Self-hypnosis or auto suggestion is a process by which an individual can train herself to let her mind believe in something in the subconscious state. Self-hypnosis is also termed autogenous training. Self-hypnosis procedures follow various methods to accomplish a certain objective. One can easily get into a sate of mental visualization or self-induced brainwashing with the help of self-hypnosis.
Self-hypnosis can be learnt and practiced by any individual through practice. While it is easy to understand and learn self-hypnosis, it is important to note that it shouldn't be practiced while driving or eating or drinking. One should be in a stationary mode and have focus on the goal to be achieved. One should be able to garner complete attention to the process of self-hypnosis and not diverted by any other act.
There are three major techniques of self-hypnosis - visual imagery, eye fixation and progressive relaxation. All the three techniques may not be suitable to all the individuals. For example, visual imagery technique of self-hypnosis works best with those who have more than average visualization capabilities.
Visual imagery is a technique demanding imagination of a beautiful place after closing your eyes. You must be able to listen to the sound in that image setting and actually see everything as if it is happening in reality around you. Eye fixation technique is suitable for those who are unable to properly visualize, but possess better concentration power. This technique involves continuously watching an object and trying to get into the state of thoughtlessness. Progressive relaxation technique involves slowly relaxing parts of your body with the help of reverse counting. One starts from the toes and reaches the brain part one after another. This technique works great for those who are better able to control the parts of their body.
Some practitioners of self-hypnosis suggest turning off lights and music while practicing self-hypnosis. This is a debatable issue. Research has shown that some people are better able to practice the skills of self-hypnosis when they have light music and low wattage bulb in the room. Some debates also rage on the timing of self-hypnosis practice. Experts suggest the beginners to find the ideal time slot of their own. One may try different timing in the day and then settle for the most suitable for that individual.
Self-hypnosis can be done for self-actualization, but if you plan to do it for pain relief or other such medical treatments, it is strongly recommenced to get in touch with your doctor first.
Senin, 28 Februari 2011
Minggu, 27 Februari 2011
Imaginary Friends - A Problem Solving Technique
Why imaginary friends? Because they may be smarter than you real friends. Well, at least they may give you better, more creative solutions to your problems.
If you are like most people, your thinking is often best when you're interacting with a friend. You feed off of each other's ideas and help each other to clarify things. But what about times when you're alone, or you have no one you wish to share your ideas with? How do you stimulate creative thought and find elegant solutions to your problems? Try talking to Albert Einstein.
Of course, you'll probably want to talk to Andrew Carnegie or Lee Iacocca if your problem has to do with making a factory more productive. Spiritual problems might be better discussed with the Dalai Lama. The point is to have a conversation in your head with an expert, or a historical personality, or any imaginary friend who can help with your particular problem. Why would you want to do this?
Imaginary Friends Give You Answers
You have a powerful imagination, whether you know it or not. However, what you may not have, is a powerful way to use it. This is what you get with imaginary friends and advisors. A conversation in your head is a way to access the creative power of your mind. You'll be surprised how often your imaginary Einstein comes up with an interesting idea, or asks you a question that produces something useful.
It is best to use someone who you respect and/or know something about. That way you can more easily imagine what they might say. It could be a fictional character, and in fact, this may be even better. Start by explaining the situation to this person, and then listen to what they have to say.
You may remember those "WWJD" pins and stickers. The WWJD stands for "What Would Jesus Do?" Kids wore the pins (still do, I believe) as a source of guidance. Whether or not you are a Christian, you can understand how in a time of confusion, a simple question like this can immediately clarify the situation and allow for a right decision.
Consider this for a moment. The information necessary to make a right decision is there in a young man's head already, and yet there is confusion. Then, just imagining what Jesus would do or say is all it takes to "see" the answer.
With a simple conversation in your mind, you can ask for help with personal, business, moral and any other problems. It's a powerful technique for problem solving, and for drawing on the power of your unconscious mind. Why not start talking (in your head please) with your imaginary friends?
If you are like most people, your thinking is often best when you're interacting with a friend. You feed off of each other's ideas and help each other to clarify things. But what about times when you're alone, or you have no one you wish to share your ideas with? How do you stimulate creative thought and find elegant solutions to your problems? Try talking to Albert Einstein.
Of course, you'll probably want to talk to Andrew Carnegie or Lee Iacocca if your problem has to do with making a factory more productive. Spiritual problems might be better discussed with the Dalai Lama. The point is to have a conversation in your head with an expert, or a historical personality, or any imaginary friend who can help with your particular problem. Why would you want to do this?
Imaginary Friends Give You Answers
You have a powerful imagination, whether you know it or not. However, what you may not have, is a powerful way to use it. This is what you get with imaginary friends and advisors. A conversation in your head is a way to access the creative power of your mind. You'll be surprised how often your imaginary Einstein comes up with an interesting idea, or asks you a question that produces something useful.
It is best to use someone who you respect and/or know something about. That way you can more easily imagine what they might say. It could be a fictional character, and in fact, this may be even better. Start by explaining the situation to this person, and then listen to what they have to say.
You may remember those "WWJD" pins and stickers. The WWJD stands for "What Would Jesus Do?" Kids wore the pins (still do, I believe) as a source of guidance. Whether or not you are a Christian, you can understand how in a time of confusion, a simple question like this can immediately clarify the situation and allow for a right decision.
Consider this for a moment. The information necessary to make a right decision is there in a young man's head already, and yet there is confusion. Then, just imagining what Jesus would do or say is all it takes to "see" the answer.
With a simple conversation in your mind, you can ask for help with personal, business, moral and any other problems. It's a powerful technique for problem solving, and for drawing on the power of your unconscious mind. Why not start talking (in your head please) with your imaginary friends?
Sabtu, 26 Februari 2011
Wish Upon A Shooting Star
I have always been a dreamer. Even when I was a little kid my thoughts were always full of how my life could be different or of how the world could become a better place. Sometimes, after my mom had tucked me into bed with an instruction to stay in my bed no matter what, I'd sneak over to the large window in my bedroom and stare outside into space. I would find an area of the sky that was filled with the most stars and I would wait. I would whisper a wish (because wishes always had to be said outloud) and wait for a shooting star to fall and make my wish come true.
Sometimes my wishes would be for myself and other times I would make wishes for my friends or my family. I didn't like it that my knee got all scraped up when I fell down on the playground, and I didn't like it that other kids got made fun of if they had to wear glasses. So I would make wishes about things like these. I would wait on a shooting star in hopes that my mom would stop crying so much or so that my baby sister wouldn't be sick all the time. I believed with all my heart that all it took for my dreams to come true was seeing a shooting star fall from the sky. I believed there was something magical about a shooting star, something in it that was the answer to peoples' problems.
Even now, as an adult, I find myself wondering if wishing on a shooting star doesn't in some way help solve the problems of the world. It seems like too many of my childhood wishes got answered for there to not be at least a little magic in a shooting star. Of course now my wishes are for bigger things like world peace or the eradication of all of the world's poverty. I dream about a world without violence and about a world where every child is given a chance to live. And while most of the time these dreams never make it outside the walls of my own mind, every now and then I'll be outside on a clear night and find myself gazing up to the sky and wishing my dreams outloud, just above a whisper.
I'm not sure if I keep looking for a shooting star because I really believe in it's magic or if I'm just caught up in a habit from my childhood. Either way, I guess it is good for me to believe in the power of a little dreaming and of wishing upon a shooting star.
Sometimes my wishes would be for myself and other times I would make wishes for my friends or my family. I didn't like it that my knee got all scraped up when I fell down on the playground, and I didn't like it that other kids got made fun of if they had to wear glasses. So I would make wishes about things like these. I would wait on a shooting star in hopes that my mom would stop crying so much or so that my baby sister wouldn't be sick all the time. I believed with all my heart that all it took for my dreams to come true was seeing a shooting star fall from the sky. I believed there was something magical about a shooting star, something in it that was the answer to peoples' problems.
Even now, as an adult, I find myself wondering if wishing on a shooting star doesn't in some way help solve the problems of the world. It seems like too many of my childhood wishes got answered for there to not be at least a little magic in a shooting star. Of course now my wishes are for bigger things like world peace or the eradication of all of the world's poverty. I dream about a world without violence and about a world where every child is given a chance to live. And while most of the time these dreams never make it outside the walls of my own mind, every now and then I'll be outside on a clear night and find myself gazing up to the sky and wishing my dreams outloud, just above a whisper.
I'm not sure if I keep looking for a shooting star because I really believe in it's magic or if I'm just caught up in a habit from my childhood. Either way, I guess it is good for me to believe in the power of a little dreaming and of wishing upon a shooting star.
Jumat, 25 Februari 2011
Two Mindfulness Exercises
Mindfulness exercises let you "tune in" to yourself. Distractions are let go, and your brain power is increased. The exercises help you think more clearly and concentrate better. The best news is that they are easier than you might think to learn.
Easy Mindfulness Exercises
Anytime you are stressed, stop, and carefully watch yourself to identify what's bothering you. You may be expecting something bad to happen, or perhaps there is an argument going on just below the surface of your consciousness, or you're worried about something, or in pain in some way. Notice everything you can.
This self-observation is crucial. It will get easier as you do it more. You'll start to realize just how many things are going on in your own head, distracting you.
Now deal with these mind-irritants. Make the phone call that's on your mind, take an aspirin, apologise to whomever you were fighting with. You can write things on tomorrow's to-do list, to get them off your mind. And if there's nothing you can do right now, tell yourself that. When you do this exercise, you'll feel less stressed, and more able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. You can have more brain power today.
A Better Mindfulness Exercise
Sit down, relax and breath deeply through your nose. Let your eyes close and be aware of your breath going in and out. Move your attention to your body, one part at a time, noting sensations of cold, hot, tight, sore and anything else you identify. After a few minutes, start listening to sounds in the room, without thinking about them. Just listen, while still maintaining an awareness of your body and your breath.
In ten minutes or so, or when it feels right, open your eyes and look around as if you are seeing for the first time. Let your eyes rest on an object for half a minute, examining it without talking about it in your mind. Then move to another object, and another, while still maintaining an awareness of your body, your breathing, and any sounds. Just stay in this state of mindfulness for a few minutes, until you are ready to get up.
When you are aware of your body, breath and immediate enviroment, you are more fully "in the moment." Your mind is in a receptive state, with fewer mental distractions that can prevent clear thinking. An exercise like this before important mental tasks will give you greater brain power, specifically more focus and concentration. Today is a good day to learn something new. Why not try one of these mindfulness exercises?
Easy Mindfulness Exercises
Anytime you are stressed, stop, and carefully watch yourself to identify what's bothering you. You may be expecting something bad to happen, or perhaps there is an argument going on just below the surface of your consciousness, or you're worried about something, or in pain in some way. Notice everything you can.
This self-observation is crucial. It will get easier as you do it more. You'll start to realize just how many things are going on in your own head, distracting you.
Now deal with these mind-irritants. Make the phone call that's on your mind, take an aspirin, apologise to whomever you were fighting with. You can write things on tomorrow's to-do list, to get them off your mind. And if there's nothing you can do right now, tell yourself that. When you do this exercise, you'll feel less stressed, and more able to concentrate on the tasks at hand. You can have more brain power today.
A Better Mindfulness Exercise
Sit down, relax and breath deeply through your nose. Let your eyes close and be aware of your breath going in and out. Move your attention to your body, one part at a time, noting sensations of cold, hot, tight, sore and anything else you identify. After a few minutes, start listening to sounds in the room, without thinking about them. Just listen, while still maintaining an awareness of your body and your breath.
In ten minutes or so, or when it feels right, open your eyes and look around as if you are seeing for the first time. Let your eyes rest on an object for half a minute, examining it without talking about it in your mind. Then move to another object, and another, while still maintaining an awareness of your body, your breathing, and any sounds. Just stay in this state of mindfulness for a few minutes, until you are ready to get up.
When you are aware of your body, breath and immediate enviroment, you are more fully "in the moment." Your mind is in a receptive state, with fewer mental distractions that can prevent clear thinking. An exercise like this before important mental tasks will give you greater brain power, specifically more focus and concentration. Today is a good day to learn something new. Why not try one of these mindfulness exercises?
Kamis, 24 Februari 2011
How To Have An Above Average IQ Score
What is the average IQ score? In theory the tests are designed so that half the population will score below 100 and half above, and are scored according to age of the test taker. Here is a breakdown of IQ scores in the typical population:
130 or higher: 2.2% of the population.
120-129: 6.7% of the population.
110-119: 16.1% of the population.
90-109 (Average): 50% of the population.
80-89: 16.1% of the population.
70-79: 6.7% of the population.
Below 70: 2.2% of the population.
Three Steps To An Above Average IQ Score
Is it possible for anyone to have an above average IQ score? Not likely. If you start at 70, for example, it would be tough to ever score over 100. The good news is that most people can raise their score somewhat from wherever they start. Here are three ways to do it:
1. Be a better test taker. Go through the test quickly. Skip over questions you aren't sure about, and return to them later. It's always better on a timed test to answer all the easy questions first. That way you don't eave several questions unanswered just because you spent too much time trying to get the answer to a tough one.
Always answer every question on multiple choice tests. When in doubt, first eliminate the answers that you know or suspect are incorrect, and then choose one of the remaining. If you eliminate two of four answers on a number of questions, you'll get half of those questions right on average.
2. Have the right conditions in place. Get good sleep before the test, breath deeply through your nose, and sit up straight. These are shown to improve performance on almost any test. Eat fish too. Recent studies show that eating fish speeds up brain waves and increases concentration.
If you're allowed music, make it Mozart. If you can't have music during the test, listen to it just before. In one study, subjects who listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes before an IQ test scored nine points higher. Do whatever you can to have your body and mind ready for the test.
3. Exercise your brain. This is a longer term strategy that assumes you can actually permanently improve your brain function and intelligence, and thus increase your average IQ score. It's a safe assumption in my experience, and no harm will come from the effort.
One final tip. It is my experience that my score is higher on an IQ test the second or third time I take it. Why not practice by taking an online test the day before your scheduled test? I wouldn't be surprised if this bumps up the average IQ score by a point or two.
130 or higher: 2.2% of the population.
120-129: 6.7% of the population.
110-119: 16.1% of the population.
90-109 (Average): 50% of the population.
80-89: 16.1% of the population.
70-79: 6.7% of the population.
Below 70: 2.2% of the population.
Three Steps To An Above Average IQ Score
Is it possible for anyone to have an above average IQ score? Not likely. If you start at 70, for example, it would be tough to ever score over 100. The good news is that most people can raise their score somewhat from wherever they start. Here are three ways to do it:
1. Be a better test taker. Go through the test quickly. Skip over questions you aren't sure about, and return to them later. It's always better on a timed test to answer all the easy questions first. That way you don't eave several questions unanswered just because you spent too much time trying to get the answer to a tough one.
Always answer every question on multiple choice tests. When in doubt, first eliminate the answers that you know or suspect are incorrect, and then choose one of the remaining. If you eliminate two of four answers on a number of questions, you'll get half of those questions right on average.
2. Have the right conditions in place. Get good sleep before the test, breath deeply through your nose, and sit up straight. These are shown to improve performance on almost any test. Eat fish too. Recent studies show that eating fish speeds up brain waves and increases concentration.
If you're allowed music, make it Mozart. If you can't have music during the test, listen to it just before. In one study, subjects who listened to Mozart's sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for ten minutes before an IQ test scored nine points higher. Do whatever you can to have your body and mind ready for the test.
3. Exercise your brain. This is a longer term strategy that assumes you can actually permanently improve your brain function and intelligence, and thus increase your average IQ score. It's a safe assumption in my experience, and no harm will come from the effort.
One final tip. It is my experience that my score is higher on an IQ test the second or third time I take it. Why not practice by taking an online test the day before your scheduled test? I wouldn't be surprised if this bumps up the average IQ score by a point or two.
Rabu, 23 Februari 2011
Get All Of The Facts In Dealing With Your Fears And Phobias
When dealing with our persistent fears and phobias, it is easy to let our imagination get the better of us. Our negative and scary thoughts can overcome the reality of the situation and can make things worse than what they really are. As a result, here are some techniques a person can use to help gain a better perspective of your fearful situation.
The most important thing is to get all of the facts of the situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.
Do not let your negative thoughts get the better of you. Replace those negative thoughts with positive statements that represent the reality of your situation. Remember that our worrying and fears can make the problem even worse.
Sometimes, we may lack the self-confidence of doing a certain task that may be scary. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship hockey game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.
If you have trouble overcoming your phobias, remember to learn from your mistakes and to give it another try. Doing anything in life requires practice and persistence. For example, remember the time when you first learned to ride a bike. The first few times, you kept following off the bike. With some practice and some time, you were able to ride your bike with no problem. Everything we do is a learning experience so do not get discouraged if you don’t make it on the first or second time.
As a layman, I realize it is not easy to overcome our phobias. Take things in stride and try not focus too much on the problem. In time, you will find the ways to overcome your phobia. If you have trouble, talk to a professional who can give you additional insights on your situation.
The most important thing is to get all of the facts of the situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.
Do not let your negative thoughts get the better of you. Replace those negative thoughts with positive statements that represent the reality of your situation. Remember that our worrying and fears can make the problem even worse.
Sometimes, we may lack the self-confidence of doing a certain task that may be scary. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship hockey game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.
If you have trouble overcoming your phobias, remember to learn from your mistakes and to give it another try. Doing anything in life requires practice and persistence. For example, remember the time when you first learned to ride a bike. The first few times, you kept following off the bike. With some practice and some time, you were able to ride your bike with no problem. Everything we do is a learning experience so do not get discouraged if you don’t make it on the first or second time.
As a layman, I realize it is not easy to overcome our phobias. Take things in stride and try not focus too much on the problem. In time, you will find the ways to overcome your phobia. If you have trouble, talk to a professional who can give you additional insights on your situation.
Selasa, 22 Februari 2011
Etiqueta de Poquer
Si eres un principiante en el juego, o mas bien un experto que se ha dedicado toda la vida a apuestas y partidos de Póquer, aprender las normas de conducta nunca esta de mas. Aquí te presentamos algunas reglas no tan estrictas pero importantes a la hora de demostrar tu estilo y profesionalismo.
En el Póquer:
1) No debes mirar ni intentar leer las cartas de los demás jugadores antes de que ellos mismos expongan las cartas en la mesa. No es considerado apropiado.
2) No debes revelar el contenido de tus cartas antes de terminar ese partido o mano. Si lo haces los demás jugadores sabrán si has mentido o como es tu situación. También podrán saber que otras cartas quedan en las manos de los demás jugadores.
3) No debes comenzar la jugada si todavía no llego tu turno. No lo hagas ni en broma, y si lo haces por error, pide disculpas a los demás jugadores ya que es un acto que no es aceptado en el poquer.
4) No debes amontonar las fichas del partido apiñadamente o desordenadamente. Probablemente va a molestar en la mesa a los demás jugadores, e interferir en el reparto de las cartas.
5) No debes ayudar a demás jugadores ni decir cosas que influyan sus a sus decisiones en el partido. Puede causar problemas entre todos los jugadores. Cada uno deberá tomar sus propias decisiones y equivocarse es parte del juego.
6) No debes usar el teléfono celular en el casino. Si estas en medio del partido y debes recibir una llamada urgente pide disculpas a los demás jugadores y retírate del partido hasta que termines de hablar.
7) No debes hacer trampa ni estafar. Pretender que tienes mejores cartas de las que tienes es parte del juego, pero la trapa y la estafa están prohibidos.
8) No debes maldecir o usar lenguaje obsceno en el partido de Póquer. Tampoco debes amenazar al repartidor del juego ni a cualquiera de los jugadores. Es importante mantener la calma a pesar de los resultados del juego.
9) Es importante respetar el partido sin quebrar, llorar, estropear las cartas a la mesa o a las fichas.
10) Finalmente, no traigas objetos electrónicos como cámara fotográfica o filmadora, radio, etc. Son artículos inapropiados para mantener el estado neutral en un partido de Póquer.
11) No debes fumar deliberadamente en medio del partido. En muchos casinos esta prohibido, y si juegas con amigos asegurate que no moleste a ninguno.
Todas estas normas, como mencione previamente, no están escritas en ningún reglamento del Póquer pero si son importantes de respetar y recordar a la hora que te propongas jugar. Disfruta tu juego y buena suerte!
En el Póquer:
1) No debes mirar ni intentar leer las cartas de los demás jugadores antes de que ellos mismos expongan las cartas en la mesa. No es considerado apropiado.
2) No debes revelar el contenido de tus cartas antes de terminar ese partido o mano. Si lo haces los demás jugadores sabrán si has mentido o como es tu situación. También podrán saber que otras cartas quedan en las manos de los demás jugadores.
3) No debes comenzar la jugada si todavía no llego tu turno. No lo hagas ni en broma, y si lo haces por error, pide disculpas a los demás jugadores ya que es un acto que no es aceptado en el poquer.
4) No debes amontonar las fichas del partido apiñadamente o desordenadamente. Probablemente va a molestar en la mesa a los demás jugadores, e interferir en el reparto de las cartas.
5) No debes ayudar a demás jugadores ni decir cosas que influyan sus a sus decisiones en el partido. Puede causar problemas entre todos los jugadores. Cada uno deberá tomar sus propias decisiones y equivocarse es parte del juego.
6) No debes usar el teléfono celular en el casino. Si estas en medio del partido y debes recibir una llamada urgente pide disculpas a los demás jugadores y retírate del partido hasta que termines de hablar.
7) No debes hacer trampa ni estafar. Pretender que tienes mejores cartas de las que tienes es parte del juego, pero la trapa y la estafa están prohibidos.
8) No debes maldecir o usar lenguaje obsceno en el partido de Póquer. Tampoco debes amenazar al repartidor del juego ni a cualquiera de los jugadores. Es importante mantener la calma a pesar de los resultados del juego.
9) Es importante respetar el partido sin quebrar, llorar, estropear las cartas a la mesa o a las fichas.
10) Finalmente, no traigas objetos electrónicos como cámara fotográfica o filmadora, radio, etc. Son artículos inapropiados para mantener el estado neutral en un partido de Póquer.
11) No debes fumar deliberadamente en medio del partido. En muchos casinos esta prohibido, y si juegas con amigos asegurate que no moleste a ninguno.
Todas estas normas, como mencione previamente, no están escritas en ningún reglamento del Póquer pero si son importantes de respetar y recordar a la hora que te propongas jugar. Disfruta tu juego y buena suerte!
Senin, 21 Februari 2011
The Importance Of Rest And Relaxation
Life is busy and it seems each year it just gets busier. Work, family, school, and other commitments just eat the day away and leave you with no time to sit back and relax. However, rest and relaxation is very important. In fact, getting enough rest is imperative to living a healthy lifestyle and when you do not relax and get enough sleep you are putting yourself at risk for illness as well as other side effects.
Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest
Believe it or not but the body needs enough rest each night to function properly. The amount of rest each individual needs every night differs, however the average adult needs approximately 7-8 hours of sleep each night to restore their body with the energy it needs to handle all of the demands of living each day. However, most individuals cut back on their sleep to pack more activities into their day. Unfortunately, this runs the body down allowing more viruses and diseases to attack the body because the immune system is not functioning as well as it should. Then, the individual gets sick and misses days or even weeks of all of those important activities. When you get enough rest your body runs as it should and your immune system is stronger and able to fight off infections more easily.
Also, when you don’t get enough rest you have difficult concentrating, thinking clearly, and even remembering things. You might not notice this at first or blame it on your busy schedule, but the more sleep you miss and rest you miss out on the more pronounced this symptoms will become.
In addition, a lack of rest and relaxation can really work a number on your mood. It is a scientific fact that when individuals miss out on good nightly rest their personality is affected and they are generally more grumpy, less patient, and snap easier. As a result, missing out on rest to fit in all those activities might make you a bear to be around, which is not much fun at all.
So, the next time you think it is a good idea to stay up late to complete a task or hang out with friends, think again. Of course, one night is not going to hurt you, but night after night of not getting enough rest really will.
Side Effects of Not Getting Enough Rest
Believe it or not but the body needs enough rest each night to function properly. The amount of rest each individual needs every night differs, however the average adult needs approximately 7-8 hours of sleep each night to restore their body with the energy it needs to handle all of the demands of living each day. However, most individuals cut back on their sleep to pack more activities into their day. Unfortunately, this runs the body down allowing more viruses and diseases to attack the body because the immune system is not functioning as well as it should. Then, the individual gets sick and misses days or even weeks of all of those important activities. When you get enough rest your body runs as it should and your immune system is stronger and able to fight off infections more easily.
Also, when you don’t get enough rest you have difficult concentrating, thinking clearly, and even remembering things. You might not notice this at first or blame it on your busy schedule, but the more sleep you miss and rest you miss out on the more pronounced this symptoms will become.
In addition, a lack of rest and relaxation can really work a number on your mood. It is a scientific fact that when individuals miss out on good nightly rest their personality is affected and they are generally more grumpy, less patient, and snap easier. As a result, missing out on rest to fit in all those activities might make you a bear to be around, which is not much fun at all.
So, the next time you think it is a good idea to stay up late to complete a task or hang out with friends, think again. Of course, one night is not going to hurt you, but night after night of not getting enough rest really will.
Minggu, 20 Februari 2011
Your Voice Print
Mountains are built one pebble at a time and climbed one step at a time." This is a quote of mine that I personally put into practice each day as I progress towards fulfilling my WHY in life.
The word pebble in this quote means that each action you take needs to be productive toward building your mountain of success. As I was retrieving a message today from someone who called me, I had to play the message 5 times to finally understand the phone number he left for me to call him back. We have always heard the smallest things – the pebbles - in life are the most important. Well, this week's tip from me is the importance of the quality of your phone messages, which I call your voiceprint.
When you leave a voicemail message for someone, it is your "voiceprint." It may sound a little crazy that my motivating tip for the week is "How to Leave a Message”, but I'll bet that numerous people right now can relate to this. Everyone has had someone who called him or her and prior to calling them back they had a pre-determined feeling about the person before they even spoke to them live. The key is to have positive energy and confident words. Words are your #1 tool that God has given you to produce a super abundant life. Energy means to speak with conviction and confidence in your tone when you leave your message. You need to picture the person retrieving your message and ask yourself,”Will your message make them listen or just press fast forward?”
The following tip alone will earn you a million dollars! When you leave your phone number, speak in 2 second increments leave the area code first, pause 2 seconds, then the next 3 numbers pause 2 seconds and finally the last 4 numbers. You need to practice this! I guarantee that you will see results right away when you put this tip into action. They will remember you as the person who actually spoke clearly and slowly enough that they were able to write down your message the first time they played it. As a person who receives numerous calls daily, I can tell you that I cannot understand the message or phone number in 8 out of 10 messages, nor can I determine WHO THE CALLER IS!
Remember this "pebble of action" is one of the most important. Due to technology, your "voiceprint" is becoming the first introduction you have to many people. Also, do not assume that the person you are calling knows it is you. Always state your name and the best number for the receiver to return your call. You need to leave a clear, precise message, which reflects who you are...a person who knows their WHY in LIFE!
Find your WHY & FLY!
John Di Lemme
www.FindYourWhy.com
The word pebble in this quote means that each action you take needs to be productive toward building your mountain of success. As I was retrieving a message today from someone who called me, I had to play the message 5 times to finally understand the phone number he left for me to call him back. We have always heard the smallest things – the pebbles - in life are the most important. Well, this week's tip from me is the importance of the quality of your phone messages, which I call your voiceprint.
When you leave a voicemail message for someone, it is your "voiceprint." It may sound a little crazy that my motivating tip for the week is "How to Leave a Message”, but I'll bet that numerous people right now can relate to this. Everyone has had someone who called him or her and prior to calling them back they had a pre-determined feeling about the person before they even spoke to them live. The key is to have positive energy and confident words. Words are your #1 tool that God has given you to produce a super abundant life. Energy means to speak with conviction and confidence in your tone when you leave your message. You need to picture the person retrieving your message and ask yourself,”Will your message make them listen or just press fast forward?”
The following tip alone will earn you a million dollars! When you leave your phone number, speak in 2 second increments leave the area code first, pause 2 seconds, then the next 3 numbers pause 2 seconds and finally the last 4 numbers. You need to practice this! I guarantee that you will see results right away when you put this tip into action. They will remember you as the person who actually spoke clearly and slowly enough that they were able to write down your message the first time they played it. As a person who receives numerous calls daily, I can tell you that I cannot understand the message or phone number in 8 out of 10 messages, nor can I determine WHO THE CALLER IS!
Remember this "pebble of action" is one of the most important. Due to technology, your "voiceprint" is becoming the first introduction you have to many people. Also, do not assume that the person you are calling knows it is you. Always state your name and the best number for the receiver to return your call. You need to leave a clear, precise message, which reflects who you are...a person who knows their WHY in LIFE!
Find your WHY & FLY!
John Di Lemme
www.FindYourWhy.com
Sabtu, 19 Februari 2011
Superhuman
Interesting title isn’t it? Superhuman, what does this mean to you? Are you thinking of superman, the one that could fly, that would be invincible and that would melt ice with his eyes, or are you thinking of Einstein the super genius, the man that made so many discoveries, and that used his mind as it should be used?
Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I’m thinking of the second one! Actually, I’m not thinking about Einstein in particularly, but I am thinking at a superhuman race. Do you know that humans haven’t evolved in the last 5000 years considering the way that they think? They are still driven by the same inner needs, they are greedy, lazy and have a tendency to evil. The fact is that the thought process hasn’t changed at all, we learn as hard, we forget as easily, we are attracted by things that are easy to obtain and we don’t like complications.
The question as I see it: can we change the way we think, the way we learn, the way we react to life in one word, can we become Superhuman in our lifetime or not? There is a lot of material out there that promises some of the brain powers that we should all long for. Have you heard of “Speed reading”? This would be a skill to consider during these times when information has cornered us. Basically you can read 2 – 5 times as fast as you read now, and understand more. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But is it true? I read and read and searched a lot and found out that it is. There are humans, no different from you or me that possess this skill. They can read fast and understand what they read, for them this is as regular as tying a shoe.
Does this impress you, well let me tell you about another thing: “Photo reading”. What is this you might ask? Well, some of us have the ability to photo read, that means they look at a page and read it all in once with 90 – 100% comprehension. Can they be called super humans? Can you imagine how much you can learn and know possessing a skill like that? But the question comes once again: “Is this for real”? Can’t help you here anymore, I can tell you that there are people who can do this, and there are courses that allegedly will teach you this, but you’ll have to find out for your own if it’s possible. The one thing that everybody is saying the power is in us, we all can de it if we want to.
Want to know my opinion on this? I think that the human brain has far more potential than we know. The problem is that we don’t use it. People are content with their lives if they have something to eat and somewhere to sleep. My advice is: stop wasting time and do something for yourself!
Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I’m thinking of the second one! Actually, I’m not thinking about Einstein in particularly, but I am thinking at a superhuman race. Do you know that humans haven’t evolved in the last 5000 years considering the way that they think? They are still driven by the same inner needs, they are greedy, lazy and have a tendency to evil. The fact is that the thought process hasn’t changed at all, we learn as hard, we forget as easily, we are attracted by things that are easy to obtain and we don’t like complications.
The question as I see it: can we change the way we think, the way we learn, the way we react to life in one word, can we become Superhuman in our lifetime or not? There is a lot of material out there that promises some of the brain powers that we should all long for. Have you heard of “Speed reading”? This would be a skill to consider during these times when information has cornered us. Basically you can read 2 – 5 times as fast as you read now, and understand more. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But is it true? I read and read and searched a lot and found out that it is. There are humans, no different from you or me that possess this skill. They can read fast and understand what they read, for them this is as regular as tying a shoe.
Does this impress you, well let me tell you about another thing: “Photo reading”. What is this you might ask? Well, some of us have the ability to photo read, that means they look at a page and read it all in once with 90 – 100% comprehension. Can they be called super humans? Can you imagine how much you can learn and know possessing a skill like that? But the question comes once again: “Is this for real”? Can’t help you here anymore, I can tell you that there are people who can do this, and there are courses that allegedly will teach you this, but you’ll have to find out for your own if it’s possible. The one thing that everybody is saying the power is in us, we all can de it if we want to.
Want to know my opinion on this? I think that the human brain has far more potential than we know. The problem is that we don’t use it. People are content with their lives if they have something to eat and somewhere to sleep. My advice is: stop wasting time and do something for yourself!
Jumat, 18 Februari 2011
How To Overcome A Fearful And Scary Situation
All most everybody worries about what will happen if they are in a stressful and scary situation. The prospect of not knowing what to do can be frightening. As a result, here is a list of techniques and suggestions on how to manage the fear of an upcoming situation
The first thing a person can do is to visualize yourself doing the scary task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.
Try to find the motivation from within before performing the task. You will be more successful if you have a solid reason for doing the task. If you are not sure why you are doing a certain task, then the fear will get the best of you. Having the motivation and enthusiasm will help you to manage the fear and increase your chances of success.
When encountering a scary situation that gets us all upset, always remember to get all of the facts of the given situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.
Take it one step at a time. Don’t try to do too much at the same time because you will be easily overwhelmed. Take it slow and go at your own pace if you are able.
Don’t forget to Pray and ask God for help. A person can only do so much. Asking God for help can give us additional resources to help manage our fears and anxieties. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.
As a Layman and author of an anxiety book, I have faced many situations that made me anxious and fearful. I realize it is not easy to deal with the fear of the unknown, however sometimes the fear can be worse than the situation. If you have trouble managing your anxiety, then talking to someone who can make you feel better.
The first thing a person can do is to visualize yourself doing the scary task in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that your playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.
Try to find the motivation from within before performing the task. You will be more successful if you have a solid reason for doing the task. If you are not sure why you are doing a certain task, then the fear will get the best of you. Having the motivation and enthusiasm will help you to manage the fear and increase your chances of success.
When encountering a scary situation that gets us all upset, always remember to get all of the facts of the given situation. Gathering the facts can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not.
Take it one step at a time. Don’t try to do too much at the same time because you will be easily overwhelmed. Take it slow and go at your own pace if you are able.
Don’t forget to Pray and ask God for help. A person can only do so much. Asking God for help can give us additional resources to help manage our fears and anxieties. It is not always easy, however God is in control and he will help you if you ask him.
As a Layman and author of an anxiety book, I have faced many situations that made me anxious and fearful. I realize it is not easy to deal with the fear of the unknown, however sometimes the fear can be worse than the situation. If you have trouble managing your anxiety, then talking to someone who can make you feel better.
Kamis, 17 Februari 2011
How To Give Feedback
Feedback should be given as per merit and must be constructive. Imagine a child who keeps on making mistakes in his studies. If we were to give only negative feedback, the child is supposed to be rebuked everytime he does something. No one will argue about the damage this does to a child's psychology. Instead if small mistakes are considered as a part of the child's development process and proper encouragement is given, we will have a constantly learning student with enthusisasm and confidence.
Feedback must be given as deserved. Consider an new artist who has just exhibited his first paintings. If critics -instead of appreciating the positive aspects of his work and giving him the impetus he needs- try to belittle him with negative feedback, find minute flaws, will only kill his interest in his work. If the same negative feedback is given in a positive way or constructive way, will help him avoid the same mistakes in the future. Who knows, the next Picasso might come up. Responding positively to someone's work generates good feeling and amity. It raises the levels of understanding. It helps in proper communication between the two parties. Negative vibes only serve in polarizing the two.
Negative feedback can create a feeling of discontent in the mind of the person. He/She may develop a hostility towards his critics. Instead of the two working together to develop the work better, they may only be busy figuring out ways to outwit each other. Here the primary objective is lost and forgotten. If a teacher scolds a kid in front of the entire class for failing in the Math test, the child will certainly develop hatred for the teacher. If the same negative feedback is given in the form of encouragement, even others may even get inspired. It happens with movies. Critics sometimes try their best to lambast the movie and in the process even are responsible for the movie's failure. This is a bad scenario. Same happens in the corporate environment. So many studies have covered the effects of positive feedback by the bosses towards their employees.
With negative feedback, one might be preventing the growth of an individual. Try giving feedback in an balanced manner that does not sound harsh or critical. Only point out what is going wrong. Differentiate between the work and the worker. Rather than saying that you are a shoddy worker, if we say that- this piece of work done by you seems shoddy. This approach may be of greater help in getting results. Giving negative feedback may make us feel superior, but does not help the recipient at all.
Feedback must be given as deserved. Consider an new artist who has just exhibited his first paintings. If critics -instead of appreciating the positive aspects of his work and giving him the impetus he needs- try to belittle him with negative feedback, find minute flaws, will only kill his interest in his work. If the same negative feedback is given in a positive way or constructive way, will help him avoid the same mistakes in the future. Who knows, the next Picasso might come up. Responding positively to someone's work generates good feeling and amity. It raises the levels of understanding. It helps in proper communication between the two parties. Negative vibes only serve in polarizing the two.
Negative feedback can create a feeling of discontent in the mind of the person. He/She may develop a hostility towards his critics. Instead of the two working together to develop the work better, they may only be busy figuring out ways to outwit each other. Here the primary objective is lost and forgotten. If a teacher scolds a kid in front of the entire class for failing in the Math test, the child will certainly develop hatred for the teacher. If the same negative feedback is given in the form of encouragement, even others may even get inspired. It happens with movies. Critics sometimes try their best to lambast the movie and in the process even are responsible for the movie's failure. This is a bad scenario. Same happens in the corporate environment. So many studies have covered the effects of positive feedback by the bosses towards their employees.
With negative feedback, one might be preventing the growth of an individual. Try giving feedback in an balanced manner that does not sound harsh or critical. Only point out what is going wrong. Differentiate between the work and the worker. Rather than saying that you are a shoddy worker, if we say that- this piece of work done by you seems shoddy. This approach may be of greater help in getting results. Giving negative feedback may make us feel superior, but does not help the recipient at all.
Rabu, 16 Februari 2011
Methods Of Self-Esteem Improvement
Many of us suffer from low self esteem and lack self confidence, you'll be happy to know that there are many methods for self esteem improvement.
The first question you should ask yourself when attempting to improve your self esteem is whether there are issues that need to be addressed with a professional counselor. This is particularly true if your low self esteem is driving you to abuse alcohol or other drugs and is interfering in your life in a major way. If so, you may need to speak with a therapist or counselor who specializes in self esteem issues.
If you want to raise your self esteem but are not having major self esteem problems, then a trip to the local library or book store may help. There are hundreds of self help books, self help groups, self help tapes, self help videos to choose from as self help is a particularly hot topic these days. You may even want to hire a personal coach. These tools will help you improve your self esteem dramatically if you put the advice and recommendations that you receive into action.
One of the real keys to improving self esteem is in taking action. Many people who suffer from low self esteem often get stuck in a rut which drives their self esteem even lower. To raise self esteem, you need to set goals for yourself and then take the necessary actions to meet these goals. Just taking continual action will move you closer towards goal attainment and stop you feeling as if you are worthless and at the mercy of others.
Pay close attention to how you talk. Negative self talk is a real self esteem killer. Make a habit of trading the words “I can’t” to “I will” Having positive expectations will go along way towards increasing you self esteem.
And don't feel as if you're alone. There are thousands of people just like you that of people who suffer from low self esteem and need to improve how they look at themselves and the world around them. You are not alone and you can create the life that you dream of, you just need to start taking steps in the right direction. The sooner you start the sooner you can start enjoying your life as it was meant to be enjoyed.
The first question you should ask yourself when attempting to improve your self esteem is whether there are issues that need to be addressed with a professional counselor. This is particularly true if your low self esteem is driving you to abuse alcohol or other drugs and is interfering in your life in a major way. If so, you may need to speak with a therapist or counselor who specializes in self esteem issues.
If you want to raise your self esteem but are not having major self esteem problems, then a trip to the local library or book store may help. There are hundreds of self help books, self help groups, self help tapes, self help videos to choose from as self help is a particularly hot topic these days. You may even want to hire a personal coach. These tools will help you improve your self esteem dramatically if you put the advice and recommendations that you receive into action.
One of the real keys to improving self esteem is in taking action. Many people who suffer from low self esteem often get stuck in a rut which drives their self esteem even lower. To raise self esteem, you need to set goals for yourself and then take the necessary actions to meet these goals. Just taking continual action will move you closer towards goal attainment and stop you feeling as if you are worthless and at the mercy of others.
Pay close attention to how you talk. Negative self talk is a real self esteem killer. Make a habit of trading the words “I can’t” to “I will” Having positive expectations will go along way towards increasing you self esteem.
And don't feel as if you're alone. There are thousands of people just like you that of people who suffer from low self esteem and need to improve how they look at themselves and the world around them. You are not alone and you can create the life that you dream of, you just need to start taking steps in the right direction. The sooner you start the sooner you can start enjoying your life as it was meant to be enjoyed.
Selasa, 15 Februari 2011
The Power Of Having A Vision
For many years I heard that you had to start with a vision for your business or your life if you really wanted to succeed, but no one could explain to me why it was needed or how it worked from a practical or scientific standpoint.
When I was young and naive, I was skeptical and wanted empirical evidence showing me why I should invest my thoughts and time into really thinking about a vision for my life and business, and why getting absolutely clear by writing it down was imperative to my achieving success.
Even though I couldn’t find adequate answers at the time, reluctantly, I did as others suggested purely because they were far more successful than I. As I was told "don’t ask so many questions" and "just do it," I temporarily gave up my need for so many answers-but not for long.
At the ripe young age of 21, I created a grand vision for my life and my career. Even though I had only graduated from high school, and everyone told me that you need a college degree to really succeed, I took a different approach and got into business at a very young age.
For the next 26 years, I stayed on a healthy mental diet to train my brain, and followed the belief of allowing the universe to guide me and bring me whatever I needed to fulfill my visions of being financially free and living an extraordinary life.
After building four multi-million dollar businesses-one of which grosses more than $5 billion a year in sales and having made millions of dollars for myself and others, I began to search for the answers to the question I’d had 25 years earlier. Why is having a clear and precise vision so important?
I couldn’t help wanting to know why. As a child I was very curious and my parents could not answer many of the questions I had about success. After all, they only had a total of 5 years of school between them and had never made more than $30 thousand in a year.
Since I wanted more for myself, I sought out the best minds, researchers, and teachers in the world to teach me how to have an abundant life in all areas.
So, what did I learn that you can apply immediately and benefit from my lessons?
Simple: without a clear and precise vision of exactly what it is you want, you’ll never reach it or have it.
Now of course I will not leave you hanging without understanding why.
My research has taken me into the world of quantum physics and neuroscience for the answer to the question "why is it so important to start with a vision?"
When I was young and naive, I was skeptical and wanted empirical evidence showing me why I should invest my thoughts and time into really thinking about a vision for my life and business, and why getting absolutely clear by writing it down was imperative to my achieving success.
Even though I couldn’t find adequate answers at the time, reluctantly, I did as others suggested purely because they were far more successful than I. As I was told "don’t ask so many questions" and "just do it," I temporarily gave up my need for so many answers-but not for long.
At the ripe young age of 21, I created a grand vision for my life and my career. Even though I had only graduated from high school, and everyone told me that you need a college degree to really succeed, I took a different approach and got into business at a very young age.
For the next 26 years, I stayed on a healthy mental diet to train my brain, and followed the belief of allowing the universe to guide me and bring me whatever I needed to fulfill my visions of being financially free and living an extraordinary life.
After building four multi-million dollar businesses-one of which grosses more than $5 billion a year in sales and having made millions of dollars for myself and others, I began to search for the answers to the question I’d had 25 years earlier. Why is having a clear and precise vision so important?
I couldn’t help wanting to know why. As a child I was very curious and my parents could not answer many of the questions I had about success. After all, they only had a total of 5 years of school between them and had never made more than $30 thousand in a year.
Since I wanted more for myself, I sought out the best minds, researchers, and teachers in the world to teach me how to have an abundant life in all areas.
So, what did I learn that you can apply immediately and benefit from my lessons?
Simple: without a clear and precise vision of exactly what it is you want, you’ll never reach it or have it.
Now of course I will not leave you hanging without understanding why.
My research has taken me into the world of quantum physics and neuroscience for the answer to the question "why is it so important to start with a vision?"
Senin, 14 Februari 2011
The Best Decision Makers in the World
Copyright 2006 Andy Warren
There’s a group of people who are at the pinnacle of decision making. They can make a snap decision in less that the blink of an eye. And those decisions can make the difference between absolute success and complete failure.
So who are these people?
They are the sportsmen and sportswomen at the top of their game. In any sport, especially those that require quick reflexes such as football, tennis, baseball or cricket the top players must be able to make important decisions quickly.
When a player is in the zone then everything is working in harmony. Their hand to eye coordination and their mind all work together in an instant to make powerful decisions. And once the decision is made and followed through, it projects that power into the game. The perfect return, the powerful shot, the exquisite pass.
And you’ll have seen the instances when the player hasn’t made a decision. You’ll hear the commentator say “he looked in two minds about that” and in the next second the shot is flunked. You can see it in missed penalties, sliced shots, weak returns and wobbly passes.
How do these people become so good at making their decisions?
They train, they practice and they seek out the best coaching. They keep on making the decisions, under pressure and over and over again. They create their decision making into a habit, even a reflex. They know that their decision making ability will make the difference between winning and losing. They know everyone on their team and everyone who supports them is depending on them to make the right decision. Every time.
How can you do the same?
Like anything in life, the way to emulate someone else’s success is to do what they do. If you want to become an excellent tennis player, you look for a role model and do what they do. If you want to become an excellent decision maker then do what these excellent decision makers do and train, practice and seek out the best coaching. Find ways that you can make more Powerful Decisions so that it becomes habit.
It’s said that “repetition is the mother of skill” and that’s just as true when it comes to decision making as it is to any other skill in life. The more you do it, the stronger it gets.
What Powerful Decision can you make right now? And then another. And then another.
There’s a group of people who are at the pinnacle of decision making. They can make a snap decision in less that the blink of an eye. And those decisions can make the difference between absolute success and complete failure.
So who are these people?
They are the sportsmen and sportswomen at the top of their game. In any sport, especially those that require quick reflexes such as football, tennis, baseball or cricket the top players must be able to make important decisions quickly.
When a player is in the zone then everything is working in harmony. Their hand to eye coordination and their mind all work together in an instant to make powerful decisions. And once the decision is made and followed through, it projects that power into the game. The perfect return, the powerful shot, the exquisite pass.
And you’ll have seen the instances when the player hasn’t made a decision. You’ll hear the commentator say “he looked in two minds about that” and in the next second the shot is flunked. You can see it in missed penalties, sliced shots, weak returns and wobbly passes.
How do these people become so good at making their decisions?
They train, they practice and they seek out the best coaching. They keep on making the decisions, under pressure and over and over again. They create their decision making into a habit, even a reflex. They know that their decision making ability will make the difference between winning and losing. They know everyone on their team and everyone who supports them is depending on them to make the right decision. Every time.
How can you do the same?
Like anything in life, the way to emulate someone else’s success is to do what they do. If you want to become an excellent tennis player, you look for a role model and do what they do. If you want to become an excellent decision maker then do what these excellent decision makers do and train, practice and seek out the best coaching. Find ways that you can make more Powerful Decisions so that it becomes habit.
It’s said that “repetition is the mother of skill” and that’s just as true when it comes to decision making as it is to any other skill in life. The more you do it, the stronger it gets.
What Powerful Decision can you make right now? And then another. And then another.
Minggu, 13 Februari 2011
Keep the Channel Open
Why do you do what you do? What is your real work in the world, and why is it important to know the answer?
I'm an entrepreneur at heart. I have started and run several businesses, and as I look back, I think the most important element in financial and personal success is awareness of purpose and the capacity to stay open to it.
Many years ago I was a participant in a seminar. At the end, the leader took us through a guided meditation in which we asked ourselves, "What is my purpose for doing the work I do, in my relationships, and for being alive in this time and place?"
The word 'connection' popped up in my mind, and it felt right. My work then and now is helping people manage conflict with power and grace, and about removing the barriers to connection. Outside of work, as well, I want my actions to reflect this purpose. So when the word came up in the meditation all those years ago, it gave a name to something I already recognized.
My work is still about connection. On rough days, knowing this keeps me going. On good days, when life flows, it is reaffirmed. It doesn't matter whether it makes sense to anyone else. My life is about connection.
What about you? What purpose underlies your work and your life? Is it Creativity? Compassion? Diversity? Empowerment? Relationship? Health? Beauty? Spirituality? Love? These concepts occur as I think of friends and colleagues and their work in the world.
Like peeling an onion, the external layers of our work are the activities we engage in. Each layer moves us closer to a central purpose that is behind the time and effort we expend, and behind the gratitude with which we celebrate our success.
So take some time today to give yourself a gift. Close your eyes, relax, and ask your inner wisdom what your work is really about. Then keep that in front of you as a beacon. Refine it, nurture it, and hold it close at hand. This is essentially what each of us is called to do -- to explore and to discover our fundamental motivation, not just occasionally but every day, and with every decision. You'll rediscover, reinvent and revitalize your work, moment to moment. And you'll have fun doing it. I wish you good energy.
-----------------
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action. . . You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that activate you. Keep the channel open.
Martha Graham, dancer, choreographer
I'm an entrepreneur at heart. I have started and run several businesses, and as I look back, I think the most important element in financial and personal success is awareness of purpose and the capacity to stay open to it.
Many years ago I was a participant in a seminar. At the end, the leader took us through a guided meditation in which we asked ourselves, "What is my purpose for doing the work I do, in my relationships, and for being alive in this time and place?"
The word 'connection' popped up in my mind, and it felt right. My work then and now is helping people manage conflict with power and grace, and about removing the barriers to connection. Outside of work, as well, I want my actions to reflect this purpose. So when the word came up in the meditation all those years ago, it gave a name to something I already recognized.
My work is still about connection. On rough days, knowing this keeps me going. On good days, when life flows, it is reaffirmed. It doesn't matter whether it makes sense to anyone else. My life is about connection.
What about you? What purpose underlies your work and your life? Is it Creativity? Compassion? Diversity? Empowerment? Relationship? Health? Beauty? Spirituality? Love? These concepts occur as I think of friends and colleagues and their work in the world.
Like peeling an onion, the external layers of our work are the activities we engage in. Each layer moves us closer to a central purpose that is behind the time and effort we expend, and behind the gratitude with which we celebrate our success.
So take some time today to give yourself a gift. Close your eyes, relax, and ask your inner wisdom what your work is really about. Then keep that in front of you as a beacon. Refine it, nurture it, and hold it close at hand. This is essentially what each of us is called to do -- to explore and to discover our fundamental motivation, not just occasionally but every day, and with every decision. You'll rediscover, reinvent and revitalize your work, moment to moment. And you'll have fun doing it. I wish you good energy.
-----------------
There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action. . . You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that activate you. Keep the channel open.
Martha Graham, dancer, choreographer
Sabtu, 12 Februari 2011
Is What You Feel A Panic Attack?
Your heart pounds, your palms sweat, you start shaking, you get short of breath. You experience a fear that seems overwhelming that came absolutely out of nowhere, and for no reason. You could have been driving your car, or awakened out of sleep, or at your desk performing your daily routine at your job. Perhaps it's the first time it's happened, perhaps not. If it's not you probably know that you aren't going to die, but you feel like it. If it's the first time you are scared to death.
No one really knows what causes a panic attack to come on. Some medical professionals say that they can be related to heredity, some say to stress. Some say if you have a history of other mental disorders, such as depression or some phobias you are more likely to experience panic attacks. Know that you are not alone. It is estimated that one out of three adults will suffer a panic attack in their lifetime.
Some professionals have broken down panic attacks into three distinct types, spontaneous, specific and situational. A spontaneous panic attack would be as suggested by its name, one that happens unexpectedly. Panic attacks called specific are brought on, as also suggested by it's name by specific repeated situations, and situational panic attacks may come while doing a certain type of activity, such as riding a bike, even though there is no panic or fright involved with the activity.
Some people suffer from a panic attack only once. These may be panic attacks which are brought on by major life stresses and ease after the stress is eliminated. Some suffer from repeated panic attacks. The type of help you seek for panic attacks and the type of help you are given by medical professionals will be based on how many panic attacks you suffer from. Some health care professionals and organizations seek to treat people who suffer from infrequent panic attacks with a step program, similar to that used with alcoholics anonymous. Some medical professionals will treat more severe and recurrent panic attacks with medication. Generally patients who suffer from repeated panic attacks will benefit by being referred to a phychologist or psychiatrist for counseling.
No one really knows what causes a panic attack to come on. Some medical professionals say that they can be related to heredity, some say to stress. Some say if you have a history of other mental disorders, such as depression or some phobias you are more likely to experience panic attacks. Know that you are not alone. It is estimated that one out of three adults will suffer a panic attack in their lifetime.
Some professionals have broken down panic attacks into three distinct types, spontaneous, specific and situational. A spontaneous panic attack would be as suggested by its name, one that happens unexpectedly. Panic attacks called specific are brought on, as also suggested by it's name by specific repeated situations, and situational panic attacks may come while doing a certain type of activity, such as riding a bike, even though there is no panic or fright involved with the activity.
Some people suffer from a panic attack only once. These may be panic attacks which are brought on by major life stresses and ease after the stress is eliminated. Some suffer from repeated panic attacks. The type of help you seek for panic attacks and the type of help you are given by medical professionals will be based on how many panic attacks you suffer from. Some health care professionals and organizations seek to treat people who suffer from infrequent panic attacks with a step program, similar to that used with alcoholics anonymous. Some medical professionals will treat more severe and recurrent panic attacks with medication. Generally patients who suffer from repeated panic attacks will benefit by being referred to a phychologist or psychiatrist for counseling.
Jumat, 11 Februari 2011
Stammering And Stuttering
Stammering or as it is sometimes known as stuttering is a form of speech impediment.
My name is Stephen Hill and I had a stammer for eighteen years. I went to various types of speech therapy which even though was of some use, never really offered me any hope of a "cure".
At the age of twenty two, after a lot of hard work I managed to overcome the stammer and I now help other people to achieve fluency.
These are the types of situation that I found that I was most likely to stammer:
Ordering food and drink at a bar
Phone calls
Introducing people
Meeting new people
Talking when under pressure
Talking when tired or stressed
On my first day at senior school, all of the first year pupils were shown to their form room, including myself. The teacher, who was to be our form teacher, introduced himself and welcomed us to the school.
He then said
"OK class, I have introduced myself. I don't know any of you in here and most of you won't know each other. So what I would like you first of all to do, is to stand up and tell me your name and which junior school you used to attend."
He asked somebody on the front row to start, but because I was hiding at the back of the room, I would end up being one of the last people to speak. This was not a good thing as it meant I had a lot of time to worry about it. When my time arrived to speak, I could not even get one word out, it was most humiliating.
This is one of many bad days I had during the time when stammering was ruining my life.
Now that I am able to talk without the fear of stammering, life has become far less of a struggle. It is like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. Helping other people who stammer is very rewarding. One lady arrived on my speech course last year extremely nervous, her husband attended as well as support for her. During and after the course she worked very hard and a few months later she sent me a card through the post. In the card she thanked me for all of the help I had given her and also for the support after the course (she would e-mail and phone me around twice a week). She stated that she had improved tremendously and had very nearly achieved her goal of fluency. Then she stated though that her husband now hated me as she now never shuts up. This put a smile on my face.
My name is Stephen Hill and I had a stammer for eighteen years. I went to various types of speech therapy which even though was of some use, never really offered me any hope of a "cure".
At the age of twenty two, after a lot of hard work I managed to overcome the stammer and I now help other people to achieve fluency.
These are the types of situation that I found that I was most likely to stammer:
Ordering food and drink at a bar
Phone calls
Introducing people
Meeting new people
Talking when under pressure
Talking when tired or stressed
On my first day at senior school, all of the first year pupils were shown to their form room, including myself. The teacher, who was to be our form teacher, introduced himself and welcomed us to the school.
He then said
"OK class, I have introduced myself. I don't know any of you in here and most of you won't know each other. So what I would like you first of all to do, is to stand up and tell me your name and which junior school you used to attend."
He asked somebody on the front row to start, but because I was hiding at the back of the room, I would end up being one of the last people to speak. This was not a good thing as it meant I had a lot of time to worry about it. When my time arrived to speak, I could not even get one word out, it was most humiliating.
This is one of many bad days I had during the time when stammering was ruining my life.
Now that I am able to talk without the fear of stammering, life has become far less of a struggle. It is like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. Helping other people who stammer is very rewarding. One lady arrived on my speech course last year extremely nervous, her husband attended as well as support for her. During and after the course she worked very hard and a few months later she sent me a card through the post. In the card she thanked me for all of the help I had given her and also for the support after the course (she would e-mail and phone me around twice a week). She stated that she had improved tremendously and had very nearly achieved her goal of fluency. Then she stated though that her husband now hated me as she now never shuts up. This put a smile on my face.
Kamis, 10 Februari 2011
Pure, Constant Bliss
I want to suggest in this short article that every person who lives, has ever lived and who will ever live, not only has bliss within themselves, but in fact actually is bliss itself. What I mean by this is that a person in his/her purest nature is a totally happy person. However, very few people feel the bliss that they, in fact, have within themselves. The reason for this is because people have the misconception that to achieve the happiness that they want in their lives, they must first obtain certain things that will in turn bring happiness into their lives. Most people believe that once they have their dream house , their dream car, their ideal companion, their ideal profession, and possibly a few other little "things" in life, then they will feel the happiness that they're pursuing. The fact of the matter is, having "things" doesn't produce the happiness that the person is pursuing. This is evidenced in the fact that so many people who possess many nice things still want more; the feeling didn't materialize when the material possessions were obtained. Not only do nice possessions fail to produce the bliss that a person seeks, in fact, material things get in the way of a person's ability to experience bliss. When a person is focused on obtaining the things that they think will make them happy, and then find that the happiness isn't there once the things are in their possession, that person has to then admit that their time and energy were wasted on the things they pursued (because they only pursued these things in the pursuit of happiness). When a person pushes aside the distracting things they've been focused on, then they can find the natural, already existing peace they have within. If a person were to make the very feeling (of happiness, peace, bliss, etc.) the target instead of making "things" the target, then that person is guaranteed to feel that desired feeling, once the target is achieved. So how does a person go about making the actual feeling of pure and constant bliss their target and then take the necessary steps to achieve their target? There is information surrounding "manifestation" that can answer this question and provide further valuable insights for peaceful lives. Make it a point to begin today to clear your life of distractions and uncover your natural, pure and constant bliss.
I hope this article helps in a peaceful and enjoyable way.
Thanks,
Joe Clinton.
I hope this article helps in a peaceful and enjoyable way.
Thanks,
Joe Clinton.
Rabu, 09 Februari 2011
How To End The Frustration Of Insomnia
Insomnia is a common sleep sickness that has bothered many people around the world. But the consequences brought about by this disorder may not be as ordinary as it may seem. It can be downright punishing.
You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while endlessly moving around in your bed. It's mental and emotional agony to say the least.
The tension builds up to its peak when you see the sunrise, and you have to go to the office lacking so much energy after spending a sleepless night.
You don't have to suffer anymore. Here are some tips to help you snooze faster than you could ever expect.
1) Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday, even during the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose during the night.
Now this is the biggest mistake you can make. It ruins your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly like a baby the next night.
2) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. If in case you went hungry, try some crackers or light snack. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can" feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested well, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep.
3) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can obstruct your ability to sleep.
Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring you side effects that will hinder a continuous sleep process.
4) Relax and stay fit. Avoid having a stressful lifestyle. Exercise daily to release tension.
Engage in breathing exercises to relax your body. Most important of all, don't carry your problems or emotional baggage to sleep with you. Forget about it for the mean time. You can go back and solve your dilemma better the next day after a restful sleep.
5) Never force yourself to sleep.
Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.
You know the frustration of looking repeatedly at your clock while endlessly moving around in your bed. It's mental and emotional agony to say the least.
The tension builds up to its peak when you see the sunrise, and you have to go to the office lacking so much energy after spending a sleepless night.
You don't have to suffer anymore. Here are some tips to help you snooze faster than you could ever expect.
1) Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday, even during the weekends. Some insomniacs tend to sleep at any time of the day to catch up on some sleep they lose during the night.
Now this is the biggest mistake you can make. It ruins your body clock and will only worsen your insomnia. If you can't sleep one night, get up the usual time the next morning. You'll be sleeping soundly like a baby the next night.
2) Don't eat within 4 hours before you go to bed. If in case you went hungry, try some crackers or light snack. But don't indulge in an "eat-all-you-can" feast right before bedtime. Your food won't be digested well, resulting in poor and uncomfortable sleep.
3) Don't drink caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine can obstruct your ability to sleep.
Alcohol can make you drowsy, but it can wake you up in the middle of the night and bring you side effects that will hinder a continuous sleep process.
4) Relax and stay fit. Avoid having a stressful lifestyle. Exercise daily to release tension.
Engage in breathing exercises to relax your body. Most important of all, don't carry your problems or emotional baggage to sleep with you. Forget about it for the mean time. You can go back and solve your dilemma better the next day after a restful sleep.
5) Never force yourself to sleep.
Trying your best to sleep requires some work. You don't want to work when you want to doze off. Sleep comes best if you are in a relaxed and comfortable state. Just lie down, relax, and let the sleeping fairy cast its spell upon you.
Selasa, 08 Februari 2011
Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming is simply being aware that you are dreaming while you are in a dream. Learning how to do lucid dreaming intentionally is a personal growth tool. It may help you resolve personal problems because you’re able to consciously take an active role in your dreams. It can also be a lot of fun!
Lucid dreaming is a challenging art to master, but there are steps that can be taken to help you achieve the state.
As you go to sleep, use the suggestion: “As I am dreaming tonight, I will realize I am dreaming” (use your own words).
It’s important to do this as you are drifting off to sleep, but you can do it throughout the day as well. Sometimes as you are making this suggestion you may actually have a memory of a previous dream come to mind! Your attitude should be one of positive expectation, but gentle inviting rather than insisting or applying any type of pressure or anxiety.
Next, work on remembering your dreams after you wake up. By getting the mind used to remembering your dreams, you are creating a more deliberate connection of awareness between the conscious and unconscious mind. In fact, it’s possible that you may already be having lucid dreams, but you aren’t remembering them!
The final step is to attempt to stay in the twilight sleep state for as long as possible upon awakening. You will often have a dream just before you awake in the morning so if you can stay still and keep your eyes closed, you may be able to enter back into the dream, but with more conscious awareness – thus creating a type of lucid dream as you balance between the sleeping and waking states.
A common problem some people encounter with lucid dreaming is that they wake up as soon as they realize they’re dreaming. This is because the work of making conscious choices while sleeping causes the conscious mind is rise from its slumber, thus arousing the wakening state.
This can be overcome with practice, but there is a technique that can help. Before you go to sleep, plan on what you will do in your lucid dreams. This removes an element of conscious choice during your dreams, which may help you stay in the dream state.
Lucid dreaming is a challenging art to master, but there are steps that can be taken to help you achieve the state.
As you go to sleep, use the suggestion: “As I am dreaming tonight, I will realize I am dreaming” (use your own words).
It’s important to do this as you are drifting off to sleep, but you can do it throughout the day as well. Sometimes as you are making this suggestion you may actually have a memory of a previous dream come to mind! Your attitude should be one of positive expectation, but gentle inviting rather than insisting or applying any type of pressure or anxiety.
Next, work on remembering your dreams after you wake up. By getting the mind used to remembering your dreams, you are creating a more deliberate connection of awareness between the conscious and unconscious mind. In fact, it’s possible that you may already be having lucid dreams, but you aren’t remembering them!
The final step is to attempt to stay in the twilight sleep state for as long as possible upon awakening. You will often have a dream just before you awake in the morning so if you can stay still and keep your eyes closed, you may be able to enter back into the dream, but with more conscious awareness – thus creating a type of lucid dream as you balance between the sleeping and waking states.
A common problem some people encounter with lucid dreaming is that they wake up as soon as they realize they’re dreaming. This is because the work of making conscious choices while sleeping causes the conscious mind is rise from its slumber, thus arousing the wakening state.
This can be overcome with practice, but there is a technique that can help. Before you go to sleep, plan on what you will do in your lucid dreams. This removes an element of conscious choice during your dreams, which may help you stay in the dream state.
Senin, 07 Februari 2011
Future Plans or Dreams?
People tend to look in the future with perspective. That is, probably, a remarkable characteristics of human beings. Sure, very often future seems quite vague and uncertain, which makes people feel distressed and at a loss. For this reason we plan events and dream of achieving best results in what we plan.
So, what is the key difference between a future plan and a dream? A dream has some special taste or smell, whatever. It is very often our fantasy, our cherished desire, some crazy wish. We may know that we’ll never get what we dream about but still have and keep our dream for quite a long time. Moreover, some really funny things can turn into dreams for someone, like having a bath full of macaroni (as it was described in one movie), and a person will live the entire life with such a dream. Plans are considered to be much more down-to-earth. Nowadays planning is everywhere: when at job we have daily schedule, even household chores are planned. But of course there are more “global-like” or serious plans, like buying a house at the seaside in 10 years or so. The latter example can be attributed to both dreams and plans. Thus a dream can turn into a plan, if you have some strategy of achieving your aim. There is one more aspect: plans are not always what we really want to get; very often we have to plan unpleasant things for us. A school-boy plans to write his final essay by the deadline, but that’s not what he wants to do. Well, he wants to get a good result, but the whole process may be far from pleasant for him. However, the plan is with him. A new bike can be a dream for this boy, if his family is not rich or is against such presents. Still, this dream can soon transform into a plan. As we see, plans and dreams, despite some differences, are often inter-connected and inter-dependant. That is because they have one important thing in common: they are about future, which is indeed uncertain. Because of such uncertainty, dreams at times turn to be more realistic than plans. That’s life.
Since childhood we dream and plan. We want to open at least a small slot in the doors to the future; that is the sweetness of uncertainty, which may end with bitterness or a greater sweetness. Anyway, both planning and dreaming follow us in the course of our whole life, because they give us grounds, which is more, they provide us with a reason for living.
So, what is the key difference between a future plan and a dream? A dream has some special taste or smell, whatever. It is very often our fantasy, our cherished desire, some crazy wish. We may know that we’ll never get what we dream about but still have and keep our dream for quite a long time. Moreover, some really funny things can turn into dreams for someone, like having a bath full of macaroni (as it was described in one movie), and a person will live the entire life with such a dream. Plans are considered to be much more down-to-earth. Nowadays planning is everywhere: when at job we have daily schedule, even household chores are planned. But of course there are more “global-like” or serious plans, like buying a house at the seaside in 10 years or so. The latter example can be attributed to both dreams and plans. Thus a dream can turn into a plan, if you have some strategy of achieving your aim. There is one more aspect: plans are not always what we really want to get; very often we have to plan unpleasant things for us. A school-boy plans to write his final essay by the deadline, but that’s not what he wants to do. Well, he wants to get a good result, but the whole process may be far from pleasant for him. However, the plan is with him. A new bike can be a dream for this boy, if his family is not rich or is against such presents. Still, this dream can soon transform into a plan. As we see, plans and dreams, despite some differences, are often inter-connected and inter-dependant. That is because they have one important thing in common: they are about future, which is indeed uncertain. Because of such uncertainty, dreams at times turn to be more realistic than plans. That’s life.
Since childhood we dream and plan. We want to open at least a small slot in the doors to the future; that is the sweetness of uncertainty, which may end with bitterness or a greater sweetness. Anyway, both planning and dreaming follow us in the course of our whole life, because they give us grounds, which is more, they provide us with a reason for living.
Minggu, 06 Februari 2011
High IQ - So What?
Does a high IQ (intelligence quotient) mean better grades in school? Does it mean a better life? Is your IQ score even a valid measurement of your intelligence? Let's take a look at these questions one-by-one.
High IQ - Intelligence
There is almost certainly a correlation between a high IQ score and being more intelligent. These test are imperfect, though, and you can find examples of cultural biases on many IQ tests. Also, there are specific test-taking skills that have been proven to raise scores on many tests, including IQ tests.
The last point makes sense, doesn't it? When you know how to efficiently "work" a test, you are likely to score higher. For that matter, even a cup of coffee may boost your score. Even the fact that your score can vary from test to test shows there are factors which can be manipulated to raise your score. There may be a general correlation between IQ score and intelligence, but certainly it's an imperfect one.
High IQ - Better Life
What evidence is there that people with higher intelligence have better lives or are happier? None that I am aware of, and how do you scientifically measure "better life?" How about a negative correlation? Many with a high IQ have committed suicide, such as Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, and Sylvia Plath, but this is just anecdotal. Various studies have shown that people with a high IQ AND a low IQ are slightly more likely to commit suicide, but even if these studies prove true, this doesn't prove causation, only correlation.
High IQ - Academic Performance
A study reported in the journal 'Psychological Science' found that IQ level correlated with academic performance, but there was a much stronger correlation with self discipline. Students with high self-discipline have better grades than high-IQ students. They found no correlation between IQ and discipline, meaning they are traits that vary independently.
High IQ - What Does It Mean?
Intelligence is an important tool, but it is just one of the tools we have to shape our lives with. As are money or power or abilities, it is beneficial in the abstract, but it only becomes beneficial in reality if applied in ways that better our lives. Raw computing capacity doesn't make a computer or a human more effective if they don't have the other necessary components.
Consider what people of average intelligence, like Henry Ford, have accomplished, before you place too much emphasis on a high IQ.
High IQ - Intelligence
There is almost certainly a correlation between a high IQ score and being more intelligent. These test are imperfect, though, and you can find examples of cultural biases on many IQ tests. Also, there are specific test-taking skills that have been proven to raise scores on many tests, including IQ tests.
The last point makes sense, doesn't it? When you know how to efficiently "work" a test, you are likely to score higher. For that matter, even a cup of coffee may boost your score. Even the fact that your score can vary from test to test shows there are factors which can be manipulated to raise your score. There may be a general correlation between IQ score and intelligence, but certainly it's an imperfect one.
High IQ - Better Life
What evidence is there that people with higher intelligence have better lives or are happier? None that I am aware of, and how do you scientifically measure "better life?" How about a negative correlation? Many with a high IQ have committed suicide, such as Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, and Sylvia Plath, but this is just anecdotal. Various studies have shown that people with a high IQ AND a low IQ are slightly more likely to commit suicide, but even if these studies prove true, this doesn't prove causation, only correlation.
High IQ - Academic Performance
A study reported in the journal 'Psychological Science' found that IQ level correlated with academic performance, but there was a much stronger correlation with self discipline. Students with high self-discipline have better grades than high-IQ students. They found no correlation between IQ and discipline, meaning they are traits that vary independently.
High IQ - What Does It Mean?
Intelligence is an important tool, but it is just one of the tools we have to shape our lives with. As are money or power or abilities, it is beneficial in the abstract, but it only becomes beneficial in reality if applied in ways that better our lives. Raw computing capacity doesn't make a computer or a human more effective if they don't have the other necessary components.
Consider what people of average intelligence, like Henry Ford, have accomplished, before you place too much emphasis on a high IQ.
Sabtu, 05 Februari 2011
Tackle Your Fears And Anxieties One Step At A Time
Your fears, anxieties, and other problems have the best of you and you don’t know what to do. You try to manage your fears but are not able to do so. At this point, what you need to do is to be smart in how you manage your fears and anxieties.
The most important thing to remember is to manage your fears and anxieties one step at a time. Some people make the mistake of trying to get rid of all of their fears at the same time. When they do this, they are unsuccessful and the fears and anxieties continue bothering the person.
Try to find out what is causing all of your anxiety. If you have trouble, then use the services of a professional to find out what is the source of your fears.
Once you know the source of your anxieties, then try to break the source of your fear into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
For instance, let’s say that you have a fear of speaking in front of a large group of people. In order to get rid of this fear, get into the habit of speaking in front of 10 people. Once you feel comfortable, then try speaking in front of 20 people, then 30 people, and so forth. As you feel comfortable doing this, gradually increase the number of people you speak to. Breaking the overall goal into a series of steps will make it easier to get over your fear of speaking in front of a large group of people.
In addition, learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or coming month, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. Focus on the present and stop trying to predict what may happen next week. Next week will take care of itself.
As a Layman, I realize that our anxieties and stresses can sometimes get the best of us, however remember to tackle each fear one step a time. It might take some hard work and persistence, but eventually you will be successful in conquering your fears.
The most important thing to remember is to manage your fears and anxieties one step at a time. Some people make the mistake of trying to get rid of all of their fears at the same time. When they do this, they are unsuccessful and the fears and anxieties continue bothering the person.
Try to find out what is causing all of your anxiety. If you have trouble, then use the services of a professional to find out what is the source of your fears.
Once you know the source of your anxieties, then try to break the source of your fear into a series of smaller steps. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
For instance, let’s say that you have a fear of speaking in front of a large group of people. In order to get rid of this fear, get into the habit of speaking in front of 10 people. Once you feel comfortable, then try speaking in front of 20 people, then 30 people, and so forth. As you feel comfortable doing this, gradually increase the number of people you speak to. Breaking the overall goal into a series of steps will make it easier to get over your fear of speaking in front of a large group of people.
In addition, learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or coming month, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. Focus on the present and stop trying to predict what may happen next week. Next week will take care of itself.
As a Layman, I realize that our anxieties and stresses can sometimes get the best of us, however remember to tackle each fear one step a time. It might take some hard work and persistence, but eventually you will be successful in conquering your fears.
Jumat, 04 Februari 2011
The Power of Concentration
If you had the power of concentration whenever you wanted it, imagine how much more productive you could be. Good news! Not only can learn how to concentrate better, but you can do so right now.
Concentration Power Is Automatic
Start working on something, and concentration is automatic, until you are distracted. Usually these interruptions are your own thoughts, and they may come every few seconds. If there was nothing interfering, you would have easy and complete concentration. What you need is a method to remove the distractions, to control your wandering mind.
Here it is: Start paying attention to what is going on in your head. Maybe there's a phone call you need to make, that has been quietly bothering you, just below consciousness. You could be worried about an upcoming meeting, or a family matter. Start tuning into your mind today, and it will become easier by tomorrow.
Then, as you become aware of these stressors, do something with them to let them go for the moment. Make that phone call, or make a note about it, and your mind will usually let go of the concern for now. Do whatever you can quickly do to let these "mind irritation" go. Sometimes just telling yourself something like, "There is nothing I can do about this problem until Friday," will stop unconscious worrying.
Do this exercise a few times, and you'll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your power of concentration. Set these mind irritations aside, and you will think more clearly.
Why Concentration?
Another simple technique is to honestly ask why you want to concentrate. Concentration is difficult if you're bored. A cure for this is to stop and consider why it's important, if it is. Answer the question, and visualize the benefits clearly, and it will be easier to focus your mind.
Obvious Distractions
I have read that Stephen King writes with loud music on. What distracts each of us, or doesn't, is obviously personal and somewhat unique. Do something about whatever it is that takes your mind away from the task at hand. Turn off the TV, feed your empty stomach, or turn your desk away from the window.
When you take care of the external and the internal distractions, you'll be able to focus your attention and brain power like a spotlight. Watch a child building a sand castle sometime, and you'll see that the power of concentration really is natural.
Concentration Power Is Automatic
Start working on something, and concentration is automatic, until you are distracted. Usually these interruptions are your own thoughts, and they may come every few seconds. If there was nothing interfering, you would have easy and complete concentration. What you need is a method to remove the distractions, to control your wandering mind.
Here it is: Start paying attention to what is going on in your head. Maybe there's a phone call you need to make, that has been quietly bothering you, just below consciousness. You could be worried about an upcoming meeting, or a family matter. Start tuning into your mind today, and it will become easier by tomorrow.
Then, as you become aware of these stressors, do something with them to let them go for the moment. Make that phone call, or make a note about it, and your mind will usually let go of the concern for now. Do whatever you can quickly do to let these "mind irritation" go. Sometimes just telling yourself something like, "There is nothing I can do about this problem until Friday," will stop unconscious worrying.
Do this exercise a few times, and you'll find it becomes easier to recognise what is just below the surface, irritating you and sapping your power of concentration. Set these mind irritations aside, and you will think more clearly.
Why Concentration?
Another simple technique is to honestly ask why you want to concentrate. Concentration is difficult if you're bored. A cure for this is to stop and consider why it's important, if it is. Answer the question, and visualize the benefits clearly, and it will be easier to focus your mind.
Obvious Distractions
I have read that Stephen King writes with loud music on. What distracts each of us, or doesn't, is obviously personal and somewhat unique. Do something about whatever it is that takes your mind away from the task at hand. Turn off the TV, feed your empty stomach, or turn your desk away from the window.
When you take care of the external and the internal distractions, you'll be able to focus your attention and brain power like a spotlight. Watch a child building a sand castle sometime, and you'll see that the power of concentration really is natural.
Kamis, 03 Februari 2011
The Importance Of Letting Go
There once was a happy monkey. He wandered through the jungle, happy to be alive. He stopped to eat delicious fruit when he was hungry, and resting when he was tired.
One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest. He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood. They appeared beautiful, however, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
He held his new wooden apples proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He payed so much attention to them, that he didn't even notice his growing hunger.
A fruit tree reminded him. He squeezed the apples in his hands, and couldn't bear to let go of them in order to reach for the real fruit. In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but hungry and less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The wooden apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey began to think about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples, reached up for his meal, and was happy again.
Letting Go Of Wooden Apples
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can." He holds onto them compulsively.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully do we identify with our beliefs and self-ideas? Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
How else could the story end? The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples. I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we recieve.
One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest. He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood. They appeared beautiful, however, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
He held his new wooden apples proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He payed so much attention to them, that he didn't even notice his growing hunger.
A fruit tree reminded him. He squeezed the apples in his hands, and couldn't bear to let go of them in order to reach for the real fruit. In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but hungry and less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The wooden apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey began to think about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
Letting go seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples, reached up for his meal, and was happy again.
Letting Go Of Wooden Apples
Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can." He holds onto them compulsively.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully do we identify with our beliefs and self-ideas? Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
How else could the story end? The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples. I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we recieve.
Rabu, 02 Februari 2011
What Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder And How To Deal With It Now
Narcissistic personality disorder is a personality disorder that is shown by having a grandiose state of mind in young adults. The number of people with this disorder is highly disputed with some theories stating that it can be as high as one percent of the population. However, most experts agree that this is not the case and the actual statistics are much lower. Narcissistic personality disorder is also disputed as the cause. There are two basic theories. One being that the disorder is caused by early trauma causing developmental disorders. Another theory is that it is learned behavior that has no basis in a clinical cause.
If the origin of the disease is clinical in nature and caused by early developmental issues, the hope for treatment is not good. Because it is not a psychological issue and there are no known medical treatments for the disease, if it is a physical issue, there may not be anything or much that can be done to treat it. However, if the disease is psychological in nature, there is hope for treatment. The behavior can be relearned to something that is more socially acceptable. However, those who are in treatment for this disease show slow progress if any at all.
The reason for this is narcissists by their nature have an inflated view of themselves. Therefore they rarely think there is a problem. Even if they are in treatment, studies show it takes years to make any significant progress. Health insurance companies have varying policies on coverage for this disorder but for the length of time treatment is needed in order to be successful, there will likely need to be a significant out of pocket expense. Narcissistic personality disorder will cause problems at home and in a career. A narcissist will not be able to sustain a healthy relationship for very long and will also have significant problems in productive activities like work or school. They will believe they have a grand life with lots of friends and an unending opportunity for wealth or fame. They will react offensively when the reality of a situation intrudes and have a tendency to blame others for anything negative that may happen in their lives.
If the origin of the disease is clinical in nature and caused by early developmental issues, the hope for treatment is not good. Because it is not a psychological issue and there are no known medical treatments for the disease, if it is a physical issue, there may not be anything or much that can be done to treat it. However, if the disease is psychological in nature, there is hope for treatment. The behavior can be relearned to something that is more socially acceptable. However, those who are in treatment for this disease show slow progress if any at all.
The reason for this is narcissists by their nature have an inflated view of themselves. Therefore they rarely think there is a problem. Even if they are in treatment, studies show it takes years to make any significant progress. Health insurance companies have varying policies on coverage for this disorder but for the length of time treatment is needed in order to be successful, there will likely need to be a significant out of pocket expense. Narcissistic personality disorder will cause problems at home and in a career. A narcissist will not be able to sustain a healthy relationship for very long and will also have significant problems in productive activities like work or school. They will believe they have a grand life with lots of friends and an unending opportunity for wealth or fame. They will react offensively when the reality of a situation intrudes and have a tendency to blame others for anything negative that may happen in their lives.
Selasa, 01 Februari 2011
Soluble New Years Resolutions
As Big Ben chimes at midnight on 31st December we toast in the New Year and make all those decisions about what we want for the next year, and talk about all the great things we will achieve. Then what? By the end of January or possibly, if we are lucky, February our resolve has ‘dissolved’ and life carries on as normal until the next time Big Ben chimes out a new year.
Does this sound familiar? If so you are one of the millions of people who make (and subsequently break!) their New Years resolutions year after year.
So why do we do it? What makes January the first such a special time to make a change to our lives and why is it then so difficult to maintain that change?
The answer to this may never be fully known and understood but in my experience there are a number of key reasons that apply to some, if not all, of the broken resolutions.
- We are not at our most sober or ‘clear thinking’ when we make the commitment.
- Everyone breaks New Years Resolutions so why shouldn’t we?
- January is wet, miserable and cold (or hot and sunny depending on where you live) and the weather affects our mood and desire to achieve.
- The friends we tell our resolutions to on NYE either can’t remember or are too busy breaking their own to be motivational
So how can we make changes that are lasting in our lives? These are a few of the positive steps that we can all take to help us make lasting changes in our lives.
- Chose a day and time in the very near future and make that your ‘change my life plan’ day – don’t wait for New Year.
- Tell as many people as you can about your plan and tell them you want to stick to it. It is much easier keeping a commitment you have made to others than just to yourself.
- Set your goal or plan in achievable, measurable steps – try and change the world in a day and you are destined to fail!
- Choose a looking forward plan where you focus on what you want to achieve, not what you want to avoid.
So as we head towards, or away from the New Year lets just enjoy the celebrations and make today the day to make lasting change.
Does this sound familiar? If so you are one of the millions of people who make (and subsequently break!) their New Years resolutions year after year.
So why do we do it? What makes January the first such a special time to make a change to our lives and why is it then so difficult to maintain that change?
The answer to this may never be fully known and understood but in my experience there are a number of key reasons that apply to some, if not all, of the broken resolutions.
- We are not at our most sober or ‘clear thinking’ when we make the commitment.
- Everyone breaks New Years Resolutions so why shouldn’t we?
- January is wet, miserable and cold (or hot and sunny depending on where you live) and the weather affects our mood and desire to achieve.
- The friends we tell our resolutions to on NYE either can’t remember or are too busy breaking their own to be motivational
So how can we make changes that are lasting in our lives? These are a few of the positive steps that we can all take to help us make lasting changes in our lives.
- Chose a day and time in the very near future and make that your ‘change my life plan’ day – don’t wait for New Year.
- Tell as many people as you can about your plan and tell them you want to stick to it. It is much easier keeping a commitment you have made to others than just to yourself.
- Set your goal or plan in achievable, measurable steps – try and change the world in a day and you are destined to fail!
- Choose a looking forward plan where you focus on what you want to achieve, not what you want to avoid.
So as we head towards, or away from the New Year lets just enjoy the celebrations and make today the day to make lasting change.
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