Personal Growth and Development – Page 14

July 19, 2012

Getting Past Any Obstacles in Life

Some of life’s obstacles are much bigger than others. Regardless of the size of the one you might be facing today, though, you can get past it. It may appear to loom, covering most of the future, but it’s only the angle from which you’re looking that makes it seem so big.

You can overcome challenges when you learn to see them differently!

Do you tend to talk about how big your hindrances are, rather than discussing how big your abilities are, or how big your Higher Power is? No matter what your beliefs, there’s something out there, something valuable, that’s bigger than the obstacles you’re facing today.

Focus on what you’re capable of, not on what’s trying to hold you back.

Seeking Solutions Effectively

First of all, ensure that you take time each day to remind yourself of your value. Even if you feel silly at first, reminding yourself what you can do and how important you are will start to resonate with your spirit.

This process will enable you to begin to truly believe in yourself. At some point during the resulting rise of your self-confidence, you’ll also realize that there are ways to get around life’s challenges, no matter how difficult they are.

You’ll know that you have the power to make a difference in your future!

How you look at your obstacles makes a big difference in how large they seem and how difficult it will be to work through them. Sometimes, what appears to be an obstacle is really an opportunity to move to a higher level in your personal or professional life. It’s important to keep your eyes, mind, and heart open to that possibility.

Focus your thoughts on:

* What you can do instead of what you can’t
* Who can help you get through the obstacle you’re facing
* What rewards lie on the other side of the obstacle
* What the obstacle can teach you for the future
* How to form a plan to get around or through the obstacle

When you focus on what you can do, what comes next, and what rewards you’ll see in the future, it’ll be difficult to stay upset about the setback.

Consider this: Were it not for that challenge you’re facing now, you might not work to strengthen your talents and become more than you are today. You’re wonderful the way you are, but there’s always room to improve and feel even better about yourself.

Moving Forward

No matter how much you think about an obstacle, you also have to do something about it. It’s not leaving on its own, so planning to move past it is important. Avoid turning and running from it. Challenges are there for a reason: to separate those who are committed to moving forward from those who are not.

Show your commitment today by laying out a plan to handle your obstacle. Even if you aren’t sure just what to do, you can start by envisioning what you want to accomplish, that is, your big goal. Next, break that big goal down into sections. Then, break those sections down to small, manageable steps.

When you follow this strategy, you’ll be able to identify steps you can accomplish in a day, week, or month. Those are the kinds of goals you want to focus on when you have a big obstacle in your way.

Not only will smaller, more manageable goals show you what needs to be done, but you’ll also avoid overwhelming yourself with everything on your plate.

Some challenges can be overcome in a short period of time, and others take longer. There may be setbacks, and you’ll have some trial and error. However, staying committed to moving forward will allow you to conquer any obstacle you have in your path, no matter what it is.

July 19, 2012

Coping with Change – 6 Simple Tips to Help You Become More Adaptable

Change is inevitable. In fact, one of the few constants in life is that things will always change. Why then, do we often have such a challenge in coping with change?

You may have an easier time dealing with change than others. On the other hand, you may tend to have trouble handling change because you become almost addicted to holding onto things as they are. Either way, the effects of change in your life come down to healthy and positive attitude.

When things are bad, it’s nice to know that they’ll eventually change for the better. However, when things are good, you need to have the wisdom to know that things won’t last forever. You can take heart, though, in the fact that everything will come around full circle back to good again.

How you cope with change can make a big difference in your life. You can take change by the horns and wring every last benefit out of it, or you can moan and groan and have a hard time going nowhere. The choice is up to you.

Here are some simple tips to help you handle change in a positive manner:

1. Focus on flexibility. Instead of focusing on change as a whole, it might help to focus on smaller things. One thing you can do is work on being more flexible. If you find that you expect everything to go a certain way, you’re likely crushed when things don’t go according to plan.

* Focus on dealing with several possible outcomes, even if they’re not your preferred results. Leave yourself time to come up with alternatives when things change.

2. Have a positive attitude. When you have a positive attitude, you’ll see change as necessary and good. Things need to change in order for you to evolve as a person. Focus on the things that are going well and remain optimistic that the change will bring even greater opportunities into your life!

3. Be forward thinking. Live in the present moment, but plan for the future. You’ll most often run into trouble with change when you spend much of your time worrying about the past.

* Things may never be like they were; they’re only like they are right now. You can do something positive in this moment by forgetting about the past and focusing on doing something spectacular for your present.

4. Ask for help. Remember that you’re not alone in life. It might feel like that sometimes, but it’s not true. If you’re having an especially hard time dealing with a certain change, it’s completely understandable, and you should feel no shame in asking for help. Sometimes you’ll feel better if you can just lean on a friend or family member for some support.

5. Look at the big picture. Sometimes, in order to find a positive mindset about change, it helps to step back and look at the bigger picture. You might be caught up in dealing with one aspect and it might be consuming all of your life in that moment.

* Take a breath and realize that there’s much more to life. Think about what your ultimate goals are and remember how you’ve dealt with changes in the past. Maybe there’s a life lesson that you learned that’ll make you better able to cope now.

6. Focus on things that stay the same. While nothing in life is permanent, there are certain things you can count on. If you think of these things when you’re in need, it just may provide you with comfort.

* For instance, maybe you’re upset that you have to move away, but you can take comfort in the fact that you’re moving with your family or that you’ll meet some wonderful new people along the way!

Remember that everyone is different; you might find a certain strategy for coping with change better suited for yourself than someone else. Your goal is to find something that works for you!

July 19, 2012

Thinking Positive to Create Financial Gain

Just about everyone has heard that the Law of Attraction can be used to bring you what you want. If you think about being rich, you will be. Is it true? That depends on how you look at the actual statement. What is true, though, is that a more positive attitude about life in general really can help you create financial gain.

No one likes a Gloomy Gus. People who drag around all the time, feeling down about themselves and their circumstances, saying that nothing good ever happens to them, really aren’t going to see the big breaks that they once hoped for. Why? It’s because they’re projecting an air of defeat onto everyone and everything around them.

Stay positive, no matter what your current circumstances are, for your own benefit.

Sure, you might not be rich right now. You might even have trouble paying your bills, but better days will come to you. You can get that better job, receive that raise, and see that debt paid off, but complaining or giving up won’t get you to those goals.

Avoid Giving Up Too Soon

Avoid stopping before the task is complete, just because it seems to be taking a long time. Instead, stay positive! Avoid the very idea of giving up. The greatest people are where they are today because they never quit believing in their ability to be something more, and you shouldn’t, either.

Believe in yourself. When you do that, it shows. Others see it, and you become the kind of person they want to be around. You’ll naturally attract good things, because you’re giving out good things – smiles, handshakes, hugs, joy, and positive energy – to the people you meet. That’s the kind of person others want to spend their time with – and the kind of person that companies want to hire and promote!

Practice Thinking Positive Each Day

There are many ways to turn negative thinking into positive thoughts, instead. Like anything else, it requires some work. However, the time you spend on it is well worth the effort.

Here are some simple things you can do to get started on a more positive life and move yourself toward financial gain:

* Say at least one positive thing to yourself, and about yourself, each day.
* Cut out a costly habit, like smoking or excessive drinking, and you’ve already gained financially.
* Spend time with positive people so you aren’t tempted to dwell on the negative.
* Smile. Yes, it really does help your mood!
* Get moving; exercise is one of the best positive mood-boosters around.
* Take a risk on something you’ve always wanted to do.

Depending on your preferences, goals, and circumstances, different techniques might work better for you than others. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to thinking in a more positive way, but there are a lot of different options you can try. Avoid giving up, and you’ll find what works best for you. It’s well worth your time, especially when you start to see more joy in your life.

When you have a more positive attitude and mindset, and you project them out to the world, people want to be around you. Take that great attitude and those positive thoughts to your boss when you want a promotion or a raise. Take them to the job interview. Even take them to the unemployment line. You never know who you might meet there.

People miss many opportunities for financial gain because they aren’t thinking optimistically. Look at everything that happens to you and everyone you meet as valuable in some way. By staying positive and cultivating good relationships, you’ll be in place to accept the financial gain and positive energy that will naturally flow to you. Be ready to let it in!

July 19, 2012

Job Stress? You Can Deal With It

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you probably have a job. It’s a safe bet that you probably like that job most of the time, but it can also be stressful and uncomfortable on occasion.

Stress is a natural part of anyone’s work environment, but if you learn to handle it in positive ways, you’ll enjoy greater job satisfaction.
Learning to deal with job stress can take time and effort, but there’s no better time than the present to get started on your journey to successfully handling stress and enjoying your job, day after day. It makes a better work environment for you and everyone you work with.

What Causes Your Stress?

There are mental and emotional manifestations of stress, but there are physical ones as well, and recognizing them can help make it easier to understand where most of your stress is coming from.

Knowing where you experience most of your stress won’t remove it, but gaining an understanding is the start of finding ways to lower your stress levels.

Some things that make you stressed on the job can include:

* Performance evaluations
* Deadline
* Making mistakes
* Work overload
* Training
* Office conflict

Even if there are a lot of things going on with your job that cause you stress, you can let that stress go and feel good again.

Letting Go of Job Stress at Work

Some people unleash their stress by yelling, acting out, and verbally attacking others around them. This can happen all too easily in an office environment where people are packed close together, but you can avoid these kinds of things and release your stress properly and gently.

Try these strategies to release your stress at work:

1. Remember to breathe. Breathing is vital for survival, but it’s also great for calming you down when you breathe effectively. Inhale slowly through your nose, and feel the air fill up your abdomen, not your lungs. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. If you do that a few times, you’ll feel calmer and less stressed. It’s great for anxiety, too.

2. Squeeze a stress ball. They’re small, lightweight, and designed to be squeezed when you feel stressed out. Even if you feel a little silly at first, they can be very beneficial.

Letting Go of Job Stress Away From the Job

When you get home from a challenging job, leave your stress behind. Avoid carrying it around with you as you go about the rest of your day. What happens at the office should really stay there, but that may be easier said than done.

Some things to consider when you let go of stress at home include prayer, meditation, yoga, exercises, talking things over with friends or family, playing with a pet, or anything else that makes you feel joyful and peaceful. You can create the kind of atmosphere you want in your own home, even if it’s not possible to do that at your job.

When you let go of job stress on a daily basis as it happens, you avoid going around frustrated and angry. It helps your relationships with other people, your own health, and the way you feel about yourself.

Some people turn to medications to deal with stress, but you have the ability to handle your job stress effectively on your own. Practice breathing, practice any activity that makes you happy, and practice appreciating what you have!

July 19, 2012July 19, 2012

Improving Your Time Management Skills

Strengthening your time management skills is always a good idea no matter what your current skill level is. Life is always moving and changing, and you’ll want to keep up with the latest time management techniques.

Evaluate Your Current Skills

A good place to start is by identifying your current time management effectiveness. When you struggle to get things done, what do you think the cause is? When you successfully manage your time, what do you do differently? If you know what to work on, that’s half the battle right there.

For instance, you might have good time management in your home life, but lack the ability to get your tasks done at work. Since you’d like to improve your skills at work, you can go further by figuring out the reasons why your work projects don’t go as quickly as planned.

Is it because other people are getting in the way of your completing your work? If so, you can strengthen your communication skills too, so everyone works together more effectively. Maybe you’re just bored with your job. If that’s the case, you’ll want to find ways to fight the boredom and motivate yourself.

Better Time Management

Try these techniques to strengthen your time management skills:

1. Avoid procrastination. If you make a habit of procrastinating, you’re just wasting precious time. Ask yourself why you’re putting things off, and try to tackle the root problem. When you do, you’ll get back on track in no time.

* It’s possible that you’re expecting too much out of yourself and feel overwhelmed. It’s okay, and even more productive, to take breaks and make time to relax. Then, when it’s time to work, you’ll feel refreshed and motivated to get the job done.

2. Get organized. It’s easy to waste time if you can’t find things, or if you aren’t sure what task you’re supposed to be working on at the time. Organize your workspace and eliminate clutter. Then move on to keeping checklists and goal sheets, enabling you to use your time more effectively.

3. Set deadlines. It’s always a good idea to start your projects with a time goal in mind. Without a clear goal, you might give yourself a week to complete a task that should’ve only taken a day. Set attainable deadlines and then stick to them.

* Schedule your time to maximize your productivity while still remaining relaxed and happy. Avoid stressing yourself out with unattainable deadlines, or you’ll run the risk of burnout.

4. Learn to delegate. When it’s appropriate, delegate certain tasks in order to save yourself time for things that you must do on your own. At work, this might mean passing out jobs to your employees or colleagues. At home, this may mean sharing tasks with your spouse or assigning chores to your children.

5. Have a daily to-do list. At the beginning of each day, make a to-do list and plan the tasks that you hope to accomplish. Keep flexibility in mind, because plans might change.

* Cross off the items as you complete them. In doing so, you’ll be motivated to finish the rest.

* Choose a ranking system where you prioritize which items on the list should be completed first. You might want to start off your day with the most important ones, or establish momentum with some quick, easy tasks. Find something that fits your personal style.

If you have the will to change, you’ll be able to strengthen your time management skills. Practice these strategies each day and soon you’ll be a master at time management.

July 19, 2012

How to Prepare Your Child for Tutoring

More and more parents are seeking tutors for their children in order to achieve academic success in today’s rigorous educational climate. Once you’ve decided that tutoring is right for your child, preparation for that all important first tutoring session begins.

Here are a few essential guidelines for tutoring success:

1. Set up a meeting with the tutor. Your child will have the best possible first tutoring session if he has previously had a positive experience with the tutor. Arrange for the tutor to come to your home for an informal chat or, if you’re going to a tutoring center, drop by when the teachers are free to meet and greet their newest student.

2. Explain the reasons for tutoring to your child. Children perceive the world differently than adults. Your goal is to make the tutoring process go as smoothly as possible in order for your child to receive the maximum benefit.

* There are many reasons you may seek academic help for your child. Your child may be below grade level. Or you may want your child to advance beyond his current grade level. Whatever the reason for searching for a tutor, your child needs to understand the benefits that tutoring will provide.

3. Encourage your child to share feelings. Many children, especially those who may be facing difficulty in school, may be reluctant to share their feelings about the tutor or the tutoring process.

* Spend time to discuss with your child his specific hopes and fears about the area of study or school in general. The more you know about your child’s feelings, the better the whole process will unfold.

4. Buy new notebooks and supplies. Never underestimate how much children love to use new notebooks, pens, and pencils! Find school supplies that have your child’s favorite movie or sports star printed on it. Just having these visual reminders of beloved people or events eases a child’s anxieties and increases receptiveness to learning.

5. Praise your child’s accomplishments in the classroom. Every child loves praise and has achieved some things in the classroom that are worthy of compliments. Tell your child how proud you are of his accomplishments. Explain to your child that tutoring will only increase success.

6. Assure your child of your help. Your child may fear that tutoring will be an unbearable burden. Assure him that you or another knowledgeable adult will always be there to assist him with any problems that may arise.

* Tell your child that, even if you’re unsure of the concept being taught, you’ll help seek out resources to solve the problem together. In this way, your child will be reassured that you’re both in this together!

7. Provide incentives. Teachers use incentives to increase effort and interest in the classroom. This strategy works because the kids love receiving prizes and they get the children to do their best. Think about ways your child is motivated to work toward particular goals.

* Something as simple as a trip to favorite restaurant or an afternoon at the park can provide that extra spark your child needs to succeed at a task. Your child will look forward to each tutoring session with the knowledge that he’s one step closer to that desirable incentive.

By following these easy guidelines, you can enable your child to be fully prepared and ready for tutoring and academic success!

July 19, 2012

How to Make Good Decisions Fast

Do you ever feel like you’re pressured into making decisions before you’re truly ready? It’s always a good idea to weigh your alternatives and make your decision in a calm fashion. Sometimes, though, you may not have a lot of time on your hands, and in these situations you can speed up your decision making skills instead of throwing yourself into a panic.

Try these techniques to help you make good, quick decisions:

1. Calm down. If you’re feeling pressured into making a fast decision, the first thing to do is calm down. If you aren’t in a position where you can think clearly, then it will be more difficult to make a good decision.

* Take a few deep breaths to aid in clarity of thought and help you become less stressed.

2. Avoid running in circles. When time is of the essence, you might find that your mind begins to run in circles. Break you decision down into the vital parts and focus on the benefits of each alternative one at a time.

3. Take the time you need. Most of the time you won’t need to make decisions in a matter of seconds. You may need to make a decision quickly, but allow yourself time to go over your options.

4. Make a list of options and alternatives. You can write the steps down, or keep a list in your head. Do what works for you. Consider the outcomes of the available choices, as well as alternative ideas.

5. Consider your feelings and the feelings of others. Sometimes it’s good to just follow a gut feeling even if you don’t have much to back it up. Explore your initial feelings about the decision. Also, take the time to consider the feelings of the other people involved.

6. Ask for help. Most of the time you don’t have to be alone with your major decisions, and if you need to make a decision quickly, it’ll help to get another pair of eyes on the situation. Ask for help from someone you know and trust.

7. Narrow down your choices. See if you can quickly cross some alternatives off of your list of possibilities. Your decision will be easier if there are fewer choices.

8. Think on your feet. Strengthen your ability to think fast. This takes practice, confidence, and a firm belief in yourself. As you become more accustomed to thinking on your feet, you’ll automatically stop second-guessing yourself in tough situations.

9. Make your decision. If you’ve arrived at a conclusion but you’re still hesitating, then you haven’t made your decision yet. Have confidence and go with whichever alternative seems best based on the information you have.

* Remember, many day-to-day decisions aren’t permanent. If your information changes drastically, or things don’t go as planned with this decision, you may be able to change your decision to a new one based on the new circumstances.

As long as you practice these tips, you’ll improve your decision making skills. It may take some work, but the ability to make quick and wise decisions is just around the corner.

July 19, 2012

How to Eliminate Drama in Your Life

Most people like to keep drama at a minimum in their lives, but sometimes it’s not so easy. During stressful times or when dealing with certain people, you might find drama popping up more than you’d like.

Maybe you’re at a breaking point, and you’re ready to finally eliminate the drama from your life once and for all. Keep in mind that it’s nearly impossible to eliminate it all together, but there are certain strategies you can follow to keep it to a minimum.

Consider adding the following strategies to your drama elimination methods:

1. Keep to yourself whenever possible. It’s almost always best to adopt a “mind your own business” attitude when you’re dealing with other people. When you snoop around in someone’s business, you really never know what can of worms you’re opening. If someone asks or invites you into their life, that’s one thing, but you should avoid the urge to pry.

2. Avoid participating in gossip. Humans are social creatures and they tend to talk about each other. Sometimes you might think that your gossip is good news, so it’s okay, but you never know how someone else might spin what you’re saying. It’s best to avoid it whenever possible.

* If you have issues with someone, have a conversation directly with them. Then they’ll know how you feel without hearing a version of the story from someone else.

3. Make efforts to stop gossip. You’ll no doubt be in situations where you’re not participating in it, but you’re hearing other people gossip. It’s difficult to go against the crowd and take a stand, but you must if you’re serious about eliminating drama.

* You can choose to be silent and that way you won’t be held accountable, but you can also politely say that maybe the subject at hand should be changed to something else.

4. Be cautious when meeting new people. Of course you want to be friendly and inviting when you’re meeting people and making new friends. However, keep your guard up to some extent because you really never know when something you say might be seen as hurtful or offensive, even when you didn’t mean it that way.

* Before sharing personal opinions, ensure you know someone well enough to prevent misunderstandings.

5. Analyze past dramatic situations. Think about the scenarios that led to drama for you in the past. Was it a simple misunderstanding? Is there a topic that always leads to drama and arguments? You can definitely learn from past situations that transpired negatively. Reflection can help you avoid those similar situations in the future.

6. Learn how to release your emotions in a healthy way. Drama can lead you to feel some strong emotions. Even if you’re trying to eliminate drama, you can’t just avoid everything that you’re feeling. It can lead to more upset outbursts, since you’re just bottling up those strong emotions. Instead, learn positive ways to release your emotions.

* If you’re starting to feel upset because things are getting heated, remove yourself from the situation. Grab some fresh air and return to the situation once you’ve found a cool head.

* Exercising is a great way to release emotions and pent-up stress.

* Daily relaxation is also important. Do something that you enjoy each day just for you!

Remember that some people just love drama, and they might be trying to stir some up for you. Refuse to participate in their game. You can choose what you want to allow into your life.

July 18, 2012

Strategies for Raising Self Confident Teens

The teenage years can be hard on both teens and adults. Teens are struggling between childhood and adulthood and finding their true selves. Self confidence can prove to be a major issue as they navigate through this time in their lives.

Just as in other aspects of their life, teens can strengthen their self confidence skills. Some will have tougher situations to overcome, but in the end, everyone can benefit.

Here are some self confidence strategies that you can share with your teen:

1. Start small. You don’t want to expect too much too soon when it comes to making changes in your teen’s life. To say that they must become self confident overnight can prove to be a nearly impossible task, and it might just make your teen pull away from you emotionally.

* Instead, focus on just one small issue and build from there. They could work on standing up to one friend or finding the courage to speak up more in class.

2. Work on forgetting the past. Many times a teen will have self confidence issues because of certain past experiences. Work on those issues first and explain that the past doesn’t have to repeat itself. Tell your teen that, in life, you can’t get too hung up on past issues or you’ll be jeopardizing future opportunities.

3. Remind your teen that they’re not alone. Being a teen can be lonely; sometimes they’re tempted to pull away just because they start to feel uncomfortable talking about their issues.

* Keep an open dialogue with your teen and avoid judging them when they do open up.

* Remind them that you’ll always be there, as well as other family members and friends.

4. Provide encouragement. Teens need lots of encouragement because, as they find themselves, they’ll discover activities that they’re good at in life. Sometimes things work out perfectly for them, and other times they begin to struggle.

* Be there to provide that extra encouragement when they need to get over a hurdle.

5. Allow your teen to try something new. You can provide your teen with a great confidence builder by encouraging them to engage in new things. This gives them extra practice when it comes to confidence and it may help them become more grounded and social.

6. Provide rewards. Use rewards to congratulate your teen when they take a stride toward self confidence. If they take a big step forward, buy them a little something that they’ve been wanting or take them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant.

7. Provide unconditional love. Unconditional love shows your teen that, even if they make a mistake, you’ll be there for them no matter what.

8. Be accepting. Be accepting of others and teach your teen to do the same. Your teen will have the confidence to be himself if you have an accepting nature. This will provide a starting point for feeling accepted out in the world away from home.

Remember that being there for your teen is the most important thing. Sometimes they’ll want to be alone and other times they’ll need your help. Either way, they’ll know that you’re always rooting for them.

July 18, 2012

Using Delegation to Balance Your Life

If you’re like a lot of people today, you’ve got all kinds of things going on in your life: work, school, kids, household duties, and countless other things that can wear you out and bring you down. The good news is you can avoid feeling stressed out and out of balance by delegating some of what you do to others.

Doing it all isn’t necessary! Ensure that you take time for yourself and get the people around you to shoulder their share of the burden. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working hard and trying to do all you can for your family, but they should give back to you, as well. Love from them is great, but how about some help with the dishes and laundry, too?

Know When to Delegate Chores and Tasks

Whether there are chores around the house or tasks at work, you can hand some of them off to other people so the workload is distributed more evenly. There’s no shame in that, and it’s not the same thing as having someone else do all the work while you sit back and do nothing. Instead, you simply understand that one person should never be expected to do it all.

If you and your spouse both work full time, for example, a system where only one of you do all the household chores is one-sided and can lead to resentment. It puts your life out of balance and can make you angry and irritable. It’s much better to sit down and come to an agreement on who will perform which chores, and then stick to it.

If you have children, they can also take part in chores. Even if they’re young, they can be taught to put their toys away and keep their rooms neat. As they get older, they can be given more responsibility, until the household “runs itself” more efficiently.

Work should be delegated in similar ways throughout an office environment.

What Does Delegation Give You?

The delegation of chores and tasks can bring balance back to your life. If you’re seeking that balance, understand that you can find it right now through delegation. It’s worth it. You’re worth it! Having balance in your life is important for both physical and emotional health, and you aren’t going to achieve balance if you spend all your time doing things for others.

Some of the things you do in life have to be done for you. Take a walk, get some exercise, play a game, or simply sit quietly and read a book or watch a movie. Maybe you just want some extra sleep. No matter what it is you desire, it’s time to get it back and bring your life into balance in the process. Start today, and move forward.

In no time, you’ll see that you feel better physically and your emotional state and outlook on life are both more positive, because you have balance. Just as physical balance is necessary to keep a person walking straight and moving forward, emotional and life balance are needed to stay on the right path toward overcoming problems and finding more joy in everyday things.

You may worry about delegation because you don’t want to upset others or ask too much of them. That’s natural, but it doesn’t have to stop you from feeling better, doing what’s right for you, and fulfilling your goals and dreams. The balance in your life is more important than that. People who really love and respect you will recognize and honor that.

You can be honest with them about what you need, and they will do their best to give it to you, because they see it as important, as well. They know about the power and importance of balance in life. If they don’t know, teach them, so that both of you can be strengthened and empowered to move forward in the future.