The Power of Raising Your Standards

 

Mike Ditka, the great football coach of the Chicago Bears, has often said, "You get what you tolerate." If your life is less than you'd like it to be, it's possible your standards are too low. One of the reasons Donald Trump makes so much money is that only making $1 million per year is totally unacceptable to him.

Are you comfortable with only making $50k or being 20 lbs. overweight? If you don't raise your standards, you're stuck. Are you okay with marrying someone that hits you a few times a year and verbally abuses you the rest of the time? What is the outcome of that standard?

You're likely to end up with whatever is acceptable to you and little more.

Raise your standards and enrich your life:

Your standards determine the lower level of what's acceptable to you. What's the least you're willing to accept in your life? What do you really want? You won't sink below your standards, but you won't rise too far above them either. When your standards have been violated, you'll get busy in a hurry to change your situation.

You can raise your standards at any time. Your standards are entirely up to you. You have the right to thrive. You weren't put on the planet to just exist and scrape by. Determine your own destiny.

Your most important standards deal with your own conduct. Are you willing to tolerate being late again? Procrastination? Letting your family down? Not speaking up for yourself? Making changes in this area will have the greatest impact because all aspects of your life are influenced. Become a more effective person by raising your expectations of your behavior.

Determine a standard you're committed to raising. Perhaps you'd like to make more money or take more calculated risks in life. What would impact your life the most? How would your behavior change if you adopted that new standard?

Visualize success in that area. Imagine yourself in that high-paying job or enjoying time with better friends. Focus on the feeling it generates. That feeling will draw you to your new standards like a magnet.

Take aggressive action. You'll know when your new standards have taken hold because your behavior will change. If you're still stuck, your standards haven't changed enough.

See your new standard as a fundamental shift, rather than as a goal. See yourself as the person that makes health a priority. This is much more powerful than having a goal of losing 25 lbs. When you change who you are, many of your results will change, too.

Recognize when you're living up to your new standards. If you're trying to save more money, make note of all the times you're behaving congruently. You might buy less expensive food at the store, skip your morning latte, or carpool to work. Point out your progress to yourself and feel excited.

Consider what could happen if you fail to live up to your new standards. Keeping with the money-saving example, you might not be able to pay your bills on time or you might have to work at 65 instead of retiring. Make a list and understand the pain you face if you don't stay on track.

Tony Robbins has said that raising his standards was the most important factor in turning his life around. It's important to set a baseline for what you're willing to accept in life. You don't get what you want in life, you get what you're willing to tolerate. Have high standards and your life will rise to meet them.

7 Steps to Mastering a New Skill

 

It could be argued that life is all about learning new skills. If you learn the right skills, you can be wealthy, play a musical instrument, have a great relationship, or juggle five balls. Mastering a new skill is a skill in itself. There are several ideas to keep in mind as you learn a new skill. Setting goals, getting expert coaching, and having reasonable expectations are all important.

Master a new skill quickly and efficiently with these strategies:

Choose an appropriate skill. You don't have time to learn everything, so pick something meaningful. It can either be a skill that will greatly aid you in some way or a skill that you find fascinating. If the new skill doesn't fit into one of these two categories, you're unlikely to stay motivated enough to master it.

Set both long-term and short-term goals. Your long-term goal is mastering your chosen skill. Just how good do you want to be? The short-term goal is no more than 12 weeks in the future. At the end of this short time, you set a goal for how far you want to be after the next few months. This will keep you focused on making continuous progress.

Have reasonable expectations for your progress. Your ultimate progress is virtually unlimited. However, there is a limit to how much you can accomplish in 12 weeks. Realize that you're unique and your rate of progress could be faster or slower than average. 

Breakdown the skill into its components. For example, playing the piano isn't just about hitting the correct keys in the correct order. It has several skills interwoven into a larger skill. To be a good pianist, you must be able to do several things well:

* Sight-reading

* Compensating for the fact that some fingers are much stronger than others

* Understanding music theory

* Scales

* Arpeggios

* Dynamics

* And more

 

If appropriate, get a coach. You can learn to play piano by yourself, but you'll have a hard time finding a high-level pianist that didn't receive expert instruction. At the very least, find materials created by an expert. These may be in the form of books, videos, webinars, or websites. Even periodic meetings with a coach can keep you on the right track.

Focus on what's most important. The old adage that 20% of your efforts will account for 80% of your results is true. Determine which activities and skills will yield the greatest results. Most people focus on the activities that are the easiest or the most interesting. Avoid being that person. Your progress will be faster if you focus on the most important tasks.

* This is often referred to as deliberate practice. Banging on the piano keys while you catch the end of Rocky V isn't the same as focusing all of your attention on learning how to play a C with both hands.

Get started quickly. Avoid falling into the trap of gathering an excessive amount of information before you get started. The person that masters a skill is the one that spend his time wisely. Watching videos of someone playing the piano isn't a substitute for doing it yourself. Dive into the practical part of mastery quickly.

You'll be surprised by how quickly you learn if you choose an appropriate skill, focus on the most effective tasks, and practice consistently. Learning a new skill can change your life. Choose a skill that will add value to your life and you'll benefit from it forever.

What The Great Gatsby Can Teach You About Personal Growth

The Great Gatsby is considered a literary masterpiece. It was named the best American novel of the 20th century by the Modern Library, and it inspired two blockbuster movies. While it's better known for the story of a Jazz Age romance, there's also some advice on personal growth that's still relevant today.

While Jay Gatsby didn't live to enjoy a happy ending, he did come a long way from a North Dakota shack to a Long Island mansion. Part of his success can be found in a list of goals he wrote down in the back of a paperback book when he was young. See what Gatsby can teach you about developing positive habits.

Great Gatsby Advice on Scheduling

Rise early. Numerous studies show that morning birds tend to be happier and healthier. Stick to a consistent sleep schedule even on weekends and holidays. Jump out of bed instead of hitting the snooze button. 

Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week. Train for strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. 

Continue learning. Acquire new knowledge and skills. Sign up for a training course at work. Visit history and science museums on the weekend.

Do meaningful work. Use your strengths to develop your potential and serve others. Think about what you're good at and what you like to do. Look for ways to move forward. If you're stumped, talk with a career coach.

Play sports. Make time for fun and friendship. If competitive sports don't appeal to you, enroll in dance classes or join a hiking club.

Build confidence. Think positive and encourage yourself with your self-talk. Take care of your health and create rituals that relieve stress. Cultivate a strong support network. Take satisfaction in your achievements.

Be creative. Gatsby set aside two hours for studying needed inventions, but you can pursue your own interests. Paint landscapes or bake macaroons.

Great Gatsby Advice on Resolutions

Manage your time. Let your choices reflect your priorities. Devote your leisure hours to enriching activities instead of watching television or browsing through celebrity news.

Quit smoking. Granted, there's a lot less smoking going on in the 21st century. Still, there's probably something you want to cut back on whether it's high fructose corn syrup or worrying.

Clean up. Young Gatsby was satisfied with bathing every other day, but he probably had to draw water from a well. Take advantage of your resources to touch up your appearance with a flattering haircut or stylish eyeglass frames.

Read more. Reading can build character and compassion and strengthen your memory and thinking skills. Create a list of books you want to check out and ask friends for suggestions. Carry a book or e-reader around with you for when you're on hold or standing in line.

Save money. Being financially responsible gives you greater freedom and security. Set aside a portion of your income each week for your children's education or your retirement fund.

Honor your parents. Gatsby may have left the farm behind, but he didn't turn his back on his family. He wrote home regularly and even bought his father a house. Think about how your parents contributed to your life and look for ways to pay them back, like hosting holiday dinners or listening enthusiastically to their reminiscences.

While Gatsby understood the importance of commitment and effort, his downfall was living in the past. Practice Gatsby's discipline while focusing on the present moment, and you'll be on your way to a success story of your own.

Every failure is an opportunity for growth.

My work is my opportunity to show the tenacity of my abilities. I usually feel sad and gloomy when I fail to live up to my own expectations or that of my superiors. However, I recognize that quality work takes time to achieve.

 

It is important for me to realize that many notable people have experienced so-called failures in their lives: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, and Bill Gates, to name a few. These people experienced failures before achieving success, the same way in which I can view my own failings.

 

Failure is practice in motion. Even though Thomas Edison repeatedly failed in constructing the light bulb, he learned from those lessons to achieve his greatest, single success. 

 

I recognize that taking the time to learn from my failures brings me personal growth and success. I know that growth involves learning and growing through the pain of failure to accomplish something great and worthwhile!

 

Today, I choose to accept my mistakes and failures. I take a step back and reflect on what I could have said or done differently in order to effect a better outcome. Today, I recognize that failure can actually be something positive if I use the lesson for personal growth and development.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

In what areas of my life do I experience challenges?

Do I truly believe that success comes from failures? How can I put this into practice?

Who are some people in my life that can help with my personal growth?

Uncertainty is good for me.

 

Uncertainty is the nature of all things. Learning to deal with uncertainty makes me feel more alive and involved in the intricacies of life.

I accept my doubts and fears. Embracing my feelings makes it easier to stay calm. I stop wasting energy by resisting change. I remain stable while I switch directions.

Uncertainty opens my mind. I see events from a new angle. I move out of my comfort zone. My thinking becomes more flexible. I ask questions and recognize that I still have a lot to learn. I enjoy discovering new knowledge and insights.

Uncertain times may present me with pleasant surprises. Moving from one city to another may help me change careers. A serious illness may draw my family closer together.

Uncertainty helps me recognize how much I need others. My sense of gratitude deepens and I look for ways to repay their kindness. I am more generous with extending care and support.

My thinking becomes more realistic during uncertain times. I look beyond illusions and focus on doing my best. I use my strengths to adapt to whatever circumstances I encounter.

I celebrate uncertainty because it makes my life more interesting, entertaining, and rewarding.

Today, I am at peace with uncertainty. I dive into the sea of life instead of clinging to the shore.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

How have I adapted successfully to uncertain situations in the past?

How can I live in the moment instead of trying to control the future?

What does it feel like when I accept that everything changes?

5 Steps to Leverage Your Strengths

 

You have strengths and weaknesses, just like every other person in the world. But few people intentionally take advantage of their strengths. Imagine the impact you could have on your life and the lives of others by leveraging your strengths. 

There are many advantages to building and utilizing your strengths:

You can earn more money. Your strengths are valuable. The more value you can provide to the world each day, the higher your earnings will be.

You can enhance your self-esteem by spending your time doing things at which you excel.  When you're good at something, it feels good to do it. When you do things poorly, the opposite tends to occur.

You can boost your career. Provide more value to your employer and you'll be viewed as more valuable.

You make a bigger impact on the world when you utilize your strengths more often. The entire world benefits when you put your strengths to work on a regular basis.

These are just a few of the benefits of making the most of your talents, abilities, and skills. What others benefits come to mind?

Leverage your strengths and have more influence on your world with these strategies:

Identify your strengths. You can't leverage what you can't identify. What are you better at than the average person? Keep in mind that programming the DVR probably isn't a marketable skill. Here are a few ideas:

 

* Influencing others

* Networking

* Public speaking

* Writing

* Computer programming

* Website design

* Education

* Athleticism

* Photography

* Be sure to ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their opinions. You may have strengths you never considered. The people around you many have noticed things you've failed to notice about yourself.

 

Convince yourself that these really are personal strengths that you possess. What proof do you have that you're a great writer, listener, or public speaker? Pretend you're in a job interview. What evidence would you give that you have writing skills?

 

* I have written for three very popular blogs for over a year.

* I have completed several college courses in creative writing.

* I'm currently writing a book.

* I have written four articles for various magazines.

* Do this for all of your identified strengths.

 

Determine how you can put these strengths to work for you. Consider your current job, social situation, finances, and every other aspect of your life. How can you leverage your skills to boost your life?

 

* Are you in the correct job to take full advantage of your skills?

* Do your hobbies utilize your skills?

* Could your strengths be used to build a stronger social network?

 

Make a plan. Develop a plan to make the most of your strengths. It's okay to start small, but avoid selling yourself short. Maximizing your strengths is your way to the top.

 

* Make a plan to apply your strengths to at least three key areas of your life. Be aggressive in your long-term outlook.

 

Continue to build your skills to a higher level. Never stop developing your strengths. And remember to reevaluate your strengths each year. You'll develop new strengths over time. Ensure you're continuously building and evaluating yourself.

 

* Create a second plan to develop your greatest strengths even further. What resources do you have available to you? Are there books or seminars that are applicable? Could you find a mentor?

 

Your strengths are unique to you, and the way you apply them can be just as unique. Make the most of your natural and acquired talents and maximize your life. The entire world benefits when you're applying your strengths each day. Make a plan to leverage your strengths.

How to Create New Possibilities in Your Life

 

Life has infinite possibilities. Unfortunately, most of us believe that we don’t have many options available to us. It can be challenging to change the momentum of our life, but there are so many possibilities available to all of us at any moment.

These possibilities won’t just happen on their own. It’s necessary to hold up your end of the bargain, and that means stepping outside of your comfort zone. Can you do that? Sure, you can!

Try these ideas and create a new life for yourself:

 

Create a compelling future. A new objective is a great way to move your life in a new direction and create new possibilities. View your life as sacred and give yourself a future that’s worthy of your attention and effort. Create a vision of the future that creates enthusiasm.

 

        ◦ What excites you?

        ◦ What kind of life do you want to life?

        ◦ Who are you?

 

Talk to new people. Each new person in your life has the potential to change your life. You never know who will offer you a job, become your best friend, become your partner, introduce you to other amazing people, or teach you something you never knew.

Take a trip. Get away from home. Ideally, get out of the country. Different countries and cultures have a different way of doing things. You might gain some insight into a way of life that would work better for you. People that travel a lot have a wisdom that homebodies lack.

Establish new habits and routines that create potential. Think of all the things you could start doing that could change your life.

 

        ◦ Eat a healthier diet and exercise. You’ll feel better and likely lose weight. You might decide that running a marathon isn’t out of the question. You might gain the confidence needed to do other things.

 

        ◦ Write in a journal each day. You’ll learn more about yourself and can apply those insights to your life.

 

        ◦ Play the guitar for 30 minutes each day. You might decide you want to join a band.

 

        ◦ The possibilities are numerous.

 

Remove limiting beliefs. We all believe things that aren’t true that limit us. Think about the things you’d like to do or experience but believe are out of reach. How did you come to that conclusion? How do you know that belief is true?

 

        ◦ What are the negative beliefs you have about yourself? How do you know those aren’t true?

 

Educate yourself. When you know more, you can do more. What do you want to know more about? Look at your interests and learn more about those subjects. Maybe you want to learn a new language or how to paint. Maybe you want to learn how you can grow your business. Knowledge is power.

Try new things. You never know for certain if you’ll like something until you try it. Something you thought would be just “okay” might turn out to be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Are you happy with your life? What’s the most exciting change that happened by choice for you in the last year? If you have nothing to mention, your life is either spectacular or you’re not taking full responsibility for your life.

Consider all the possibilities available to you and begin making some changes. The years are passing by, so ensure you’re getting the most out of them.

Honing my skills keeps me young.

 

I am good at many things. I make it a point to incorporate my talents and skills into my daily life. 

When I give myself the opportunity to sharpen a skill, it keeps my mind ticking. Exercise for the brain keeps it young and functional.

Puzzles with numbers are my favorite game. When I work at them, I maintain a strong ability to do quick numerical calculations. Having a responsive mind is good for decision-making in my business. It keeps my instincts on point.

I am also skilled at teaching. I come alive when I am in a classroom in front of eager students. Passing on my knowledge to them is rewarding.

I search for various opportunities to teach others. It allows me to sharpen my techniques for an effective learning experience. It is important to me to give my students good results when they come into my classroom.

Sharing with others builds my spirit of camaraderie. That spirit keeps me open to enjoyment, fun, and relaxation.

All those activities lead to smiling and laughter which are two wonderful remedies for longevity. When I laugh I feel a spark ignite inside me. It signals that I am nurturing my mind and my soul.

Today, there is time to work on my skills. They keep my mind active and keep me from withering away. I am ready for a life well-lived and filled with experiences that I enjoy to the fullest.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What is my strongest skill?

What are some of the new skills that I wish to acquire?

What other activities keep me young and my mind sharp?

I say “yes” to opportunities of a lifetime.

 

Few things make me shriek with excitement. However, when fantastic opportunities come along, I embrace them with an open mind and wide-open arms. 

Moving to the middle of Europe is a childhood dream come true. My stomach tingles with excitement because I know that I am about to experience wonder and joy. Although I only have a partial plan, that is enough for me to get up and go.

Being able to travel and work satisfies both personal and professional goals. There is a chance that this is a short-term opportunity, but I am still ready for it.

I now approach life with fearlessness. It feels so freeing to just say “yes” to things that are scary and uncertain. But my gut is my guide. Once it feels right to my insides, I know that solutions are bound to unfold.

When I say “yes” to rock climbing, I am confronting my fears. I refuse to continue living in fear of anything. My soul is open to transformation.

Although I feel the adrenaline rush that comes with doing something scary, I keep going. The higher I go, the more exhilarating the experience is.

I know that I am being filled by the sheer satisfaction of conquering a longstanding fear.

Today, I relish the feeling of freedom I get when I agree with my instincts and go after amazing opportunities. It is thrilling to unearth the host of emotions that I experience as I resist the urge to shy away and embrace the desire to live life to the fullest.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What are some of the things on my wish list that I am ready to do?

How much consideration do I give to my loved ones when I make big decisions?

How do I know when something is right for me?

 

12 Strategies to Help You Say Goodbye to All-or-Nothing Thinking

 

If you’re feeling depressed or anxious, it may be a matter of how you look at the world. All-or-nothing thinking can make you feel like a victim of circumstances and cause emotional swings.

One day you think your marriage was made in heaven. The next you want to call a divorce lawyer. You start the week loving your job because you gave a successful presentation. On Friday, you’re debating whether to resign because you had an argument with your boss.

Psychologists call it dichotomous thinking. It’s what happens when you take a specific event and turn it into a global generalization.

Learning to replace exaggerated thoughts with more realistic assessments will help you to deal with setbacks and feel more hopeful about the future.

Practice these steps for overcoming polarized thinking.

Simple Steps to Overcome Polarized Thinking

When all or nothing thinking becomes chronic, it can have far reaching effects on your life. However, there are simple actions you can take each day to gradually achieve more moderation.

Try these techniques:

Change your vocabulary. Speaking in unconditional terms reinforces all-or-nothing thinking. Try replacing words like always and everyone with descriptions that are closer to the facts.

Take an inventory. Give yourself more credit if a single setback is blinding you to your overall track record. Remember the many things you have already accomplished.

Accentuate the positive. Black and white thinking tends to be pessimistic. Take time to count your blessings and notice the things you like in yourself and others.

Set realistic expectations. Create goals you can achieve instead of trying to be a superhero. Consider your abilities and resources.

Celebrate small victories. Take satisfaction in making progress. Cleaning out one closet is a step closer to putting your house in order.

Narrow your focus. Try changing your perspective about one area in your life, and the rest will probably follow. You might want to concentrate on your relationships or your health.

Ask for feedback. If you have trouble recognizing when you’re exaggerating, ask friends and family for feedback. They may be able to see things more clearly than you do.

Advanced Steps to Overcome Polarized Thinking

It’s easy to become stuck when you engage in black or white thinking. You may need to take additional steps if you feel trapped in a cycle you want to break.

Follow these strategies for additional steps:

See things through. Do you abandon projects unless they deliver the exact results you were seeking? You’ll be happier and more productive if you can train yourself to be flexible and tolerate frustration. Try to identify the successful elements of any operation and learn from experience.

Take risks. All-or-nothing thinking saps your motivation when you believe that your efforts would be futile. Surprise yourself by seizing more opportunities and watching some of them pay off.

Meditate and reflect. If your way of thinking has been holding you back, you may need to contemplate how you see yourself and others. Figure out your personal priorities and values.

Make specific plans. To build a brighter future, you need a plan to follow. Once you have a list of positive changes you want to make, identify the obstacles you’ll face and what you’ll do to overcome them.

Seek counseling. All-or-nothing thinking can sometimes be traced back to childhood events, so you may need help to sort out the past and move on. Ask your physician for a referral or check your local psychological association for therapists who specialize in cognitive distortions.

When you recognize that most events and creatures including yourself are a mixture of positive and negative qualities, you’ll be able to make more rational decisions. Free yourself from all-or-nothing thinking so you can enjoy more happiness and success.

I welcome disruptive progress.

 

The only direction that I am content with is moving forward. When I commit to pushing the limits and achieving new milestones, my life transforms. 

I welcome disruptions in my life that result in my future looking brighter than my past. It is unambitious to remain in the same spot for all of my days. The purpose of my life is to make moves that positively impact my own existence and the world around me.

Comfort zones are familiar and safe, but they offer little in terms of a challenge. I feel more fulfilled when I am faced with a situation to figure out.

The job that I have is comfortable, but it hardly allows me to expand my horizons. Instead of dwelling in a job that leaves me stunted, I pursue new work opportunities. I know that going after more results in my comfort zone being disrupted.

Although moving on has an impact on those I am leaving behind, my priority is myself. Living a jaded life is unappealing to me.

As I climb up the professional ladder, I see how differently I am treated by peers. Being embraced for my talent is a new feeling for me, but I take it in stride. Getting greater attention calls for a greater display of professionalism.

Today, I look forward to shaking things up in my life. Newness excites me and keeps me yearning for greater challenges. It is a rewarding feeling to test and prove my capabilities. I welcome any kind of progress with open arms.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

How do I maintain my humility as I become more successful?

How comfortable am I with changing how and when I hang out with friends?

What is the most difficult part about learning new ways of doing things?

I live consciously.

 

I give my full attention to what I am doing now. I am aware and alert.

I let go of expectations. I accept reality. I deal with current conditions instead of resisting them. I love myself just as I am. I appreciate others without judging them or wishing that they were different.

I welcome change and tolerate discomfort. I know that living consciously requires effort. I examine my thoughts and feelings. I take worthwhile risks. I grow wiser and more skillful.

I treat myself and others with compassion. I am kind and forgiving. I free myself from anger and resentment.

I overcome challenges. Conscious living gives me greater strength and energy. I enjoy a sense of purpose. I believe in my ability to create the results I want.

I simplify my life. I limit my consumption and distractions. I am content with what I have.

I savor my food. I plan healthy meals for my family and me. We sit down together to share nourishment and conversation.

I play with my children. They teach me how to use my imagination and have fun.

I meditate daily. I still my mind and sharpen my concentration. I gain insights about myself. I feel more connected and secure.

Today, I make conscious choices rather than automatically repeating old habits. I feel fully awake. I appreciate the beauty and peace that surrounds me.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

How does mindfulness help me to relieve stress?

What is the difference between awareness and judgement?

How can I design my schedule to reflect my priorities?

8 Things to Keep in Mind When You’re at Your Lowest

 

There’s no doubt that life can be brutal at times. Even if you’ve been blessed to this point, there’s little chance of making it to the end of your life without suffering a significant setback at some point.

People are tested when faced with great challenges. Are you confident that you can answer that challenge?

As Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” What will you do when life punches you in the face?

Be prepared when life throws you a curveball:

 

You’ve been down before and rebounded. This isn’t the first time that you’ve had to deal with challenging circumstances. Think back to the last time you thought you were dealing with more than you could handle.

 

        ◦ How do you feel about that time now? It won’t be long before you can think back on your current situation and maybe even smile about it a little.

 

There’s nowhere to go but up! If you’re truly at your lowest, there’s a silver lining: There’s nowhere to go but up from here.

 

        ◦ Reaching a true low point can be a blessing. It’s a chance to get real with yourself, dig in, and make some positive changes in your life.

 

Even small changes can make a big difference. When you’re at your lowest, even a small change can have a big impact. When your life is operating at a high level, making additional progress can be a lot of work.

 

Gratitude can provide a more positive perspective. Look for things you can be grateful about. Your perspective will change considerably, and you’ll be in a better position to find solutions to your current dilemma. 

 

        ◦ Gratitude is a great tool to have available during both good and difficult times. Are you strong enough to be grateful when you’re at your lowest?

 

Progress is the key to feeling better. People are happiest when making progress. Set a couple of small goals and achieve them. You’ll feel a lot better than you think.

 

        ◦ It’s more enjoyable to be in a rough situation but clearly making progress each week, than to be in a good situation but clearly sliding backwards each week.

 

You’ll laugh about this someday. Long after the fact, there’s something a little humorous about the bad times. You realize how overly dramatic you were at that time. You’ll eventually grow to feel the same way about your present situation.

 

You’ll only be stronger for it. Hard times create strong people. It stinks while it’s happening, but you might even be grateful someday for your current struggles. You’ll become stronger and more capable.

 

        ◦ People that have never faced significant challenges are soft.

 

You’re not alone. Remember that there are plenty of people that are willing to help. Avoid the urge to hide from the world and deal with your challenges alone. It’s unnecessary. Reach out and allow others to assist you. What do you have to lose?

 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything seems to be crashing down around you, but you can overcome your situation. Set a simple goal and achieve it. Then, set a slightly bigger goal and achieve it. The momentum you gain can give a great boost of confidence and optimism!

 

Stay in the game, even when the game gets rough. No matter how challenging your life might be, it could actually be worse. Others have overcome poverty, language barriers, health issues, being orphaned, and abuse, and come out on top. You can overcome your current situation, too.

8 Things to Keep in Mind When You’re at Your Lowest

 

There’s no doubt that life can be brutal at times. Even if you’ve been blessed to this point, there’s little chance of making it to the end of your life without suffering a significant setback at some point.

 

People are tested when faced with great challenges. Are you confident that you can answer that challenge?

 

As Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” What will you do when life punches you in the face?

 

Be prepared when life throws you a curveball:

 

You’ve been down before and rebounded. This isn’t the first time that you’ve had to deal with challenging circumstances. Think back to the last time you thought you were dealing with more than you could handle.

 

        ◦ How do you feel about that time now? It won’t be long before you can think back on your current situation and maybe even smile about it a little.

 

There’s nowhere to go but up! If you’re truly at your lowest, there’s a silver lining: There’s nowhere to go but up from here.

 

        ◦ Reaching a true low point can be a blessing. It’s a chance to get real with yourself, dig in, and make some positive changes in your life.

 

Even small changes can make a big difference. When you’re at your lowest, even a small change can have a big impact. When your life is operating at a high level, making additional progress can be a lot of work.

 

Gratitude can provide a more positive perspective. Look for things you can be grateful about. Your perspective will change considerably, and you’ll be in a better position to find solutions to your current dilemma. 

 

        ◦ Gratitude is a great tool to have available during both good and difficult times. Are you strong enough to be grateful when you’re at your lowest?

 

Progress is the key to feeling better. People are happiest when making progress. Set a couple of small goals and achieve them. You’ll feel a lot better than you think.

 

        ◦ It’s more enjoyable to be in a rough situation but clearly making progress each week, than to be in a good situation but clearly sliding backwards each week.

 

You’ll laugh about this someday. Long after the fact, there’s something a little humorous about the bad times. You realize how overly dramatic you were at that time. You’ll eventually grow to feel the same way about your present situation.

 

You’ll only be stronger for it. Hard times create strong people. It stinks while it’s happening, but you might even be grateful someday for your current struggles. You’ll become stronger and more capable.

 

        ◦ People that have never faced significant challenges are soft.

 

You’re not alone. Remember that there are plenty of people that are willing to help. Avoid the urge to hide from the world and deal with your challenges alone. It’s unnecessary. Reach out and allow others to assist you. What do you have to lose?

 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything seems to be crashing down around you, but you can overcome your situation. Set a simple goal and achieve it. Then, set a slightly bigger goal and achieve it. The momentum you gain can give a great boost of confidence and optimism!

 

Stay in the game, even when the game gets rough. No matter how challenging your life might be, it could actually be worse. Others have overcome poverty, language barriers, health issues, being orphaned, and abuse, and come out on top. You can overcome your current situation, too.

I am learning valuable lessons each day.

 

Every day provides opportunities to learn new lessons. When I apply this information to my life, I make fewer mistakes and experience greater success. I avoid making the same mistakes twice. These small daily improvements allow my life to consistently grow bigger and better.

 

I review my day to find my mistakes. I seek to understand how I can avoid the same mistake in the future. I am becoming more powerful by learning from my mistakes.

 

I also review my day to identify my successes. I want to do more of these things in the future. Repeating my positive behaviors brings positive results.

 

There are lessons to be learned from both wise and poor decisions. Everything thing I do has a result. When I understand the behaviors and decisions that have led to the results in my life, I can become the best possible version of myself.

 

I become stronger from my struggles. Each challenge I face provides the possibility of becoming a more capable and powerful person. I am becoming more skilled at life.

 

Today, I am learning from my successes and failures. Today is providing valuable lessons and I am grateful for the wisdom that comes from them.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What went well yesterday? What can I learn from those things?

What went poorly yesterday? What can I learn from those things?

What can I learn from the last decade of my life? What went well? What went poorly?

Finally, Make a Major Breakthrough in Your Life

 

If you’ve been stuck for a while, it’s time to make some changes and enjoy a breakthrough in your life. It’s easy to be stuck in a rut. The same thinking, routines, habits, and actions lead to the same mediocre results.

 

Since change is so challenging, it’s important to put all your resources toward changing just one part of your life. You can change if you really want to.

 

Follow these strategies and you can change anything about your life you desire:

 

Focus your attention on one aspect of your life. Accomplishing something big will require a lot of your time, energy, and focus. Now isn’t the time to search for the partner of your dreams, lose 40 pounds, find a new job, and train for your first marathon. Pick just one thing and give it all you’ve got.

 

Set a goal. Be crystal clear on what you’re committed to accomplishing. It takes courage to set a goal, because once you set a standard for success, you’ve also defined failure. Are you willing to risk failure to have a major breakthrough in your life?

 

        ◦ Setting a goal is also a form of making a decision. Once you’ve made a decision, you don’t have an excuse to avoid getting started.

 

Become an expert. Whatever the topic of your breakthrough happens to be, become an expert. Acquire a few books, watch a couple of videos, and talk to an expert if possible. Avoid spending too much time on this step. At some point, you’re just procrastinating.

 

Raise your standards. If any part of your life is less than you want it to be, your standards are often to blame. Whether you’re overweight, have an unfulfilling relationship, or your bank account is limiting your life, your standards set the bar.

 

        ◦ You must be less tolerant of what you’re willing to accept in your life if you’re going to make a breakthrough.

 

        ◦ Notice how hard you’ll work when your life slips below a certain level. Notice again how you relax once you re-attain that level. If that level were higher, you’d work like crazy to get there.

 

Make a plan and get started. You know what you want, and you know how to get it, or at least how to get started. Make a plan that will lead you to success. Keep in mind that making a plan is easy. You don’t have to do much, and you feel like you’re doing something, but you’re not. You’re just preparing to do something.

 

        ◦ There are many people that make great plans, but few of them actually follow through on those plans. It’s okay to be excited by your marvelous plan but understand that your enthusiasm can quickly fade.

 

Track your time. This is where the rubber meets the road. Track your time each date and tally up how much time you’re actually spending on working toward your breakthrough. It’s probably a lot less than you think. Decide to do better each day until you’ve achieved your goal.

 

Drop habits that are getting in your way. You have habits that undermine your efforts to change your life. Depending on your objective, your bad habit might be eating late at night, spending money on expensive clothes, wasting time, or treating your friends poorly.

 

        ◦ Look at all your behaviors and think about how they impact your attainment of your goal.

 

Don’t quit. You’ve heard this advice 1,000 times because it’s true. It’s hard not to be successful if you’re working hard and don’t quit. Keep going until you’ve had the breakthrough you desire.

 

Are you ready for a breakthrough? Are you willing to make the necessary changes to attain a breakthrough? Take control of your life and improve your results. Now is the time.

Who Else Wants to Read More for Pleasure?

 

Less than 20% of Americans adults read for pleasure on any given day in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a new low, and the numbers have been dropping since the 1980s. 

 

If you’re like the average adult, you spend 10 hours watching TV for every one hour you spend reading. Even when you pick up a book, it may be something practical you need for work or to figure out how to fix your refrigerator.

 

Meanwhile, you’re missing out on the joys of reading for pleasure. In addition to providing entertainment, books can teach you about dealing with issues in your own life and developing more compassion.

 

Start now to read more for pleasure. Find out how to make time for reading and enjoy each book more.

 

Carving Out Time

 

Maybe you’d like to read, but you need practical ways to fit it into your daily schedule. Changing how you use your leisure hours can create more opportunities.

 

Try these ideas to fit more reading time into your schedule:

 

Start small. Set goals you can reach. You might aim for at least 10 minutes or 20 pages a day until you get used to reading for longer stretches.

 

Give up. Quitting can be a smart decision. Instead of pressuring yourself to finish an unappealing book, move on to something that interests you more.

 

Build a library. Prevent long delays while you search for something to read. Collect books that you think you will enjoy. If you appreciate minimalism, you can make a reading list instead.

 

Carry supplies. In addition to a home library, you’ll need to have reading material with you when you’re away. Stock up on paperbacks and magazines or use technology to access almost any title online.

 

Plan your time. Be prepared for situations that will give you time to read. That could include waiting in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles or overnight business trips.

 

Enhancing Your Reading Skills

 

You're more likely to read if you make reading more satisfying. Strengthening your reading skills, meditation, and other mindfulness practices will sharpen your concentration.

 

Try these techniques to enhance your reading skills:

 

Make it relatable. Look for personal connections in what you’re reading. You’ll find that books become more meaningful and memorable when you see your own experiences reflected.

 

Take notes. It may help to jot down your thoughts as you go along. Pick out passages that make a deep impression on you. Write down questions you have about the text.

 

Build your vocabulary. Looking up unfamiliar words can be distracting. However, if you keep reading and learn a new word each day, you probably won’t need to consult a dictionary very often.

 

Resist multitasking. Give your full attention to what you’re reading. Otherwise, you’re likely to forget what happened.

 

Slow down. Important works often require more effort to read than the average mystery or romance novel. If you’re used to scanning, you may need to adjust your pace and reread key sections.

 

Check reviews. You can benefit from the experience of others too. Read comments and reviews from other readers and literary critics to see the same work from different perspectives.

 

Talk it over. To go even deeper, discuss what you read. Join a book club or participate in online forums. Exchange books you like with friends and families, so you’ll have something interesting to chat about.

 

Practice regularly. The most effective way to become a more accomplished reader is to keep reading. Look up lists of recommended books and ask librarians for suggestions. Cut back on TV time or social media, so you have more time to read.

 

Enrich your life by reading for pleasure. You’ll broaden your experiences and enjoy greater health and happiness.

Be Your Own Success Coach and Skyrocket Your Results in Life

 

You don’t have to have a personal trainer to get in great shape. You also don’t need an expensive life coach to take your life to a new level. A lack of funds doesn’t have to stop you from being your own coach.

 

It’s nice to have an expert on your side, but you can become your own expert. Just putting your attention on making positive changes in your life can make a big difference in the results you experience.

Try these techniques to take control and coach yourself to success:

Get rid of all the little things in your life that annoy you. Get the rattle on your car fixed. Get rid of that uncomfortable pair of shoes. Make that phone call you’ve been avoiding. All of these little annoyances take up a lot of valuable space in your brain. They’re distracting and drain your energy.

If you’re not sure where to start, this is a great place. Everyone can benefit from this important step. Ask yourself what you’ve been tolerating in your life and get busy addressing those things.

Take excellent care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Engage in activities that you enjoy. Use healthy methods of dealing with stress. Treat yourself the way you would treat someone you love.

Identify your mistakes. It doesn’t help to keep putting water into a swimming pool that has a big hole in it. You can set big goals and take bold action, but if you’re making big mistakes, you’re not going to get very far.

Take an objective and honest look at your life. How did you end up in your current situation? What are the biggest mistakes you’ve made? What are the mistakes you make over and over again that are impeding your life and your progress?

Simplify. A complicated life is much harder to change. There’s too much going on, and a complicated life takes up a lot of your time and energy. A simple life is more satisfying and easier to improve.

 

Get rid of items you don’t need.

Get rid of unnecessary bills.

Minimize your social obligations.

Let go of negative or parasitic friends.

Simplify every part of your life.

 

Deal with your debt. No one likes debt. It’s just not very satisfying to write a check for something you already have or had. Debt is expensive and can be a huge drag on your finances for a long time. Create a plan for dealing with your financial debt.

 

Have something to look forward to each day. Give yourself a bright spot to look forward to each day. It could be a coffee after work, a walk in the park, or an hour with your favorite show. When you wake up in the morning, you should already have something to look forward to.

 

Be clear on what you wish to accomplish. What changes do you want to make in your life? It’s one thing to know that you’re dissatisfied with your life. It’s another to have a clear picture of what you actually want your life to look like.

 

Take action daily. Take action toward creating the changes you desire. At the end of each day, you should be satisfied that you did something to make your life better in the future.

 

You don’t have to build a wall in a day. One, well-laid brick each day is enough. Have a plan and execute it as well as you can.

 

You can coach yourself to success. Start where you are and determine the life you want to live. Address all the annoyances in your life and simplify as much as possible. Create a clear image of the life you want to live and take daily action toward making that image a reality. You might find that you don’t need an expensive life coach after all.

I focus on what is important.

 

Life comes with so many things vying for my attention. It is tempting to take notice of each of those things, but I only focus on my priorities.

 

Adjusting the narrative of my life to one that embraces priorities is necessary for successful outcomes. Time is finite, so I am pressed to make the most of it. Wasted time and energy are long gone and nonrenewable.

 

My personal and professional exploits are based on what has the potential to offer the greatest value. Anything else is put to the side.

 

Sometimes I am unpopular with others because of how I choose to spend my time, but that is okay with me. I know what is important for me to achieve my own goals. Those things are a priority to my peace of mind.

 

In my life of entrepreneurship, I look at various business ideas. Although some are personally appealing to me, I only spend time on them when I see the future value.

 

It is difficult at times to say goodbye to passion projects, but it is necessary when I have certain professional goals to meet. The long-term goal takes precedence over things that offer short-lived joy.

 

Today, I have a laser focus on only those things that push the needle forward in my personal and professional endeavors. It feels good to be able to ignore the noise and pay attention to the things and people that allow me to achieve my goals.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

How do I prioritize my personal relationships?

How do I find the courage to part ways with something or someone in my life that doesn’t benefit me?

What mindset does it take to stay on track each day?

 

I am learning the lessons that my life provides.

 

Life provides endless lessons and knowledge. All I have to do is pay attention and be open to receiving those lessons. My experiences provide feedback that I choose to learn from.

 

Everything I do has a result. I can learn from those results and make wiser decisions in the future.

 

I also learn through the experiences of others. The people in my life also make choices that have consequences. I am determined to learn from both the good and poor choices of others. This is another way that I can improve my understanding of life.

 

I like to learn through books, too. The greatest minds have recorded their greatest wisdom in books, and, thanks to libraries and the internet, these books are freely available to me.

 

I make time to learn as much as I can about life. I rely on my life, the lives of others in my circle, and books.

 

My good and poor choices all have something to teach me. A negative relationship can teach me just as much as a positive relationship can. My life provides a constant supply of lessons for my examination.

 

My eyes and my mind are open. I want to understand life.

 

Today, I take a great interest in learning from my life and the lives of others. I pay attention to what is happening in my life and all around me. I am learning the lessons that my life provides.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What are my greatest mistakes? What did I learn from them? What else should I have learned from them?

What are my greatest successes? What did I learn from them? What else should I have learned from them?

What lessons have I been ignoring? What am I failing to notice?

Simple Ways to Discover Your Purpose in Life

 

Life is more meaningful if you have a purpose. Life is also a lot simpler if you know what you’re working toward. Decisions are easier to make than when you’re just floating through life. Having your life focused on something creates some peace.

 

Even if you’ve never considered your purpose, it’s not too late. It’s worth your time to figure it out. Each day of living your purpose is an enjoyable and worthwhile day.

 

Follow these steps to determine your purpose:

 

Believe that you have a meaningful purpose. If you believe that life has no meaning and that you have no purpose, you’ll never find your purpose. The first step is always belief. Be positive that you have a purpose, and that you’re going to discover it.

 

Know your values. Your values can provide significant clues to your purpose. If your most important values are contribution, kindness, and honesty, your purpose will be very different than if your most important values are success, popularity, and money.

 

Make a list of your values and prioritize them according to what’s most important to you.

 

What gives you energy? Ask yourself these questions:

 

What activities give you the most energy?

What are those things that you love to talk and learn about?

What do you love to do that allows the hours to just fly by?

What makes you feel alive?

What excites you?

What and whom do you admire? Consider:

What achievements do you admire? Is it building a successful business?

What qualities do you admire? Mental toughness? Contribution?

Who do you admire the most? Is it a historical figure? Your neighbor? Why do you admire these people?

Consider the end of your life. Imagine you’re at the end of your life:

What are you likely to regret?

What would make you happy about the life you’ve lived?

What would make you feel the most regret?

Now is the time to create and live a life that will maximize your happiness and minimize your regret.

Describe your ideal life. What is your ideal life? What would be your ideal day? Your purpose in life will mesh well with your ideal life. When you know one, the other becomes more obvious.

When were you the happiest? Think back on your life to this point. When did you experience the greatest amount of happiness? How can you use that information to find your purpose?

What makes you cry? Is it watching someone overcome great adversity? Is it one of those commercials with the abused cats and dogs? Anything that brings about strong emotions can provide a clue to your purpose.

Which of the following feels most relevant to you? Read this list and see which resonates the most with you.

Maximizing the happiness of others

Minimizing the pain and discomfort of others

Maximizing your expertise at a particular skill or in a particular field

Maximizing your experiences

Maximizing your resources

Being famous

Which of these feels the best to you? We’re not talking about which one sounds the most proper or ethical to you, but which one feels really good when you think about it? This can provide a huge clue about the nature of your purpose.

If you don’t know your purpose in life, now is the time to figure it out. The recent pandemic has only driven home the fact that life is short. Why live another day without a well-defined direction? This is a great opportunity to reorient your life and your priorities.

Discover your purpose today. Your life can be different.

I find ways to get back on track.

Distractions are a part of life, but I always find ways to get back on track. It is important to me to maintain focus on the impact of my decision to keep moving forward.

My choices have an impact beyond my own life. I am conscious of the effect of those choices on the lives of those around me. Living well means living for others as much as myself. This influences my choice to persevere.

Chaos and uncertainty sometimes throw me off track. The distractions take my focus away from the mission at hand.

Although it is sometimes difficult to regroup and resume my journey, I know that I am able. Keeping my eyes on what is at the end of the road restores my perseverance. I discover my resilience whenever I refocus on what is ahead of me.

Exercise clears my mind of things that eat away at my attention. It restores positive energy and gives me the will to achieve greatness.

When I go for a run, I think a lot. My mind naturally shifts to thoughts of achievement as I put one foot in front of the other. One form of progress inspires me to recommit to others. It is the natural response to tasting victory along the way.

Today, each setback makes way for renewed will to get up and get going again. The word quit is an inactive part of my vocabulary. Even when I stumble or run off track, I know that I have what it takes to resume stronger and better than before.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

Which techniques work best for motivating myself to keep going?

How many of my successes come from my will to persevere?

How regularly do I share my stories of determination with others?

I attract the things that I desire.

There is power in declaring the life that I see for myself. I attract the things that I desire by speaking them into being.

My confidence is based on my faith that anything I will into my life is bound to come. It is important to believe that I am worthy of goodness. I live the kind of life that produces blessings each day. The more I give is the more that I receive.

Exercising kindness to others is easy for me. All of humanity is equal, so I treat others in the same way that I treat myself.

I know that giving of my time and possessions leads to others looking out for me. Having caring people in my life is something special. I am blessed with their love because that is what I declare as important for my life.

Growth opportunities are also important to me. When searching for a new job, I apply to openings that have the potential to challenge me. I pull them in.

It is in taking on the unknown that I blossom into a greater version of myself. I move from strength to strength with each new obstacle that I choose to take on.

Today, I am happy for the life that I have because it is one that I constantly ask the universe for. It is energizing to feel my existence mold its shape and form into reality. The power of choice is mine and I choose a life that is fulfilling.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

Where do I see myself five years from now?

Which are the most important aspects of my life?

Which experiences am I most excited about having in the future?

Stuck at Home? 8 Interesting Things You Can Do From Home

 

You might be stuck at home, but home isn’t such a bad place to be. There are plenty of interesting, enjoyable, and worthwhile things you can do from the comfort of your home. Imagine being stuck at home in the 80’s or 90’s. There are so many things available today that didn’t exist then. It could be worse!

Use this time to your advantage. You might not have another opportunity like this again. Make it count!

Keep yourself happy and busy at home with these activities:

Fly a drone remotely. Did you know that you can pilot a drone in a different part of the world from your computer or TV? It’s true. There are companies that will allow you to explore a wide variety of places without having to leave your home.

Have you ever wanted to see Hawaii or the Himalayas but lacked the time or money? Now you can see them from the viewpoint of a drone.

Learn a new language. There are numerous language programs available online to learn a new language. Some are free, some are not. Some will pair you with a native speaker that wants to learn your native language. You can learn from each other and make a new friend, too!

Learn to play an instrument. You may have plenty of free time while you have to stay at home. Now is your big opportunity to finally learn how to play the banjo, harmonica, piano, or whatever strikes your fancy.

There are private teachers and websites that will teach you any instrument that interests you.

Stream entertainment. You can stream more than just movies and Seinfeld reruns. There are musicals, plays, the ballet, old sporting events, and workout videos. There’s plenty out there to keep you educated and entertained.

Create a social media presence. Maybe you’re one of those people that’s turned your nose up at all the social media options. Or, perhaps you’re interested, but haven’t had the time to get serious about it. Now is your chance!

You might become the next YouTube star!

At the very least, you can connect with some people and enjoy some social interaction.

Start an online business. One thing you can do from the comfort of your home is start an online business. Build a website and see what happens. It could be a great boost to your income. Who wouldn’t like another income stream? Maybe you’ll never have to go back to your regular job!

Connect with a pen pal. There are websites that will connect you with a pen pal for free. Try writing to a few people and see what happens. You might make a great friend and have a free couch to sleep on when you visit Hong Kong someday.

Play games online. Do you like to play chess? Poker? Checkers? You can play just about any game online that you can think of. There are other people in the world that like to play the same games that you like to play. This can be a fun way to kill an hour.

Just because you’re home alone doesn’t mean you can’t play a game. Just because the people in your home don’t like to play your games doesn’t mean you can’t play them anyway.

Use your creativity to make the best use of your time at home.

Think back to your childhood. Imagine being quarantined during that time. Being stuck at home today is a piece of cake by comparison. There are plenty of interesting things you can do from the comfort of your home. Try something new!

My limitations only exist in my mind.

The only true limitations in my life are in my own mind. I am a highly capable person. I can do amazing things. Any exterior obstacles are minor and easily overcome. I am capable of doing anything unless I fool myself into thinking otherwise.

When Icontrol my mind, I am limitless.

I am in control of my fear. I am in control of my doubts. I am in control of my self-esteem and confidence

I choose to approach life free of fear and doubt - with high self-esteem and confidence. When I manage these things, all of the limitations in my life melt away.

I choose to believe that I am limitless in every way. I believe that I can transcend any obstacles with my natural gifts. I believe that the only limitations in my life exist within my mind.

I control my mind. Therefore, I am free of limitations.

I merely need to set a goal, take action, and stay the course. Success is guaranteed when I realize that life is free of any external limitations.

Today, I approach life without limitations. I am confident in my ability to be successful. My limitations only exist in my mind.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What am I allowing to stop me? Is this a real obstacle? Or is it merely an imaginary obstacle that I have created in my own mind?

What do I believe are my most significant limitations? How do I know these limitations are true?

What would I do if I believed I couldn’t fail?

I let go of everything that fails to serve me.

 

I believe that every thought, belief, habit, action, and person in my life either makes my goals more likely, or less likely, to happen. If any of these things fail to serve me in the pursuit of my goals, I can easily let it go from my life.

 

I choose to only permit thoughts that serve me. If a thought is self-sabotaging in any way, I reject it.

 

The same goes for my beliefs. I choose beliefs that serve my life and aspirations. Beliefs that fail to support my goals are discarded immediately.

 

I have habits that increase the quality of my life. I work on building such positive habits each day. Negative habits are removed from my life immediately. My positive habits outnumber and overpower my negative habits.

 

I choose the most effective actions in each situation. I avoid wasting my time with subpar courses of action.

 

I set free all the people that interfere with my progress. Life is challenging enough without permitting people into my life that are going to make things even harder. There are plenty of people in the world that are enjoyable and useful.

 

Today, I am letting go of everything and everyone that fails to serve me in my life. I am open to more positive thoughts, beliefs, habits, actions, and people.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What am I tolerating in my life that I should eliminate? Why have I been permitting this thing to persist?

Do my beliefs serve my purpose? What would be a more effective set of beliefs for me?

How do I waste time? How could that time be better spent?

Who Else Wants to Take a Day of Rest?

 

Regardless of how you feel about organized religion, there may be one tradition that you’d like to revive. A day of rest can spread happiness and peace.

 

Years ago, many communities practically shut down or at least slowed their pace one day a week. Today, you may feel tired and overwhelmed because your weekends are just as busy as the rest of your week.

 

Create your own rituals to help you deal with stress and accomplish your goals. Start with these tips for designing a weekly day of rest.

 

Benefits of a Weekly Day of Rest:

 

Strengthen your immune system. Adequate rest and sleep reduce inflammation and other effects of chronic stress. That can lower your risk for heart conditions and other issues. Sleep is especially important, so your body can produce sufficient numbers of immune cells called cytokines.

 

Manage your weight. Relaxing also causes hormonal changes that help fight weight gain. Keep in mind that you still need to eat healthy and exercise.

 

Gain more energy. Are you feeling sluggish and drained? Refresh yourself with regular breaks instead of consuming too much caffeine.

 

Increase productivity. Numerous studies show that excess overtime lowers productivity. Leisure time is essential for safeguarding your mental and physical capabilities.

 

Enjoy life more. You’ll feel more alive after you take a day off. Return to your routines with less stress and more enthusiasm.

 

Things to Do on Your Weekly Day of Rest:

 

Eat breakfast. Start your day with a nutritious meal like an omelet with vegetables or a bean burrito. Keep your menu for the rest of the day simple unless you enjoy spending time in the kitchen.

 

Take a nap. One out of three adults are sleep deprived, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Catch up with a nap as long as it doesn’t disrupt your nighttime sleep. As a general rule, try to lie down around noon for about 20 to 30 minutes.

 

Play around. Low intensity exercise is great for a day of active rest. Do something fun like riding your bike or playing bocce ball in your backyard.

 

Go outside. Enjoy anything that takes you outdoors to appreciate nature. Do some light work in your garden. Watch the ducks swimming at your local park. Sit on your patio and sip a glass of iced tea.

 

Express your creativity. Relaxation sets your imagination free. Write a short story or draw a picture. Make popsicle stick crafts with your kids or buy child and adult coloring books that you can work on side by side.

 

Read a book. Settle down with an intriguing mystery or a classic novel. Expand your knowledge with a bestselling biography or history book. 

 

Listen to music. Play music in the background or close your eyes and give it your full attention. Enjoy your favorite genres or try something new. Feel free to sing and dance along.

 

Get a hobby. Work on your hobby or find a pastime that you’ll be able to develop over the years to challenge your skills or soothe your feelings. Pick something that’s appropriate for your budget and interests.

 

Connect with others. Hang out with family and friends. Depending on the conditions in your local area, set up a video call or eat outdoors at a restaurant with a great view. You could also stay home together and play board games.

 

Meditate and pray. Use your day of rest to nurture your spirituality. Engage in quiet contemplation and readings to build your strength and serenity.

 

Disengage from work and turn off your phone for a while. Treat your body and mind to a day of rest. Doing the minimum one day a week could make the other six days much more rewarding.

I choose what I become with my decisions and actions.

 

What I become in my life is under my control. I am the factor that makes all the difference. I simply need to make a decision and take the appropriate action.

 

The decisions I make decide the course of my life. When I make a decision, I am plotting a course. Decisions choose the direction of my life.

 

A decision is a starting point for change. It is the first step of taking control of my life. It is the beginning of what I become in the future.

 

The actions I take create movement in my life. Decisions only create a direction for my focus. Actions actually create change. When I take action, I am respecting the decisions I make.

 

Neglecting to take action ensures that I remain stuck. I avoid leaving a decision without taking action. A decision is only a decision until it leads to action.

 

Today, I choose my future. I choose what I become. I use the power of decisions to define the direction of my life. I use action to move in that direction. I choose what I become with my decisions and actions.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What do I want to become? What type of life do I want to live?

What do I need to make a decision about? What am I waiting for? Why haven’t I made a decision yet?

What are three actions I need to take, but I have been avoiding? Why have I been stalling?

I commit to personal growth.

 

I know it is important for me to be vigilant about improving my game. I stay consistent and persistent in achieving my goals. I stay on target.

 

I find ways to take my determination to new heights. I find positive people to keep me motivated. I relinquish outdated forms of motivation to get ahead of the game. 

 

I recognize that in this New Game of Life, I need to be “all in”. I stay present with the trends and get out ahead of them. I take the reins of leadership in my hot little hands.

 

Just as in video games, where the players keep going up to higher levels, I keep my eye on the prize. My goals are within reach. I am positively motivated from within. 

 

I read about the latest and greatest leaders in my field. I study what makes them tick. I try some of the same success strategies to see if they can work for me, too. 

 

I use my time wisely. I make the most of every moment. I follow people who uplift me. I then, in turn, lift others.

 

In order to be a top performer in my field, I ensure that my body is in tip top shape. I eat foods that nourish my body and mind. My mind is sharp as a tack. I am on top of my game.

 

As I keep raising the bar for myself, I become a peak performer.

 

I rise to every occasion. I surprise myself with my incredible stamina. I am determined. I am strong-willed. I have everything it takes to do better than my previous best.

 

Today, I am proof that personal growth is a life-long legacy.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What is one step I can take today to personally grow?

What books can I read to help me grow?

How can my legacy inspire others?

 

 

To Change or Not to Change? That Is the Question

 

Back in the day it was commonplace to have a job for life or at least stay with the same company for an entire working lifetime. As time has passed, it’s become less and less likely that any of us will stay at the same job, company, or even career for very long.

 

Most people choose a job because it satisfied their needs at that moment.

 

For most everyone, there will come a time when their needs or circumstances change and it’s time to leave. Sometimes for a progression in the same career, sometimes to do something entirely different. But how do you know when it’s the right time to change?

 

How long should we stay doing something before it’s time to move on?

 

Many people stay because the position ‘pays the bills’ or because ‘it’s easy enough.’ Most stay because they don’t know what else to do, so they resign themselves to a lifetime of mediocrity, in the same position simply because they are devoid of any new ideas.

 

Is that really any way to spend your life? Waiting for the time to pass until you can retire and do what? Nothing? If that’s where you’re at, it might be an idea to pray for a layoff so that you are forced to come up with something new to do.

 

No doubt when you started in your current position there was something about the job that you were drawn to. Maybe the challenge? Maybe it was something completely new for you? There was something there that in that moment that you wanted. Has that something gone? If so, now is the time to change.

 

You Are Not the Same Person You Used to Be

 

Why should we find a career and stick with it for life? There are so many things we could do, so many new things we could learn. Think about it: just showing up in life causes personal growth. If you apply yourself to any job or career you will also grow from that.

 

You are not the same person you were 10 years ago. You are not even the same person you were 10 weeks ago, or 10 days ago. Growth comes from experiencing life. 

 

The more you engage with life itself, the faster and more dramatic your growth.

 

With growth comes awareness and right behind awareness is clarity. You can learn most about your direction for the future by understanding your thinking and decision making in the past.

 

Making smart decisions and taking effective actions on those decisions can be improved with the benefit of hindsight.

 

Try these techniques to develop greater clarity:

 

Make a list of all the things you have done in the past. Include your hobbies and things you did just for fun.

 

Figure out what it was you got out of it. Maybe it was the challenge, maybe it was building or creating something, maybe it was in your service to others, or setting something up completely from scratch.

 

Then make a note of what caused you to stop or change direction in each scenario. The past is no indication of our future, but it can be useful to understand our thinking around the circumstances we were in at that time. It can help us make wiser choices for the future.

 

Are You a Contrarian Thinker?

 

Do you light up when you get involved in anything new? Do you love helping others? Do you thrive on variety and change? Could it be that you are smarter than you thought and you’re multi-talented? Could you be a contrarian thinker? Is that nearer the truth for you?

 

When or if you start to feel like a new challenge, observe anything that attracts your attention. Notice how you feel when working on something you really enjoy. Make a note of the ideas that come into your head.

 

Not everything you love has to be for a lifetime or become a career. Do what fulfills you, fascinates you, or makes your heart sing. Then, when you’ve got your reward, move on. It will make your world a much more interesting place.

I increase my awareness.

 

I strive to know and understand myself. Increasing my awareness helps me to make positive changes. 

 

I identify my strengths and weaknesses. I learn how to leverage my unique talents and skills. I enhance my leadership capabilities. I respect my boundaries and target the areas where I need to grow.

 

I ask others for feedback. Coworkers and friends help me to see myself in a different light. I gain valuable information and insights that I can use to enhance my performance.

 

I meditate and pray. I explore my thoughts and feelings without making judgements. 

I examine my habits and assumptions. I make conscious choices that match my values and honor my beliefs.

 

I manage my emotions to make sound decisions. I reduce stress by being able to anticipate situations that are challenging for me. 

 

I deepen my relationships. I become more skillful at talking about my thoughts and feelings. I clarify my expectations and take responsibility for my actions.

 

I safeguard my health and wellbeing. I listen to my body. I notice when I feel strong and when I need to rest. I comfort myself when I feel sad or anxious. I talk with my doctor about any symptoms that concern me.

 

I boost my motivation and energy levels. I devote my time to activities that are meaningful to me.

 

Today, I view myself with kindness and curiosity. Self-knowledge and awareness increase my emotional intelligence and help me to create the life I want.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

How would I describe my personality?

How can I view myself more objectively?

What is the relationship between mindfulness and awareness?

You can learn a lot just by asking yourself a few questions. Questions direct your attention and make you think. If you never ask yourself questions, you may limit the amount of progress that you make in your life.

The questions you ask yourself, or fail to ask yourself, can alter the course of your life!

 

Consider the answers to these questions on a regular basis…

What are the most important things I need to accomplish tomorrow? 

When you make the most of each day, you can make the most of your life. Avoid starting a new day without a plan of action. Give your day some thought the night before!

Which activities and people are a waste of my time? 

We all fail to make the most of our time. We have activities that do little more than serve as distractions. We also have people that are just distractions, or worse.

Think about the activities and people that are costing you more than they’re worth. Surround yourself with people that support you.

What are my long-term plans? 

What is the overall objective of your life? If you don’t know that, you’ll struggle to plan your time appropriately. You’ll make wiser decisions if you know what you’re trying to accomplish over the next decade or more.

Clarify your goals and where you want to be in 10 years. Write it down and refer to it often.

What did I do poorly today and how can I do better tomorrow? 

Evaluate your errors and poor decisions and learn from them. Making a mistake once is just part of life. Making a mistake more than once because you didn’t learn from it is tragic.

What did I do well today? 

It’s just as important to identify what you did well, so you can do it again!

Identifying and feeling good about your victories also build your confidence, self-esteem, and optimistic view of your future, which all make that bright future more likely to happen.

How does the rest of the world view me? 

This is a very difficult question to answer accurately, but it’s important. Most of us are clueless about how we appear to others. We have our own vision of ourselves in our mind, but it’s often far from the truth.

If you can see yourself as the rest of the world sees you, you’ll identify a few simple tweaks that can change your results dramatically.

What are my values, and am I living them? 

Most people only have a fuzzy idea of their values. Once you know what your values are, it’s easier to make decisions that sustain and build your self-esteem.

Knowing your values and living them also create a life that you find fulfilling.

What are my greatest flaws and what can I do to correct them? 

Everyone has a critical flaw that’s holding them back. Few are aware of their most significant flaws. Spend some time thinking about this and ask some honest friends for their advice.

What can I do to enhance my most important relationships? 

Think about how you can lift your relationships up to the next level.

Who and what am I grateful for? 

This is a great question to ask each day, but especially when you’re feeling frustrated or down. Thinking of the good things in your life will lift your spirits, give you a more optimistic view of life, and make more good things more likely to happen.

Some of these questions are a little tough! But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tackle them. Something as simple as a few questions might be all you need to steer your life in a new direction.

Ensure that you’re not just asking and answering the questions. Take action when appropriate, too. You’ll be glad you did!

 

What Frankenstein Can Teach You About Being Human

 

In the original novel, Frankenstein was the name of the scientist, but movie audiences are more likely to think he’s the monster. However, he wasn’t born scary. The lack of love and companionship made him that way.

 

From the start, his father figure rejected him. Then, the villagers rebuffed his attempts at friendship.

 

Your neighbors probably don’t chase you with torches and pitchforks, but you may have subtler relationship issues. The human in us needs to feel like we belong.

 

Try these strategies for strengthening your connections with family and friends.

 

What Frankenstein Can Teach You About Family

 

The doctor abandoned his creation just because of the way he looked. He also broke his promise to help Frankenstein find a mate. Without those kinds of challenges, you can probably make your family life much happier.

 

Use these strategies:

 

Communicate openly. Relationships depend on healthy communication. Listen to your partner and your children. Deal with conflicts promptly and respectfully. Your children will learn from your example.

 

Spend time together. Make time in your schedule for family gatherings and one-on-one activities. Read to your children before bed and go out on weekly date nights. Have fun and create memories that you can cherish the rest of your life.

 

Share responsibility. Work together as a team. Discuss parenting decisions and major purchases with your partner. Give each family member responsibilities appropriate for their age and strengths.

 

Provide structure. Daily routines and rituals make children and adults feel more secure. Be consistent about bedtimes and discipline. Follow through with what you say.

 

Seek balance. Many adults juggle parenting and full-time jobs. Clarify your priorities, so you can devote your resources to the activities that are most meaningful for you.

 

Practice self-care. Staying healthy gives you the strength to care for your family. Eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress.

 

Think positive. Show your love and affection. Remember what you like about your family members and thank them when they do something nice.

What Frankenstein Can Teach You About Friendship

 

Frankenstein kept trying to reach out to others, and one blind old man did return his kindness. Persevere with networking and making friends.

 

Try these techniques:

 

Focus on quality. A few close friendships are usually more fulfilling than a large social media following. Choose friends who share your values and treat you with respect.

 

Pace yourself. It usually takes time to discover if you’re compatible. Give yourself time to get to know each other.

 

Be flexible. Different relationships often satisfy different needs. Try reaching out to someone you might not usually talk with.

 

Keep in touch. Cultivate your friendships. Call and text each other with regular updates. Set up weekly coffee dates and take turns sending out dinner invitations.

 

Take risks. Being known and understood requires some vulnerability. Reveal personal information a little at a time. Be willing to tolerate some awkwardness.

 

Give generously. Helping others is one of the fastest and most effective ways to make and keep friends. Remember special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Celebrate your friend’s victories and comfort them when they’re struggling.

 

Share support. Healthy relationships are based on reciprocity. One of you may give or take more, but you care about each other’s welfare and offer assistance when you can. If you feel like a friend is neglecting you, it may be time to talk things over or move on.

 

Frankenstein was shunned during his life, but now he’s one of our most popular cultural icons. Let him be your inspiration for avoiding the horror of isolation. Value others for their character rather than their appearance and show your love to your family and friends.

Little steps make a big difference.

 

I break big projects down into smaller bits. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I focus on small daily wins. I set modest goals that I know I can accomplish. I increase my confidence and build my motivation. Each victory inspires me to keep trying.

 

I treat myself with kindness and compassion. Change can be uncomfortable. New habits take time to reinforce. I am gentle with myself as I keep moving forward.

 

I make concrete plans. I identify my top priorities and align my actions with them.

 

I enhance my health and fitness. I buy exercise equipment I can use at home. I take a trial spin class online.

 

I strengthen my relationships. I do something kind for my partner, like cooking their favorite dinner or giving them a foot massage. I listen to a friend who is feeling burnt out.

 

I continue learning. I browse through the electronic resources at my local library. I practice playing a new song on the piano.

 

I advance my career. I volunteer to serve on a high-profile committee at work. I listen attentively to my coworkers and look for ways to help them reach their goals. I ask my boss for feedback on my performance.

 

I cultivate my spirituality. I meditate and pray before breakfast. I start a journal to help me track my daily insights and resolutions.

 

Today, I make big progress a little at a time. I take baby steps that add up to giant strides forward.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What is one new habit I want to develop?

What happens when I push myself too hard?

How can I keep my eye on the big picture while taking baby steps?

I pay close attention to myself and others.

 

I listen more intently to my clients. I listen more acutely to my partner and children. I actively listen to my soul.

When I clear the clutter of my mind and settle down into the depths of my soul, I can hear my highest guidance. I get clarity for my next action.

I come from a place of patience and peace for myself and others.

I observe people who seem to flow in life. I watch how they treat themselves and others from a place of serenity. I model their behavior. I find greater peace within.

I realize how much I can learn from others. I intently listen to their guidance. I learn from their life. I hold a space of compassion and non-judgement towards them as I increase my self-compassion and tolerance. 

As I become more patient with myself, I extend that patience to others. As I create more peace within, I create more peace without.

As I listen to my soul, I receive answers.

I am reminded that I have two ears and one mouth. Hence, I listen twice and speak only when I am sure that I understand the communication. I refrain from pre-thinking my answer before I listen fully and absorb what another is telling me. I show respect for their opinion.

I also remain respectful of my own opinion, even if it differs from others. I ask myself, “Will speaking up increase my relationship for the greater good of all, or is it best to stay in silence?”

Today, I choose the path to greater peace and understanding by paying close attention to myself and others.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

How can I show greater respect to others with active listening?

What is the greatest gift I can give to others?

Where in my life can I listen more?

I control my life.

I am the captain of my ship. I make my own decisions and take responsibility for my choices.

I listen to my intuition. I follow my heart. I define what success means for me instead of comparing myself to others.

I leverage my strengths. I figure out what I do well and what I love to do. I structure my tasks so that I can take advantage of my natural talents.

I manage my emotions. I focus on the things that I can control. I remind myself that how I respond to events is up to me. I can use any situation as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

I limit distractions. I cut out activities that drain my time and energy. I spend fewer hours watching TV and browsing online and more hours working on my hobbies and volunteering in my community.

I make myself a priority. I take care of my health. I exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and sleep 8 hours each night.

I think positive. I look for the humor in difficult situations. I count my blessings and give myself encouraging pep talks. I know I can accomplish great things when I am willing to make the effort.

I take action. I make concrete plans and evaluate my progress. I take steps each day that bring me closer to my goals. I persevere through obstacles and setbacks.

Today, I chart my own path. I have confidence in myself and my abilities. 

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

When is it okay to break the rules?

How does helping others make me more powerful?

How can I develop my leadership abilities?

Intuition-Boosting Exercises

Boost your intuition with these fun and interesting exercises:

People-watch.

Analyze your dreams.

Notice your dream signs.

Three cards strategy – Yes, No, Maybe

Traffic light technique – Red, Yellow, Green

Take a walk.

Take an intuitive drive.

Spend more time in nature.

Skip the daily routine.

Read about intuition.

Review your past. 

 

Daily Activities That Enhance Your Intuition

Use these tips to practice using your intuition each and every day:

Make use of repetitive tasks.

Use solitude and quiet when they are available.

Find the best time of day to reach out to your intuition.

Differentiate between your intuition and your preferences.

Use your intuition regularly.

Be aware of your intuition all of the time.

Have a creative hobby.

Test your intuition.

Take care of your basic needs.

 

 

8 Amazing Benefits You Will Gain From Learning a Musical Instrument

It’s never too late to learn to play an instrument. If you’re still stuck at home because of Covid-19, it might be the perfect time to start playing an instrument. Between YouTube, Skype, and all the other online methods of exchanging information, it’s possible to learn an instrument very effectively without having to leave your home.

Music can be a wonderful hobby to add to your life!

Consider these benefits:

Your memory gets a workout. Memorizing notes helps you to be better at memorizing other things, too. Those with musical training have better memory recall on the average than those without musical training.

If you’re routinely having trouble finding your car keys or remembering what you need at the store, learning to play an instrument can help.

It can enhance your social life. While you can play music all by yourself, you can also play with others. Musicians have a bond that non-musicians don’t understand. You’re also likely to take lessons and interact with your teacher and other students. Who knows, you might even be part of a band someday.

People seem to have a natural interest in musicians. You’d be surprised how many people will want to talk to you about the musical aspect of your life.

Learning an instrument teaches discipline. Mastering an instrument can be a lot more challenging than the casual observer realizes.

Playing a guitar chord cleanly is a lot tougher than it looks. Playing the correct notes in the correct order isn’t too difficult on a piano but trying to make actual music on a piano is quite difficult. Each instrument has its challenges.

Learning a musical instrument requires discipline to keep trying when you’re struggling to learn a new piece of music.

Enjoyment. While practicing isn’t always fun, seeing the results of your work is very rewarding. You feel a sense of pride, and it really is a lot of fun to play your favorite songs. You might find that it’s a more rewarding option than watching TV.

Playing an instrument will lower your stress level. Music is soothing. Studies have shown that listening to relaxing music lowers blood pressure and heart rate. It also decreases the level of hormones associated with the stress response. Who doesn’t need to relax a little more these days?

Learning an instrument allows you to stretch your creative muscles. Humans have creative abilities. A person that doesn’t create isn’t getting the complete human experience. If you don’t have another creative outlet, music might be just what you need to round out your life.

Your hearing improves. You won’t suddenly be able to put your hearing aid in the drawer, but you can see some interesting improvements. A few studies have shown that musicians are more adept at focusing on specific voices and sounds in noisy environments. Your listening skills can improve in general.

Learning to play music can add culture to your life. If you’re learning classical music on the piano, you’re going to become more knowledgeable about classical music. The same can be said about blues guitar or playing jazz music on the drums. You’ll learn about the history of your style of music.

It’s important to explore your interests and to try new things. Music can add a lot to your life. Give it a try. Imagine how good you’ll be in a year or two. If you don’t do it now, in a year or two you may wish you had started today.

If you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, but never quite got around to it, get started today. What are you waiting for?

8 Tips to Rapidly Increase Your Reading Speed

Reading is a highly effective way of increasing your knowledge. Books are quite amazing. Some of the most intelligent and capable people have chosen to write down what they know.

You can have access to this information without having to invest decades of your life. You can avoid all of the failure that comes with having to learn that knowledge yourself.

All you have to do is spend a leisurely week reading a book! There’s no better deal in the world.

Of course, the faster you read, the more you can learn each week. Most adults read around 250 words per minute. Of course, the reading material impacts speed. Some things are easier to read than others.

With practice, 1,000 words per minute is definitely achievable! Some people can read many times faster than that.

If you value your time, your reading speed matters!

Try these strategies to increase your reading speed:

Keep your eyes moving forward. One study that tracked eye movement showed that the average reader spends 30% of the time looking back over words they just read. That’s like taking seven steps forward and three steps back.

Be focused on making steady progress as you read. Keep your eyes moving in the right direction.

Use fewer fixations per line. You might think that your eyes are moving smoothly across the page, but they aren’t. Your eyes actually stop and then look at one or more words and then move to another spot and look again. Faster readers take in more words at a time than slower readers.

See how many words you can see at one time and work on increasing that number.

Spend less time per fixation. A fast reader uses few fixations per line, and they also spend less time on each fixation. Your eyes and brain can work very quickly together. If you concentrate, you can probably move along a line of text faster than you think.

Test yourself. There are plenty of free reading speed tests online that will allow you to assess your reading speed. You can also set a timer and see how much you can read in a set amount of time, and then count the words you read.

Testing yourself regularly will allow you to see the progress you’re making.

Practice reading faster than comfortable. If you can comfortably read 400 words per minute, force yourself to read 600 words per minute. The right speed for this practice should feel too fast. After two to three minutes of reading at this faster speed, you’ll find that 400 words per minute seems very easy. You’ll even find that 500 words per minute is tolerable.

Start and end each reading session with a few minutes of fast reading.

Use your finger. Your teachers may have discouraged the practice of reading with your finger as a pointer, but they were wrong. Using a pointer, whether it be a pen or a finger, is actually a good technique for keeping your eyes in the right place and can increase speed. Allow your pointer to pull your eyes along the page.

It isn’t necessary to use a pointer all of the time.

Concentrate. A quiet room with few distractions makes for faster reading. Reading at your highest speed requires a lot of concentration. Pay attention to what you’re doing and do your best to block out all distractions and stray thoughts.

Read daily. The more frequently you practice, the quicker your speed will increase. It only takes a few minutes a day to see real progress.

The faster you can read, the more you can learn. If your job requires reading, you can get your work done faster. Most people read much slower than they’re capable of reading. All it takes is a few minutes of practice each day. You’ll be surprised how much faster you are in just a couple of weeks.

 

I expand my World Perspective.

The more I learn about various cultures, the more my view of the World - and my perspective - expands. 

Through my continuous thirst for knowledge, I have gained greater compassion for all the cultures of the World.

I now see that history books are often biased. I am open to the perspectives of all people throughout the world. I am learning greater truths by being open to other people’s views of the World.

I am grateful that I have all this knowledge and wisdom at my fingertips through the internet. I am happy that I am an avid reader of books. I love to explore cultures through communicating with others throughout the World.

I am also grateful for all the information coming out about the environment. I am grateful for all those who are working on behalf of the environment.

I renew my efforts to be a part of the restoration of nature. I am grateful for the energy to work in my garden. I am happy that I have the strength to plant trees and flowers. I am proud to be a part of the solution.

The more I expand my Worldview, the more I realize how connected we all are.

I love to learn how to cook dishes from all over the World. I am grateful that I get to participate in learning dances from all over the World. I am fortunate that I can listen to music from all over the World.

Today, I am blessed with a new World Perspective, and I am grateful. I share my new perspective of connectedness with all who listen. I work towards greater peace and harmony in our world.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

What can I do to expand my Worldview?

How does having an expanded Worldview make me a better Coach?

How does having a more open-minded perspective make me more compassionate?

I am a force for Good.

I am also a force to be reckoned with. I am totally coming into my power as an amazing human being. I am channeling that force into Good outlets. I am also channeling that force for GOOD… as in forever. 

I am consciously choosing to create the best life ever!

I am determined to use all my resources to make the world a better place. My mind comes up with unlimited ideas on solutions that I can implement now. I gather teams of like-minded individuals who also want to be deliberate creators for good on the planet.

I start to work immediately on putting these great ideas into action. I create action plans that are “doable”. I have incredible energy to put forth on these projects.

I do what I am best suited for. I use all my skills. I activate my talents.

I delegate everything else to those whose talents are best used in their areas of expertise. 

I am proud of my efforts. I am proud of my team. 

I am grateful that I have pulled together an amazing team. I am astounded at how everything is coming together perfectly. I am so happy that everyone is doing their best. I am proud that all these projects are moving forward so efficiently. I am proud of my delegation skills.

Today, I am grateful that I have found my purpose. I am proud of my accomplishments so far and know that I am on my perfect path of being a force for Good.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

What can I do next that will take my projects to the next level?

Who would be perfect to collaborate with on my next projects?

How can I make the greatest impact for good on the planet now?

Maximize Your Motivation and Results by Quantifying Your Progress

 

Progress is the best motivator. Even if you need to lose 100 pounds, it’s pretty exciting to see that you’ve lost 10 pounds. However, progress isn’t always apparent. Some things are very subjective unless you take the time to measure them.

For example, it may be hard to see a 10-pound weight loss in the mirror, but it’s pretty easy to see your progress on a bathroom scale.

Some goals can take a long time to accomplish. If you only measure yourself by whether or not you’ve achieved the goal, you’re going to be displeased for months or even years. You’re also likely to lose interest. Measuring your progress makes long-term goals much more possible.

Try these methods to quantify your progress in different areas of focus:

Body weight. This is one we’re all familiar with. It’s pretty easy to step on the scale at regular intervals and see which way your weight is headed.

Body weight can fluctuate considerably with hydration levels, hormone levels, and how long it’s been since you used the bathroom.

One way to minimize these variations is to weigh yourself under the same conditions each day. Get up, use the restroom, and then weigh yourself. Even better, weigh yourself each morning, but use the weekly average and compare one week to the next.

oney in and money out. Measure how much money you spend each day. That means every single cent. Also keep track of how much you earn each day. Track your bank balance. Track the balance of your brokerage account.

Take the time to examine your spending in detail at least once a year.

Repetitions. One way to track progress is through repetitions. This could be how many pushups you’ve done or how many times you’ve practiced the A-flat minor scale on the piano. It could be how many times you’ve said your affirmations or how many pages you’ve read. How many sales calls did you make this week?

Time. You can also track time. How many minutes did you jog? How much time did you spend on your online business? How much TV did you watch this week? How many minutes are you sleeping each night? How long did it take you to do 100 sit-ups?

Occurrences. Think of occurrences as the desired results of your actions. How many sales did you make? How many dates did you have? How many written pages did you produce? How many songs did you write? How many widgets did you make?

Checklists. Many people find it useful to make a checklist before going to bed to follow the next day. How many of those items did you complete? Can you get more done tomorrow than you did today?

You can even assign points to each item based on their difficulty or priority. Try to score higher each day.

There are many ways to track your progress. If you’re attempting to track something more subjective, you may have to invent your own system. Rating scales can be useful in many cases. For example, you could rate your mood or the quality of a conversation. You could also rate the quality of your sleep.

Being able to see your progress will do wonders for your motivation and will drive further results. If you can’t measure your progress, you’ll be much more likely to give up before you’ve reached your goals.

Maximize Your Motivation and Results by Quantifying Your Progress

Progress is the best motivator. Even if you need to lose 100 pounds, it’s pretty exciting to see that you’ve lost 10 pounds. However, progress isn’t always apparent. Some things are very subjective unless you take the time to measure them.

For example, it may be hard to see a 10-pound weight loss in the mirror, but it’s pretty easy to see your progress on a bathroom scale.

Some goals can take a long time to accomplish. If you only measure yourself by whether or not you’ve achieved the goal, you’re going to be displeased for months or even years. You’re also likely to lose interest. Measuring your progress makes long-term goals much more possible.

Try these methods to quantify your progress in different areas of focus:

Body weight. This is one we’re all familiar with. It’s pretty easy to step on the scale at regular intervals and see which way your weight is headed.

Body weight can fluctuate considerably with hydration levels, hormone levels, and how long it’s been since you used the bathroom.

One way to minimize these variations is to weigh yourself under the same conditions each day. Get up, use the restroom, and then weigh yourself. Even better, weigh yourself each morning, but use the weekly average and compare one week to the next.

Money in and money out. Measure how much money you spend each day. That means every single cent. Also keep track of how much you earn each day. Track your bank balance. Track the balance of your brokerage account.

Take the time to examine your spending in detail at least once a year.

Repetitions. One way to track progress is through repetitions. This could be how many pushups you’ve done or how many times you’ve practiced the A-flat minor scale on the piano. It could be how many times you’ve said your affirmations or how many pages you’ve read. How many sales calls did you make this week?

Time. You can also track time. How many minutes did you jog? How much time did you spend on your online business? How much TV did you watch this week? How many minutes are you sleeping each night? How long did it take you to do 100 sit-ups?

Occurrences. Think of occurrences as the desired results of your actions. How many sales did you make? How many dates did you have? How many written pages did you produce? How many songs did you write? How many widgets did you make?

Checklists. Many people find it useful to make a checklist before going to bed to follow the next day. How many of those items did you complete? Can you get more done tomorrow than you did today?

You can even assign points to each item based on their difficulty or priority. Try to score higher each day.

There are many ways to track your progress. If you’re attempting to track something more subjective, you may have to invent your own system. Rating scales can be useful in many cases. For example, you could rate your mood or the quality of a conversation. You could also rate the quality of your sleep.

Being able to see your progress will do wonders for your motivation and will drive further results. If you can’t measure your progress, you’ll be much more likely to give up before you’ve reached your goals.

Writing Prompts That Lead to Personal Growth

Writing prompts are effective because they force you to consider things you might not ever think about on your own. Writing is also an effective process for personal growth because it forces you to slow your thinking and organize your thoughts. You can’t write nearly as quickly as you can think!

 

There are endless sources of writing prompts that can help you to discover more about yourself.

 

Consider using these:

How do you think others view you? Imagine being an observer and watching yourself go through your typical day. What would you think about yourself if you were the average person? What changes do you think you should make based on this observation?

Most people are very mistaken regarding how the world views them.

If you had lots of money and free time, what would your life look like? What would you do? What would you stop doing?

Everyone wants more time and money, but what would you do if your wish came true?

What negative experiences from your childhood are still influencing or impacting you today? What impact is this having on your life? Why haven’t you let go of these experiences?

Our traumas and negative experiences influence our adulthood more than we realize.

Describe the five habits you could develop that would have the greatest positive impact on your life. What would you accomplish by having these habits? Why haven’t you been able to develop these habits yet?

Good habits practically guarantee a great life.

Describe three habits you wish you could drop from your life and the impact that would have if you did. Create a plan for dropping each of those habits.

Bad habits can have a greater impact on your life than good habits.

What is the one thing you most want to accomplish? What are you willing to sacrifice to accomplish that one great thing? What are you willing to give up now in order to get what you want later?

We have a tendency to dabble in too many minor things.

What is one skill you wish you had? How would that impact your life?

What skill is most appealing to you? What skill would have the greatest impact on your life?

What do you think about while lying in bed at night? What do these topics say about you? What do they say about your life?

Where our minds go when we’re alone in the dark is illuminating.

How do you procrastinate? What are some ways to limit the amount of time you procrastinate?

Procrastination is a stalling technique that robs you of time and progress. 

Which people in my life cause me the most grief? Which people are the least supportive? Why have I permitted these people to persist in my life?

We have things and people in our lives that cause more harm than good.

If I could go back in time, what would I do differently? What difference would that make in my life right now? What can I do right now to make the most of the rest of my life?

Past mistakes don’t have to be ongoing mistakes. Past mistakes are also educational. There’s also still time available to create a great life.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are plenty of additional sources of writing prompts available online. Consider doing one prompt each day for a month. You’ll be surprised by what you learn about yourself. All you need is a pen, paper, and a few minutes each day.

5 Effective Strategies for Dealing With Your Weaknesses

 

Do you have any weaknesses? We all do, but some of us do a poor job of dealing with them. Others appear to have no weaknesses, because their weaknesses are never exposed. Your weaknesses can be a big drag on your life, or they can have minimal impact. It depends on the weakness and how you address it. 

A weakness doesn’t have to be a hindrance! Use these techniques to deal with weaknesses strategically:

Decide if your weakness is relevant. Not all weaknesses are worthy of addressing. If you’re a terrible athlete, but have no interest in playing sports, why work on your athleticism? Everyone has weaknesses, but not everyone has weaknesses that matter to them.

Consider your life and your goals. Do your weaknesses get in the way of either? If not, don’t worry about them! You are very fortunate!

Work around your weakness. In many cases, it’s possible to work around your weaknesses. If you’re terrible on the phone, utilize email. Are you someone that can’t think on your feet while giving a speech? Be over-prepared and use extensive visual aids. If you’re too short to reach the top shelf, buy a ladder or put everything you need on the lower shelves.

Adjust the situation or environment to avoid your weaknesses.

Focus on your strength. The most successful people are great at working around their weaknesses and maximizing their strengths. If you can build a life that relies heavily on your strengths, you’re going to be a very successful person.

Build your strengths. If you’re going to get the most out of this strategy, you can’t just rely on your strengths. You have to take the next step to develop your strengths even further. Develop a plan for becoming even better at the things you already do well.

Delegate. There might be things that you’re not good at, but you probably know people that are good at those things. Is there some task at work you’re terrible at performing? Find someone else to do it for you.

Are you terrible at cleaning your house? Hire a cleaning service.

Can’t do your taxes well? Hire an accountant.

Can’t stand to wash the dishes? Get your kids to do it.

Terrible at dealing with strangers? Have your coworker give tours to the visitors.

Think about the people that are great in the areas in which you struggle. Utilize them.

Strengthen your area of weakness. This is the last resort. If your weakness is standing in your way and there’s no other way to address the issue, then you’ll have to get busy. This isn’t an optimal situation. It’s very challenging to become great at something you lack talent for and/or despise doing.

Focus on being good enough. Avoid trying to be in the top 1% at this skill. Decide how good you need to be and make a plan for reaching that level of expertise.

Get expert advice. Read books. Hire a coach. Take a class. Whatever the issue is, you’re going to be better off with some expert help!

Not all weaknesses need to be addressed. If you suffer from sea sickness, but have no desire to be on a boat, why spend time dealing with it? Many weaknesses can be avoided with some planning. Others can be managed through delegation.

Ideally, you’d be able to leverage your strengths and simply avoid your weaknesses altogether. However, this isn’t always possible. There are times that it’s necessary to work on your weaknesses, but you can avoid doing more work than necessary. Weaknesses are extremely difficult to transform into strengths.

Focus on building your strengths, design your life around those, and enjoy the success you deserve!

I travel inward to find my greatest wisdom.

It is high time to go within and consult my inner guru. I am ready to sit before my inner guidance to gather wisdom for my future. I take the time to travel inward toward my greatest wisdom.

Even though it is a short journey, I find that it is a deep one. I create the time and space to be still and listen.

I have a journal handy to write down my thoughts that come to me.

I open up to receive. I find solace in the silence around me as I begin to listen. The answers come to me as I patiently wait. I must listen very carefully as my voice within is very soft.

I notice the clouds of doubt and fear dissipate along the way.

I feel great peace as I sit at the feet of my inner wisdom. Like sitting under a great oak tree that has been there forever, I feel a calm breeze blow across my face and through my body.

I am being fed a banquet of wisdom!

I see the world through new eyes. I notice the birds. I hear the sounds of Spring.

I gain a greater appreciation for the world around me.

Today, I feel gratitude well up inside me as I find my greatest wisdom within and learn from it.

 

Self-Reflection Questions:

 

1. How can I create the time and space to travel on a journey within to find my greatest wisdom?
2. What questions do I seek answers to?
3. What lessons would be useful for me to write in my journal today?

 

Copyright Yes Education