You’ve probably noticed that the market is saturated with self-help guides, audio books, and outrageously-priced seminars by motivational speakers. This is simply proof that most people enjoy receiving advice from others.
Here are a few “tips” that I’ve discovered on my own. Some of them are a bit humorous, but most of them are common sense. I think if you do your best to take them to heart, you’ll start to notice a clearer head and a bigger smile on your face.
1. Wake up at a reasonable hour. Everyone’s schedule is different, so if you work the night shift, your “reasonable hour” may be noon, but it’s a good idea to wake up before you have to. When I was in college I had the horrible habit of crawling out of bed ten minutes before I had to be in class. Although nearly everyone I knew at the time did the same exact thing, looking back, I see how stupid it really was. If I have a ten o’clock appointment, I wake up at seven so I can get in some exercise, take a shower, and eat breakfast before I run out the door.
2. Think of something that you have to look forward to. Once the alarm goes off and the initial confusion of “Ugh, it’s already morning!” has ended, think of something cool that you have going on in your life at the moment. Yeah, it sounds hokey, but it’s pretty helpful … and I’m sure you can think of something. Come on, anything! It can be as simple as, “Oh yeah! It’s Thursday, and that means it’s almost Friday! Weekend, here I come!” or something even better, like “The FedEx man is gonna deliver my new flat screen TV today!”
3. Look in the mirror. I’ve seen plenty of people in the movies and on TV shows who look at themselves in the mirror each morning and say things like, “You’re awesome!” or “You can do it!” before they start their day. I know this sounds relatively insane, but it helps—and I speak from experience. If you can’t tell yourself that you’re good at something and actually believe it, why should you believe anyone else who says it?
4. Take a shower and get dressed. This may be a no-brainer, but spending five or ten minutes in the shower will help clear your head and make you feel a whole lot better. Hopefully you can even find clean clothes to wear. (You know, ones that were hanging in the closet as opposed to the ones that are still in the laundry basket on the floor, wrinkled and covered in cat hair since Fluffy decided to take a nap on them.)
5. Scan the news online, read the “real” newspaper for a few minutes, or tune into the news channel on TV for a few minutes. However you get your news is up to you, but it’s a good idea to stay on top of things that are going on in the world, even though lately most of the news makes everyone angry. You shouldn’t be ignorant about issues that may affect you personally, and you’ll want to have firsthand knowledge as to what’s happening in case someone asks you about it later or tries to force their opinions on you as “the truth.”
6. Eat breakfast. Eating breakfast is a biggie that a lot of people skip, so be sure to eat something. A container of yogurt, a banana, maybe a granola bar as you run out the door … just be sure to eat. You’ll need energy to get through the morning. I like Starbucks just as much as the next guy, but a cup of coffee is not breakfast—even if it has chocolate syrup in it and whipped cream on top.
7. Make a to-do-list each day. I run my own internet business and mainly work from home (or a hotel, or wherever “home” may be at the time) so it’s a huge benefit to know what I have going on each day. Even if you spend your days at the office, you’ll still want to have some kind of agenda to follow. Set up a schedule on your Blackberry or write things down on a legal pad, but do it somehow … or you’ll wind up forgetting something important.
8. Get to work safely. Again, I only work from home, but if you drive to work – or ride your bike to work, or take the bus or train – do it safely. This is also why it’s a good idea to wake up relatively early. Rushing leads to speeding and speeding leads to tickets or fender benders … which will make you even later than you were going to be in the first place.
9. Take a deep breath and count to 3 when something starts to bug you. Co-workers, clients, things that aren’t going as smoothly as possible … there are dozens of things that can easily start to drive you nuts at the drop of a hat. You don’t want to wind up getting so frustrated with someone or something that you wind up going postal, so close your eyes and take a deep breath as you mentally count to three before you say something you may regret. Most likely, whatever’s bugging you isn’t as bad as you think it is.
10. Periodically take a break … away from your desk! Be sure to walk away from your desk every few hours. You’ll wind up getting frustrated if you sit there staring at your monitor nonstop, and your eyes will start to hurt. Getting up for five or ten minutes every three or four hours will not blow your entire day, believe me. You also need to take a break and eat lunch. Sitting at your desk with a Snickers bar that you got from the vending machine doesn’t count.
11. Tie up as many loose ends as possible before the work day ends. We all know that some days you’ll wind up working later than expected, but don’t make it a habit or your boss (or you) will start to assume that you really do work twelve hours each day even though you get paid for eight. Get as many things done as possible each day, but try to leave on time. There’s always tomorrow.
12. Eat dinner. I had to stress the importance of eating breakfast and lunch, so of course I’m going to remind you to eat dinner! And if today is one of those days you wind up putting in some overtime, get up from your desk to eat dinner. A carton of Chinese take-out every night of the week will begin to affect your waistline and your mood. Try to eat dinner with other people, if possible. Everyone should have friends. (You know, besides Fluffy the cat, even though I’m sure he’s cool.)
13. Enjoy a hobby after work. Whether it’s taking a bike ride or a walk, watching a movie, reading a novel, it’s a good idea to have some sort of hobby besides work! Spend an hour or two doing something that you enjoy to help get your mind off of work.
14. Unwind a bit before bed, and get ready to repeat the cycle tomorrow! Whether “unwinding” involves the above-mentioned hobby or something else, take time to chill out for a bit before hitting the sack. This will give you the ability to get a good night’s sleep, wake up, and do it all over again … and if this happens on Friday night, you probably don’t have to go to work tomorrow! Even better!
Yes, some of these fourteen tips might seem a bit common sense. The funny thing is they really work. I guarantee that implementing them into your daily routine will make you feel happier and more excited about the possibilities that each day brings!
James Boehm
Showing posts with label Exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercises. Show all posts
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Action Steps To Develop Your Attitude Of Gratitude
Ok, now that you have a feel for the importance of expressing gratitude in your day to day outcomes, regardless of what they are, let's explore a few ways to develop an attitude of gratitude that will positively effect what you see manifest in your life everyday.
By focusing on and compiling a list of the things that you are grateful for in your life actually accomplishes a few extremely effective things at the same time.
#1 It allows you to bring into your conscious awareness the good things that are happening in your life on a day to day basis, and with repetition, will take your focus off of what you perceive as the negative aspects of any situation.
It's purpose is to put you more into a mindset of finding that you really do have good, positive things happening to you in all areas of your life, and shifts the focus off of what you perceive to be negative.
In essence it is a conscious choice to focus on gratitude rather than choosing what the mass majority does which is "unconsciously" allowing their thoughts, emotions and focus to run wild all the while believing that their a victim of circumstance rather than a creator of circumstance.
It's no secret that life can deal what "appears" and is often "perceived" to be a bad hand sometimes, but if you will look hard for it, you can find the good in any situation. Sometimes the answer isn't readily available, but just the knowing that all things happen for the greater good, is enough to keep you from falling into resistance, and keep it from getting worse.
#2 By shifting the focus off of only the negative aspect of a situation, you are able to see more clearly the positive things that can come out of this situation, which in turn puts you into more of a vibrational state that will attract the things that you desire.
#3 While you are doing this procedure, it is automatically rewriting the negative script that through repetition, you have allowed to be written in your subconscious and replacing it with positive and productive scripting that will deliver to you, more positive and productive outcomes.
Technique #1 : The Mental Gratitude List
By developing the discipline to practice this technique every day, you will find that it becomes easier and easier to do, and the results, meaning the attraction of more to express gratitude for, will be dramatic.
There are actually several ways that you can do gratitude exercises. Personally I find what works best for me is to mentally go over my list of things to be grateful for as I meditate . The reason this is such an effective method is because during meditation, your brain wave activity is lowered dramatically into an alpha state, which allows the affirmations to penetrate deeper into the subconscious portion of your mind, and has a quicker, deeper, and longer lasting effect with less effort.
If your not into the meditation thing, you can also go over a mental list as you do the things that relax you, such as working in the garden, walking in the park, going fishing, or whatever relaxation activities that you do.
It's not nearly as important precisely how you do your gratitude exercises as it is that you make certain to do them.
You'll find that doing your gratitude work consistently delivers results more quickly, and is much more effective if you can do it while you are in a more relaxed state of mind.
If you are at a place where you are totally unable to quite your mind and anxious most of the time, you may find the next method to be more effective, initially.
Technique #2 : The Written Out Gratitude List
This method is equally as effective and actually accomplishes the same end result as the first technique.
Just take out a piece of paper and make a hand written list of the things that you can think of that you are grateful for. Think deeply about each area of your life and begin to write in detail the good things that come to your mind as you write.
Don't fight it or strain attempting to come up with things, just "allow" them to flow.
Depending on your particular situation, you may find that it's hard to come up with things to be grateful for initially, so dig deep and things will begin to flow. Make sure though that you are finding and writing things that you are sincerely grateful for. If the emotion isn't there, the result won't be either.
To give an example, let's say that your working on a relationship issue. You and your significant other have been at odds for some time and you are feeling really hurt and angry over the situation. Although your state of mind is telling you how angry you are, think about the good that you saw in this person that attracted you to them initially. Begin to write down what comes to mind and more will follow. Write in as much detail as you are able regarding each item on your list. If it is hard initially, that's OK, just do the best you can. It will become easier and easier the more you practice at it.
Utilize this technique in whatever area of your life you are working on, regardless if it's money, health, relationships, or all three. It is extremely powerful and with practice and persistence you will begin to see circumstances begin to change almost magically.
Make a commitment to yourself that you will do this at least once per day and stick to that commitment. It doesn't have to take a long time. Even 5 minutes is better than not at all. Put into it the time that you can spare, but make sure you do it every day.
You'll be pleased with the results.
There are a few quotes that come to mind with regard to gratitude and the power that it has.
One is...
"When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears" -Anthony Robbins
Another is...
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
And an even more powerful one that provides VERY specific instruction with regard to gratitude is...
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -The Bible-Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
Ok...just one more and I'll stop...I PROMISE!!
"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." -Brian Tracy
The bottom line is that gratitude plays an extremely important role in beginning to consciously and intentionally create desired outcomes in your life...EXTREMELY important!!
It's my hope that you'll think about this and choose gratitude for yourself. It will make ALL the difference.
I would encourage you to develop your understanding with regard to the importance of gratitude and how from a "deeper perspective" it does serve to mold and shape a far more pleasing quality of life.
By focusing on and compiling a list of the things that you are grateful for in your life actually accomplishes a few extremely effective things at the same time.
#1 It allows you to bring into your conscious awareness the good things that are happening in your life on a day to day basis, and with repetition, will take your focus off of what you perceive as the negative aspects of any situation.
It's purpose is to put you more into a mindset of finding that you really do have good, positive things happening to you in all areas of your life, and shifts the focus off of what you perceive to be negative.
In essence it is a conscious choice to focus on gratitude rather than choosing what the mass majority does which is "unconsciously" allowing their thoughts, emotions and focus to run wild all the while believing that their a victim of circumstance rather than a creator of circumstance.
It's no secret that life can deal what "appears" and is often "perceived" to be a bad hand sometimes, but if you will look hard for it, you can find the good in any situation. Sometimes the answer isn't readily available, but just the knowing that all things happen for the greater good, is enough to keep you from falling into resistance, and keep it from getting worse.
#2 By shifting the focus off of only the negative aspect of a situation, you are able to see more clearly the positive things that can come out of this situation, which in turn puts you into more of a vibrational state that will attract the things that you desire.
#3 While you are doing this procedure, it is automatically rewriting the negative script that through repetition, you have allowed to be written in your subconscious and replacing it with positive and productive scripting that will deliver to you, more positive and productive outcomes.
Technique #1 : The Mental Gratitude List
By developing the discipline to practice this technique every day, you will find that it becomes easier and easier to do, and the results, meaning the attraction of more to express gratitude for, will be dramatic.
There are actually several ways that you can do gratitude exercises. Personally I find what works best for me is to mentally go over my list of things to be grateful for as I meditate . The reason this is such an effective method is because during meditation, your brain wave activity is lowered dramatically into an alpha state, which allows the affirmations to penetrate deeper into the subconscious portion of your mind, and has a quicker, deeper, and longer lasting effect with less effort.
If your not into the meditation thing, you can also go over a mental list as you do the things that relax you, such as working in the garden, walking in the park, going fishing, or whatever relaxation activities that you do.
It's not nearly as important precisely how you do your gratitude exercises as it is that you make certain to do them.
You'll find that doing your gratitude work consistently delivers results more quickly, and is much more effective if you can do it while you are in a more relaxed state of mind.
If you are at a place where you are totally unable to quite your mind and anxious most of the time, you may find the next method to be more effective, initially.
Technique #2 : The Written Out Gratitude List
This method is equally as effective and actually accomplishes the same end result as the first technique.
Just take out a piece of paper and make a hand written list of the things that you can think of that you are grateful for. Think deeply about each area of your life and begin to write in detail the good things that come to your mind as you write.
Don't fight it or strain attempting to come up with things, just "allow" them to flow.
Depending on your particular situation, you may find that it's hard to come up with things to be grateful for initially, so dig deep and things will begin to flow. Make sure though that you are finding and writing things that you are sincerely grateful for. If the emotion isn't there, the result won't be either.
To give an example, let's say that your working on a relationship issue. You and your significant other have been at odds for some time and you are feeling really hurt and angry over the situation. Although your state of mind is telling you how angry you are, think about the good that you saw in this person that attracted you to them initially. Begin to write down what comes to mind and more will follow. Write in as much detail as you are able regarding each item on your list. If it is hard initially, that's OK, just do the best you can. It will become easier and easier the more you practice at it.
Utilize this technique in whatever area of your life you are working on, regardless if it's money, health, relationships, or all three. It is extremely powerful and with practice and persistence you will begin to see circumstances begin to change almost magically.
Make a commitment to yourself that you will do this at least once per day and stick to that commitment. It doesn't have to take a long time. Even 5 minutes is better than not at all. Put into it the time that you can spare, but make sure you do it every day.
You'll be pleased with the results.
There are a few quotes that come to mind with regard to gratitude and the power that it has.
One is...
"When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears" -Anthony Robbins
Another is...
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer
And an even more powerful one that provides VERY specific instruction with regard to gratitude is...
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." -The Bible-Phil 4:6-7 NKJV
Ok...just one more and I'll stop...I PROMISE!!
"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." -Brian Tracy
The bottom line is that gratitude plays an extremely important role in beginning to consciously and intentionally create desired outcomes in your life...EXTREMELY important!!
It's my hope that you'll think about this and choose gratitude for yourself. It will make ALL the difference.
I would encourage you to develop your understanding with regard to the importance of gratitude and how from a "deeper perspective" it does serve to mold and shape a far more pleasing quality of life.
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