Personal Growth Cafe

Stress-induced problems swirl around us all the time and it often feels like the pressure never ends!

Yet, there are simple ways to relieve stress without harming your body.

Here are 10 steps to a less stressed life:

1. Cut out the busyness.

What are some things you can cut out of your schedule to give you more quality time for you and your family?

What clubs or organizations do you belong to?

What meetings or activities are you involved in? Is it all necessary?

Carefully consider which programs and activities you can remove from your schedule – then do it!

2. De-clutter and organize your home.

When your home is cluttered and unorganized, you tend to feel cluttered and unorganized on the inside, causing you more stress.

Get rid of the stuff you never use by selling it, throwing it away, or giving it to someone who’ll make use of it.

Once you’ve done that, organize what’s left over and make a place for everything.

If necessary, use labels and organizational containers to make it easy to find things again.

3. De-clutter and organize your workspace. Organizing your workspace is no different than de-cluttering your home.

Remember, your external environment affects your internal peace. Messy on the outside likely means messy on the inside.

4. One of the major stress factors is money. However, there’s a simple solution: a budget.

Most people don’t like the word budget, but budgeting doesn’t have to be difficult.

In fact, financial planning actually helps you save money.

Do a search online to find a budgeting system that works best for you.

It needs to be simple and easy to use every day.

Once you’re on a budget you’ll feel a lot less stressed due to finances.

Seek the help of an experienced financial planner who can steer you on the right financial path.

5. Enjoy what you do have. In our society you’ve probably learned somewhere along the way that more is better. Well, it’s not.

When you learn to be content with what you have right now, you’ll find much more peace within yourself.

6. Get regular exercise. When you workout, your body burns off more than just fat and calories. Working out also burns off steam.

If you’re stressed due to work situations or family conflict, getting a good workout will help you relieve stress.

You’ll be able to think and reason more clearly, which will help you deal with some of the core issues that are causing your stress.

7. Eat healthier. Yes, eating healthy foods really does relieve stress because when your body is nourished properly, it functions optimally.

Eating right lends itself to clearer thinking.

8. Reduce your workload. If you have a heavy workload, either on the job or at home, do what you can to reduce it.

Take a good look at your routine and determine if the workload is really worth the toll it’s taking on your body and health.

If it’s not – and there’s no end in sight – perhaps it’s not the proper solution to your problems anyway.

9. Communication is key to relieving stress in your life.

If you have a friend you can talk to openly and honestly, seek them out.

Getting things off your chest will help you sort out problems and see your situation in a new light.

The less foggy your mind is, the more stress you’ll be able to remove from your life.

It often helps to have someone outside of the situation to talk to because they’ll likely see something you don’t.

10. Journaling is a great way to relieve stress. You can have an outlet without having to reveal your deep thoughts to the world.

Journaling is a great way to see the progress you’ve made, which can be very therapeutic.

As you can see, there are many ways to reduce stress. Put them into practice now and you’ll soon begin to see a real difference in your life.

Your stress will start to diminish and you’ll be free to enjoy your beautiful life!

How do you deal with stress?

What activities do you need to do more of to get yourself out of stress?

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.

Before you leave…

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June 12, 2019March 23, 2018

Today I set goals I know I can reach.

June 12, 2019March 23, 2018

10 Practical Time Saving Tips

Are you looking for practical ways to save time without cutting corners?

Then you’ve come to the right place.

Here are 10 practical time saving tips you can start using today.

1. Menu Planning: Planning meals in advance not only saves time, but it also saves you money.

When you plan your meals for the week, you won’t be running to the grocery store every day to get the things you need.

Another plus to meal planning is not being tempted to eat out as often.

Meal planning is simple and easy to do and, with a little research for recipes online, you can plan something different for every meal for a month or more.

2. Scheduling: By creating and sticking to a daily schedule, you’ll save enormous amounts of time because you can stay focused on the task at hand, instead of what’s next.

You’ll also want to add events to a family calendar on the fridge, that way you’ll know when and where each family member needs to be for their different activities.

Plus, you’ll avoid the last minute rush and forgotten appointments when your schedule is centralized.

3. Keep Lists: Having lists of all the things you need to do in a day will help you stay on task, while giving you a sense of accomplishment as you cross off each item.

Without a list, you tend to be more scatterbrained.

You’ll find yourself repeating unnecessary steps or thoughts in order to get things done.

4. Organization: Being organized is one of the biggest time savers there is. When you’re organized, it’s easy to find what you need and be on your way.

When you’re physically organized, you’ll feel mentally organized, too.

Also, once you get used to putting everything in its place, the stress of losing your keys or phone vanishes.

The key is that, once you’re organized, you’ve got to stay organized!

5. Complete Your Errands In One Trip: When you need to get some errands done, try to schedule them into one morning or afternoon.

The biggest waste of your time is the “in-between” time while you wait for the next task or appointment.

As you know, frequently stopping and starting tasks stifles your productivity and wastes precious time.

6. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate! Whenever possible, delegate the daily chores or appointments to other capable family members or colleagues.

We have the strength of communities, families, and teams for a reason. You don’t have to do everything yourself.

7. Get Rid of Distractions: If you spend most of your time on the computer, turn off the programs that easily tear you away from the task at hand.

Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook can be a huge distraction that sucks up valuable time.

When you focus more intently on getting things done, you’ll find that you’ll have more time for social networking and fun.

8. Learn to Say No: Once in a while, you’ll be asked to do more than time allows.

In these moments, you must learn to say no politely, and then either delegate the task or re-schedule for a more appropriate time.

By respecting your time, others will respect you, too.

9. Utilize Idle Time: While sitting in a waiting room or during your daily commute, use your time wisely.

You can catch up on emails, work on that important report, or plan out your shopping list.

Whatever it is, when you use idle time, you’re giving yourself more quality time with your family when you’re home.

10. Group Similar Tasks: Learning to incorporate tasks together that you can do at the same time will save you lots of time in the long run.

Do the dishes or pick up around the house while chatting on the phone.

When you go to the restroom, spray some cleanser in the sink and quickly wipe it down when you’re finished.

When you de-clutter a table or countertop, dust it off at the same time.

When you go to turn off the TV the kids left on, take a dust cloth with you and give it a couple of quick swipes.

Saving time doesn’t have to cut into your lifestyle.

By adopting and incorporating just a few of these ideas, you’ll soon spend more time doing the things you want to do!

How much time do you save in a day?

What activities can you do more of if you had the time to do it?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

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June 11, 2019March 23, 2018

15 Brain Boosting Activities

If you don’t keep your mind active, studies show that your brain loses some of its functionality as you age, which causes memory loss, brain fog, and even Alzheimer’s.

A well-stimulated brain also elevates your mood, which helps you feel better on the inside.

Here are 15 brain boosting activities:

1. Play games that challenge and stimulate your mind. These include:

Picture Puzzles

Strategy Games

Crossword Puzzles

Card Games

Deduction Games (such as Clue)

Visualization Puzzles

Optical Illusions

2. Reading stimulates the brain as it activates your imagination.

Reading also helps with memory retention and problem solving, especially if you’re reading a mystery.

Also, self-help books stimulate your brain by helping you to think for yourself, as well as find solutions in your mind.

3. Exercising helps circulate blood that carries oxygen to your brain.

Over the long-term, exercise is proven to increase brainpower and even create new neurons.

4. Stimulate your brain with meditation.

Meditation has been shown to increase your IQ, relieve stress, and promote a higher level of brain functioning.

Meditation also stimulates the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the area of the brain responsible for advanced thinking, ability and performance.

5. Deep breathing helps deliver oxygen to your brain. Oxygen helps you be more alert and awake.

As little as 10 to 15 minutes of deep breathing daily can increase brain functionality.

6. Taking fish oil supplements is literally like membrane material for the brain.

The two primary components in fish oil, DHA and EPA, strengthen the emotional center of the brain and boost focus.

7. Studies have proven that listening to music strengthens the right hemisphere of the brain and actually changes the structure of it.

Also, people who listen to music are shown to be more emotionally intelligent than those who don’t.

8. Writing improves memory and thought expression.

Writing articles, blogs, or journal entries stimulates thought processes, which also enhances brain function.

9. Sleep clears out brain clutter and reduces brain fog.

When you don’t get enough sleep at night, your memory and normal brain function suffers.

10. Painting is shown to be an effective brain booster in that it sparks the creativity within you.

Even if you’ve never tried painting before, give it a shot. You’ll find that you feel more creative and may actually enjoy it.

11. Starting the day out with a good breakfast has been proven to supply energy to the brain and body for the whole day.

When you skip breakfast, you’re missing out on a powerful edge, both physically and mentally.

12. Walking allows you to clear your mind and thoughts.

Not only is it good exercise for your body, walking gives your brain a chance to wander freely, clearing it of any troublesome thoughts.

13. Drink a serving of pure fruit juice. Fruit juice contains nutrients that revitalize and refresh the brain.

Juices to drink are pomegranate, blueberry, and cranberry as they deliver more focus and energy.

14. Students who drink some caffeine before an exam typically have higher scores than those who don’t.

This is because caffeine stimulates activity in the brain, which produces better focus and thinking ability. Don’t overdo it though!

15. Draw a picture. Like painting, drawing stimulates the creative side of your brain.

So get out some colored pencils and start boosting your brainpower.

To get the most out of these brain boosting activities, mix them up and do a variety of them at different times.

Just choosing one won’t boost your brainpower, however, combining and alternating them will give your brain the added boost you need now and in the long run.

How are you exercising your brain power?

What do you do when you feel your brain is getting drained?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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June 11, 2019March 23, 2018

There is always a way if you’re committed. – Tony Robbins

June 10, 2019March 23, 2018

Be careful not to compromise what you want most for what you want now. – Zig Ziglar

June 10, 2019March 23, 2018

17 Ways to Spot a Liar

We’ve all been lied to and we’ve all lied at some point in our lives.

But don’t you hate it when you uncover a liar?

It leaves you feeling betrayed and hurt.

Here are seventeen things to look for when spotting a liar:

1. Body language speaks louder than words.

If the person you’re speaking to is fidgety, wringing their hands, or fiddling with their hair, these are often clues that they’re lying.

Sometimes it might be nervousness because they are shy or naturally introverted; however, if the person you’re talking to isn’t known for being shy or nervous, then chances are they’re lying.

2. A liar will often cross his or her arms across their body as they speak.

They may even move objects like books or cups to create a barrier between the two of you.

3. Eye contact is another thing to pay attention to when trying to spot a liar. When you’re being lied to, the other person often won’t look at you directly in the eye. They’ll look down, off to the side, and every other place just to avoid direct eye contact with you.

4. When a liar says contradictory things, it’s an obvious sign that they’re lying.

Listen for discrepancies in their stories.

5. The tone of voice changes when lying. Listen for high pitched or lower tones than their normal speaking voice.

6. Liars tend to avoid details when speaking.

Often they just stick to the bold facts and leave out small details in order to keep their story straight.

7. When talking to a liar, he or she will often hesitate in their speech while thinking up a lie to fit the occasion.

This could be clearing their throat, taking a deep breath or simply pausing before responding.

8. Eye movement is another thing to look for when spotting a liar.

All people naturally move their eyes, unconsciously, one way or another when they are in conversation.

If a person looks to their right (your left) they are often constructing lies.

If they look to their left (your right) they’re truly drawing upon their memory in response.

9. Changing the subject away from the current conversation is another clue that you’re being lied to.

Often liars will fill a conversation with obscure details that detract from the topic at hand in order to avoid telling the truth.

10. People who lie tend to steer away from using pronouns like ‘I’ or ‘we.’

11. Liars will often use humor or sarcasm to avoid a subject.

12. Liars feel guilty and may storm off or act out in anger to hide their deception.

13. Research shows that, when a person is dishonest, they tend to touch their nose a lot.

14. Heavy breathing, sweating or a tight jaw is another indicator that you may be lied to.

15. If questioned enough, liars won’t be able to remember all the details of a lie or string of lies they’ve told.

Most liars will attack or leave before they’re caught.

16. Touching the face may indicate a person is lying or uncomfortable. The higher up on the face, the worse the lie is.

17. A hunched over posture is another indication of a liar.

Confident people sit up straight with their shoulder back.

Insecure people sit hunched over with their hands in their pockets.

It’s also interesting to note that studies have shown those who are insecure are more prone to lie.

According to some studies, deceptive lying begins as early as four or five years of age.

Children learn that they can avoid punishment by lying.

If not dealt with effectively at this young age, lying can quickly and easily become a terrible habit.

Don’t be lied to again.

By learning to watch for these signs and behavioral patterns, you’ll be able to spot a liar with relative ease!

How can lies ruin a relationship?

What do you do when you catch people lying?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Before you leave…

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June 9, 2019March 23, 2018

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all the world needs dreamers who do. – Sarah Ban Breathnach

June 9, 2019March 23, 2018

Achieving Balance in Your Life

Finding balance in your life can be difficult to do, especially during these stressful days.

There’s family and work obligations, plus extra-curricular activities for your kids and unexpected situations.

It’s no wonder that you’re feeling out of balance and overwhelmed!

There are things you can do to achieve balance in your life.

Below are great starting points to get you on the road to a well-balanced life.

1. Start using a central calendar for every member of your family.

This calendar can be a shared calendar online using Google Calendar, or it can be a paper calendar stuck on the fridge.

Either way, have each family member write their activities on the calendar and be sure to include the time, location and mode of transportation.

This way nothing gets missed and you can plan your schedule accordingly.

If there are conflicting activities, this is a good time to teach your family about compromises and the give and take in relationships.

There are ways to work things out and a little lesson in selflessness never hurt anyone.

2. Take a look at your daily routine. Are there activities you can cut out to make your life more balanced?

In this society of rush-rush, convenience, and got-to-have-it-all or do-it-all, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all the extracurricular activities you’re involved in.

As you look at each activity, ask yourself:

Is this activity necessary for my well being?

Can I live without being involved in this activity?

Is this improving my life or is this overwhelming me?

Is this helping others or is it purely for self-gratification?

Is this going to help me achieve my career, family, and personal goals?

The answers to these questions will help you clean up your schedule and continue to enjoy the things that are really important to you and your family.

3. Establish a daily routine.

Routines help us stay on task and get things done without procrastination.

Without a daily routine, you tend to wander aimlessly, instead of engaging in tasks that take you down the right path toward your goals.

If you work from home, it’s easy to wander away from your daily routine because you can set your own schedule, so it’s especially important to have a routine and work diligently at sticking to it.

Whether you work out of the home or you’re a stay at home mom or dad, a daily schedule is vital.

Following an agenda will help you achieve your daily, monthly, and yearly goals.

4. Set goals for yourself, your family and your career.

Without goals, you have nothing to work for and you’ll feel lost without purpose.

Talk about making things feel out of balance! Some worthwhile goals to reach for might be:

Losing weight
Starting your own business
A new house
A new car
Establishing a budget and sticking to it
A pay raise
A promotion
Learning a new skill or trade
Writing a book

Those are just a few ideas to get you started thinking about all the possibilities available to help you achieve more balance in your life.

Balance in life is something that requires constant attention and resilience.

Don’t let the busyness of life get in the way of living your life to the fullest.

You can accomplish it when you work at it.

Keep trying and you’ll be amazed at the stability that comes your way.

How often do you spend time for yourself, your friends and family?

What activities do you do to strengthen the relationships you have?

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!

Posts

I stay positive when circumstances seem grim.

10 Practical Stress Relieving Tips

Today I set goals I know I can reach.

10 Practical Time Saving Tips

15 Brain Boosting Activities

There is always a way if you’re committed. – Tony Robbins

Be careful not to compromise what you want most for what you want now. – Zig Ziglar

17 Ways to Spot a Liar

The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all the world needs dreamers who do. – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Achieving Balance in Your Life