For many of us the weekend is time to regroup, to refresh body and mind in readiness for another week of work and stress.
But which activities are most suitable to achieve this end, and how may they be “fitted in” with the many things that must be done?
The answer is simplicity itself – yes it literally is “simplicity”: doing one thing at a time and focusing entirely on that one thing.
Just letting your mind wander while you sit on the couch may not be as relaxing as you think – brain-wise that is.
The latest research into brain patterns through MRI demonstrates that in day dreaming many parts are “lit up” all over the brain at the same time. This is akin to the activity observed when the subject is undergoing stress. The brain of someone who is meditating however shows activity of a more consistent nature in one central area. This is, apparently more “restful” for the brain, and thereby also for the rest of the body.
It’s sometimes called Mindfulness, or staying in the moment.
Whatever you’re doing: shopping, sporting, preparing food, organising the household, washing the car … just make sure you really give it your full attention. Experience every aspect of the activity: the smells, the feel of what you touch, and if any emotions arise, feel them then let them go before your mind wanders off into the past or the future.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Common Problem With Communication Is The Illusion That It Was Successful.
No doubt you know people that want everyone to like them. Is that what you want too?
A few simple phrases that work like magic:
Bond, James Bond
Repeating your own name (it can be your first or your last name, depending on which one you’d want people to remember) when introducing yourself makes the person you’re talking to remember it better.
I’ve heard good things about you
Everyone enjoys being well-known, even if only in a small group of people. By making someone know that others like them, it makes that someone like you back. Also, it will make them curious: ‘what good things?’
I’m looking forward to it
If you have another appointment with someone, whether it’s a business lunch or family reunion, by saying that you look forward to it you’re giving the impression that it’s more than just a routine appointment.
We have something in common
Nothing gives a better connection than having something in common. The same car, the same favourite restaurant or love for a certain kind of music.
Good phrases to use while socialising!
A few simple phrases that work like magic:
Bond, James Bond
Repeating your own name (it can be your first or your last name, depending on which one you’d want people to remember) when introducing yourself makes the person you’re talking to remember it better.
I’ve heard good things about you
Everyone enjoys being well-known, even if only in a small group of people. By making someone know that others like them, it makes that someone like you back. Also, it will make them curious: ‘what good things?’
I’m looking forward to it
If you have another appointment with someone, whether it’s a business lunch or family reunion, by saying that you look forward to it you’re giving the impression that it’s more than just a routine appointment.
We have something in common
Nothing gives a better connection than having something in common. The same car, the same favourite restaurant or love for a certain kind of music.
Good phrases to use while socialising!
Be Productive And Intenotional.
Taking initiative does not mean being pushy, obnoxious, or aggressive. It does mean recognizing our responsibility to make things happen.
Successful individuals have an intentional way of doing things, they know what they are doing. They know why they are doing it and they know when to do it.
Successful individuals have an intentional way of doing things, they know what they are doing. They know why they are doing it and they know when to do it.
Don't Listen To Those Voices In Your Head.
People often make life difficult for themselves by indulging in negative thoughts.
These thoughts are often not base don facts but on outdated ideas and assumptions.
Everyone takes on a certain way of thinking about things from an early age. The values you absorb (unconsciously) while growing up have a decided influence on your behaviour, your feelings and your sense of well being.
You can reset yourself however by asking yourself the following questions whenever a negative thought pops into your head:
How can I know that for sure?
Are there other possibilities?
Does it really matter?
What’s the point of thinking this if I don’t even know if it’s true?
Does this thought make me any happier?
Is it costing me energy unnecessarily?
Is it possible for me to find another – positive – viewpoint for the situation?
What’s in it for me?
It may seem absurdly simple to ask these questions, but then assumptions you’ve grown up with are absurdly
These thoughts are often not base don facts but on outdated ideas and assumptions.
Everyone takes on a certain way of thinking about things from an early age. The values you absorb (unconsciously) while growing up have a decided influence on your behaviour, your feelings and your sense of well being.
You can reset yourself however by asking yourself the following questions whenever a negative thought pops into your head:
How can I know that for sure?
Are there other possibilities?
Does it really matter?
What’s the point of thinking this if I don’t even know if it’s true?
Does this thought make me any happier?
Is it costing me energy unnecessarily?
Is it possible for me to find another – positive – viewpoint for the situation?
What’s in it for me?
It may seem absurdly simple to ask these questions, but then assumptions you’ve grown up with are absurdly
Saturday, January 22, 2011
INTEGRITY
Integrity is perhaps the most important part of a man’s character and is the essential cornerstone in the foundation for building a meaningful life. It’s doing the right thing, even if no one else is watching or will ever know the difference.
“In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” -Thomas Jefferson According to the dictionary, integrity is:the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness he is known to be a man of integrity.
We commonly define integrity as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one’s actions. It’s when our inner beliefs and the outer person we show to the world are a perfect match, in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Integrity is having the power to say “No” when “Yes” might be an easier answer and to be honest, not only with others, but to ourselves as well.
A life lacking integrity is like a boat without a rudder- aimlessly wandering, depending upon which way the wind blows. Integrity is holding fast to our convictions regardless of the consequences and never compromising our ideals or values, even if it affects the bottom line.
Integrity is one of the most important parts of life, for without integrity, little else matters.
“Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do.”
“In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” -Thomas Jefferson According to the dictionary, integrity is:the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness he is known to be a man of integrity.
We commonly define integrity as the quality of having an intuitive sense of honesty and truthfulness in regard to the motivations for one’s actions. It’s when our inner beliefs and the outer person we show to the world are a perfect match, in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Integrity is having the power to say “No” when “Yes” might be an easier answer and to be honest, not only with others, but to ourselves as well.
A life lacking integrity is like a boat without a rudder- aimlessly wandering, depending upon which way the wind blows. Integrity is holding fast to our convictions regardless of the consequences and never compromising our ideals or values, even if it affects the bottom line.
Integrity is one of the most important parts of life, for without integrity, little else matters.
“Integrity is what we do, what we say, and what we say we do.”
Selective Vision
We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are. The way we observe life confirms our own ideas about how people and things are.
If someone irritates you, then you constantly see in their behaviour proof that they are, in fact, irritating. Thus you can blame them if, for example, the cooperation between you doesn’t go exactly as desired.
This selective observation may justifiably be termed ’self-deception’. You cheat, as it were, on yourself by going into tunnel vision. In a way, everyone does this because everyone observes his or her environment selectively.
We see imperfectly, or “through a glass darkly”. We seek to legitimize our opinion of ourselves and of others. The more you observe selectively, the more you are trying to score points for yourself instead of connecting with the other person.. Are you aware of what goes on outside the tunnel?
If someone irritates you, then you constantly see in their behaviour proof that they are, in fact, irritating. Thus you can blame them if, for example, the cooperation between you doesn’t go exactly as desired.
This selective observation may justifiably be termed ’self-deception’. You cheat, as it were, on yourself by going into tunnel vision. In a way, everyone does this because everyone observes his or her environment selectively.
We see imperfectly, or “through a glass darkly”. We seek to legitimize our opinion of ourselves and of others. The more you observe selectively, the more you are trying to score points for yourself instead of connecting with the other person.. Are you aware of what goes on outside the tunnel?
"TODAY"
If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...
I think, we can all agree, life is getting tough. It seems as if everything around us is collapsing, and crumbling before our very eyes. Many people are uncertain about the future, money, relationships, health, and careers. In fact, we are beginning to question the very nature of life itself.
In these uneasy times, even as a world-renown motivator, my advice is simply: When things go wrong, don't go with them. Have you watched the news lately? It's quite depressing isn't it? With all of this mess going on around us, you have to monitor your mind and mouth. I'm not oblivious to shocking headlines and a poor economy, but I can't consume myself with it because, whatever you focus on the longest becomes the strongest.
Everyone has one friend who calls with nothing but bad news. I have to talk to people who see opportunities in the eye of the storm. Not the person who advises me to put my money under a mattress, or recommends taking self-defense classes because crime rates are increasing. I have to observe my surroundings for mental protection or else, I'd be afraid to live!
Elise Robinson said, Things may happen around you and things may happen to you, but the only thing that matters is what happens in you. In the midst of chaos, you have to brace yourself, build your faith, feed your mind with positive materials, and seek opportunities you've never considered before. You should be getting stronger, smarter, and strategizing to launch a new life, blindsiding everyone with your success and tenacity.
In times like these, we have to look for opportunities and act fast like never before. I agree with speaker Steve Duncan, Opportunity stands by silently, waiting for us to recognize it. And remember, opportunities may not come in cute, carefully wrapped packages. Opportunities may come in defeats, setbacks, and failures.
Dr. Robert Schuller once said, Tough times never last, but tough people do. Make no mistake about it, times are tough, but you are tougher. What are the odds of surviving 400 million sperm? Those are the odds you beat to get here! You are resilient beyond your wildest imagination. Stop looking at the circumstances around you and as Tony Robbins would say, bring out the Giant Within.
Lastly, find your true self. We live within the conversations in our heads and the recommendations of others. For years, I operated as DT, which was my childhood nickname meaning, the dumb twin. Believe it or not, I answered to it!. There was one person, my former teacher, who interrupted the years of negativity and low expectations for me by saying, Never let someone's opinion of you become your reality.
Les Brown
I think, we can all agree, life is getting tough. It seems as if everything around us is collapsing, and crumbling before our very eyes. Many people are uncertain about the future, money, relationships, health, and careers. In fact, we are beginning to question the very nature of life itself.
In these uneasy times, even as a world-renown motivator, my advice is simply: When things go wrong, don't go with them. Have you watched the news lately? It's quite depressing isn't it? With all of this mess going on around us, you have to monitor your mind and mouth. I'm not oblivious to shocking headlines and a poor economy, but I can't consume myself with it because, whatever you focus on the longest becomes the strongest.
Everyone has one friend who calls with nothing but bad news. I have to talk to people who see opportunities in the eye of the storm. Not the person who advises me to put my money under a mattress, or recommends taking self-defense classes because crime rates are increasing. I have to observe my surroundings for mental protection or else, I'd be afraid to live!
Elise Robinson said, Things may happen around you and things may happen to you, but the only thing that matters is what happens in you. In the midst of chaos, you have to brace yourself, build your faith, feed your mind with positive materials, and seek opportunities you've never considered before. You should be getting stronger, smarter, and strategizing to launch a new life, blindsiding everyone with your success and tenacity.
In times like these, we have to look for opportunities and act fast like never before. I agree with speaker Steve Duncan, Opportunity stands by silently, waiting for us to recognize it. And remember, opportunities may not come in cute, carefully wrapped packages. Opportunities may come in defeats, setbacks, and failures.
Dr. Robert Schuller once said, Tough times never last, but tough people do. Make no mistake about it, times are tough, but you are tougher. What are the odds of surviving 400 million sperm? Those are the odds you beat to get here! You are resilient beyond your wildest imagination. Stop looking at the circumstances around you and as Tony Robbins would say, bring out the Giant Within.
Lastly, find your true self. We live within the conversations in our heads and the recommendations of others. For years, I operated as DT, which was my childhood nickname meaning, the dumb twin. Believe it or not, I answered to it!. There was one person, my former teacher, who interrupted the years of negativity and low expectations for me by saying, Never let someone's opinion of you become your reality.
Les Brown
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