHM), children between the ages of nine and twelve today have an average of four hours of screen time per day. For young people between the ages of 17 and 18, the figure is up to just over seven hours per day excluding schoolwork.
The Public Health Agency's focus, to avoid negative consequences, is important and both the statistics I have seen and my own experiences at school show that many people spend a lot of time in front of their screens. So, there is clearly a need for many to take steps towards greatly reducing screen time for better health and not to crowd out “sleep, physical activity, relationships, meals and schoolwork”.
At the same time, I wonder if it wouldn't be good to go beyond just the negative consequences and also provide guidelines for how to have the best possible life, with room for creativity and creation.
It can be helpful to divide the screen time issue into three categories.
Category 1: Screen time as part of a mentally and physically unhealthy life
Category 2: Screen time that is not harmful
Category 3: Screen time that supports the life you want, where you develop your own projects, passions, and initiatives.
I sent a draft to the Public Health Agency with such a division and was happy and inspired when they appreciated my compilation of time priorities for different lives: “Very interesting compilation that you have made below. It seems very wise to think about how you want to use your time, as you have done based on your own needs. We will take that with us as a good tip.”
I therefore want to share my updated compilation of “screen time for different lives” to contribute to the discussion about how we young people spend our time today, what role screen time should have, and how we can have a nuanced discussion about screen time. When it comes to negative aspects, a maximum ceiling can often be established, but the role of screen time in relation to developing one’s own projects, passions, and initiatives requires a discussion about both quantity and quality as well as the context in which it exists.
In the next version of recommendations on screen time and social media, I hope that the Public Health Agency, and another authorities, will also include a discussion about screen time/social media as part of a good life where one has the opportunity to pursue one’s own projects, passions, and initiatives. Perhaps as part of the discussion about existential health?
See below for a graphic overview of three different categories of screen time lives. I assumed that we young people have about seven hours after we get home from school, so the question is how these hours should be distributed. Of course, different people will manage their time in different ways, but it might be interesting to see if it is possible to learn from each other how to manage your time today and how you want to manage it tomorrow. Which category do you belong to today and which one do you want to belong to tomorrow? Do you think that authorities should also support us young people in living full creative roles (and not just avoiding bad and unhealthy situations)?
Your activities (from short-term to long-term)
Your time and screen time
When we start doing positive, growth-oriented activities for ourselves—such as exercising, reading, or working on a project—we may initially feel that it’s a bit difficult or even boring to begin. However, once we’re done, we feel proud and happy because we’re doing something we truly want. After a while, we often start to enjoy getting started as well, because it has become a part of who we are and something we take pleasure in doing.
On the other hand, when we scroll through social media, play games, eat fast food, by fast fashion, we might feel happy at first, but then feel down when we stop, knowing that it wasn’t actually beneficial. Over time the short-term activities can turn into a way to escape reality and become addictive. At that point, it’s no longer enjoyable neither to start nor finish—it just becomes a distraction and a way to feel less bad.
To the left is a diagram to illustrate this.
To avoid falling into this negative spiral, you can create a list of things that make life more enjoyable and exciting. This could be a list of small, fun goals or events to look forward to—such as trying a new activity or even a new dish. It could also include long-term goals that require more effort, like starting a project with the aim of making the world better, learning an instrument, earning a black belt, participating in a competition, or writing a book.
By using this tool you can start to explore your long-term goals and avoid short-term distractions.
Your reading (books for life)
Building your library
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you think, inspired you to grow, or helped you become a better person?
In this tool, I have written reviews of various books that I believe can make you a better person. Whether you want to boost your self-confidence, improve your relationships, or find meaning and purpose, I think you can appreciate and learn from these books. But please see these only as inspiration and a support for your journey towards your own library.
The Philosophy Book, by Will Buckingham , Douglas Burnham , Clive Hill
“The Philosophy Book” is a reference book that can be used to learn about the history of philosophy. It is a very good book that provides an overview of the history of philosophy and many of the most famous philosophers. Each philosopher is presented with a short overview, a longer text and an illustrated summary. This is a book that you can read parts of and have over a long time as a reference book. A perfect book to complement other books.
Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse
Siddhartha is written by Hermann Hesse, who lived from 1877 to 1962. The novel Siddhartha was written in 1922, during a period when Hesse was strongly influenced by Eastern philosophy and his own inner search for meaning and spiritual enlightenment.
Hesse was a German-Swiss author and Nobel Prize winner in literature who explored the spiritual and existential search of the individual. His writing combines influences from Eastern philosophy, psychology and the Western literary tradition.
Hesse was influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche, especially his idea of the superman (Übermensch) and the self-realization of the individual. Siddhartha seeks his own path to insight and enlightenment, which is similar to Nietzsche's idea of overcoming societal norms and creating one's own meaning in life.
The book also captures that life has no meaning, which is what Schopenhauer thought about life, but we don't have to see that as something negative, but instead see it as an opportunity to choose the content ourselves without it being given to us by a god.
The book is about a person, Siddhartha, who sets out into the world to find himself. He tries to find himself through many different things, such as starving himself, meditating, making a lot of money, gambling, eating good food, and sex. But in the end finds peace in ferrying people across a river and listening to the water.
Siddhartha has an unusual personality development in that he first seeks wisdom through reading, meditation, and by living as an ascetic, then seeks the meaning of life in the simple pleasures of life, and then finds wisdom in a river and in conversations with a person who helps people across the river.
One aspect that I found fascinating was when Siddhartha left his father at the beginning of the book and then was left by his son at the end of the book. His reaction when his child left him was the only time, apart from a suicide attempt, where he reacted in desperation instead of reflection. His son leaving him made him see how the cycle of life is eternal. It was the last step before he achieved total understanding and love.
The book gets a whole life of wondering, questioning and experiences into less than 200 pages. You get a whole life's worth of knowledge and lessons from a few hours of reading. The book warns of destructive paths, but also gives us an understanding of how to achieve peace.
What would you fill your life with if you had to choose all by yourself? Have you ever found peace in the simple/simple, like Siddhartha and the river? If you are interested in such questions, I think this book is for you.
Huangzi speaks - The music of nature, by Tsai Chih-chung
Zhuangzi speaks is based on the book Zhuangzi which was written in 400-300 BC by Zhuang Zhou but was interpreted in comic book format in 1986 by Tsai Chih-chung. It is a book that really stands out in that it addresses important questions about life, but does so in a way that everyone can understand and it makes it fun. Through short stories we learn about wisdom, harmony, and how we can think differently.
What is the book about?
"Zhuangzi speaks" is filled with small, thought-provoking stories that make you think. Instead of teaching facts about philosophy, the book teaches you about life through the perspectives of different characters. The stories are about everything from kings to fishermen and show that wisdom can be found everywhere. I was also fascinated by how Eastern culture has a different view of what is important and successful, e.g. the powerful and rich bow because they show respect for poor wise people. I think that is something that Western culture can learn a lot from.
What is Dao?
“Dao is a central focus of the book and means roughly “the way” or “the natural flow of life”. It is about living in balance with the world and following how things work naturally instead of fighting against it. Imagine yourself floating with the current in a river – it is easier than trying to swim against the current. Dao is like that current – something we can follow to make life easier.” From that description, I think dao is more like a tool than the meaning of life itself in the sense that if we just let life flow naturally we don’t need to develop new ideas or improve society, but it is not so clear what dao “the natural way” is so one can strive for enlightenment and development through dao as long as one does not destroy nature.
“Wise people are more important than rich people
One of the important messages of the book is that wisdom is much more important than wealth or power. In one of the stories we meet a simple fisherman who understands the true value of life better than a king. The conversation ends with the king bowing twice while the fisherman walks away. It shows that it is what is inside and how you understand the world that counts, not how much money you have. From my experience, it is an Eastern way of looking at wisdom and knowledge. As I said, I think it is something that we in Western culture can learn a lot from.
The reader's own thoughts matter
How much you like the book depends on how you interpret the stories. They are about issues that are still relevant today, such as stress, relationships and how we can live a better life. If you connect the stories to modern problems, the book becomes even more interesting and useful.
The language is a little different
Sometimes the language can feel unusual because the book is both old and from a culture that many in the West are not familiar with, so there are some expressions, thoughts and approaches that can feel unusual and more poetic. An example is:
"When the butterfly dreams that it is a human, how does it know that it is not a human dreaming that it is a butterfly?"
It is a quote that is easy to read but makes you think about what is really real.
Eastern philosophy and people
It will be extra fun to read the book if you know some Eastern philosophers, such as Laozi or Confucius. Confucius appears in several stories, often as someone who also learns something about the Dao. It is fun to see how these famous people that we still remember today are challenged by ordinary people who have a deeper understanding of life. It also makes me reflect on how many wise people's thoughts we missed out on because they did not want to write down their thoughts, did not have access to paper and pen and did not have contacts who could publish the books so they could live on.
What I thought
"Zhuangzi Speaks" is a book that is both educational and fun to read. It's perfect for those of you who like to think and maybe get new ideas about how to live and improve your life. Although the language is sometimes a little different, the stories are easy to understand and inspire you to see the world in a new way.
Gandhi, by Arne Naess
The author is Arne Naess (1912-2009), and the book was published on September 1, 2002, when Naess was 90 years old.
It is a biography of Gandhi's (1869-1948) ideas and his life. It takes place mainly in India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and follows Gandhi's struggle for liberation from the British Empire. Of course, most of it is about Gandhi, but Arne Naess also writes about how he himself related to the events and ideas discussed in the book. Naess also writes about how he himself used Gandhi's thoughts in his fight for the environment and for peace.
Gandhi sticks to the same principles throughout his life, according to Naess. I think Naess should have discussed the challenges of Gandhi's philosophy in more detail. For example, that Gandhi believed that if your opponents beat you and you just continue to stand up for your idea, they will eventually stop beating you.
But what if they don't care and just keep hitting, or even shooting you? Gandhi seemed to assume that everyone has some kind of ethical boundary where it is not acceptable to continue using violence against someone who is actively practicing nonviolence. But as Naess mentions, this may not always be the case. Naess takes up the case of China in Tibet as an example.
An interesting example of how Gandhi sought dialogue was his work with the boycott of English textiles. Gandhi fought for India to stop importing fabrics from England because this put an end to Indian textile work and many people were unemployed in India. But when Gandhi came to England, he visited the English textile workers because he wanted to show that he had nothing against them as people, but that it was the negative consequences in India that he wanted to solve.
Some quotes that Gandhi used to describe nonviolence are: “Turn the other cheek”, “You must not lose faith in humanity”, “Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops are dirty, the whole ocean does not become dirty” and “Violence is fear of other people’s ideas”.
What I think Arne Naess wanted to convey is his admiration for Gandhi, but also how relevant Gandhi is to many of our great challenges, such as war and environmental problems.
In the last chapter, Naess discusses Gandhi’s philosophy in relation to various philosophers, including Nietzsche and Hobbes.
I liked the book because after reading it you have a fairly broad knowledge of both Gandhi and non-violence. You also gain knowledge about Arne Naess.
Arne Naess as an author is interesting because he is still a leading philosopher. He was involved in designing Deep Ecology, which assumes that all living organisms have value and that even a stone has value because it belongs to an ecological fabric. He is one of the leading philosophers for global sustainability.
There were quite a few complicated words in the book and the text was small, so fairly good reading habits are recommended.
The Little Buddha: Finding Happiness, by Claus Mikosch
The Little Buddha is a book by Claus Mikosch. It is a book that makes me want to go out into the world without a plan.
The book begins with little Buddha feeling lonely, then a friend suggests he go on vacation, which he does. During his journey he meets many inspiring people and some whom he helps. Throughout most of the book I related to, and was inspired by, little Buddha.
> The chapter "The Unsuccessful Market Trader" discussed that you can do what you are passionate about without running out of money and that more people like you if you are happy.
> The chapter "The Blind Witch" discussed that you can find happiness no matter what happens.
> The chapter "The Doubting Warrior" discussed that you can always start over and that you can use your experiences in many different areas.
However, one chapter, where he encounters some fishermen, had many ideas that I think should be questioned:
For example, they say: "I simply let life be life. Without having any expectations, neither good nor bad". I think that having no expectations can easily become something negative and that it is a passive view of life in a time of great opportunities and great challenges.
They pulled up a big, jumping fish and everyone laughed. I don't see how it is funny about a fish fighting for its life. The philosopher Bentham said back in the 18th century that it was uninteresting whether animals have human qualities such as reason or language: If animals can suffer, the suffering should be taken into account.
The fishermen also said that the most important thing is to maintain your curiosity and meet new people, but they hang out with the same people and do the same things every day.
They also said that you learn new things every day because the sea is a teacher with infinite knowledge, but they give no examples of what they learn.
Little Buddha thought that an old person is like the sunset because it is beautiful, perhaps even the most beautiful part of the day and the most beautiful part of life because you are free from expectations and filled with peace. But is it good to always be free from expectations and what does that mean - expectations for yourself or for everything in the world?
The fact that a chapter challenges your thinking is positive and I think Claus Mikosch succeeded well in creating a fictional story with built-in interesting questions. That's why I think it's a book that can make many people who haven't thought in philosophical terms think and reason in that way. That's why it gets eight out of ten philosophy points from me.
1984, by George Orwell
George Orwell's book "1984", is considered one of the world's most frightening and depressing books ever written. It was published in 1949, which is 75 years ago, and describes a future where everything and everyone is completely monitored. Even though the book was written seventy-five years ago, I think the plot and message are still very relevant today.
The story takes place in Oceania, a state where the all-ruling state, known as "The Party", has total power over its citizens. The main character, Winston Smith, works at the "Ministry of Truth", where he manipulates historical documents for the benefit of the Party. Winston's inner struggle to be human and seek the truth in a world full of lies is central to the novel. He also begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, a relationship that also goes against the Party's rules. Their pursuit of freedom and love leads them to a situation where the Party reacts and what happens is something you have to read if you can bear it.
One of the interesting things about the book "1984" is its relevance to today's society. We live in an age where we are constantly being monitored, where governments and corporations collect and analyze our personal information. The term "Big Brother," introduced by Orwell, is used today to describe how our private lives are threatened by technology and social media. Many people feel limited by the invisible surveillance that exists all around them, which makes Orwell's dystopia more than just fiction - it raises questions about the kind of society we want and is a warning about the future.
Several philosophers have reflected on the themes of "1984," including Michel Foucault. Foucault argued that power is always there and shapes our behaviors and norms without us being aware of it. Orwell's book provides an example of this, where citizens become so indoctrinated that they do not even question the authority of the Party.
Another philosopher, Hannah Arendt, introduced the concept of “banal evil,” which explains how ordinary people can commit atrocities when they follow the orders of a power structure. In “1984,” we see how individuals are shaped by societal norms and how they can lose their ability to think critically. Winston and Julia’s struggle is a reminder of the importance of independent thought and resistance to systems that try to silence it.
“1984” is more than just an old novel; it is a timeless study of power, control, and human freedom. Through Winston’s eyes, we gain insight into the terrifying consequences of a world without privacy and an all-powerful state. Orwell’s work reminds us of the importance of preserving our humanity and always being vigilant against the limitations of power. In a time when we constantly question our place in an increasingly monitored world, “1984” is a book we should all read—and reflect on.
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Frankenstein is a book that Mary Shelley began writing when she was only 18 years old. It was first published anonymously in 1808. Mary Shelley was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, a famous Enlightenment philosopher and women's rights activist, and William Godwin, a radical journalist and philosopher. I think it's amazing that she wrote such a good book at such a young age, especially since at that time it was seen as strange for a woman to even write books, because society was very unfair to women at that time.
Frustration and sadness
When I read the book, I felt a lot of frustration and sadness. The story is about a scientist, Victor Frankenstein, who creates life from dead bodies but then abandons his creation, which he himself begins to call a "monster". It's so frustrating because it seems like Victor could have solved everything so easily if he had just listened to what the creature wanted - to have a friend or someone to share his life with. I think Victor betrayed him and didn't take responsibility as a creator.
Criticism of how we treat different people
One thing the book really shows is how unfairly we treat people who are different. The "monster" wasn't evil to begin with, but he was hated and feared by everyone he met just because he looked different. It made him lonely and filled with sadness and anger, and in the end he became bitter and started to hate the world that hated him. I actually don't think we should call him a "monster" at all. He was a thinking and feeling being, just like us. We can reflect on how we ourselves would have acted and felt if we were treated like the "monster".
Responsibility and morality
The book also helps us think about what responsibility we have when we create something. Victor Frankenstein took no responsibility for his creation, and it led to a lot of suffering, both for himself and for others. If we do something – big or small – we have a responsibility for it, otherwise it can have consequences we don't want to happen.
A different story than the movies
Many people may think of the green monster from old Frankenstein movies, but the book is not like that at all. Here, the "monster" is not just a scary figure. He is a complex character who from the beginning just wants to be accepted. An important question that the book asks is whether he has the right to have a companion. He was born into a world where he is hated no matter what he does. Isn't it fair that he should have someone who can understand him?
What I learned
The book taught me that there are always different sides to a story. At first, I thought Victor was the hero and the "monster" the villain, but the more I read, the more I realized that Victor had made many mistakes. That is something we can all learn from – not to judge too quickly and to try to understand others.
Summary
Frankenstein is a book that inspires us to be considerate and not judge others based on their appearance or first impressions. Mary Shelley wrote something that still feels relevant today. It's a story about responsibility, loneliness, and how we treat those who are different. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that is both exciting and thought-provoking.
Your social media (using enlightenment philosophers)
Toolbox for today's media
For World Philosophy Day 2024, I developed a toolbox consisting of three tools to better understand social media. The three tools are based on three of the leading Enlightenment philosophers:
Voltaire: Freedom to question & think critically
Voltaire thought it was important to be able to think for yourself and question things.
On social media, we can use Voltaire's idea by:
> Asking questions like "Is this really true?" or "Is there any evidence for this?" when we see something.
> Don't just believe everything we see, but investigate and think for yourself.
> Share content that helps others think for themselves and not just go with the flow.
This helps us become smarter and not be fooled by false information.
Rousseau: Authenticity and Community
Rousseau believed that it is important to be yourself and be honest.
On social media, we can use this tool by:
> Sharing things that really matter to us and show who we are, instead of just trying to get a lot of likes.
> Being open about our own feelings and experiences, which helps us understand each other better.
> Participating in groups or forums where people can talk for real and not just show a perfect image of themselves.
This helps us build friendships that are real and not just superficial.
Wollstonecraft: Equality and Education
Mary Wollstonecraft fought for everyone, including women, to have the same rights and be able to get an education.
On social media, we can use her ideas by:
> Creating and sharing content that is about justice, equality and treating everyone equally.
> Creating and sharing content that helps others understand why it is important for everyone to have the same opportunities.
> Standing up against bullying, racism and injustice online and supporting those who are being victimized.
This helps us create a place where everyone feels welcome and respected.
With these tools, I hope you have been given inspiration to approach social media in a better way. To ensure that social media is less of a place for superficiality and nonsense, and instead becomes a place for development and knowledge.
Your news consumption: 10 YouTube Channels That can help you
10 YouTube Channels That Will Make You Smarter
We live in a time of great complexity—and great confusion. From climate change to AI, from political polarization to existential questions, the world is full of challenges that require thoughtful, informed responses. Yet misinformation spreads rapidly, and even fundamental facts—like the Earth being round or gravity existing—are being questioned by some.
That’s why we need an Enlightenment 2.0—a renewed commitment to reason, science, and critical thinking. But this time, it’s not just about discovering the power of science; it’s also about understanding what science can and cannot tell us. Science is a powerful tool for understanding the world, but it cannot alone determine what we ought to do. That’s where philosophy, ethics, and values come in. To face the future wisely, we need to become both scientifically literate and ethically reflective.
To help you get there, I’ve put together a list of 10 YouTube channels that will expand your understanding of reality—from physics and philosophy to productivity and emotional intelligence. These creators make big ideas engaging, accessible, and inspiring.
1. Lex Fridman
• Content: Long-form interviews with scientists, philosophers, engineers, and thinkers on topics like AI, physics, consciousness, and human nature.
• Why it’s great: Deep conversations (often 2–3 hours) that allow guests to explain complex ideas thoroughly. Encourages thoughtful reflection from multiple perspectives.
• Content: Beautifully animated videos that explain scientific, philosophical, and social concepts—like space exploration, ethical dilemmas, and global risks.
• Why it’s great: Makes complex topics easy to grasp with clear language and stunning visuals. Both informative and mesmerizing.
3. Vsauce
• Content: Explores mind-bending questions like “What is nothing?”, “What is time?”, and “How real is reality?” through the lens of science and philosophy.
• Why it’s great: Stimulates critical thinking, curiosity, and wonder. Michael Stevens has a gift for turning abstract questions into compelling adventures.
4. CrashCourse
• Content: Fast-paced, high-quality educational series on subjects like science, history, literature, economics, and more.
• Why it’s great: Offers a broad knowledge base with concise, engaging episodes. Ideal for learners and teachers alike.
• Content: Thought-provoking theatrical videos on philosophy, ethics, politics, and mental health—presented with wit and creativity.
• Why it’s great: Makes philosophy accessible and relevant, especially in the context of current social issues and online culture.
6. Big Think
• Content: Interviews and talks by thought leaders in science, technology, psychology, and the humanities.
• Why it’s great: Offers concise, expert insights into big ideas and how they relate to solving global challenges.
• Content: Philosophical reflections on relationships, emotions, self-knowledge, and the meaning of life.
• Why it’s great: Blends psychology and philosophy to help viewers reflect on how to live wisely and well.
8. TED-Ed
• Content: Short animated lessons on topics ranging from science and history to literature and ethics.
• Why it’s great: Visually engaging and intellectually stimulating—perfect for learning something new in just a few minutes.
9. SciShow
• Content: Explains scientific phenomena and answers quirky questions like “Why do we yawn?” or “How do vaccines work?”
• Why it’s great: Makes science fun, digestible, and constantly surprising. Great for nurturing everyday curiosity.
10. Thomas Frank
• Content: Videos about study techniques, productivity, habit formation, and personal development.
• Why it’s great: Helps you become the best version of yourself, with practical tips to improve how you learn, work, and think.
We don’t need to know everything—but we do need to know how to learn, how to question, and how to care about what matters. These YouTubers are like modern-day Enlightenment guides: showing us how to think more clearly, act more wisely, and live more meaningfully.
Let’s build Enlightenment 2.0—one video at a time.
Your Goals: Three steps towards goals for BVoYS
Introduction
Becoming the best version of yourself is not just about setting goals and building habits – it’s also about understanding what is truly meaningful and sustainable in the long run. This text is divided into three parts to give you clear and structured guidance in your personal development:
Part 1: How to Set Goals Here you will get concrete tools to formulate effective goals using the SMART method. By structuring your goals, you can increase your motivation, clarify your progress and create a strong foundation for development.
Part 2: How to go from goals to action Setting a goal is just the beginning – the real challenge is implementing it. In this part, you will get strategies for breaking goals down into manageable steps, creating sustainable habits, dealing with setbacks and keeping motivation alive.
Part 3: Setting Goals to Become the Best Version of Yourself In addition to practical goals and habits, philosophy offers a deeper understanding of what makes a life meaningful. Here we introduce three thought leaders – Arne Næss, Arthur Schopenhauer and John Stuart Mill – whose ideas can help you set goals that not only develop yourself, but also contribute to a better world.
Philosophy can give us direction and help us ask the important questions: What is a good life? What impact do I want to have on the world? By combining structured goal setting with deeper reflection, you can create a development journey that not only leads to success, but also to a more meaningful and sustainable future.
Read on to take the first steps towards becoming the best version of yourself.
Part 1: How to Set Goals
To set goals effectively, you can follow a structured method that ensures that your goals are clear, achievable and motivating. A popular strategy is to use the SMART method:
- Specific: The goal should be clearly defined and not vague.
- Measurable: It should be possible to measure progress and know when the goal has been achieved.
- Achievable The goal should feel meaningful and motivating to you.
- Relevant: It should be possible to achieve the goal, taking into account resources and time.
- Time-bound: Set a clear deadline to create a sense of urgency.
How to use the chart
The chart visualizes the five steps of the SMART method and helps to clearly structure the process of setting goals. Here are some examples of how you can use it:
1. Visual guidance
The chart serves as a simple and clear reminder of the steps you need to follow. Seeing the steps in a logical order makes it easier to remember the process and ensures that no step is forgotten.
2. Structure and focus
Each step in the chart represents an important aspect of goal setting. When you follow the steps systematically, you ensure that your goals are not just vague wishes but well-defined plans.
3. Measurable progress
The chart can also serve as a self-assessment tool. You can use it to check how well your goal meets each SMART criterion. If something is missing, you can go back and adjust.
4. Increased Motivation
Using the chart gives you a sense of direction and control. This reduces uncertainty and helps you break down large, overwhelming goals into manageable chunks.
SMART
Part 2: How to Go from Goals to Action
1. Break Your Goal Down into Small, Manageable Chunks
How: Break your goal down into small, manageable chunks that are easy to tackle. This makes it less daunting and more doable.
Example: If your goal is to exercise three times a week, start by planning when you’ll exercise each week.
2. Create a Daily or Weekly Habit
Habit: Link your goal to a habit that you can do every day or week. Create a routine that you can follow consistently.
Example: “I’ll exercise right after work every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.” It counteracts "procrastination" (when you put off a task)
3. Set reminders and triggers
Reminders: Set reminders to ensure you don't forget your habits. This can be via phone reminders or visual triggers at home.
Example: Set a reminder on your phone or lay out your workout clothes in front of you in the evening so that you see them right when you wake up.
4. Reward yourself for progress
Reward: If you feel like it's a bit heavy to stick to the habit, you can give yourself small rewards when you achieve your milestones. This helps to keep your motivation up.
Example: After a week of three workouts, treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a nice dinner or a movie night.
5. Reflect on your progress regularly
Reflection: Take time each week to reflect on what has worked and what can be improved. This will help you stay focused and adjust your plan if necessary. Even if you don't have a specific goal, I think it's very good to have a similar moment.
Example: Set aside 10 minutes every Sunday to look at your training log and think about what went well and what you can improve for next week.
6. Be flexible and adapt as needed
Flexibility: Sometimes life can get in the way. Be prepared to adjust your plan as needed, but still stick to your goal, but if it’s a recurring problem, you can think about what needs to be changed.
Example: If you miss a workout, schedule an extra workout during the week, or replace it with a different activity.
7. Keep your goal in focus by reminding yourself why
Motivation: Remind yourself of why you want to achieve this goal. Having a strong “why” can help you stay focused and motivated.
Example: Think about how good you will feel after achieving your goal, and how it will positively affect your health or well-being.
8. Celebrate small victories and keep the momentum going
Celebrate successes: Celebrate the small steps along the way. It makes the process more enjoyable and meaningful.
Example: After each week that you’ve stuck to your workout routine, give yourself a small celebration. It can be a moment to do something you enjoy.
Part 3: Setting Goals to Become the Best Version of Yourself
A lot of today's "self-help", "lifestyle influencers", etc. have a very limited view of what a good life is and what it means to be the best version of yourself. To inspire a meaningful life, I have listed three philosophers and three I's below that can guide you when setting goals for what you want to contribute.:Goals to save the animals and the planet (Arne Næss)Goals to fill your time with meaning (Arthur Schopenhauer)Goals to contribute to reducing poverty (Karl Marx)Use this material to create long-term goals that are both personally meaningful and contribute to society.
Goal 1: Goals to Save Animals and the Planet (Arne Næss)
Principle: Inspired by deep ecology, Næss encourages us to see ourselves as part of the whole of nature. Our actions should reflect respect and responsibility for the planet and its inhabitants.
Step-by-step instructions:
Reflection:
Identify how your current actions affect animals and the environment.
Explore what specific actions you can take, such as reducing your carbon footprint or protecting endangered species.
Formulate:
Write down goals that are both realistic and measurable. Examples:
“Reduce my plastic use by 50% within three months.”
“Participate in a local cleanup once a month.”
Plan and act:
Create an action plan with clear steps and time frames.
Start with a small habit, such as recycling or choosing organic products.
Evaluate:
Track your progress each month. Analyze what works and what can be improved.
Example:
Recycle all household waste within three months.
Organize a local campaign to plant 100 trees.
Goal 2: Goals to Fill Your Time with Meaning (Arthur Schopenhauer)
Principle: Schopenhauer emphasized the importance of reducing suffering and maximizing meaning. He urged us to use our time wisely by focusing on what truly brings satisfaction.
Step-by-step instructions:
Reflection:
List activities and habits that make you happy and calm as long as they do not reduce your mental or physical capacity and do not impair it for poor people or nature and other animals. Which of these do you want to increase?
Identify things that cause stress or are meaningless and think about how you can reduce them.
Formulate:
Set clear and inspiring goals. Examples:
“I want to create a daily routine of meditation for 20 minutes.”
“I want to reduce my screen time to a maximum of 1 hour per day.”
Plan and act:
Create a schedule to integrate the new activities into your daily life.
Challenge yourself to reduce distractions gradually, for example by taking a “digital detox” every weekend.
Evaluate:
Reflect weekly: “How am I feeling? Have I reached my goals? What can I adjust?”
Example:
Write a journal every day to document positive moments.
Increase creative time by painting or making music once a week.
Goals4
Principle: Mill emphasized the importance of individual freedom, but also that our prosperity is linked to the welfare of others. He believed that the progress of society is linked to how we deal with social inequalities and poverty.
Step-by-step instructions:
Reflection:
Think about the social problems that concern you most. Where do you see injustice or poverty?
Think about how you can use your resources, time or knowledge to help.
Formulate:
Create goals that have both a local and global impact. Example:
“I want to raise 10,000 kronor for local schools within a year.”
“I want to participate in a campaign that supports a global movement against climate change.”
Plan and act:
Build a network of like-minded people who share your goals.
Set milestones and schedule regular activities, such as volunteering or fundraising.
Evaluate:
Review the results of your efforts after each project. Reflect on what went well and what could be improved.
Philosophy Questionnaire
Making a questionnaire
One easy way to encourage people to think critically, reason, and argue is to provide a questionnaire with philosophers and their quotes. When the students have discussed the quotes they can also be given the opportunity to vote on which quote they thought was the best/most meaningful to them. This allows the students to further compare the quotes while also actively evaluating and reasoning about their quotes.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Quotes:
- Select Philosophers and Quotes
Choose a number of well-known philosophers from different eras, such as Socrates, Nietzsche, Simone de Beauvoir, and Confucius. For each philosopher, select a short and powerful quote that represents their way of thinking. - Create Engaging Questionnaire
For each philosopher, you can include a short introduction or just a single phrase, such as:- Socrates: The Father of Philosophy
Consider including:
- Who were they?
- What was their main philosophy?
- What does the quote mean, and how can it be interpreted today?.
- Interactive Moment – The Students Votes
After all quotes have been presented, the students gets to vote on which one they think is the best. Depending on how the questionnaire is distributed they can vote by:- Mark the quote they prefer on a printed material with all the quotes
- Raising their hands if all are gathered
- Using a digital poll (e.g., Google form, Mentimeter or Kahoot)
- Discussion and Reflection
After the voting,encourage a discussion:- Why did you choose this particular quote?
- How do we interpret these ideas in today’s society?
- Could we apply these ideas in our own lives?
- Conclusion
Summarize the results and highlight some thoughts from the discussion. You could end with a reflection:
"If we were to create our own quote to live by – what would it be?"
This method makes philosophy more engaging and encourages both critical thinking and personal reflection.
Results from Questionnaire on World Philosophy Day 2023
I gave a presentation and distributed a survey in my class on the UN’s World Philosophy Day. See to the left for S-tier list of the results.
A Philosophy Table
Setting up a philosophy table
One way to engage people in philosophy can be to hold a physical event, for example a "philosophy table". A philosophy table can look in many different ways. My philosophy table consisted of a roll-up with quotes, a survey where you had to choose which of these quotes you thought was best and justify why, then they would put their survey in different compartments depending on which stage they were in. I then drew a winner from each stage (grades 1-3, grades 4-6, and grades 7-9) and together with the principal gave a book to the winners at the different stages.
Here is a step-by-step instruction for organizing a "philosophy table":
- Create a layout for the table with different modules, e.g.
- A note with book recommendations and books that can be browsed through,
- Banner/roll-up with philosophy quotes,
- Papers where students can argue for their favorite philosophical quote
- Information about a book raffle for those who submit notes where they have argued for their favorite philosophy quote
- The most important thing, however, is that the space around the table will be a place for discussion, so remember to keep it protected.
Decide on a place for the table with those responsible at the school.
Prepare all materials and plan practical details so that you have drinks and food.
Follow up the days after the philosophy table with the distribution of prizes, an overview of which quotes were most popular.
A practical example
Below is an overview of the year when I organized a philosophy table for the first time at my school.
In dialogue with the principal of our school, Magnus Duvnäs, I was allowed to set up a “philosophy table” to encourage philosophical conversation.
At the table were 7 quotes on a roll-up and on the table were questionnaires. In the questionnaires, the students could choose one of the quotes or their own quote and then justify why they liked that particular quote. To encourage the students to get involved, a book was raffled off for each stage for those who answered the questionnaire.
Over 50 people filled out the questionnaire, many with very good arguments for the quote they chose. In primary school, some needed help writing their argument and a few boys in secondary school did not take it seriously and filled in nonsense. In total, I estimate that around 200 people visited the philosophy table.
The three most popular quotes were quotes 4, 5 and 7 (see below for all quotes). This indicates that the issue of animal rights, that you can be a different person on the inside than the person people see, and the ability to turn problems into opportunities, are philosophical questions that can be good to start with in primary school. Both girls and boys and all ages chose these.
Three winners were drawn from those who responded. These received diplomas and a book each, which were presented by the principal and me the next day.
These were the 7 quotes.
- “He who wants to be happy should not strive to increase his means, but to limit his demands.” -Plato
- “It is justice, not generosity, that is needed in the world” -Mary Wollstonecraft
- “To dare is to lose one’s footing for a little while, not to dare is to lose oneself.” -Kirkegaard
- “One should not say ‘animal’ to distinguish between humans and non-human beings. We are all animals.” -Derrida
- “Only you know whether you are cowardly and cruel, or loyal and faithful, others do not look into you, with uncertain assumptions you guess what you are like.” -Montaigne
- “Those who forget the past, ignore the present and fear the future have a very short and troubled life.” -Seneca
- “What does not kill me makes me stronger.” -Nietzsche
The three books that were raffled off:
- The Comfort of Philosophy by Alain de Botton (high school, which I previously received as a gift from Volante Publishing),
- Thinking Carefully by Liza Haglund (middle school and which was a gift from Bokbok),
- Thinking Big by Peter Ekberg (elementary school, which I bought myself)
Keynote and workshop (UN World Philosophy Day)
Making a philosophy table
During World Philosophy Day 2024, I was given the opportunity by my principal, Magnus Duvnäs, and vice principal, Jimmy Svensson, to give a presentation and group exercise for 3 year groups (4-6). The theme for the day was how philosophy is relevant to our time and can be used to understand social media. I developed a toolbox with Voltaire, Rousseau, and Wollstonecraft to analyze social media.
The presentation and group exercise went very well. Lilla Aktuellt was also there and did a feature about my presentation and World Philosophy Day (see separate blog in Swedish about it).
In the feature, the reporter, Sebastian Kaspar, asked the question “what did you think of this?” to three guys and got the answer “good, fun, Very important and interesting. Then they cut to three girls being interviewed who said “Before I didn’t know what it [philosophy] was, but now I understand a little more.”
Then he asked the question “What was most interesting?” to the three guys. Then one of the guys answered, “To know what people think and feel.” Then one of the three girls answered, “I liked this about equality and education. Because you shouldn’t compare people.”
Then another of the three girls said, “It’s good to think before you do something so you don’t hurt others.”
These reactions were very funny because the goal of the day was: That everyone got a little insight into how relevant philosophy is for our time and how it can be used in practice.
The agenda for the day was divided into five parts:
1. What is philosophy?
2. What is UN World Philosophy Day?
3. How Enlightenment philosophers can be relevant to social media (where I briefly presented Voltaire, Rousseau, and Wollstonecraft and how they can be used in relation to social media)
4. A toolbox for gen alpha (where I showed a media clip and explained how Enlightenment philosophers can be used)
5. Group exercise: Philosophy and social media
All parts of the agenda went well and I felt that the students found “A toolbox for Gen alpha” very interesting. But I think it would be good to have more training and examples of how philosophers can be used for social media. To provide examples of how philosophy can be used to understand social media and give students opportunities to practice themselves, teachers and media that are aimed at students, such as Lilla Aktuellt, have a special responsibility, I think, not least because there is a great interest among students to reflect on social media.
See below for the full presentation I gave, for which I have also developed a teacher's guide if other schools want to arrange presentations and group exercises on how philosophy can be relevant in relation to social media.