5 Simple Ways To Stay Motivated

• Motivation

by Laura Morrissey - 

Image Credit | jezeble

Everybody can recognize motivation when somebody truly has it. All the signs are there: passion, work ethic, never truly switching off.  

But how can motivation be developed and retained?

Passion and belief in your work is only the first step. Obstacles can diminish the confidence and motivation of even the most passionate of individuals.

Motivation is a roller coaster ride to say the least. Some factors to improve motivation are external to you.

If you really want to make something work in your business and professional life, it is important that you have a good social network of support, whether his is one special person, a partner or family member, or a group of good friends that can be on hand to offer great advice.

Social support is a significant factor when you want to reach a goal.

Not everybody has the right kind of support network around them to thrive in their ideas. If need be seek additional advice from a life coach or join a group to meet like-minded professionals in order to get mental stimulation of the best kind.

Physical Environment counts too. A bright airy office or room with little distractions can aid focus. Useinnovation and design your ideal workspace, even if it is just an office or even a desk at home.

Once these external factors have been implemented, it is time to look within.

We aren’t talking about intense meditation activities. Just simple ways of thinking that act as motivational kick-starters.

1. Turn negatives into positives

That set back? It’s just an opportunity to do things differently. Any problems that occur, you can use these not only to grow as a person, but also to grow your business idea or take it in a different direction.

If viewed negatively, all your energy will be wasted on negative thoughts. Think optimistically and take it as an opportunity to further your craft or idea so it is even better.

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” – Wayne Dyer

2. Be fearless

This means no dwelling on decisions. Jump right in there.

Set a standard decision making process for yourself; if it means you can’t fulfill your talents, it’s a no.

Anything else is an opportunity you should commit to chasing.

3. No more complaining

Let’s be honest. We all love a good rant, vocally or internally. This again is a time waster.

Instead use the fuel from your complaint, to brainstorm a new idea for improvement.

If you are complaining about something you can’t change; drag your thoughts elsewhere, there is always something to improve upon.

Talent management means looking for new opportunities to channel your talent and ideas into.

 

4. Be grateful

A grateful person is usually a happy person. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t compare your ideas to someone else’s ideas.

Instead be grateful for your talents, your friends and family, your perseverance and that you have beeninspired to even get this far.

This will create more motivation and additionally make you a pleasant person to be around.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing–that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

5. Be kind to yourself

Positive motivation comes from rewarding yourself. Take an evening off, do what you enjoyed before or spend quality time with your loved ones.

Reward yourself, even for little things. It’s all indicative of just how far you have come.

Motivation comes from within, but there is not a one size fits all model so you need to broaden your horizons or ideas.

It is relative to your surroundings and goals. Obstacles are bound to happen. These are not reflective of you, nor do they define you. See each obstacle as a new opportunity and jump right in.

Use all of these ideas to manage a change in your talents as well as emotional intelligence development.

http://addicted2success.com/motivation/5-simple-ways-to-stay-motivated/

10 Motivation Tips that Yield Big Results

It can be really hard to stay focused sometimes and stay motivated. It sucks when you want to finish something, but you can’t seem to find the motivation to get it done.

I guess, you can say that is why I created this post: it is going to share with you 10 ways you can stay motivated and push through the hard times.

1. Give Yourself a Reward
Hard work is excellent, but you will run out of energy. That is why I find it crucial to give yourself rewards in order to be successful.

All work and no play makes for a dull day. (ha, that rhymed) Go and give yourself a day off and relax, or maybe go get dinner at that amazing restaurant you have been wanting to go to.

Or just give yourself a day at the spa.  Either way, pick something you can reward yourself with, and then do it.

2. Spend Time with Friends and Family
If you are constantly working and you feel demotivated to do anything, it might be because you haven’t seen your family or friends in awhile.

I know for me and many others that just being around friends and having a good time, can really give you a much needed break and help you have a little fun on top of all of that work.

3. Try Something New
Ever felt like you are doing the same thing, just on a different day? I have. It sucks, because life is about being spontaneous and trying new things out.

Sometimes often more than not we get caught up in the routine of life. That is why I find it vital to try something new in order to revive your motivation.

It could be going on a new hiking trail, going scuba diving, maybe taking a cooking class that you have been wanting to take: moral of the story? Try something new!

4. Get Excited
How cliche. But I think most people don’t realize that maybe you have to try and be excited about a goal in order to get out of your slump. Sometimes it takes a little inspiration to get excited (which you can read at #5) but it’s not impossible and you would be surprised at how much motivation you will have if you are excited about your goals.

I find that when I talk to others about my goals and read more success stories that I tend to be more excited about the goal.

Think about it, if more people know about what you are doing, and you accomplish that goal, then you have more people to share your success with.

5. Find Inspiration
For me, inspiration comes in many forms. For instance, I get inspired by reading other people’s success stories, but I also find inspiration when I read a new book.

Success stories show you that it isn’t impossible to be a success, and books can open the door to imagination and allow you to be creative.

Here are a few things that might just inspire you…

1. A family member (my grandma always inspired me to be a better person and to strive for excellence)
2. Charity or volunteering (I recently went to a food harvesting charity where my group and I were able to package up 10,000 pounds of food to send out to family who are in need, this inspired me to give back to my community and to others who are in need)
3. Teachers (I feel bad for some of my teachers who helped me, but they inspired me to get more out of life)
4. Superman or other super heroes (I know it may sound silly, but sometimes when you look towards others who can do anything it might just inspire you to get off your rump and get things done)

6. Stick with It
I know how it feels to be tired and drained and not want to do something. But I find that my motivation peaks when I push through the hard times because I have proven to myself that I can do it.

Commit to yourself that you will work on accomplishing your goal(s) every day. Speaking of commitment…

7. Commit Publicly
You will have a much more harder time dropping a goal if you commit to it publicly. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to have a giant speaking event to commit to your goal, but it could be as easy as putting it on Facebook, or sharing it with family and friends.

Trust me, none of us like to look bad in front of others. This method will keep you accountable and will hopefully motivate you to stick with your goal because you don’t want to fail in front of others.

8. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
Everybody’s motivation will drop, but it’s not a matter of when, rather it’s a matter of allowing yourself to ask for help so that you can refuel your motivation.

It can be as easy as emailing someone who will listen and inspire you (you can even email me if you want!), or joining an online forum, or posting to Facebook asking for guidance.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, just do it.

9. Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Thoughts
Negativity doesn’t help anyone. However optimism can help. It is important to take note of your daily thoughts and how you think of yourself and your ability to accomplish a goal.

If you are consistently saying that you are dumb or that you aren’t smart enough, then you are only fooling yourself and holding yourself back.

Instead of saying “I’m dumb,” just say “if this dumbie Kevin can do it, then I can too!” It may seem silly at first, but it will work.

10. Write a Thank You Note to Someone
I love writing thank you notes to others because it makes me feel happier, and typically if you are feeling happier then you will have more energy to be motivated.

Listen, sending a thank you note doesn’t have to be a huge letter or long drawn out story. It could be something like this…

“Dear (insert name),

I wanted to say thank you for helping me with (whatever it is they helped you with), it inspired me or helped me become a better person (writer, singer, etc.) and I appreciate you for that.

You are amazing and thank you so, very much.

Sincerely,

(Your name)”

and boom! You now have a thank you note that you can send out to someone who has helped you out.

Trust me, it can do wonders for boosting your motivation.

http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/10-motivation-tips-yield-big-results/

The 4 Psychological Triggers That Catalyze Change

By Matt Jager

“Things do not change; we change.” ~Henry David Thoreau

The world knows no joy like an evangelist with an opening. My eyes lit up as I jumped into my sermon on the incredible power of lifestyle change.

The year previous I had decided it was time to take charge of my health, and I had made some big changes.

I transitioned to a whole food diet, put plants at the center of my plate, started meditating regularly, and began attending yoga classes multiple times a week.

I was absolutely astounded at how the synergy of these three lifestyle changes completely transformed my quality of life.

So when my friends began asking me to what I owed my newfound glow, I couldn’t wait to endow them with the key to lasting health, effortless weight loss, and inner peace.

And so my lecture would begin. “It’s so simple! Just change your diet, start exercising, oh and don’t forget to meditate every day!”

Can you guess how many people I converted? Not a one. My regretful interlocutor would begin to nervously shift their weight, looking for any opportunity to end the conversation.

Finally, the realization made its way through my thick skull that everyone already knew that they should be eating right and exercising.

The last thing they wanted was to listen to someone else preach the values of diet, meditation, and exercise—what they already knew that they should be doing.

So I finally learned that knowledge isn’t enough to trigger a lifestyle change.

Despite knowing full well the value of yoga, meditation, and eating veggies, few people are able to make and sustain such changes, especially with career obligations, social engagements, and the other demands of modern life.

So I was left with a conundrum. What was it that had allowed me to make these changes? What was I missing in helping others to realize the same health benefits and increased quality of life?

I became obsessed with answering these questions, and thus a quest was born. A few months later I packed up my life and moved to Arizona to work for a holistic healing center.

I spent the next four years at the Tree of Life center in Patagonia, Arizona, where individuals are taught yoga, meditation, and a plant-based diet as a healing modality. I supported hundreds of people as they adopted the same lifestyle changes that I underwent, and the results have been powerful.

But what I was most interested in exploring was not the effects of diet, yoga, and meditation, but rather understanding what allows individuals to make and sustain these changes in their lives.

Why were some able to take these holistic health practices back into their busy everyday lives when they left the center? Why were some successful when others continued to struggle?

I devoured every book on the science of behavior change that I could get my hands on, and had the incredible opportunity of applying the principles in a real life setting.

The takeaway? Behavior change itself is a skill, and there are certain psychological triggers that we can employ to kickstart the process. Anyone can learn these triggers and cultivate the ability to make healthy changes that are sustainable and lasting.

Here are the four best ways to catalyze change:

1. Start small and celebrate success.

Healthy habits are the bedrock of lasting and sustainable health. Why? Because once established, they no longer require willpower to maintain.

But what is the best way to create a habit?

Stanford psychologist BJ Fogg has pioneered an extremely effective behavior change method that he calls Tiny Habits.

The premise? Start small and celebrate your successes.

Want to cook more plant-based meals? Start with putting a recipe book out on the counter on Sundays.

Want to start meditating? Start with just three breaths every time you sit down at the computer.

These tiny actions may seem insignificant, but by starting small we remove the biggest barrier to change—simply getting started.

Engineering (and celebrating) early success is key in reinforcing the creation of new habits and also motivates us to make bigger changes in the future.

Tiny habits transform into big habits, which cascade into big life changes.

2. Understand the motivation myth.

The key to changing behavior is motivation, right? We need to be motivated to cook healthy food, to go to the gym, to wake up early and study.

Not exactly.

Motivation naturally waxes and wanes, and psychologists have found that trying to change how motivated you are at any given moment is hard. Really hard.

The better bet is to use times of high motivation strategically.

Everyone has periods of peak productivity, and the best way to leverage these times of high motivation is to do something that helps structure future behavior.

Next time you find yourself having a super productive day, use that motivation to sign up for a weekly yoga class, invite an interested friend over to explore healthy cooking every Sunday, or plan a plant-based potluck.

These are all examples of setting up future events that will help keep you on track. Using your existing motivation to create accountability and social support increases follow through.

3. Get laser focused on one big win.

The archnemesis of healthy change is a pernicious little devil called overwhelm.

Take getting healthy for example: There are thousands of different dietary theories, conflicting health information, and more exercise programs than I can count.

Should you be fasting one day a week? Eating a low-carb or low-fat diet? Doing yoga? Jumpstarting yourself with a cleanse? Doing three hours of cardio weekly? Eating plant-based meals? Weight training?

The options are endless and analysis paralysis can easily set in.

Focusing on one big win is about identifying what is going to give you the greatest result for the least amount of effort.

For weight loss, a great “big win” is to focus on meals that are low in caloric density, i.e. plant-powered dishes which include a wide range of veggies, beans, grains, and greens.

You can eat as much of these nourishing, delicious, hearty foods as you like and make sustainable progress toward your goal weight.

Whatever your goal, find what gives you the biggest bang for your buck and ruthlessly cut back everything else.

Simplicity empowers change.

4. Learn one thing at a time.

In their book Switch: How To Change Things When Change Is Hard, authors Chip and Dan Heath share some surprising truths about change.

For me, the most interesting revelation is as follows: What looks like resistance is actually a lack of clarity.

When taking up healthy habits, there is almost always a learning curve.

We might go the gym, but we don’t really know how to work out.

We want to cook healthier meals, but the recipe is full of exotic ingredients we’ve never heard of before.

And we most often resist making these changes not because we are unmotivated, but because we don’t see a clear path forward. We don’t know the exact steps to take to begin eating better, exercising, or sitting down to meditate.

The best way to reduce the resistance and get started? Break down the task in front of you into baby steps and learn one thing at a time.

If you are interested in cooking healthier meals, first learn how to shop. Add a new-to-you ingredient to your list every time you go to the store.

Once shopping is a breeze, then devote time to learning to cook up a few quick, easy, and delectable healthy recipes.

Breaking down the learning curve into easy, manageable steps is one of the best ways to catalyze change.

The most important takeaway here is the understanding that behavior change is a skill that can be learned and cultivated.

There is no secret source of motivation, willpower, or discipline that some have and others don’t. Apply these psychological triggers and you’ll be well on your way to creating healthy habits that are sustainable and lasting.

- See more at: http://tinybuddha.com/blog/the-4-psychological-triggers-that-catalyze-change/#sthash.YRpPadXm.dpuf

12 Lies You Keep Telling Yourself And Must Stop Now

12 Lies You Keep Telling Yourself And Must Stop Nowo

Do you know your lies can become your truth? Yes, they can, if you repeat them long enough and believe them hard enough.

When you allow your dreams to die, your life becomes meaningless, unfulfilling and sad. You are robbed of your joy, your happiness, your gifts and your purpose for being here. Many people live and die and never fulfilled their purpose because they believe the lies others told them.

There are so many people with untapped potential and ingenious ideas who will never realize they do because they were lied to and have accepted those lies as the truth.

That’s what happens when you have been told over and over again that you couldn’t accomplish your goals and aspirations.

Once you believe those lies, they will become self-fulfilling prophesies. They then become your truth.

You accept them as the way things are going to be.
Have you ever stop to consider why you are the way you are or why you do the things you do? Many times the lie you were told as a child have taken root and your truth are all lies.

Most of us were lied to as children by adults who told us that we wouldn’t amount to anything. Then, you had no control over how you felt about yourself but as an adult you can change the way you see yourself.
Today is the day to correct all the lies you’ve unconsciously accepted as true and live in your truth. Begin the healing process; start living and thriving to be all you can be. It is all up to you now.
You have to disown all the false assumptions about who you are and what you can or cannot do. These are the lies planted in your head, and you have held on to and made your truth. You now have the power to undo all that you were told, and you need to do so now.
Below are just some of the lies you were told that you now need to think of as lies and to believe otherwise:-

1. They can do that, but you can’t
Think about it seriously, we all have been there and done it. We see successful people and many times said to ourselves they can but not us. Why not you? What separates them from you, but you believe that indeed you can’t. That is a lie, and you need to know it. You need to turn that lie around and say to yourself today – if they can do it ……so can I.

2. In order to do B, I must do A first
How many times we have had dreams of accomplishing something, and we kill those dreams because we’ve been told that in order to do it, we must accomplish something else first. That is another lie you need to dispel. You want to do B, find a way to do B without accomplishing A or work on both at the same time. Chart your path. That’s a lie you have been telling yourself for so long, and you must now stop believing.

3. I do not feel up to it
That is another lie your mind has been telling you for years. You do not allow your feelings to dictate what you can or cannot do. You are in control of how you feel, and if your temporary mood is telling you not to, you need to change that. You are more powerful than your emotions. You control how you feel and when you feel something. You have the power to get yourself into the mood to complete that task.

4. I am too old/broke/young to change
Your financial state or age should never be the reason not to go after your dreams. Never let your age or financial situation keep you from going after what you want. Look around you, there are people of all ages, financial status going out and doing great things. You need to quit believing those lies and go full force after what you want. It is never too late.

5. It is easier said than done
Indeed, it is easier said than done because if it were easy everybody would have done it. That is something you have to understand. Nothing in life worth having is going to come easy. You need to say to yourself that if I want it I must be prepared to work harder than everyone else. You must want it badly enough to do whatever it takes to get it.

6. I am unlucky
That is an excuse we all use for doing the crazy things we sometimes do. There is no such thing as being lucky. Luck is opportunity meeting preparation. You must be prepared to make your luck. You must work hard and be prepared for opportunities when they arise. Sitting back and waiting for things to happen won’t do. Forge your path in life.

7. Life is unfair
Why would you think such a thing? Nobody has been given a guide on life. How do you know what is or isn’t fair? It is life. You need to be able to see things as normal course of life and not that it is working against you. Who defines what is fair and what isn’t? Everybody has challenges, and that includes you. You are no different from anyone else. You need to get used to the fact that things will happen that you do not like, but that is how life is and work with it.

8. Someone else has done it already
Yes, someone else may have invented something or done something that you thought you would be the first to do. That is alright. Why not improve what has already been done? Find new ways to improve people’s lives with the things that are already done. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, but you can find other uses for the wheel or ways to make it better.

9. I am not smart enough
Some of the most creative, intelligent people were written off by others yet they believed in themselves and their ideas and went out and made things happen. You cannot afford to allow others opinions of you to determine what your life will be. All that matters is how you see yourself and what you want to achieve. No one has to believe in your dream but you. Prove them all wrong.
10. Someone told you, you couldn’t
People will always find reasons why you shouldn’t or can’t do something. Many times, unfortunately, that is the way they think about themselves. They use their self-imposed limitations to judge you. Remember your dreams are yours, and it’s no one’s job to see it through but you. You have to want it badly enough to do what it takes to see it through to fruition.

11. I do not deserve better
Unfortunately, too many of us have bought into the lies that we do not deserve happiness. We have adjusted ourselves to accept mediocrity. We do not believe we deserve love because we weren’t loved growing up or worst since our parents were poor that is all we will be. That is one of the biggest lies ever told. You must believe that you are deserving of the best life has to offer and then make the effort to achieve it. You must constantly tell yourself that you deserve everything good and splendid.

12. I am not good enough
If you believe you aren’t good enough then you will never be good enough. You have to remind yourself that the information that was fed to you before were lies. Now you know better you must accept the fact those were lies and that the truth is you are indeed good enough. You have to tell yourself that if anyone is good enough it’s you. You have to start seeing yourself differently. You must first accept that you are different.

We all have been lied to at some point or another in our lives, but as adults we now need to change our thought pattern and make sure that those lies do not become fulfilling prophesies.
You need to believe the opposite of all the lies you have been told. Keep reminding yourself that you can do all things if you put your mind to it and want it badly enough.

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2015/05/12-lies-keep-telling-must-stop-now.html

Shake off Your Jitters (Pt 2 of 2)

Last week I discussed what the No. 1 fear is for most people, public speaking.
In part 2 of our series, I am going to give you my 3 tips for conquering this fear so you can start rocking the stage.

Mark Twain, who made most of his income from speaking, not writing, said,
“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.”
Let me help you with that nervousness.

I do a lot of keynote presentations. My first company at 18 years old required me to speak publicly many times a week, and I have done it thousands of times since. Most of the businesses I have built compelled me to champion the cause of the business through large group presentations. I am often asked for tips on preparing, packaging and deliveringpresentations, so let me pass forward a few of the tips that have worked for me when it comes to overcoming jitters:

First off, you have to come to terms with this:

Who Cares? (Certainly not the audience).

Someone once told me that the reason why there is NO reason to be nervous is because people care far less than you think. Think about the last time you were in row 30 of an auditorium, in the corner of a boardroom or in the back of some dreary classroom trying desperately not to daydream or fall asleep. You think they are hanging and judging you on your every word, when in reality their greatest hope is that you are close to ending.

Remember this: They’re not judging you as much as you think, because they don’t care as much as you think. I think knowing this helps enormously (whew, feel better already?)

In the super unlikely event that some disaster does happen, something explodes or you trip and fall, at least you know you will have more attention from the audience than in the 30 seconds before. Now you can use that attention to do something good.

Certainly, whatever you say next will be remembered. If nothing else, your tragedy will give the audience something fun and funny to share. The laughter from that story will do more good for the world than most anything your presentation might have done anyway.

Meaning again, look, it’s not a big deal really. The only one making it so is you.
It’s all self-imposed fear conjuring.
Repeat that mantra in your head: no one really cares.

Number two:
Who Do You Think You Are, Anyway?

Here’s another tip someone shared with me about being nervous before speaking:
If you are nervous that means you are being an egotist—making yourself way too important. Instead, you should be making this about the audience. Stop thinking about yourself, your performance and how you will look, and think only about your audience.

Think about them, their problems, fears, hopes, dreams and ambitions.
You are there only to serve them.
The spotlight should be on them, not you.

When you take the spotlight off yourself and make what you are there for about them, not only does your nervousness go away, but you also empathize and connect with your audience better.

Finally number three, and I learned this from John Maxwell when I asked him how he prepares for his keynote presentations. Maxwell says an hour before his presentation, he stops looking at and studying his material and only thinks about his audience.

He envisions them sitting in the audience. He tries to see the stage from their vantage point, what they must be thinking, feeling, hoping for, wanting and not wanting. In other words, he tries to get into their head and heart instead of staying stuck in his head. Ultimately connecting with the audience happens only when you enter the conversation they are already having in their head and once you connect with the desires they already have in their heart.

http://darrenhardy.success.com/2015/04/shake-off-jitters-2/#article

12 Daily Habits: The Art of Creating a Brand-New You

12 Mar 2015

Vishnu

by

A few years ago, I wasn’t the person I wanted to be…

I was prioritizing the wrong things, focused on accomplishments and not growing as a person. I began my own path of personal development that would help me become the person I was capable of being.

And what have I received in the last couple of years?

More fulfilling work and closer relationships, but more than anything else, a better relationship with myself. I’m becoming internally the person I want to be so that I can create positive change in my life and achieve my dreams.

This has taken quite a bit of work.

I’ve taken on daily personal development habits that have helped me become an entirely new person.  These daily habits have been game-changers for me.

Not only have I experienced profound inner growth and peace, I’ve started seeing dramatic improvements in all areas of my life.

These habits will do the same for you.

Here are 12 daily habits that will help you become the person you want to be.

1. The Art of Silence

For much of our days, we focus on the external. When we’re not speaking to someone or working on something, we are stuck perpetually on our smart (dumb) phones, checking in with other people, browsing Facebook and loving our neighbor’s Instagram updates.

To focus on yourself, you have to put all this aside for at least a few minutes a day.

To create daily quiet time, commit to practicing silence for a few minutes. If you can’t keep quiet and refrain from doing anything for a few minutes, try other practices, like meditation or prayer.

You can also take a walk – even better, a walk in nature to help you disengage from the outside world. Whatever you do, don’t take your cell phone with you. You’ll live without your iPhone!

2. The Art of Exercise

Exercise can be a life-changing personal development habit.

I remember Scott Dinsmore writing about the powerful habit of being fit a couple of years back. He mentioned that staying fit was the habit of Richard Branson and so many other top performers in the world, from the President of the United States (Barack Obama) to the world’s top bloggers (Chris Guillebau and Leo Babauta). 

If exercise was having such an impact on all of them, there must be something to it. As Scott pointed out, “The people who do well have pointed out that the more they respect their body, the more it will do for them.”

The secret to daily exercise is to pick something you enjoy doing, something that you will create time for and that you can start in small increments.

It doesn’t have to be something like training for a marathon or becoming a yoga instructor. Do whatever you can, even if only for a few minutes a day. Walk, swim, jump rope, go for a jog – anything that brings physical movement to your life.

3. The Art Of Seeing The Future

Alright, you don’t have to become a psychic.

You can practice living in the future by assuming that what you want is already here.

Yes, visualization.

When you set goals or have dreams, you must intend to achieve them and actively work on them. However, it’s also helpful if you can see your future in your mind.

Not just see it, but feel as though it has already happened. If your goal is to be a world-famous chef, start picturing yourself as a world-famous chef. Visit fancy kitchens, hob-knob with local chefs and spend hours in the kitchen honing your skills. Imagine yourself on television, stir-frying in world-famous hotels and giving autographs during your cook-book signings.

It’s not at all extreme to sit down in a bookstore and sign some books to give to your fans. (Of course, first purchase the books and try to be discreet so security doesn’t kick you out.)

See it in your mind. Feel it. Act it out. Make your dream a present reality.

4. The Art Of Affirmations

Underneath your mind is your subconscious mind, which you can’t see, touch or talk to.

It stays there, silently making its own decisions, developing its own beliefs and living its own life in a tropical paradise known as the inner self.

Your subconscious friend has a mind of her own. While you may think you’re in charge, you’re really not. She’s in charge.

And how do you influence this inner subconscious person who resides within?

Affirmations.

No matter what anyone says and how silly it may seem, affirmations work.

When you repeat these inner self-help mantras, you are conditioning your subconscious mind. While your subconscious wants you to believe you’re a hopeless person without confidence and that you deserve a life of poverty, you can counter those inner thoughts with affirmations.

Here is an example of 35 affirmations you can use on the daily. One habit I’ve found effective is to write a couple of affirmations in places where you spend a good portion of your day. Doing this, you’ll receive continual reminders to repeat these affirmations.

5. The Art Of Blessings (Counting Them)

When you think about how good things are in your life, you can’t help but feel more positive, more inspired and more motivated.

But what if you think nothing is going well and you’re in complete despair?

Here’s the trick and it’s one you must try out in your life – counting your blessings.

I try to write 10 things I’m grateful for each day. Sometimes this list goes on toward the upward count of 30 to 40 things that I’m grateful for.

Incorporate a gratitude practice and see how your life changes. It just takes a couple minutes a day to consciously note everything that is going well for you and all the people who are being good to you.

And here’s another secret – the more you appreciate the good things that come your way, the more good things will come your way.

6. The Art Of Giving

Last year, on a daily basis, I tried to do something for someone that would improve his or her life.

It can be the smallest thing in the world that has the biggest impact – a compliment, a smile, leaving the door open or almost any little thing that brightens someone’s day.

If you’re in the service profession, take it one step further by going out of your way to help your customers a bit more. Take a little more interest in them. Show a little more compassion toward their problems or concerns.

By practicing the art of giving every day, you develop the habit of caring about others.

Other ways to give include volunteerism, service days, donations of money or time and more. Become a giving machine.

7. The Art Of Insight

You don’t need a therapist couch to learn more about yourself and gain additional insight into your life.

Sure, you can work with a life coach or talk with a friend to help you get mental and emotional clarity.

Or you can do it on your own. How?

Write.

And no, you don’t have to write for the masses in a blog.

Instead of publicly blogging, you can journal your thoughts, problems and life dilemmas. Ask yourself the questions you’re confused about and watch the answers magically appear in your writing.

You have the answers to your life.

8. The Art Of Growing Your Mind

Engage in a practice every day that grows your mind and your knowledge base.

Get inspired by reading, listening to audio-books, watching Ted talks or taking in other inspirational content.

By listening and watching motivational content, you can’t help but improve.

Don’t become a serial inspiration junkie, though. Don’t just soak in content and live your life the way you were living it previously.

What is the one thing you can take away from the book you read or the video you watched? Write it down and apply it to your life.

9. The Art Of Presence

It’s hard in today’s world to focus on the task at hand, but turn every situation into a game in which you’re focused only on the task in front of you.

It’s especially distracting to work online while checking Facebook and Instagram every two minutes.

One way I’ve found to stay focused is to have a piece of paper next to me. Every time I feel like I want to stop focusing on the task at hand, I write down a hash mark. I keep track of the number I’m creating. Being aware of how often I get distracted helps me stay focused on what’s in front of me.

Commit to focusing on one task at a time and especially on the task in front of you. You can’t do more when you multitask. You do more when you’re fully present with what you’re working on right now. 

10. The Art Of Priorities

You can do this every day or the night before for less than five minutes a day.

Just five minutes of planning can drastically alter your life and your day.

In the earlier part of the day, determine what your day will look like. Do a little planning.

Note all your “must-do” activities and your “should-do” tasks. Determine which are important and which can wait.

Plan and prioritize your day for a few minutes every day and watch your life and career transform.

11. The Art Of Dining

Whoever said there was an art to dining?

You just stuff down as much junk food as you can or food that makes you feel good without a second thought.

Hogwash.

The way to design the most productive and effective you is to be mindful of your food.

You can change your health, emotional well-being and mental well-being by changing your diet.

And the most efficient diet for your well-being is a plant-based diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
Also, reduce sweets, snacks and sugar. Cut down on fat, GMO food and processed food.

Consider eating less fried food and cutting down on high-calorie desserts. Less sugar-filled, high-calorie drinks and more water.

Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

12. The Art Of Down Time

Instead of planning every single minute of the day, schedule time off.

You don’t have to be busy and occupied every hour.

You need time to refocus, get re-energized, rest and relax. You need time for affirmations, visualization, relaxation and exercise.

Use your down time to complete the activities mentioned in this post.

Don’t wait until you have time to relax before you take time off. Downtime won’t just appear; you have to schedule it.

Develop healthy living and eating habits that put you in a state in which you’re ready to create a new life for yourself.

It’s the small consistent steps to improve your health and well-being that will help you achieve success.

Your greatest life begins with the small actions you take today.

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