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Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts

Friday, 16 March 2018

How To Keep Your Heart In The Driver's Seat Without Letting Your Mind Hijack You

March 16, 2018 0

Develop A Strong Relationship With Your Heart

"What must I do to attain holiness?" said a traveller.
"Follow your heart," said the Master.
That seemed to please the traveller.
Before he left, however, the Master said to him in a whisper: "To follow your heart you are going to need a strong constitution."
The strong constitution Anthony de Mello speaks of is knowing the language of your heart and abiding by its wisdom.
The mind is notorious for leading us astray due to a simple reason: We believe and act out our thoughts. And we're not to blame, because the voices in our head are real.
However, thoughts are fleeting electrical impulses, while the heart's wisdom is true and constant. It is the silent whisper of the soul that speaks without drowning out your thoughts.
"Thoughts are not necessarily facts. Most of the time they're not even close," writes Donald Altman in Clearing Emotional Clutter: Mindfulness Practices for Letting Go of What's Blocking Your Fulfilment.
Many people are unable to make sense of The Language Of The Heart, let alone know it exists. But intuition is real and we're only now beginning to realise how powerful it is when utilised properly.
Whilst I concede there's a long way to go in understanding the heart's inherent capabilities, one thing is for certain; the heart is the centre of all wisdom.
At the HeartMath Institute, research suggests the heart sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. Other biological processes known as Heart Rate Coherence represents a dynamic balance within the Autonomic Nervous System, so that positive emotions have a balanced effect on your mind and body.
The key is to develop an intimate relationship with your heart, instead of letting your thoughts steer you in a direction not of your choosing.
Have you noticed how your thoughts can sometimes lead you down a path of self-destruction? You wind up making wrong decisions because you trusted your thoughts were right.
Author Peter Francis Dziuban writes in Simply Notice: Clear Awareness Is the Key To Happiness, Love and Freedom: "If it ever seems as if thoughts are bombarding, sit back and calmly notice."

The Silent Deadly Thoughts

Those who are attuned to the language of their heart note how it speaks in silent whispers instead of drowning out their thoughts. The communication is encouraging and truthful without an agenda. Practices like meditation can help you to become more accustomed to the wisdom of your heart instead of the blaring thoughts in your mind.
Ultimately, it requires down the mental chatter to find peace and contentment within.
The heart is the seat of intuition and creative impulses while the mind is the seat of logic. However, logic is unable to delineate between non-linear dimensions and abstract information, since that is the realm of intuition.
To keep your heart in the driver's seat means to tune in to the silent impulses of the heart. To do this, recognise your intuitive drives and act on them more often instead of dismiss them as insignificant.
The more you engage intuition, the more you will come to appreciate and trust it. Most people rush about their daily lives caught up in their thoughts or consumed by their external surroundings. They rarely take the time to notice what is taking place beneath their thoughts.
"Being in touch with your feelings" is often touted as a good thing, a way to 'be in your heart,' to live a life that balances the thinking part of you with the feeling part," states Jan Frazier in The Freedom of Being: At Ease with What Is.
If you go about your day stimulated by external noise and mental chatter, this is bound to create stress since there's so much your body can handle.
"Paying attention to automatic thoughts is simply a habit we can change. When you shift into awareness-based knowing, automatic thinking moves into the background, and you experience true peace of mind," says psychotherapist and author Loch Kelly.
We must be aware of our thoughts without being invested in them. When I talk about thoughts in this instance, I am referring to the incessant, habitual thoughts that take place in the backdrop of your mind.
These are the silent deadly thoughts that if not attended to can cause emotional and physical problems down the line. For example, you might have an unstable relationship with a co-worker that suddenly spirals out of control. Soon, you are ruminating on ways to sabotage your colleague or trying to avoid them altogether.
You might dwell on the situation more than necessary. After many weeks, the sight of this person causes physiological responses in your body, such as an increased heart rate, sweating or a dull feeling in the pit of your stomach.
This is a case I've seen too often working with clients unable to switch off their thoughts.
Donald Altman offers the following advice for recognising such thoughts: "On the other hand, what if you simply observed the same thought as nothing more than a mental sensation? In other words, suppose you viewed it as no different than a physical sensation - except that it's happening in the mind?"

Develop More Of A Heart Based Awareness

As mentioned earlier, negative and positive thoughts create a physiological response in the body. If you are aware of it, your body will offer clues as to the truthfulness of your thoughts.
Much of the science behind this work was achieved by the late Dr Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist who said: "Your body is your subconscious mind." Meaning, your body communicates messages from your mind in the form of sensations, impulses or pain. If you are attentive to these physical sensations, you are better equipped to direct your thoughts.

So what can you do to stop your thoughts hijacking you?
First, find time for silence. As little as five minutes a day to begin with is a good starting point. You may find initially that your thoughts overwhelm you, however with continued practice this will settle as your mind becomes accustomed to the silence.
Loch Kelly says: "Research showing that meditation reduces stress demonstrates that the stress is not caused by the external situations we usually blame, but is generated instead by the previous location of identity in our thoughts."
Second, if you want to better understand your thoughts, journaling is a valuable exercise to notice the theme that underlies your thinking. The process of journaling helps you to transpose incessant thoughts onto paper instead of them dominating your mind.
So, in the earlier example of the heated exchange between you and your colleague, you might journal how you feel instead of ruminating on those thoughts. You may want to take it a step further and find your own solution to the problem. This way you become your own coach and mentor.
Through these exercises, you develop more heart based awareness and learn to trust your intuitive impulses. The key is to use logic and intuition interchangeably so your life's experiences become a mind-body experience.
So, when an assiduous thought takes place, you notice it before it creates an emotional and physical response in your body. The more you engage in this practice, the less addicted you are to your thoughts.
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Monday, 12 March 2018

Tony Robbins 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom - Lewis Howes

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Sunday, 11 March 2018

Why The Fear Of Success Is Nonsense - It's The Fear Of Hard Work That Frightens People Most

March 11, 2018 0


Is The Fear Of Success Is Real?

I might risk alienating some people in this article, possibly offending others. However, if it means forcing you to think about the topic differently, I will have done my job to serve you.

Is fear of success real?
Is it possible to have a fear of: wealth, recognition, serving others, playing bigger, impacting humanity and having your work serve a wider audience?
Fear of success, I call nonsense.
I've never heard of someone being diagnosed by therapist with fear of success syndrome, notwithstanding those who experience trauma or some form of PTSD. There is always something else lurking beneath the surface. It requires deeper investigation to uncover what the hidden fears are.
Fear of success is a disguise because it convinces you success is possible.
It is not. It is never within reach.
Even at the last minute, circumstances can change at the drop of a hat.
You can toil away for years and not strike upon success while other people strike it lucky within a few months or years. They will tell you how they followed a specific formula that ensured their success.
There isn't a formula that will ensure success because the term means something different to you and me.
The same formula that worked for them may not work for you and millions of others. That's why online courses that guarantee results seldom work. You need to get close-up with the individual to serve their needs if they want to succeed.
Why would anyone fear the very thing they want so much?
The very thing they put their lives on hold for?
The very thing for which they sacrifice their: health, family and personal relationships?
I get that you can fear the trappings of success if it happens quickly, yet for many this isn't something to worry about because not everyone will experience success like J. K. Rowling.
I don't understand why the fear of success is real. Am I naïve to think that success will be handed to a person overnight if they follow the rules and work hard?
Come on, surely we know by now there is no such thing as an overnight success. Those who are ascribed this label have been toiling away at their skill from many years, maybe even decades.
Success Is Guaranteed To No One
Countless people come to mind who pursued their careers until they achieved success. You can't apply a formula to success because in the hands of the wrong person, success is like handing the lottery to someone with poor money management skills.
I appreciate the idea of replicating your mentors to achieve success. Yet, some people starting out will experience a different result because there are many unknown factors that contribute to success.
For this reason, I believe fear of success is really the fear of hard work. It is what author Steven Pressfield calls resistance that stops many from achieving their finest work. Here resistance holds the individual back from writing the first draft of a book they've been wanting to pen for years.
Resistance stops you sitting down to hone your craft or focus on deliberate practice to fine tuning your motor skills.
Jeff Olson says in The Slight Edge that taking action can be easy or hard, it depends on your outlook: "Here's the problem: every action that is easy to do, is also easy not to do."
A client whom I working with recently shared a photo posted outside her young son's classroom that read: "Why can't I skip my 20 minutes of reading tonight?"
A 'C' student who reads one minute each day, equates to 180 minutes in a school year. This is the equivalent of 8,000 words per year or the 10th percentile on standardised tests.
A 'B' student who reads five minutes each day, equates to 900 minutes in a school year. This is the equivalent of 282,000 words per year or the 50th percentile on standardised tests.
An 'A' student who reads 20 minutes each day equates to 3,600 minutes in a school year. This is the equivalent of 1,800,000 words per year or the 90th percentile on standardised tests.
By the end of sixth-grade an 'A' student will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days. A 'B' student will have read only 12 school days. Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary? Which student would you expect to be more successful in school and in life?

Fear of success or fear of hard work you say?

Hard work and persistence is something children are made aware of at a young age, for they are taught that nothing comes easy. It becomes clear as they pass from year to year some of their schoolmates earn lower grades while others excel.
Hard work requires commitment, dedication and perseverance and if you have satisfied all these requirements, there's still no guarantee the pot of gold awaits you.
Hard work is terrifying because it means putting your heart and soul on the line with little or no success guaranteed. It requires discipline, a tenacious will and determination to become a student of knowledge, skill and wisdom
Hard work is not for everyone and only a few become successful because they are willing to dedicate themselves to their skill. They are willing to become the best instead of mediocre skill and talent.
Pursue Excellence And Success Will Follow
The same principle I described earlier to students applies to many other areas such as sports, music and the creative fields. For example, there's no such thing as a child prodigy violinist. Behind every genius is a student who practices 7-8 hours a day with the right mentors and teachers to guide their musical career.
You cannot leave success to chance. It must be nurtured and cultivated and given your undivided attention. You must greet it with humility and respect because like the wind, it can turn at a moment's notice and go in search of someone else who will create the right environment for it to flourish.
"Bear in mind though, that there is a difference between demanding success and just merely wishing for it. You should find out what this difference is, and take advantage of it," writes Napoleon Hill in The Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons.
Success is fickle.
Success is an antagonist.
It will serve you if you oblige it through hard work and labouring away day in day out, month in month out, year in year out. Success is not something to be pursued, but is awarded you as a result of hard work, grit and dedication.
The message is clear according to author Brendon Burchard who writes in High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way: "Be more intentional about who you want to become. Have vision beyond your current circumstances. Imagine your best future self, and start acting like that person today."
If you want success, put in the hard work.
If you want success, pursue excellence.
If you want success, dedicate yourself to your life's task.
If you want success, stop making excuses why it hasn't showed up and do the work to draw it closer to you.
If you want success, stop playing small and create impeccable value for others.
Put their needs first before yours. Serve them in the best way possible without wanting anything in return. Do it for the love of the game. The love of your passion.
If you want success, make a commitment and never give up until your hard work is rewarded for the years of putting your heart and soul on the line.
The hard work will accompany you as you realise your greatest potential and persevere in the face of unwelcoming circumstances.
Sometimes we need help to move us in the direction of our goals, dreams and highest aspirations. The Self-Improvement Academy provides The Power to Learn and Grow by empowering you with personal development resources. Learn and Grow at the leisure of your own time whether at home, on the bus or waiting for your favourite coffee. The lessons are short, yet packed with detailed wisdom to accelerate your success. https://self-improvement-academy.thinkific.com/
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Friday, 9 March 2018

Do What Is Right, Not What Is Easy

March 09, 2018 0

It is so important to do what is right, not what is easy, when you believe in something, even when the rest of the world seems against you. Yes, it takes a lot of courage to be in a situation that requires you to stand 'alone.' But why avoid such a confrontation just to feel safe and never live a full life.
 
Where in life do you take the easy or convenient way? Why don't you do what is right in your heart? What kind of investment are you making in you? And what would you do if you were not afraid?
You should keep the last question in mind and use it as your trick for doing the right thing. In life, we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy. But the decision to say yes to a comfort zone and no to getting outside the box affects you more than you can think. It becomes an unconscious and automatic reason to continue behaviors you want to change.
But no matter how frightening, you should know that it is always worth it to do the right thing! There is only one problem with doing what is right; it is often not easy. In fact, it can be challenging. And the truth is that countless of times, we avoid doing the right thing because it is uncomfortable or so hard. On top of that, we might get rejected and even hated for it. Yet, that is what makes the difference between being a lion or a sheep. 
"Life has a way of testing a person's will, either by having nothing happen at all or by having everything happen all at once." - Paulo C.

 our Choice: Right or Easy

But in your everyday life, you are persistently in positions that require you to make choices. Some are nearly automatic while others may need more thought on your part. You can do what is easy first, but then your life will become difficult. However, if you do what is right and hard first, one day your life will get easier.
When you think back on your life, there are times that you made easy or convenient choices, which allowed you to be just an ordinary person. But in truth, when you make such decisions, you find afterward that life sucks. You feel empty, alone, and even cynical. And you often end up having regrets or to start all over again.
So instead, you should look at the circumstances that you want, and if you cannot find them, create them. Go out there into the world and make it happen. It is what I am doing right now. And always remind yourself that you have greatness within you. 
"The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for what is right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character." - Margaret C.S.

 Doing What Is Hard

And yes, doing the right thing is never easy. If it were, all of us would do it, and we would live in a perfect world. Sadly, it is not the case. Therefore, I take my hat off to anyone who tries to do the right thing and attempts to make a difference by doing what is hard.
So, do not base your future on where you are now or on your circumstances, but rather understand that it won't stay that way and that one day, it will all come to pass. What is possible for any successful person is also possible for you. It is only a matter of the heart!
As a result, these hard but right moments will help you feel victorious in life. It is not easy, but it will show that you encouraged yourself to make decisions to enlarge your comfort zone to a new and more significant level. And these are the moments that provide you with great reward and allow you to feel that you are on the right path.

Do What Is Right

So, how much time do you work on your dreams each day? In the last 90 days, how many books did you read? In the previous year, what new skill or knowledge have you applied to your life? If I ask, it is because if you want to go to where you want to be, you have to do what is right, and not what is easy. You have to lay one brick at a time, even when you do not feel like it.
As you do it, you might feel like the choice is quite difficult. It may be something which pushes you to reach beyond your current ability and confidence. But you need to feel motivated because it will affect your life and the lives of those you love and care for, often for the better.
If you are truthful with yourself, you know you had the experience of doing what is easy at times in life. It takes courage to do what is right and become who you are. But there is nothing greater than knowing what you want and spending the rest of your natural life going after it. 
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein

 Rise Above What Is Easy

So do not be afraid to stand 'alone' and rise above mediocrity and what others think. Listen to your intuition, and choose to do what is right. You should never take the easy road, but rather the correct path, no matter how long you have to travel.
And never be afraid to do what is right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. If you look the other way, you will inflict deep wounds on your soul and live with regrets for the rest of your life. But when you stand up for what you believe in and uphold the truth, you can walk away without remorse, regardless of the outcome. 
"People of character do the right thing even if no one else does, not because they think it will change the world, but because they refuse to be changed by the world." - Michael Josephson

 Tips to Do What Is Right, Not What Is Easy

Nothing happens without some struggle, so look beyond instant gratification and see the big picture. Remember that everything you do today affects who you become tomorrow. Here are some tips to do what is right instead of what is easy.
 Have a traditional 'To Do' list but also a 'To Stop' list which pinpoints what habit you want to break and then commit to replacing it by doing the right thing.
Think about what you would say if you were not afraid. Consider what would make you proud of yourself. It might sound strange at first, but it helps you get over the difficulties you encounter.
Choose what type of person you want to be. Learn to say no to the crowd and what is easy. People may still tempt you at times but stand your ground. Remind yourself that such behaviors are not made by the type of person you want to become.
Push yourself to take the first step or take a risk. Instead of over thinking how a situation might play out, be bold and make the first move. Once you do, the wheels are in motion. Often, it is not the smartest who wins, but the most daring.
Know why you are doing it. Have a purpose. Realize your 'Why.' Why do you want to lose weight? Create a business? Become successful? Then the how will follow.
 "When you do the right things in the right way, you have nothing to lose because you have nothing to fear." - Zig Z.
 Those are some of the tips that can help if you struggle with inspiration to do what is right instead of what is easy. I cannot promise you that it won't feel uncomfortable or painful. But when looking back, you can be proud you stood up for what you believed in, instead of following the crowd. And that is the 'all' point!
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Sunday, 4 March 2018

The Success Cycle - Get out of the Rat Race

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Wednesday, 21 February 2018

Follow Your Dreams - Don't Delay

February 21, 2018 0

Most of us have had dreams for our future, dreams are what gives life-blood to our desires; but how many or us let them dwindle away without fulfilling them?
You may be saying- I'm too busy right now, or I'm to young, too old or too tired, or every other excuse you can think of. You may be feeling too tired or despondent because your life has become dull. It's time to change. Usually we only change direction when something causes us to re-evaluate our lives.
Why are most of us such self-doubters, disbelieving our abilities or doubting our courage.
Hold on to those dreams, don't let them escape, they can fill your days with delight, strengthen your resolve and develop you as a person. They can force you to learn new things and stretch you to limits you didn't know existed.
They will give you frustrating moments, as you strive to accomplish your goals, but also untold satisfaction if you just step out of your comfort zone and experience true living. Don't accept second best just because its easy, strive for what you believe in. Be passionate about your aims. Just do it!
You might be in a boring job, or wishing you could change your career, wishing you could travel the world, or learn to play music or paint. Whatever your dream find a way to pursue it, incorporate it into your life, see what is possible and make plans to include it.
Anthony Robbins suggests the reason people are depressed is because their dream lifestyle, or life plan and reality are poles apart. Try and bring yours closer for a happier future, Maybe you have to re-consider your lifestyle, is it really what you want how can you improve it.
People who live their dreams and fill their days with work they enjoy, don't consider it work, think of actors, sports people, artists, and many others. Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams. Freedom to follow your own path is a desire that many would like to tread. Freedom to make decisions and follow them through.
What would you like to do that you are not doing, search your soul for your true delight. Would you travel, change your career, look for a new job, take up a new sport or hobby. Spice up your life.
Maybe you need extra cash to take the plunge or maybe it is a desire to set up a business or invent something. If you make a plan it may be possible to incorporate it into your life without hurting your loved ones. Talk it through and see what is possible, you may find much of your dream is can be achieved.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Anne_O'Dwyer/1211696

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Tuesday, 20 February 2018

4 Tips for Handling Post-Holiday Blues

February 20, 2018 0

Everyone is relieved when the holidays are over, and sometimes disappointed. If you're worn out, it's worth your while to take the time to recharge a little, and pamper yourself. Here are four simple tips for handling these common blues:

* If you are disappointed, and the holidays let you down in some way, process that first. Write in your journal, talk to an understanding friend or family member, and sort through your feelings. Understand what you were disappointed about, and what you're going to do to avoid that scenario in the future. (If Uncle Harry got drunk and ruined holiday dinner, consider not serving booze) If the problem was a big one (your boyfriend left you, someone died, you got some terrible news over the holidays) then consider getting the help of a good therapist or support group -- don't deal with tragic news alone.
* If you're just tired from all the celebration, cooking and preparation, consider pampering yourself. If you have the budget for it, take a spa day, or a night in a hotel. If the budget is shot, then get together with girlfriends and give each other manicures or makeovers. Set aside an evening with your hubby or boyfriend for massage, a DVD and popcorn, or just hanging out together, without all the company. Take a nap, a bubble bath, or a day off to do nothing. Picnic in the living room with your kids and pets.
* It's a new year -- consider refreshing yourself with something different. Try a different hair color, new makeup, a new workout routine, or take some (inexpensive) dance lessons or pottery or art classes at your local Department of Parks and Recreation, Community College Adult School, or your church or Jewish Community Center.
* Have some simple fun. You just spent two months doing complicated things -- working out family holidays, buying gifts, cooking, shopping and entertaining. Do something very easy that's fun for you. Take a bike ride along the beach or the river, read a new novel, watch your favorite comedy movie, hang out with your best friend for coffee, e-mail a funny YouTube video to your friends, play with your children or pets.
If your post-holiday blues are perennial, or run in your family, you might benefit from setting up an appointment to meet with a therapist. Families can benefit from therapy when they experience any stressful event that may strain family relationships, such as financial hardship, divorce, or the death of a loved one.
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There Is An Opportunity In Every Difficulty

February 20, 2018 0
It is never easy to believe that there is an opportunity in every difficulty. We all love to stay away from problems and lead a comfortable existence without hassles. These hard times can bring out the worst and best in us. Yet, such fear at our door may be a great motivation to create a stronger life. 

Have you ever thought about changing the way you view things? How can you react differently to such situations? Do you become emotional during difficult circumstances? What can you do?

Whether it is in business or life, it is always easier to say "I can't" when difficulty arises. But it is the constraints, your emotions and a lack of ideas that keeps you stuck on a problem. When you can shift your mindset from a "can't" to "can," then you might see a problem as a possible opportunity. So, it is a mindset that you can craft. 

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein 

The Seed of Opportunity

Therefore, you cannot have success without dealing with difficulties. Each new experience you have brings with it the seed of possibility. Even your current problems have within them the prospect of chances. You must look for the opportunity in every difficulty instead of seeing the difficulty in every opportunity.

As an alternative, you have to look at your problems as potential opportunities. Each situation is a great challenge and can be the best thing that is happening to you. You know very well that when it is dark enough, you can always see the stars.

So in life, you must reinforce your belief that every difficulty you encounter presents a hidden opportunity, provided you are searching for it. I do not know about you, but I am a relatively optimistic person since I always consider the best result in everything I come across in life.

Difficulty Brings Opportunity


Successful people, high Performers and great athletes are all optimistic people. They see barriers and troubles as happening 'for them' and not to them. Do you realize the difference? In this way, they find the opportunity in every difficulty. And they stay the course committed to their goals and dreams. 

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" - Winston Churchill.

 As you can see, this quote illustrates two different kinds of personality in people. There are the pessimists who always see flaws and faults in all things, while there are the optimists who always see definite possibilities in every situation. It is like looking at a glass of water and choosing if it is half empty or half full. It shows two different stories and opposite opinions, but the meaning remains the same.

The Attitude in Difficulty


But again, I think both of these attitudes can be right or wrong, depending on the circumstances. If a person gets too optimistic, they might overlook the severe risks involved that may seriously hinder his or her goals. On the other hand, if someone is too pessimistic, they might miss many crucial opportunities that would give them a better life.

Therefore, if you know your usual attitude toward things, it may help you in achieving your goals. It means that, if you are an optimistic person, you may remind yourself to be aware of potential obstacles. But if you are a pessimist, you might find it useful to encourage yourself to pursue your dreams.

So, an opportunity often shows when least expected. The toughest part is to be aware of it since it is not apparent most of the time. The best way is to listen to your instincts as I believe it is crucial when you feel you should take action. Look around at your circumstances. And see what resources are available to you at the time.

Follow Your Instincts


Therefore, you must learn to follow your instincts. It often is a feeling that draws you to something which holds the information that will get you closer to your desire. In life, many times, I felt inspired to go somewhere or call someone, or even to avoid certain things, or places. Not you?

Then, you need to think about what you want to achieve on a day-to-day basis. Look at everything as an opportunity. Realize that every person, place, or event is a chance to bring you closer to your goals. Every experience you get through makes you stronger and you can use each one to make you grow.

So, if an experience, situation or event seems unpleasant, try to learn something from it. I agree; it is not an easy thing to do when you are emotional. But you cannot go back and change it, so better to look forward and ahead. It is the only way to grow and develop from a problematic situation.

The Time to Adjust Your Sails


Understand that the harsh experiences you went through can help others avoid or go through the same thing. You might be able to make a difference in another person's life. Unless you are on the right path, do not hold on to the belief that once you take part in something, you have to follow through no matter what.

And it does not mean that you are a failure or a quitter, when you go through a tough time, a difficulty, or a struggle. It may show you it is a time to adjust your sails to get on the right track. The last time I was in Belgium, I held on to a vision that an opportunity for a better life could happen. I worked hard, sometime thirty-six hours in a roll, while I slept in my car, for a couple of hours, in the underground parking.

But then the company closed its doors. I had no job or opportunity for a year. Eventually, I grew tired of the mentality, the environment and the discrimination I was facing. Everywhere I went, the door closed. I did my best to ignore it and continue. But it got to a point where I had to reassess whether I was happy to still being there and if I was at the place I should be.

Tough Times Create Opportunity


The truth was that it was not the right place for me. I had to make a decision. So I went into deep thinking and decided to follow my instincts to a country unknown to me at the time. When leaving, it felt like a relief. I had no doubt whatsoever, and I left with a great frame of mind. I knew I was creating an opportunity for myself.

Today, I have no regrets about leaving that country. Of the three times, I stayed there; it only brought me disappointment. I had a few friends there, but they understood my decision. You just need to remember that there is an opportunity in every difficulty and that difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.

So, if you feel stuck or frustrated in some circumstances, please know that you can leave because it is your life. You have the power to change it. And you do not have to endure such existence. If an event, relationship or situation causes you pain or is no longer serving you, do yourself a favor and get the courage to leave.

The Door of Opportunity Lies in Difficulty


However, reflect on the lessons you get from your circumstances and learn from it. You are the only one that chooses the meaning things have in your life. Even if you cannot see it right away, there is an opportunity and a door out for every situation. You just have to find the resources around you to help you.

So, do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it. And if you are experiencing something unpleasant far too long, do not be scared to leave it behind. There is no harm in doing that. You have to be kind to yourself before you can ever be kind to someone else.

As you face different challenges and obstacles in life, you may at times feel powerless. But within those very circumstances lies a door of opportunity. You may not see it yet, but it is there. Just learn to control your reactions and emotions.

Be Aware of Thoughts and Words


Remember that your words and thoughts reflect how you feel. Pay attention to what you are saying and thinking to yourself at those times. Be aware that you are creating with what you think and say. And be true to yourself.

So take time to rest, recharge and think well. When in difficulty, ignore what is going around you and instead turn within yourself. Ask what you can learn from the situation you are in and relax so that when things are more transparent, you realize that there is a door or window of opportunity in every difficulty.
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Friday, 16 February 2018

5 Ways by Which You Can Beat Laziness for an Active Lifestyle

February 16, 2018 0

Being active is the key to success. All of us wish to be active, but laziness prevents us from being active. Let me tell you five different ways to which you can win over laziness. We must realize the fact that laziness disturbs us from our routine life, and eventually it becomes a habit stopping us from doing our work actively. Let's keep procrastination at bay by following small changes in our lifestyle.

5 Ways by Which You Can Beat Laziness for an Active Lifestyle

Willpower


We need the willpower to do anything. According to the famous saying "Where there is a will, there is a way." Willpower has to be developed to overcome laziness. Start doing the work straight. Just do it when you feel lazy next time. Trust me; at first, this will be difficult. But once the willpower if tuned it automatically drives you to do the work

Motivation


Lack of motivation is the primary cause for laziness. Make sure you use the motivation techniques given at the end of this article to lead an active lifestyle. While all of us want to be fit but due to lack of motivation, we don't mind being fat. Just motivate yourself and keep going to fall into the groove of an active lifestyle.

Attitude


Mindset is the enemy for leading an active way of life. We will have all facilities available around us. We may well-equipped gym; we will have money to purchase treadmill at home, we will be free from any ailments. Our attitude towards life will pull us from being active. We may always feel lazy to hit the gym. This is nothing to do with our health it is just the attitude needs change.

Never Postpone


This is another powerful weapon to destroy us. We will have the willpower, motivation and required positive attitude. Still, we cannot beat laziness and move towards an active lifestyle. This is because of the act of postponing things. I will do so it little later. It is "Now or Never." Split task into smaller chunks and start doing them. When you begin something, you want to progress. If you postpone for the first time, it will become your way of life.

Focus


Distractions are also a reason for being lazy. We may want to do something constructive, but that TV program will distract you. Focus on what you do without distractions. Throw away all these speed breakers and start and get going to hit the road of an active lifestyle.

Ways to get motivated to get motivated to wake up to run or cycle stay activated to hit the gym. 

Alarm - I can hear your mind voice, every day I am setting the alarm but switch off and sleep. I am asking you to set the alarm and place it at a distance so that you have to get up to turn off that noise. This activity will make you get up from the bed.

Listen to your favorite music at gym which will drive you to reach out gym for that song

Form groups to have a healthy competition and wake up to prove that you are standing tall from being active.

Last but not the least, don't let your mind rule you, make sure to control your thoughts. You are the boss.

Follow an active lifestyle to have a healthy life
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Monday, 12 February 2018

February 12, 2018 0

Control the Mind

Your mind is not designed to get results. It is just neutral energy which works in the direction that you want it to.
For example, if you channelize positive energy your mind makes everything else work and when you lose control of your thoughts, it blocks your progress.
It is interesting to note that positive thinking needs efforts; however, negative thinking comes in uninvited and spoils the hygiene of your mind. Both positive and negative thoughts try to beat each other on a daily basis, and the winner determines your state-of-being in this world.
Thoughts determine actions and therefore it is vital to know what is controlling the mind. In most cases, it is negative thoughts.
A negative mind makes you feel like a victim of life. It fills you with fear, anger, and jealousy making you a bitter person.You will think life people as unfair and become rude or diffident. You make the subconscious mind work in the reverse order and fill your mind like 'I can't do it,' or 'I don't like my job,' or 'no one loves me,'and eventually, you make life look difficult and challenging.
On the other hand, the positive mind is always seeking success. It is ready for self-improvement. It believes in creating a world of possibilities for self and others.
It is filled with trust, happiness, and understanding. The mind is full of positive thoughts like, 'I choose to 'succeed,' / I trust people / they will support me,' or 'I will make my dreams come true.'
The right way of thinking invariably keeps you focused and fills your life with joy and results.
Take stock of your life right now! Be truthful to yourself and find out what controls your mind - the positive or the negative thinking?
If the answer is negative then it's time for action. Catch yourself being negative and enforce a corrective action for every thought and every word that you utter. It is as simple as that!
It is said that you become the average of the five people you hang around with, so avoid the company of winner and cynics and choose to be powerful, successful and happy people.
Your actions today will be determined what you will become tomorrow, so act positively. Stay focused on your goals work with passion and commitment to make them a reality. Expect challenge along the path and face them a with confidence. Do not get bogged down by temporary setbacks. Take responsibilities for what happens to you, no excuses, no blaming others for your failures. Keep fighting failure until you achieve success. Keep fighting negative thinking up till you convert it to positive! The game is on, are you ready?
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February 12, 2018 0

Planning Brings Success


GET UP, DUST YOURSELF AND MOVE ON!

Human beings are designed to make mistakes, irrespective of age, qualifications and past achievements we are all prone to go wrong. However, it is so fascinating to learn how people respond to making mistakes.

A mistake loses it holds as soon as feelings of failure, resentment, anger or embarrassment are released. Some people get offended when they are told 'you have made a mistake' they get defensive or argumentative; some cover up mistakes in order to avoid responsibility; some act in denial of making the mistake; some blame others and give themselves a clean chit.

Each of the responses have their own ill effects like - the feeling of failing destroys your confidence; anger makes you bitter and hurt more people; embarrassment takes away the courage needed to face people; covering up mistakes take the pressure off for a while but takes away your sleep; blaming others may provide temporary relief, however, eventually the mistake will be traced back to you causing serious concerns. To top it all, these negative actions make you a powerless and ineffective human being.

The truth is that 'mistakes' provides a great platform for learning and therefore, I suggest that you examine the mistake by maintaining composure. Find out what went wrong and why? Take responsibility and admit your mistake; admit to others that you have gone wrong and apologize.

It is crucial that you understand that not accepting your mistakes, particularly those involving other people, could be bad for your reputation because it shows lack of character. People are more forgiving when one admits their mistake. So, be honest with yourself and evaluate the situation from all perspectives. If you feel you are at fault, then accept it and seek forgiveness.
Learn, also, to forgive yourself, there is no point in living life with guilt and remorse. Mistakes are not intentional, you never do things to hurt your loved ones and they understand that, which is why they forgive you. So, learn to let go and give yourself a chance to fix things in the future.

As long as you live in this world you will continue to make mistakes. It is, however, important not to repeat the same mistakes; if you do then it is a sure indicator that you haven't learned anything.

In conclusion, remember these golden words by Hugh White and move on in life - 'When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason for the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your powers'.

Top Motivational Speaker in India

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rahul_Kapoor/2368572
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Friday, 9 February 2018

Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki's Top 10 Rules For Success (@theReal...

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Monday, 22 January 2018

Top 10 Rules For Success

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Wednesday, 17 January 2018

'BELIEVE' (ft.Will Smith) - Motivational video | Will Smith Inspiring sp...

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Tuesday, 16 January 2018

7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Self Improvement by Stephen Covey

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Thursday, 4 January 2018

The Benefits of being Self Motivated in All Undertakings

January 04, 2018 0

The Benefits of Being Self Motivated in All Undertakings

Taking responsibility for your own success is the best and only shortcut to success. Therefore, you should know that you are who you want to be and the limit is just within your definition. So what does this mean? It means that individuals need to be self-motivated when pursuing a destiny in their life. The inspiration to wake up every morning and do what you are supposed to be doing should come from yourself and not forced on you by someone else. It is intrinsic, not extrinsic. Everyone knows what, they want and therefore you only can drive yourself to success. Here are some of the advantages of having intrinsic motivation.


You Will Not Find Any Possible Barriers

When a person is self-motivated, there is nothing like impossible since the person will work on anything that looks like a barrier and eventually make it to the other side. On the contrary, when the force is coming from someone other external force not related to the individual, it is very easy to give up and therefore the goal is not achieved. The driving force first is usually from an external source, and therefore you just work under supervision. When this person or source of power is not present, you just give up when you are faced with a barrier. This is not the right way of going by the things you have to do so as to get to the destination. Therefore, individuals should learn to be self-motivated so as to hit the targets easily.


You Value the Goal and So You Are Going for It

People will have intrinsic driving force when they value the goal. When you know what exactly it is that you want, you will ultimately go for the goal, and this is because it impacts your life directly. In short, the motivation is based on the satisfaction offered by the goal that you have set. On the contrary, when the goal benefits the other parties, (because you see it that way) it then becomes very hard to keep going.
This is sometimes the case in a workplace where the staff might see there is no need of burning midnight oil, yet the job you are doing is benefitting someone else, and your salary is just fixed. This is also the reason why some companies pay sales staff based on commission so that they can stretch themselves to the limit.

You Will Leave No Stone Unturned

Think of the miners, they will literally dig down the furrow even after exhausting the precious stone that was on the site. When they leave that site, don't be surprised when others come to scope anything that might be left there. When a person`s inspiration is coming from the inside, this is usually the case. Therefore you will make sure that you have done all the tasks just to achieve the goal that is in front of you. On the contrary, you will just be waiting for the time to pass so as to leave the office no matter how much work is on the waiting tray.

Intrinsic driving force is the best form of motivation you should have to achieve life goals.

      Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9827610
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Friday, 8 December 2017

The Power of Doing

December 08, 2017 0

Overcoming Procrastination


Procrastination, the habit of putting tasks off to the last possible minute, can be a major problem in both your career and your personal life. Side effects include missed opportunities, frenzied work hours, stress, overwhelm, resentment, and guilt. This article will explore the root causes of procrastination and give you several practical tools to overcome it.


The behavior pattern of procrastination can be triggered in many different ways, so you won’t always procrastinate for the same reason. Sometimes you’ll procrastinate because you’re overwhelmed with too much on your plate, and procrastination gives you an escape. Other times you’ll feel tired and lazy, and you just can’t get going.

Let’s now address these various causes of procrastination and consider intelligent ways to respond.

1. Stress


When you feel stressed, worried, or anxious, it’s hard to work productively. In certain situations procrastination works as a coping mechanism to keep your stress levels under control. A wise solution is to reduce the amount of stress in your life when possible, such that you can spend more time working because you want to, not because you have to. One of the simplest ways to reduce stress is to take more time for play.


In his book The Now Habit, Dr. Neil Fiore suggests that making time for guaranteed fun can be an effective way to overcome procrastination. Decide in advance what blocks of time you’ll allocate each week to family time, entertainment, exercise, social activities, and personal hobbies. Then schedule your work hours using whatever time is left. This can reduce the urge to procrastinate because you work will not encroach on your leisure time, so you don’t have to procrastinate on work in order to relax and enjoy life. I caution against overusing this strategy, however, as your work should normally be enjoyable enough that you’re motivated to do it. If you aren’t inspired by your daily work, admit that you made a mistake in choosing the wrong career path; then seek out a new direction that does inspire you.

Benjamin Franklin advised that the optimal strategy for high productivity is to split your days into one third work, one third play, and one third rest. Once again the suggestion is to guarantee your leisure time. Hold your work time and your play time as equally important, so one doesn’t encroach upon the other.

I’m most productive when I take abundant time for play. This helps me burn off excess stress and enjoy life more, and my work life is better when I’m happier. I also create a relaxed office environment that reduces stress levels. My office includes healthy plants, a fountain, and several scented candles. I often listen to relaxing music while I work. Despite all the tech equipment, my office has a very relaxed feel to it. Because I enjoy being there, I can work a full day without feeling overly stressed or anxious, even when I have a lot to do. For additional tips to make your work environment more peaceful and relaxing, read the article 10 Ways to Relaxify Your Workspace.

2. Overwhelm


Sometimes you may have more items on your to-do list than you can reasonably complete. This can quickly lead to overwhelm, and ironically you may be more likely to procrastinate when you can least afford it. Think of it as your brain refusing to cooperate with a schedule that you know is unreasonable. In this case the message is that you need to stop, reassess your true priorities, and simplify.

Options for reducing schedule overwhelm include elimination, delegation, and negotiation. First, review your to-dos and cut as much as you can. Cut everything that isn’t truly important. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how poorly people actually implement it. People cut things like exercise while leaving plenty of time for TV, even though exercise invigorates them and TV drains them. When you cut items, be honest about removing the most worthless ones first, and retain those that provide real value. Secondly, delegate tasks to others as much as possible. Ask for extra help if necessary. And thirdly, negotiate with others to free up more time for what’s really important. If you happen to have a job that overloads you with more work than you feel is reasonable, it’s up to you to decide if it’s worthwhile to continue in that situation. Personally I wouldn’t tolerate a job that pushed me to overwork myself to the point of feeling overwhelmed; that’s counterproductive for both the employer and the employee.

Be aware that the peak performers in any field tend to take more vacation time and work shorter hours than the workaholics. Peak performers get more done in less time by keeping themselves fresh, relaxed, and creative. By treating your working time as a scarce resource rather than an uncontrollable monster that can gobble up every other area of your life, you’ll be more balanced, focused, and effective.

It’s been shown that the optimal work week for most people is 40-45 hours. Working longer hours than this actually has such an adverse effect on productivity and motivation that less real work gets done. This is especially true for creative, information age work.

Don’t just take my word for it though; test this concept for yourself. Many years ago I ran a simple experiment to determine how efficiently I was working. I measured my efficiency ratio as the number of hours I spent doing important work divided by the number of hours I spent in my office each week. The first time I did this I was shocked to find that I only got 15 hours of real work done while spending 60 hours in my office, an efficiency ratio of 25%. Can you believe that? Over the following weeks, I increased my productivity dramatically while spending far fewer hours in my office. By limiting my work hours, I actually got more done. You can read the details in the article Triple Your Personal Productivity. I now know that working long hours is huge mistake, and I challenge you to discover this truth for yourself.

3. Laziness


Often we procrastinate because we feel too physically and/or emotionally drained to work. Once we fall into this pattern, it’s easy to get stuck due to inertia because an object at rest tends to remain at rest. When you feel lazy, even simple tasks seem like too much work because your energy is too low compared to the energy required by the task. If you blame the task for being too difficult or tedious, you’ll procrastinate to conserve energy. But the longer you do this, the more your resolve will weaken, and your procrastination habit may begin spiraling toward depression. Feeling weak and unmotivated shouldn’t be your norm, so it’s important to disrupt this pattern as soon as you become aware of it.

The solution is straightforward: get off your butt and physically move your body. Exercise helps to raise your energy levels. When your energy is high, tasks will seem to get easier, and you’ll be less resistant to taking action. A fit person can handle more activity than an unfit person, even though the difficulty of the tasks remains the same.

Through trial and error, I discovered that diet and exercise are critical in keeping my energy consistently high. I went vegetarian in 1993 and vegan in 1997, and these dietary improvements gave me a significant ongoing energy boost. When I exercise regularly, my metabolism stays high throughout the day. I rarely procrastinate due to laziness because I have the energy and mental clarity to tackle whatever comes my way. Tasks seem easier to complete than they did when my diet and exercise habits were poor. The tasks are the same, but I’ve grown stronger. A wonderful side benefit of the diet/exercise habit is that I was able to get by with less sleep. I used to need at least 8-9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested, but now I function well on about 6.5 hours.

The most energizing foods are raw fruits and vegetables. Make your diet abundant in these foods, and you’ll likely see a marked improvement in your energy levels. The first week or two, however, you may temporarily feel worse as your body takes the opportunity to detox. Erin and I each lost seven pounds the first week we went vegan. Once the dairy clog finally got cleaned out, our intestines were better able to metabolize everything we ate from then on. We later learned that this is actually quite common. There’s a good reason baby cows need four stomachs to digest their mother’s milk. Human beings can’t metabolize dairy products properly, so the partially digested cow proteins float through the bloodstream and must be eliminated as toxins (i.e. poisons). This requires even more energy, which can leave you feeling more tired than you otherwise would.

You’ll have to decide for yourself how far you want to take this. I suggest you try different dietary changes for only 30 days at first to see how it affects you. That’s how I went vegetarian and later vegan. In each case I went into the challenge fully expecting to revert back at the end of the 30 days, but I liked the results so much that I couldn’t fathom going back. Don’t take my word for this. Experiment for yourself, and discover what health habits work best for you. For more tips see the article How to Find the Best Diet for You.

4. Lack of Motivation


We all experience temporary laziness at times, but if you suffer from chronically low motivation and just can’t seem to get anything going, then it’s time for you to let go of immature thought patterns, to embrace life as a mature adult, and to discover your true purpose in life. Until you identify an inspiring purpose, you’ll never come close to achieving your potential, and your motivation will always remain weak.

For more than a decade I ran a computer game publishing company. That was a dream of mine in my early 20s, and it was wonderful to be able to fulfill that dream. However, as I entered my 30s, I began feeling much less passionate about it. I was competent at what I did, the business was doing well financially, and I enjoyed plenty of free time. But I just didn’t care that much about entertainment software anymore. As my passion faded, I started asking, “What’s the point of continuing with this line of work?” Consequently, I procrastinated on some projects that could have moved the business forward. I tried to boost my motivation using a variety of techniques but to no avail. Finally I recognized what I really needed was a total career change. I needed to find a more inspiring career path.

After much soul searching, I retired from the gaming industry and launched StevePavlina.com. What an amazing change that was! I found renewed passion in helping people grow, so I didn’t have to use motivation-boosting techniques to get going. I was naturally inspired to work. I still feel totally inspired. Best of all I procrastinated less on non-work tasks too — my passion spread across all areas of my life.

Center your work around an inspiring purpose, and you’ll greatly reduce your tendency to procrastinate. If you haven’t already done so, listen to Podcast #15 – What Is Your Purpose?. Finding your purpose is a powerful way to defeat procrastination problems because you won’t procrastinate on what you love to do. Chronic procrastination is actually a big warning sign that tells us, “You’re going the wrong way. Take a different path!”

Once you’ve centered your life around an inspiring purpose, then you can take advantage of certain motivational techniques to boost your motivation even higher. For some specific motivational tips, read Cultivating Burning Desire.

5. Lack of Discipline


Even when motivation is high, you may still encounter tasks you don’t want to do. In these situations self-discipline works like a motivational backup system. When you feel motivated, you don’t need much discipline, but it sure comes in handy when you need to get something done but really don’t want to do the work. If your self-discipline is weak, however, procrastinating will be too tempting to resist.


I’ve written a six-part series on how to develop your self-discipline, so I’ll simply refer you there: Self-Discipline Series. If you really want to overcome procrastination, you must release any attachment to the fantasy of a quick fix, and commit to making real progress. Hopefully you have the maturity to recognize that reading a single article won’t cure your procrastination problems overnight, just as a single visit to the gym won’t make you an athlete.

6. Poor Time Management Habits


Do you ever find yourself falling behind because you overslept, because you were too disorganized, or because certain tasks just fell through the cracks? Bad habits like these often lead to procrastination, often unintentionally.

The solution in this case is to diagnose the bad habit that’s hurting you and devise a new habit to replace it. For example, if you have a problem oversleeping, take up the challenge of becoming an early riser. To de-condition the old habit and install the new one, I recommend the 30-day trial method. Many readers have found this method extremely effective because it makes permanent change much easier.

For tasks you’ve been putting off for a while, I recommend using the timeboxing method to get started. Here’s how it works: First, select a small piece of the task you can work on for just 30 minutes. Then choose a reward you will give yourself immediately afterwards. The reward is guaranteed if you simply put in the time; it doesn’t depend on any meaningful accomplishment. Examples include watching your favorite TV show, seeing a movie, enjoying a meal or snack, going out with friends, going for a walk, or doing anything you find pleasurable. Because the amount of time you’ll be working on the task is so short, your focus will shift to the impending pleasure of the reward instead of the difficulty of the task. No matter how unpleasant the task, there’s virtually nothing you can’t endure for just 30 minutes if you have a big enough reward waiting for you.

When you timebox your tasks, you may discover that something very interesting happens. You will probably find that you continue working much longer than 30 minutes. You will often get so involved in a task, even a difficult one, that you actually want to keep working on it. Before you know it, you’ve put in an hour or even several hours. The certainty of your reward is still there, so you know you can enjoy it whenever you’re ready to stop. Once you begin taking action, your focus shifts away from worrying about the difficulty of the task and toward finishing the current piece of the task which now has your full attention.

When you do decide to stop working, claim and enjoy your reward. Then schedule another 30-minute period to work on the task with another reward. This will help you associate more and more pleasure to the task, knowing that you will always be immediately rewarded for your efforts. Working toward distant and uncertain long-term rewards is not nearly as motivating as immediate short-term rewards. By rewarding yourself for simply putting in the time, instead of for any specific achievements, you’ll be eager to return to work on your task again and again, and you’ll ultimately finish it. You may also want to read my article on Timeboxing.

If you find that clutter and disorganization are hurting you, I suggest you read the article Getting Organized. For a compelling overview of effective time management principles, read Time Management. And for a giant list of specific time management tips you can apply right away, read Do It Now.

7. Lack of Skill


If you lack sufficient skill to complete a task at a reasonable level of quality, you may procrastinate to avoid a failure experience. You then have three viable options to overcome this type of pattern: educate, delegate, or eliminate.

First, you can acquire the skill level you need by training up. Just because you can’t do something today doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to do it. Someday you may even master that skill. For example, when I wanted to create my first website in 1995, I didn’t know how to do it because I’d never done it before. But I knew I could learn to do it. I took the time to learn HTML, and I experimented. It didn’t take long before I launched a functional web site. In the years since then, I continued to apply and upgrade that skill. If you can’t do something, don’t whine about it. Educate yourself to gain skill until you become proficient.

A second option is to delegate tasks you lack the skill to do. There are far too many interesting skills for you to master, so you must rely on others for help. You may not realize it, but you’re already a master at delegation. Do you grow all your own food? Did you sew your own clothes? Did you build your own house? Chances are that you depend on others for your very survival. If you want a certain result but don’t want to acquire the skills to get that result, you can recruit others to help you. For example, I don’t want to spend my days trying to understand the details of the U.S. tax code, so I delegate that task to my accountant. This frees me to spend more time working from my strengths.

Thirdly, you may conclude that a result isn’t needed badly enough to justify the effort of either education or delegation. In that case the smart choice is to eliminate the task. Sometimes procrastination is a sign that a task needn’t be done at all.

When I was in college, I felt that certain assignments were pointless busywork, and I couldn’t justify the effort required to do them. If the impact on my grade wasn’t too great, I’d decline to do those assignments. Nobody cares that I received an A- instead of an A in a class because I declined to write an essay on gestural languages. If an employer or graduate school screener ever did care, I’d have turned the experience to my advantage by using it to demonstrate that I could set priorities.

8. Perfectionism


A common form of erroneous thinking that leads to procrastination is perfectionism. Believing that you must do something perfectly is a recipe for stress, and you’ll associate that stress with the task and thus condition yourself to avoid it. So you put the task off to the last possible minute until you finally have a way out of this trap. Now there isn’t enough time to do the job perfectly, so you’re off the hook because you can tell yourself that you could have been perfect if you only had more time. But if you have no specific deadline for a task, perfectionism can cause you to delay indefinitely.

The solution to perfectionism is to give yourself permission to be human. Have you ever used a piece of software that you consider to be perfect in every way? I doubt it. Realize that an imperfect job completed today is always superior to the perfect job delayed indefinitely.

Perfectionism also arises when you think of a project as one gigantic whole. Replace that one big “must be perfect” project in your mind with one small imperfect first step. Your first draft can be very, very rough. You’re always free to revise it later. For example, if you want to write a 5000-word article, allow your first draft be only 100 words if it helps you get started.

Some of these cures are challenging to implement, but they’re effective. If you really want to tame the procrastination beast, you’ll need something stronger than quick-fix motivational rah-rah. This problem isn’t going away on its own. You must take the initiative. The upside is that tackling this problem yields tremendous personal growth. You’ll become stronger, braver, more disciplined, more driven, and more focused. These benefits will become hugely significant over your lifetime, so recognize that the challenge of overcoming procrastination is truly a blessing in disguise. The whole point is to grow stronger.
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