Personal Growth Cafe

November 2, 2017

Five Positive Ways to Express Your Gratitude

Expressing gratitude can be difficult for some people. Often times, gratitude is mixed in with other feelings like jealousy, envy, embarrassment, or insecurity.

Why? Because it can be humbling to admit that we need help from others.

It is important to realize that expressing gratitude does not mean you are weaker or inferior in any way.

Gratitude simply expresses your appreciation and shows the respect you have for others.

By focusing on an attitude of gratitude, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to express how you feel. Plus, people will be far more willing to help someone who respects and appreciates them.

Here are Five Ways to Express Gratitude:

Keep it simple. Instead of thinking about how best to express your thanks, just say it. Tell the person “Thank you” or “I appreciate it” and let that be the end of it.Gratitude is something that can be easily expressed just as long as it’s genuine.
Expressing gratitude is as important as anything else in your relationships because it builds trust and respect.
Write a letter. Sometimes the best thing we can do is use the power of the written word to express our thanks. Get a thank you card or a piece of stationary and write a letter.It’s one of the most personal ways of expressing gratitude nowadays, especially since few people take the time to write by hand. Again, you can keep it simple by letting the person know that you appreciate them.
You can hand deliver the letter or drop it in the mail so it can be a nice surprise in between the stack of junk mail and bills.
Give a gift. When someone does something nice for you, a nice way to express your appreciation is to give a small “thank you” present.This doesn’t have to be anything costly or extravagant, just something that shows that you appreciate what they have done for you.
For instance, you might give a coffee lover a gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop, or buy a chocolate lover a gourmet piece of chocolate. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way.
Return the favor. If someone has done something nice for you, a simple way to show your appreciation is to return the favor by giving your time.For instance, if someone has helped you during a time of need, tell them that you want to take them to lunch, dinner, or dessert for being such an instrumental person in your life.
This lets them know you appreciate them and it also gives you a chance to chat and grow closer.
Tell others. In the presence of the person or people you wish to thank, share your gratitude with others.Public forms of gratitude are important because it shows just how much you appreciate and care for others. This will also help you let go of any insecurities, jealousy, or anger because you are putting others first.

Gratitude is an important part of all relationships, so today, let go of your fears and simply say “Thanks!” to all those around you!

How have you shown your gratitude today?

How can being grateful make your life happier?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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November 1, 2017

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires rather than attempting to satisfy them. – John Stuart Mills

November 1, 2017

I am organized and I take the time to stay focused.

I am better prepared for anything that comes my way because my eye is on the details.

I am able to accomplish more in my day because I am organized and I stay focused on the task at hand. This helps me stay productive, regardless of what springs up in my day.

My life works smoothly because I am able to effectively prioritize everything in my life, from work to family and everything in between, including time especially carved out for me.

I am able to focus on the task at hand without worrying about what’s next or what I may be forgetting.

I am able to re-arrange my schedule without losing hope or patience because I am flexible. And I know I am not forgetting anything because I choose to proactively organize and prioritize my life.

Today, I give myself the gift of an organized, yet flexible schedule. In doing so, I am able to relax and focus more than ever before.

I can work more efficiently and my life becomes more productive because I am well prepared and focused.

How have you taken the time to organize your schedule today?

How has your organizational skills helped you with your focused?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 1, 2017

Regret for wasted time is more wasted time. – Mason Cooley

November 1, 2017

Discover Your Passion: What Are Your Secret Talents?

What talents are hiding within you?

Many people have grown up believing they didn’t have anything special or unique to add to the world.

Perhaps they came from mediocre surroundings or had no encouragement for their gifts so they went unrecognized.

Or maybe they repressed their talents because they felt ashamed.

Whatever the reason, it’s all too easy to believe our talents and passions are not worth pursuing.

Everyone Has Talent

A great many of us are wandering around with the belief that we aren’t all that interesting when it comes to our natural gifts.

But we all have more talent than we think we do.

Very often we hear news stories about children with incredible abilities. Many of them are entertainers or child prodigies featured on daytime talk shows.

While it’s incredible to see these talented young children, don’t forget about your own children’s talents, which might not be as obvious.

They may not be as advanced as the kids on television but everyone’s talents are worth developing.

Children are often inspired after watching the Olympics and parents rush out to enroll the kids in gymnastics or swimming programs.They might possibly be the next Michael Phelps or they may never make it to the Olympics, but they will learn a new skill, get exercise, and meet new friends.
Adults may be inspired by their favorite sports hero. If you daydream about winning the Tour de France, then start small by joining a local cycling club.

Be Realistic

We shouldn’t delude ourselves and believe we can do all things. We need to be realistic about what we can accomplish but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try new things or take classes to learn something new.

If you’ve always wanted to be a Broadway actor, audition for a local community theater group. Many people can fulfill their passion on a smaller, local level.

You might decorate beautiful children’s birthday cakes, but should you attempt to decorate your niece’s wedding cake?Be realistic about your skills and how much time it will take but feel free to take some extra classes or find a mentor in the field who can help you.

Using Our Talents In Our Work

Many of us take jobs we don’t like and live lives we wish were a lot more exciting or fulfilling.

Instead of being discouraged with our life choices, we need to choose what we wish to do in the life we have and let our instincts lead us to our passions.

Think about what you love to do the most with regards to your job:

Maybe you love writing up detailed reports and therefore have a knack for the written word.
Maybe you get compliments on your good communications with clients. This might indicate you would be great as a public speaker or trainer.

What Do You Like?

If you still think you don’t have much talent, start looking at what you love to do with your time.

Maybe you love to sing along to your favorite song and your family and friends consistently tell you how good you are.

Maybe you love to dance and whenever others see you they remark about your incredible agility.
Maybe you find yourself doodling a masterpiece when you have some idle time.

If you think about what you really enjoy doing, you’ll find that you’ve been drawn to it over the course of many months or years.

It tends to be true that the better we are at something, the more we enjoy doing it.

If this doesn’t ring any bells for you, think about what your favorite classes were in school.

Once again, remember that we tend to love the things we’re good at. Thinking about these things is an excellent way to uncover your hidden talents.

Discovering these talents is a wonderful way to find a new hobby or boost your self-esteem.

If you let yourself accept that you probably have undiscovered talents, enjoy this adventure of discovery. It could very well take your life to higher levels of wealth and fulfillment!

How can you use your talents to be a better version of you everyday?

Which talents do you want to further develop?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 1, 2017

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. – Democritus

November 1, 2017

I am driven by my goals.

I set goals for myself so I can stay focused and driven on my life-long journey to success.

Positive goals surround me in every aspect of my life. Whether it is my continual education, spirituality, career, or finances, my well-crafted goals push me further than ever before.

Goals are essential to me because they offer me a sense of achievement. When I set a specific goal and complete it, I feel purpose.

Setting a specific time period to complete my goals allows me to work at them over time as I build momentum. Once I complete a goal I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Setting and completing goals propels me forward. My goals allow me to accomplish more in life.

Once I set one goal and meet it, the feeling I get pushes me forward in my entire life. In doing so, I gain the power of passion and motivation which gives me the confidence to accomplish anything I set my mind to.

My goals give me a meaningful purpose, which inspires and motivates me. This motivation helps me enhance my weaknesses and strengthen my strengths.

And in completing each goal, big or small, I feel a sense of pride and happiness that uplifts me in unimaginable ways.

What goals do you currently have in your life?

How do your goals motivate you?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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November 1, 2017

I unlock my potential.

November 1, 2017

Defining Your Own Personal Success

What is your version of personal success?

Some may define success as having a lot of money, others feel successful if they are loved by many.

Others define success as being healthy and giving back to the community, while others define success as having plenty of material things. But how do you define success?

Everyone defines success in different ways. Your own personal success is what makes you and your achievements unique.

The stay-at-home-mom may define success as being able to get up in the morning and meet her family’s needs throughout the entire day until everyone goes to sleep.

The career woman may define success as being promoted within her company or even starting her own.

The athlete may define success as climbing the ladder within the NFL or NBA.

Then again, there are some who define success in simply living and enjoying each day.

What you need to do is evaluate how you view success. What does success mean to you?

What do you want to get out of your life? These are questions that you must ask yourself when deciding what drives you.

Self-Reflection Questions to Ponder

In order to discover what you want in life you may want to ask yourself a few questions such as:

“Where do I want to be in 5 years?” This is not the question “Where do I see myself in 5 years?” Think about what you want in five years.If you ask yourself where you see yourself, you’re simply going to see yourself as a glorified version of now.
“How do I define happiness in my career?” It is important to assess whether or not you’re feeling fulfilled in your work.

“How do I get to the places I want to be?” You need to know how to get to where it is you want to be. You can’t go there blind or expect it to fall into place all on its own. You have to be proactive to make things happen.
“What areas in my life do I want to succeed?” We all want to succeed in more than just one area in our lives, so set multiple goals.For example, one goal may relate to your career while other goals may relate to your relationship, children, or hobbies.
“What are my goals in life?” This coincides with what areas you want to succeed, but you must actually write down your goals and set real milestones that you can accomplish.

“What kind of balance do I need in my life?” You must find a balance between work, family, and personal time for you to feel fulfilled. If you have a tendency to over-extend yourself, it’s important to find an equal balance so no area of your life goes unnoticed.

Evaluate Yourself and Your Needs

Those self-reflection questions open the door for you to discover and define what success means to you. Others cannot decide your success.

If you follow someone else’s blueprints to success and it doesn’t fit with your personality, then you’re going to be miserable. You just have to evaluate yourself and put your dreams, wants, and needs into perspective.

After all, your success is yours. No one can make the decisions for you!

When do you consider yourself successful?

How can each day be a success for you?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

November 1, 2017

Posts

Five Positive Ways to Express Your Gratitude

I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires rather than attempting to satisfy them. – John Stuart Mills

I am organized and I take the time to stay focused.

Regret for wasted time is more wasted time. – Mason Cooley

Discover Your Passion: What Are Your Secret Talents?

Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. – Democritus

I am driven by my goals.

I unlock my potential.

Defining Your Own Personal Success

You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job and not be paid for it. – Oprah Winfrey