Personal Development and Self-Help – Page 12

June 27, 2012July 3, 2012

Fire Safety Tips Every Family Needs To Know

Fires break out in almost half a million homes each year in the United States. To keep your family safe, learn the three most important rules for fire safety plus additional tips to help you prevent fires and minimize the damage to your loved ones and belongings if you do suffer a fire in your home.

3 Most Important Rules for Fire Safety

1. Install smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration emphasizes three fire safety precautions starting with having all homes equipped with smoke alarms. Mount them on a ceiling or high up on a wall. Test them at least every 6 months. Replace the batteries once a year.

2. Get automatic fire sprinklers. The federal government also recommends home sprinklers. By spraying water immediately, they can put out small fires and help contain big fires. Residential systems are starting to become more affordable and some of them are suitable for older homes.

3. Develop an emergency escape plan. The third rule is creating and practicing an escape plan. Map out all the exits in your house. Figure out two ways to get out of each room. Go through the drill until you can get the whole family out in less than 3 minutes.

Tips for Preventing Fires

1. Pay attention while cooking. Stay in the kitchen if you have something on the stove. Turn off the heat if cooking oil starts smoking and slide a lid over the pot to squelch flames. Keep flammable items like plastics or cloth away from heat.

2. Put matches out of reach. Keep matches in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf beyond the reach of small children. The same goes for cigarette lighters and torches.

3. Watch candles closely. If you love candles, be sure to use them wisely. Set them out on stable surfaces and extinguish them before you go to sleep.

4. Keep heat sources clean. Furnaces and fireplaces need to be cleaned at least once a year. Empty the lint out of clothes dryers immediately after each load. Give space heaters plenty of distance from curtains and furniture.

5. Use electricity safely. Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Tuck cords away neatly without running them under rugs. Give pets their own chew toys so they’ll leave electrical cords alone.

Tips for Surviving Fires

1. Keep fire extinguishers handy. Buy the right kind of fire extinguisher for each room or look for multipurpose models. To use any extinguisher, you pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep the whole unit back and forth. If flames are already spreading, just focus on evacuating.

2. Stick close to the ground. Smoke rises, so it’s important to stay as low to the ground as possible where it will be easiest to breathe. Practice crawling during your home fire drills.

3. Feel doors for heat. Use the back of your hand to check if a door is hot before opening it. If you discover that there may be flames on the other side, leave it alone and exit through another door or window instead. Closing doors behind you as you leave will also help to slow down any fire.

4. Know what to do if your clothes catch fire. Drop to the ground using your hands to cover your face and roll back and forth to put out the flames. Run cool water over burned skin and call for emergency medical care.

5. Once you’re outside, stay outside. Once you’re out of the house, avoid making any return trips. The fire department is better equipped for conducting rescues in a burning building.

Most home fires are preventable if you know how to take the proper precautions.

Keep your smoke alarms in working order, have an emergency escape plan and pay attention to potential fire hazards. Learn these tips and give them your highest priority so you can feel safe from fire in your home.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Managing Transitions in Life

The one thing you can be sure of in life is that there will be times when you’re thrown a curve ball. Something will happen that you aren’t expecting.

Even though you know you’ve got the strength to handle anything that life brings you, you might still be taken aback by an unexpected change in your life direction.

These suggestions will help you successfully handle some of life’s transitional times:

1. Take a deep breath. Pause for a moment and give yourself time to just breathe.

2. Process the information. Next, allow yourself some time to think through what’s happened. This might take a few days, depending on your situation. From your perspective, what occurred?

3. Talk about it. Call a close friend or family member you trust and tell them about what’s going on in your life. It helps to hear yourself think aloud whenever you’re faced with an enduring challenge.

4. Consider your options. Although you might not be completely ready to move on yet, try to ponder fully your situation and where you could go from here. Be open-minded about resolving the current issues in the short-term.

• If your situation involves an ending of a relationship, for example, maybe you’ll have to find another place to live quickly. Could you move in with a friend or family member, at least for now? Ask yourself what your possibilities are at the present time.

5. Take time to adjust. You might feel you have to make decisions fairly quickly to get moving forward, but still, it’s wise to allow yourself necessary moments to adjust to what’s happening.

6. Tell yourself that you’ll make it through. After the initial shock wears off, you’ll hopefully reach the point of realizing that “this too shall pass.” Thinking positively is the best way to approach any type of challenging situation. Remind yourself that you have the savvy and fortitude to find your way from this day forward.

7. Begin to formulate a plan. After considerable thinking, you’ll be relieved to see parts of a new plan for your life falling in to place.

8. Recognize your own strengths. Remember back to a time you struggled through a crisis and emerged better than ever. Maybe you had to drop out of college because there wasn’t enough money. You still made it through and were able to return to finish your studies within 2 years. Realize your strength to help you make it through the current situation.

9. Look at the recent change as an opportunity. Even though it might take some effort, allow yourself to see you’re being given a chance to change your life. You’re in a position to improve something about your existence.

• Let your imagination run free. Regard the coming episode of your life as a new adventure and embrace it.

10. Move forward with a sense of purpose. Now that you have the bare bones of a plan, you can proceed ahead with your new life with greater confidence. As time goes by, you’ll grow even surer of the direction you’re heading. Let yourself feel excited about your new goals.

Regardless of what life brings your way, you’ll still keep going. Allow yourself time to breathe and take in the information. Perhaps even talk to someone and ponder your choices.

You have what it takes to successfully manage any transition in life that appears before you. Openly accept this opportunity to let go of the old and embrace the new.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

It’s Okay to Cry

You might remember back when you were a kid how your mom always told you to stop crying. You’ve probably heard a parent at some time in your life tell his kids, “Stop that crying, it doesn’t do any good” or “Stop crying or else I’ll give you something to cry about!”

Seriously, if a child is crying, it’s a clue he’s already got something to cry about. Depending on the era you grew up, your parents might have handled kids crying in some pretty creative ways. Frankly, crying is really no big deal. In fact, many experts believe crying has some usefulness to our lives.

Did you know that crying has a scientific name? It’s called “lacrimation.” Most people haven’t heard it. Even so, every person on earth has shed tears at some time in his life. Crying is one experience that every human being has shared.

Why People Cry

Crying really doesn’t hurt or damage a situation or people. Crying is a healthy expression of emotions. Particularly for children, experiencing feelings you don’t understand can be pretty confusing. And those feelings of confusion and frustration can quite easily be expressed by crying.

Some people cry when they’re sad or melancholy. Others cry when they’re frustrated or angry. Still, there are those who cry when they’re afraid. Whatever the reason, emotionally healthy people do feel the need to cry occasionally.

Do You Allow Yourself to Cry?

If you’ve ever experienced feeling like you want to cry yet holding in your tears, you know how uncomfortable it can be. What were you experiencing at those times? It practically makes a person feel physically ill to withhold crying even though the emotions and body are sending signals that it’s time to cry.

Interestingly, contrary to what many people think, when a person cries, it tends to last for just a few short minutes. Once the initial troubling feelings are expressed, they’re released.

The act of crying has a calming effect on the body as one’s breathing often slows down. After shedding tears, you’re then free to go on with your day.

Crying and the Grief Process

It’s natural to experience sad and lonely feelings related to a loss of someone or something important. During grieving, you might cry periodically over a few days, weeks, or months. Between crying episodes, you might feel fine. However, the grief eventually returns.

Grief has a way of washing over you in waves. But then, minutes later, you’re feeling better. When grieving, sometimes a good cry is all you need to release troubling emotions for the moment. Over time, you’ll feel less and less like crying.

Research on Crying

Recent research reported on the Science Daily website indicates that two-thirds of people studied reported feeling a boost in their moods after crying. The study also deduced that people who have diagnosed mental health conditions of anxiety or other mood disorders might not feel better after crying. In summary, healthy people who cry feel better when they’re finished crying.

Consider crying a normal part of life that will occasionally happen. Let go of your fears regarding crying. However, in the event you or a person you know is crying practically daily for several hours each day or not feeling any better after a “good cry,” it’s probably time to check with your doctor to ensure you nip in the bud any conditions requiring attention.

Go ahead and let yourself cry if you feel like it – you’ll feel calmer afterward and be ready to confront your day with a renewed passion and motivation.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Get Hoarding Tendencies Under Control

Reality TV shows have focused new attention on the issue of hoarding. Maybe you’re buried alive or maybe you just need to empty out that hall closet. Learn what psychiatrists now know about hoarding along with techniques to manage mild tendencies or intervene in more severe cases.

Understanding the Facts About Hoarding

1. Recognize hoarding as a mental health issue. The psychiatric criteria for compulsive hoarding are still being developed, but some facts are clear. The symptoms include a strong urge to acquire items and trouble with discarding them that interferes with daily life.

• Those who struggle with this dilemma may suffer from depression or attention deficit disorders, but sometimes they have no known history of mental illness.

2. Identify the underlying causes. Certain personality traits are characteristic of hoarding. You may be indecisive and try to avoid making mistakes by holding onto everything just in case. You may also be prone to procrastinating and have difficulty getting organized.

3. Know the risk factors. Anyone can become a hoarder but older women who are socially isolated are most at risk. Keep this in mind if you think you need to change your own life circumstances or if you’re caring for an aging parent or other relative.

4. Put yourself to the test. Compulsive hoarders may need professional intervention but there are also tests that can help you make an initial assessment. Search online for the Hoarding Rating Scale Interview. It has 5 simple questions with replies ranked from “no problem” to “extreme.”

Coping With Mild Hoarding Tendencies

1. Organize your valuables. Organization is a key distinction between being a collector and being a hoarder. Create an attractive display for your prized books or antique dolls so you can feel good about them and enjoy sharing them with others.

2. Stick to your budget. Buy only what you can afford. Look for bargains or save up in advance for major new purchases.

3. De-acquisition as needed. Every librarian or museum director appreciates the value of de-selection guidelines. Make your best stuff appear more attractive and accessible by getting rid of items in poor condition or objects of lesser quality.

Interventions for More Severe Hoarding

1. Contact the appropriate authorities for health and safety threats. Animal hoarding, fire hazards or nonworking utilities can pose urgent dangers. Call the board of health or animal control immediately for such emergencies.

2. Arrange for a professional evaluation. Talk with your family doctor or consider engaging a geriatric care manager. These professionals provide expert assistance to the elderly and their families to help them locate appropriate services and maximize the independence of elders. Most offer a free initial telephone consultation.

3. Find local therapists and resources. Seeing a therapist is an individual decision, but you can present options if you’re trying to help a loved one. Many patients improve thorough targeted behavioral therapies and home visits.

• Clutters Anonymous is a self help group with a 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous.

4. Enlist support. Caregivers and their loved ones benefit from building alliances. Ask your local council on aging about relevant programs in your community. Look into professional services like house cleaning agencies and storage centers. Ask friends and family to pitch in with removal tasks and providing more opportunities for socializing.

5. Remain compassionate and sensitive. Be respectful and nonjudgmental to avoid exacerbating any feelings of shame. Offer sincere praise as progress is made. It’s usually easiest to start out by focusing on tasks like sorting rather than throwing things away. Ask for permission before touching anything.

Those TV shows may be helping compulsive hoarders to get the assistance they need. Still, the solution usually extends much deeper than just tidying up the house. Recognize the warning signs for hoarding so you and the people you care about can restore order in your emotional lives and in your homes.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Making the Most of a Career Fair

Career fairs add a personal touch to a job hunt that often takes place mostly online these days. Use these techniques before and during a career fair to help you make a better impression.

Before a Career Fair

1. Clarify your purpose. Know what you want to achieve. You may be looking to line up interviews with specific companies as soon as possible. On the other hand, you may be at a stage where you just want to learn more about organizations that interest you.

2. Research each fair. Visit the website for every job fair you attend. Get familiar with the sponsor and the employers who are expected to attend. Do more extensive research on the companies that look like the best match for you.

3. Polish up your resume. Proofread your resume and bring along multiple copies on high quality stationery. If you’re considering jobs in more than one field, make different versions emphasizing your most relevant qualifications.

4. Print business cards. Simple business cards are inexpensive to print, especially if you get a template that lets you do it yourself. Hand out your card to representatives who have a policy against accepting full resumes at the event.

5. Rehearse your opening lines. Expect to make a brief introductory speech at each booth you visit. Practice stating your name, summarizing your background (including a couple of top accomplishments), and describing the position you want. Keep at it until you can do this in fewer than two or three minutes and sound natural doing it.

6. Recruit a friend. Attending these events solo is fine but you may also benefit from the support of a friend. Touch base at strategic intervals to encourage each other and share feedback.

7. Dress to impress. Business casual is usually the way to go. Good grooming, simple accessories, and dress pants and shirts are a safe choice. Ensure your shoes are comfortable enough for hours of walking, and give them a quick shine on your way out the door to the event.

8. Volunteer your services. Volunteering is a great way to get inside information and make personal contacts. Call the organizers in advance to see if they can use your services.

During a Career Fair

1. Get there early. By arriving early, you catch the recruiters while they’re still fresh. They’re also more likely to remember you during the relatively quiet first hours than after the crowds build up.

2. Focus on your top prospects. Make a list of companies you think you must see. Budget your time so that you can talk with all your best leads.

3. Give yourself plenty of time. Schedule more time than you think you need. You’ll be able to take advantage of any additional opportunities and you can always go home early if you finish ahead of time.

4. Be friendly. Remember to smile, shake hands, let people know you’re glad to meet them, and that you’re enthusiastic about their organizations. Employers evaluate your personal qualities as well as your skills and experience.

5. Take it easy on the give-away items. All those free key chains and water bottles may look tempting. To maintain a professional appearance, limit yourself to what you can carry inconspicuously in your briefcase or tote bag.

6. Be prepared to follow up. Get the name of everyone you speak with and clarify the next step in the process. Send a prompt and personalized thank you message to express your appreciation and keep the communications going.

A career fair is a valuable opportunity to network and introduce yourself to employers. Keep using the usual online tools but add these events to the mix to make your job search as rewarding as possible.

June 24, 2012June 27, 2012

Why Am I Not Making Money?

Instead of worrying about money, like so many people these days are doing, this video up-shifts your focus, so you’re instead giving your attention to and empowering with strong feelings – being of greater service to more people.

That feels great, it’s why you’re here…. and it’s your shortest and fastest path to wealth and success!

Watch it and you’ll know exactly how that works, in accordance with “The First Covenant of The Affluent Class”:

What was most helpful for you in today’s Personal Growth Walk Video?

Comment below on that.

Also, let others know about this, because chances are great several of your Facebook friends need this information and would love you for sharing it with them.

(Just use the stylish less than ‘<‘ button in the lower right of the video and Share on Facebook, Twitter, your email, etc.)

As you saw in the video, I’m here to give you valuable coaching and make sure we’re applying these insights to what’s happening in your life, through our Personal Growth Community.

Also make sure you’re doing our “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life” which is our $197 free gift to you.

Warmly,

Dan Klatt
“Think And Grow Rich Guy”
Personal Growth Cafe Head Coach

……Serving as Your WealthSensei!

June 24, 2012July 4, 2012

7 Tips for Dealing With Disappointment

Because life is less than perfect, we all experience situations that bring feelings of disappointment from time to time. Therefore, it’s important to have your own tool kit of tips to confront and combat these emotional upsets so you can move past them and on to better things.

Use these techniques to help you conquer disappointment:

1. Allow yourself to feel however you feel. When a troublesome event takes place, it’s completely normal to feel disappointed and a little down. Your feelings are a natural part of you and you’re entitled to feel disconcerted from time to time. Think about what has made you upset and how you feel about it.

2. Refrain from attributing too much importance to the situation that brought you disappointment. Sometimes, it’s easy to react to an upsetting situation by exaggerating the consequences of the event.

• For example, when you’re passed over for a promotion, you might think, “I’ll never get an opportunity to advance at the office again. I guess my career is over.”

• Instead, be realistic about the impact of the recent disappointment. Okay, it’s a setback. But it’s just one hitch. You’ll have plenty of chances to recover.

3. Revisit your goals. What is your ideal outcome? What are you seeking in life? Have you established personal and professional goals that stimulate, motivate, and excite you? Now that you’ve allowed yourself the time to sort through your feelings of disillusionment, it’s time to shift gears.

• Review your personal and professional goals to reinvigorate your efforts to achieve them. Don’t be surprised if your goals have changed since the last time you thought about them.

4. Construct a dream board. Speaking of having clarity in what you want in life, making a dream board will help you do just that. Also known as vision boards or personal collages, a dream board can include pictures, drawings, and sayings about everything in life you’re seeking.

• The process will be a deeply satisfying experience. Plus, you’ll have your dream board to admire every day and remind you of the goals you’re working for.

5. Focus on 1 or 2 goals. Choose at least one personal and one professional goal to focus on for the next month. Keep that goal in your thoughts each day by having it in your calendar or even on a note in your car. Concentrate your efforts on one or two goals at a time.

• This way, you’ll leave your feelings of disappointment behind, replacing them with positive feelings. You’ll focus on and commit to achieving a result that’s very important to you.

6. Recognize life offers all kinds of possibilities. In actuality, there are probably plenty of ways to expand your horizons at the office and in your career. Avoid making one disappointing occurrence a constant source of nagging negativity. Take notice of all the opportunities you have now. Realize more will be coming along every single day.

7. Onward and upward. When you’re moving forward in life, you’re less affected by occasional disappointments. Consider your disappointment a thing of the past and vow to move on. Make a short list of what you’ll do over the next days to achieve the goals you selected to focus on.

There are many strategies to help you move past the disappointing times in life. When you allow yourself your own feelings, avoid placing too much emphasis on an upsetting event, and review your life goals, you’re well on your way to better days.

Also, making a dream board, focusing on just 1 or 2 goals, and moving on with your life will allow you to leave your disappointment behind and embrace renewed faith in your almost-perfect life!

June 24, 2012July 3, 2012

5 Strategies to Enjoy Your Free Time

Free time is good for the soul. Your best opportunity to re-charge your emotional batteries is to take advantage of those precious non-work hours.

Depending on how you spend it, free time allows you to truly express who you are and who you strive to be. You’ll feel at peace and content with your life when you begin to utilize non-work time doing the activities you love.

Try these tips on how to use your free time to your best advantage:

1. Ask yourself, “What do I really long to do?” Make a list. Include simple and complex projects and activities you’ve always wanted to do.

• Your list might have items on it like “do yoga 3 times a week, ” “watch those DVDs I bought 6 months ago,” “read at least one novel a month,” or “spend 2 hours making a scrapbook from last year’s vacation photos.” What makes your heart sing?

2. Take a look at your calendar. It’s good to get a visual of how much free time you have in a given week. It can be exhilarating to realize you have 20 hours of free time each week. When does most of your free time occur? In the evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.? Or only on the weekends? Or both?

• If you use a paper calendar, highlight the time blocks when your free time will happen in the coming week. You’ll feel a little excited and happy when you do this step. It just feels great to know you’ve got some “me time” coming.

3. Plan desired activities by writing them into your schedule. It might be unusual for you to consider using your calendar to “schedule” free time. However, if it’s written in the calendar, you’re more likely to follow through.

• For example, you might reserve 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday to read a novel. From 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. you could schedule “work on vacation scrapbook.” From 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., maybe it’s “call my sister in TN.”

• It’s not necessary to schedule every unscheduled bit of time you have. However, if it’s written into your schedule, it will be a great reminder for you to begin doing many of the things you long to do. You’ll get focused and feel more fulfilled once you start doing the activities you choose.

4. Gather necessary supplies for favored activities in advance. You’ll be prepared to jump right in if you already have the supplies you need. Use shoe boxes or plastic bins to store supplies so everything will be at the ready when free time rolls around.

5. Regularly update your list of desired activities. This is the wonderful thing about enjoying free time: you have free rein to change your mind and develop new, exciting interests at your whim. Life is incredibly enriching when you realize you can spend spare time taking part in activities you find stimulating, interesting, or just plain fun.

To feel content and develop a real enjoyment of life, use spare moments to your best advantage. Do every single thing you desire. Enrich your life by enjoying your free time!

June 16, 2012June 16, 2012

How Do I Know Which Path to Focus On?

People often bounce all over the place and don’t know what is most appropriate for them to focus on. How do they know what path is best for them?

In this video, I answer that question, specifically posed by a 21-year-old looking for life guidance.

Now that you’ve learned how to know which path to focus on, share this video with people you know, using the Share button in the lower right of the video, that’s the little ‘<‘ less than sign.

After you’ve done that, then Comment below on your own experiences related to finding your path, keeping your focus, and using your power wisely.

As seen in the video, I’m here to give you personal coaching and make sure you’re applying these insights fully to your specific situation, through our Personal Growth Community.

Also, make sure you’re doing our “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life” (which is my $197 gift to you and is how I’m best able to serve you).

Warmly,

Dan Klatt,
“Think And Grow Rich Guy”
Personal Growth Cafe Head Coach

….Serving as Your WealthSensei!

June 14, 2012June 18, 2012

Put The Power of Intuition To Work For You

Intuition is the reason that you know more than you think you know. Once you recognize how much of your mental activity takes place subconsciously, you can make better use of the knowledge and abilities you already possess.

These are strategies for finding a healthy balance between critical thinking and gut feelings.

Relying on Intuition in Your General Routine

Acknowledge the role of intuition. Cognitive science is giving more and more credit to the part our hunches play in our thoughts and behavior. You might mistakenly assume you’re making rational decisions when you’re really operating on autopilot. Just think of the times you’ve driven home out of habit while you were lost in thought about something else.
Challenge gender stereotypes. Even the experts are divided about whether women have stronger intuitions. Many studies suggest that women in general are more sensitive to emotional cues but individuals vary widely in their abilities.
Look for connections. Your intuitions are most reliable in the areas where you have the most experience and expertise. Study a situation in terms of its similarities to something you’ve handled before and look for ways to categorize it.
Train at making snap judgments. Gut feelings enable you to respond quickly when necessary. When the stakes are low, practice building up your confidence by deciding things quickly, like what to eat for dinner or which movie to see.
Nurture your sense of curiosity. Those who are curious about others are often the best judges of character. Experiment with putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understandthe reasoning for their conduct.
Put your emotions into perspective. We often exaggerate how much external events will affect us. Whether you win the lottery or lose a bet, you’ll probably soon return to being as happy as you ever were, so listen to your feelings without getting carried away.
Be realistic about your limitations. It’s tempting to see what you want to see and overlook errors. Be disciplined about scrutinizing your actions and learning from mistakes.

Relying On Intuition In Specific Circumstances

Make friends and fall in love. Our first judgments about people are often reliable. You’re likely to recognize the people who will enrich your life as long as you keep an open mind about seeing the good in everyone.
Know when to stay silent. For the sake of your relationships, it’s often better to keep your hunches to yourself even when they’re accurate. For example, your friend may not appreciate being reminded that her consumption of ice cream doubled after her divorce.
Take pleasure in major purchases. Pick out a house you’ll enjoy living in rather than getting distracted by real estate trends. You’re likely to feel more satisfied in the long run. On the other hand, listen to experts when you’re making financial investments.
Evaluate your fears. Evolution makes us vulnerable to exaggerating fears that have immediate and vivid consequences rather than more probable but subtler consequences. Keep that in mind if you get more alarmed by killer bees than obesity.
Listen to your conscience. Most healthy adults usually distinguish right from wrong spontaneously. If you feel comfortable with your actions and at ease with people knowing about them, you’re probably on the right track.

Go ahead and play your hunches as long as you also take the time to weigh the facts and test your conclusions.

Your gut feelings already play a big role in your relationships and decision making, so becoming more conscious of the process will help you to make better use of your intuition.

Make sure you’re effectively using your power to manifest everything you want. Do the “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life” video training for free at the Personal Growth Cafe.