PRODUCTIVITY
How to get your act together and kick-start your life
“There are those of us who are always about to live. We are waiting until things change, until there is more time, until we are less tired, until we get a promotion, until we settle down — until, until, until. It always seems as if there is some major event that must occur in our lives before we begin living.” — George Sheehan
At some point in our lives, we’ve all used the same line: “I know there’s something better out there for me.”
While an optimistic viewpoint, for some, these simple words have become a excuse — a virtual…
WRITING
It’s more personal than I thought
“If I waited for perfection… I would never write a word.” — Margaret Atwood
Admit it: If you’re like me, you click on every post related to improving the art of writing. Personally, I’m instinctively drawn to stories offering tips, strategies, and suggestions exploring the nuances of the craft.
I can’t stop myself. And I’m not sorry.
Sometimes I just have to know what I don’t know. I can’t take the chance of missing out on any nugget of wisdom, experience, or truth others have stumbled upon and mastered — especially if they’re willing to share with those of us still trying to find our way.
In an…
Self-Improvement
There are lots of reasons why you don’t want to fix yourself
Those two 4-letter words seem to have saturated the internet.
Self-Help.
Appearing in titles, subtitles, stories, posts, quotes, and articles, the author hopes the phrase will motivate a reader to click, follow, and ultimately, purchase a book, course, or virtual seminar that promises to fix whatever ails them. But like most everything else we’re exposed to over and over again, the questions begin to bubble up to the surface.
Why is everyone pushing self-help down our throats?
In an article by Mark Manson, he writes:
“The self-help industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. It fills bookstores and conference rooms. It’s made…
Writing
Maybe eventually you’ll get a good night’s sleep
I know what you’re thinking …
“I’m already mature, very mature. I’ve been writing for years and know my way around a story. Besides, writing is in my blood — I live and breathe by the words I write. In fact, I can eat, type, answer text messages, and edit my work all at the same time. I’ve got skills!”
Kudos on the multi-tasking abilities and high level of confidence
While admirable in their own right, that’s not exactly what I’m talking about. Because it takes more than a positive self-image and finely-honed juggling act to be a mature person. …
Whether a burning desire or flight of fancy, writing takes courage
It’s usually on the list of most people’s dream occupation — being a writer. There seems to be something mystical, even esoteric about the profession.
Why?
Maybe it’s the fantasized notion of creating unique masterpieces, or being able to write on an independent schedule — without a boss or supervisor — and having the freedom to take a day off whenever the mood strikes.
And while writing is a noble and rewarding endeavor, the truth is many may not have a true calling. Or patience.
It takes more than a naive interest to sit down and express your thoughts to…
SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Sometimes you need a personal splash-guard to keep flying debris at bay
Seems like just about everyone has some form of advice to offer.
From where to shop, to the best podcast, to which restaurant serves the healthiest food. With all the outside opinions constantly being thrown in the air, it’s not always easy to dissect the diamonds from the dirt.
So how do we handle all the well-meaning incoming missiles?
More important, what strategy can we effectively use to deflect the ones loaded with BS? Not an easy question — and there doesn’t appear to be a simple answer.
The problem is, many of us feel like we’re open landing zones for the unnecessary rhetoric of those offering self-appointed wisdom and…
HAPPINESS/HEALTH
Put your imagination to work and create the life you really want!
We all do it — daydream about how much better our lives would be if only …
Typically, the mental exercise is a fun, relaxing past-time.
Until we realize most of those daydreams may never come true. And instead of bringing a sense of excitement or possibility, we’re left feeling anxious and uncertain by a lack of results.
Still, our active imaginations wander, creating wishes and fantasies in our minds as we picture how happy we’d be if we could change some aspect of our life and make it different, better, more meaningful.
Here are a few common aspirations you may have thought about, hoping they’d come true by magic:
“I wish I were thinner. I’d get more dates if I lost thirty pounds.”
“I wish…
FITNESS/EXERCISE
How to create a fitness plan that’s just right for you
I ran into a friend of mine at the store last week. We chatted for a while about her change of hairstyle (spectacular!), an upcoming vacation she was planning, and her new grandson.
Then she told me about a local gym that had just opened.
She’d joined a couple weeks ago and signed up for an exercise program she thought would be perfect for her — group classes under the guidance of an instructor who, in her words, “told them exactly what to do.”
At first it seemed like she’d found a good solution to get started with her fitness goals — which is why I was surprised by what she said…
RESPONSIBILITY
It’s time to grow up, step up, and start pitching in
“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.”- Sigmund Freud
Several years ago, my nephew bought a house. He’d been saving for years, and was determined to break away and become independent. I was supportive, especially since my sister was on board with her son finally finding his legs and moving out on his own.
After several months — and dismissing a dozen frustrated real estate agents — he finally found a property that checked off most of the boxes on his lengthy wish-list, including the necessity to buy a…
MINDSET/POSITIVITY
When does the game stop and reality take over?
A friend of mine is a master of the fake-happy syndrome.
Always smiling, shaking her head in agreement, and displaying positive body language when interacting with others, she gives the impression of a centered, balanced, optimistic person. By all visual measures, she appears to be genuinely happy. Until she’s home alone and the mask comes off.
Her behavior isn’t all that unusual.
Because at some point in our lives, many of us have been guilty of playing out this same charade — projecting a cheerful guise to shield our lack of enthusiasm or interest.
So how do we recognize the difference between what appears to be an authentic joyful persona and fake-happy syndrome? …
