Make Your Goals a Habit

When we're starting out, it's tempting to treat goal-setting as an all or nothing mindset, where aiming to excel, establish a great reputation and be recognised as successful are the daily focuses of our lives.

Over time we may come to realise that big goals are in many ways like onions, with multi-layers contributing to the finished product, each needing to be nurtured and developed. It's important to make time for them to grow and be recognised as separate components, with the layers eventually coming together to make the ultimate result.

We maybe set aside time to promote ourselves on social media, update our accounts, complete our journal, do some yoga practice, go online for a special class, but it's only when our goals are absorbed into our way of life and become second nature, a habit, that they become an automatic part of our functioning, pulling together to make a well-rounded quality of life.

By making your goals a habit you're living each day to the full, enjoying what you're doing and are less distracted by how much it advances your route to success. You simply keep going, working with your master plan towards the big picture, whilst incorporating positive practices into your daily life.

You may have identified stepping-stones, actions and decisions that need to be taken everyday to achieve your goal. For example, progressing your business growth may require a specific number of contacts to be made on a regular basis, losing weight may include daily choices about exercise and what to eat, running a marathon may mean covering a certain distance each week. Doing something big or small that becomes a part of your regular mindset and commitment.

Even on relatively inactive days or those times when other things take precedence it's important to make some acknowledgement of your ultimate focus. That way, your actions gradually become a habit. Remind yourself of your goals by having them in plain sight on a vision board, on your screen saver or by writing them in the front of your journal or diary, so that you connect with them regularly, either consciously or unconsciously. Ensure that they're always with you.

You may have high-lighted specific big goals as the focus for your efforts, but habits come about through being a reasonably comfortable, regular commitment, rather than being so big that you risk becoming overwhelmed or required to park other areas of your life. Doing something that's straightforward and relatively easy to include has a greater chance of becoming a habit and subsequently resulting in success.

That's why it's best to break big goals down into smaller segments, bite-sized chunks that don't need too much thought or can be arranged in advance. Otherwise, on busy, stressful days all your good intentions risk being cast to one side, as you default to easier, more familiar habit patterns, or reject them as you deal with pressing matters that require all your attention.

Some people find that making lists is a positive way to introduce a new habit, breaking down a larger goal into achievable actions each day. Setting a timer can help you manage how long to spend on each task, so ensuring there's real focus on the task in hand, whilst also avoiding becoming too absorbed for too long on a single piece of work.

It's good to cultivate the habit of achieving something, however small, each day. That mindset is proactive, motivational and encourages you to intermittently review your plans, raise the bar and move them forwards. Even a quick phone call or email can be enough to make progress.

When that outlook has become a habit, there's an enthusiastic approach to what can be achieved each day; something small on busy days, taking larger steps when there's the time and energy available.

Accountability is often important, having someone to regularly check-in with, who wants to know what you've done, where you're up to, what the likely outcome could be. Scheduling an appointment when you have to explain yourself is incredibly motivational; something that's only too evident on the days before a slimmer's class has a weigh-in!

But a coach or mentor can also help iron out any issues, steer or guide you as to available options, help you re-focus after a set-back. Someone who's on your side, who's with you during your struggles, who understands what you're going through can make a massive difference to your motivation levels.

Making your goals a habit is an important contributor to your success, but don't allow yourself to be too tied down by them. Allow yourself to enjoy the journey and maybe even appreciate occasional detours along the way. After all, once you reach your destination you may be at a loss as to what to do next or simply be inspired to start again and set some new goals.

Sometimes it's exciting not to be too rigid about chasing your initial goals. It can be satisfying to enjoy exploring new opportunities and follow where they lead. Unexpected adventures can be a reward in themselves. Take time to value each experience that presents itself as you progress. Then, your goal-motivated mindset will become a habit, as well as a stimulating and enjoyable contributor to your way of thinking.

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.

She's author of 3 books, 'Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact', '101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday' and 'Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain', all on Amazon. To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles visit http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Leigh/399535

Why Worry Is Always Based On The Future, While Gratitude Is In The Here And Now

The Mind Cannot Be Trusted

What preoccupies your mind with worry? Why do you worry? Is it to maintain a sense of control? Perhaps you feel engaged in something you are powerless over? I want you to recognise whether worry is serving you, so you can break the cycle and find inner peace. Yes, it is possible to let go of worrying, but it will require work on your part. So, are you committed to changing? If so, let me show you how to go from worrying to a state of inner freedom.

When we worry, our mind is projected into the future, since we believe we cannot handle what will take place. Therefore, worrying is trying to control something we have little or no control over. Author and psychotherapist David Richo echoes this sentiment in his book The Five Things We Cannot Change, where he states: "We worry because we do not trust ourselves to handle what happens to us. We worry because we do not trust that the way the chips fall will work out for the best. We worry because we have not yet said yes."

The key to overcoming worry is to recognise the mind cannot be trusted, given its inherent negativity bias. Evolutionary psychologists believe the brain has adapted to thousands of years of evolution to screen for inherent danger within our environment. When humankind first roamed the Savannah centuries ago, assessing for a potential threat, it was an important period in our brain's evolution. Yet, nowadays, the threat is no longer necessary, however our biology has not caught up. In other words: Our mind still looks for a threat to our safety and survival, even though the threat isn't as imminent nowadays. Nonetheless, we mustn't allow ourselves to worry about something that may or may not happen. We can safely remind ourselves all is well and redirect our attention to what we are grateful for, here and now.

Uncertainty Needn't Mean Worry Or Fear

Are you happy with this idea so far? Can you appreciate your mind is engineered to help you survive? Therefore, we mustn't get stuck in incessant worry, but reorientate ourselves back to the present moment. Each time we bring ourselves back to the present, we strengthen neural pathways in the brain. It requires practice, patience and persistence to notice our habit of worrying. If we can practise shifting our attention from the future to the here and now, we will see positive changes in our life.

To express it differently: We must learn to observe ourselves when worrying and create a space between the observing mind and the worrying mind. It involves inhabiting our mind and body instead of letting our mind wander into the future. In the same way we have taught ourselves to worry, we can train ourselves to be grounded in the present moment through mindfulness. It is why anchoring ourselves in gratitude will help us let go of worry, since it is the bridge between the present moment and the future. In other words: Gratitude is choosing to look at reality through a new filter instead of worry, anxiety, and fear. Yes, the future is uncertain, but uncertainty needn't equate to worry or fear. Uncertainty can be filled with unlimited possibilities that can benefit us. It requires we keep an open mind and not catastrophising situations beyond our control.

Training In Awareness

Is this something you're willing to practise? Can you give yourself the gift of releasing your worries and fears and anchor yourself in the present moment? You are worthy of self-love by directing your attention towards inner peace. Negative emotions such as worry, anxiety and fear cloud our judgement about what is real. They are the fake news of the mind and an illusion that keeps us trapped and isolated. But this needn't be your reality, if you're willing to rewrite a new script for the future.

And here's the thing: Gratitude allows us to focus on what is real and fix ourselves in this state. Gratitude is the language of love because it is grounded in appreciation. We cultivate a loving heart through the power of acceptance. Therefore, we ought to focus on what is tangible instead of the illusory states of mind, to let go of worry and fear. Even though the mind tries to convince you the future is uncertain and terrifying, it is a fabricated narrative invented by the ego. But it needn't be this way because we have the power to redirect our attention to the present moment.

Practices such as breathwork, mindfulness and meditation are helpful to navigate fear, worry and anxiety. For example, we can practise sitting alone in silence and focus on our breath. As we breathe in and out, we safely anchor ourselves to the present moment. Similarly, through mindfulness, we learn to bring our attention to the present moment when our mind wanders to the future. Meditation is the practice of training in awareness and detaching from our thoughts, so we become the observer. We can follow our breath while meditating and notice the bodily sensations that rise and fall. This powerful practice is a portal to the here and now and a practice we can cultivate daily. Even though the mind has a negativity bias toward danger, we can change our response to worry be being mindful of our thoughts. After all, each time we focus on gratitude, we strengthen neural pathways in the brain, which ultimately become our new reality.

Do you want to lead a remarkable life? Are you committed to taking action despite your fears and doubts? If so, download your FREE copy of my eBook NAVIGATE LIFE right now, and start your amazing journey of greatness today!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610

Your Future Is Yours to Create, As Long As You Have a Purpose

Think about today as a new beginning. From today on let no one, not any circumstance and anything said to you, change how you feel, what you believe about yourself, or how you view your future potential. Your future is yours to create.

Now the challenge is going to be living this as a matter of practice. What is it going to take to be able to set an example for yourself to live a life unchallenged by events going on around you, especially when there are those who want to upset you, put you down, distract you, make you feel as if you do not possess the skills or talents necessary to succeed, or you find yourself faced with events that are just too overwhelming?

It is all a matter of anchoring your life with a sense of purpose. You have to remember that you are always free. While you may not be able to control what goes on around you, and the actions others may take in an attempt to dominate you, you control your life by what you think. There's nothing more freeing than thinking and planning a new life. That's what it means to have a sense of purpose. Perhaps what I've learned will help to inspire you as well to create a vision or plan.

A Life with a Vision

What it means to have a purpose in your life is to have a plan anchored by a vision. The plan doesn't need to be complex, rather it can be your vision of how good life should and could be for you. It can start as a dream and blossom from that point forward. Whatever it is you decide to do, be creative about it, find methods of establishing visual cues that trigger happy thoughts and good feeling emotional cues. This is something you will call upon during challenging times.

As you dream, or create your future vision, don't allow yourself to be restrained in any manner. You've heard about the sky being the limit. But have you considered how dreams can be unlimited? What if you imagine having no boundaries for whatever it is you want to accomplish now, and in the future? Now is the time to discover how freeing it can be to remove constraints, and set your imagination free. This is your life to create, one vision at a time.

Creating a Sense of Purpose

You can find freedom from any circumstance you may find yourself in, and it begins with the thoughts you develop. No matter how challenging a situation may be, you can always imagine an alternative. At any time, you can create a vision of a new outcome, and allow yourself to feel the emotions of experiencing it. Soon you'll find a way for it to begin, as you make a plan for it. This is how you begin to create a sense of purpose. What follows are some other ideas for developing your own approach to creating your life of purpose.

Plan for Success: You may be in the best of circumstances life can offer, or next to the worst. It doesn't matter when you are looking to the future. Just decide what it is you want, as to the best your life can and should be.

Understand What You Control: If you find you are in a situation now you wish you could change and are unable to do so, give up the need to control it. Instead, look ahead and envision something new. It's time to change your focus.

Recognize Your Thought Patterns: What will set you back quicker than any other habit is old thought patterns that get in your way, such as thinking you are stuck and will not move forward. It's time to recognize and discard those types of thought patterns.

Put the Past Behind You: What happened yesterday is gone and cannot be changed. Regret is never going to bring you the life you desire. If anything, count the past as lessons learned and move forward. Shift your attention to what's ahead.

Open Your Mind to What's Possible: If you've been in a situation in which you've been put down, bullied, harassed, or in any other way been made to feel you have no chance of creating a better outcome, future, career, or anything similar, put that all behind you. You can look to the future and imagine becoming anything you desire.

See the Future Vision: Once you've decided you can dream, actually imagine yourself in this new vision. What do you see? Find photos and create your vision board for the future. Do anything that will give you visual prompts of what's to come for you.

Experience the Future Vision: As you envision the new future, allow yourself to emotionally feel it, as if you were there now. Those feelings can inspire you in ways you've never imagined, to begin to take action. Now you have a purpose.

Today Begins Your Renewal

There's no question: What you choose to focus upon matters for your well-being. For example, if you have a negative thought or idea, it can be cultivated into a worrisome state of mind. In contrast, you can also begin with an affirmative or positive idea, and cultivate it, allowing it to continue until you feel good. You are capable of thinking and feeling better. This is never dependent upon a current situation or set of circumstances.

As long as you can use the power of your mind, the thoughts you think, the creativity of your imagination, and your willingness to look ahead, you will set yourself free, and chart a course according to a new purpose you've developed. Once you do, you will never again imagine living a life without a purpose, as you will know how fulfilled you can be, at any moment in time. You need no one but yourself to feel good, and this is what true self-empowerment means. Let today mark the day you begin your renewal, by removing the restraints of doubt and fear, and allowing hope to become the dominant thought within your mind.

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson is an inspirational author, writer, and educator.

To discover resources available for educators, along with career and professional development, please visit:  http://www.drbruceajohnson.com/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dr._Bruce_A._Johnson/834483

10 Ways to Get Back to Your Reading Habit

We have published an article about how to read more books. Now this post is for those who used to read in past and now stopped it for some reasons. Recently a friend asked how he could start reading habit. When I asked him what kinds of books he liked to read, his answer surprised me that he couldn't remember the last time he had read an entire book but he read a lot of news and stuffs online. Another friend admitted her own difficulties with reading as much as she used to, especially fiction. According to her there is enough drama going on around the world, so she didn't feel to read fictionalized drama.

There was one who said he 'prefer to experience real life rather than reading about it in books.' As for this kind of people who think their lives are more interesting and so diverse to give them all the wisdom and emotional skills to direct them through our increasingly complex societies, then I cannot shatter their sweet illusion. So here I want to address those who really want to read but somehow they can't.

There is a difference in reading online news and articles and reading a book. I mean the long-form (books or novels) and shorter pieces (online news and articles). Our cognitive processes are such that we read quicker and with less comprehension and retention when scrolling through short online articles, blogs, and news and clicking on link after link. Though I also read a lot online (news, book reviews, author interviews, etc.), books remains my primary source of knowledge and thoughts. Reading is not only about improving quality of our lives but also the quality of the attention we pay to the things and people in our daily lives. It changes our ways of engaging with the people and being in the world.

Here I'm suggesting some approaches to rekindle and cultivate the habit of reading. It's better to find a way for a regular reading practice organically rather than forcing yourself to read.

Move to Books from Online Articles

If you enjoy reading online about some specific topics, look for the best books published on those topics online or at your local library or bookstore. Don't forget to check the writer's name of that article you liked reading online as they might have books published too. You will get a deeper and more considered dive into those topics in book-length works. Also ask booksellers and librarian about the book on that topic you liked as they truly enjoy engaging with readers and recommend specific kinds of books. If you're living where there is no library or a bookstore nearby, you can join online library and download books on an electronic device.

Move to Books from Movies

If you enjoy movies, look for those adapted from a book and then read that book. If possible (I insist) don't watch movie before you read the book. By a little search in Google, You can find the movies based on books which are already released or will release in near future. Once you are done with that book, try to watch movie adaptation, and you'll realize what you were missing while watching only movie and not reading book.

Read Literature on Travelling

If travelling is your thing, look for books written about or around the next place you are planning to visit. Read those books before, during, and after your trip. It will make the whole travelling experience richer and more satisfying. Often, travel books are about going down the beaten path and it not only enlighten but also encourage us to wander the unknown places.

Read Short Stories

If book-length fiction is frightening you, then pick a short story book. You can usually finish them in a single sitting but they can stimulate your appetite for longer book-length fiction works. There are so many wonderful short stories available online. These short stories can leverage your regular reading habit.

Read with friends

If you can't read alone or need company while reading, Join or start a book club. I personally prefer reading alone but I enjoy those odd book discussions with readers in Book clubs. If you can't find book club nearby you, you can find it online. I love to discuss the books online with the readers from across the world. It fascinates me how differently we all interpret the same book and I always learn something new. Another way is find a friend who likes to read, and ask him (or make him) to read the same book you want to read or read the same book he is reading and then discuss chapter by chapter. This will make you understand and enjoy the book at another level.

Buy an e-Reader

If you are strapped for time, invest in an e-reader or a good audiobook membership. Then you can read while waiting in the grocery checkout line, during daily commutes, or while doing daily chores. You will be amazed to know that you have this much time for reading which was wasted. So recuperate some of this time and use it in reading.

Start a Journal

Begin to write a books journal daily where you write about whatever you've read that day. This will help you to form your thoughts and reflections on the topics and themes you've read about, which is the whole point of reading after all. Write in a private journal or in an online blog, whichever suits you.

Set Reading Goals

If goal achievements and quantified self-hood drives you, then sign up on a website like Goodreads or LibraryThing to log every book you read by date, you can also add rating based on how much liked that book. I use one of these sites to keep track of my personal library and to read list. Set daily goals for reading. Achieving these goals will encourage you to set bigger reading goals and achieve them.

Listen to Book Podcasts

Listen to some good book related podcasts, where they invite authors and discuss their books. I have, many times, bought a certain book after hearing its writer speak about it. There are many podcasts you can choose from. For short stories I like The New Yorker Fiction, The New Yorker Writer's Voice and NPR's Selected Shorts. And for authors' interviews, I prefer BBC World Book Club, CBC's Writers and Company, BBC Radio 4 Bookclub and The Guardian Books.

Attend the Literary events or Festivals

If there are any book related literary festivals near you, try to go there at least once a year. Every year we have a book fair and literature festival for a week, I never missed this event. I can't go there for whole week but I find time on weekend. Celebrating books with other readers is an exceptional delight.

Bonus Tips

Mix up your reading list with different genres and topics. There are many book recommendation websites out there and ours is one of them. Subscribe us for getting regular book recommendation and get yourself a book interests you most. You can read one book at a time or can pick multiple books from different genres and read few pages or chapters from each book every day. Do not try to keep reading the book you have lost interest in. It will kill your enthusiasm and passion for reading. There are so many books out there on every imaginable topics and themes, so drop that book and pick another one.

Reading book is a personal investment that will pay off in long run. The Best books go beyond the education, entertainment, and altering perspectives. It helps us to develop and strengthen our cognitive and emotional muscles to deal better with whatever comes on our way.

This article was published on https://www.bookishelf.com The Bookish Elf is all about the passion for books and reading, knowledge and perception. We are a small group of readers who want the world to know what we read and what they should read.

We'll love to hear pieces of advice, appreciation or criticism. You can send us all your queries and suggestions by filling the form on the Contact us page or mailing us on: contact@bookishelf.com. We'll be grateful for each word of feedback received from you.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mitul_Patel/2563463

How To Unlock Your Hidden Creativity

Maybe you feel just like you're not a creative person generally, or maybe you merely desire a little a push to get the solution you're seeking either way, there are many small actions you can take to become more creative. These tips can make you see things from different perspectives and develop the habit that will make you feel more productive and inspired.

Here are ways to unlock your hidden creativity:

Brainstorm with Others

Sometimes all it requires to get from exhausted to motivate or from a relatively ineffective idea to the perfect solution to your entire problems is a few moments of chatting about your ideas with another person. Having a brand new perspective can assist you remember ideas you might have forgotten, develop ideas you currently have, and come up with things you never would've considered by yourself. If you are really stumped, make an effort to have an instant brainstorming period with a pal or a coworker. Ask when you can run some ideas past them and find out if indeed they have any thoughts.

Speak To Yourself

It isn't about having imaginary interactions with yourself. It's about conversing through your ideas and thoughts so that you can do better. Spend some time speaking what you're considering a loud, or describing things you read or listen to back again to yourself. It can help you to learn and process things better and in new ways.

Make Lists

Write down everything you want or need relating to what you're focusing on sometimes the act of writing things out and looking at them can assist you work out how to deal with something from a fresh angle. Jot down any ideas you have, then think about how precisely those ideas will continue to work with what you will need to accomplish. Proceed through your list until you select a remedy that works or discover a way to incorporate them.

Keep a Notebook with you

If you wish to become more creative, you will need to be sure you're for motivation to strike since it can strike everywhere. Keep a notebook and pen on or with you all the time all the time so you can jot down any ideas you have when they come your way, otherwise you may forget them. Plus, always getting a notebook means you will have a location to write those lists you will be making.

Ask Yourself Questions

Whenever you feel just like you hit a creative wall, try asking yourself questions about whatever it is you're focusing on or trying to resolve. Even if indeed they appear like foolish questions you have response to, ask yourself anyways just like you were another person who was interested in assembling your project. Forcing yourself to ultimately articulate what you're focusing on, either a loud or in writing can assist you see what areas you will need to focus on and what must be changed. If you ask yourself a question you do not know the response to, you might locate a new perspective.

Reshali Balasubramaniam

Head of HR, HR Counselor and adviser at http://www.work.lk

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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Reshali_Balasubramaniam/2476620

Yes, It Is Possible To Speed Read: Further Steps To Learn Speed Reading

Before you proceed to the advanced steps to learn speed reading, let me remind you about how essential it is to have the habit of reading every day, and reading silently for the specific purpose of becoming a speed reader. We can compare this to a person who has first time arrived to a place. In his first glance, all he sees are unfamiliar, and he has to look at all things surrounding him one by one to identify them. If he seldom visited that same place, there were few things he would recognize, but only few. The more frequent he goes to this place, the more familiar it becomes, and even without turning his head from left to right, he can tell what are on those sides. You will appreciate the point I am reiterating when you start doing the following steps: 

1. Learn to read in clumps. Most people tend to read word by word. It is therefore understood that when you read this way, your reading is slow, as a matter of fact, too slow. You have to learn to take in more than one word at a time. How you should read a text must be similar to how the lines of an editorial are typed in newspapers - they are clumped. Notice how faster it is to read news in a newspaper; since each line is typed short (like in clump), your eyes grasp all they see in the line then quickly glide down to the next line, taking in again the whole line of words as one unit. Try doing it now, and you will see that it works; your reading speed will increase. 

2. Be familiar with word groups. First, let me tell the difference between a word clump and a word group. Like I explained above, a word clump is words taken in as one and read as one unit. By slicing the sentence into two, three or four parts, depending on the length of the sentence, you can form word clumps. It will depend also on the scope of your peripheral vision (Later, on the third step, I will explain what peripheral vision is.) the count of word clumps you can make in a sentence. This only shows that word clumps are words that are grouped but without one-whole meaning. Word groups, on the other hand, are common group words that possess definite meaning. They are, we may say, common expressions and figures of speech, like idioms, verb phrase, collocations, phrasal verbs, etc. The taking in of word groups does not rely on your peripheral vision, but on your familiarity to common expressions. Once your eyes scan a familiar expression, you do not have to glide your sight to all the words in that phrase to be able to see what the next words are. Your eyes and brain quickly decode the familiar expression, and you can swiftly jump to the next word clump or word group. So, the more familiar you are with different word groups, the faster you read. 

3. Stretch your peripheral vision. Stretching your peripheral vision is expanding the scope your eyes can see in a glance. But what is peripheral vision? Look around you, and then fixate your eyes on something. The thing where you fixate your eyes on is vivid, of course. The other objects close to that thing and which you may be seeing too, but not as vivid as the one your eyes are fixated, are objects of your peripheral vision. The farthest your peripheral vision can see, the better. If your peripheral vision can catch four or five words in a single glance, it means that you read fast. If you can take in seven words or more at a time, you are a speed reader. 

To sum up, it is your peripheral vision that allows you to read as many words as you can in just one glance, and if you have a narrow vision, if you cannot read in clumps, and if you are familiar with only few word groups, then you will not be able to do speed reading. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cordelyn_Hernandez/566172