12/26/2010

Considering any of these for your New Years resolutions?

Have you given much thought to your
New Year's resolutions yet?

Hi,

Richard Rossbauer here with some suggestions
for your New Years Resolutions...

...especially if fitness and good health are
among your top priorities.

Visit the Health and Fitness Directory for
dozens of support links to help improve your
strength, lose weight, fight off fat, find
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and more ...

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Here's the link -

http://www.richardpresents.com/fitness-health-directory/

12/19/2010

Get Rid of Procrastination, Now!

Get Rid of Procrastination, Now!

Procrastination is the biggest reason for loss of productivity and late output. Though many would not admit it, they would benefit greatly if they start their work on time.

Do you put off your work for later, only to find your deadlines steadily creeping in? Then you, my friend, are one of the millions of people afflicted by the procrastination virus.

For many people, putting off their work for later is more habit than desire. It can be so hard to get into a groove where starting your tasks in a timely fashion is a priority, especially if the consequences for being late are things that one can probably bear.

If you are one of these people, yet you desire to shake off your propensity for procrastination, then you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips to help you overcome this dilemma and become a more productive and reliable person.

1. Never Underestimate Your Tasks – Sometimes procrastination sets in because people underestimate the resources, difficulty, and time spent for a particular task. The problem is, no matter how trivial the task, it still takes time and resources to accomplish. If you underestimate a task, you will most likely set too little time to do it and schedule it too close to its deadline.

2. Set schedules – Have a list of activities to accomplish per day. This will help you realistically budget your time and resources. One of the cardinal sins people commit in regards to performing their tasks is to put off their work because they feel like there is so much time left. A journal, organizer, or calendar of events will help you plan and schedule your task so that you can start them promptly and finish them on time.

3. Save the Vacation for Later – Many people put their work off for later saying, “I'll just have a little fun then buckle down to work later.” While it may be true that they may have more than enough time to accomplish their tasks, it would be better if they finished their work first and relax afterwards.

4. Don't Get Comfortable Doing Nothing – Keep a subconscious alarm whenever you are doing nothing. Get this alarm to remind you of things that may need to be done. This will help you foster the notion that jobs accomplished now means more time for relaxation later.

However, even if this is the case, do not forget to put ample time in for rest and to remove all thoughts of troubles before hitting the sack. The trick here, however, is not to overdo your rest. There is a difference between resting and idling. Always set the right amount of time for rest and stick to that schedule.

12/17/2010

Tips on Getting Organized

Tips on Getting Organized


Fred just got hired as a consultant for a financial services company. This new position is different from the previous job since this will require a lot of traveling. There will be a lot of changes, and getting organized is the best thing to do before doing anything.

The first that needs to be done is to organize the office. Some things are needed more frequently on the desk while others need only to be used once in a while. Fred can organize this by frequency.

The table can have the computer with the telephone nearby to receive calls. If the printer doesn’t fit on the desk, perhaps putting this somewhere nearby will suffice, since the cords of this machine are not that long. Some pen and paper, which can be used to write a small memo, can be stored in the top drawer.

A box of calling cards should also be ordered since the job will entail meeting a lot of potential clients. Giving calling cards away will make it easier for potential clients to get in touch with the company.

Fred should also have an inbox-outbox counter on the table. This will make it easier for the person to know which of the documents are done and which of them still require some action.

Being in meetings and traveling around a lot, Fred will probably be better off by carrying an organizer around. There are the primitive ones that use pen and paper while there are those that are electronic - like a laptop computer, a PDA, or an iPad.

The office where the company operates has probably been in that building for a long time. Fred can sift through some of the old documents that are not needed anymore and have these thrown out. This will make the office clutter-free and will make it easier to find things when these are needed.

There is a lot of responsibility in being a top executive. Important documents should not be left lying around. These should be locked up in a safe (if there is one in the room) or in a drawer when not in use.

Some executives can organize activities for the week in advance using an organizer. Those that can’t will probably need the help of an assistant.

Fred could plan everything to be done on a single day. This means writing everything down, and then crossing out things once they are done. Other pending tasks that are not yet close to the deadline can be put off so that these can be finished the following day.

An efficient employee is someone who is always ready. He is aware where everything is and makes sure the office is organized.

11/21/2010

How To Use Creativity To Improve Your Life


“Are there still original ideas left in the world?”

Sadly, a lot of people share this way of thinking. They never viewed creativity as a very useful tool to improve or improvise in life in all its diversity.

A situation that requires a solution can be approached in a variety of ways. There isn’t a single way fix to a problem. Being creative opens new horizons and can deliver many benefits.

Never hold back a good idea. Everyone is free to interpret his own unique way. Any interpretation by itself is creativity at work. A person who enjoys creative thinking can easily come up with innovative solutions for situations that require a quick fix.

There used to be a television series entitled “MacGyver.” The main character was an extremely creative and crafty guy. Whenever he finds himself in a tight fix, he tries to find a way out of it with his quick fixes utilizing available materials around him.

In a way, creativity is a never-ending learning process. From learning, you gain untold benefits, which you can use in real life situations.

Erich Fromm spelled it out clearly, “The conditions for creativity are: to be puzzled, to concentrate, to accept conflict and tension, to be born everyday, and to feel a sense of self.”

Being creative might require you to think out-of-the-box, venturing your mind into the uncommon. You can never be sure of your ideas until you try them. As long as there is no perceived danger involved, it is always worth a try.

Inventions are products of creative minds. The field of science, in whatever branch you may touch on, is invention itself. Without creative minds, science would have been a forlorn field of knowledge.

It should be noted that most adaptations to improve or improvise are aimed at improving current conditions. Upon analyzing honest applications of creativity, the ultimate intention is to achieve good for all and the will to build lasting peace. After all, this intention is what counts most.

10/31/2010

How to Make Others Like You - One of the basic needs of man is to feel accepted.

A number of books, articles and seminars have taken on the role of educating people on the different ways of associating with other people and building lasting relationships with them. There are several things that you can do when associating with other people.

One of these is to make them feel accepted. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, one of man’s basic needs is to feel a sense of belonging to a group. Man feels the sense of belonging in either small groups like a family and small circle of friends, or big groups like clubs, teams, associations, departments and parties.

People have to feel they belong and are needed. One way to convey acceptance of people’s ideas is by simply listening. Listening communicates the message that their thoughts are valued and their inputs are significant. It answers the very basic need to belong and provides a sense of importance.

Have you ever been in any of the following situations?
- While sharing an important insight, somebody would finish the sentence for you.
- While narrating what happened over the weekend, somebody would butt in and narrate a similar story.
- In a meeting, the boss would cut you short while you are still explaining your side.
- You ask your child about his day in school and he runs straight to his room.
- You wanted to discuss something with your spouse but he is busy watching football.

How did you feel? Not good, right? It’s as if you are taken for granted. It’s as if no one is listening to you and that you do not matter. It signifies that your thoughts, concerns, and ideas are not accepted.

At the onset of life, an infant can feel this sense of acceptance from a mother who touches and caresses him in a loving way. As he grows older, his sense of acceptance and importance now comes from other family members, friends, teachers, peers, bosses, office mates, spouse, children, etc. Every person needs to be accepted. It puts meaning to a person’s existence.

Imagine a life with total absence of acceptance. Envision the life of babies who were abandoned by their mothers. Imagine the effect this will have on the babies’ emotional well-being. It is very possible that these kids will grow up dejected and feeling discriminated. The effects of discrimination can result to resentment and, if uncontrolled, can result to violent tendencies.

The feeling of resentment that is harbored overtime can escalate to anger and hostility. When a person becomes hostile, violence erupts. The mere civil act of accepting a person “can make or break them,” as the saying goes.

Unconditional acceptance of other people’s thoughts, ideas, and concerns can yield favorable outcomes. Acceptance elicits cooperation and this leads to working towards a common goal. Acceptance yields positive and fruitful results. At the same time, you have raised the esteem, importance, and morale of the person to whom you have accorded respect and acceptance.

Acceptance must be done unconditionally. The giver should not expect anything in return. There should be “no strings attached” or no commitments to fulfill. To expect something in return defeats the purpose of making others like you. In fact, this may only breed resentment, for it would appear that you are manipulating people by forcing them into a situation they may not like in the future.

Be willing to accept other people’s ideas, thoughts, and inputs. You will harvest not only good results, but also the admiration and appreciation of others, as well.

10/23/2010

Get Rid of Procrastination, Now!

For many people, putting off their work for later is more habit than desire. It can be so hard to get into a groove where starting your tasks in a timely fashion is a priority, especially if the consequences for being late are things that one can probably bear.

Do you put off your work for later, only to find your deadlines steadily creeping in? Then you, my friend, are one of the millions of people afflicted by the procrastination virus.

Procrastination is the biggest reason for loss of productivity and late output. Though many would not admit it, they would benefit greatly if they start their work on time.

If you are one of these people, yet you desire to shake off your propensity for procrastination, then you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips to help you overcome this dilemma and become a more productive and reliable person.

1. Set schedules – It is very important that you have a list of activities to accomplish per day. This will help you realistically budget your time and resources. One of the cardinal sins people commit in regards to performing their tasks is to put off their work because they feel like there is so much time left. A journal, organizer, or calendar of events will help you plan and schedule your task so that you can start them promptly and finish them on time.

2. Save the Vacation for Later – Many people put their work off for later saying, “I'll just have a little fun then buckle down to work later.” While it may be true that they may have more than enough time to accomplish their tasks, it would be better if they finished their work first and relax afterwards.

It's always better to have slack period AFTER a job than before one, especially considering that people are wont to overusing their slack time. This is suicide if you are heading towards a deadline.

3. Never Underestimate Your Tasks – Sometimes procrastination sets in because people underestimate the resources, difficulty, and time spent for a particular task. They will usually say, “It's just mowing the lawn, its easy; I could do it in a jiffy.” The problem is, no matter how trivial the task, it still takes time and resources to accomplish. If you underestimate a task, you will most likely set too little time to do it and schedule it too close to its deadline.



4. Don't Get Comfortable Doing Nothing – It would definitely help if you kept a subconscious alarm whenever you are doing nothing. Get this alarm to remind you of things that may need to be done. This will help you foster the notion that jobs accomplished now means more time for relaxation later.


However, even if this is the case, do not forget to put ample time in for rest and to remove all thoughts of troubles before hitting the sack. The trick here, however, is not to overdo your rest. There is a difference between resting and idling. Always set the right amount of time for rest and stick to that schedule.

10/20/2010

Learn to Solve Your Problems


At times, we have more problems than joy. Fortunately, some people are skilled in handling problems. Want to know their secrets?

Carefree people have one thing in common: optimism. This does not mean they never have problems. Try remembering a colleague, a relative, a friend, or someone from your community who has a bright smile from the beginning until the end of the day. How many times did you see that person frown? Carefree people are fun to be with because their attitude is contagious. Ask them how they carry their problems so lightly. They may tell you their secrets:

1.      Control your feelings by separating negative feelings from positive thoughts. This is the first step in solving problems. Only after you have cleared your mind with unnecessary thoughts can you start solving your problems accordingly.

2.      Treat each problem as a challenge and opportunity for self-improvement.

3.      Free that scapegoat attitude. Are you pointing your finger or blaming others for mishaps? Take responsibilities for your mistakes. No one is perfect, so never put the blames on others.

4.      Use a pen and paper, and rate the depth of the problem and possible answers to your problem.

5.      Keep a journal and treat it as a “secret friend” who is always willing to listen to your grievances. Write your feelings freely.

6.      Develop a noteworthy hobby. This will help you lessen or minimize stress in your life.

7.      Take time off from work and create variations of your daily schedule. Relax and check out the best movies in town. Travel and meet new wonderful people. You will find these activities worthwhile in the long run.

The above tips will help you optimize those positive feelings of yours. Say you are already consumed by some problems. Here are the 1-2-3 steps in doing your problem solving:

1.      Determine the root cause of the problem. If you think it is difficult, ask hundreds of why’s and what’s and you will soon find out the cause.

2.      Think, strategize, and act for resolution.

3.      Develop a strong desire to solve the problem.

4.      Review the situation for you to avoid repeating the same mistakes committed beforehand.

Consider that everybody experiences low spirits many times, but problems are problems. Problems are created when you cannot accept your limitations. Once you accept your limitations, problem solving is just a 1-2-3 step, hassle-free, and a life-sharpening experience indeed.


10/17/2010

Self Improvement: Scheduling Your Success

People always have an excuse for not being successful or not doing the things that they should be doing in order to be successful. And, one of the most popular excuses is not having enough time.

If you always use this excuse, then remember that everyone has exactly the same amount of time each day and there are people who become successful. The key to success is what you do with the time you have. That's what really matters.

This is called scheduling your success. Basically, scheduling your success is about making time for the things you should do or tasks that you know that will make you successful. In order for you to do the tasks that you really need to do in order for you to become successful, you have to make time for it. This is why you need to set aside some time that you should dedicate to doing the things that need to be done.

This concept is called time blocking. This means that you need to block out portions of your time to do a particular task. So, if you time block high level activities, and you do it consistently, you'll be amazed as to the level of success that you make. Time blocking can definitely help you get things done in a much efficient way.

If you get things done, you will be much more organized. Keep in mind that you should get things done way before the deadline. This will certainly add to your success.

If you have a small business, running it is only a part of making it successful. What you really need to do is to sell your products and services and also market your business. Running the business is for managers. They will take care of everything there is about managing your business. Your role as the owner of the business is to sell or market your business.

Time blocking is very efficient. In fact, you will be surprised as to how much work you will be able to get done in just a matter of 30 minutes. Being productive does not mean that you need to work like a slave. What being productive means is that you are doing the things necessary in order for you to become successful and take you closer to your goals.

10/15/2010

Turbo Charge Your Personal Development - Part Two

Part Two

After you finish your personal development program and it is locked in your long term memory, it's time to put it into action. Follow the exact same system you used to finish the program in the first place.


1. Find someone to be accountable to implementing the new information in your life.


2. Set up the days you will work on implementing the system.


3. Write down the key thing you did to implement the new information on that day.


4. Share your progress reports with your Accountability Buddy.


5. Celebrate your success and review your progress reports when complete.


If the new information you learned will take a long time to implement, feel free to break it down into parts so you can celebrate on the way and review your progress.


Now get accountable and get yourself going.

... Richard

10/13/2010

Turbo Charge Your Personal Development - Part One

Get 90% more from your current and future personal development programs using a system that not only makes sure you listen and finish the program, but extracts the key points that will make the most impact in your life.

Let's say You have just purchased your next personal development program / book, so now what do you do? They say only 10% of the people even get past the first CD/ Tape/ chapter, let alone finish.

Would you like to know how to get at least 90% more from all of the personal development programs you have just purchased? And no, I won’t tell you to just listen to them 5 times.

Yes, that would increase your results, but not as much as what I am going to share. Besides who has the time to listen to their programs 5 times?

How about getting more out of the first time?

Let’s say you are one of the few people that actually gets to the end of one of those personal development programs. How would you like to have a system to guarantee that you implement all the great stuff you just learned? How many times have you heard some really great ideas, only to find yourself 4 weeks later not applying any of it?

Your first step is to setup a system to insure you actually finish the program. It will do you no good if you never hear the message. These steps might seem cumbersome, however in part Two of this article, I will introduce you to a tool that will make these steps easier.

The first step is to be Accountable to someone that you will finish the program. Now this is a very easy step to brush off, but committing to someone else will send a very powerful message to your subconscious mind and clear away a lot of the future mental hiccups.

Tell your Accountability Buddy when you will complete this program and that you will be giving them weekly updates on your progress. I will explain what you will put in those weekly progress reports below.

Now you have a system in place to give you the best chance of completing your personal development program. It's time to start. Choose a schedule of when you want to learn the program.

Each day you scheduled yourself to listen to the program, write down a Yes or No to the question, “Did I listen to my personal development program today?” Use a spiral bound steno-pad or notebook so that you don't lose your notes.

Next, write down the most important piece of information about the program you learned.

These two pieces of information are going to be what is in the progress reports you give your Accountability Buddy each week. Once you complete the program, review your progress reports and celebrate your victory with your Accountability Buddy.

Why does this work?

There are a couple of forces at play here. The first is being accountable to someone else. We all want to look good to our friends, so being on the hook to complete the program will definitely get us to extend ourselves. We might not be 100%, but we will definitely get much more done than if we didn’t employ our Accountability Buddy.

The next force at play is tracking what we are doing. No longer will life be a blur of events that get lost in the past. We will have a very specific history of where we are slipping and we will have the chance to make course corrections along the way.

We all make mistakes and slip up sometimes. It is only when we have no clue as to when it is happening that we can find ourselves in deep trouble.

Lastly, you are employing a system of super learning called spaced repetition to lock the new information into your long term memory. First, you listen to the material. Later that day, you write down the most important point anchoring that information in your mind.

Upon completion of the program, you lock the information in your long term memory with your final review, not to mention, it is always there if your need a quick refresh.


Part Two coming in the next post - look for it right here tomorrow.
... Richard

10/12/2010

Working with Difficult People - 3 Questions to Help You Turn Your Tormentors into Teachers

How do you turn a tormentor into a teacher? Begin by asking yourself some questions about who they are and why they behave the way they do.

•Who is this person away from the workplace? See the different parts of this person – the parent, grandparent, friend, dancer, skier, singer, or loved one (of someone!). Chances are you’re only seeing the annoying part of your tormentor. Widen your perspective.

•What is their positive intention? Underneath the disrespectful behavior, what do they really want? Respect? Independence? Control? Acknowledgement? Attention? You may realize that you have similar goals, though you seek them differently.

 •Why do you think they behave as they do? It’s useful to adopt the attitude that their actions have little (if anything) to do with you. Most people operate out of habit. Even if they don’t get the respect or attention they desire, they can’t change because they don’t know any other way. Maybe it falls to you to help them find it. Suggest ways they might achieve their aims more effectively. Be their teacher.

True Power As you read this article, think of someone with whom your "dance" feels like a struggle. Then, instead of wishing they would change, start with yourself. It doesn't mean you're wrong, at fault, or need to change your opinion. It means that in order to resolve the conflict it works better to begin with what you can control – you.

 Remember that you’re doing this for you. You're stuck and you want to get unstuck. Like your tormentor, you've been taking actions that aren’t working, so try something new. When your well-being depends upon the actions of others, you inadvertently give them power. But with awareness and practice, you can make new choices about how you respond to the difficult people and situations in your life – and take the power back.

Our project manager and his employee will have more opportunities to dance with conflict as their relationship changes and grows. Thanks to the manager’s willingness to try something new, they’ve discovered common ground from which to begin the process.

We all have challenging people in our lives. Will they be tormentors or teachers? Our perspective greatly influences our response.

10/03/2010

We're back - sorry for the absence

Hello friends. Our past few months were lost to some medical issues, but we are back and hope to continue our posts.

Those months were not completely lost. Quite a few new eCourses were created and added to our Directory of FREE eCourses.

Lots of hot topics - hope you have a chance to check them out.

Find what you like and sign up for as many as you wish. Here's the link -

FREE eCourse Directory


Talk with you soon
Richard Rossbauer

8/22/2010

Enhancing the Human Brain

The brain is also the center by which other human characteristics are defined.

Creativity, for example, is much associated with the brain. So is personality. The brain lets us make decisions and define colors and smells. This organ controls every other perceived activity of the human body.


However, the human brain, as strong and as invincible as it may look, is not going to stay that way forever. As with any other part of the body, the human brain will wither in the future. One’s lifestyles and all other external factors will take toll against the human brain. As one grows old, the human brain will become slower in terms of functioning and rejuvenating itself.

However, here are ways to enhance the power of the human brain as age catches up.

1. Live a healthy lifestyle.

The brain is an integral part of the human anatomy. It is probably the most important organ in the body; but of course, we all know that every other organ in the body works for the others to function properly. The human brain is subject to the lifestyle of the person who owns it. If that person loves alcohol, he may not fully reap the powers of his brain. Alcohol and other dangerous substances destroy brain cells.

2. Eat the right foods.

Eating the right kinds of food will definitely benefit the brain. The brain is the most active part of the body. Even when one sleeps, the brain remains active and vibrant. The brain will appreciate it if one eats the right and balanced sets of food. The sad thing is that the brain is usually taken for granted when it comes to having a balanced meal or a workout because people are so focused into developing their outside looks. It’s about time that we give the brain a break.

3. Engage in proper exercise.

Proper exercise is good for the brain and not only for the body. The human brain needs a well-balanced life.

4. Release stress once in a while with a healthy lifestyle, proper foods, exercise, and stress relief

Releasing stress is necessary to be able to clear the brain from all the difficulties and the clouds in one’s life. One must take time to get into a relaxing mood and a good night sleep.

The brain is an organ to be cherished. No individual will ever be able to live his life to the fullest if his brain is not functioning well. A brain that is cared for will result in a more active and fulfilling life.

So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women

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6/19/2010

Controlling Your Mind - How You Can Control Your Thoughts

Controlling Your Mind - How can you control your thoughts?

If you find it hard to stop yourself from thinking about something, then this is an extremely difficult task to do. You can constantly tell yourself to stop acting on a thought, but to actually stop thinking about something, now that’s another story altogether. Your thoughts are more powerful than you’ll know.

When you constantly think about something, you’re veering your life towards that direction. You pattern your actions according to what is on your mind. Therefore, if you constantly have a negative attitude towards everything, you’ll end up being known as the person with a dour disposition. Not a pleasant thought, is it?

The skill of being able to control your mind is simply an act of constant practice. Much like your health, you frequently need exercise to attain your ideal weight. This is not something that can be done overnight. After all, it requires a change of your outlook in life and a readjustment of your personality.

 Whenever an unwanted thought comes to your mind, simply stop yourself from thinking about it any further. Then, you have to shift your focus elsewhere. Watching television or reading a book helps greatly especially if you need to stop it immediately.

Some people believe that making oneself tired from thinking about an unwanted thought helps a lot in kicking the habit. What this means is that you have to come up with a mode of punishment every single time you do something that goes against your ultimate goal.

Try this, whenever you find yourself thinking about something unpleasant, mark it on a piece of paper. Mount the paper on a wall and go to it every time you break your word. You’ll soon find it a great inconvenience whenever you have to stand up, walk over to that piece of paper to mark it. This, of course, is not an easy task, but it will give you the extra boost you’ll need to actually make an effort.

Remember, all your problems last only as long as you allow them. Yes, getting rid of your negative thoughts requires a lot of patience, but if you actually make the effort to change your way of thinking, you’ll soon find yourself being the master of your thoughts and of your emotions. Many successful people have done this.

In fact, they have attained their goals in life simply because they were able to shift their focus to something more productive.

So, take control of your mind. Stop focusing and dwelling on your problems and on the pain that others have inflicted on you. It’s time to love yourself above all else and acknowledge where you are in your life at this very moment.

Refuse to think about the past and plan for your future. After all, your future is what you make of it.

As long as you go through things with a positive thought in your mind, your future can be as happy as you want it to be. You are who you think you are and you will be who you will yourself to be. Think about it!

More on Positive Thinking

6/05/2010

How past experiences affect your life

Sociologist Herbert Mead developed a theory known as social behaviorism.

It explained why past social experiences help form an individual’s personality. Mead did not believe that personality was developed biologically, but more socially.  He stated that the self only developed when people interact with one another.

Without the interaction with other people an individual can’t develop a personality. An example of this is if a child is left in total isolation for a long period of time, it doesn’t mature physically and mentally.

Social experience is crucial, and this includes the exchange of symbols. Only people attach meanings to words and symbols. If you tell a dog to sit and it obeys then you may give it a snack. However, this doesn’t mean it knows why to sit down, but it does so to get food. You can tell a dog to sit for numerous reasons such as wanting to impress your friends, or to calm it down because it is running all over the place. It's still looking for a treat.

People take the roles of other people during development. Infants have very little knowledge so they tend to mimic others. Children often have creative minds and take on roles of other significant people such as parents that have a special importance in their social development. 

For example, children will play house in which someone will take the role of a mother while another takes that of a father. As they age, children will learn to take various roles and adjust to their surroundings. As we continue to age we will continue to see changes in our social life.

Also, Mead noted that understanding individual intentions is critical.  This will help us to analyze how an individual will respond even before we act.  Mead refers to this as taking another individual’s role. 

Another important theory related to social behaviorism is the looking-glass self. This is basically like mirroring what we think others think of us.  If you believe others view you as being “good looking,” then you will see yourself as being good looking, or if you think people think you are fat, then you will have that image of yourself.

There are a lot of critics of Mead’s theories and some claim that he focus too much on the society in developing an individual’s behavior. The sociologist Erik H. Erikson stated that unlike Freud, who believed personality was pretty much set in stone in the first couple of years of an individual’s life, that personality changes in stages and occurs all the way up to death.

His theory is not all that accurate as well, because people experience changes in different orders and time. Through all of the disagreements, sociologists generally agree on this main idea, that family has the greatest impact on an individual’s socialization abilities.

When a person is an infant they have no control and usually rely on their parents and family members to help nurture them. Through family they learn several communication techniques such as trust, culture, and beliefs.  Not all learning comes solely from family; it can come from the environment as well because in a lot of cultures they use the environment to help raise a child.  Different social classes tend to raise their children differently.

 School also has a large effect on an individual’s personalities. If you think about it, children spend a huge chunk of time each day at school. It’s also interesting to note that children tend to play with people of the same gender, and that  boys are more physical and aggressive while girls are more well behaved. Boys also tend to find abstract activities more interesting like video games and girls tend to be more artistic. The same thing follows when they get to college because boys tend to major in physical sciences, and computing while girls usually major in humanities and arts.

School is where children discover peer groups or individuals that have interest similar to theirs.  People tend to identify more with their peer groups and can have conversations about things they understand like clothes, music, and style.  Peer groups are a way for individuals to escape adult supervision, and people are usually more out spoken in peer groups. 

During our adolescent years we tend to identify more with our peer groups. This is also a time in which parents are concerned about who their children hang around because they know that who they hang around influence their behavior deeply.  During these years the mass media heavily affects individuals as well.  Studies show that television has made people more passive and lessened their creativity.  

Someone once said that it's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not. (More on Confidence and Self Trust here)

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6/01/2010

How To Use Creativity To Improve Your Life

Never hold back a good idea.

Everyone is free to interpret his own unique way. Any interpretation by itself is creativity at work. A person who enjoys creative thinking can easily come up with innovative solutions for situations that require a quick fix

“Are there still original ideas in the world?”
“They beat me to that bright idea; what else can I do?”
“I’ve failed many times before that I can’t think of anything else to solve this problem anymore.”

These statements reflect the thought of an individual who has given up on creativity. Sadly, a lot of people share this way of thinking. They never viewed creativity as a very useful tool to improve or improvise in life in all its diversity.

A situation that requires a solution can be approached in a variety of ways. There isn’t a single way fix to a problem. Being creative opens new horizons and can deliver many benefits. Creativity can sometimes be mistakenly interpreted as an obstinate attitude. Some people think that insisting on doing things in a different way is a sign of stubbornness.

There used to be a television series entitled “MacGyver.” The main character was an extremely creative and crafty guy. Whenever he finds himself in a tight fix, he tries to find a way out of it with his quick fixes utilizing available materials around him.

In a way, creativity is a never-ending learning process. From learning, you gain untold benefits, which you can use in real life situations.

Being creative might require you to think out-of-the-box, venturing your mind into the uncommon. You can never be sure of your ideas until you try them. As long as there is no perceived danger involved, it is always worth a try.

Inventions are products of creative minds. The field of science, in whatever branch you may touch on, is invention itself. Without creative minds, science would have been a forlorn field of knowledge.

It must be noted that most adaptations to improve or improvise are aimed at improving current conditions. Upon analyzing honest applications of creativity, the ultimate intention is to achieve good for all and the will to build lasting peace. After all, this intention is what counts most.

Erich Fromm spelled it out clearly, “The conditions for creativity are: to be puzzled, to concentrate, to accept conflict and tension, to be born everyday, and to feel a sense of self.”

5/10/2010

Heal Your Life and Make it Better

Your heart is central to your healing. Though you think with your mind, your heart feels the pain.

Sometimes, we look back at the most difficult moments in our life and find that there are still some experiences that we have yet to accept. Getting over a situation is not as easy as we think, especially if we’ve been hurt badly. A recent divorce can leave some men and women unwilling to get into another relationship; a death of a loved one has some denying what actually happened, or a fight with a friend has left people bitter and resentful. Whatever the reason, these painful experiences can be traumatic. In fact, some carry the scars all throughout their lives.

Life has a way of revealing its secrets, and as cliché as this sounds, things really do happen for a reason. It’s easy to say when you’re not the one experiencing pain, right? Of course, but then again, we’ve all gone through some sort of hurt at one point or another. And as time passes, we do get over it and see the reasons behind it.

To start healing your life, you must first learn the value of forgiveness. This is a powerful thing because it helps us get past the barriers that hold us back. You never forget the things that have happened to you. The memory of it is ingrained deep within your heart.

Forgiveness is not about forgetting as some people might think. Forgiveness is simply an act of acceptance. Things happened to you, and these have emotionally scarred you.

Acknowledge the pain and learn from it. If a person hurt you terribly and doesn’t even show any sign of remorse, know that it is not your job to change that person. Just accept the way he or she is, understand the situation, and walk away, if you have to. After all, you don’t have to be a martyr to become a better human being. What will set you apart will be your ability to move on and not look back.


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4/28/2010

A Heart that Heals

The hurt that takes place in our minds and in our hearts is not so easy to see.

Physical injuries are easily noticed by people. A cut, a broken bone, or a bruise can easily be treated by doctors. Emotional injuries, on the other hand, tend to run deeper. They hide in our subconscious and can sometimes stay there for a very long time, can easily be hidden, but are much harder to treat.

At some point in our lives, most of us have, in some considerable way, been hurt and wounded.  The physical wounds can be seen and the forms of remedy are fairly straightforward and uncomplicated. 

The hurts that takes place in our minds and in our hearts are not so easy to see. We choose to hide them in the darkest recesses of our minds. This is what many call denial.

Although many of us know that it’s best to deal with the issues, we often find ourselves feeling powerless, unable to free ourselves from the chains that burden us with the weight. The more we try to run away from it, the faster it seems to catch up to us.

To be able to heal ourselves from the pain, we have to address it rather than run away.  We often lack the ability to understand the true significance of coping with it. Fact is,  when we face these issues, we are able to understand the reasons behind it. Our experiences sometimes tell us to have expectations that are not necessarily accurate.

We live in this small box and refuse to see anything beyond what is real to us.

At the heart of healing is an experience. It is being able to live in the moment of suffering rather than locking ourselves away and shutting out the rest of the world. We try to find ways to cope, maybe through alcohol or by whisking ourselves to a place far away.

We have to allow ourselves to feel what is deep inside us to become aware of reality. Whatever may have caused this deep pain, whether it is the loss of a loved one or a fight with a friend, things happen simply because they were meant to.

What we most need during these trying times is the presence of people who truly and unconditionally love us. Love can come in many forms: in the comforting embrace of a family member, in the prayers of a friend, or in the good wishes of the people we meet.

When the pain is just too unbearable to bear, it is not always possible to respond to it immediately. That's why it is most important to cultivate healthy relationships with the people that surround us.

What happens if you’ve surrounded yourself with a great support system is the ability to get over the pain more quickly. We have to give love to get love. This will be your greatest blessing because we know that we will always have someone to lean on when the burden just gets too heavy.

4/24/2010

Menu for an Upbeat Life - Ways to Enjoy It

Let’s face reality. Life has its share of troubles, disasters, and misfortunes. Bad news exists and it disturbs the mind. Totally ignoring it may not always be the answer to approach life in a realistic manner. However, you can always find ways to avoid being affected by it.

Like menus in restaurants where different kinds of foods are served - from appetizers, to main dishes, to desserts - life also has its menu for an upbeat life. Different people have their own individual menus that make them cheerful and optimistic. Find out what they are; they may help to keep your life meaningful, enjoyable, inspiring, and interesting. Consider the following:

Help the needy, the poor, the handicapped, the ailing, the broken-hearted, the homeless, the lost, and the environment. The list can go on. When you help the needy - in services, monetary value, or other forms (lending a shoulder to cry on or an understanding ear to listen to other people’s problems) - the returns are ten fold over.  Don’t expect anything in return. Just the contentment you experience in your heart is a incomparably satisfying feeling. Giving something wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return is divine. Imagine yourself as the person on the receiving end. You can’t wait to return the favor once you get the opportunity to do so.

Another way to enjoy life is to listen to music. Play your good old favorite songs and sing along. Sing your best. Sing carelessly or out of tune - whatever it takes to make your heart contented and whatever makes you laugh. Just hum the tune if you don’t remember the words. Sing until you laugh heartily. The idea is to cheer up.

The sound of nature is also music. The sound of river flowing, the gust of wind on a tree branch, waves on the seashore, and birds chirping are as natural as nature can be, and the way music should be. The sound of nature can make you optimistic because it is a beautiful and serene sound.

A party without humor and laughter is a dull one. The same is true in real life. Fill your life with lots of humor and laughter to keep it upbeat. The more spontaneous a humorous situation is, the more natural it is, and the better it can liven up your spirits.

Look at the lessons that can be derived from misfortunes. Mistakes allow you to learn and see opportunities hidden behind adversities. Always find meaning from every event in your life. 

Value every lesson that you learn. 

You Can Improve the Quality of Your Life

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4/16/2010

Stress Management Strategy and the Power of Rational Positive Thinking

Stress Management Strategy: Rational Positive Thinking

Not every situation is stressful in its own right. It's the way we perceive each situation and the way we judge it according to our current condition and past experiences that make it a cause of worry and stress.

It's our own interpretation of a situation that decides if it is stressful or not. Hence, to free ourselves from stress, all we need to do should be to change our way of thinking. But it is not as simple as it sounds.

If we allow ourselves to be controlled by our situation, getting out from the under the stress is really hard. Moreover, due to the fact that stress is not triggered by one situation but rather an accumulation of events over a period of time, turning our backs on stress by just thinking of the positive is not always effective for everyone.

Therefore, in order for us to achieve a healthy level of stress through rational positive thinking, here are five useful techniques:

1. Accept that there are things beyond your control. Things such as the death of a relative, natural calamity, economic recession and the behavior of other people are beyond our control. Instead of stressing yourself over these, accept them as they are and focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to the problems.

2. Do not tackle your problems alone. Talk to a friend, a relative or a therapist and express your feelings even if you know you cannot do anything about it. In most, cases, all you need is another person to see that there is a solution to your problems.

3. Forgive. People make mistakes. That includes you and everyone around you. After all, this is an imperfect world. Learn to let go of your anger and resentment. This is a good way to free your thoughts, remove the negative energy from your body, move on, and help you have a positive attitude.

4. "Look at the bright side." You hear this phrase so often that it has come to a point where it loses its meaning.

5. The truth, however, is that looking at a challenging situation as an opportunity for personal growth is a good way to free your mind from stress and learn from experience so that you will not undergo the same situation again.

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4/11/2010

Filling Your Life with Miracles by Being Motivated

There can be a number of ways to get success or to achieve goals, but achieving them is entirely up to us.

Motivation can change a man's mind, and by looking at it in a positive light can bring a kind of hope that changes circumstances for the better. We can change our lives in so many ways, and all we must do is believe in ourselves to make things better.

When we thirst for success and happiness, we will be able to see how miracles can happen. What usually stops us is our being too calculated. We depend on science and logic so much that we discount the many things that just seem to happen for no apparent reason. We look for justifications and our logical side just stops us from expecting something out of the ordinary.

Some of us live our lives filled with incredible anger, hurt, and negativity. Our experiences leave us jaded and cynical, oftentimes dragging others down with us along the way. Though we don’t want to be this dark and despondent person, we just can’t help it at times. The pain we’ve endured is just too unbearable to let go. Then we notice, nothing good ever happens to us. Our life worsens every single day and we’re caught in this lethal downward spiral that we can’t get out of.

The truth of the matter is that we can get out of this rut that we’re stuck in. The problem is, we sometimes get too caught up in our own misery that we don’t notice the little miracles happening around us. This dark, dank, and dreary place has blinded us from seeing the good that is happening right in front of us. Get out of this dungeon and open the door that leads outside where the sun lights the way to a positive perspective.

Logic has successfully explained numerous phenomena, but there are still aspects that go beyond reason. We have to accept the fact that things often happen for reasons that we simply can’t explain.

Once we get to this place where we can just leave all of the circumstances in our life and our affairs in the hands of our personal faith and of what opportunities can offer, we can rest assured that everything is going to be okay. We know deep within our hearts and souls that this has proven to be true in the past.

We must have the motivation to make our lives different. We must inspire ourselves to do something other than what repeatedly hasn’t worked in the past. It is an act of thinking that everything works out to make us a better person.

Motivation sets forth a series of miracles if we get it in our heart’s core. We must apply all these factors in our lives to rid ourselves of poverty, tensions and scarcity.

Here are a few motivational tips that you can consider when you feel that you cannot push yourself further or farther.

4/03/2010

Being Grateful About LIfe's Little Blessings

The secret to happiness is acting on what needs to be done so you can lengthen your list of things to be thankful for.

Studies reveal that being grateful benefits your health, with effects lasting for months at a time. Spiritual gurus, psychologists, and inspirational speakers are all in agreement with the belief that gratitude is the main ingredient for a lifetime’s worth of success and happiness.

The question now is, do you know how to adopt an attitude of gratitude? It's much easier to focus on what you don’t have, on what you can never achieve, and how many limitations are inhibiting you. In fact, it’s much easier to complain about life’s downfalls than seeing the silver lining behind every dark cloud.

If you believe in fate, you have an idea of the number of opportunities you have if you just take a moment to look for and recognize them. To learn more about gratitude, you should simply look at the following things you can be thankful for:

1.    Clothes to wear
2.    Food to eat
3.    A house to go home to
4.    Loving friends and family to lean on
5.    Life

Of all these, life is your biggest gift. As long as you are still able to wake up each day to stand up and start your work, you have the power to change all the negative aspects within your life sphere. A good exercise would be to name all the things you still have before you go to bed at night.

Of course, you should never beat yourself up on taking things for granted. Growing up, you might have heard your parents tell you to think of the homeless children that are out there in the streets, wishing that they were in your place. Thinking about them didn’t change anything. In fact, your thoughts never did any good for those suffering. Ironically, many people grew up with the notion that they must have everything just because they are able to.

Appreciation, though hard as it may seem, brings more pleasure than it does pain. Start with the small stuff and work your way from there. It does take practice, but like all efforts, the result will outweigh everything else.

The first step to make a better you, a better life, and a happier disposition is to start right now. This is no time to procrastinate. Life is just too short, and good things will pass you by if you let yourself get pulled down by its weight. Let happy emotions flood your body and mind with optimism.

By knowing what you have and what you can achieve, you can give yourself a pat on the back because you have learned one of life’s most valuable lessons, and that is gratitude.
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Read more on Optimism and Positive Thinking

P.S. Just rec'd this note from one of our followers. Her website has a time saving list of schools for anyone interested in becoming a coach for physical therapy. I believe it's worth sharing:

Hi Richard,

I know this email is out of the blue, but I just posted an article on my blog entitled "50 Incredible Life Coaches on Twitter" . I figured I’d bring it to your attention in case you thought it interesting enough to drop a quick mention on your site about it.

Thanks,Jeanne Peterson

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3/24/2010

Attain Your Dream Career

Don't avoid the career that you want based solely on the need to get through day by day.

When we graduate from high school and start choosing the life course we want to take, most of us opt for something that covers a wider range of job opportunities.

At 18, we don’t always have a clear picture of what we want to be in the future. There are those lucky few, however, that already have a clear path in their minds. If we were to inherit a large sum of money, then this is not so much of an issue.

Practically, though, most of us have to work to be able to survive in today’s competitive world. It's possible, that after we graduate we might realize that we should have taken a different path. As much as we would like to go back to school and study, we have to choose work above everything else. So, what happens to us? There may be a way to solve this dilemma.

Personality tests have become increasingly popular among people entering the workforce. These tests are intended to reveal a most desired career path. On the surface, this may sound like a great idea. We sometimes have dreams that are not in line with who we are and these tests can give us a chance to test the unknown.

After all, we can’t fully define our path to success by simply knowing who we are. We may have hidden strengths that may only reveal themselves when the need arises. Introverts may do well in a career in sales, but how are we to know what we can do unless we can try it out.

It may sometimes appear that we’ll lead happier lives if we stick to our strengths and what we’re most comfortable with. Part of us will always remain unsatisfied when we limit our horizons out of fear or conformity. We might find ourselves waking up one day with a deep feeling of regret, and this is what we want to avoid at all costs.

Growing up, we’re completely dependent on our parents to meet our survival needs. Over time, we learn to cope with the demands life gives us. Our survival skills can only get us so far in the adult world. In most cases, the need to simply endure and carry on eventually wears thin, revealing the hidden chasm of anxiety.

We should not avoid the career that we want based solely on the need to get through day by day. We first must overcome our fears. We need to delve into something that fits our desires. Courage is what is needed here. If we can’t afford to give up the benefits of enjoying monetary stability, we must find the time to start small.

The World Wide Web offers many opportunities to hone and develop our hidden strengths. As we gain the respect of other people, we will find that job offers slowly start to trickle in. Take what we can and slowly start to let go of the other things that we don’t really enjoy. Keep in mind that if we become vigilant about this, we could soon find ourselves doing what we exactly want.

Read about the Mindset of Entrepreneurs here

3/18/2010

Goal Setting - In Theory and In Practice

Setting goals doesn't appear to be difficult. You just establish a specific goal, one that's measurable and has a defined time frame for completion.

On the surface, it sounds easy enough to do.

You implement the plan, measure progress towards reaching the goal and then evaluate the outcome objectively to refine the process.

But it rarely seems to work out that way - for a variety of reasons. The primary one is because we often fail to establish realistic goals.

Additionally, we often casually set goals with only a hazy view towards how they'll actually be accomplished. And while we're typically motivated at the beginning of the process, it's not at all unusual to lose this drive somewhere along the way.


When preparing your own goals, it's important to first understand that every goal must be realistic and readily achievable, given an appropriate amount of time and resources.


Read more on Goal Setting here




3/13/2010

Coaching and Mentoring -

Guiding others through life can be a daunting, but potentially rewarding task for any one up to the challenge. The person doing the guiding has a fine line to walk.

On one hand he must be strong enough to rebuke the follower if that person ignores advice.

On the other hand, he must sometimes allow the follower to stray, so that the follower can better understand why things should be done differently. The people doing the guiding generally fall into the categories of coaches and mentors.

What's the Difference between Coaching and Mentoring?

While the two roles are similar in some ways, they are in fact very different. Before taking someone under your wing to help them progress through life, it's important to understand the difference between coaching and mentoring.

Continued here -

How to Become a Life Coach


If you like helping people and are a charismatic and energetic person, then life coaching might be a good career choice for you.

Life coaches help their clients discover what is most important to them, help them perform at optimum levels, and achieve what it is they most desire.

They work one-on-one with their clients, either in person or over the phone, and help them in their personal development and in meeting personal goals.

Let's first examine what a life coach is and does, then we'll go into more detail on the process of how to become a life coach.

The practice evolved out of executive coaching, which itself drew on techniques developed in leadership training and management consulting.

Life Coaching continued -



3/09/2010

The Significance of Honesty and Integrity

When it comes to winning over the respect of people, honesty plays a major role in our success.

Our parents apparently hit the bull’s eye when they said that honesty is the best policy. However, many people mistake candor with tactlessness. Admittedly, there is sometimes a fine line between these two concepts.

There are just some situations and people that we can’t agree with, and sometimes, we’re put on the spot when somebody asks for our opinion. Our friends may not mind our being frank because they simply know us better. Unfortunately, there are also people who just won’t be able to understand us. And why should they? Words can really be offensive when used out of context. It's actually up to us to handle every situation with diplomacy.

It is then important that honesty should come with integrity. When we can’t say anything nice, we might as well not say anything. To be rightfully honest is to also know how to be aware of the feelings of people. Empathy and a high emotional quotient play a big part here. We, ourselves, do not enjoy getting attacked by people we don’t really know.

The people around us react better to constructive criticism if they have enough sense to realize that we are only there with their best interests at heart, they are more likely open to listening to what we have to say.
Another question to ask is if our opinions are clouded by the beliefs of other people. Being honest with how we truly feel provides the means to see the symptoms of our own nature. We start to gain understanding when we also look deep into our very soul.

The principle behind telling the truth is making it possible to get what is an unprejudiced view of the situation.

If we want to become more honest people, we first must look into ourselves, know if it is the right thing to do, and try to handle every situation cautiously. The central concept of honesty is not to hurt other people. In fact, its main purpose is to find ways by which we can help others become the best that they can be.

How to Enhance Your Conversation Skills

2/28/2010

Courage and Resilience

One definition of Courage is facing fear with our heads held high.

People experience fear everyday and sometimes are even paralyzed by it. We are allowed to feel it, and we should! Otherwise, we wouldn't be human if we were immune to the many types of emotions. It's not sacrificing our lives all of the time. In fact, we all have the makings of a real hero, and in our own little ways, we can show that we are willing to face all the trials that life throws in our way.

The strength to be courageous is inside us all and we are given many opportunities where we can use it. We sometimes do everything to avoid uncomfortable situations. As we face the Goliath of our inner David, we get scared of the unknown and of the possibility that we will lose. We can't help but flinch and run away. But, we have to know that we all have the innate ability to summon all our strength and stand our ground.

Here are a few tips that may help us along the way:

1. Know what we have. Fear can rule us and paralyze us if we let it. Then, instead of facing something manageable, we face a puffed up illusion of the fear. Pray and ask the people in our lives to help us through the ordeal, no matter how small or big it is. Our insecurities may seem so huge in our minds that this can seem insurmountable, but the only way we can overcome them is to face them and push ourselves towards them. We have people we can count on. This is not to say that we forgo all our responsibilities and let them handle all of it. We have to know that we still must go through it, but a hand to hold makes a world of difference.

2. Learn how to discover what's beyond our comfort zone. When we have to confront something, it takes an element of risk into the unknown. If there are risks involved, it does mean we have to let go of it simply because we do not know what to do. The more we confront the fear, the easier it becomes in our lives. The risk of threat is always around. If we always give up, we will digress and destroy our lives. What will make us stronger is our ability to always get up every time we fall.

3. Face life with optimism. Recognize that there are things beyond our control. Accept these things and change the way we respond. Instead of it bringing us down, we must find ways to make it work to our advantage. This takes practice, but once we are able to alter our attitude, we will see that life does not throw us problems that we can't handle.

Courage and resilience go hand in hand because they bring healthy growth. Nature has gifted us with the ability to adapt. It is now up to us to discover how to use this ability.

Confidence and Self Trust Helps!

2/23/2010

Living with Hope

Hope is everyone's best friend

The people who have their names written in history were those who kept on their pursuit even when it seemed that there was no hope at all. Hope is what feeds the heart and nourishes the mind. It is the fuel that keeps people going. Without it, life has no meaning and your road to success will seem completely unattainable.

We all have a purpose in life. Whether it is to be a good parent or a successful business owner, our goals help us live day by day with something to work for. To say that you’ve given up all hope means to give up on life entirely.

Yes, you may have problems, but then again, who doesn’t? Everyone is going through something, and no one is immune to this. You must accept the premise that problems are a fact of life.

The journey to finding hope is much like a map. You have to go through hills and valleys, encounter peaks and dips along the way. The road only serves as a lesson learned and a guide for you to know how to cope with nature’s harsh reality.

Success can only be reached via one road, and that is of hope.

Anticipating the good starts out as a belief and an understanding that something unseen already exists. Life will seem easier because you will have something that provides you with the thirst to search for the silver lining behind the dark cloud. When you know that there is something out there for you, you’ll be more grateful of what you can do and realize that you can always overcome what you think you can’t handle.

Just imagine your life without hope. You might as well live in the dark. Hope provides you with light and it serves as your anchor as you weather through the storms. Fact is, things change every day, people change, situations change. Now, it’s up to you to make the best out of the unstable world.

Work it your advantage and know that as long as things change, so can you.

- - - - - - - - - - Quotation for Today - - - - - - - -
Ones best success comes after their greatest disappointments.
Henry Ward Beecher
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2/20/2010

A Heart that Heals

The hurt that takes place in our minds and in our hearts is not so easy to see.

Physical injuries are easily noticed by people. A cut, a broken bone, or a bruise can easily be treated by doctors. Emotional injuries, on the other hand, tend to run deeper. They hide in our subconscious and can sometimes stay there for a very long time. They can easily be hidden, but are much harder to treat. At some point in our lives, most of us have, in some considerable way, been hurt and wounded.

The physical wounds can be seen and the forms of remedy are fairly straightforward and uncomplicated.

We choose to hide the wounds to our hearts in the darkest recesses of our minds. This is what many call denial. Although we may know that it’s best to deal with the issues, we often find ourselves feeling powerless, unable to free ourselves from the chains that burden us with the weight.

To be able to heal ourselves from the pain, we have to address it rather than run away. We often lack the ability to understand the true significance of coping with it. Fact is, when we face these issues, we are able to understand the reasons behind them. At the heart of healing is being able to live in the moment of suffering rather than locking ourselves away and shutting out the rest of the world.

We try to find ways to cope with it, maybe through alcohol or by whisking ourselves to a place far away. We have to allow ourselves to feel what is deep inside us to become aware of reality. After all, we can never run away from it and stalling only seems to make things worse.

What we most need during these trying times is the presence of people who truly and unconditionally love us. Love can come in many forms: in the comforting embrace of a family member, in the prayers of a friend, or in the good wishes of the people we meet.

That's why it is most important to cultivate healthy relationships with the people that surround us. What happens when you’ve surrounded yourself with a great support system is the ability to get over the pain more quickly.

We have to give love to get love. This will be your greatest blessing because we know that we will always have someone to lean on when the burden just gets too heavy.

About Healthy Relationships

2/13/2010

Double Your Income

Double Your Income

If you want to double your income, you first must adjust your attitude. If you think you aren't being rewarded as you deserve, then you must find ways to seek opportunities elsewhere. If you go to work every day with a poor attitude, the productivity of your work will suffer. You will spend so much of your time thinking about the negative that you
won’t have the drive to do much else.

Get out if you must, but make sure that you have something to fall back on. Be sure that the next job you are in makes you happy. When your attitude changes for the better, you will then be on the start to get the ball rolling. You must do everything to get into the momentum towards achieving your goal of doubling your income and your worth. Much like an avalanche, it is much harder to put a stop on something once momentum has kicked in.

Then, you have to open your eyes to every new possibility. A simple conversation with a friend could open doors for you. Look for these little openings that will pave the way to a brighter and bigger future. Be open about your interests as well because they may know someone who can help you. This is a benefit of networking.

Plan your next move and make sure that you go over every detail. The internet is a gold mine of helpful information. In fact, people have found this to be their best ally. Why?

Because you can get most anything from the World Wide Web. If you want a future in marketing, there are sites dedicated to developing your skills and providing you with job prospects. Research it and you will realize that there is a world of growth and success out there for anyone with the determination to strike gold. The internet is now the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The best the part is, you don’t need to invest much to make a career out of it.

Doubling your income is no longer a distant reality. Today’s technological advances have presented everyone with an endless amount of opportunities. All you need to do is have the drive to achieve what you really want. Work hard and show guts. Determination plays a big role in creating your future because this will get you through even the most difficult of hurdles.

Big leaps towards your ultimate goal require passion, courage, and careful planning. You can achieve your dreams, and you can do this with only your passion to fuel your drive!

Learn more about changing your career

2/10/2010

Great Energy Boosters

Feeling tired and fatigued? Do you lack enough energy to make it through the day? We know that sometimes there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. You try to cram everything in and lose the oomph along the way.

You definitely will need that extra boost of energy to get the daily tasks finished. When you feel as though you aren’t getting
enough rest, there are natural energy boosters for all your energy needs. Being tired can cause numerous health problems over time. Moreover, it can lead to weight gain and memory loss.

What you will need to do is set aside some 'fresh air' time for yourself. Walk through the park, try to breath in oxygen, fill you lungs with air as often as you can. This helps rejuvenate you to go back to work and concentrate.

If, however, this isn’t enough, try to take a long break. A vacation is always a good idea as long as you also know when to schedule it. If the time isn’t right, throw a little get-together with friends. They help take your mind away from all the pressure placed on your shoulders.

Who knows, this can motivate you to really plan a day out of town or a short trip to another place. If you don’t allow your mind to rest, you could easily lose your nerves and break down. It’s all about breaking out of the box. These new activities help you get back the vigor that you need to fulfill your responsibilities.

Rather than doing the usual stuff, you could try out new things and test out new possibilities as well. Ask around and find out what new activities you can get into. You’ll be surprised at just how many possibilities there are out there.

A good option is to also clean up the clutter in your house. Having a messy room can bring your energy down. Maximize your time at home by throwing away things that you know will never be used. You will definitely feel lighter once you see that you’ve opened up a lot of space in your room.

The best energy booster, however, is laughter. You’ll feel a certain kind of satisfaction after a good laugh. Inspiration and breakthrough are often born from the spirit of playfulness and exuberance. A spontaneous smile, a comic gesture can facilitate change and harmony even in the most stressful of situations. Through conscious merriment, your spirit can emerge and work its magic to yourself and the people with you.

Cortisol, a chemical produced in your body when you feel stressed, suppresses your immune system. Laughter lowers the cortisol levels, thereby protecting you from illnesses. How? A good laugh increases endorphins, which can make you feel happy, and thus, you will have a brighter outlook on life. Aside from that, laughter also causes secretion of an enzyme that
protects the stomach from forming ulcers.

The best way to becoming a more active person is to look at life and not beat yourself up when things just pile up. Take a step back and take it easy. You are not alone, and all you have to do is appreciate yourself enough to take care of your needs.

Read more on How to Feel Energetic

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1/21/2010

Make New Rules Work for You

The rules have changed.

With today’s ever-changing trends, doing what was conventional is no longer guaranteed to work. Situations change. New technology leads to a faster paced lifestyle. There are new rules to follow. If you refuse to adjust to these changes, you can be left behind with the stragglers.

Whereas family used to be the most important thing in a person’s life, today’s world demands that you prioritize other things as well. Yes, your family is important, but so is your job. Moreover, not everyone is lucky enough to be surrounded with a nurturing and loving clan. If you feel alone, you should go out of your way and establish your own alternate family unit.

This different and new version of a unit is comprised of friends that love each other unconditionally. It is now common for people to have acrimonious relationships with their parents and siblings. As sad as this may sound, some of them have actually been able to establish family-like bonds with the people around them. If you find yourself in this situation, you don't have to agonize over it. Embrace what you have and see things as a gift.

Gone too are the days when mixing business with pleasure was a taboo. Many companies have realized that great personal relationships within the office can increase work satisfaction amongst their employees. When you get to know your colleagues you also get to learn their strengths and weaknesses. It's much easier to work in unity when you know the people around you. Make your coworkers your friends and see how smoothly things start running. It is also a great way to earn the respect of people that matter.

If you feel that you haven’t achieved much, don’t pressure yourself . What matters most is that you savor your life experiences and learn from them. You no longer have to be at the top of the corporate ladder and an owner of a new luxurious home. A mature person is now someone who is able to adjust to the changes and is willing to make life work for him or her.

The rules have changed, and so should you!

Creating Healthy Relationships - more here.

1/15/2010

The Key to Success:

What You Need To Do In Order For You to Become Successful

A lot of people wonder how the successful people do it - why the are so successful, and they spend a lot of energy searching for the successful peoples' secrets. Fact is - the key to success is not really a secret at all.

Donald Trump, Roger Federer, and a lot more successful people have one thing in common. It's how they behave in a very competitive environment.

These people are programmed to win. They need to win in their own respective field in order for them to be successful. Despite the hardships they face, they always strive to become successful. They keep their cool and seldom lose their tempers.

Your mental attitude is what counts. If you heard about the power of affirmations, then you know what you need to do. By filling your mind with positive affirmations and actually believe that you are able to do it, you will be able to increase your chances of becoming successful. However, if you always doubt yourself and constantly criticize everything that you do - then you will likely fail.

Another reason why many people fail is because they often put too much pressure on themselves. The problem is really not your skills but your mental attitude. If you take a look at highly successful people, you will see that they give everything they have in order to become successful. They maximize everything they have at their disposal. All their talent, skills and knowledge are utilized in order for them to reach their ultimate goal. Total conviction is what you need in order for you to become successful.

Even if you have the necessary skills and knowledge to become successful, it will all come down to having the right mental approach. Always keep in mind that no matter how good you are at something, you will always be doomed to fail if you don’t have the conviction to become successful. You need to have the will to become a success.

Focus on your goals and you will be able to attract success.

More on Confidence in Yourself

1/10/2010

Rely on Your Inner Strength

We all have to deal with stress.

As you work your way towards success, there will always be hindrances. When problems arise, retreating is not always the answer. Giving up is the coward’s way out, and people ruled with fear will never achieve anything or amount to much. Stress is a part of life, and when you allow things to get out of control, you only make the situation worse. When you leave things be and focus your attention elsewhere, you are allowing the situation to win. Your life will be about avoiding issues, and nothing will ever get better. You have to sooner or later deal with it, and when you put off your responsibilities, you may one day find yourself overburdened with problems that are too tough to handle.

Do you want to spend half your life running away from things you fear? If you do this, then you are not living your life to the fullest. You are merely surviving. You will deny yourself from the true pleasures of life simply because you are trying to avoid trials. You won’t go anywhere and instead stagnate. Then you see the people around you living their dreams, while you are still at the bottom of the ladder. When you experience difficult days, you turn your back away and see that the problems have never actually disappeared. In fact, you merely threw a cloak over it and hid it for awhile. But things will always have a way of coming out, and when this happens, you will no longer have a chance to run away from it. You may then try to deal with it, but has already blown way out of proportion that there is no way of getting around it.

You now really need to find an immediate solution to controlling the situation and improving your circumstances. Do it now before it controls you. Although many people regard stress as the enemy, there are ways to making it your friend. Quiet time is, without exception, the best way to clear up your head. You also have to trust in your abilities. When you find yourself in a predicament, you have to see it as a chance to strategize and prove to yourself and the people around you that you are more than capable of many things. Your experiences also play a big part in how you believe in your talents and capabilities.

We all have this inner critic that never changes. This stops us from seeing our true strengths and abilities. The key to moving forward and overcoming insecurities is to bring awareness to what you want and what you have achieved at present. Reclaim your self esteem and courage. Harness enough energy so that you can live through day to day experiences with a new zest for life.

There is nothing you can’t achieve if you simply put your mind to it. You simply have to get up every time you fall. You may find yourself bruised and battered, but if you strive forth, you’ll be able to conquer any trial and win over it with a mind filled with wisdom.

Read more on Relieving your Stress