a comprehensive collection of self improvement articles focusing on productivity, motivation and confidence

What to Answer When They Ask What You Want to Be

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Erin Falconer

When I was five years old, my parents asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told them I wanted to be a butterfly. It did not seem to be the answer they were looking for.

But I quickly caught on. The next time they asked me that question, in junior high, I knew what I wanted to be– a crusading investigative reporter ala Woodward and Bernstein, or a humor columnist like Art Buchwald, or a theater critic such as John Simon. They told me those jobs were already taken and that journalism was a dead end. Continue reading →

Recharge Your Life – Go Green!

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Erin Falconer

Did you know that most modern hunter-gatherers spend only 20 or so hours a week working? The Zhun people of Africa, for example, spend most of their time hanging out, socializing and generally enjoying life, while those of us running the rat race in industrialized nations work an average of 44 hours a week. Granted, it’s an extreme, but it does make you think about how living a sustainable or “green” life can be more fulfilling. While you might not want to drop your job and ditch your family to join a nomadic tribe, there are other ways to incorporate green practices into the life you lead. Continue reading →

Can Meditating Make You Smarter?

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Erin Falconer

But meditation was great!

My mind could see inside the golden ball in my brain. Millions of sparks flew about in it. These sparks were busy rebuilding my brain cells. All my old patterns of intellectual thinking were disappearing. Awareness was growing along with the golden ball.

The ball of sparks became bigger and bigger until it encompassed my entire brain before proceeding down my spinal cord to work on it too. Continue reading →

Are You Postponing Your Life Until Tomorrow? 8 Ways to Start Living NOW

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Erin Falconer

There is nothing worse than looking back at life with regret. But if we keep walking the road of constant procrastination, this outcome is guaranteed.

It’s not too late to make the necessary changes.

Start living now. Continue reading →

Why You Need to Say “No” … to Yourself

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Erin Falconer

If you’ve read much time management advice, you’ll know that the ability to say “no” is an important one. Lots of productive, busy people have a tendency to take on too much because they never want to turn down a request for a favor, or even a new client who they know is going to be a pain to work with.

But friends, colleagues, and clients aren’t the only people who you need to learn to say “no” to. There’s one other person who can wreak havoc in your life … and that’s you. Continue reading →

How To Create More Powerful Beliefs

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Erin Falconer

We believe them intellectually or rationally, and we believe them subconsciously or emotionally. When the two types of belief are in alignment, it’s easy to take action and move towards our goals. However, when there is disagreement between the two types of belief, we feel stuck and unmotivated, we procrastinate, and feel uncomfortable and stressed. Continue reading →