BlastAloud

Tag: self improvement

  • How To Focus Your Mind When Life Becomes Chaotic

    How To Focus Your Mind When Life Becomes Chaotic

    Life is often filled with ups and downs and ups and more downs.  Not always an easy ride. Sometimes we have a handful of things going on. And as such, it becomes so difficult to handle it all. That’s why today I’d like to share some tips on how to focus your mind and energy on the important things that really matter in life.

    You may be swamped with a job or business that barely gives you time. Perhaps you have a partner who depends on you for most things. Your kids are your responsibility too. What about your old parents – plus your siblings? Then there’s house chores and home management. Besides, you have friends who count on you. And to crown it all, life has not really been smooth because the economy is not always encouraging. 

    Considering how chaotic life can be at times, you might end up acting irrationally, and at the end of the day, you’ll make no headway.  

    When your life is full of confusion, it becomes practically impossible to get things done. The only way to salvage this unwanted situation is to focus your mind. If you really want to get things done, then the most important resource you must command is attention.

    The ability to remain focused on your tasks without quavering – even amidst difficulties – is very important if your aim is to be productive. Our brains are basically wired to function through complicated mechanisms – which subconsciously work for us or against us. 

    Our mental strength mainly consists of our memories, feelings, emotions, temperaments, and subconscious mind. These qualities can either help us to focus our minds or to lose concentration. This is why we need to discipline our minds in order to be more productive – even in this chaotic world!

    Rest assured, in this post, you will learn how to remain focused on any given task while navigating through obstacles and distractions.

     

     

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    How To Focus Your Mind

    1. Eliminate Distractions 

    It’s actually very difficult to stay focused and remain on a task for an extended period. But it is even more complicated when we have lots of distractions to contend with. In today’s world, we are highly interconnected. And for that, a diversion is barely one click away. The distractions are always there. It’s almost like an inescapable phenomenon.

    Even in your quietest moments, you still have distractions sitting next to you – thanks to your mobile phone. Before you know it, you’re already scrolling through your social media, attending to your latest notifications.

    Now, if you must learn how to focus your mind, then you must start eliminating some of these numerous distractions around you.

    Eliminating certain sources of distractions is not always as easy as it seems. Because while it is quite effortless to turn off your television or radio set, it might prove very difficult for you to deal with a co-worker, a partner, a roommate, or a sibling that distracts you.

    One way to deal with this sort of distraction is to seek out a calm place where you can have alone time. There you’ll be able to work without any interruption. This special location could be your room, office, library, or even a serene relaxation park.

    Another way to avoid certain distractions is by setting out a particular time of the day when you’ll request to be left alone. Sure, it might not seem nice to ask your loved ones or co-workers to leave you alone. But it is what it is, you need to avoid certain distractions by being alone.

    However, not all distractions come from external sources. For instance; Worry, fear, discouragement, anxiety, and other internal distractions are quite difficult to bypass. Nonetheless, you can actually avoid some of these internal distractions by having adequate rest before you begin any task. 

    Also, ensure to drive your mind towards harboring only positive thoughts. If you can avoid all sorts of negative ideas, your mind will be way more focused. 

     

     

    2. Plan A Few Critical Tasks For The Day And Visualize Your End Results 

    Our realities are molded by our thoughts. This is simply because our thoughts determine how we feel, and our feelings result in our actions and behaviors. And finally, our actions bring about results.

    If all your thoughts are centered on the results you’ll achieve if you finish your tasks at the end of the day, then you’ll do anything possible to accomplish those tasks!

    Therefore, while planning your day (probably in the morning), specify two or three critical tasks that will take you almost the whole day to complete. Don’t meditate on those tasks shallowly, rather, visualize them and imagine the feeling you’ll have when you accomplish these tasks. 

    If your thoughts are always about those end results, you will be subconsciously focused on how to turn those thoughts into reality. Hence, you will be motivated to work hard and complete the tasks.

    Related: How To Visualize Success In Order To Achieve The Results You Want

     

     

    How To Focus Your Mind
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    3. Take Advantage Of Your Peak Hours 

    If you really want to focus your mind better, then you have to take advantage of your peak hours – those hours of the day when you are most efficient!

    Some people perform better during the day, while others are simply exceptional at night. Some work harder in the morning, others in the afternoon.

    To determine your peak hours, you have to measure your productivity level throughout the day. Pay attention to your energy levels, motivation, thought patterns, moods, and distractions while experimenting on different work hours. Repeating such experiments day after day and week after week will help you draw a credible conclusion.

    For instance, if you want to experiment on “the morning hours”, you can attempt to do the most difficult chores from 8 AM to 10 AM – repeat the process every day for one week. Then the next week, concentrate on doing those tough tasks from 10 AM to 12 PM. 

    As for the “the afternoon hours”, start executing those difficult tasks from 12 PM to 2 PM, or 2 PM to 4 PM, repeat every day for one week… And so on.

    The sum of results you are able to achieve within those time ranges will help you ascertain your peak hours. By doing this, you’ll be able to make the most of your peak hours and become more productive.

     

     

    4. Avoid Handling Multiple Tasks At The Same Time 

    If your aim is to get through a chaotic life, then you have to focus on a single task at a time. Avoid multitasking!

    According to research, multitasking reduces cognitive abilities because our brains are typically designed to fully focus on one task at a time.

    Sure, there are people who manage to handle a couple of chores at the same time. And it is quite an advantage to them. But if you are handling a critical task, you have to fully focus on that single task to avoid costly mistakes.

    In a nutshell, to improve the quality of work and the speed of delivery, you need to avoid multitasking. 

    Related: 10 Effective Time Management Tips That Really Work

     

     

    5. Exercise Your Mind 

    The best way to build your muscles is by exercising regularly, right? Now, that is the same way you should build your mind. You have to exercise your mind (on a regular basis) in order to build your mental strength.

    Learning how to focus your mind is all about constant practice. Whenever you encounter thoughts or things that distract you, you must perceive them as what they are – time and attention killers!

    Whenever you feel weary and feel like giving up on a particular assignment, you must try harder by pushing it a little further. That’s how to exercise your mind, and a good way to build your mental capacity.

    Sure, you might not get to your full mental capacity at the first attempt. But you can build it gradually. 

    For instance, you shouldn’t start by forcing yourself to work for 6hrs straight. You can start with just 30 minutes. Then after a week or two, you can progress to an hour or two… from there you can keep building on it – from strength to strength till you are able to work for 6hrs straight.

    Remember, mental focus is all about constant training (of the mind).

     

     

    6. Build Your Willpower – Be More Disciplined

    Another important way to focus your mind is to be disciplined. One reason people easily get distracted is that they lack the required discipline to build their willpower. They hardly make a decision and stick to it!

    The only way you can make a realistic decision is when you resolve that no matter what happens, your decision stands. 

    Say, for instance, you want to start exercising daily… 

    You shouldn’t decide by saying; “I will exercise today” or “I shall exercise today” (for those who still talk like Shakespeare).

    Rather, your decision should be; “I must exercise today”. Make it compulsory.

    When you sound very certain, that’s when your brain will take your intent seriously – and you will be inclined to perform. Willpower and self-discipline are two important traits that must be developed simultaneously.

    Your willpower is the source of your intent to work – it empowers your actions. On the other hand, your discipline ensures you deal with any distraction or obstacle that undermines your focus. Self-discipline ensures you get past your comfort zone, laziness, or any other intrusive ideas.

    Related: How To Take Responsibility For Your Life And Stop Making Excuses

     

     

    7. Deal With Your Fears

    For any given activity, you either feel pleasure or pain (sometimes indifference). And often, we tend to quickly attend to those pleasurable activities while shying away from those that are seemingly painful.

    The reason most people procrastinate is because of the fear of pain. And that is the same reason they hardly focus.

    Well, it is normal to encounter fears. Because that’s how we are all wired. Nobody wants to be hurt!

    However, if you must maintain your focus at all times – then you must start dealing with your fears. That’s when you will stop procrastinating those difficult tasks and start getting your desired results.

    Related: 9 Tips To Stop Sabotaging Yourself And Your Success

     

     

    8. Live In The Moment

    When you allow yourself to be constantly drawn to past memories, there is no way you can stay focused on the present tasks at hand. And when you are deeply worried about the future, there is every tendency for you to ignore your present needs – which are of course, very important.

    The importance of being present-minded cannot be overemphasized. Living in the moment is all about dealing with your distractions, whether they are physical (your phone) or psychological (your worries), and staying mentally committed to the present situation. 

    Now, the fact is that you cannot change the past and the future is not certain for anyone. So, why bother so much?

    The most important thing is what you are doing at this very moment. Your dealings today can help you avoid repeating your past errors and even drive you towards a more flourishing future. 

    So, why not stop worrying about things that are far-off. And start living in the moment?

    Related: How To Stop Worrying What Others Think And Live Your Own Life

     

     

    9. Always Practice Mindfulness

    The most direct way of learning how to focus your mind is by practicing mindfulness. However, it’s not easy to build your mental capacity up to the level where you are fully mindful. That’s why you have to practice it all the time.

    When you are mindful of your physical and mental space, you can easily deal with any form of distraction or chaos that life throws at you. You will effortlessly stay connected to any task you’re working on.

    A mindful person is an intentional person. And such an individual is fully aware and in charge of any given situation. 

    Want to be a little more focused? It’s simple; be mindful. 

     

     

    Final Thoughts

    Finally, the whole idea is to remain focused despite the turmoil that comes with life… Despite those worries, fears, and anxieties, and amidst those distractions posed by immediate pleasures. Because it’s only when you are focused that you’ll become more productive.

    It will not be easy to make a sudden U-turn (from being distracted to being focused). But if you can gradually put the tips discussed above into constant practice, rest assured, your progress will be simply remarkable.

    Please take a second to PIN & SHARE these tips on how to focus your mind!

    How To Focus Your Mind
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  • 15 Powerful Traits Of Confident Women To Adopt Today

    15 Powerful Traits Of Confident Women To Adopt Today

    You’ve probably seen those women who seem unfazed, no matter the situation they face; smiling and standing strong! Have you ever tried to guess why they are the way they are? What comes to your mind whenever you think of the word “confident woman”? Today I’d like to share some of these traits of confident women that you can also make part of your life and daily habits.

    Do you imagine a superwoman with a flowing cape or just an elegant lady in a suit exuding a powerful aura?  Whichever it is, you would agree with me that surely, they do have something in common. Curious? Then, read on.

    In this article, I will reveal to you what has been cultured in the minds of these audacious women…their traits!

     

     

    Traits Of Confident Women

    As with most habits, you can adopt these traits of confident women to give you that boost needed to push you to the top. Nevertheless, you should take note that you do not necessarily need to have all of them to be confident. So, do not see yourself as ‘incomplete’ because of this. Just do well to adopt a number of them, and you are good to go.

    Ready to dive into the deep?

    If so, here are 15 traits – that if adopted today – would bring out the confident self within you:

     

     

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    1. She understands that she is not perfect

    All humans have a tendency to make mistakes, and a confident woman knows and acknowledges this fact. This provides a platform for bold steps such as taking on new risks, a new job or facing any situation without having to worry about whether the turnout would be perfect or not.

    You should mainly focus on giving your best shot to whatever you do and if you need help, do not feel belittled or threatened; ask for help. What possible damage would it cost to ask for help?

     

     

    2. She admits her flaws 

    This tails onto number one. Owing to the fact that she acknowledges she is not perfect, a confident woman is able to own her actions/ choices and admit that she made a mistake whenever the need arises.

     As a confident woman, you should be able to apologize for your mistakes without trying to shift the blame or give excuses for it. More importantly, you must always be ready to take corrective action. Put aside that ego of yours so that you can learn from your mistakes.

     

     

    3. A confident woman does not hold on to past mistakes    

    Having apologized for her mistakes, she releases every guilt she might have had with that situation. She understands that mistakes are meant to make her grow and are not something to hold on to. 

    Guilt is a temporary emotion that is supposed to pave the way for breakthroughs; through corrections from past failures. Guilt from your past mistakes shouldn’t hinder you from taking a step into the next opportunity that might come your way. Learn to move on. A confident woman sees every failure as an opportunity to grow, to expand her horizon.

    Also, you should know that life is not a bed of roses, and you might hurt or be hurt by others in the future. This should not stop you from moving forward. In the wake of adversity, persevere. If possible, try to make enough provisions for those kinds of situations. Learn to let go and do not make it too personal by taking it to heart. Be ready to forgive yourself and let go of the past. 

     

     

    4. She is a good listener

    Another important trait of confident women is that they take time to listen to people. It might seem like talking more or being a good orator is the ideal trait of a confident woman. Yes, it is part of it but do well not to underestimate the power of confidence in silence. 

    A confident woman knows better than to ignore the constructive criticism of others. She might choose to apply what she has heard or decline it, but she makes sure she listens first.

     

     

    Traits Of Confident Women

     

     

    5. She does not conform

    In the previous trait listed, a confident woman listens to others but doesn’t allow it to define who she is. She knows what she wants, listens to people’s criticisms and then decides whether it is useful to her or not.

    It will help if you do not rely on the praises of people to feel good. Have a mind of your own and do not conform to the sheer desires of others just because you want to be liked. Be aware of the fact that you cannot please everyone. 

    Whether or not you do what is right or wrong, some people would still complain. Why then stress yourself trying to please everyone? Doing this is definitely a sure way to failure. Instead, acknowledge the fact that you are a unique personality and you shouldn’t compare yourself with other women.

     

     

    6. A confident woman knows when to say NO

    A confident woman does not make promises beyond her capabilities nor does she over commit. You should know your boundaries and be able to say NO when the situation is not according to what you can make provision for. It’s pretty simple – just say no. 

    Do not over-commit and end up under-delivering. It would be a stain on your white clothing because you would become a person no one can rely on. Too many commitments are not favorable for your all-round health. Learn to say no.

     

     

    7. She practices self-love

    If you do not take care of yourself, you would get exhausted and ultimately, frustrated. Every confident woman knows better than to stress herself trying to please others or overwork herself at her detriment. 

    Take a break, make out time for yourself, take a trip alone, eat well, exercise well. For maximum productivity, you need to be in the perfect state of health. Health is wealth, and it should never be underestimated.

     

     

    8. She chooses her friends wisely

    There is a saying that goes thus “show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. Most people say it but hardly apply it to their lives. A confident woman understands that her circle of friends plays a huge role in shaping her mindset and personality as a whole, so she is cautious when choosing her friends and not the other way around. Choose positive, like-minded friends who share similar goals with you and are always ready to hold and pull you up whenever it feels like you are drowning.

     

     

    9. She is not complacent

    One of the most essential traits of confident women is that they are never satisfied with being stagnant. A confident woman outdoes herself in everything and everywhere she finds herself. She goes out of her comfort zone to gain more knowledge.

     Be more industrious, read wide and deep; discover yourself. What is that talent you have? What field of study do you have interest in? Love dancing, why not go professional? Playing the instruments? Go for it. Who knows? You might just be the next big thing. Even the little things you count insignificant, they all matter. You would be amazed at what you can actually do. Success is intentional; see it and be it.

     

     

    10. She doesn’t try to be everything

    In as much as she is not complacent, a confident woman doesn’t try to be everything. You might want to be industrious, move out from your comfort zone and all, but you should also know when to stop. 

    Do not try to take on a lot of things at once. It is better to be a master of one than to be a jack of all trades. It would also give you time to perfect the skills you have already acquired and even break new grounds in your current field.

     

     

    11. She uses positive words

    Positive words have a very massive impact on your day and you as a person. Using positive words would shape your mindset towards having a better day in the end, even though there might be ups and downs. Speak positive affirmations to yourself. It could be a prayer or a motivational quote, or probably, just a soothing word – say it regularly!

    A confident woman uses her words to build up not only herself but also other people.

     

     

    12. Confident women set clear goals and take actions on them

    Setting goals is one of the must-have traits of confident women. This acts as a guide for her and helps to cut down unnecessary activities that can deviate her from her goals. It is one thing to set goals and another to take action on them. 

    Unless you take action on your goals, they will remain a mere dream. So, while setting your goals, do well to put the necessary measures in place. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the next two months and the steps you would take to attain your goal. Now, could you write it down? Put it where you can access it daily, maybe close to your bedside and read it out clearly and loudly every day. Yes, it’s this easy, you are becoming confident already!

     

     

    13. She understands her strengths and weaknesses

    Understanding your personality and what works best for you is a plus. It helps you plan your day, guide you on how to take actions on your goals, keeps you healthy and most importantly, helps you perform to the best of your abilities. 

    For instance, if you tend to assimilate better at night, then you should read more at night, rather than wasting your whole day with a book and getting nothing while you could have used it for a more productive activity.

     

     

    14. A confident woman can take care of herself financially

    Being financially savvy is a fundamental trait of confident women. To be a confident woman, you should be able to stand on your own even if there is no financial support from others. Your partner might prefer to take care of most financial expenditures, but at least, you should be able to take care of the main payments. You do not have to be totally financially dependent on anyone.

    However, it isn’t just about making money, as most people are already thinking. The main issue here is managing the money…Financial intelligence. Acquire it.

     

     

    15. She is not desperate for attention 

    This is often one of the overlooked traits of confident women.

    You do not always have to be the center of attraction. This does not mean you are introverted or running away from the public. It just shows that you are mature enough to let others have that spotlight, and you are also confident because you know that people’s attention doesn’t determine your worth/ value.

     

     

    Related reads:

     

     

    Final Thoughts

    You too can adopt these traits of a confident woman!

    To crown it all, you should have it in mind that the confident women are not necessarily the prettiest, the slimmest, or the most influential/ successful. They are considered as confident women because they disciplined themselves, had a goal in mind and worked towards it while using the constructive criticism of others to build themselves in ways that made them outstanding. 

    Confident women never use people’s opinions as a yardstick to measure their self-worth. They understand what it means to be financially savvy, and to be surrounded by positively, like-minded friends, as well as knowing the right situations to say no. And they see the value of self-love, positive words. 

    They do not try to be everything at once. They have clear goals and follow-up actions they are ready to take to attain their goal. Learning is a constant trait, and they understand that they are not perfect; hence they admit their flaws and make appropriate corrections when necessary.

    Also, as I said earlier, you shouldn’t beat yourself up if you feel you do not have all of these traits of a confident woman. In fact, if you could read this to the end, you are already on the right track!

    The next step is to take action on these outlined traits, adopt them, and you sure are good to go. 

    Go and become a confident woman!

     

     

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    Traits Of Confident Women
  • 9 Tips To Stop Sabotaging Yourself And Your Success

    9 Tips To Stop Sabotaging Yourself And Your Success

    Self-sabotage. That’s a major evil for many of us. It keeps us from living the life we truly want and stops us from reaching our goals. That’s why is really important to identify self sabotaging behaviors and nip it in the bud. I’ll be sharing some of my top tips on how to stop sabotaging yourself so you can really chase after the life and goals you want.

    You must have heard that voice inside of you that keeps questioning your ability, your achievements, your wins, your accomplishments, and even your success. Listening to that voice keeps you away from what you’ve always wanted in life. It keeps you under the shadow of doubts.

    Self-sabotage manifests in different ways. At times, it comes in the form of low self-esteem. These esteem issues are often as a result of the fear that is generated by our own inner voice – it is often a negative voice! 

    For instance, you have a new opportunity – a wonderful opportunity indeed. And you feel like taking it… But then a voice inside you will say; 

    • It’s very risky.
    • You can’t do it. 
    • Remember, you have no experience doing this. 
    • You might fail. 
    • It is difficult. 
    • Others failed here. 
    • What will others think?
    • Just try something else… 

    That voice is simply limiting you. Listening to it will make you miss out on many opportunities. You will fail to set and achieve many goals. That’s the negative effect of self-sabotage.

    It is self-sabotage when, instead of preparing for your interview tomorrow, you are stuck on social media. Of course, you’re limiting your success. You chose the pleasurable activity (social media) apparently because that negative voice made you feel like it’s too difficult to prepare for the interview. 

    It’s also self-sabotage if, after your dietitian told you to avoid junk food so as to lose some pounds, you still can’t stop eating chocolates, pizza, and burgers! (Raise your hand if you’re on this table.)

    Now, how do you deal with this? In this article, I’ll show you just how to stop sabotaging yourself. 

    But before we get to the how, it’s important to know why you need to stop self-sabotage.

     

     

    Why You Should Stop Sabotaging Yourself 

    One of the greatest negativities you can ever embrace is self-sabotage.

    Yes, it’s understandable that many times people can do a whole lot to frustrate you, your plans, your goals, and your mission.

    But then, why should You be the one to frustrate yourself and your entire success? That is unimaginable. But it happens. In fact, that’s what self-sabotage is all about. It’s like engineering your own failure.

    Sure, we all crave success. But it all starts with our ability to stop undermining ourselves, to stop questioning our abilities, and to stop limiting our achievements. 

    If you can deal with that part of you that sabotages your efforts, then you will be more positive and optimistic in life. You will start doing what you used to be afraid of and you will start embracing your greatest fears. You will begin to take bold steps!

    By so doing, you will most likely achieve your goals and success won’t be far-fetched.

    Now, to the main reason you’re here: How To Stop Sabotaging Yourself

    Due to sad past experiences, you might become familiar with failure. This might result in chronic fear. This phobia can also be as a result of how you were brought up. You probably developed low self-esteem in the long run.

    In this kind of situation, you will be scared to try out new things – scared to embrace a new challenge. Scared to make a big move!

    But that’s self-sabotage.

    So, how do you overcome this fear? How do you stop sabotaging yourself? Here are 9 tips to help you!

     

     

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    1. Understand What Self-Sabotage Is

    The fact is, you are more likely to find a solution to a problem if you understand exactly what that problem is.

    In other words, if you want to stop sabotaging yourself, then first, you must understand what “self-sabotage” means. 

    Many of us have these self-limiting habits that we misconstrue as “precaution” or “carefulness”. But in reality, it’s self-sabotage.

    The reason your self-sabotaging behaviors keep lingering is because you often don’t understand that those attitudes are actually limiting you. You only see it like you’re playing safe… At the end of the day, you hurt yourself without even realizing it.

    To avoid this kind of ignorance, the first step to take towards solving this problem is to understand what self-sabotage entails.

    Now, to be clear with this, self-sabotage is simply that habit or mindset that stops you from being you. It is basically anything that comes from “within” you that prevents you from achieving your ultimate goal(s) in life.

    Based on this definition, it is left for you to ask yourself; how am I sabotaging myself?

     

     

    2. Realizing Your Self-Sabotaging Habits 

    Having understood what self-sabotage means, the next thing is to recognize those self-sabotaging habits you exhibit. Find out the self-limiting and self-destructive stuff that tend to undermine your progress. 

    Some common self-limiting habits or mindsets are:

    • Procrastinating unnecessarily: This is one behavior that holds many people back. Hence, a popular slogan holds that; delay is dangerous!
    • Negative Self-talk: If all you do is talk negatively about yourself, nothing can make you believe in yourself… Consequently, you will become pessimistic. And as a result, you will never succeed because you will never try. 
    • Perfectionism: The truth remains that nobody is perfect, and nobody will ever be. So, if you’re waiting till you’re perfect before doing what needs to be done, then you’ll never really do anything. 

    If you are doing any of the aforementioned, then please stop! That’s self-sabotage. And it won’t allow you to make any progress.

     

     

    Stop Sabotaging Yourself

     

     

    3. Understand Why You Are Sabotaging Yourself 

    If you must stop sabotaging yourself, then you have to first understand why you are self-sabotaging. What are the deep-rooted causes of your self-sabotage? The truth is that there are different reasons you subconsciously undermine yourself. Find out why!

    Is it because of your deep-seated fears? Anxiety? Or because over time, your self-esteem got lower? Is it because you are hypersensitive? Or are you depressed?

    Are you sabotaging yourself because you lack self-confidence? Or is it because you’re overly assertive? Are you undermining yourself because you work too hard and get too little to show for it? Are you the workaholic type with no results?

    Or is it that you’ve achieved so much and now, you no longer feel like trying out stuff? 

    Are you impairing yourself because you are an introvert and you lack the basic social interactive skills? Do you simply suck at communication?

    If you can ask yourself these questions, you’re likely to find out the cause(s) of your self-limiting attitude (or thoughts). 

    That being said, what is the cause of your self-sabotage? Jot them down.

     

     

    4. Address Your Fears 

    What are your fears? If you want to stop sabotaging yourself, then you have to stand and face those things you dread the most. Be ready to embrace them. You don’t have to shy away.

    As a matter of fact, you only feel like it’s impossible because you are scared. If you can remove that fear, you will begin to see the possibilities.

    Instead of backing off because of panic, rewrite your fears from a different viewpoint. For instance, if your fear is because of previous failures, you can simply choose to focus on the present. 

    What are the facts about the task at hand? If you can deal with those facts, then you have nothing to worry about. 

    Just so you know, you can actually reverse your fear into inspiration. It’s just a matter of perspective. You have to decide to attack that fear by facing it anyway. Deal with it!

    It mustn’t be about solving the whole problem at once… You can take it one step at a time. Every little step forward actually matters. It’s always going to be a gradual process.

     

     

    5. Surround Yourself With Positive People 

    The people you keep close to yourself says a lot about the kind of mindset you have. Mediocrity begets mediocrity. Positivity begets positivity. 

    Most people who sabotage themselves only do so because the people they communicate with (or are connected to) are mostly self saboteurs too.

    You have to watch the set of people you mingle with… Are they the type who are immersed in self-doubt? Do they always have a reason to say no? Are they pessimists?

    As a matter of fact, when you only associate with people who would always dissuade you from taking up new challenges, you will definitely start buying their suggestions at some point. 

    It might even get to the point where you will start doubting yourself subconsciously. So, try as much as possible to avoid such negative-minded people. 

     

     

    6. Be Realistic

    It’s vital that you understand your reality. It will help you to be you, and as such, you will always go for what you want without having a double mind about it. Being realistic is mainly about understanding that nobody is perfect. And that you (particularly) can’t be correct at all times. 

    Perfectionism makes you set impossible standards. As a perfectionist, you’ll most likely be physically and mentally stressed trying to make everything perfect. And at the end of the day, you won’t meet that “perfect” standard you aspire to.

    That’s why you have to be realistic with your expectations. It will help you to be yourself. And hence, your goals will be obtainable without much stress.

    Besides, perfectionism will deter you from a whole lot. Because you will tend to wait until a perfect time before you can execute your goals. Of course, that’s not what you want to do if you wish to stop sabotaging yourself. 

     

     

    7. Set Goals And Make Plans To Achieve Them 

    It’s almost impossible to stop sabotaging yourself if you don’t know what you want (or what you expect) in life.

    When you are uncertain about what to expect, your self-esteem will be low. You will find it difficult to take those bold steps. You will feel incompetent, and as a result, you will see yourself withdrawing from any challenge you encounter.

    How do you counteract this?

    You simply have to be clear about your goals. And of course, you must make plans to achieve them. Setting a goal will give you a clear pathway towards achieving your aspirations for the future. 

    While we live in an uncertain world, when you have a goal and a solid plan to achieve the goal, you will be a little more certain about what to expect. 

     

     

    8. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone 

    Hey, this is the real deal. 

    After setting your goals, you have to get out of your comfort zone to achieve them! Often, the reason you undermine your success is because you prefer staying where you are comfortable. You only do things you feel comfortable doing.

    Well, it’s natural. We’re all wired to seek convenience. However, if you must stop sabotaging your success, you have to be willing and able to do things a bit differently – even if it makes you very uncomfortable.

    Nothing extraordinary actually comes to you in your comfort zone… Be mindful of that.

     

     

    9. Change Your Behavioral Pattern 

    Changing your pattern of behavior is probably one of the most difficult tasks of all. But then it goes a long way to determine if you’ll stop the attitude of self-sabotage or not.

    You simply have to deal with those behavioral tendencies that limit you from being what you want to be – or getting the results you’ve always wanted.

    How do you change your behavioral pattern? 

    First, you have to understand that any behavior you exhibit begins from your mindset! After all, every action takes place in the mind – first – before we even reveal them. That’s why you must change your mindset if you want to change your behavior. 

    Remember, it’s always one particular voice in your head that will dissuade you from making those big moves. Now, ask yourself; is that a negative or a positive voice?

    To change your negative behaviors, you have to stop listening to those negative voices. You should start listening more to that voice that propels you to take a step!

     

     

    Related reads:

     

     

    Final thoughts

    It’s not always easy to adopt all these measures to stop sabotaging yourself. It takes lots of time, dedication, and conscious effort!

    However, the end result is quite extraordinary. 

    You will be amazed at how much you can achieve if you stop undermining yourself and your success.

     

     

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    Stop Sabotaging Yourself
  • How To Take Responsibility For Your Life And Stop Making Excuses

    How To Take Responsibility For Your Life And Stop Making Excuses

    Living an intentional life is not always easy. Nowadays, it’s pretty uncommon to come across people who take responsibility for their lives.

    The average human will always come up with excuses as to why something happened or why it didn’t. Well, that is a bad sign. 

    You shouldn’t resort to blame when you fail in a particular endeavour… if you do, it simply indicates that you’re not owning up to your life. You are giving away your power to bring about change. 

    Yes, you might have failed once, but the fact remains that you are responsible. So you don’t blame others. Rather, change!

    Blames and excuses make you powerless. Just like a toothless dog that only barks but cannot bite. When you blame your downfall on somebody or something, you will stay down. But when you take responsibility for your downfall, you will be motivated to stand up and do it right!

    Taking responsibility for your life basically means you are fully in charge of what happens in your life.

    When you are responsible for your life, you won’t be the lucky man who attained success by chance. Or the unlucky woman who failed in life because of ill fate. 

    A responsible life is an intentional life. It’s not a life of excuses. To take responsibility for your life means that no one has the right to define how or what your life will turn out to be. Not even your family, friends, or partner – only you can. 

    If success is what you really crave for, then taking responsibility for your destiny is what you should do. And on the other hand, you should be allergic to excuses and blames.

    But the main point now is; how? How do you take this responsibility? How do you start owning your life? How do you stop living a life of excuses and blames?

    Well, you’ll find out soon enough!

    But before then, let’s get clear on the difference between self-blame and taking responsibility.

     

     

    Taking Responsibility for Your Life VS Blaming Yourself; Any Difference?

    Okay, let me make this clear; to take responsibility for your life doesn’t mean to blame yourself. It simply means being on top of any situation. It means being in charge of whatever happens in your life.

    The whole essence of “responsibility” is that it gives you the power to determine outcomes. 

    For instance, when you are performing poorly at work, and you decide to take responsibility for that, then you have the power to control the situation. You have the capacity to initiate change. You will be motivated to work better. And consequently, you’ll start having better results. 

    But if you blame yourself in a similar situation, you will be dispirited, demoralized, and utterly disappointed. At the end of the day, you’ll resort to self-resentment. Low self-esteem will be next in line… And before you realise it, you’re depressed!

    Just so you know, “blame” is simply negative. Whether you’re blaming others or yourself. Self-blame is destructive. It will never make you… it will only mar you.

    So, stop blaming yourself and start taking responsibility!

    Here’s how to take responsibility for your life:

     

     

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    1. Stop Blaming Others

    Like I said earlier, once it comes to “blame”, it’s a no-no. It’s understandable, life can be unfair at times. Sometimes, it might SEEM like you’re helpless… But, are you really helpless? Even if you are, will blaming other people solve the problem? I think not.

    The best result that “blaming others” will yield you is the liberty to play the victim card. Your only bragging right will be to preach victimhood. Or maybe you’d also be able to justify failure…

    But then, does that really help? Sadly, no, it doesn’t. Moreover, just like you will hate yourself when you blame yourself, you will also feel bitterness towards others when you blame them for your misfortunes.

    Of course, with such resentment and bitterness, you will never feel happy as a person. Plus, that person you despise so much might be happy wherever he is.

    A wise man once told a short story. According to him, a Saint was asked; what’s the meaning of hatred? The Saint replied; hatred is the act of intentionally suffering for another person’s sins.

    This implies that blaming and hating others will only really hurt you. Even when those you are hating on are doing just fine.

    Remember, blaming simply incapacitates you. You are just a powerless person if you keep blaming without taking responsibility for any given situation in your life.

     

     

    2. Stop The Flimsy Excuses 

    If you want to take responsibility for your life, then you also need to stop making flimsy excuses. You’ll agree with me that making excuses is like a culture for many people. It’s pretty common. 

    At some point in life, most of us had excuses. 

    Some of these common excuses are:

    • I couldn’t start the business because I had little money.
    • I didn’t get the job because the hiring team was corrupt.
    • I failed the examination because the teacher was just evil.
    • I was never destined to succeed.
    • I always have bad luck…

    I can continue to list the excuses… they’re just too numerous. However, those excuses are all flimsy. They hold no water.

    Take for instance, that examination you failed, you would have passed it if you took responsibility and prepared better. 

    And yes, successful people DON’T easily give up on their business ideas just because they lack the start-up funds. They find ways to generate the money they need… They don’t give excuses!

    Moreover, successful people don’t believe strictly in destiny, they believe in smart and hard work. They also believe in possibilities. So, they won’t give excuses like; I am not destined to… whatever.

    If you are still living in excuses, just know that you cannot take a decisive step forward. You will remain where you are because you always have an excuse to belong there.

    Excuses mainly give you reasons why you shouldn’t take responsibility for your life. You feel justified to be a failure when you have excuses for failing! 

    And with that kind of attitude, you won’t learn from your mistakes. It’s simply a negative way of life. Having excuses. Nothing is positive about it.

    Once you are able to eliminate excuses, you will find it easier to take responsibility.

     

     

    Take Responsibility For Your Life

     

     

    3. Live In The Moment 

    In order to be in total control of what happens in your life, you must start living in this very moment – not in the past or in the future – but NOW.

    When you live in the moment, you will have the awareness and empowerment that will help you engender the change you need.

    A popular quote has it that; Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is yet to come, but today is a GIFT, that’s why it’s called PRESENT.

    One of the greatest gifts you have is now. And what you do “now” is entirely up to you. So, what are you doing now? Are you taking the necessary actions to bring about change? Or are you blaming others? Or making excuses? Or dwelling in the past? Or just hoping in the future?

    It’s simple, if you want to be successful, live in the moment, and take responsibility NOW. 

     

     

    4. Love Yourself 

    One reason you’re not taking full responsibility for your life may be the lack of self-love. When you don’t love yourself you won’t trust your abilities and it will bring about low self-esteem.

    In order to feel better, you will resort to blaming others for your failures. You will always give excuses for your actions and inactions. It’s because you don’t trust yourself enough.

    If you love yourself, you will trust yourself enough to take up new challenges. You will believe that you can handle any given situation you find yourself in. 

    You won’t wait for people’s validation or praises in order to feel good about yourself or your achievements. Your self-esteem will be built within you, not outside you (by others).

    In a nutshell, you’ll be more fulfilled and happier if you love yourself. And as a result, taking responsibility for your life won’t be a problem.

     

     

    5. Take Care Of Yourself

    Start by checking your daily habits. What are your activities like? Do you work so hard without having a little rest? 

    How much exercise do you give your body? How do you feed? Do you depend on junk? Do you drink alcohol in excess? 

    If your daily activities don’t help your entire wellbeing, then your life will be a mess. And it’s more difficult to take responsibility for your life if you’re already messed up.

    Taking responsibility for your life simply starts with taking care of your body, your mind, and your needs.

     

     

    6. Take Charge Of Your Emotions 

    If you really want to master your life then you have to master your emotions.

    Remember, your attitude is often a product of how you feel. And your emotions determine your feelings. Therefore, your emotions determine your attitude.

    Sometimes, you are happy. And it reflects in your attitude towards life. That’s as a result of positive emotions. However, the truth is that we’re all bound to experience negative emotions as well. Not only the positive ones. 

    At some point in life, you will generally feel bad. It’s normal. And as an individual who takes responsibility, you should be able to understand that negative emotions are only a part of your life you can control.

    If you are able to fully take responsibility for your emotions – whether positive or negative – then you will live a balanced life. 

    Just so you know, an individual who can’t control his emotions can never take charge of his life. He will only act based on his emotions. And as a result, he will always regret his actions.

    Imagine if someone hurts you real bad and you can’t control your emotions…  You might even end up hurting the person really bad!

    Or imagine if someone makes you happy, and you can’t control your emotions, you might just as well sell your entire property just to express your happiness (allow me to exaggerate a bit).

    In both cases, you will end up regretting your actions… Because you allowed your emotions to get the better of you.

     

     

    7. Only Say What You Can Do

    Yes! You have to ONLY say what you can do.

    Being a responsible person also entails being an individual with integrity. You can’t claim you are responsible for your life when we can’t even trust your words. You are simply not responsible if you can’t fulfil your promises. 

    I mean, have you ever done business with someone who agrees on an appointment and never shows up?

    Someone who takes a loan and fails to meet the deadline? 

    Someone who will agree to certain terms and conditions and later breach the contract?

    Well, if you’ve ever met such a person, then you will agree with me that they are simply not credible. They are obviously not responsible enough.

     

     

    Related reads:

     

     

    Final Thoughts

    Finally, it is always vital for every individual to be responsible. As a matter of fact, the world will be a better place if it harbours only people who take responsibility for their lives. Okay so this is a bit of wishful thinking, but it would be pretty great right.

    In such a world, things will simply be a lot easier because most people will be easy-going. 

    This is because people who take responsibility for their lives don’t complain much, they only focus on taking positive actions. Think about how much value you can add to your life and the people around you simply by being intentional about everything you do, without making any excuses whatsoever!

     

     

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    Take Responsibility For Your Life
  • 10 Powerful Girl Boss Habits To Copy That Will Change Your Life

    10 Powerful Girl Boss Habits To Copy That Will Change Your Life

    Being a girl boss simply entails being a go-getter, taking responsibility for your words and actions,  and living a purposeful life. Phew! That’s pretty much yeah? Not even considering the benefits that come with it. Today I’ll be sharing some powerful girl boss habits you can adopt to up-level your life.

    It’s quite easy to sit on the couch and read through this but having to make these habits a daily ritual takes more than just getting excited. Consistency and 0% laziness should be the watchwords for every aspiring boss lady. 

    Copying girl boss habits that will bring you significant change is not going to be a piece of cake. There will be different forces and scenarios that might leave you hanging in the garden of “I’m so exhausted, I barely have time to breathe, how do I go about this?”  

    But trust me, it’s worth the effort.  Nobody’s life is all perfect and fancy like the pictures in our daydreams so don’t expect to suddenly take up and master these habits overnight. 

    Take your time, understand why you’re doing this, let it sink in and of course, it’s all about baby steps. So, let’s take an in-depth look at 10 of the girl boss habits that will change your life and help you be a better person.

     

     

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    1. Make Purposeful Living Your Niche

    Knowing your life purpose is the first step toward living a truly conscious life. A life of purpose provides us with a clear goal, a set finish line that you truly want to reach. ~Simon Foster

    The foremost habit to emulate as a girl boss is living purposefully everyday. Like I said, it’s easy for you to just run through all the 10 habits listed out here and try to live up to them, but guess what? Without a driving force, it won’t last. 

    Your thoughts, actions and every day decision making should be tied to your purpose. It should be your driving force in life. Being a girl boss means living with intentions. Now the question is, do you have a purpose? Don’t just pass time or live everyday as it comes – live intentionally. Be purposeful, be a girl boss!

     

     

    2. Have A Plan And Stick To It

    I’m sure you aspire to make one, two or all of your dreams come true. Either long term or short term, achieving a goal requires that you have a plan on how to go about it. 

    For instance, if your goal is to improve your grades from third class to 1st class by the end of the academic year, ensuring you go for classes and studying more extensively is great then to achieve such goals. 

    However, don’t just create plans, stick to them. It might be hard but it’s not impossible.  No matter what the outcome is, at the end you will be fulfilled and super proud you made an effort. Always remember, you can do whatever you put your mind to. 

    If you plan to make it happen and stick to that plan, come what may, it will happen. Sticking to a goal plan is one of the best girl boss habits that will change your life for good. 

     

     

    3. Be An Early Bird

    Being an early bird is not just about waking up early in the morning, it’s also about completing tasks within the stipulated time frame, being on time for scheduled meetings and events and also meeting up with work deadlines. 

    However, all these will be seldom possible if you start off your day wishing you can use the time machine, put the alarm clock on snooze or even speed off to another adventure in Dreamland. That’s certainly a grumpy kick-start for a girl boss.

     Now is definitely not the time to dread the early morning blues. Waking up as early as possible in the morning has got loads of benefits that come with it.  It helps you to be mentally alert, have a productive day and reduces your stress levels. 

    To make this bag of goodies hers, a girl boss ensures she sleeps early enough to wake up early and hearty. You don’t expect to be booed up with Netflix until 3am and then wake up at 5am rejuvenated. That’s mission impossible, unless you plan to have an unproductive day with a banging hangover to go with it.

    Related: 15 Tips On How To Wake Up Earlier And Not Feel Tired

     

     

    4. Get Adequate Rest And Sleep 

    Speaking of hangovers, I hope you’re aware that excessive alcohol intake is not the only causal factor for hangovers?

     Having a busy day working your butt off with little or no breaks, and pulling all-nighters working on the computer is enough to start your day on an exhausting note (and that is definitely not a girl boss routine). 

    Since being a boss lady sums up into taking charge and being in control of your life, make sure that  influences your physical health and wellbeing too. Know when to rest and when to work.

     It’s understandable that being a purpose-driven girl boss can have you bagging the world’s most busy woman award.  However, your daily activities if not put in check will have you overworking your body system. It is therefore your responsibility to make a habit of giving your body the proper rest and sleep it needs.

     

     

    5. Try To Do Away With Procrastination

    Another of these premium girl boss habits that will change your life for good is ensuring you give no room for procrastination. Knowing what to do and when to do it should always be a top priority.  You’re a top gunner and being a top gunner means you can’t afford a slack in your schedule and plans. 

    I know it can be pretty hard to stick to schedules at times  especially when others are involved (no one is an island and most times, you can’t control other people’s decisions). However, the effects of procrastination are costlier than those of avoiding it.

     Procrastination will make you blow opportunities, waste your time, lower your self esteem, make rushed and poor decisions, ruin your reputation and may even cost you your career.

     Therefore, ensure you give “doing the right thing at the right time” your best shot. It’s a  wonderful girl boss habit to emulate and it will definitely give your life the change you need.

     

     

    Powerful Girl Boss Habits To Copy

     

     

    6. Eat Well

    Another girl boss habit you need to be familiar with and emulate is having a healthy diet. A busy schedule is a perfect excuse to ditch good foods for junk. It’s okay to want to eat burgers and cookies and hotdogs and down it all with a bottle of soda because you’re yet to collate the PowerPoints for the next presentation and lunchtime is too expensive to spare. 

    However, junk food will get you a feel good vibe this minute and you’ll be feeling bananas the next.  Moral of the story; they are only responsible for some minutes of sugar rush.

     Eating healthy meals on the other hand, will not only give your body the adequate supply of nutrients it needs to be able to function well, it will also enhance your immune system,  improve your well-being, reduce high blood pressure, lower high cholesterol and improve your ability to recover from illness or injury. 

    Don’t forget, you are what you eat. A healthy diet equals a healthy body.  So make healthy eating a habit today!

     

     

    7. Cut Down On Frivolity 

    So far, we have talked about accountability with our time, wellbeing and decisions. Now it’s time we face our personal economies. Before reading further, kindly take some minutes to reflect on how you have managed your finances in the past few months.

     I hope you are proud of your findings. One of the girl boss habits you have got to adopt is being responsible with every penny that you get to have. Learn to track your expenses, query your need to buy or spend no matter how much or little money is involved.

     The truth is, you can’t outgrow the basics. If you can’t be accountable with your personal finances, how then will you be able to manage that of your organisation? Therefore, try to make sure your expenses are well tracked and your finances are perfectly managed.  It’s a great habit to cultivate.  That’s what girl bosses do!

     

     

    8. Have A Defined Use Of Media

    Except you are a journalist, PR, blogger or any other media personnel, there is no reason why you should be on the internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if your work is related to any of the above mentioned, ensure you take time off and have some quiet time to yourself. 

     TV, the internet and other media platforms are full of noise. There are more negatives than positives on them. Loss of quality of life, lack of privacy, decreased safety and security, and harm to social relations are a few of the negative effects of excessive online presence.

     Nevertheless, the internet has made access to information easy. It provides effective communication using emailing and instant messaging services to any part of the world and improves business interactions and transactions, saving on vital time.

     Therefore, since they are necessary evils in our daily lives, ensure you strike a balance when it comes to their usage. Know when to withdraw their use and have some quiet to yourself every day. 

    Don’t be carried away by everything you see online, be mindful of what you watch and subscribe to. For instance, seeing tweets on failed marriages, cheating partners and serial breakups more often will have you subscribe to the “men/women are scum/true love does not exist” kind of banter. A girl boss does not do that.  

     

     

    9. Be Organised 

    From having a well mapped out schedule and creating a clean workspace in your bedroom/study, to making sure no dirty dishes linger in the sink and tidying up the rest of the house, a girl boss sure knows  her way around leading a well organised lifestyle. 

     No matter how busy and rough your day or week might get, make sure you make time out to draw out schedules for the next day, clean up the house, do the dishes and your laundry and clear out items that are seldom useful to you. 

    If you’ve got an early morning, ensure your outfit of choice is readily available. It is also noteworthy that our environment has a way of influencing our mental and of course physical health.  You can’t expect much productivity in a disorganised environment. 

     A clumsy place equals a clumsy mind. To have a healthy girl boss lifestyle, ensure there’s no exemption of any of the above mentioned activities. It’s not always so effortless especially when exhaustion and fatigue from previous work and activities sets in. 

    However, try to make a habit of it. You can even do it alongside something fun like listening to music. That way, it will be less of a chore for you. Nevertheless, if you’re extremely tired or busy, there are a couple of cleaning services that the lady in distress can call to her rescue (only the bills might feel the strain though).

     

     

    10. Create Time For Reflection 

    The final girl boss habit to attain a better change in life is reflecting. At the end of each day and every passing week, ensure you do a reflective check on yourself. 

    It will help you identify how far you’ve come with achieving your purpose, which goals you’re yet to attain, what habit you need to change or emulate and ultimately how to be a better person.  Reflection is a great way to  help every girl boss strengthen their emotional intelligence, improve their self esteem and confidence.

    It will also help you to make better decisions in the future. Surprised at how much having some quiet time alone to think about past actions and events can benefit you? Don’t be! Have a self reflection check today!

    Related: 20 Deep Self-Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself

    And there you have it, girls. Now it’s time to get your action pants on and be the girl boss you truly are.

     

     

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    Powerful Girl Boss Habits To Copy
  • 50 Gratitude Journal Prompts To Help You Live Your Dream Life

    50 Gratitude Journal Prompts To Help You Live Your Dream Life

    Being grateful in your daily life can positively change the outlook you have on life. Today we’ll be sharing some gratitude journal prompts that will help you realize all the things you have to be grateful for.

    Do you practice gratitude on a daily basis or do you just wait till Thanksgiving day before you express thankfulness for all you’ve got? I hope the former is the case!

    But if you are the type that seldom appreciates how far you’ve come and what you have, then it’s time to adjust your focus and learn the art of gratitude. 

    Now I’m pretty sure you have come across journal prompts. They are simply known as statements or questions designed to inspire or offer you an idea on what to write about. 

    One of the ways to keep track of one’s life is by journaling. Journaling helps you to actively engage your thoughts and be in touch with your feelings. It boosts your emotional intelligence and strengthens your self discipline. Plus, journaling provides you with a creativity boost and helps you understand yourself better. Pretty great, yeah? 

    However, not everyone understands how to keep a journal. In fact, most people are oblivious of its benefits and believe it’s for childish individuals. But the reverse is the case! 

    Nowadays, it’s easy to get lost in the stream of bad media, crazy internet, disheartening news and other forms of negativity. We tend to forget the great things life has given us and focus more on the negative and what is yet to be accomplished. 

    This often has us wondering, is there anything to be grateful for? Well, a surf through some gratitude journal prompts can answer that. Gratitude journaling simply entails keeping track of things for which one is grateful for. It’s like keeping a diary of the good things and the great experiences you’ve had.

    Gratitude journaling will shift your focus from the negatives and help you see things from a brighter and, of course, positive viewpoint. In fact, research on positive psychology has shown that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. 

     

     

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    Benefits Of Gratitude Journal Prompts

    I’m sure you can’t wait to explore the 50 gratitude journal prompts I’ve got in store for you. But before we do, let’s have a quick run-through some of the amazing benefits gratitude journaling has got to offer.

    • You become positive minded – Taking out time to put into writing the things you are grateful for will help you on your way to becoming more positive minded. Focusing on the goods things you have and appreciate will help you see life from the positive and optimistic point of view. The more appreciative you choose to be, the more optimistic and positive you become.
    • You become happier – Having a diary of things you’re grateful for is one way of living a happy life. Gratitude journal prompts will help you focus more on the good things, be optimistic for better things and ultimately live a happier life.
    • Improves your self esteem – Gratitude journaling is a great way to build one’s self esteem. Research has shown that folks who keep daily gratitude journals increase overall gratitude, positivity, enthusiasm, determination and alertness. As you go through each of these gratitude journal prompts, you get to be reminded of your abilities, skills and personal achievements. This will greatly help in building your self confidence.
    • Helps to reduce stress – Since  gratitude journal prompts are a great way to help you see how far you’ve come and how much you have achieved, they will also help you ease the worry and the anxiety of thinking about what you are yet to have. 

    You become more appreciative of who you are and less worked up about who you’re not. Also, studies have shown that focusing on feelings of contentment and satisfaction naturally counters stress. So, gratitude journaling will help you counter stress, feel more relaxed and eradicate anxiety.

    We can go on and on about the benefits gratitude journaling has got to offer, but guess what? Time is no one’s friend! So what are we waiting for? Let’s get on with it!

     

     

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

     

     

    Related reads:

     

     

    Gratitude Journal Prompts: 

    1. Describe your happiest childhood memory.

    2. What popular song do you enjoy most and why do you like it?

    3. What is one of your favorite songs from your childhood?

    4. Mention that one friend you can always rely on.

    5. Write down the biggest accomplishment in your personal life.

    6. What is the biggest accomplishment in your professional life?

    7. What memory of your father (or stepfather) do you cherish most?

    8. What memory of your mother (or stepmother?) do you cherish most?

    9. Give a description of your favorite pet (or former pet)? Why was it your favorite?

    10. Write out 5 hobbies and activities that bring you joy.

    11. What mistake(s) have you made that ultimately led to a positive experience? Write them out.

    12. Describe a family tradition that you are most grateful for and why you’re grateful for it.

    13. Write out the name(s) of the teacher(s) or mentor(s)  that made a remarkable impact on your life and how they have helped you.

    14. Write out what you like the most about your town or city and why it’s topping the list of your faves.

    15. Describe your favorite spot at home and why you like it.

    16. Write down that one thing you have learnt this week that you’re grateful for.

    17. Who made you smile in the past 24 hours and why?

    18. What recent purchase did you make that has added value to your life?

    19. Write out the biggest lesson you learned in childhood.

    20. Write out 10 ways you can share your gratitude with other people in the next 24 hours.

    21. What is your favorite scent?

    22.Describe your favorite sound.

    23. Describe your favorite image.

    24. Describe your favorite taste.

    25. Describe your favorite sensation.

    26. What items do you take for granted, which might not be available to people in other parts of the world (i.e. Clean water, electricity, etc.)?

    27.Write about a recent time when a stranger did something nice for you.

    28. What is the hardest thing you’ve had to do, which led to a major personal accomplishment?

    29.What is one aspect of your health that you’re more grateful for?

    30. Who can you count on whenever you need someone to talk to and why?

    31. Describe the last time you procrastinated on a task that wasn’t as difficult as you thought it would be.

    32.What is your favorite habit and why is it an important part of your daily routine?

    33. Describe a “perfect day” that you recently had.

    34. What is a favorite country that you’ve visited?

    35. Describe a funny YouTube video that you recently watched. (If you haven’t, what are you doing on this planet?)

    36. List 10 qualities you like about yourself.

    37. What is one thing you look forward to enjoying each day after work?

    38. What was something you did for the first time recently?

    39. What is one lesson you learn from rude people? 

    40. When was the last time you had a great nap where you awoke feeling fully refreshed?

    41. Shower or bath? Which do you prefer and why?

    42. Write about a time where you felt courageous.

    43. What are a few ways you can appreciate your health whenever you’re sick?

    44. What is a great drink that you like to enjoy each day?

    46.Who has forgiven you for a mistake you’ve made in the past?

    47. List 10 things you have now that you didn’t have 5 years ago.

    48. What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?

    49. What is something positive you can learn from one of your negative qualities? (e.g. Being anxious means you’re really good at planning things out.)

    50. Describe a recent time when you truly felt at peace.

     

     

    For You

    Trust you had a great time appreciating the amazing things you have? Always remember that gratitude is a powerful tool when it comes to living a fulfilled and content life. 

    While going through your gratitude journal prompts, always keep in mind that life is not a bed of roses, no one is perfect so don’t expect your answers to be. You’ve come a long way and you are doing just fine, so be grateful for that. 

    Finally, if you’ve had a bad day and you might want to remind yourself of how great you are doing, going through the 50 journal prompts and some of these gratitude quotes below will be a perfect jump start.

     

     

    Gratitude Quotes

    “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” ― Melody Beattie

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

    “Being thankful is not always experienced as a natural state of existence, we must work at it, akin to a type of strength training for the heart.” ― Larissa Gomez

    “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

    “Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seeker’s life – in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.” ― Sri Chinmoy

    “The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” ― Mary Davis

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

    “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” ― William James

    “There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” ― Ralph H. Blum

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

    “Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.” ― Jacques Maritain

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

    “The root of joy is gratefulness.” ― David Steindl-Rast

    Gratitude Journal Prompts

     

     

    Final Thoughts

    The truth is, sometimes we get so clouded by everything that’s not going our way that we just can’t see what is actually working for us. There’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours! (Okay yeah those are song lyrics but you get it). 

    You know what’s funny? You might be walking or taking a bus to work complaining that you don’t have a car and you’ve got nothing going for you. Meanwhile, someone else is devastated about losing their job. And then again, someone else would do anything to walk again. 

    It all boils down to perspective and appreciating the little things. When you do, big things come your way, and only then will you be able to be grateful for those too. So, say a word of thanks today, or better still, journal it!

     

     

    Please pin & share these gratitude journal prompts!

    Gratitude Journal Prompts
  • Positive Thinking Tips: 15 Ways To Boost Positive Thinking

    Positive Thinking Tips: 15 Ways To Boost Positive Thinking

    The best possible attitude that anyone could adopt is the attitude of an optimist. The attitude of a positive thinker. Today I’ll be sharing some positive thinking tips you can adopt to be more happy overall in your daily life.

    With a positive attitude, you will think more constructively and meaningfully. And, life will be a whole lot better.

    Being a positive thinker is synonymous with being a believer. You’ll make moves that most people wouldn’t dare to make. You will take new paths and reach a particular destination you crave for.

    Besides, you won’t be scared of any failure or setback that you might encounter. You will typically feel motivated to keep taking action! 

    So, the power of positive thinking is insurmountable!  As a positive thinker, you’re literally unstoppable.

     

     

    Positive Thinking Tips

    The question now is; how do you develop this vital mindset? How do you become a positive thinker? 

    The key is; you have to shun being pessimistic. But how?

    Well, in this article, I will highlight 15 positive thinking tips that will help you move your life from a pessimistic end to an optimistic end. Ladies and gentlemen, shall we?

     

     

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    1. Start By Replacing The Negativity In Your Life 

    Want to develop a positive mindset? Then start shaking off negativity from your life. Be mindful of the thoughts you contain in your mind! Or the people you keep close to yourself.

    Start by asking yourself; what are the 3 main streams of Negativity in my life? It could be a friend, or the books you read, the podcast you listen to, even the movies you watch or the blogs you visit! (No worries, you’re safe with this one.)

    Whatever they are, once you are able to identify them (the 3 main sources of negativity), then start eliminating them.

    How do you go about this?

    First, generate ideas on how to limit the time you spend on those sources of negativity. Write down any idea(s) you come up with (this is necessary so you don’t forget easily). Then plan on how to execute those ideas.

    Now, the next thing is to channel your valuable time to more positive things…

    Related: How To Remove Negativity From Your Life And Be Happier

     

     

    2. Always Focus On The Good Side Of A Situation 

    Another great positive thinking tip is to always find the good side of any situation.

    You see, the main difference between a positive-minded person and a pessimist is their perceptions! Their difference comes from how they view things and how they choose to understand.

    Typically, pessimists will rather give up along the way when they face obstacles. They will see no reason to keep pushing. They will simply feel like the only alternative when they feel stuck is to quit.

    But that’s not a thing for a positive thinker. 

    Positive thinkers are optimists. They always believe that there is a way out of any problem. A way to resolve any issue and keep pushing. They don’t simply back down.

    If you really want to delve into the positive side of life, then you must find a way to stay up when life hits you hard. When faced with a negative situation, you have to focus on the positive side. 

    Did you lose a job? Remember you are alive and you can always get a new job with your qualifications. So, stay up and keep pushing.

    Did you lose a friend or someone close to you? Sure, you still have the good memories to hold on to. Those good memories should be your consolation.

    Just so you know, any negative situation can be handled if you learn how to focus on the good side.

    Always find a way to stand up and stay up.

     

     

    3. Forgive Yourself 

    No matter how hard you try, sometimes your BEST might not be good enough. As a matter of fact, your failure might be due to inescapable circumstances or maybe as a result of your own mistake.

    Sure, it’s normal to blame yourself for certain shortcomings, but don’t do it for long! If you really want to be positive, you have to learn how to forgive yourself and move on. Blaming yourself for so long and holding on to that failure will only lead to self-destruction.

     

     

    4. Give Yourself Some Credit 

    Due to frustration or dissatisfaction, we often forget the things we did right. We tend to focus on our inadequacies and feel like we are not good enough. 

    Well, if I must say, that is a very negative way of living! Just like you take the blame for being wrong, also learn to give yourself some credit for a little progress. You truly deserve it.

    Even if you’ve messed up in certain aspects, you have to feel a bit complacent where you got them right. That’s a good way to stay motivated to even get better.

     

     

    Positive thinking tips

     

     

    5. Learn From Your Past Mistakes 

    Your past mistakes are not there for you to hold on to. They are there for you to learn from! 

    Our brains are wired to repeat what we find convenient. Now, if your mistakes happened because you got so comfortable, you might repeat those mistakes a thousand more times (where you failed to LEARN from them).

    The past is gone. So, no matter how much that particular mistake hurts, you can’t change what happened. 

    You can only learn from the mistake by:

    • Understanding why it happened in the first place, and then 
    • Changing the behavior that resulted in the mistake.

     

     

    6. List Your Strengths 

    Pessimism at times might force you to start thinking that you can’t do it, that you can’t achieve it. That the goal is too much for you to reach. Or that you don’t have what it takes…

    But no!

    There are thousands of capacities inside of you, waiting to be triggered and explored. You have to remind yourself what you are capable of.

    I will give a little illustration;

    Let’s say you are seeking a position in a reputable multinational firm, and your gut is letting you down, then you have to create a list of those strengths you’ve got; those certifications that qualify you for the position; those raw skills or talents you’ve got.

    Also, list out the experiences you’ve gathered over the years. This will help you to focus on the reason why you will be hired. Not the reason why you won’t. And of course, that’s a typical way of being positive!

    You’ll be motivated to take the bold step. 

     

     

    7. Acknowledge Your Weaknesses 

    One of the best positive thinking tips is to admit your weaknesses. A positive-minded person always wants to improve. But there is no way you can ever improve if you don’t accept your shortcomings. 

    The advice here is that you have to take note of the things you are not good at, then work hard and improve on them.

    This will make you a more sophisticated person. You’ll be well-versed and your confidence will improve. But remember, it all starts with acknowledging your shortcomings. 

    Related: 11 Tips On How To Invest In Yourself And Change Your Life

     

     

    8. Speak Positively

    What you speak determines what you have in your mind. So, there is a strong connection between the words you speak and the kind of mindset you have.

    A positive minded person will only speak positive words at all times. If you are used to negative speech, then get intentional about the words you speak.

    Where you used to say; I can’t, learn how to start saying; I can. Where you used to say; it’s impossible, start saying; I see possibilities. 

    If you can start practicing positive speech, it won’t be long before you start thinking positively. Can I get an amen, somebody?

     

     

    9. Always Work Out 

    Experts suggest that working out does not only build your body but your mind as well. So, regular exercise won’t only make you shed some body weight. It also alleviates your mental burden!

    When you’re drained mentally and a wave of negative feelings seems to occupy your mind, just 15-30 minutes of physical activities can go a long way to set your mind free.

    Regular workouts will help in building your sense of determination. Also, with periodic exercises, you will start focusing on something else… Not just negative thoughts. 

    Exercising regularly is easily a positive habit that results in positive thinking.

    Related: Easy Ways To Be More Active Without Going To Gym

     

     

    10. Stop Making A Big Deal Out Of Nothing 

    This is one issue many people have to deal with. There are certain insignificant incidents that we face at times but we end up making a big deal out of them. 

    You’re probably familiar with that feeling when you make a minor error (let’s say, at work), then you get so afraid it might cause the management to fire you. That’s a typical example of making a mountain out of a molehill. 

    This kind of behavior is typical of a pessimist. Don’t be that person anymore.

     

     

    11. Focus On The Present 

    Sometimes, concentrating on the present is all you need in order to discard any negative thoughts arising from the past or regarding the future. 

    A popular saying has it that; the past is gone, the future is yet to come, but the most valuable commodity you have is TODAY and that is why it is called PRESENT. 

    Therefore, learn to make the most of your present situation. Learn to concentrate on what happens in your life today. That’s one of the best positive thinking tips you should embrace. 

     

     

    12.  Bring Positivity Into Other People’s Lives

    The fact remains that; you get what you give.

    If you really want to break free from the shackles of negative thoughts, then start by extending positive gestures to others. It’s just simple psychology. 

    When you light up other people’s lives, you’ll definitely feel good about yourself. And that pleasant feeling is bound to trigger the positive mindset in you.

    To do this, start by helping those in need; not necessarily monetary help. 

    For instance, someone may be in need of your comfort or companionship during hard times. Surely, if they can rely on you in such situations, they will value you. Consequently, you’ll value yourself a little bit more too.

     

     

    13. Take Things Slowly 

    Going fast in life seems all nice and cool. But going too fast is negative. When lots of things start happening in your life because of too much haste, it often doesn’t end well. 

    In such situations, you start having accumulated stress both physically and mentally. You won’t be prudent enough to judge right. You’ll lose your acumen. And most likely, lots of negative thoughts and emotions will flood your mind.

    It’s nobody’s fault but yours. You rush a lot!

    Learn to calm down a bit and take things gradually. This way, you’ll be meticulous enough to make the right decisions in life. 

     

     

    14. Start Your Day On A Good Note 

    How you start your day goes a long way to determine the outcome of your entire day. This might sound bizarre, but it’s true.

    For that reason, always start your day on a positive note.

    Some helpful ways to start your day are:

    • Walk up to the mirror and tell yourself something positive
    • Reminisce and ponder on any useful information that will positively affect your day
    • Engage in early morning exercise 
    • Listen to a motivational podcast or video
    • Make your bed
    • Declutter quickly
    • Meditate/Pray

    Ensure you practice some (if not all) of these every morning. There is no positive thinking tip that can be more useful than starting your day well.

    Related: Morning Habits To Supercharge Your Day With Positivity

     

     

    15. Seek To Be Positively Inspired 

    Yes. One of the best ways to change from pessimism to optimism is by seeking inspiration from positive sources.

    You can find yourself a mentor who will inspire you to think positively. You can read motivational books or listen to inspirational podcasts. 

    There are various other ways you can get inspired positively. Just seek such inspirations and you will surely break into the positive realm of life. 

     

     

    Final thoughts

    Applying all these positive thinking tips might not be all that easy (actually, not easy at all) because it has to do with a shift of mindset. But no matter how difficult it might be, once you get intentional about actualizing that shift, it will become a lot easier!

     

     

    Please pin & share these positive thinking tips!

    If these positive thinking tips were helpful to you in any way, please take a moment to pin this post to your personal development board on Pinterest. You can also share it to your favorite social media platform. Thank you!

    Positive thinking tips
  • How To Get Your Life Together When It Feels Out Of Control

    How To Get Your Life Together When It Feels Out Of Control

    Life is a long journey. And it’s not always smooth. It can sometimes be quite a roller coaster (if I do say so myself). Some days are filled with pleasant excitement. In such cases, we just wish it never ends. But there are other days when everything seems to be in shambles. And at that point, we wonder if we can ever get out of that day fast enough. Today I’ll be sharing some tips on how to get your life together and back on track when your life feels chaotic.

    It’s a pretty common experience in life to find yourself in some kind of slum and feel stuck. Although it might be really difficult to put things in order, no matter where you are in life, you CAN get your life together again.

    One thing you should know about getting your life together is that it’s not abrupt. It is a process…a continuous process. And hence, we have the good and bad days, the sunny and rainy days.

    Sometimes, you’ll feel like you can single handedly take the world by storm. Other times the ferocity of life leaves you so lonely and terrified. 

    But then there is a possibility that nowadays, you see more of those horrible days than you ever saw the good days and now, you want solutions on how to break free.

    Since your search for a solution brought you here, then you took the right step! Join me as I go over some practical ways to get your life back on track, no matter what happened in the past. We move.

     

     

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    1. Examine The Categories Of Your Life 

    Hey, so I’m sure you know that to ascertain  results or causal factors, an examination is always required.

    You undergo a school examination to ascertain how much knowledge you’ve acquired over a given period of time (that’s debatable but maybe some other time?). When you fall sick, you go through a medical examination to ascertain the cause of the disease.

    The reason I’m putting this on top of the list is that in order to solve any problem, you have to find out the cause first. Now, in order to get your life back on track, you have to start by finding out WHY you are stuck in the first place. 

    And there is no better way to find out why than to examine the 8 categories of your life. The 8 life categories encompass virtually all aspects of your life; making it quite comprehensive.

    If you can effectively examine and evaluate these life categories, there is no way you won’t find out the cause(s) of your problems, and hence the solution won’t be so far away.

    These are the 8 Life Categories you must evaluate:

    • Business/Career 
    • Wealth/Finances 
    • Family/Friends 
    • Recreation/Fun/Entertainment 
    • Fitness/Health 
    • Love Life 
    • Spiritual/Personal Development 
    • Physical/Environmental Aspect. 

    After identifying those 8 areas of your life, you have to evaluate them by creating a vision for each. In each of the categories, ask yourself:

    • What have I done wrong here?
    • How do I make amends?
    • What do I want to achieve? 
    • Where do I want to be?

    By asking these questions, you will easily evaluate how you are performing presently and why. Then moving forward becomes easier. 

     

     

    2. Routinize Your Day 

    Remember, it’s all about getting your life together. So, if your activities can be routinized, you will feel better for sure. This is because a TASK feels more difficult to accomplish than a ROUTINE. 

    To routinize your day, you have to start from the very moment you wake up from sleep. Preferably, you can start with less difficult activities, maybe a minor exercise will do for a morning routine. 

    Then get to the main activities for the day. Take them one activity after another until evening. Yeah, evening routines are special too. One of the best night activities you could adopt is to prepare for the next day. It makes tomorrow less terrifying or occupied.

    The more your routines are constant (continuous or uninterrupted), the easier your life becomes. 

    When you wake up every day familiar with all your to-dos, life will definitely be less overwhelming. 

    However, changing your routines from time to time won’t be a bad idea. Because it’s possible to feel bored after repeating the same line of activities day-in-day-out. 

    A switch in daily routines at times can help get your life up (just as much as routines do). 

    Related: Top 10 Morning Habits To Supercharge Your Day

     

     

    How To Get Your Life Together

     

     

    3. Get Clear With Your Goals 

    The whole idea of setting a goal is to give us a clear direction towards achieving what we want. Of course, it’s easier to have dreams of what you want to be, but it is quite difficult to achieve those dreams if you don’t have a clear goal (and planned actions) on how to go about it. 

    I’m sure you don’t want to wander for ages without vision or direction. You will definitely not reach your destination. That’s exactly what happens to you if you have no clear goal.

    How to go about goal-setting?

    First, take 30 minutes of your time to search through your mind. Then, write down the things you really want to achieve by the end of next week or next month or even next year. The third (and a very vital step) is to come up with a strategy; the day-to-day activities you must embark on towards achieving the stated goal(s).

    Moreover, you must revisit your strategy from time to time to ensure that you are on the right track and to make some adjustments if need be. 

     

     

    4. Have A Priority List 

    If you really want to get your life together, then it’s high time you stopped biting off more than you can chew. Often we set many more goals than we can achieve. And in the process of chasing the multiple goals, we get stuck without any significant achievement! It’s quite sad. 

    For instance, you can recall how busy most people are every 31st Of December, trying to create certain resolutions that they will end up not executing.

    If you really want to put things in place and get your life a bit simpler, you have to prioritise. If possible, set only a goal for a given period of time. Focusing on a goal makes it more feasible to achieve.  

     

     

    5. Learn How To Be Productive

    Productivity comes before fulfilment. Nobody can truly say they have attained self-actualization without being productive in the first place. 

    Unfortunately, productivity doesn’t come easy and most of us struggle with it. We strive so hard and many times, we fail to achieve our desires. Apparently, that’s why we feel like our life is falling apart.

    But come to think of it, how can you be productive when you often start up something and leave it halfway and then delve into something else…only to forget the one you started initially?

    Such an attitude to work will never yield any positive results. Instead, you will feel disorganised by it. In order to become more productive, you need a little bit of patience and determination. You need that resilience to finish up any task you start. 

    There are lots of books and internet materials like this one that will help you to take the right steps towards productivity. 

    Related: 10 Effective Time Management Tips That Really Work

     

     

    6. Organize Your Finances 

    The financial aspect of your life is something you mustn’t joke with. 

    It’s not always easy to keep your finances in order. Handling money is not child’s play. And hence, most of us have our fair share of mismanaging money; if not all the time, then at least once in our lifetime. 

    Fortunately, money management – saving and budgeting – is something you can get good at (that is, if you really want to).

    However, it doesn’t just come to us, it requires constant effort! 

    As a matter of fact, one of the basic goals you should set in order to get your life together is to organise your finances. 

    Start by developing an action plan for money management. 

    On every payday, probably the end of the month, take out a portion of your income for savings. The higher the amount you can muster for savings, the better. Then remove the amount you need for your recurrent monthly expenses. Any remainder afterward can then be used for fun, entertainment, or emergency.

    If you can make it a goal to follow this procedure every month, your finances will definitely get better. 

    Related: 20 Things To Stop Buying To Save Money Starting Today

     

     

    7. Invest In Your Health 

    Health, they say is wealth (sigh, if only they meant that literally, I’d be rich!)

    The most direct way to invest in your life is by investing in your health. In other words, to get your life up and running, your health must be in one piece.

    Most times, people take their health for granted. However, the importance of good health will resonate with you as you get older. By then, you’ll realise that you can no longer do certain things you used to do freely. 

    Unfortunately, old-age is not the perfect time to start taking care of yourself. You have to start now… As early as possible. By doing so, you will feel great even when you get older.

    A proper way to start investing in your health is by adopting healthy lifestyles such as:

    • Exercising regularly
    • Eating healthily
    • Drinking enough water
    • Taking supplements
    • Going for medical check-ups
    • Avoiding alcohol & cigarettes 
    • Avoiding excessive sugar and fats
    • Visiting the hospital once you fall sick, etc.

    Undoubtedly, you will benefit a lot by living a healthy life. 

    First, your weight will be under control. As a matter of fact, you have little or no chance of being obese just by embracing a healthy lifestyle. Also, a healthy way of living will improve your mood. You will simply be happier.

    Moreover, certain diseases like; diabetes, arthritis, depression, cancer, will be prevented. As long as you make healthier choices and invest in your health as much as you can, you will definitely live comfortably enough to get your life together. 

     

     

    8. Declutter Your Space 

    Sometimes, the reason you feel like your life is messed up is quite simple;  you’re in a mess. A dirty environment will never benefit you. It generally affects your vibe, your mood, your aura, your temperament… Even your health!

    To get your life together, you shouldn’t only focus intrinsically. Sometimes, our environment goes a long way to affect how we feel within.

    Decluttering your environment from time to time is quite necessary. It not only provides you a clean space to live happily but also improves the state of your mind. 

    Therefore, use certain days within the week to clean your home (both the interior and exterior). Also, discard all those properties you no longer need. They clutter the little space you have and make you feel clogged.

    What do you stand to gain from decluttering? Well, there are a whole lot of benefits that come with decluttering. Some are physical, others are psychological. 

    Physically, a clean home reduces exposure to surface germs and resultantly, reduces the risk of infections. Psychologically, a clean, spacious environment improves concentration, reduces stress levels, improves mood, and most importantly, the quality of your sleep will be transformed. 

     

     

    9. Make Time For Yourself 

    This might be last on this list but definitely one of the most important steps to take.

    Many times, life can get so crazy!

    You find yourself paying lots of attention to work, family, and other responsibilities. You get so engrossed and busy so as to make ends meet. But then, you need to pause…

    Take a break.

    Remember to give yourself some time. Your body needs it!

    Use that little break time to prioritize yourself. Self-care is something that should be on your list of priorities. No matter how busy you are, create a little time to care for yourself. 

    Once you learn how to give yourself some time amidst all difficulties, it won’t be long before you start feeling like things are beginning to fall in place for you. Just try it out.

    Related: 30 Easy Ways To Practice Self Care

     

     

    Final thoughts

    There’s a whole lot more that will help you put your life in one piece. However, above all, learn to be kind and never be too hard on yourself. Always take it one step at a time.

    Remember, getting your life together is a continuous process!

     

     

    Don’t forget to pin & share these tips to get your life together this year!

    How To Get Your Life Together
  • 15 Ways To Improve Your Happiness And Enjoy Your Life

    15 Ways To Improve Your Happiness And Enjoy Your Life

    There’s always a bluish feeling that comes with pessimism. In an era where everywhere you turn to is filled with pessimism and toxicity, sometimes, it’s hard to look on the bright side. But, it’s very possible! Today I’m sharing some of my top tips on how to improve your happiness and enjoy your life.

    Happiness is free! So instead of just trying to avoid negativity or get over the toxicity making rounds, focusing on the positive will be our mainstay. 

    In light of this, I’ll be sharing some sweet tips on how to increase your happiness. And since the goal is not only to get you excited and lift your spirit for a moment, with the tips enlisted below, I’m optimistic that you’ll stay happy too!

     

     

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    Related reads:

     

     

    1. Have A Heart Of Gratitude

    Cherish and be proud of what you have, as well as the effort you put into things. It’s so easy to get caught up with disappointments we face on a daily basis and welcome pessimism with open arms.

     We are not going to do that. Look within you, look around you, there are a lot of things to be grateful for. No matter how little they might be, don’t take those things for granted. It’s alright to want things for yourself  and want to work harder to get them but make sure you take a minute or two to be thankful for how far you have come.  

    When you appreciate the things you have, you’ll worry less about what you don’t have (worry won’t get you anywhere or anything though, just more worries). Less worry is ultimately a great way to improve your happiness.

     

     

    2. Comparison Is A Killer Of Joy

    I can’t emphasize this enough! We are in the age where the world is populated with “social pressures”  especially on social media. Everyone seems to be in the happiest relationships and have the best of friends.

    Some seem to use the latest gadgets, travel on private jets and wear the latest designer clothes. And here you are with a “stuck in one place” kind of feeling. It’s like the whole world is getting their act together quite well, save you.

     Now, don’t be swept off your feet by those things. FACADE is the right word for them. You’re doing just fine, and the less attention you pay to those things, the better you will do. If you want to improve your happiness, be content.

    Contentment in this case is not about being content with everything life throws at you. It’s having a sense of satisfaction that when life throws you a lemon, you make a lemonade (not throw the lemon away and sulk).

    Never compare yourself to anyone, your goals, aspirations and dreams are different from theirs, let no one set a standard as to how you are to achieve them. 

    Social media is not your life coach. So have a mind of your own. It comes with great peace, you’ll be happier and at ease with yourself, no pressures, no worries, and this will improve your happiness.

     

     

    3. Discard The Retail Theorems

    Material possessions might get you excited the moment they become yours but they won’t always make you happy. It’s not a bad thing to have money and own things but those things won’t guarantee your happiness. 

    So rather than spend money on things, you can choose to spend money on experiences. Go to the zoo, go on movie night outs, road trips aren’t a bad idea, there are a lot of amazing places to tour.

     These activities won’t just bring happy experiences, they’ll also leave loads of sweet memories to savour during a hectic workday.

     

     

    15 Ways To Improve Your Happiness

     

     

    4. Don’t Try Too Hard

    Doing things (movies, karaoke, games) because you find pleasure in them will go a long way to improve your happiness.

    However, there’s a thin line between the things that make you happy and doing things so you’ll be happy. Let me give a clearer picture. If you love going to the movies and watching movies makes you happy, it’s different from going to the movies because you want to be happy. 

    In the former, it comes naturally, however, an expectation is placed on the latter. Recent research made on psychological sciences has shown that putting too much effort on the search for happiness as if it’s on sale can backfire! 

    The problem here is expectations, because you tend to focus on the end result (happiness) rather than the activity itself. It’s the same with people who go into relationships because they believe they’ll be happy. 

    When their expectations are not met, they tend to be thrice as blue as they were before the relationship. Don’t be that person.

     

     

    5. Work Out

     Research and of course every day experiences have shown that exercise is a very effective mood lifter. You don’t necessarily have to hit the gym before you exercise your body. Early morning runs, jogging and even dancing are a good start. 

    You can even create some space in the living room to stretch your muscles while watching your favourite TV show (I’d recommend 10 squats and 15 bicycle crunches for starters). 

     No matter how busy your schedule might get, try to make time out for a little work out at least thrice in a week, it’s a pretty great way to improve your happiness.

     

     

    6. Meditation and reflection 

    An unstable mind breeds confusion and unhappiness.  It’s no news that meditation helps to calm and stabilise our emotional and mental state. Signing up for a yoga class or scheduling 5-15 minutes of self reflection will not only help improve your happiness, it will also give you a sense of direction.

     

     

    7. A touch of Flexibility won’t hurt

    Sometimes, doing the same things and going through the same daily routines can easily get us the blue feeling we dread. Except you’re a die-hard stereotype, sticking with one routine for too long sometimes feels like going round in circles or staying in a box. It can be depressing. 

    The good news is, you can change that narrative. Adding to and swapping some activities for others on your daily routine could be a great mood booster. If you’re used to doing the laundry in the morning and dishes at night, you could swap one for the other. 

    Go through your schedule and make some changes today. Be flexible, be happy!

     

     

    8. You are what you eat

    Do you know that there are foods which produce chemicals that influence a person’s mood? Nutritionists recommend food rich in B-12 and folic acid (oatmeal, wheat germs and other fortified cereals).

     Studies have shown that these nutrients help the body produce a neurotransmitter called serotonin—a known mood stabilizer. Also, food rich in omega-3 fats such as salmon, sardine, olive oils and walnuts help alleviate depression.

    There’s a reason why popcorn is the cliché snack for movies. Chocolates also help a great deal. So you see, the above saying is not just about one’s physical fitness. Ensure you eat well to increase your happiness today.

     

     

    9. Rest Well, Sleep Enough

    We all know that busy schedules could get us crazy hangovers, eye bags and sometimes 3 men banging the heaviest sledge hammers inside our head (yeah, headaches). So, if you don’t get enough sleep and rest, it takes its toll not just on your physical self, but also on your mental wellbeing.

     Restlessness always leaves a trail of fatigue, depression and even lack of satisfaction. The human body, mind and soul need enough rest to be more active and function well. So to be rejuvenated and increase your happiness, ensure you get at least 8 hours of sleep daily.

     

     

    10. Smile

    Hey there! Have you smiled today? Whether you are sipping a cocktail drink in Santiago Bay or counting your blessings on a Sunday morning, or getting through a busy schedule, try to wear a smile. 

    A daily dose of smiling lifts one’s spirit and you’re very likely to make others smile when you do. You see, happiness is free, spread it!

     

     

    11. Do your favorites

    We all like to go to eat our favourite meals, wear our favourite clothes and go to our favourite spot on special occasions. 

    Yeah, they simply make that occasion special and make us happy. But who says you can’t have a special day everyday? No one? Great. So please do you favourites frequently. Don’t wait for special occasions, be happy now.

     

     

    12. Invest In Purposeful Leisure

    Channelling your time, energy and resources into something you like which is usually not a profession or work will make you happier. Purposeful leisure does contribute to one’s personal development and reflects one’s sense of preference. 

    For instance, learning a new skill, trying out a new recipe or sport, taking up a freelance job or signing up for a language course. Doing these things increases one’s happiness and when completed, they bring a feeling of satisfaction.

     

     

    13. Value people that make you happy

    Busy schedule or not, quality time with loved ones and friends that inspire us to be happy should not be taken for granted. Spending time with our loved ones is one of the greatest but most underrated ways of increasing one’s happiness. 

    It is underrated because everyone leads a busy life and people now substitute quality time spent with their loved ones with time spent on social media platforms with strangers thousands of miles away. 

    Having your loved ones present and engaging in activities together helps create a bond and sense of belonging. It somehow gives us a feeling of safety and assurance that  they will always be there for us. 

    Thinking about this in turn brings satisfaction and happiness. Create time out with friends, enjoy the activities, smile, laugh, embrace their  warmth, savour the memories and be happy!

     

     

    14. Celebrate Good Times 

    Doing things that give you nostalgic feelings and remind you of sweet memories are a great mood lifter. They help us reminisce on how far we’ve come and somewhat gives a sense of gratitude which ultimately helps in increasing one’s happiness. 

    Buy scented candles and flowers, look at happy photographs, go to places that remind you of happy memories and think back on positive memories. Indulging the senses goes a long way when it comes to increasing one’s happiness.

     

     

    15. Offer A Hand 

     Coming through for others who are in need can increase your happiness a great deal. Rendering a helping hand somewhat makes us appreciate the life we lead and of course there are many ways to go about it. 

    You can contribute to a community project, walk a pet at animal care, help a coworker fix their computer, be a volunteer teacher at the school for children with special needs or even donate to charity in case you’ve got a really hectic schedule. You will be happy you did.

     

     

    Bonus: Be purpose driven

    Not just doing things but understanding why you do them is another great way to improve your happiness. To be happy, you need to know what you want, how and when you want it. The people who wallow in comparison and are easily swerved by others are those who don’t have a set purpose. They are usually confused and end up being sad and even depressed. 

    As a  purpose driven persona, you set goals and create plans to achieve them. You have a sense of direction, you know what you want and you go for it. You are not confused or under pressure, you are simply content, satisfied and happy!

     

     

    Final thoughts

    Finally, to stay happy, you have to come to the realisation that you cannot have it all your way. Every situation, every  thought, every expectation and every action cannot go your way. As humans,  we tend to let what we cannot control or change, our pasts and mistakes affect our happiness.

     Yes, we could have said and done things differently, but then, it is what it is. We have to move on and learn from the outcome. Remember worrying and anxiety won’t help or provide a solution. In fact, they tend to add more problems. 

    Happiness, they say, is a product of positivity, so choose to be positive. Rather than  beat yourself up over mistakes or get anxious about the future, understanding all these valuable tips and putting them into practice will help a great deal in increasing your happiness.

     

     

    Please pin & share these tips to improve your happiness!

    15 Ways To Improve Your Happiness
  • How To Visualize Success In Order To Achieve The Results You Want

    How To Visualize Success In Order To Achieve The Results You Want

    Visualization is an age-long practice.  It’s something many people do. But not everyone actually does it the right way. Hence, they come up with little or no results. However, most successful people you know today are quite good at it! They use visualization as a mechanism to achieve the results they crave. Today I’ll share some tips on how to visualize success correctly to help you achieve your goals.

    Footballers, gymnasts, musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, speakers, actors, you name it; it’s visualization that helps them to reach the next level in their careers. It’s what they envision that propels them to take a step forward!

    At this point, you might be asking the question; what is visualization? 

    Well, it’s all about foresight.

    When you visualize, you imagine having reached a destination you intend to reach. You envision achieving certain goals you’ve set. And of course, it becomes more feasible for you to actualize those desired results.

    As a matter of fact, when you visualize, you actualize. That’s how it works.

    Now, I’m sure you’re eager to find out how to do this. Fret no more, let’s dive right in!

     

     

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    1. Decide What You Want 

    The very first step you have to take is to decide. What difference exactly do you intend to make in the near future?

    Once you provide the answer to this question, then that’s what you want. And that is to say; you’ve started the mission of visualizing your success.

    Moreover, while trying to figure out your destiny, you shouldn’t focus on your past. Don’t allow the present situations to weigh you down. 

    In order to get intentional about what you want for your future, you have to write down those aspirations on paper. They are your goals. And they will give your life a sense of direction and purpose.  

     

     

    2. Imagine Having It 

    You will agree with me that visualization is all about dreams. Now, in order to get real with those fantasies, you have to imagine that you’re living it…

    To make it easier, just try to imagine that you’ve already gotten that result you crave for. In other words, that decision you made (in step one above); just imagine that you have arrived at that destination you aspire to. 

    See it as if you’ve achieved that goal and that you are living in that future. Absorb that feeling even if the results are not yet there. That’s what a positive mindset is all about.

    Sure, it might seem a bit bizarre (okay, a lot bizarre). But then it’s very important that you take this step. Because it is one thing to have a dream and another to actualize it.

    And there is no better way to actualize your dreams than to have the feeling of living those dreams from this moment. 

    It is called “Feeling the feeling of success even when you are yet to get there.” (Yeah, I coined that.)

    Remember, the human body finds it difficult to differentiate between fake and real feelings which is why you feel so scared watching a horror movie even when you know it’s not real. The same thing can be applied to the feeling you have about your future; once you imagine that you have it now, then you will feel the impact on your body immediately.

    Adopting this particular strategy will simply cut that rope that demarcates your dreams from your reality, and hence, it will be easier to get the results you want.

     

     

    How To Visualize Success

     

     

    3. Practice The Thought of Having It Already 

    Now that you have the thought and mindset of having it, the next step is to practice that thought. At this point in time, you are about to get practical with your goals, your ambition, and above all your destination… So expect it to be scary!

    Of course, most times, we feel so hysteric when we are faced with a new practical challenge; especially the ones we have no clue about. 

    Once you decide to take that big step that could change your identity, you might experience that feeling of impostor syndrome. You will feel like you are not good enough, and that perhaps you are just going too far. 

    That is why your brain will likely tremble over practicing that thought of having it already. If you feel this way, it’s actually normal. And as a matter of fact, it indicates that you are heading in the right direction.

    But, be bold. Because, it’s not just about knowing how to visualize success, it’s about practicing it!

    You’ve developed that thought and feeling of having it, right? Now is the time to practice that feeling. Now is the time to behave like a successful person.

    Let all your actions (right now) be in line with the actions you’d take if you were already successful. That is the best way to obtain your dream results this very moment.

     

     

    4. Look For Moments of Serendipity 

    This is simply an unintended but fortunate moment of discovery. Looking for such a moment in the right way will have a remarkable impact on your life.

    The actual result might not come through immediately when you start visualization. However, you will definitely experience some surprising changes along the way! 

    Just look out for such surprises.

    Of course, by doing so, things will begin to happen differently. You will discover ways to simplify things and get good results. And hence, you won’t work too hard but too smart.

     

     

    5. Practice Visualization 

    Do you want to really learn how to visualize success? Then start practicing it every day. It’s as simple as that. Don’t just wait for that right moment to visualize, make it a habit. 

    It won’t take much of your time to make this activity a routine. Somewhere between 15 to 30 minutes (every day) will do. And it is actually a fun-filled activity because it gives you the opportunity to peer into a pleasant future. 

    I’m sure you feel great whenever you fantasize about something good about the future? Well, that’s the exact feeling this practice will offer you. 

    Moreover, it is very positive to visualize a successful future because if you don’t,  you will be left with no option than to visualize sad failures in the past. Which is the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve!

     

     

    Final thoughts

    Visualizing success is a very healthy practice. It helps you to start living in success instead of dwelling on failure.

    Once you learn how to visualize success, you will move in a positive direction. This is because instead of regenerating your past failure, your brain will direct your focus towards creating a successful future, and hence, you will design for yourself the exact life you want to live!

    Your actions will simply go right instead of wrong and the best results will follow.

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    Please pin & share these tips on how to visualize success!

    How To Visualize Success