Personal Development

The Final Post

2008-09-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

This is my final post here on this blog. Not that the blog wasn't popular and I truly enjoyed posting to it. However, I have acquired the domain http://www.your-personal-best.com and can now publish as a Wordpress blog.

So if you want to see more about personal development and self-improvement, motivation, success, time management, the law of attraction and more make sure to visit Your Personal Best.

Wellness360

2008-08-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Part of being the best that you can be involves not only your mental and spiritual well being but your physical well being.

A new social network allows you to concentrate on all areas of well being and get paid for doing so. Best of all their is no cost to get involved. You simply join, fill out a simple health profile, and such things as weight goals, medical records, and get paid for doing so. You earn points for these actions as well as for blogging and inviting friends and adding friends. These points are converted into cash and you can cash out in any quarter year period when you have $25 or more accumulated.

Check out Wellness360 today and sign up and start improving your health!!!

The Richest Man In Town

2008-07-25T07:54:00.001-07:00

This is one of those short movies using photos as opposed to video to tell a story. It is also one of the best that I have seen recently so I just had to share it with you. At first you think that the richest man in town is going to be some religious icon but you need to watch the movie all the way through which is easy.

I was motivated by this movie in ways that are difficult to describe. Go here to see The Richest Man In Town.

Have a positive and uplifting day.

Inspiration in Leadership

2008-07-07T17:18:00.001-07:00

How do you manage your life, your relationships and if you have one your business?

There are many different types of management approaches.

One of these utilizes directly telling people what to do and if they don't do it then to arrange circumstances so they have to do the task anyway. This type of management is almost like a dictatorship.

Another type of management is one that encourages people to grow and to do things at their own pace. It is pretty much a hands off approach.

There is one approach to the management of people that works best and it is said best by Ross Perot. Henry Ross Perot (born June 27, 1930) is an American businessman from Texas, who is best known for seeking the office of President of the United States in 1992 and 1996. That approach to management is best reflected in his quote:

Lead and inspire people. Don't try to manage and manipulate
people. Inventories can be managed but people must be lead.
- Ross Perot

Audio books for an intense brain workout

2008-06-25T11:44:00.001-07:00

Once again it's time to link to an article from my article directory Article Database. This time it's an article entitled:

10 Best Success and Motivation Audio Books for an Intense Brain Work out

Would you like to "Supercharge" your mind - On Demand? "Do what?" You ask , oh you know: Create the state of mind where you: Feel that you can do and achieve anything. Work faster and produce better results. Break down and solve problems quickly. Take decisions like a war winning general and brush obstacles aside with ease!

Just visit the article that opens on a separate page to find out what the titles of these audio books are.

10 Best Success and Motivation Audio Books for an Intense Brain Work out

The More Done Less Time Show

2008-06-20T19:36:00.001-07:00

Every now and then I find a business development website or blog that fits not only with helping one with business development but also with personal development. After all in order to develop a business one must develop other aspects.

Time management is one of these areas that can be useful to anyone as well as to businesses; therefore, I am telling you about this great site by fellow entrepreneur, blogger and time management expert Donna Lendzyk. The name of her website or rather her blog is the The More Done Less Time Show.

Each of her posts on this blog is a podcast, that is an audible recording of her message for the time period it is posted. She also offers a report called Seven Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time to anyone signing up to receive email notice of when a new podcast is available. I would suggest that if you are interested in learning how to manage your time that you sign up to receive these updates.

Here's to making the most of your time.

Overcoming Fear and moving forward

2008-06-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

Are you afraid of something? More than likely there is at least one thing that you are afraid of. Maybe, it's something as simple as going out into public, or getting up in front of a group of people in order to speak.

Maybe your fear is letting go of self-defeating, self limited behaviors for the simple reason that they are all that you know and you would feel lost without them. Maybe it's a fear of all of your friends leaving you and no longer having anyone to share with. Fear is usually based somewhat in reality due to a past experience.

Remember this:
Fear is always counseling you against the perils of 'now' because of something that happened 'once before'. --Robert Holden

The next time fear calls out to you, face it. You no longer choose to live in the past and that particular fear can't live in the present. It's time to let go of that fear and move forward.

Self-Development Newsletter

2008-06-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I will be revealing a website and or newsletter that I feel fits in well with the theme of this newsletter. One such newsletter is Bradley Thompson's Self Development Newsletter.

Every issue has articles about self development, links to relevant websites and links to positive, encouraging and entertaining videos that can help you to broaden your perspective, help your relationships and career and much more. This is a quite well done newsletter and is evolving in the fact that each issue contains more and more types of information.

If you subscribe today you can obtain $4,570 worth of self-growth goodies. I would hurry and do so because Bradley claims that he's removing the offers at the end of June. Just go to http://www.selfgrowthgiveaway.com/giveaway to sign up for his newsletter and get the goodies Bradley is giving away.

Grumpy Movie

2008-06-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

Although work is good because of the rewards that it brings us some of us can have the habit of working to much. Here is a fun but also good look into how our work can affect our mood in
the eyes of our children. Just visit: http://www.GrumpyMovie.com

5 Steps To Attaining Your Goals

2008-05-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've posted to this blog but soon there should be many new posts. This particular post is about attaining your goals.

Melani Ward in her article 5 Keys To Attaining Your Goals lists the following five steps:
1. Write them down.
2. Identify small goals and action plans that will move you toward your larger goals.
3. Throw out the old goals.
4. Tell people. (Your goals that is.)
and
5. Set up a reward system for yourself.

For tips on implementing these five steps go to Melani's article 5 Steps To Attaining Your Goals.

In times of great stress or adversity

2006-08-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.

--Lee Iacocca

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Life On A Train

2006-07-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

According to this Power Point presentation our lives can be compared to living life on a train. A friend of mine Linda Harris sent me this in an email. However, I don't have a way to post it currently so instead I found an online link to where you can either download it to your computer or open it directly with Microsoft Power Point.

my.opera.com/zenya/homes/blog/life_on_a_train21.pps

Be sure to turn your sound up as their is background music with the presentation. I found the entire presentation very moving.

Technorati Tags: friendship, relationships, life, trains, contribution, life+on+a+train, slideshows

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Thoughts are Things

2006-06-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

I hold it true that thoughts are things;
They're endowed with bodies and breath and wings;
And that we send them forth to fill
The world with good results, or ill.
That which we call our secret thought
Speeds forth to earth's remotest spot,
Leaving its blessings or its woes
Like tracks behind it as it goes.
We build our future thought by thought,
For good or ill, yet know it not.
Yet, so the universe was wrought.
Thought is another name for fate;
Choose, then, thy destiny and wait,
For love brings love and hate brings hate.

---Henry Van Dyke

Technorati Tags: love, fate, destiny

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Why Do We Hurt Those We Love Most And How To Stop This

2006-06-14T02:17:00.000-07:00

Ineke Van Lint writes in her interesting article Why Do We Hurt Those We Love Most And How To Stop This, the following opening statements:

"You love each other but can’t manage to communicate without arguing, fighting and ending up exhausted, each one in his corner, trying to lick his wounds and thinking of how to protect one self against a new attack. And in spite of that…you love each other? How is this possible? Why do people hurt most those they love?

How come we can’t express our love? How come we are full of good intentions but when it comes to reality we find ourselves again shouting and blaming the other one. And then that monster of guilt jumps out of nowhere to our throat to strangle us once again.

How to stop this infernal behavior?" To see more of what Ineke Van Lint has to say about this go to http://www.article-database.com/article334.html

This seems to be a problem in many relationships and in my opinion I see it most in relationships that have some issues with codependency. If you see yourself hurting someone you love over and over or you feel that you are being hurt over and over by someone who claims to love you, then please read the article. Once again it is located at http://www.article-database.com/article334.html

If you have comments about what is discussed in the article please come back here and leave a comment or comments. Thank you.

Technorati Tags: relationship, relationships, love, codependency, Ineke+Van+Lint, hurt, communication

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Mothers Day Gifts

2006-05-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Well today I have a Mother's Day present for you. My own Mother is currently in the hospital and I would ask for all of you who are believer's to pray for her continued well being. She went in for knee surgery on May 1, 2006 and on May 6th had a heart attack while still at the hospital. She is doing better but she still needs your prayers.

As for the Mother's Day gifts if you are a mother than please look at this video and see how important that you are. If you are not a mother but a son or a daughter, please consider sharing this video with your mother. It is called the New Mom movie and it is at http://www.NewMomMovie.com

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and make sure to remember yours.

Technorati tags: moms mothers+day mothers prayers heart+attack video movie

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Part of being a champ is acting like a champ.

2006-05-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

"Part of being a champ is acting like a champ. You have to learn how to win and not run away when you lose. Everyone has bad stretches and real successes. Either way, you have to be careful not to lose your confidence or get too confident."

~ Nancy Kerrigan

champ,nancy+kerrigan,learn,win,confidence,confident

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Prosperity and getting started

2006-05-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

As a part of self improvement, personal development or just getting and doing the best that you can in life achieving prosperity is a goal that some of us aim for. There is nothing wrong with wanting more as long as it doesn't cut us off from our moral compass. For myself being a Christian it means that I don't cut myself off the source of my faith which is Christ.

Linda Kleist in her article Steps to start your prosperity flow relates how there are some people that no matter what they do always come out on the top of things. In regards to these people Linda states in her article that, "For the most part, these people know and more important use the five steps to prosperity. Once you have the same knowledge, your prosperity will flow to you as well."

The five steps that Linda reveals are as follows:
1. A clear and open mind.
2. Ready to receive and accept your prosperity.
3. Believe "it is so".
4. Maintain a positive attitude.
5. Give back to the Universe.

Within the rest of the article she goes into more depth concerning these steps and achieving them. To read more simply go to Steps to start your prosperity flow.

prosperity,attraction,linda+kleist,faith,positive+attitude,universe

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Fit Inside Movie

2006-03-31T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here's another online movie that is about self improvement / personal development. It is the Fit Inside movie and it's about what real beauty should be all about, and feeling good about yourself. After all, even if you look good on the outside you can't maintain it if you don't feel good about things emotionally or spiritually.

Check out http://www.TheFitInsideMovie.com

Technorati Tags : fit+inside, emotions, emotion, spirituality, feeling+good, feel+good, health, personal+development, self+improvement

Stress Management: Medical Risks of Stress.

2006-03-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

We recently ran an article by Mary Desaulniers, called Can Stress Be Good For You which looked at both the negative effects of stress and the positive results that we could channel stress into to. In this article by Karen Cole-Peralta, an opposite approach is taken showing that very harmful effects of stress and expressing that to be our healthiest that stress must be reduced.

Karen's article starts as follows:

What is Stress?

Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship between demands on people, our feelings about those demands and our ability to cope with them.

Stress is most likely to occur in situations where:

1. Demands are high.
2. The amount of control we have is low.
3. There is limited support or help available for us.

Who is Affected Most by Stress?

Virtually all people experience stressful events or situations that overwhelm our natural coping mechanisms. And although some people are biologically prone to stress, many outside factors influence susceptibility as well.

For more of Karen's article simply go to Stress Management: Medical Risks of Stress.

Technorati Tags : stress, blood+pressure, ulcers, headaches, migraines, depression, suicide, heart+attack, alcholism, cancer, asthma

Can Stress Be Good For You?

2006-03-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

Did you know that stress can actually be good for you? Mary Desaulniers, a runner, a writer and a retired school teacher shows in this article at http://www.article-database.com that stress can actually be good for you. An excerpt from her article Can Stress Be Good For You? follows:

John has just been given the prospect of starting a new business overseas. He sits around moping; the idea of moving into alien territory fills him with dread, worry and anxiety. Fearful of losing this opportunity, yet unable to make up his mind about really wanting it, he makes no decision. Four weeks later, he comes down with pneumonia.

Jim has been given the same prospect. He is excited by the idea, but worries about leaving a secure and profitable niche here at home. He lists the pros and cons of the venture, goes over them, carefully weighing each item before coming to the decision that the benefits of the business abroad far outweigh the fears he has now. He bristles with excitement. Galvanized, he plunges into action. He feels alert and energetic, ready to tackle the challenge of a new opportunity.

John is a perfect example of how negative stress can make you sick. Jim, on the other hand, is a perfect illustration of what we don’t usually hear about— that stress can sometimes be good for you.

If becoming more like Jim than John interests you read Mary's article Can Stress Be Good For You? to find out more.

Technorati Tags : stress, mary+desaulniers, self+improvement, personal+development, business

Your Emotional Barometer - Release Stored Emotions Before the Storm Hits

2006-03-08T15:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever known anyone who normally seems like a calm, has it all together person who suddenly screams and yells at someone even possibly at a loved one? What about knowing someone who never says I love you or shows affection who suddenly bursts into tears after hearing about a terrible accident that doesn't even concern them? Does one of these scenarios even describe you?

Although such conditions can sometimes be the results of a deep psychosis, it is quite possible that these people just don't know how to express their emotions so instead they bottle them up inside. Then all at once something triggers them to go be released often at an innapropriate time. Emotions are a normal part of every human being. Our negative emotions are signals worth paying attention to, but can be damaging to our health if we ignore them and store them. Lori Radun, a certified life coach, gives nine great advice tips as to how to manage and release emotions in an appropriate manner in her article Your Emotional Barometer - Release Stored Emotions Before the Storm Hits.

Technorati Tags : calm, lori+radun, certified+life+coach, manage, release, emotions, affection, irrational, emotional

The ADD Movie

2006-03-03T12:37:00.000-08:00

I just got sent an email link about a new short online movie about ADD. Attention Deficit Disorder does not have to be a downfall. In fact its so called weakness can also be your strengths if you are someone with ADD. To see what I am talking about simply visit the link: http://www.TheADDMovie.com and view what I thought was very fascinating and encouraging.

Although I have never been formally diagnosed with ADD I have several of the various similarities described in the "movie".

Do you have ADD? If so consider it a blessing rather than a curse. You might be surprised at the amazing tendencies you have to be a success.

Technorati Tags : ADD, attention+deficit+disorder, success, encouragement, personal+development, movie, movies, motivation, strengths

Stay In The Game If You Want To Win by Max Steingart

2006-02-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

The more you try, the greater your chance of succeeding.
The law of averages is on your side.

Taking a risk is often your first necessary step toward success.
If you don't take some risks, you won't get the chance to succeed.
While you are trying, you are winning.

Never get discouraged.

Every wrong attempt is another step forward.
People that make no mistakes usually don't make anything.

Make up your mind not merely to overcome a thousand obstacles,
but to win in spite of a thousand defeats.
Your mistakes are stepping stones
to success and your installment payments to victory.

You can't be a winner and be afraid to lose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Technorati Tags : try, trying, chance, chances, success, succeeding, law+of+averages, risks, winning, win, winner, max+steingart

Brain Gym and Addiction Treatment

2006-02-16T00:54:00.000-08:00

Brain Gym and Addiction Treatment is a plan for overcoming all kinds of addictions ADHD, learning disabilities and more.

In summary Brain Gym is a system created and developed by Paul Dennison over the last 25 years. Historically it has been used in educational and private individual settings to assist individuals dealing with ADHD, learning disabilities, aphasia, anxiety, depression, reading problems, as well as for enhancing function in cognitive, physical and emotional abilities. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease have also responded with this approach.

According to the writers of this article Donna Tveten, OTR/L and Ron Petit, M.S., M.A., LPC, Brain Gym gives persons attempting to overcome addictions concrete steps to identify core thought patterns, often those held beneath painful emotional patterns that escape their scrutiny. An example might be to use kinesiology techniques to uncover blocks and resistances to the steps needed to develop a support group that would help the person in recovery stay sober.

To find out more about Brain Gym and to read the actual article that this information is pulled from check out Brain Gym and Addiction Treatment

Technorati Tags : addictions, alcoholism, drug+addictions, overcoming+addictions, personal+development, adhd, learning+disabilities, aphasia, anxiety, depression, reading+problems

Time Movie

2006-02-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

Scott Stratten, an online entrepreneur and motivational writer sent this to me. It is a link to an online movie that definitely makes one think about how one uses their time.

Sometimes, just sometimes, we all need that reminder.

The reminder that life is too short to waste, and too precious to leave to routine.

We need a reminder to give more time to our families and friends and, just as importantly, ourselves.

Here is the link to that reminder:

http://www.thetimemovie.com/

Technorati Tags : time, time+movie, time+management, scott+stratten, reminders, personal+development

A Better Approach to New Years Resolutions...or Any Resolution by David Gruder

2005-12-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

WHY DON'T RESOLUTIONS WORK?

Let's face it: the truth about traditional New Years resolutions (and resolutions in general) is that they don't really work. Here is why: Most resolutions are little more than fancy-sounding "shoulds," or, at most, good intentions.

Good intentions by themselves rarely result in lasting change! They merely signify that we wish we had more motivation, readiness or willingness than we yet have. This is why making a resolution based on good intentions alone is a sure path to feeling inadequate, guilty, shameful, hopeless, or stupid later... once you realize you didn't succeed in making your resolution come true.

Fortunately, there IS a way to greatly improve your chances of having your resolutions come true. There are Four Secrets to Successful Resolutions:

1) UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE PROCESS: Know the sequence though which change happens;

2) IDENTIFY WHERE YOU ARE IN THE CHANGE PROCESS: Be impeccably honest with yourself about where you are in that sequence regarding the particular change you want to make

3) SELECT APPROPRIATE COMMITMENTS BASED ON WHERE YOU ARE: Select your "change commitments" based on where you ARE in that sequence, not based on where you WANT to be; and

4) ADDRESS YOUR SUCCESS OBJECTIONS: Address the blocks which may arise as you enact your "change commitment plan."

Harnessing these four secrets paves the way to the changes you desire.

Change occurs in a predictable eight-stage sequence. If you try to proceed out of sequence, you are likely to be inefficient and frustrated at best, or feel hopeless, defeated and give up at worst. The change sequence is: 1) Gleams; 2) Commitment; 3) Preparation; 4) Training; 5) Manifestation; 6) Anchoring; 7) Teamwork, and 8) Leadership.

1. GLEAMS: Gleams are about wanting the end (the goal) but not the means (what you'll have to do to achieve the goal). There's nothing wrong with having a Gleam. In fact, Gleams are dream incubators. The Gleams Trap, though, is believing a Gleam is a commitment.

2. COMMITMENT: When you move from "wanting to want? to "authentic wanting," you have upgraded a Gleam to a Commitment. Commitment is occurs when we are ready to do whatever is necessary to manifest a Gleam.

3. PREPARATION: Realigning your priorities is the heart of Preparation, and this includes changing your habits or lifestyle to create the time and energy necessary to enact your Commitment. Initial attempts to succeed at your Commitment will remain limited until this Priorities Realignment occurs. Preparation also includes making decisions about resources you'll use to help you change.

4. TRAINING: During the Training stage you learn how to use your selected resources to develop your desired habit change or new capability. This is the step during which your change process moves into full swing. How honest your Commitment is reveals itself by the extent to which you are consistent in following your "training regimen."

5. MANIFESTING: You enter the Manifestation stage when you are repeatedly and consistently applying your training toward your committed goal. Expect that any self-defeating programming, patterns or baggage related to your goal that hasn't yet surfaced will do so during the Manifestation stage. As success starts to happen, questions often arise, including: "Is it safe for me and those around me if I am successful in this way?" "Do I deserve this amount of good?" "Does my success mean that someone who did me wrong in the past will have gotten away with what they did to me?" Many people who can't handle success self-destruct during the Manifestation stage in the change process, because wanting was okay but having is not. So, during the Manifestation stage, it is sometimes vitally important to ask, "What are my blocks to sustaining higher levels of good in my life?"

6. ANCHORING: A new pattern or habit becomes Anchored when it has become so fine-tuned, automatic and graceful that it is resistant to backsliding. In other words, it becomes second nature. You can tell that a new habit is Anchored when it continues, or is rapidly and easily returned to, even during times of stress or other life challenges.

7. TEAMWORK: People tend to discover that as they develop individual mastery in a new habit, they want to be around others who have also Anchored this in themselves. The energy of Teamwork is partly about developing a sense of community, partly about being stimulated to new levels of proficiency, and partly about experiencing the joys of synergy: creating something with others who also have mastery that's larger than can be manifested alone.

8. MENTORING: Sometimes people become so excited about a new habit or pattern they develop in themselves that they want to assist others in developing it as well. Mentoring is a form of leadership in which you take others under your wing to coach them in developing a habit or pattern that you have already anchored in yourself and enjoy doing with others in a Teamwork kind of way.

The more you can distinguish between Gleams and Commitments, the more confident you will become in selecting your resolutions. The more you allow yourself to follow the entire change sequence outlined in this article, the more success you will experience with your resolutions. Go for it!

About the Author:

Dr. David Gruder is a California licensed psychologist & Director of Willingness Works. An award-winning self-improvement author, he also has over 70 audios, including "Secrets of Successful Change" and "Removing the Blocks to Change." For more information, go to http://www.willingness.com and click on "Articles" and then "A Better Approach to New Years Resolutions."

Technorati Tags : willingness, resolutions, new+years, new+years+resolutions, understanding, change, commitments, goals, training, david+gruder

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Get Motivated

2005-11-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday Novembe 4, 2005 I had the pleasure of attending a Get Motivated seminar at the Qwest Center in Omaha, NE. Get Motivated seminars are brought to us by Peter Lowe who runs Success Magazine and who is the person allowing these great seminars to continue.

Speakers included Zig Ziglar, George Ross (Donald Trumps Associate Vice President), Phil Town, Suze Orman, Tom Hopkins, Jerry Lewis, Tom Osborne, Rudolph Giuliani, Keith Kraft, Krish Dhanam, and James Smith.

Over the next few weeks I will spotlight each of these speakers. Be prepared to be motivated. I was and I came away with a positive experience despite poor seating as the event was overbooked.

Technorati Tags : get+motivated, seminars, peter+lowe, zig+ziglar, george+ross, phil+town, suze+orman, tom+hopkins, jerry+lewis, tom+osborne, rudolph+giuliani, krish+dhanam, james+smith, motivation, success, investing, real+estate

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Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

2005-11-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

If you like motivational and inspirational quotes then you should visit my new Yahoo 360 Blog Motivational and Inspirational Quotes. I have even provided some artwork and photographs with some of the quotations.

Technorati Tags : motivation, inspiration, success, leadership, quotations, motivational, inspirational, success+oriented

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Feedster Claim

2005-10-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

No Need to Click Here - I'm just claiming my feed at Feedster

Building Solid Relationships Using the Power of Words by Zaak OConan

2005-10-11T12:57:00.000-07:00

We may not be aware of it; but the words we utter daily may have different interpretations, even if you think that they mean the same thing.

Here's an example.

Would you rather have someone tell you that you are "slim,"or would you like to hear that you are "thin?" Being slim has a slightly positive effect because it is attributed to health and fitness.

Rather than saying you have failed, just mention that you have not yet achieved success. Get the picture? Always try to speak words in the most positive manner you can think of.

Here's another important advice.

Never compare the negative qualities of one person with another.
A former boss of mine has this to say to me when I made an error in my previous day job, "James (not real name) is doing a much better job than you are. He's not committing any mistake like you do."

That crushed my heart. My boss thought this would motivate me to do better. Nope, it just hurt my feelings and lowered my self-esteem. Of course, I would never make the same mistake again after her harsh scolding. I've learned my lesson well. But she could have said it nicely.

Experiences arising from discouragement and condemnation will have a negative effect on the recipient.

Some parents might believe that instilling fear on their children would improve their performance. They would say, "You're always failing. Why can't you be like your brother? You're such a disgrace to this family."

Now that's not the proper way to do it. They should inspire, encourage, and motivate their children; not belittle them
even further.

They should tell their children that they have the capacity to achieve great things, if they would only put a little more effort. Teach them values that would make them feel important and loved.

You may even go as far as giving them qualities that they do not yet possess. By giving them confidence and by making them believe that they have such characteristics, they will eventually acquire such traits. Tell them how bright you think they are, and you will soon be surprised at the results. They will significantly improve if you firmly madethem believe that they have the capacity to do so.

So if you ever wanted to persuade or encourage someone to do better, make sure that he or she is motivated out of inspiration, and not out of fear. Give advice that cares, and not offensive words borne out of hatred or anger.

Think first before you speak. Many relationships have been ruined by the wrong choice of words. Some people voice out anything that comes to their mind, without first filtering the good words from the bad ones. This might result in misunderstandings and arguments, which could have easily been prevented if we speak out in a way that is neutral and non-offensive.

Words are very powerful indeed. Use them responsibly for the benefit of all.

Zaak O'Conan discovers and presents useful information on to enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You'll find his other articles on how to improve your life and expand your horizons at http://your-health-center.com

Technorati Tags : relationships, friends, mates, partners, spouses, business, associates, zaak+oconan, interpersonal+communication

This is a formatting test

2005-10-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am trying to see if there is something wrong with the formatting of this blog. How this post appears will determine if at least a portion of the format settings are correct.

Technorati Tags : test, formatting, personal+development

The Art of Rest by Jennifer Louden

2005-10-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

I recently spent four days alone in a rustic cabin on a bluff on the wild Washington coast. I worked on my novel, read, napped, did yoga, ate huge salads, sat in the sunshine, and watched eagles eat crab scavenged from the ocean’s edge. It was one of the most truly restful retreats I’ve ever savored.

It wasn’t so long ago, however, that I would have taken this time to rest but instead stayed in a bound-up, edge-of-frantic mood. At the end of my stay, despite my good intentions, I would have driven away feeling cheated, shallow, even more scooped out. Why? Because it’s taken me years to realize, in my body and mind, that genuine rest, the kind that recharges us so deeply that the furrows between our eyebrows disappear (well, at least soften), is connected first to wholeheartedness, and then to a silken collage made up of listening, pleasure, and freedom.

You may wonder what rest has to do with living wholeheartedly. Maybe everything. I’ve begun to think that our epidemic exhaustion and chronic complaints of "I’m too busy to ever really rest" have as much to do with a disconnect from purpose as with the pressures of modern life. Rest is not sincerely recharging if it is always an escape or retreat from engagement or action. I love a chick flick and a tub of buttery popcorn as much as the next gal, but if that’s all I ever did for rest, I’d quickly become brittle and burned-out. Genuine rest—not just vegging out—requires integrity and commitment to something bigger than ourselves in daily life if we are to recharge in the deep way that many of us are so fiercely hungry for. This leads to a scary, exhilarating thought: What if when we can’t get the rest we crave, when we can’t get to that territory where our minds slow and our shoulders drop away from our ears, it’s because we aren’t authentically spending our precious gifts, we aren’t making noble choices, we aren’t living by what we treasure? In Nora Gallagher’s beautiful memoir, Practicing Resurrection, she relates how social activist and Episcopal bishop Dan Corrigan, then in his eighties, responded to one of his parishioners when she casually says, "Take care of yourself, Dan." "No, I don’t think so," he replies. "I don’t take care of myself. I spend myself."

What if to access genuine rest we must be spending ourselves in life, giving the most we are capable of giving—not in a martyr-like way, but in a way that genuinely fits us? What if genuine living and genuine rest are intimately entwined?

Of course, living a genuine life is far from a straight and clear path. We all feel hounded by our unmet obligations, our false promises to ourselves and others, our struggles to live with purpose. True rest requires us to be in tune with ourselves, but if something is amiss inside, our tendency is to run the other way. In other words, rest is blocked when we get a little out of sync with ourselves—either because life has been crazy lately or we’ve done something we aren’t proud of or because we are judging ourselves for getting out of balance.

But there’s something that can bring us back, time and again, to the place where real rest is accessible, the place where wholeheartedness begins—that triumvirate of listening, pleasure, and freedom, which is the basis for one style of retreat I defined in The Woman’s Retreat Book as "springing from and guided by your inner knowing." When we grant ourselves the time to listen for what would give us pleasure, what we really want right now, in this moment—versus what we think we should do or what we have always done in the past—and then grant ourselves the freedom to act on what we hear, we strike gold. This combination untangles the twin tyrannies of habit and identity, allowing us to stretch into a more organic, more open sense of ourselves. So one day rest might look like painting and then a bath and then dancing to salsa music, and another day it might look like cleaning your closet and giving clothes to the battered women’s shelter, chatting with a friend, then taking a nap between fresh sheets.

By following our inner knowing, we find ourselves naturally reconnecting back to wholeheartedness—doing what gives us the most joy and allows us to most effectively offer our gifts to the world, and this continues to unfold and expand as we grow and develop. Think about it: When you truly rest, after a certain period of time—minutes, hours, days, depending on how long you have and how long it has been since you really rested—that raggedy feeling of need begins to fade away; gradually, tantalizing flashes of ideas about how to extend yourself into the world begin to shimmer by, teasing you, making your mouth water and your heart expand with possibility.

The truth is that the more we are truly living with purpose and integrity, the more rest and self-nurturing and relaxation become a mood we live in more of the time—a satisfying texture of action and calm, expansion and contraction, giving and replenishing, spirit and matter. Genuine rest becomes part of our lives not because we have to make time for it or force ourselves to do it in some prescribed way, but because we are spending ourselves with verve and integrity, are replenished by that…and know when to cease doing and lie in a hammock. Life, in other words, has become indistinguishable from genuine rest.

What gets in the way of genuine rest? Getting out of sync with ourselves—the whirring voices in the back of our minds, the voices of guilt and haste saying "I should be answering e-mail, I should be weeding the garden, I should be making that hard phone call." Try this step-by-step process for centering yourself and getting back in sync.

1. Take a moment to review what you are proud of in your life, from drinking enough water yesterday to not yelling at your coworker.

2. Breathe deeply, releasing your belly fully, and then ask "What is standing between me and peace in this moment?"

3. Keep breathing and asking, without expecting an answer but trusting that one will come.

4. If the din of self-criticism or denial is particularly clamorous, write down what is roaming through your mind, keeping your hand moving until the babble exhausts itself (which actually doesn’t take long, as it is boringly repetitive babble).

5. Investigate any twinges that arise about what is not right in your life and name the action it would take to make the situation right.

If you can’t name what is amiss or bugging you, just sit with that feeling of not knowing, without pushing it away and without wallowing in it. Beating yourself up or resisting what is is never conducive to rest—or anything else for that matter.

Jennifer Louden is a best-selling author of five books, including the classic The Woman’s Comfort Book and her newest Comfort Secrets for Busy Women. She has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, including Oprah. She’s also a certified coach, creator of learning events and unique life balance products. Her upcoming retreat with Master Coach Molly Gordon is on how to "do" change with grace and confidence. Visit www.comfortqueen.com/retreats

Technorati Tags : rest, yoga, resting, retreats, living, gifts, jennifer+louden
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2005-09-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

This personal development article falls under the category of motivation and overcoming failures. How many of us often sabotage ourselves? But is it really that we have a fear of failing? Or is it that we are afraid to be successful. After all if we succeed once or twice we have a much higher standard to live up to. Are you afraid of setting a high standard.

This article How Big Is Your Fish Tank? covers such questions as these and gives some insight into how people deal with self-sabotage.

Remember to quit sabotaging yourself. Here is some great advice from the New Testament.
"And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

A person's life cannot change for the better unless they sometimes change their beliefs.

Technorati Tags : motivation, renewal, personal+development, personal+growth, fear+of+failure, self+sabotage, ken+donaldson, God

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The Power of Positive Thinking

2005-09-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

Management is nothing more than motivating other people. - Lee Iacocca

Yes this post does have the same title as the book by Norman Vincent Peale, but in this case it is the name of an article by Brian Beshore.

In this article Brian relates how self-help books and remaining positive is necessary if one is to be successful in business and their business pursuits. To read more simply visit The Power of Postive Thinking.

Technorati Tags : management, motivation, postive+thinking, lee-iacocca, norman+vincent+peale, brian+beshore, self+help

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Effective Tips To Kill Depression

2005-09-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

Often depression is caused by guilt over something we do either consciously or subconsciously and that we know is wrong. Also the Bible tells us that we were created in the very image or likeness of God, and you can be sure that if God made us like himself, then our lives must have tremendous meaning, destiny, and purpose. If somehow because of our actions or thoughts we perceive on some level that our lives do not have meaning, destiny and purpose then depression can result from those factors.

Depression is also caused by a variety of physical conditions and although some may argue depression is just a perception of things in the mind a person with chronic mental illness such as bi-polar disorder, clinical depression or the many other illnesses both mental and physical may only be helped by medication or herbal remedies that are for depression.

But there are many things a person can do including prayer in order to stop depression from having a stronghold on their life. Their is much to discuss biblically about depression and overcoming it but for now I will quote Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (KJV)

A very good article about overcoming depression with some basic life changes is found in the article

5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression by Zaak OConan at the Your Personal Best - Personal Development Forums at

http://personal-development.activeboard.com/

As a Christian the entries that I place in this blog or that I link to will usually have a strong Judeo-Christian theme. If you are offended by this then simply don't read this blog. Your comments, opinions and beliefs are important so feel free to express them but please do so with an air of decency.

Technorati Tags : depression, overcoming+depression, bipolar+disorder, christianity, destiny, purpose, zaak+oconan, personal+development

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2005-08-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest niches today in both the internet and in bookstore sales of information products in the self help and personal development arena. My goal in creating this blog is to help you to help yourself.

In addition to being an internet marketer who looks for niches that I believe I can relate to I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, along with many studies in sociology and social work. I have also worked for several years as a psychiatric technician and feel that I have an understanding of people, their problems and ways in which they may seek to improve themselves. Whether your goal is to lose weight, have better relationships, do better at your job, quit smoking, or anything else that you can do to improve your life, you can find information about it here at this personal development blog.

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Stay In The Game If You Want To Win by Max Steingart

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A Better Approach to New Years Resolutions...or Any Resolution by David Gruder

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Building Solid Relationships Using the Power of Words by Zaak OConan

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The Art of Rest by Jennifer Louden

How Big Is Your Fish Tank? Copyright 2005 by Ken Donaldson, M.A., L.M.H.C.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Effective Tips To Kill Depression