Personal Growth Cafe – Page 32 – Empowering You to Live Your Inspired Vision!

June 23, 2019March 23, 2018

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. – ViKtor Frankl

June 23, 2019March 23, 2018

How to Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination is an issue a lot of us deal with (or put off dealing with) for as long as possible.

Procrastination usually happens when you’re faced with doing something you don’t like to do, don’t know how to do, or fear.

When you procrastinate, it can upset a lot of things in your life.

Delaying completing projects can affect your income, relationships, and self-esteem – not to mention your credibility!

In addition, it doesn’t just affect you; it affects everyone else close to you:

It can irritate your spouse and children and teach your kids to put things off, too.

Your friends might decide they can no longer trust you to do what you say.

It causes issues with your boss and co-workers who have to step in and do your work for you (until you get fired)!

It frustrates anyone who has to wait on you to get something done before they can do their part.

As bad as it seems, however, there are ways you can overcome your procrastination!

Even if you’ve been putting some projects off for months, or if it has become a daily habit, you can still get back on track.

Follow these tips to transform yourself into someone who gets things done:

1. Divide and conquer.

Most tasks are composed of several different pieces, which is why you’ll want to divide the task into a series of attainable action steps.

Breaking it down this way makes it seem a lot easier.

Put some easy steps at the beginning that you can accomplish quickly.

Jump right in and complete those first easy steps.

This will give you the confidence to continue, build momentum, and motivate you to get it finished.

2. Get some help. Don’t let pride get in the way of letting you get something accomplished.

If your time is short, ask someone to help with some of the tasks for you, especially the easy ones that can be dispatched quickly.

This will give you more time to focus on the more difficult portions of the project.

Form a team and divide up the project.

As the saying goes, many hands make light work!

Learning to delegate helps make you more successful.

If your delayed projects are at home, let your children do the parts of the project they can handle.

They’ll learn some valuable life skills, too.

If you’re unsure of what to do, ask someone who’s done something similar before.

They can quickly bring you up to speed.

Once it’s no longer a mystery, you’ll find it’s not as much of a challenge as you thought!

3. Make a list. Write down all the things that you’ve been putting off so you have a concrete listing of exactly what you need to complete.

Put them in order of their priority. This way you’ll be sure to get the most important ones done first.

Divide each project into attainable tasks as explained above.

Post it where you can see it throughout the day.

Cross off each task as you finish it. Just the action of crossing something off that list makes you feel good and motivates you to get more done.

4. Reward yourself after you complete the full project.

5. Start some new habits. Now that you know some easier ways to get things done, use these same tips each day for every project that comes up.

Instead of just putting it aside for later, divide your project immediately into attainable smaller tasks, delegate what you can, and do something on it right away.

Make it a point to do this consciously for a few weeks and it will become a habit.

Most experts agree that it takes three weeks to turn a conscious action into a habit.

Bernard Meltzer said: “Hard work is often easy work you didn’t get done at the proper time.”

How true! The longer you put off doing a task or project, the harder it’ll be to get it done because more work has piled up, conditions have gotten worse, and others involved are now irritated with you.

Make your work easier and your life more enjoyable by following these tips to overcome your procrastination and avoid it in the future. You’ll be glad you did!

What are some considerations that you have when you try to put something off for another day?

How can you push yourself to start doing those things now?

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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June 22, 2019March 23, 2018

An optimist is the human personification of spring. – Susan Bissonette

June 22, 2019March 23, 2018

How to Keep Your Cool During the Financial Meltdown

Everywhere you go, you hear about how awful the economy is, but you don’t have to let all the talk of our country’s financial meltdown get you down.

You can keep your cool.

Don’t let fear of the future take control of your mind and emotions.

When we live in fear, we make bad decisions, think irrationally, and are in a reactive mode.

Living in fear actually makes the situation far worse.

To help overcome the fear of your financial future, here are some proactive things you can do:

1. Turn off the news. Why would you want to listen to bad news over and over?

We already know the state of the economy, so listening to a news reporter talk doom and gloom all the time isn’t necessary.

2. Ensure you’re on a budget and living within your means. If you need to cut back, then find ways to do so.

There are many, many ways to reduce the cost of living with a little planning and effort. Here are some examples:

Reduce your cell phone bill

Get rid of your land line if you have a cell phone

Shut off the cable (who needs it anyway?)

Turn off the lights and unplug electronic devices when not in use

Turn your thermostat down in winter and wear sweaters to keep warm

Open windows in the summer instead of turning on the air conditioner

Use coupons and shop for the weekly sales at your local grocery store

3. Plan ahead by setting up an emergency fund. Of course, this involves living on a budget so you can save enough money from your income for emergencies.

An emergency fund is usually a minimum of $1,000 in savings at all times and is used for emergencies only, like unexpected vehicle repairs or medical needs.

If you can afford more, then save more!

4. Plan for the future by getting rid of debt and using cash only. Again, this requires living on a budget, but it can be done.

How to Budget in a Recession

Since we’re talking about budgeting so much and it’s the best way to keep your cool during the financial meltdown, let’s talk about ways to set up a budget and reduce debt.

1. Figure out your income after taxes.

Know what you’re bringing in each month so you can determine how much you have to spend.

Sounds obvious, but why is it so common for people to spend way more than they make?

Far too often, people don’t know how much they really make, nor where the money goes!

2. Make sure your living needs are met. These things include your house payment, utilities, food, and property taxes.

3. Next, make sure your transportation to get to and from work is taken care of.

Things like your vehicle payment, gas and maintenance.

This is one area you may be able to cut back on as well.

If you’re making a car payment, try to sell the car and buy a used one with cash.

You may also want to consider taking public transportation more often.

4. Pay off credit card debt. Start paying off the card with the highest interest rate first.

Once that card is paid off, put your payments toward the card with the next highest interest rate and so on, until each card is paid off.

You may also want to contact a financial planner to discuss consolidating the debt to make it more manageable.

5. Once your credit card debt is paid off, begin putting all the money you were paying out into savings.

The goal is to build your savings up to at least 6 months worth of income in case something happens, like job loss or disability.

By following the steps above, with diligence and determination, you can be debt free and survive the financial meltdown!

Of course, this won’t happen overnight and you’ll probably have to adjust your lifestyle so you can live below your means, but doing so will help secure your future financially.

How do you stay calm when everyone else seems to be stressed out?

How can you continue to have peace of mind during a time of crisis?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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June 21, 2019March 23, 2018

How to Lose Five Pounds

How many times have you heard someone say that they want to lose five pounds?

And how many times have you heard that the diet starts tomorrow?

Tomorrow? Why not right now?

The truth is, losing a mere five pounds is very realistic and it can be a great kick-start to your metabolism and energy levels.

Plus, it can help you fit into that little black dress or suit for that upcoming wedding, reunion, or vacation.

But you have to make the commitment to start now, not tomorrow, not Monday, but right now!

Below is a healthy plan to help you shed 5 pounds quickly, easily and most importantly, the healthy way.

As with all diets, check with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise plan.

1. Begin by drinking more water.

Your body requires water to function properly and with the right amount of water, your digestive system will work more efficiently.

Plus, by filling your stomach with water, you’ll eat less and feel full faster.

Water helps flush your body of toxins and water weight.

Yes, more water actually helps your body get rid of excess water.

The daily minimum intake of water is 64 ounces (or almost 2 liters).

If you’re like most people, your current intake of water is probably less than half of the recommended amount, so drink up!

2. Get off the couch and get active. When you move your body you build muscle, which burns fat.

There are so many activities that you can engage in that don’t cost money or require expensive gym equipment to help you get fit and lose weight.

Here are some ideas:

Walking around your neighborhood or in a local park

Biking

Hiking

Swimming

Throwing a ball with your kids or spouse

Frisbee

Volleyball

Tennis

Inline skating (with the proper safety equipment of course)

3. Make healthier food choices. To effectively boost your calorie and fat burning processes, eat healthier foods like leafy green vegetables, fruits and lean meats.

You’ll also want to limit your intake of red meat, high calorie and fat dressings, gravies and sauces and avoid sugary drinks, candy or other foods with lots of sugar.

Sugar causes you to put on weight, so when you eliminate sugar, you help eliminate weight gain.

Also, try to choose natural or organic foods in order to avoid consuming chemicals that may actually cause you to retain weight.

4. Use portion control to limit the amount of food you consume.

Studies show that reducing the amount of food you eat actually produces the quickest weight loss.

Obviously you want to do this in a healthy manner, not obsessively or out of control.

5. Eating 6 small meals a day, as opposed to the three larger meals you’re probably accustomed to, has been shown to be healthier, help reduce fat stores and to increase metabolism.

If you’re wondering what a healthy portion looks like, it’s all in the hands.

In other words, a healthy portion or serving size is about the size of your fist, palm, or hand, depending on what food you’re eating.

Close your fist. That’s a healthy portion size for a serving of rice, pasta or other side dish.

Open your hand and look at the size of your palm.

This is the perfect amount of chicken breast, pork or other types of meat. It should be about the size and thickness of a deck of cards.

The size of your entire open hand is the perfect size for veggies.

Replace unhealthy snacks with nuts, raw veggies or fruit. Here are a few examples to help you choose healthier snack options:

When you’re craving chips or other salty, crunchy snacks, grab a handful of nuts instead.

They are healthier for you and satisfy the craving for salt or crunchiness. Also, try to buy nuts with less salt.

Natural or raw varieties will help to reduce your salt intake too.

When you want something sweet, grab a piece of fruit like an apple, banana, orange, or melon.

The natural sugar is way better for you than eating a bowl of ice cream or a handful (or two) of cookies.

Have the munchies in general?

Nibble on some raw carrots, celery or broccoli.

Losing 5 pounds can be fun and make you feel so much better about yourself.

Probably the best part is that it can be done quickly, in as little time as a week or two, depending on your specific circumstances.

Whether it’s to kick-start your weight loss plan or to fit into that little black party dress, taking off 5 pounds is a step in the right direction to a healthier, more fit you. It begins now!

How important is losing weight to you at the moment?

What are you doing to lower your weight?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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June 21, 2019March 23, 2018

I release all negativity from my life.

June 20, 2019March 23, 2018

There is more to life than increasing its speed. – Mahatma Gandhi

June 20, 2019March 23, 2018

How to Love Unconditionally

In order to build a solid foundation in any relationship, whether it’s a marriage, friendship or a relationship with a sibling or child, you must learn to love unconditionally without limits or judgment.

Loving someone unconditionally can be hard to do and goes against the grain you were probably taught in today’s Western society.

Society tells you to get even or get revenge.

However, to love unconditionally requires forgiveness and letting go of the wrongs.

So How Do You Love Unconditionally?

What’s required to show someone unconditional love when you’re in a relationship?

Being there physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, through thick and thin, no matter what may happen is unconditional love.

Physically: Being “there” for someone physically means just what the word implies.

You’re there for them in person, standing by their side, listening to them, or talking with them so they’re not alone.

This may be at three in the afternoon, or three in the morning!

Emotionally: When you’re with someone emotionally, you’re offering your support by allowing them to honestly and openly express their feeling.

Supporting someone emotionally with unconditional love also means that you’re there selflessly to help them work through their feelings.

The goal is for the person to rise above the negative emotions and turn them into positive ones. You’re the shoulder to cry on!

Mentally: Supporting a loved one mentally means that you help them think through their actions, motives, and desires.

You help them do this by finding out what’s going on inside.

To support someone mentally requires you to help your loved one process their thoughts through to all possible outcomes.

Spiritually: Spiritually supporting a loved one means you pray for and with them and help them grow in all aspects of their life – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Often spiritual support is given without a person being aware, through prayer.

Unconditional love does not mean, however, giving into every whim or desire.

Often people confuse unconditional love with spoiling.

Giving into a person’s every want or desire when it isn’t appropriate can actually harm their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well being.

For example, giving into your kid’s demands for junk food may make them happy today, but it isn’t a good source of nourishment in the long run.

Letting Go

True love is shown when you try to help another become a better person and unconditional love is shown when you still love them even if they refuse to change.

Many times it’s necessary to “let go” of a loved one, while still loving them unconditionally, because they refuse to take the necessary steps to improve.

An example of this would be an alcoholic or drug addict.

You still love the person, but when they refuse to work at overcoming their addiction or don’t care about themselves or who they’re hurting, you must let go.

Sometimes this means, letting them spiral down until they hit rock bottom.

Often you get hurt in the process because you love them and don’t want to see them go down this road, so loving unconditionally also means that you’ll be there for them when they’re ready to try again.

Love isn’t an emotion or feeling – it’s a choice.

This is especially true with unconditional love.

In relationships, you show unconditional love by overlooking petty mistakes and forgoing judgment and grudges.

Unconditional love requires self-sacrifice and forgiveness on your part and it’s through unconditional love that those you care about will change for the better.

How important is love in your life?

How are you showing love to those that matter most in your life?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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June 19, 2019March 23, 2018

Courage is like a muscle, we strengthen it by use. – Ruth Gordon

June 19, 2019March 23, 2018

Living with a Chronic Disease

Living with a chronic disease is difficult because of the pain, suffering, and shame that often accompanies the disease.

It can be easy to fall victim to the negative mindset of “My life is ruined” or “I’m useless now,” but that doesn’t have to be the case no matter how debilitating the disease may be.

When living with a chronic disease, it’s important to focus on what you can do.

Likewise, it’s important to disallow negative thoughts from dictating what you can and can’t do.

When you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness, there are many changes that take place:

Change in your lifestyle

Change in your attitude

Change in the way you do things

Maybe even a change in where you live

That’s a lot and all these changes can certainly be stressful!

Taking Control

Our mindset is the biggest factor on how you choose to react to a negative situation.

Remember, your reaction is always a choice.

You can let the news debilitate you or you can let it move you into new areas you might’ve never thought possible.

When I think of someone with a chronic disease, Michael J. Fox is one of the first people who comes to mind.

He has Parkinson’s disease, which causes loss of muscle control throughout his body.

Fox constantly shakes and trembles, making everyday tasks like brushing teeth and eating very difficult.

Not only that, but he had to make a complete lifestyle change from a successful acting career to being an activist in helping others who have Parkinson’s or other diseases.

Does Michael J. Fox allow Parkinson’s to control his life?

No, he took control and has learned other ways to live life to the fullest, despite his disease.

Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

You don’t have to be a TV or movie star to make a difference in your life or the lives of others either.

There are many opportunities to help others and build a community. Some of these are:

Start a blog about what it’s like to live with your disease.

Others may benefit from knowing that they aren’t alone in their sufferings.

You just may be the source of encouragement that strengthens others!

Fundraising activities and events. Get involved with fundraising, whether it’s in your local area or worldwide via the Internet.

Speak out about your illness. Be a speaker at a fundraiser, in a school or at other events to help raise awareness.

Volunteer at your local community center. Be proof that living with a chronic disease doesn’t have to be debilitating.

Be an advocate for yourself and those with the disease.

Support One Another

Make it your mission to find others to rely on for support and encouragement.

Getting involved with support groups gives you the social support that is essential to your mental and emotional well being.

Search for a support group online or in your local area and get active in the group.

Don’t let the disease have control over your life.

By taking action and getting directly (or indirectly) involved with finding a cure, raising awareness in your community, and speaking to others about it, you’ll find that life doesn’t stop because of the disease.

Instead, many doors of opportunity are waiting to be opened by you.

How can you live happily despite having an illness?

How can sharing what you learned and experienced through this health condition give your life more meaning?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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