Everyone wakes up on January 1 with a gut full of ambition and good intentions. The idea of a clean slate is invigorating! By the middle of the month, however, most people have already started the slide back to their regular existence, overcome by trying to reach lofty, unclear goals with the same mindset from the previous year. I struggled with this for many years myself before finally figuring out 3 unconventional ways to avoid the January slump:

●      Porn

●      Lowering my standards

●      Pretending I’m someone else

This sounds like the start of a really bad movie about a down-and-out mob informant in Vegas, doesn’t it? Stick with me here and it will all make sense very soon.

Using these exact strategies below, my husband and I were able to sell everything we owned and save enough money to travel the world for five years. In fact, I’m writing this post to you from sunny Thailand, where we’ve been living for 3 months as we write our second book. Not bad for two people who could barely find the time for a 1-week vacation just a few short years ago, wouldn’t you say?

Dream Porn

There is a reason the daydream scenes in movies are always in a slight blur – they aren’t real. The main character longs for love, riches and happiness. She goes on daydreaming until her knight in shining armor shows up with a bucket full of money to solve all of her problems and carry her off to happily ever after. In the movie, the character doesn’t have to do anything to make this dream come true.

In real life it doesn’t work that way, and you need something far more explicit and raw to motivate you to action. Let me suggest a little Dream Porn in 3-D, IMAX quality so you can visualize every single detail. You need the money shot, the close-up, the vocals, and the cheesy soundtrack.

You want to know exactly what it looks, smells, feels, sounds, and tastes like to live your dream so you can make it happen:

●      See: Pictures, paintings, vision boards, maps – whatever image evokes your dream best

●      Smell: Candles, flowers, soaps, incense, food – the scents that put you inside your dream life

●      Hear: Music that transports you to your dream, recorded sounds of applause for your band or birds chirping from your version of paradise

●      Taste: Food from your dream location, meals you would cook in your restaurant, wines that make you think of your own vineyard or travels in wine-producing countries

●      Touch: A sari from India, a mock cover of your dream book propped up on your desk, fabrics you’ll use to design clothes or furniture in your dream business

Dream Porn is powerful stuff, and unlike the other kind, you don’t have to feel guilty about using it to fan the flames of your desire.

Lower your standards

You’ve probably seen those motivational posters they hang up in office buildings: soar like a guy on a glider over the Grand Canyon, challenge yourself like a rock climber, believe in yourself like a marathon runner. Man, I hate those posters. You want to stick me in a cubicle for 8 hours a day and ask me to excel by showing me the fabulous adventures of people who don’t have to stay inside a cubicle for 8 hours?

The reason these kinds of posters are just feel-good material from Human Resources and not actual stepping-stones to your personal success with goals is because they aim way too high in a non-relatable way. Seriously, how can you relate to the guy scaling Mt. Everest when you’re tapping away at an expense report with a space heater at your feet?

The key to long-term success with your goals is actually the opposite of these posters: lower the bar. Not just a little, a lot. In fact, lower the bar from Olympic pole-vaulter height and start with something you can step over without breaking a sweat.

Don’t think about quitting smoking altogether; instead, think of getting to lunch every day with only one cigarette. As that becomes easier, you can work toward no cigarettes until lunch, and so on and so on until you are smoke-free. Every day is a mini challenge you can actually envision doing, not some pie-in-the-sky long-term dream that is completely un-relatable to your current reality.

The momentum you build from these small successes keeps you going and is far more effective than mustering all your strength at the beginning and sustaining it long-term. As you and I both know, that doesn’t usually work.

Pretend you’re someone else

The same person you are today is not the same person you’ll be when you reach your goal. That’s part of the reason your goal is so challenging to you: you’re still the old you trying to fit into a new version of you. There is fear, uncertainty and inexperience clouding your vision.

One way to bypass a lot of the angst and struggle in becoming the more evolved version of you is to pretend you’re already someone new. Assume the identity of the person you want to be in the New Year: health nut, college student, business owner, writer, artist, inventor, elected official, activist – whatever your heart desires.

You may not be able to drag your chubby buns off the couch to walk around the block, but a healthy, fit person would do it with no problem. When you begin changing your mental identity from couch potato to fit person, even when you’re still straining the seams on your sweat pants and huffing and puffing just to tie your shoes, you are going to be more successful than the person who thinks of exercise as something other people do.

A writer writes every day, an artist paints, and an inventor creates things. You get the idea. When you mentally become the thing you want to be, the actions required to be that thing will come much easier. Over time the two will meld and you will actually become the thing you want to be.

What can you expect this time next year?

Going into the resolution game with the right mindset will give you the best odds for achieving your goals. We’re walking proof of that, writing this article from exotic Thailand, 15 months into our worldwide tour.

We dreamed big with a giant world map as our Dream Porn, lowered our standards by getting rid of just a few things every week instead of wondering how we would get rid of 20 years’ worth of possessions, and envisioning ourselves as long-term travelers to develop the minimalist, flexible mindset we would need to walk away from everything we knew. It worked for us, and it can work for you.

Just think of what you could be doing this time next year.

About the author: Betsy Talbot writes about carving the lifestyle you want out of the life you already have at Married With Luggage. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling the globe with her husband Warren and wondering where they will end up next. You can find out how they reached their dream of world travel in their latest book, Dream Save Do, now available on Kindle.

Related Reading:

10 Ways to be Happy, On Purpose

How To Prevent Seasonal Mood Disorder

It is not the big things that end up changing our life, but the little things.

Most people believe they have to make huge changes and take massive action, but it often isnít necessary.

Life goes on by itself without you having to force anything. Changes happen, good things happen, and bad things happen.

It is not the outside that counts, but what you do with it inside. Some people thrive and are happy despite most circumstances, while others are miserable living in luxury.

I’ve had a lot of realizations during my brief time on planet Earth, but to me, they’ve been profound and life-changing, and today I wanted to share a few of them with you.

1. Everything is Okay

Everything is okay in this very moment. If youíre reading these words, you’re okay.

There is nothing going on. Nothing needs to be done, and there is no rush anywhere. I know you may think that there is, but there isn’t.

Notice that I said think, because it is our minds that create most of our problems.

2. Thoughts are Thoughts

You are not your thoughts. You are the awareness behind them, the observer, and the emptiness.

Notice your thoughts as you read this article. Do you notice any judgments, opinions, or anything else coming up?

Whatever you notice, just let your thoughts be there, welcome them, and check what happens. You don’t have to act on your thoughts, because they are not you, they just are what they are: thoughts.

3. Fear

Fear doesn’t have to paralyze you. When I began going after my dreams, and building my online business, I was scared.

What I quickly realized is that when I moved through my fear, the fear went poof. It was as if it never existed.

Where did the fear come from? I created it. It came from my mind, and I was afraid of my own creation.

Your fears will often not represent reality, and when you take action and move through them, or simply let them go, they disappear.

4. Kaizen

Many people, myself included, want perfection. They want everything to work out perfectly. No mistakes are allowed.

What I’ve discovered is that this journey isn’t about perfection, it’s about constant improvement, or as the Japanese call it: kaizen.

5. Self-Honesty

If you have self-honesty, you have the key to personal growth. You know what you can do, and what you cannot. Although you have to be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that you know everything.

Sometimes the universe throws curveballs at you, and sometimes you surprise yourself. Knowing that is a part of self-honesty.

You are much more than you think you are, and you are capable of great things, so learn to trust yourself.

6. Discipline

I write, a lot.

I write books. I create courses, and I write, write, write, all the time.

I’m not always in the mood to write, but what I’ve noticed is that starting is the hardest part. I only need a touch of discipline to get started writing that first paragraph, and from there it flows.

If it doesn’t, I stop.

Discipline goes both ways. Use it to start, and use it to stop when appropriate.

7. Kindness

You never know what the future holds. That is why I try to practice kindness as much as I can.

This doesnít mean that I don’t set boundaries. It just means that I do my best to see through the illusion that there is a me vs. you, because there isn’t.

There is room for everyone on this planet. We can all thrive together, and it is through cooperation that we will rise to new heights.

Life is a strange thing. Sometimes it scares the hell out of you, and sometimes it surprises you with bursts of exquisite ecstasy.

Henri writes at Wake Up Cloud, where you can get his FREE life-changing course right now: Find Your Passion in 5 Days or Less. And if you liked this article, you may like, 21 Things You Can Do to Change Your Life Forever.

Where from? Henri was born in Sweden and currently lives in Finland.

The reality of today’s work environment in not only North America but in many places around the world is that diversity is here to stay. As a result of immigration over the years, we are finding many of our communities more and more diverse each year, which of course is directly related to local businesses. Whether it’s inside offices, factories or on the outside with retail or corporate customers, you will likely encounter more people from different cultures than ever before. Arming yourself with some skills in the form of diversity exposure and education will definitely help you function better in today’s working world. In fact, here are two major benefits you can realize as a result.

Diversity Education Includes People Skills Development

It is generally accepted in many business circles that the most important set of skills required for long term career success these days involves people skills. The ability to deal with many types of different people within companies as well as customers or business partners, is a very desired talent. Today, people skills are considered to be even more important than technical skills in terms of career advancement. Notice that the top people at companies are usually those with superior people skills rather than just pure technical skills. Those with subpar people skills will likely be held back from promotions. Good people skills, which include working with cultural diversity, will allow you to climb that corporate ladder more quickly than others.

Part of people skills is being able to deal with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds given the evolution of our domestic and global society. With the influx of even more immigration, it can be expected that both employees and customers will include people from many different ethnic backgrounds. So diversity education is very much part of developing overall people skills now.

Direct Education Of Other Cultures

Diversity exposure makes you more knowledgeable about different cultures out there. In addition to just watching TV travel shows or reading National Geographic, you can have a more direct exposure on different cultures by talking and interacting with different ethnic people during your travels or maybe right in your own community. This will help make you understand our world better and make you as a person, appear more ‘worldly’. A lot of companies will perceive you to be more valuable especially if they are doing business with a diverse market.

Interestingly enough, in addition to boosting your career, there might be some personal benefits from diversity education as well. Quite often, the opposite sex will see you as more attractive if you are more internationally inclined. Just to prove this, think about how many ladies consider guys with some knowledge of different cultures and languages to be sexy? Probably quite a few. Picture the guy who could help you order in a foreign language in some ethnic restaurant. Of course, the same could be said with the other way around when a lady adopts the same type of international skills as well.

Cultural diversity exposure and education can be thought of as a form of upgrading your personal skills to adapt to the changing work environments of today. But I wouldn’t leave diversity to be limited to only ethnic cultures. There is also diversity in lifestyles as in sexual orientations and religions. Even differences in attitudes from people coming from different geographical regions of the same country can be considered diversity. For example, think about the differences we observe with people from different parts of the USA. Even spoken accents are different.

Being able to function well with people from all walks of life is a skill that will take you far in your career and possibly social life as well. This type of skill can be developed through organized diversity training or even by just immersing yourself with more diversity exposure starting in your own community and of course with travel.

Clint Cora is a diversity and motivational speaker, author and Karate World Champion. See his free 3-part Personal Development Video Series to help you expand your comfort zone to conquer even your most daunting goals in life.

“Whatever we are waiting for – peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance – it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

A mind shift is a change of focus and perception. It can have extraordinary power to make relationships more positive and healthy; to improve your focus and rate of success; and to build self-esteem and overall happiness. A mind shift is an “ah ha” moment on steroids. It’s the movement of the tectonic plates in your psyche, opening your mind to entirely new ways of thinking and acting.

Author, speaker, and coach extraordinaire, Steve Chandler, writes about mind shifting in his book Shift your Mind: Shift the World. He suggests that by tweaking your way of thinking, you can turn your life around completely. He knows because it happened to him. He went from being an alcoholic life-reactor to being a creator of his own life.

Here’s what Steve has to say about shifting your mind: ‘When the mind is open, it will shift. When that happens all of life becomes, momentarily, light as a feather. Light as a breeze. Beautiful! You go up to the next level of consciousness, and creativity, energy, vibration ó whatever you want, you’ve got it.’

So what are these incredible, life-altering shifts, and how do you open your mind to make them happen? In my humble opinion, it takes two factors to open the mind: awareness and timing.

Awareness can happen because we want it or because it is forced upon us.

There are some people (like Steve Chandler) who are always trolling for ways to grow and improve their lives. They want to be aware and strive to keep their minds open. Sometimes, however, awareness hits us on the head like a brick, and our minds have to be cracked open. Big life events like a death, job loss, or a relationship break-up, can shock us into awareness and cause a mind shift.

Timing plays a role too. Sometimes the circumstances in our lives temporarily prevent us from making a shift. Or they make it possible.

For example, maybe we know we’re in the wrong job, but we need to bide our time while finishing an important project. It’s not the right time for a shift. But occasionally the timing is so absolutely ripe for a shift that it’s virtually inevitable. It descends on us like grace. All things are in alignment for the pieces to fall into place.

If you are in a state of willing awareness right now, then think about these ten mind shifts and whether the timing is right to embrace them in your life.

1. A Gratitude Mind Shift

Move away from the feeling and mindset that you don’t have enough. Instead, shift your focus to every blessing and all of the goodness you have right now. Shift to a gratitude-oriented frame of mind.

2. A Self-Creation Mind Shift

Rather than allowing problems to erupt with unexpected frequency, create your life to minimize the possibility of problems. When problems do arise, seek the gift or opportunity in the situation rather than fixating on the pain or difficulty. See all events as opportunities for self-creation.

3. A Life Reserve Mind Shift

Instead of just getting by, accepting less, or living with the status quo, shift your mind to embrace that you deserve more. Create a healthy reserve of time, love, money, and space.

4. A Personal Responsibility Mind Shift

Accept that you had a lot to do with the problems and disturbances in your life rather than resisting or denying them. Acknowledge that your choices, actions, or lack of action resulted in most of these situations. Acceptance of this fact is the first and most difficult step to resolving these situations.

5. A Self-Trust Mind Shift

Shift away from looking to others to have the answers for you. Shift from doubting yourself and your judgments to trusting your intelligence, inklings, intuition, and wisdom.

6. A Life Engagement Mind Shift

Choose to be fully alive and engaged in life. Let go of passive complacency and push past the fear of change. Embrace change as the path to a better life. It is the only way to make your life better.

7. A Self First Mind Shift

Become healthfully selfish about your life rather than always putting others first. Make sure your needs are met so you have the energy to give back.

8. An Initiative-Taking Mind Shift

Don’t wait for someone or something to push you forward. Take the initiative. Be the creator, the fire starter. Actively, joyfully create what you want in life.

9. An Action-Oriented Mind Shift

Stop reading and talking about change, personal growth, happiness, and a better life. You have the tools. You know what to do. Take action every day and live a better life.

10. A Present Moment Mind Shift

Drop the story about yourself that holds you back. Pretend that you have no memory of past failures or hurts. Recreate yourself every day. Just be the person you want to be without the yoke of the past.

Accept for just a moment that your current perceptions may not be accurate — that you might be wrong about yourself and the world. Today, pick one of these mind shifts that most resonates with you. Gently place it into your psyche and swish it around. Let it sink in. Give it a try.

These concepts may not be new to you, but acting on them might be. Pick one and begin living it. See if your open mind will embrace it so that you can shift to a new level of consciousness, inner peace, and happiness.

Barrie Davenport is a personal and career coach and the founder of Live Bold and Bloom, a blog about bold and fearless living. She is also the creator of the upcoming Habit Course with Leo Babauta and Katie Tallo.

Don’t Forget To Follow Us On Twitter!

Related Articles:

How To Increase Self Discipline

How To Motivate Yourself

What do the iPad, the band Nirvana, and the Fosbury Flop have to do with your professional and personal well-being? They certainly don’t represent anything just a little different or just a little better. They all represented radical change — they operated, sounded and looked completely different than anything that came before them. Their creators didn’t settle for incremental change — slow, steady improvement — but instead radically changed the rules. It wasn’t about doing a few things better. It was about throwing out what was considered “normal” and doing something ridiculously different. The good news is that if you feel stagnant or need to see massive improvement in some area of your life, then you, too, can use radical change to dramatically improve your life.

Last week, I wrote that there are only two ways to change direction to create a better, fuller, richer life: incremental change and radical change. Incremental change is about small and consistent improvement: cutting out your morning doughnut, taking the stairs at work or contributing 3 percent of your income to a 401(k). Incremental change is easy because it doesn’t require you to change your behavior significantly. It also feels good because you can tell yourself that you’re trying.

But if you don’t need rationalizations to feel better and instead are more focused on results, you must adopt radical change into your life and work, for maximum results. It takes significant effort on your part, but, if you are willing, radical change can produce radical results — sometimes overnight.

Several years ago, I found myself hunched over the side of the interstate, throwing up. I dismissed it as the flu, but, after a few days of excruciating abdominal pain, I realized the problem was more serious. Over the following weeks, I had no less than half a dozen tests. The diagnosis? Irritable Bowel Syndrome (yes, it’s as uncomfortable as the name sounds). I researched IBD and found that a healthier diet, especially one with higher amounts of fiber, could minimize the symptoms.

So I had a decision to make. Should I add a glass of Metamucil to my breakfast of eggs, bacon and white toast? I desperately needed to see results. But adding a bit of fiber in the morning or eating an apple for lunch wasn’t going to cut it. My decision? I chose radical change.

I became a vegetarian overnight, added a crazy health shake to my breakfast, eliminated milk, swore off soda and switched to a whole-grain-only diet. I eliminated my IBD instantly. No more morphine shots at my local urgent care clinic. No expensive (and dangerous) IBD drugs. Just the realization that small incremental change wasn’t going to do it.

Most people won’t pull the trigger on radical change unless they’ve hit bottom. That is, most people will pursue slow and steady alternatives until they reach the point at which their fear of change is only slightly less than the consequences of not changing. Alcoholics don’t get better by drinking a little less each day. They can only recover when they stop completely. The most effective way to stop smoking is not slow and gradual, it’s by quitting abruptly. Spending just a little less each month on your credit card isn’t going to radically improve your finances, but cutting up all of your cards and going to cash will.

What’s the one area of your life that you need to radically change? What’s the one area where you need to see radical results, or where you can’t afford a slow and steady approach? We’ve all got an area that plagues us, where we feel like we’re not making any progress. For many, it’s their health, career, relationships or finances. What’s your area? If you absolutely, positively need to see massive improvement in a month or a year, what do you have to do to turn your world around? The change you’ve been avoiding is the change you need to make.

Remember, you can improve anything in your life — your weight, marriage, finances or health — by capitalizing on incremental change and radical change. When you need to see radical results, look to make radical changes in your life. Change is scary, but it’s not half as scary as lying face down on a hospital bed and hearing, “You’re just going to feel a little pinch.”

This is part two of a two-part series on how to create positive change in your life. Read part one: “Reach Your Goals More Quickly: Use Incremental Change.”

Join a community of passionate people at Richer Life Insights who want to achieve more in life and at work. You can participate in conversations I have with experts, celebrities, authors, and thought leaders that are laser-focused on practical ways to drive more money, motivation, and meaning into your life. Take the first step toward creating a better life by joining Richer Life Insights for free now!

Don’t Forget to Follow PickTheBrain on Twitter!

Related Articles:

How To Be Happy At Work:Employee Motivation
How To Increase Your Will Power

Getting people to jump in and support a new internal organizational can be difficult, especially if the idea creates change.  Most of the time the person you are asking to change wants to know why they should do what you are asking them to do, and how it makes their jobs easier than the way they are doing it now.

One way to get people to buy in to your idea is to encourage them to use your new, great concept, in a way that will win over their hearts and minds.  And of course if they resist you can always go authoritarian and push what you want in a top down approach as a method of compliance (which in some cases is necessary).

But the honey, not the vinegar, will get you farther in the long run until, even when all other options are extended. The natural reaction can be to force compliance; you may have felt like this before: “I did my best sales pitch and they said no; right in front of everyone!  Well this comes from the VP and I’ll just have their access removed, then they don’t have a choice!”

You know what your doing is a good idea.  Your boss knows it’s a good idea.  Why can’t they understand it too?

When you set out to initiate change, even on a value adding service, create your delivery to generate a flow of acceptance rather than a flow of resistance.  It’s carried in your communication method, tone of voice, body language, and attitude.

Go in with the intention of having them jump in, just like the lazy river at the water park.  You are convincing them that the water is great, and choosing to jump in will carry them to the next goal way easier than walking themselves.

I’m not recommending you show up and present them the slide of how awesome you are.  Metrics and vision statements are good (and should be readily on hand), but this is about the tone.  This is showing them why you will make their life easier and the business better, all they have to do is jump in.

This requires sincerity – people can smell a fake a mile away and will pick your mission to pieces like sharks in the water.  Then your working on a credibility rebuild rather than buy in to a new idea.

Jumping in with an iron fist will likely result in a head butting match. If their tone sets in with resistance and you respond back with a rebuttal, even if you eventually win you’ve still lost.  They will from now on not help you be successful.  Incomplete information will be submitted.  They may hammer down on you to try to make you fail as a demonstration of why they were right in the first place.

But gain buy in, and gain a pilot group.  Gain people to offer ideas for constructive improvements that make you successful.  Full and complete information; and most importantly word of mouth that tells everyone exactly why you are relevant.

Should you encounter a flow of resistance, I say leave them be.  Don’t fight them there and on their terms.  Take their perspective back with you and run with what you have at the time.  Chances are the resistance was a chest pounding display anyway and they will quietly jump in after a few days.  Or they will eventually hear from theirs peers about your awesomeness and will then sheepishly jump in then.  Eventually it will make sense what you are doing, and their boss will catch wind of the idea and mandate his teams to comply anyway.

The smoother the jump in, the smaller the disruption and the faster you can go.  Structure your conversation to gain a flow of acceptance and watch how fast a group of people can move to your common goal.

Bio:  Josh Johnson is a Senior Project Specialist for an enterprise technology procurement office.  He is married, has two boys, and spends most of his time with his family, writing, and trail running.

You want to be healthier and have more energy. You want to take good care of yourself. The problem is, life is hectic. However nice it’d be to have time for long strolls in the countryside, afternoon naps and relaxing baths … you’ve got a few little matters like work, family, friends, chores and hobbies to fit into your day.

Perhaps you’ve made a few attempts at trying to live a healthier lifestyle, and they’ve never worked out. You start a new diet every Monday. You try to quit caffeine, sugar and alcohol all at once. You take up exercising – and your muscles are protesting after a day.

Sometimes, though, it’s the little changes which make a big difference. You don’t need to follow a huge time-consuming plan for the perfect body – you just need the energy and enthusiasm to tackle life every day.

Here are five simple steps, all of which combined will take just twenty minutes each day. (If you have a few extra minutes to spare, I’ve also suggested some bonus activities.)

Switch one drink to de-caff – 0 minutes

I’m not suggesting you quit caffeine full stop – just switch one of your daily coffees to a de-caffeinated version. It’s a little change which takes no time at all, and which you’ll hardly notice after a couple of days.

If you’re trying to cut down considerably on caffeine, do it gradually. For instance, if you currently drink six coffees per day, switch to five regular and one de-caffeinated this week, then cut down a bit more next week, and so on.

Bonus: Do the same thing with one regular soda – switch to a diet version, or flavored water. It might take your taste buds a week or two to adapt, but stick with it!

Grab a piece of fruit – 1 minute

Next time you’re feeling peckish, grab a piece of fruit. This takes a minute at most – probably just a few seconds. If you keep a bowl of fruit close at hand, it’s a very easy snack!

Eating more fruit will:

• Ensure you get enough vitamins, vital for health
• Boost your fiber intake, improving your digestion
• Help fill you up between meals for minimum calories

Bonus: Keep a bottle of water on your desk so that it’s within easy reach. You’ll find yourself sipping more and staying hydrated during the day – reducing the urge to snack. (Many of us mistake mild thirst for hunger.)

Brush your teeth (properly) – 4 minutes

Hopefully, you already brush your teeth twice a day. If you’re being totally honest, though, there are probably times when you don’t manage that – or when “brushing” is just a quick swipe round your mouth with the tooth brush.

Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two minutes. Try timing yourself next time you brush yours: chances are, you’re not brushing for long enough.

Bonus: Don’t forget to floss daily too.

Meditate – 5 minutes

In recent years, meditation has become much more mainstream. Proven health benefits – like decreased stress – are pretty attractive to most of us! But because we’re busy, we often don’t take the time to sit and quieten our minds.

If you’re uncertain about what meditation involves, and want an easy introduction, try 6 Tips for People Who Don’t Have Time to Meditate.

Meditation really isn’t a “woo-woo” new agey activity. It’s just a way to get some space and perspective in your life through a few minutes of precious calm.

Bonus: Many people – not just those who follow a particular religion – find it helpful to read a little from a spiritual or inspirational text each day.

Take a brisk walk – 10 minutes

Let’s face it, most of us should do more exercise. The trouble is, just the thought of the gym can be stressful. Perhaps you don’t have time after work, or you don’t want to follow a vigorous routine.

One of the best things you can do for your health is to walk. Walking won’t put as much stress on your joints as other cardio activities, you can do it in your normal clothes, and you can easily go faster or slower depending on your fitness level. Just ten minutes is enough to see physical and mental benefits.

Bonus: Find ways to incorporate walking into your daily routine, so that it doesn’t take up extra time. (Get off the bus a stop earlier, or walk to the local store instead of driving, for instance.)

Do you have any quick wins for extra health and energy? Share them with us in the comments … and let us know how many minutes they’ll take on a daily or weekly basis!

Don’t Forget To Follow PickTheBrain on Twitter!

Related Articles:

4 Musts to Staying Committed To Your Diet

The Massive Benefits of a Healthy Diet and How To Make Yours Stick

‘Intensity’ courtesy of of Julie Pflanzer/FineArtAmerica

It’s not enough to desire to change.

Even shutting your eyes, gritting your teeth and repeating “I will change, I WILL change, I WILL CHANGE” won’t do the trick.

Some people say “just make a decision” to change.  And that sometimes works (If the surrounding psychological conditions are right).

But what if you don’t know the processes involved in making a change?  (Yes, there are specific processes!) There are numerous change techniques available on the internet, and some, like EFT are very gentle. But if you want to make a quick, powerful, lasting change – you need something stronger than desire.

You need energy: an intense, powerful, lightening-bolt of energy.

One way to think about making a change is in terms of physics: it takes more energy to get an object to start moving that it does to sustain that movement.

This is one reason why ‘desiring’ to change is not enough. You may feel very strongly that you want to change but unless that ‘want’ power is directed correctly and effectively it won’t effect a change.

Let’s use a metaphor to make this clearer.

Think of a strongly established (negative) belief as being similar to an electromagnet, those large ones that they use in scrapyards to lift cars. The more energy you run through it, the more powerful it becomes and the more it attracts (metal/other thoughts) to itself.

A strong belief constantly has mental energy running through it, and whilst it operates it attracts incoming information and then distorts the interpretation to fit in with the beliefs central theme.

For example, if your ‘magnetic’ belief is that you can’t be successful, then (because of it) you might tend to discount and ignore any successes you do have. You might not see your small achievements because you are automatically invalidating them. Beliefs have a particular sorting effect on the content of our thoughts that causes us to exclude information that contradicts them (even if those contradictions are good for us!).

Beliefs are also known as frames and what do their physical counterpart – picture frames – actually do? They include certain things, and exclude others…. They draw your attention to what is in the frame and encourage you to keep looking at it. They frame!

The stronger your belief, the more it frames your perspective according to its theme. And the stronger it is, the harder it is to change, that is, to see outside the frame. That’s why battling with a belief is a bit like stretching a rubber band, only to have it bounce back.

Do you see why “I really, really WANT to change” is not enough? It’s like trying to budge a ton weight by stroking it.

What you need is a lightening bolt that will disable, even cripple, the machinery running that electro-magnet belief.

Where do you get that energy from?

Your emotions. Your strong, strong emotions…

Two of perhaps the most powerful emotional states come from your YES and your NO. Isn’t that right?

Don’t you have things you can say a passionate YES to? I mean, really say YES too?

In fact, Bobby Bodenhammer, developer of www.renewingyourmind.com said to me once that life consists of what you say ‘yes’ and what you say ‘no’ to. If they have that much determining effect, surely they have the power to commission and decommission beliefs…think about it….

From age two you have practiced the power of NO, have you not? Are their certain things that repulse you: that you would never do? What if someone tried to take your kidney away? Would you be able to say NO to that? A congruent, forceful, focus NO has a lot of power.

The thing is: most people are too sedate or bound with cultural taboos to change this way.

One problem is that your mind is designed to reinforce your own personal status quo. That’s why it takes the short, powerful burst of energy to disable the old belief. It takes your focused power of NO to decommission it, to put a spoke in the works.

Equally, when you use your outrageously passionate YES to turn a thought into a new belief, the more passion you use, the faster the belief will become a self-reinforcing attractor. It will become like that electromagnet and start drawing attention to itself.

But because of cultural, social and personal inhibitions, do you have the courage to act crazy enough to get your passion up? If you are normally fairly reserved, if displays of emotion are frowned upon in your circles (and I’m English, we just don’t DO stuff like that!) then your cultural frames are going to bind you to not changing.

Your body and mind might not be used to acting in such a way as to generate that strength of state. But the truth is, you are just going to have to get used to it. The average time it takes to change a belief using this method is ten minutes.

In fact, I used it with a client a few days ago. I got her to elicit a massive NO to one belief, and later, a powerful YES to her new beliefs. She reported instant changes in thinking.

So often we get caught up the content of a belief. The belief says “You’re worthless” and you shout back “No I’m not”. The belief says “Yes you are” and so on! It’s like trying to punch your way out a plastic bag.

But when you step back from a belief, mentally step back, you automatically put yourself in a position of power.

This is a secret to the functioning of human consciousness that not many people know – your ability to step back from your own thoughts gives you a structurally dominant position from which to change them.

The mere fact that you are thinking ABOUT your thought rather than engaging and struggling WITH it MEANS you can more easily change it.

From this position ask yourself:

• How does this belief serve me?
• Should it be getting rent free space in my head?
• Do I want it?
• What has it cost me so far?
• What will it continue to cost me?
• What won’t happen if I continue to use it?
• What will happen if I don’t use it any more?
• What will that open up?

Answering these questions can be enough to weaken a belief that has been in your mind for years. It is at this point you use your passionate NO to cripple and decommission that belief.

Next, you need to ask yourself:

What would I like to believe instead?

• Why?
• What would that be like?
• How would that change my experience of myself/this situation?
• Is that good for me and those involved?

And it is at THIS point that you use your passionate YES to commission a new belief. If you use enough passion the belief will start operating like that electromagnet, and attracting your attention to it, interpreting your incoming thoughts, giving you a new perspective.

Before doing this process, you might not believe it will work. That’s fine. Just use it anyway. The change will be your proof.

“Do you want to put the ideas in this article into practice for your own benefit? If you want know how to use THE technique a Ph.D used to install wealth principles in his mind and go from broke to being a millionaire – go to www.overcomingprocrastination.co.uk – and sign up to get the starter PDF for free. What is in this article will make that process even more powerful.

Douglas Cartwright is a Meta-Coach who helps professionals who are feeling ‘stuck’ to develop the personal resources they need to be more effective at work. He is developing a course called The Personal PowerPack which contains full details on the above technique, and much more. If you want a 28 minute free taster-audio go to www.livingwords.net He also offers personalised one-to-one coaching, and you can find out more details at www.livingwords.net/freeintro.html

Don’t Forget To Follow Us On Twitter!

Related Articles:

How To Increase Self Discipline

How To Motivate Yourself

Nobody said change was easy.  That’s why most people don’t do it.  But there is a deeper reason behind why it is hard that if understood, will lead you to take action that will bring you new habits and sustainable results.

When you evolve and grow as a person you start with: 1) VALUES which create 2) ATTITUDES which create 3) BEHAVIORS.  For example, when you were a young child you valued having friends, trusted all people and behaved openly.  Then through some unpleasant experiences on the playground you learned that not everyone is trustworthy on the same level so
you behaved by choosing friends that were consistently nice to you.

Here is a career example: You value your job so your attitude is that you want your boss to notice you in order to advance so you behave by working long hours to be noticed.

When you want to change your internal culture the process must move in reverse, which is unnatural, making it much more difficult.  You must start with: 1) NEW BEHAVIORS which will create 2) NEW ATTITUDES which will create 3) NEW VALUES.  
Career example: You don’t want to work long hours anymore because it has taken a toll on your family so you want to change your internal culture by starting with a behavior.  You will stop working longer and begin working SMARTer.  You will change your behavior by setting SMART weekly goals that are broken down into SMART daily goals.  Remember SMART Goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results Oriented and Time Framed.  Don’t
worry about changing your attitude and values – that will happen on its own.  You will find that your attitude will change when your boss notices how your own self discipline has made you more productive – a smart adjustment on your part without any coaching.  You start to help colleagues with goal setting and you begin to value how goal setting is not only a precursor to
achievement but also to leadership and a better quality of life.

If you want to change – just act.  Do something differently.  Don’t worry about the feelings behind it.  They will follow.

In the words of Henry Ford…

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

“Business is never so healthy as when, like a chicken, it must do a certain
amount of scratching around for what it gets.”

“I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what
can’t be done.”

“If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.”

There are a couple of key factors that get in the way of change.  Watch out for them because they will become excuses that will lead to self-paralysis.

These key Leadership Obstructers are:

1)  Guilt and Worry  We guilt about the past and worry about the future.  Both are useless emotions because we can’t change the past and worrying never changed the future for anybody.  Action and goal setting change the future.

2)  Blame and Complain  We blame and complain about whatever we can so as not to take responsibility for changing behaviors.  It’s easier being a victim.

Did any of the above Leadership Obstructers ever make you happier or did they simply take you farther away from a healthy life balance?  What behaviors will you change to move your life forward? Act!  Start now!

Mary Lee Gannon is a leadership and productivity expert as well as author of “Starting Over – 25 Rules When You’ve Bottomed Out.”  She went from being a stay-at-home mother with four children to divorce, poverty and then on to become a president and CEO.  Visit her web site at www.StartingOverNow.com
Related Articles:

How To Be Happy At Work:Employee Motivation
How To Increase Your Will Power

Don’t Forget to Follow PickTheBrain on Twitter!

Many people go through life acting like trained circus animals.  They repeat the same antics they observed their neighbors, parents and family performing.  What they often don’t realize is that they are wrecking their lives.

Do you know someone that performs these tricks?

Understanding that these tricks change good lives into a zoo is the first step to freedom.  So, let’s take a look at the most common traps people fall into.

10 Very Common Stupid Tricks That Wreck A Good Life

I’d bet we’ve all witnessed at least some of these stupid tricks.  Unfortunately, they plague many people and are incredibly common.  Read over the list and let me know which one you think is the worst or most prevalent.

1.  Performing the starring role in a never-ending drama

It seems that some people want the days of their lives to mirror a soap opera.  They constantly behave badly and then wonder why their lives are so freaking crazy.  It is almost as if they are addicted to chaos!  These folks usually fail to see that they are their own worst enemy!  Do you know someone that is the big star in their own perpetual drama?

2.  Jumping through hoops without accomplishing anything

Who do you know that lives life like a hamster spinning in a wheel?  These people run and run, but never get anywhere.  In addition, they probably think they have little to no control over their lives.  They are stuck in the Twilight Zone where every day is just like the next.  They continually jump through hoops for everyone else, but never realize their own dreams.  I assure you this is only an illusion, but how do we convince them?

3.  Parroting the negativity heard in the media and from others

The voices of negativity are constantly lobbing grenades of gloom into our laps.  Many people become echo chambers that repeat and amplify this barrage until they are deaf to anything else.  Then their minds freeze up in fear, doubt and panic.  These people let themselves be toyed with like a puppet!  We all need to turn off the talking heads and feed our minds positive, encouraging vitamins of hope to regain a good life!

4.  Disappearing when they hear the words volunteer or charity

Why are people so afraid of giving away their time and money?  I know there are a lot of scams, but are we really going to let that squelch every attempt at good?  So what if once in a blue moon we give a nickel to someone that wastes it!  Life goes on!  Get over it!  The most significant thing we can do with our limited days on this earth is make someone else feel safe, comfortable and cared for.

5.  Trying to walk a high-wire without a net in their personal finances

The recession we just experienced was a gift.  It was a warning shot across the bow giving people the opportunity to turn from their destructive financial path.  Spending beyond their means, piling up mountains of debt and failing to save a penny for a rainy day will be the demise of many.  Our economy reflects our collective financial condition.  Hopefully, the warning we got will motivate people to get their house in order so we can prosper as a country!

6.  Rolling over and quitting because they made a few mistakes

Making a bad mistake can be painful.  I’ll admit it can feel like someone scarred you with a white-hot branding iron on your backside.  The memory of such an event leaves many thinking that the best thing they can do is to curl up into the fetal position and quit.  Of course, this means they’ll miss out on even the slightest chance that life might throw them a bone just when they need it most!

7.  Swinging from one relationship to the next to avoid commitment

It isn’t always easy to let yourself be loved.  A true partner will challenge you to grow and better yourself.  They will force a person to relinquish some of the selfishness we all cling to for dear life.  Jumping to another relationship won’t solve the problem.  One day you have to deal with the person staring back at you in the mirror.  This is the only way I know to ultimately find the kind of love we all long for.

8.  Playing opossum on the couch to evade all forms of exercise

There is nothing that will steal the joy out of a person’s life quicker than health problems.  However, you don’t have to look far to find a person taking a very short-sighted approach when it comes to exercise and eating right.  Neither of these is all that hard, expensive or time-consuming.  They just take a little discipline and ingenuity.  I don’t understand why people don’t get up and get active!  It is the single best thing we can do for ourselves!

9.  Throwing daggers of blame while blindfolded at anyone in range

Some people will throw blame at just about anybody but themselves.  It is always the other person’s fault that their relationships suck, their career is at a dead-end and the collection agent knows their whole family by first name.  Accepting responsibility for our lives and making a conscious decision to do everything we can to make this one life we have worth living is the only solution to our dilemma.  When will people learn?

10.  Flipping out when it is suggested they should learn something new

I never cease to be amazed at how strongly people resist and fear change.  They will do everything within their power to avoid, divert and even sabotage anything that is going to make them have to learn something new or change in anyway.  Change is a necessary and healthy part of life.  Our routines are not pets!  People need to learn to grow!  It doesn’t hurt as much as they think!

Retraining to Quit These Stupid Tricks

We are not circus animals!  We have a choice in our behavior.  All we have to do is decide to retrain ourselves.  How do we get people to quit these self-destructive tricks?

Well, you’ll find a lot of great advice by continuing to read Pick The Brain.  In addition, you can find a lot of great information on good habits and smart living on my blog.  Hope to hear from you soon!

Jeff Nickles is a guest blogger for PickTheBrain. He writes about living life to the fullest at MySuperChargedLife.com.

Don’t Forget To Follow PickTheBrain on Twitter!

Related Articles:

A Smarter Approach To Time Management

Tips For Breaking Bad Habits and Developing Good Habits