Happiness Self Help Blog:Happiness and wellbeing self help Blog page:
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"There are over 2,000 more pages of NEW self help resources being added, including self help blog, self help books, articles and templates, so bookmark this site to keep up to date with our new self help content. The future doesn’t get better by HOPE,
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“Motivation alone is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot.” – famous quote by Jim Rohn
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” – self help quote from Abraham Lincoln
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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” Eleanor Roosevelt
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Personal development self help Blog: NEW FREE eBooks to get you started for 2006... Just "right mouse button click" on the links then select "save target as" to download these .pdf books to your computer. "How to Make 2006 Your Best Year Ever!" Booklet with a couple of short and simple Goal Setting gems to get you started on your New Year Resolutions
“Accomplish Anything you Want in your Life!” comprehensive self help guide for your self growth to Success
“Secrets of the Richest People” Learn from the wisdom of successful people through the ages. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! One Minute Tip:"Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." -- Benjamin Franklin
In order to achieve any and every goal, you simply
need to answer these 3 questions. 1. What do I need to STOP doing? 2. What do I need to START doing? 3. What do I need to DO MORE OF?"
Power Quotes:
"Happiness, wealth, and success are by-products of goal setting, they cannot be the goal themselves. " - Denis Waitley
"People have more options than they think they do. But most people spend more time planning their vacations than thinking about what they want to do with their lives." - Bob McDonald
"What you do every day should contribute to giving your life meaning. If it doesn't, why are you doing it?" - Don Hutcheson
"The reason why most people face the future with apprehension instead of anticipation is because they don't have it well designed." Jim Rohn
As we enter into this New Year we all tend to have a heightened sense of the opportunities and possibilities that 2006 can bring.
The need for goal-setting becomes more obvious and clear. And the great thing about goal-setting is you can keep it as simple or get as elaborate as you would like.
In fact, we have spent the last month in the One-Year Success Plan solely on the subject of goal-setting and have dedicated over 125 pages in the One-Year Plan to exercises on the subject.
Space and time won't allow that here, but below are some abbreviated points on goal-setting for the New Year.
I've often said the major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get.
That is why goals are so powerful - they are part of the fabric that makes up our lives. And goal-setting is where we create our goals.
Goal-setting is powerful, partly because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. It gives us the ability to hone in on the exact actions we need to perform to achieve everything we desire in life.
Goals are GREAT because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. In order to reach our goals we must become better. We must change and grow.
Also, goals provide long-term vision in our lives. We all need lots of powerful, long-range goals to help us get past short-term obstacles.
Life is designed in such a way that we look long-term and live short-term. We dream for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, the present can produce many difficult obstacles.
But fortunately, the more powerful our goals (because they are inspiring and believable) the more we will be able to act on them in the short-term and guarantee that they will actually come to pass!
So, let's take a closer look at the topic of goal-setting and see how we can make it forceful as well as practical. What are the key aspects to learn and remember when studying and writing our goals?
1. Evaluation and Reflection. The only way we can reasonably decide what we want in the future and how we will get there is to first know where we are right now and what our level of satisfaction is for where we are in life.
So first take some time and think through and write down your current situation, then ask this question on each key point - is that okay?
The purpose of evaluation is twofold. First, it gives you an objective way to look at your accomplishments and your pursuit of the vision you have for your life.
Secondly, it is to show you where you are so you can determine where you need to go. In other words, it gives you a baseline from which to work.
I would strongly encourage you to take a couple of hours this week to evaluate and reflect. At the beginning of this month we encourage you to see where you are and write it down so that as the months progress and you continue a regular time of evaluation and reflection, you will see just how much ground you will be gaining - and that will be exciting!
2. What are Your Dreams and Goals? These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your own heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become.
So second, make a list of all the things you desire for the future.
One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams.
Think of it: We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families; dream of better financial lives and better emotional or physical lives; certainly dream of better spiritual lives.
But what makes this even more powerful is that we have also been given the ability to not only dream but to pursue those dreams and not just pursue them, but the cognitive ability to actually lay out a plan and strategies (setting goals) to achieve those dreams. Powerful!
What are your dreams and goals? This isn't what you already have or what you have done, but what you want.
Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there.
Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.
So how do we know what our dreams are? This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to yourself.
If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams (and many will try to put their plans and dreams on us). If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams that are not rooted deep within us. No, we must listen to our own hearts.
Here are some practical steps/thoughts on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are:
Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don't do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within.
It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams! Schedule some quiet "dream time" this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts.
Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving.
What would you LOVE to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy?
When you answer these questions you will feel GREAT and you will be in the "dream zone." It is only when we get to this point that we experience what OUR dreams are!
Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don't think of any as too outlandish or foolish - remember, you're dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record.
Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most?
Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming.
3. S.M.A.R.T. Goals. S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.
I really like this acronym S.M.A.R.T., because we want to be smart when we set our goals.
We want to intelligently decide what our goals will be so that we can actually accomplish them. We want to set the goals that our heart conceives, our minds believe and that our bodies will carry out.
Let's take a closer look at each of the components of S.M.A.R.T. goals: Specific: Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.
Measurable: Always set goals that are measurable. I would say "specifically measurable" to take into account our principle of being specific as well.
Attainable: One of the detrimental things that many people do - and they do it with good intentions - is to set goals that are so high they are unattainable.
Realistic: The root word of realistic is "real." A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make "real" or a "reality" in our lives.
There are some goals that simply are not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic -- that you could make it.
You may even have to say that it will take x, y, and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn't be a big goal, but it must be realistic.
Time: Every goal should have a timeframe attached to it.
I think that life itself is much more productive if there is a timeframe connected to it. Could you imagine how much procrastination there would be on earth if people never died?
We would never get "around to it." We could always put it off. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end, a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it.
You start working on it because you know there is an end. As time goes by you work on it because you don't want to get behind. As it approaches, you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline.
You may even have to break down a big goal into different parts of measurement and time frames. That is okay. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a timeline.
4. Accountability (A contract with yourself or someone else). When someone knows what your goals are, they hold you accountable by asking you to "give an account" of where you are in the process of achieving that goal.
Accountability puts some teeth into the process. If a goal is set and only one person knows it, does it really have any power? Many times, no.
At the very least, it isn't as powerful as if you have one or more other people who can hold you accountable to your goal.
So: Evaluate/Reflect; Decide What You Want; Be S.M.A.R.T.; Have Accountability.
When you put these 4 key pieces together, you are putting yourself in a position of power that will catapult you toward achieving your goals.
Let's Do Something Remarkable in 2006
Jim Rohn
If you would like to be more accountable in your goal setting achievement this year, you may get the same benefits from Personal Coaching that I had when I participated in the pilot program of the Jim Rohn Coaching a few years ago.
It was truly amazing, and I have never looked back, the financial and personal benefits were truly astounding, and a real pleasure to participate in.
Just click on the link in the box below, www.jimrohn.com to be shown all the full program details that you get for a TINY monthly charge. The best investment you have ever made in yourself, and you are worth a lot more than this costs! --Helene Malmsio
The Jim Rohn Coaching Program - The greatest benefit from participating in The Jim Rohn Coaching Program is that you will receive personal, one-on-one interaction with a coach who is experienced and professionally trained. Your coach will get to know you, and help you set and achieve those goals that are right for you. Plus you will receive free, The Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan.
to read more goal setting articles, go to: Personal-Enterprise-Self-Help-Resources.com
I'm sure this is not the first time you have heard about goal setting. The reason you keep hearing about it is because it really is important to your life.
A good definition of goals is that they are dreams with deadlines. Yes, you can make your dreams come true. How do you want your life to be 10 years from now? How about 5 years, next year, or even 6 months from now. The only difference between setting goals for your business or career, and setting personal goals is the subject matter. With commitment and persistence, and setting goals, your life can be any way you want it. When you actually sit down and start identifying goals, you will probably end up with a long list. Decide what is most important to you in your business and personal lives.
All goals do not have equal value. Some will be more meaningful to you. These are the goals to start on. Keep your list of the remaining goals to get back to later. Trying to do too much at the same time can be self-defeating. Once you have selected the goals to start on, give each goal a deadline. Short term goals, such as completing a project, will be completed in six months or less. Medium term goals, such as increasing a customer base, or revenue, will be a yearly target.
Your goal for career advancement could be in this time frame. Long term goals can run for several years, such as where do you want your business to be in 5 years, or building your nest egg to retire in 5, 10 or 20 years.
Write your goals down, as this increases commitment. Make your deadline for each goal realistic and reachable. There is no right or wrong on how long you determine it will take to reach a goal. It will be different for each person and each goal. Whatever is comfortable for you is what counts. Okay, you have done this. Now, how do you get started? By identifying what you must do to accomplish your goals.
Look at each one individually. Under each goal, write down the tasks to be undertaken to reach that goal. You may not think of everything to the smallest detail, but you will come up with the major tasks. Give each one of these tasks a deadline. On short term goals, your deadlines will most likely be daily, weekly and monthly. On long term goals, deadlines are more like six months, first year, eighteen months, second year. You can break these down even further.
If you know what you want to accomplish the first six months of a long term goal, what can you do this month, next month, etc. to get there. Include these tasks and their deadlines in your calendar, and schedule the time needed to work on them.
Once this is done with all your goals, you have made a contract with yourself and the commitment to take action. This is your road map to get you where you want to go. Each day, ask yourself if what you are doing is helping you get there. If the answer is no, be sure you know why you are doing it at all.
If all this seems difficult or overwhelming, start with just one goal. Make it easy and short term. Once you have accomplished this, go on to another goal. Remember that life is a journey to be enjoyed. Be kind to yourself. You will find by setting goals and identifying what you need to do to get there, will cut down on a lot of stress in your life. At the same time, you will be making those dreams a reality.
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Carol Halsey is Founder and President of Business Organizing Solutions. She is a professional organizer, consultant, speaker, and author of "93 Organizing Tips to Simplify Your Business Life." You can get this booklet and articles, ideas and a free Idea Kit, filled with simple tips for saving time, simply by visiting her web site: http://www.PilesToFiles.com.
Sponsored resources:
Need help following through with your goals?
Some will decide they need to work harder...even though they feel like they're working pretty hard right now. Chances are that this decision won't get the result they're hoping for because working harder is almost never the answer.
A large number of people will decide to make a New Year's Resolution or two --- maybe to diet, quit smoking or get out of debt. According to the experts, more than 90% will fail to achieve their resolutions, with most having abandoned them by the end of January.
Then there's a tragic group of folks who will think briefly about how they'd like to see things change...but will remember all of the years they've failed...and will simply do nothing, hoping that their "luck" will change for the better.
Finally, there's a very small group of people who are bound and determined that 2006 will be different. They are committed to real change in their lives...and real success in 2006.
FREE Audio E-book: The Anatomy of a Goal
FREE e-Book: How to Create Master Mind Alliance
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Personal development self help Blog:
"Yard by yard, everything is hard. Inch by inch,
everything's a cinch." "Be faithful in small things because it is in them that
your strength lies." "You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when.
You can only decide how you're going to live. Now." "The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly." My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying. (Ed Furgol) I always arrive late at the office, but I make up for it by leaving early. (Charles Lamb) A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it is written on. (Sam Goldwyn) Money can't buy you happiness, but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery. (Spike Milligan) What's the use of happiness? It can't buy you money. (Henny Youngman) There are three easy ways of losing money - racing is the quickest, women the most pleasant, and farming the most certain. (Lord Amherst) My formula for success is rise early, work late, and strike oil. (Paul Getty) Children and Parents Having one child makes you a parent; having two you are a referee. (David Frost) Any astronomer can predict with absolute accuracy just where every star in the universe will be at 11.30 tonight. He can make no such prediction about his teenage daughter. (James T. Adams)
There are three stages of man: he believes in Santa Claus; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus. (Bob Phillips) I never met a kid I liked. (W.C. Fields) Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad. (W.C. Fields) Children nowadays are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannise their teachers. (Socrates)
There are three ways to get something done; do it yourself, hire someone, or forbid your kids to do it. (Mona Crane) Insults Nancy Astor (to Winston Churchill): If I were your wife I would put poison in your coffee! Bessie Braddock (to Winston Churchill): Winston, you're drunk. Last week I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister and now wish to withdraw that statement. (Mark Twain) I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception. (Groucho Marx) Lawyers It's not the people who are in prison worry me. It's the people who aren't. (Arthur Gore) Love, Sex, Men vs Women It's not the men in my life that counts - it's the life in my men. (Mae West) Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me. (Mae West) It's better to be looked over than overlooked. (Mae West) Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet. (Mae West) It's been so long since I've had sex I've forgotten who ties up whom. (Joan Rivers) I blame my mother for my poor sex life. All she told me was 'the man goes on top and the woman underneath.' For three years my husband and I slept in bunk beds. (Joan Rivers) Ten men waiting for me at the door? Send one of them home, I'm tired. (Mae West) My wife is a sex object - every time I ask for sex, she objects. (Les Dawson) My wife Mary and I have been married for forty-seven years and not once have we had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never. (Jack Benny) A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke. (Rudyard Kipling) A man is only as old as the woman he feels. (Groucho Marx) I chased a woman for almost two years only to discover her tastes were exactly like mine - we were both crazy about girls. (Groucho Marx) Now that women are jockeys, baseball umpires, atomic scientists, and business executives, maybe someday they can master parallel parking. (Bill Vaughan) Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. (Charlotte Whitton) The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things. (Jilly Cooper) When you see a married couple coming down the street, the one who is two or three steps ahead is the one that's mad. (Helen Rowland) When you see what some women marry, you realise how they must hate to work for a living. (Helen Rowland) The only unnatural sex act is that which you cannot perform. (Alfred Kinsey) A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he's finished. (Zsa Zsa Gabor) I never hated a man enough to give him diamonds back. (Zsa Zsa Gabor) You mean apart from my own. (Zsa Zsa Gabor, asked how many husbands she had had) Relations A lot of people would rather tour sewers than visit their
cousins. (Jane Howard) Santa Claus has the right idea - visit people only once a year. (Victor Borge) Science, Technology Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. (Charles D. Warner) There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. (Benjamin Disraeli) Biologically speaking, if something bites you, it is more likely to be female. (Desmond Morris) Social Behaviour Be awfully nice to them going up, because you're going to meet them all coming down. (Jimmy Durante) Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it. (Harry S. Truman) There is only one way to find out if a man is honest - ask him. If he says 'yes' he's not honest. (Groucho Marx) Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. (Mark Twain) A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is just putting on its shoes. (Mark Twain) When I'm good, I'm very, very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better. (Mae West) Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before. (Mae West) It is always the best policy to tell the truth, unless of course you are an exceptionally good liar. (Jerome K. Jerome) I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally. (W.C. Fields) Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times. (Mark Twain) All the things I really like are either immoral, illegal or fattening. (Alexander Woollcott) There is only one immutable law in life - in a gentleman's toilet, incoming traffic has the right of way. (Hugh Leonard) Miscellaneous It's not what I do, but the way I do it. It's not what I say, but the way I say it. (Mae West) Another fine mess you're gotten me into. (Stan Laurel) If it ain't broke, don't fix it. (Bert Lance) Go ahead, make my day. (Clint Eastwood) When the going gets tough, the tough get going. (Joseph P. Kennedy) I'm fat, but I'm thin inside…there's a thin man inside every fat man. (George Orwell) Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain. (Mark Twain) It's not true I had nothing on. I had the radio on. (Marilyn Monroe, asked if she really had nothing on in a calendar photograph) Chanel No. 5. (Marilyn Monroe, asked what she wore in bed)
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30th June ON THE JOB: Enjoy yourself AT WORK so that you are happier in all areas of your life We spend so much time at work, whether it be at home or in a business, that what happen during those hours will impact on our view of our whole day, life and the world in general. We need to develop skills in overcoming obstacles that we will inevitably encounter every day so that we can still enjoy the rest of our lives. 1. Take care of yourself. Healthy eating habits, following a regular sleep routine and exercise all contribute to your well being which allows you to perform at your best. 2. Do the worst first. If you find you cannot stop worrying about a certain task, then do the worst task first. Once that task is completed you will feel relieved and able to concentrate on the rest of your tasks, one at a time. 3. Focus on the task at hand. Attempting too much at once and underestimating the time it takes to do it will surely put you right back in the center of feeling overwhelmed and a step behind. 4. Control the phone. Decide when and where you will answer the phone. During off-time--use voice mail. 5. Separate work from play. Are you running the dinner table conversation the same as a meeting of the Board of Directors? Think about it. 6. Keep a Master List. Merge all your to-do lists, schedules and activity lists into one Master List. Use the technology that works for you whether it is index cards, spiral notebook, computer or a PDA. 7. Clean off your desk. Clutter is a distraction and time waster. How much time do you waste looking for documents and files? 8. Learn to say no. Take a reality break and identify what you can reasonably expect to get done. Accept your limitations and control your expectations. Would you really expect anybody else to work as hard as you do? 9. Use technology to help you. Create systems for handling your routine tasks. Take the time to learn how to use your computer to improve your efficiency to perform routine business tasks. Use templates for letters, faxes and email. 10. Slow down. Are you rushing through everything? Stop, look and listen. |
29th June Calculating your retirement by Laura Bruce If you retire at age 65, your retirement could last 30 years or more. And many of you would like to say adieu to the work-a-day world when you're in your 50s.
Will you have the financial wherewithal to do that? |
28th June Deep Sleep: The Great Rejuvenator An article in the June 3 issue of New Scientist says if you ignore your body's natural clock by working and playing at any time of the day or night, you could set a time bomb for illness, injury and even death, according to sleep experts. The price of ignoring your natural sleep patterns can range from aches and pains to heart disease to chronic fatigue syndrome. A regular bedtime can be as important to your health as stopping smoking or cutting back on saturated fat. Your biological clock, nestled in the hypothalamus region of your brain, controls what time you eat and rest, the rhythmic surge of hormones, changes in body temperature, immune system activity and a host of other body functions. Different people have different sleep patterns. Some are morning people while others are nocturnal creatures. Problems arise when you ignore your natural body rhythms to meet the demands of work or family says the article. People who restrict their sleep or are engaged in shift work where sleep becomes fragmented and disturbed are at risk for cardiovascular disease. This has been shown in nurses who have been engaged in shift work over a long period of time. They show an increased risk for heart attacks. Sleep debt can also contribute to depression, and lost sleep creates dangers at work and on the roads. Sleep deprivation results in impairment in people's capabilities to operate in their usual, expected way, and they would not necessarily know that they are impaired. Most people require roughly seven to eight hours of sleep a night to stay alert through the day. Some of the warning signs of sleep deprivation include fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, confusion and depression. Even while getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, starting with middle age, and worsening from there on, sleep tends to become less and less deep. Deep sleep, known as stage III and IV sleep, is where most of the healing, repair and regeneration takes place. It is also when the body secretes the most growth hormone. Therefore promoting deep sleep is a key to feeling young in body, mind and spirit. So remember, one of the secrets of staying young is to sleep like a baby! And by using the right combination of lifestyle and products below, you can come closer at least. Recommended Lifestyle and Supplement Protocol for Mild Depression As always make sure you have the basics covered. Good dietary habits, regular exercise, rejuvenating sleep, with alcohol, caffeine and tobacco avoided or in moderation at least. Taking a very complete six-a-day multivitamin/mineral (MultiWellness) is essential. Men over 40 should consider adding to the above Hgh Plus and MaleWellness, as these hormones tend to restore a more youthful, confident and an optimistic state of mind. Women over 40 may want to enhance progesterone (Projuvine) especially if their symptoms are pre-menstrual. Women at or past the "change of life" should consider Hgh Plus and either Projuvine or EstroPro. The latter contains progesterone and three natural estrogens. Estrogen is thought to be very protective of the mind, so unless there is strong breast cancer concern or risk, or one is already on estrogens, EstroPro comes highly recommended. Progesterone (Projuvine) is a natural antidepressant. The other basic is deep sleep. Exercise, avoiding caffeine after noon, dark rooms, white noise, cool bedrooms and hot baths are all helpful. Three different RxforWellness products promote sleep. PM Wellness is herbs and minerals for adults of any age. It may take two weeks for the effects to be noticed by some. Melatonin is more indicated the more above 40 you are. Also, night workers, those travelling across time zones, and women with hot flashes often do well with melatonin (Sleep Wellness). 5-HTP is the other great natural sleep inducer. It is also an antidepressant, anti-anxiolytic and tends to curb carbohydrate and chocolate craves. Therefore, if your depression is strongly related to poor and difficult sleep, 5-HTP is to be strongly considered. 5-HTP is presented more fully below. Please keep in mind that many common prescription medications cause tiredness, loss of libido and flattening of emotions. So always consult your doctor. Now if you have been following the above recommendations for several months and still feel in low spirits, then supplementation specific for mood elevation is likely indicated. |
27th June Nitty-Gritty Reasons by Jim Rohn Wouldn't it be wonderful to be motivated to achievement by such a lofty goal as benevolence? I must confess, however, that in the early years of my struggle to succeed, my motivation was a lot more down-to-earth. My reason for succeeding was more basic. In fact, it fell into the category of what I like to call "nitty-gritty reasons." A nitty-gritty reason is the kind that any one of us can have -- at any time, on any day -- and it can cause our lives to change. Let me tell you what happened to me . . . Shortly before I met Mr. Shoaff, I was lounging at home one day when I heard a knock at the door. It was a timid, hesitant knock. When I opened the door I looked down to see a pair of big brown eyes staring up at me. There stood a frail little girl of about ten. She told me, with all the courage and determination her little heart could muster, that she was selling Girl Scout cookies. It was a masterful presentation -- several flavors, a special deal, and only two dollars per box. How could anyone refuse? Finally, with a big smile and ever-so politely, she asked me to buy. And I wanted to. Oh, how I wanted to!
Naturally I couldn't tell this to the little girl with the big brown eyes. So I did the next best thing. I lied to her. I said, "Thanks, but I've already bought Girl Scout cookies this year. And I've still got plenty stacked in the house." Now that simply wasn't true. But it was the only thing I could think of to get me off the hook. And it did. The little girl said, "That's okay, sir. Thank you very much." And with that she turned around and went on her way. I stared after her for what seemed like a very long time. Finally, I closed the door behind me and, leaning my back to it, cried out, "I don't want to live like this anymore. I've had it with being broke, and I've had it with lying. I'll never be embarrassed again by not having any money in my pocket." That day I promised myself to earn enough to always have several hundred dollars in my pocket at all times. This is what I mean by a nitty-gritty reason. It may not win me any prize for greatness, but it was enough to have a permanent effect on the rest of my life. My Girl-Scout-cookie story does have a happy ending. Several years later, as I was walking out of my bank where I had just made a hefty deposit and was crossing the street to get into my car, I saw two little girls who were selling candy for some girls' organization. One of them approached me, saying, "Mister, would you like to buy some candy?" "I probably would," I said playfully. "What kind of candy do you have?" "It's almond roca." "Almond roca. That's my favorite. How much is it?" "It's only two dollars." Two dollars. It couldn't be! I was excited. "How many boxes of candy have you got?" "I've got five." Looking at her friend, I said, "And how many boxes do you have left?" "I've got four." "That's nine. Okay, I'll take them all." At this, both girls' mouths fell open as they exclaimed in unison, "Really?" "Sure," I said. "I've got some friends that I'll pass some around to." Excitedly, they scurried to stack all the boxes together. I reached into my pocket and gave them eighteen dollars. As I was about to leave, the boxes tucked under my arm, one of the girls looked up and said, "Mister, you're really something!" How about that! Can you imagine spending only eighteen dollars and having someone look you in the face and say, "You're really something!" Now you know why I always carry a few hundred dollars on me. I'm not about to miss chances like that ever again. And to think it all resulted from my own embarrassment, that when properly channeled, acted as a powerful motivator to help me achieve. How about you? What nitty-gritty reasons do you have waiting to challenging and provoke you into change for the better? Look for them, they are there. Sometimes it can be as simple as a brown-eyed girl selling Girl Scout cookies. To Your Success,
Jim Rohn
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26th June Establishing Dreams and Goals by Jim Rohn (Excerpted from Week Six of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan) One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams. Think of it: We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families; dream of better financial lives and better emotional or physical lives; certainly dream of better spiritual lives. What are your dreams and goals? This isn't what you already have or what you have done, but what you want. Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there. So how do we know what our dreams are? This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to yourself. If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams (and many will try to put their plans and dreams on us). If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams that are not rooted deep within us. No, we must listen to our own hearts. Let's take a look at some practical steps/thoughts on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are: Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don't do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within. It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams! Schedule some quiet "dream time" this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts (you get to do this in the workbook exercises this week). Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving. What would you LOVE to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy? When you answer these questions you will feel Great and you will be in the "dream zone." It is only when we get to this point that we experience what Our dreams are! Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don't think of any as too outlandish or foolish - remember, you're dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record. Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming. Here is the big picture: Life is too short to not pursue your dreams. Someday your life will near its end and all you will be able to do is look backwards. You can reflect with joy or regret. Those who dream, who set goals and act on them to live out their dreams are those who live lives of joy and have a sense of peace when they near the end of their lives. They have finished well, for themselves and for their families. Remember: These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become. Your specific goals are what you want to attain because they are what will make your life joyful and bring your family's life into congruence with what you want it to be. Until next week, let's do something remarkable! Jim Rohn
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25th June Mood and Memory Wellness: How to be Spirited and Sharp for 100 Years! |
24th June Your chances of staying healthy and living a long time can be improved if you: 1. Stay physically, mentally, and socially active. 2. Eat a nutrient dense diet of small frequent meals, including 5 to 9 helpings of fruits and vegetables a day. Don't over eat, even "good" food! 3. Get regular health check-ups and screening tests for heart disease and common cancers (skin, colon, lung, prostate, breast, cervical). Don't delay seeing your doctor for new symptoms, especially over 40! 4. Avoid overexposure to the sun and cold, don't smoke (it's never too late to quit), drink in moderation and don't drink and drive! 5. Practice safety habits at home to prevent falls and fractures. Always wear your seat belt in a car. 6. Keep or develop a spiritual belief system that enables you to re-negotiate life at every turn, adjusting to and accepting the inevitable losses and changes that come with longevity. 7. Cultivate (or keep) a love of and appreciation for life and others, and a positive, yet realistic, attitude. Don't sweat the small stuff. Do the things that make you happy. NOW! 8. Keep personal and financial records in order to simplify budgeting and investing. Plan long-term housing and money needs. 9. Supplement your diet, adding an iron free multi-vitamin/mineral and anti-oxidant supplementation. Keep abreast of the advances in natural medicine and anti-aging. 10. If you desire feeling, performing and looking young as long as possible, maintain the "hormones of youth" (HGH, DHEA, sex hormones, melatonin) at optimal levels through natural hormonal enhancements. |
23rd June Four Reasons Why We Procrastinate, Four Reasons Why We Procrastinate, self help article by Carol Halsey Have you ever spent time thinking about a task you need to tackle but keep putting off, then spend time telling yourself you just must get started and wondering when you will start it, and then feeling guilty because you are working on other tasks instead. Yet this one keeps hanging over your head. If this sounds familiar, you may be one of the many people who procrastinate, and procrastination is probably the biggest time waster. Putting off the inevitable, sometimes until a deadline is staring you in the face, causes the highest stress level, and results in managing time by crises. There are many reasons why people procrastinate. For some it happens occasionally under specific circumstances, and for others, it is a way of life. Here we will explore a few of the reasons behind why people procrastinate. 1. Poor work habits. These people procrastinate on everything. They are so far behind that they are constantly trying to keep up with yesterday. Boy, talk about high stress!! Their response is usually, "I work best under pressure." If the truth be known, they are poor organizers and have trouble prioritising tasks and scheduling their time. It is easier to wait until the last minute to start a task because in their mind it is now important. 2. Feeling overwhelmed. When we don't know how to do something, it is easier not to do anything at all. Or maybe we feel it would be too time consuming to learn what is needed to accomplish a particular task. It seems like it would take forever to complete. This is the time to break the task down into manageable parts. Decide a starting point and work for short periods of time, say 10 to 20 minutes. Then check off each part as completed. This imparts the feeling of accomplishment as work is being completed. 3. Trying to be perfect. What may be the goal of the perfectionist may well be looked on by others as nitpicking. Perfectionists usually see their responsibilities as burdens, making it more difficult for them to accomplish tasks in a timely manner. They start tasks but put off completion until it meets their standards for perfection. However, these standards are most likely not recognized or appreciated by others, and thereby the perfectionist has wasted a lot of time to accomplish the unnecessary. The perfectionist could strive for excellence rather than perfection. Excellence is defined as "very good of its kind" or " high-quality performance." Perfection is defined as "the condition of being flawless" which is not impossible, but most unlikely to achieve. Focus on what is realistic rather than what is ideal. Do the best you can in the time allowed. The time investment should be appropriate to the magnitude of the task or project. 4. Rather do something else. Unfortunately, we all dislike certain tasks that we have to do anyway. It could be filing, expense reports, or writing a report. So we keep putting it off, wishing it would go away. Think what would happen by delaying all unpleasant duties. After a while, their numbers build up to where that's all there is to do. Then everything is unpleasant. Consider the consequences of not doing the unpleasant task. Recognize that it will not go away, but just delaying the inevitable. Identify why you procrastinate on a particular task or project - do you hate it, are you feeling overwhelmed by a pending deadline, have a fear of failure, or are you just waiting for the' right time' to start. Try setting aside a half hour a day to get started on whatever you are putting off. By working a half hour at a time, you will overcome the overwhelmed feeling and increase the momentum to work faster. Consider the risks of waiting for that last minute 'high.' What if you got sick, priorities changed, or an unexpected crises or event developed. Recall the nightmare experienced the last time you procrastinated until the last minute. When we procrastinate, we get behind before we even start, and create a major time problem. ©2001 Carol Halsey is Founder and President of http://www.PilesToFiles.com. |
22nd June If we stop and think about it, most of us do know how to live on one income. Here are some tips to get you started: 1. Remember those College Days. Bet funds were limited then. If you don't remember, look up some campus newspapers on the internet and see what the poor crowd are doing for entertainment. 2. Think about those lazy, hazy summer days of tenting and cottaging. If you simplify your life drastically, people will say your lifestyle reminds them of being at the cottage. 3. Visit your grandmother or great grandmother and her friends. Many people who lived through the depression know lots and lots about household economy. They also know how to put a good face on poverty and present an elegant lifestyle to the world. 4. Go to the Library. There are all kinds of books on decorating, learning to cook, learning to clean, making things, etc.
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21ST June Stress Busters, self help stress management article by Tracie Johansen |
20th June Set Up a Game Night for Family Fun, Could your family benefit from something different than the typical night at the movies and a burger? Then look no further than your own family room for a way to create fun, learning and unity. Creating a regular family game night is one way to break the routine and inject some laughter into what might be a dull mix of events, obligations and chores. Learning opportunities and family unity go along with the fun. Here are a few pointers to help make it happen: * Whether you schedule the game night weekly or monthly, be sure that nothing except emergencies will be allowed to interfere. Kids need to know they can count on this special night. * Stay focused on the event by limiting all outside distractions. For example, allow voice mail to manage telephone calls. Everyone will enjoy the activities more and the children will see that you are really tuned in to them. * If the children want to stretch the game night to the last minute, have them put on their pyjamas so they are ready for bed. * Instead of dinner, prepare a variety of appetizers. For example, you could serve veggies and dip, mozzarella cheese sticks, buffalo wings, fruit, and finger sandwiches. Let the kids graze in between turns. It's a fun alternative to your nightly routine. * Stock up on a variety of board games suitable for your age groups. There are plenty of games on the market that teach reasoning, coordination and spelling, but Clue, Scrabble and Yahtzee are traditional popular choices. * Occasionally invite friends over to provide greater social interaction. Children will be able to practice good sportsmanship while being competitive, and they will be exposed to various learning opportunities for developing patience and generousity. Now and then, throw in some video games as another way to spice things up. * Give the children some ownership of the activity by allowing them to choose the games, decide which night works best, and select and prepare the appetizers. The more involvement they have, the more sustained their interest will be. * Once in a while, you could use the scheduled time to go bowling, go-cart racing, or miniature golfing. Keep it active -- family game night shouldn't be used for anything non-game oriented. With family game night, you have special family time set aside regardless of what else occurs during the week. It is a time for bonding, learning, and experimenting with the spirit of competition in a safe atmosphere. Your children will learn important skills and values while spending time with the people they love and trust the most -- their parents. Andy Pavanov edits the Good Games newsletter at http://www.yngames.com
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19th June self help logic for flexible Parents, on discipline for children WHY GOD CREATED CHILDREN (AND IN THE PROCESS GRANDCHILDREN) To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!" "Don't what?" Adam replied. "Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said. "Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve..we have forbidden fruit!" "No Way!" "Yes way!" "Do NOT eat the fruit! " said God. "Why?" "Because I am your Father and I said so! " God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants. A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked! "Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit? " God asked. "Uh huh," Adam replied. "Then why did you? " said the Father. "I don't know," said Eve. "She started it! " Adam said. "Did not! " "Did too! " "DID NOT! " Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed. BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY! If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you? THINGS TO THINK ABOUT! 1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up. 2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children. 3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young. 4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. 5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own. 6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in. ADVICE FOR THE DAY: Be nice to your kids. They will choose your nursing home one day. AND FINALLY: IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE: "TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN"!!!!! Quick, send this page link on to ten people within the next five minutes. Nothing will happen if you don't, but if you do, ten people will be laughing.
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18th June 15 Goal Setting Tips for Parents Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know the resolutions where you turn over a new leaf to get fit, steer away from junk food and start a savings plan. While you are reflecting on past bad habits and setting new directions for your personal life consider taking stock of your parenting as well. A word of warning -- you will probably feel a little inadequate as you look back on some of your past practices. If you are like most parents you nag your kids too much, over-react when they mess up and you probably regret not spending enough time with them. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Not only is parenting the world’s hardest job but children aren’t born with owner’s manuals so we tend to rely on trial and error a great deal. As you ponder the next twelve months of parenthood here are 15 New Year’s resolutions to consider. Avoid trying to adopt every idea. Be realistic and choose one or two to add to your list of New Year’s resolutions. 1. Be consistent with your discipline. This is a big ask as dealing with kids’ misbehaviour tests the patience and resolve of the even the most assured parents. Set consistent limits and boundaries, even for adolescents, and be willing to negotiate and give a little ground. When children refuse to cooperate or break the rules, act calmly and reasonably rather than resort to severe measures to ‘teach them a lesson’. 2. Avoid nagging, yelling and constantly reminding children to cooperate. Sometimes it is better to keep quiet than nag or remind children to do their chores, behave or just be reasonable human beings. It is no coincidence that parents who nag frequently complain of ‘deaf’ children. There is usually nothing wrong with children’s hearing. They simply listen to what they want to hear. 3. Focus on children’s positive behaviours. If you find yourself continually pointing out your children’s misbehaviour and getting nowhere then try to ignore the inappropriate as much as possible. Get into the habit of ‘catching kids being good’. Like adults, children respond to favourable comments and are likely to adopt behaviours that gain them attention. 4. Encourage children persistently. It has been estimated that children hear 17 negative comments at home for every piece of praise or encouragement. Exposure to continuous criticism and negative comments can have disastrous effects on children’s self esteem. If you are not an encouraging person then linking your positive comments to something you normally do such as saying good night to your children. Then you will know that you have encouraged them at least once each day. That’s a good start. 5. Spend more time together as a family. In an era of working parents and busy children finding time for everyone to be home together is increasingly difficult. Be specific with this goal or it will end up on the scrap heap of broken resolutions. Aim to have at least one shared mealtime each week or spend one weekend a month devoted purely to family purposes. 6. Give yourself a regular break. Don’t be a slave to your family. Taking time out to do something just for yourself is a necessity rather than a luxury. Revise your household routine, solicit the help of your partner or relatives, or employ a baby-sitter to provide you with some time-off. 7. Plan some time to be with your partner. Whether it is a romantic weekend away or just meeting for coffee together once a week make sure you have an opportunity to spend time with your partner - and don’t talk about the kids. 8. Make guilt work for you. Let’s face it, parents can find plenty of issues to feel guilty about. Leaving children in child-care, long hours spent at work, and even discipline measures are common sources of guilt. Avoid easing your guilt by being too lenient, spoiling or indulging children with toys or other material possessions. Guilt can be beneficial though; if it reminds you to take time off work to attend a child’s school play children or prompts you to hire some domestic help to create more family time. 9. Make a plan to survive those difficult times. Only television families are free of manic times of the day. Mealtime mayhem, morning madness and bedtime battles are common in many families. Identify your difficult time of the day and get super organised and be willing to make yourself scarce if children make unnecessary demands on you at these times. 10. Stay out of children’s fights. Brawling siblings disturb the peace so it is difficult for parents not to become involved. Chances are you either plead for peace and quiet, make a ruling to end the dispute, or take sides to lay blame on the child who caused the infraction. If you are tired of interfering in children’s battles then leave it up to them to resolve. When your children begin to bicker beat it to another part of the house or boot them outside until they have finished. 11. Control that television set. If the television is continually on in your house then it is time to establish some tight limits for viewing. Ten hours per week is a reasonable guideline for children of most ages. Have a television-free night and let children sample other forms of entertainment. 12. Check your children’s computer usage. Computers are rapidly replacing the television as the electronic baby-sitter in many families. To be fair, computers have more educational potential than the television but children predominantly use them for games, unless they receive assistance and direction from parents. Pull up a chair and join in rather than leave children to their own devices whenever they hit a computer. 13. Avoid giving into temper tantrums. Do you give in when your toddler throws himself on his back in the supermarket and thrashes about like a crab? Do you throw your hands up in despair if your teenager stomps off to her bedroom slamming the door behind her when she doesn’t get her own way? Tantrums are a potent form of emotional blackmail designed to coerce parents to give in to children’s demands. Next time your child throws a major wobbly remove yourself and refuse to give in to such tactics. 14. Avoid the ‘good’ parent syndrome. Good parents protect children from many of life’s difficulties and rob them of opportunities to develop independence and responsibility. They take forgotten lunches to school, pay fines for their children’s overdue library books and believe that chores are for parents rather than children. If this sounds familiar let children take more responsibility for their own actions in the coming year. 15. Keep misbehaviour in perspective. You probably think at times that your children or teenagers are the world’s worst or that no one else acts up like them. Think again. If your child misbehaves the chances are that he or she is no trailblazer. Many others mess up too. That is little comfort, however, if you have to put up with difficult kids day in and day out. Regardless of how hard things become try to focus on their positive behaviours and work hard to maintain your relationship even if it appears that the effort is all one way. Your persistence will pay off in the long run. For more great ideas from Michael Grose to help you raise confident kids and resilient young people subscribe to Happy Kids, his fortnightly email newsletter. Just visit www.parentingideas.com.au and subscribe. Receive a free report on Seven ways to beat sibling rivalry in your email box when you subscribe --- Michael Grose © www.parentingideas.com.au Michael Grose - helping you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers Australia's most popular parenting educator. The author of six books and presenter of over 100 presentations every year Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/ |
17th June Top Ten Steps to Pursuing Your Dreams in the New Year By Donna P. Lendzyk Many people are not very successful in pursuing their dreams or with New Year's Resolutions while other people seem to easily achieve whatever they choose to pursue. The question for each of us is "How can I make it happen for me?" 1. Recognize & Celebrate Your Successes Of This Past Year Take your time, sit back & reflect on the last 12 months on what are your achievements & write them down. Include items like "I watched less television" or "I was less bothered by …" etc. Then once you have your list, take some time to show your pleasure & pride with your successes. You deserve it. We often take our successes for granted & yet this is a key step in having confidence to take on new challenges. Pick an activity or a way to celebrate that is right for you. 2. Identify Your Dreams For This Upcoming Year Create 3-6 specific & short statements that identify what you really want. Then reflect & write down 2-4 sentences on what it will be like when you have achieved each of these goals. Be as descriptive as you can. Put this information somewhere you can pull out readily throughout your day. 3. Identify Your Key Steps You Will Take In The Next 3 Months That Will Move You Towards Your Dreams You may prefer more broad strategic statements or you may prefer very specific tasks -- either way is fine -- select the approach that is right for you. Check that the steps you have selected are doable during this timeframe. 4. Commit To Yourself Daily That These Key Steps Are Your Priorities For Change During This Time Other opportunities will come your way & you will need to choose if you will be distracted or not. You may want to review the material you prepared for item #2 on a daily basis to remind yourself why these key steps are so important for you. 5. Secure The Support That You Need To Be Successful We can be a lot more successful if we share our desires with someone we trust. This could be your friend, family member or a personal development coach. You may want more than one person's support. You may also need some tools to help you out like a daily reminder in your day timer or calendar. 6. Action Your Key Steps This is the most important step of all. Take that first step -- it's amazing how much enthusiasm & confidence you have for other items once you have a win or two. 7. Track Your Progress On A Regular Basis This may be on a daily, weekly or monthly basis -- you choose what's right for you. The key here is to keep track of you wins & look at your next ones to take. This aids in momentum. 8. Keep Your Cool -- Remember That Life Still Goes On At times, you may get overwhelmed with all you want to get done & that you may simply not have sufficient time in your day for everything. Be kind to yourself. I hear "Rome wasn't built in a day". You may also need to reduce or eliminate something temporarily or permanently that takes a lot of your time but is less important than your key steps. You may need to reduce the number of key steps you take at this time. 9. Celebrate Your Successes It is really important that you celebrate your successes. It may be through writing yourself a congratulations letter with full details of what the accomplishments were & how you feel about it. Or it could be taking a nice, quiet bath where you pamper yourself. Choose to celebrate in a way that you will appreciate. 10. Repeat If you have chosen some big goals / dreams, you may not have them fully realized in the first 3 months, so you will need to repeat steps 3-9. (c) 2002 Donna P. Lendzyk Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to "Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results." She is the author of the multi-media “Overcome Overwhelm eProgram.” To learn more about her eprogram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com
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16th June Emotion Management: a happiness strategy for couples. “You will find happiness in the exact same place you will find sadness. In your mind.” Pauline Kennedy The highly awarded social researcher David Myers, believes there are four character traits which people who are happy tend to have. 1. Self Esteem – happy people like themselves 2. Personal Control – happy people believe they are running their own lives 3. Optimism – happy people are filled with hope. 4. Being extroverted – happy people tend to be more outgoing. While you may not be born with those characteristics, you can certainly develop them. For a start, stop taking yourself so seriously. To make God laugh, all you have to do is tell Her your serious life plans. Here are some strategies for managing your emotional temperature to help keep it set on “happy”. Celebrate every happy day. When the day flows for you, and your inner sun is shining brightly – celebrate it and congratulate yourself on making your day happy. Buy a little gift for yourself. Or give one to some one else. Make a note in your Journal, and notice how much more often you have reason to write about your happiness. Guideline for living the simple abundance of life: No doubt that if we lived these suggestions every day, not just thought about them, we would realize as the Nearings did, that the good life is truly here and now. Do the best you can, whatever arises Be at peace with yourself Find a job you enjoy Live in simple conditions Contact nature every day, feel the earth under your feet Take some physical exercise through hard work Don’t worry, live one day at a time Share something every day with someone else, write a note, help someone Take time to contemplate and wonder at the world, have a laugh at life Observe the one life in all things Be kind to all the creatures, don’t hurt any living creature.
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15th June Live a Longer and Healthier Life. You should balance your activities with the proper amount of rest. Some of the leading experts in the field of aging now believe that regular exercise along with the proper amount of rest may actually add years to the life span. Results from a number of tests indicate that speed and muscular strength of many of the elderly can be extended. Leading authorities agree that this new data is going to shatter many of the myths about aging and physical performance. The conclusion now is that the performance and ability of the elderly has long been underestimated. Diet, proper sleep and exercise along with rest and relaxation are all important factors in preserving our bodies. Laughter is one of the best things for your mental and physical state. People are naturally attracted to someone who has a good sense of humor. You can develop a good outlook and a good sense of humor by associating with and surrounding yourself with pleasant happy people. Recognize that stress is a killer. A life filled with stress can really wreck havoc on your body, causing a number of illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma, gastric problems, menstrual disorders, ulcerative colitis, angina, irritable colon, increased blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, etc. There are different types of stress such as mental, emotional and physical. Emotional stress seems to take the greatest toll on everyone. All stress is not bad; in fact life would not be very interesting if it were not met with challenges. However, too much stress, too often with no effective and appropriate outlet, does not allow the body and soul to recuperate. You might review a typical week to see if you can identify things that might be making you anxious or causing you stress. Once identified, stressors can be attacked and eliminated. Are you a worrier? Chronic worriers don't have more serious problems than others - they just think they do. Many worriers try to cope by trying not to think about their problems, but this just makes things worse. Doctors say that chronic worriers feel less anxious if they actually spend a half-hour a day thinking specifically about their problems. Get plenty of exercise. People who are physically fit look good and feel good. A good exercise regimen will lengthen your life, improve your appearance, build self confidence and help delay the aging process. Remember that you need to do something physical every day. If you don't use your joints, quite simply they'll tighten up with age to create the stooped, bent and worn out appearance we so often associate with old age. Studies have shown that people with arthritis experience less pain if they continue to keep their joints flexible. As one gets older, the bones tend to get brittle which is why it is common for senior citizens to break bones and especially their hips when they fall. Eating right, getting proper sleep and learning to relax are all very valuable in maintaining a healthy body and mind. And keep in mind that eating healthy foods and avoiding those high in fats, sodium and cholesterol will help decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and associated problems. |
14th June Six easy steps to Get Where You Want to Go - without the Stress: self help goal setting article by Carol Halsey The comment I hear most frequently from business people is that they feel overwhelmed with work, and are often playing the game of "catch up." But there is a way for getting it all done without being overwhelmed. You are probably thinking, "but you don't understand - all the phone calls, on the spot decisions, immediate tasks." But I do understand. These are the realities of business. However, a little preplanning and goal setting can ease the daily pressures and find you additional time each day - as much as an hour - and relieve a whole lot of stress. It boils down to you being more in control of how your day goes, and not being controlled by the situations that hit you. 1. Identifying and writing down your goals, short and long term, is the beginning. You may already have done this, but how do you accomplish them in a timely manner? 2. Scheduling your time is the next step. The question is then, how do you plan your time to accomplish goals when you are under the gun with crises, deadlines and interruptions? 3. Start with a daily "to do" list, which identifies the uncompleted tasks required to meet each goal. 4. Next, prioritize those tasks in order of which must be accomplished first. We sometimes are so caught up in the urgent matters of the day that we fail to schedule time to undertake the important tasks that will lead us to our goals. 5. Allot time each day to address these tasks, in the form of blocks of quiet time, at least one hour, to work these tasks, and to plan. Find the most creative and productive time for you and use this time wisely. Let phone calls go to voice mail to be returned later. This time is an appointment you make with yourself, and treat as any other business commitment. It gives you the sense of being in control of where you are going, and that you are taking the positive steps to get there. If circumstances arise that infringe on your quiet time, and surely at some time they will, reschedule for later in the day. You will soon realize the importance of having this quiet time. 6. Take 10 minutes at the end of each day to plan for tomorrow. Identify and prioritize tasks necessary to reach your goals on a daily "to do" list. However, be careful not to commit every minute, but allow flexibility for the unexpected and urgent events that surely will occur, and it also allows you to reschedule your quiet time if necessary. ©2001 Carol Halsey Carol Halsey is Founder and President of Business Organizing Solutions. She is a professional organizer, consultant, speaker, and author of "93 Organizing Tips to Simplify Your Business Life." You can get this booklet and articles, ideas and a free Idea Kit, filled with simple tips for saving time, simply by visiting her web site: Http://www.PilesToFiles.com
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13th June Single Living Strategies for Unfair Work Demands self help Contributors article Self Help Happiness at work, on the job article:
Single Savers
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Start Taking Classes
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12th June Recreation Your RECREATION activities are what charge your batteries when you take time off to do the things you really enjoy. |