4 Ways To Boost Your Willpower

Willpower is essential to the accomplishment of anything worthwhile ~Brian Tracy 

Usually when people hear the word “willpower,” they think about things like losing weight or quitting smoking. 

Willpower is certainly helpful when it comes to trying to break those bad habits, but it can also be very beneficial in other areas of your life as well. Willpower is something we are not born with, but must nurture and build up in ourselves. Once you learn to strengthen your willpower, it will give you a leg-up in achieving your goals. How? Because you will then be able to develop an unshakable focus and intensity in purpose! 

So how do you go about building your willpower? 

1. Commit! 

You must be completely and thoroughly committed to reaching your goals. If you are not absolutely committed to what you want to accomplish, there is no way that you will be able to develop sustaining willpower. It is very difficult to be successful in achieving your goals if you harbor second thoughts, excuses, or doubts. Be absolutely honest with yourself and find that “thing” that you truly want to see through until the end. Also keep in mind that simply having the desire to succeed at something does not guarantee accomplishment or success. It is entirely possible for you to desire many things without making a firm commitment. So, you need to be able to figure out that you really want and then plan to take the appropriate actions. 

2. Call on your inner strength. 

Building your willpower takes perseverance. This is a time for you to call upon your inner strength, you know, that extra push you need to get through the tough times. You have made the commitment to take a journey to strengthen your willpower and accomplish your most challenging goals. Great! The truth is, you will have many days of success, but there will also be those days that don’t feel as triumphant. It is on those not-so-good days that you will need to call upon your inner strength to help you get back on track. Every person has an inner strength and most have used it on more than one occasion. Trust in it, and in yourself, and it will get you through your rough spots. 

3. Get support. 

Building your willpower to achieve a goal is a great undertaking. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. This is why it is so vitally important that you have good support in place during the journey. Share with a friend, significant other, or parent what you are trying to accomplish. In this way, when you hit a stumbling block, you will have someone who you have entrusted to help get you back on the right track. Your support system will help you through the hard times and will celebrate your successes with you. 

4. Consistency counts. 

If you have the willpower, for instance, to stop smoking for one week, that’s great and should indeed be celebrated. But the only way you are going to build your willpower up is to do whatever it takes to avoid a cigarettes today, again tomorrow, and forever. Then soon enough you will be celebrating two weeks, two months, two years, and then forever! 

This strategy applies to any goal that you are seriously devoted to accomplish. You must be willing to keep up the positive behavior all day, each and every day, no exceptions, and no excuses. 

Willpower can be a tricky thing. Everybody wants to develop it in order to break a bad habit or reach a particular goal. But in order to do so, you must be willing to go that extra mile and fully commit yourself to your success.

If you are committed, you are to be commended! As you achieve your goals, remember to celebrate your successes each and every day. 

What are you working on?

http://www.business2community.com/strategy/4-ways-to-boost-your-willpower-0583915?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-ways-to-boost-your-willpower

How To Really Work Out Your Brain -- And Why You'll Want To

You know (if you even read one out of every 10 of our columns) that we believe daily exercise is next to tooth brushing and flossing for keeping you looking good and keeping your body fit and working right. But it is even more important for the one part of your body where size matters: your brain. Powering through a Zumba class or hiking for an afternoon does as much good for your noodle as for your muscles and blood vessels. But that's not the only kind of workout that will beef up your brain.

A group of scientists from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago published a study in the July 2013 issue of the journal Neurology showing that greater cognitive activity in childhood, middle age and in old age makes your brain better later.

So what does that mean for you? If you want to be “all there” for your children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, there's plenty you can do right now to prepare. And just because it has to do with challenging your brain cells doesn't mean it has to feel like homework.

Think that you're too old to spend time playing games? Nonsense! Just think of it as doing a mental workout. Doing word puzzles, playing card games and reading your favourite trashy novels all count as ways to keep your mind active. Yoga engages your core and a riveting whodunit engages your grey matter. In fact, there are any number of fun, natural activities that might seem frivolous, but give you the lasting benefits of psychological circuit training. Write in your journal or email with an old friend. Turn off the TV for a while and have a chat with your next-door neighbour. Simple social interaction might not seem like a mental workout, but spending time with your social network is associated with better health and happiness and less dementia later in life. The same is true of taking part in your favourite hobbies. Not a bad way to work out, huh?

Just like any good exercise regimen, you have to target different areas of the body for the full effect. Physical activity is among the other good habits that support mental acuity and stave off cognitive decline as you get older. Yes, exercising your body enlarges your brain, not just your biceps. As does eating right, including getting enough omega-3s from fish. Here's another easy one to check off the better-brain to-do list: Get plenty of sleep.

When you look back with your crystal clear memory decades from now, you’ll be glad you did.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/17/brain-games-_n_3756854.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

5 Easy Ways To Get Happy

Pursuing your dreams can have its challenges and sometimes be very emotional. However, it's important to stay focused on your goals and put your mind on the positive to fuel your drive to achieve. Guard your thoughts and emotions by intentionally taking action to keep your spirits high. In my office, we have a saying, "If anything can go well, it will!" Expect good things to happen for you and you'll see that more good will come your way! Below are five quick ways to help you the next time you're feeling down and out. Dig yourself out of the dumps with these proven strategies to a happier life.

1. Meditate 15 to 20 minutes every day. 

Meditation can be a life-changing force in your life. The act of solitude can solve many problems. For example, when I was going through a rough divorce in my 20s, I would rise early and escape to my sweet spot where I just cleanse my mind of negative thoughts and visualize a happy future.

2. Guard what you listen to. 

Surround yourself with positive people, have positive conversations and take a break from negative news. To protect your positive mind and atmosphere, refuse to say, hear or agree with any negative words, especially about your life, day or personal economy.

Instead, flip the switch and replace all negative expressions with positive ones. Say statements that create joy in your life. I challenged my clients to take a positivity challenge. For 30 days, speak positive about every situation. They used my personal positivity calendar to chart their progress. You can create your own by recording at least one positive thing that happens each day for 30 days. This challenge will shift your perspective and help you keep a watch on your words while charting a path to a much happier life.


3. Use goal cards.

If you focus on what's possible, your passion to accomplish goals will increase dramatically. Goal cards make this process very simple. Studies show people who review and visualize their written goals are more apt to manifest what they see. There's no better feeling of happiness than to achieve something that you really desire in your life.

4. Eat energy-producing foods. 

Eat lots of proteins and greens and drink water daily. When you feel healthy and alert, your confidence level goes up and makes you a much happier person.

Unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle can have a negative affect on your mood. When you upgrade your body image by eating better and working out, you will immediately begin to upgrade your outlook and feel better about yourself.


5. Surround yourself with things that give you a happy outlook. 

Pictures of fond family memories, artwork, quotes, a happy screensaver on your computer or even fresh flowers. Often, I have my clients create happiness sticky notes where they write messages to affirm their goals, or simple words of encouragement like, "You can do it!" "You're loved!" "You're beautiful!" I tell them to post it to their computer, stick it on a desk or vision board so they can see it often.

Hold on to happiness
Take 10 minutes each morning to see yourself in a happy situation.Be grateful
Look for something to be happy about
Keep a happiness journal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacia-pierce/happiness-tips_b_3750932.html

What To Do When You Don't Get The Job: It Starts With Being Proactive

It’s always disheartening when you don’t get the job. Particularly if it was your dream job and you were one of the final candidates. Yes, it’s OK to be disappointed – even angry and hurt. But don’t let your feelings get the better of you.

Even more important, don’t take out your anger on the employer. You know what they say about not burning bridges. There are many ways that you can be proactive in your approach even after they’ve offered the job to someone else.

Just be sure that you’ve dealt with your emotions before you start.

“First and foremost, take a minute to grieve. Especially if it was your dream job, your first reaction is going to be sadness, anger, frustration, etc. and you want to allow yourself a chance to get it out,” says Sara Sutton Fell, CEO of FlexJobs. “Once you’ve calmed down, THEN it’s time to follow up with the employer.”

Lida Citroen, personal branding expert agrees, “It’s important to maintain your integrity and personal brand, look past the short-term disappointment, and turn the negative into a positive for future job opportunities.”

One way to show how gracious you are is to send a thank you note. While everyone knows you should send a thank you note after a job interview – the majority of people don’t bother. So sending a thank you note when you don’t get the job makes you really stand out in a good way.

That’s why many career professionals suggest doing just that. “Even if you didn’t get the job, they still took their time to speak with you, and it is common courtesy to thank them for the opportunity,” says Citroen.

Ronald Kaufman executive coach and author of Anatomy of Success agrees, “Let them know you appreciate learning the status of the job opening. Repeat your strong points as an employee. Always leave the door open.”

“If you’d like to be considered for future opportunities, say just that,” suggests Fell. “If you were one of the finalists for the job, there’s a good chance that they’ll keep you in mind for other possibilities in the future.”

One thing most career experts don’t recommend is asking why you didn’t get the job. Why shouldn’t you ask? Most experts say you’ll probably never really know. There are many possibilities. Maybe someone else just interviewed better. Maybe you didn’t click with the hiring manager. Generally, if you do get an answer from HR it will be only a vague response because companies are afraid of litigation.

In some cases asking may work against you. “Never ask why you didn’t get the job. It could put the hirer on the defensive and make them feel uncomfortable, pretty much ensuring that they won’t contact you about other possibilities,” says Kaufman.

Others disagree. “In order to learn from this experience, it’s important to find out why they decided to go with another candidate,” says Citroen. “Whatever the case may be, in order to see if or how you can improve, it’s important to determine why you weren’t the top pick.”

Dream Job or Dream Company?

Even if this position didn’t work out you never know what the future may bring. There is always the possibility that the person who was hired may not work out. It does happen. More likely however, another position will open.

The secret to staying on their radar is to nurture the connection. Make sure you get the email addresses of everyone you meet during the interview process so you can contact them later, whatever the outcome. As long as your follow-up doesn’t develop into stalking, it’s OK to stay in touch.

“Read publications that pertain to that company’s industry, and with well-timed and polite ‘conversational’ messages, forward the person articles of interest,” suggests Dawn Rasmusssen career expert and founder of Pathfinder Writing and Career Services. “If you see their name in a publication, clip the article and forward it to them to say, ‘Wow- congratulations!’”

Rafe Gomez, The Rehirement Coach, refers to this practice as sending cheesecake – something sweet, appetizing and irresistible that will be of value to the person. “The cheesecakes could be news of a solution that you delivered or made possible, a blog post that you’ve written about an industry trend or development, original research you’ve done, a new customer success story, or new business that you helped to close,” says Gomez. “The best cheesecakes are concise, infrequently delivered, and offer highly interesting info about your exploits.”

It’s important to also consider whether it was the job or the company that attracted you. If your primary goal is to work for XYZ Company you need a strategic marketing plan. Connect in person whenever possible. Many industry associations have monthly meetings – go and be visible. Find out where the people in your target companies hang out online and connect with them through social media.

“You should also start drinking the social media Kool-Aid to show interest in the company, “says Rasmussen. She recommends that you 1) Follow them on LinkedIn 2 )Look up their company’s Twitter handles and follow them 3) Like their Facebook page and 4) Find out where they blog and make positive, helpful comments.

The important point is to never give up particularly when you’re targeting a particular company or companies. The job market changes daily. Company needs change frequently as well. As Rasmussen says, “If you really want to work at a company, you aren’t going to let one ‘NO’ turn you away from them forever, right?”

http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2013/08/16/what-to-do-when-you-dont-get-the-job-it-starts-with-being-proactive/

Clarity Leads to Achievement

I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacation with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change. 

Without specific goals, there will be no sustainable passion, purpose, or drive in your life. If your goals are too vague, you will find that it is much more difficult to reach your desired and intended results than if you had taken the time to properly prepare in the first place. 

Plan your goals 

You know the drill. Plan your work and work your plan. The planning phase of getting from here to “there,” moving from point A to point B, is the most important stage when it comes to achieving your goals. Planning might be easy or hard for you, but one thing is for sure, and that is without planning the end goal may not even come into existence at all. While it is important that you set up your own system, one that works well for you, there are some simple goal setting strategies you can use to make your planning easier. 

Getting clarity 

1. What do you want? Decide what specifically wish to achieve. Whether your goal is lofty or small, decide exactly what it is that you want. If you want money, how much? If you want to lose weight, how many pounds? If you want success, how do you describe your vision of success? How do you define success for yourself? Don’t be afraid to take your time to figure out what you want. At some point you will need to sift through all of your thoughts and take specific action, but be as sure as you can that you are acting on what is truly important to you! 

2. Specify. The details matter. Be very detailed as you develop each part of your goal. Instead of a goal like “I want to be better at sports,” consider a goal like “I want to perform exceptionally well during spring tryouts so that I can become an all-star point guard for my high school basketball team.” Just being “better” at sports is way too vague. There are just too many options and roads to take that your mind will not be able to focus on any one route to reach your goal. 

3. You know what’s next… Write it down. Write down your all of your ideas and decisions. It does not matter if you use pencil and paper, a computer, or even your cell phone. What is important is that you are able to keep track of a large amount of specific information instead of trying to remember everything. After all, your goals only feel real when you can see them clearly in front of you. 

4. Baby steps. Break your goal down into smaller do-able pieces. If you have a lofty goal, it will be immensely more manageable if you break it down into smaller increments. Smaller pieces will make your goal seem less complex. Plus, it will be easier for you to achieve your ultimate goal if everything is set out for you as mini-goals, instead of just one huge, seemingly insurmountable feat. 

5. Rinse and repeat. Repeat the process. Once you have found a good system, meaning, one that works for you, it is then time to repeat the process. Clarify each of the other goals that you would like to achieve. For example, if you would ideally like to “spend more time with your family,” which is waaaaay too vague, make a list of specific family activities you would like to do together, and then work out the details of how you can make those goals a reality. 

Someday is NOT a day of the week! 

One of the biggest reasons that people tend to keep their goals vague is that they are actually afraid of achieving them. It’s true! After all, it really is a whole lot easier and simpler to keep putting off your goals and do nothing, than it is to take specific action to achieve it. 

But then you need to ask yourself, what good is a goal that merely resides on paper or in your head? Once you have decided on a clear and specific goal, it is time to take swift action to make it a reality. 

Do NOT wait for someday to achieve your goals. 

There’s no time like the present… so let’s do this! 

Thoughts?

http://www.business2community.com/health-wellness/clarity-leads-to-achievement-0579953

Changing Jobs? Plan Your Exit Strategy Well

Having an exit strategy can help you know the right time to seek a job change

As many business people may tell you: Having a viable exit strategy is a must for any successful project. Jobs are not any different. You always should know what you’re getting yourself into, what you want to achieve throughout your employment and what you will be able to do afterward – whether your exit is voluntary or not. At the end of the day your experience with each job should be a success story that can take you to the next level.

People who pursue such a plan often set goals for each and every job. These goals help them stay focused, enjoy their employment and be able to advance to a better position at the end.

Not to be confused with a lack of commitment, having an exit strategy can help you know the right time to seek a job change. Very often, people lured by a financial boost or what appears to be a better title, may leave their jobs prematurely. Sticking with each job for the right – often long – haul can help you make the best of each experience. When you make the decision to quit, then you’re sure you’re making the right move.

Here is how you should consider your exit strategy through each phase of employment.

Job huntingAlthough this may sound unrealistic in view of the still-tight job market, you should be cautious in accepting a job offer that isn’t a logical step on your career path. Such jobs can turn into obstacles for advancement. Not taking the job is usually better and less damaging than taking it for a short period. Think of the time and disruption involved with a short-term job experience. Not only your exit may not be as smooth as you would like it to be, your next step may become even more complicated. That is why you should focus on making sure that you pick a job that you can stay with and it will lead you to a better position once you go back in the market.

EmploymentThis is the core length of your work, and it can be several years. As mentioned, having an exit plan doesn’t mean that you won’t be full-heartedly investing in your job. Instead, you should keep your eye on your end goals in terms of achievement and advancement. This is a personal interest that shouldn’t conflict with your employer’s interest. Your enthusiasm may be highly regarded and appreciated. To position yourself for the next job, make sure that your knowledge and skills are always up-to-date. Keep your eyes open for training opportunities, webinars, certifications, etc. Most important, make sure that while you settle in nicely in your office routine, you don’t lose touch with what is going on around you. Having solid industry connections and being an active member in trade organizations and networks can help you stay abreast of your profession changes and market trends.

Near the end
Many people consider changing jobs out of boredom. While this is understandable, it is not justified. You may be bored of your job for the simple reason of not making the best out of it. If you change your attitude and see the potential areas that can be developed to shine, you may find yourself enjoying your current job and you will be able to make the decision to move based on more valid reasons. Apart from a layoff that may be unpredictable, the time for a voluntary exit should be set when your goals are achieved. These are typically long-term goals like closing several big projects, bringing in a certain volume of business, etc. Your goals can be a moving target and you may want to challenge yourself in achieving even a higher goal. An exit also can be through pursuing a promotion with your current employer.

The exit
Now that you’re at the exit, it is time to review how you’ve fared compared to your initial plan. Have you acquired the knowledge and the skills that help you with your next job? Are you confident that you can apply for more senior positions or with more quality employers as a result? Have you developed the connections within the industry that can help you place a job easier? If your answers are yes, then you’ve achieved your goals and benefited from having an exit plan from start to end.


Finding the exit

- Check a job leads in the right direction

- Set goals to advance

- Make sure you exit at the right time

- R.O.


http://gulfnews.com/business/opinion/changing-jobs-plan-your-exit-strategy-well-1.1218415

Get The Most From Your Personal Development Journey With These Simple Tips

Starting a personal development plan is the hardest part. Your personal being is so multifaceted, it’s almost impossible to comprehend. Where, then, do you start? A few simple actions can help you start moving towards your personal goals for self-improvement, whatever those goals may be. You will find numerous tips to help you reach your personal development goals.

It is possible to learn how to cope in a crisis without letting your emotions take full control. If you can keep your cool in times of stress, you can overcome a variety of obstacles. Take a moment and focus on your breathing technique.

There will usually be a difference in where you are in life, and where you want to be. This first step is certainly one of the hardest, and many people have a hard time committing themselves past this point. Without a clear understanding of exactly where you need to go, the process of achieving your personal development goals will be long and frustrating.

Respect your body’s boundaries in pursuit of any goal you might have. You should always put forth your best effort, but you also need to stay within your limits. You have to keep your body in mind when you are trying to accomplish something. Sacrificing what your body needs is counter-productive in improving yourself.

Succeed at everything you set your mind to. The passions you have should always make you want to achieve greatness. You can never be as good as you could be at one single thing but you can try to be the best you can be in what you are interested in. Increase your professional skillset, and you will feel a lot better about yourself.

Strive to improve daily so that each one is more perfect than the previous. It is important to make sure you keep pushing yourself every day to keep improving. Try and improve yourself daily.

Personal development starts with leadership. When thinking about leadership, think about it in terms of your level of influence on the world around you. Review your total experiences as a leader. Which experiences have been enriching for you? How have these events shaped your life? Ask yourself which qualities make you a good leader. By knowing yourself and your motives better, you can more easily integrate into a leadership role with others.

Talking to a professional counselor or a pastor can be an extremely rewarding experience. These people are educated and licensed to handle any problems you have, and usually have experience as well. They’ll eagerly listen, analyze what’s going on and help you find enlightenment. You may find that sharing your personal issues with a professional will open the door to health and happiness.

As you can see, personal development is simpler than it looks. By breaking your personal development process into small, manageable goals, you’ll find yourself closer to your goals by the end of every day. You’ll be able to practice what you’re seeking to adopt as habit, and you’ll increase your own morale to continue. These tips are only a springboard, it’s up to you to build a better life.

http://www.osteopatiainternacional.com/get-the-most-from-your-personal-development-journey-with-these-simple-tips/