Personal Growth Cafe

April 19, 2019March 13, 2018

Boosting Your Self-Worth

What is self-worth, anyway?

To find out, answer this question: How much would you say you’re worth?

The answer is your self-worth, or the value you place on yourself.

Just like anything of value, the self can fluctuate up and down in worth for any number of reasons!

Even though you have your ups and downs, there are ways you can increase your self-worth each and every day.

We all have value, whether we believe it or not.

This value comes from our very existence, as well as our own set of skills, talents, ideas and strengths.

If we think of worth in terms of financial worth, we can get a good idea of how we can increase our own self-worth.

With money, the way to increase worth is to make more money.

We make more money by taking specific actions in our workplace or within our businesses.

Sounds obvious, right?

Well it is! Self-worth works the same way.

We increase our self-worth by focusing on the things that make up our worth.

Here are some things you can begin doing right now to increase your self-worth:

1. Enjoy a new hobby. Your skill set is a big determination of your self-worth.

The more you can do – and do well – the better you feel about yourself.

That’s why you’ll want to consider adding to your list of hobbies or recreational activities.

The more you enjoy what you do in your life, the more you’ll also enjoy who you are as a person.

2. Take a class. As with hobbies, learning something new is a great way to add to your self-worth.

It’s like a deposit into your knowledge bank.

There are plenty of options for this choice:

Take a class at a local community college.
Register for an online seminar.
Look in the local newspaper for free classes in your area.
Call your local school district. They offer inexpensive continuing education classes in almost every subject imaginable, including hobbies!

3. Read more. Reading is a wonderful way to stimulate the mind.

When you spark your imagination, new ideas emerge from the depths.

Nothing builds self-worth like learning more about the world you live in!

Maybe you’ve always wanted to be an inventor.

If so, you can generate some ideas by researching and reading information about your ideas.

4. Learn a language. There are a huge number of tools available that can assist you in mastering a new language.

Learning new languages builds self-worth because it allows you to communicate on a completely different level with others.

5. Do something out of the ordinary. Take a chance, conquer a challenge, and step out of your comfort zone.

These kinds of activities stretch you as an individual.

Doing something you never imagined gives you a glimpse of your true potential.

Anything that boosts your self-confidence will also increase your self-worth, since they’re directly related.

On the other hand, our self-worth becomes stagnant if we become arrogant and believe that we’ve accomplished all we can in life.

Start each day by making the commitment to your success.

After all, you are worthy of great things!

Even if you have a hard time believing this, take action anyway because where action is, emotions will follow.

Try something new, pick one of the topics from above, give it a shot and see for yourself how much of a difference it makes.

Just remember the great words of Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

How often do you appreciate yourself?

When was the last time you took time off for yourself?

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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April 18, 2019March 13, 2018

Five Steps to Building a Strong Relationship

Have you ever invested your time and emotions to build a relationship, only to see that relationship destroyed in a matter of minutes?

When it was all over, and the dust settled, did you find yourself wondering, “What happened?”

Whether the relationship is in your business or personal life, strong relationships take time, attention, and energy to build, maintain, and nurture.

Relationships are important to everyone. As the saying goes, “No man is an island.”

We need and depend on each other.

Our relationships help define who we are and how we get along in the world.

We’re often judged by the company we keep and our relationships are part of this.

Without relationships, a business cannot exist for long.

Regardless of what type of business you have, you need good working relationships.

At the very least, you need people to do business with!

Forming healthy relationships with your customers and colleagues is an integral part of the recipe for success.

Additional types of relationships include family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, supervisors, mentors, and more.

These relationships add layers of depth to your life.

Each one can touch your life and make a difference, so you want to build and cherish these relationships as well.

Here are 5 essential keys to building healthy, profitable relationships:

1. Be Honest. People respond to honesty.

In a world where people are often faced with scams and lies, honesty is a priority.

The relationships you form with honesty as a foundation will be strong and powerful.

2. Apologize. If you’re wrong about anything or do something that offends or hurts someone, admit it.

Everyone makes mistakes; after all, we’re all human.

People respect you more if you admit your mistakes and apologize. Respect strengthens your relationships.

3. Stay in touch. Relationships require exchanges.

In our world today, we have many options to communicate and improve our relationships.

Face to face is always the best. Enjoy coffee, lunch, or just stop in for a chat.

Not only are you communicating, but you’re also fully devoting your time to them as well.

Letters and cards are a good way to stay in touch, and they remain special in this computer age full of quick text messages and impersonal emails.

Emails are also appreciated, particularly when you give it the personal touch, but nothing says, “you’re important to me” like meeting in-person or chatting on the phone.

4. Recognize accomplishments. Let people know that you notice even their small accomplishments.

Everyone likes to be noticed and recognized.

It fosters good feelings and builds on your relationship when you give someone a well-deserved compliment.

Let your co-worker know they did a great job on their presentation.

Tell your client you noticed how well they’re doing in their business.

Give your child a hug for doing a great job on anything!

5. Take a genuine interest in those you have relationships with.

Don’t just serve up generic compliments from time to time.

Ask questions.

Showing an interest and remembering small personal details lets them know that you’re thinking about them and that you’re interested in their life.

Learn from their experiences. For example, you can ask, “How did you do that?”

Ask about what they’ve been working on.

Inquire about their family, baseball team, or the new puppy.

Relationships add much to our lives.

In our personal life, they can add the richness of friends and shared memories.

In our business life, they can bring us success and recognition.

Strong, healthy relationships are the founding corners of a rewarding life.

Relationships grow over time.

While there are the rare finds where you instantly bond with someone, this is the exception rather than the rule.

Be sure to follow these tips to build and nurture profitable relationships that will stand the tests of time and challenges.

How much do you value the relationships you have now?

How do you show them that you value the relationship you have?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 18, 2019March 13, 2018

Through my example, I bring joy to others.

April 17, 2019March 12, 2018

What seems impossible one minute becomes, through faith, possible the next. – Norman Vincent Peale

April 15, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Free Yourself from Anxiety

Anxiety and worry can take over your life if you allow it to.

Whether we like it or not, constant stress and worry can physically make us sick.

The good news is that there are ways to help alleviate anxiety.

The first step is to figure out exactly what you’re stressing about.

Is it something you can change? Is it something you have no control over?

By determining the root of your anxiety, you can better understand how you can overcome it.

For example, if you’re feeling anxious about losing your job, you have the capability to change this worry.

You can work harder to prove that you’re an indispensable part of the team or you can start searching for a new job.

Taking action is the surest way to defeat anxiety.

The truth is, there are plenty of situations in your life that you can change with some effort.

For example, if you’re concerned about your weight, the good news is that you can change it!

You already know it takes a healthy diet coupled with regular exercise.

Little by little, your weight will melt away and your health will improve.

By determining the root of your anxieties, and developing ways to turn them into something positive, you can often overcome them.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you manage your anxiety:

1. Know your anxieties. Write down exactly what’s causing your anxiety, then note down ways you can change the outcome.

Knowing what you’re up against is the key to feeling better about yourself and your current situation.

2. Breathe. Once you’ve pinpointed the things you need to change, sit back and take a breath.

This form of relaxation can help you calm your racing heart and give you peace of mind.

Rapid breathing from anxiety can lead to a panic attack.

Don’t let it get that far. Breathe deeply and slowly as soon as you feel yourself become worried or anxious.

3. Visualize. Perhaps one of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is the technique of visualization.

Choose a quiet space in your home, light some candles, and close your eyes.

Imagine yourself in your ideal situation.

Feel how calm you are and visualize letting go of your worries.

Think about how happy you’ll be once your source of stress has been diminished.

Positive visualization can help you move toward the happier vision you’ve created in your mind.

4. Use positive affirmations. When things get tough and you feel yourself losing control, repeat a positive statement over and over in your head.

For example, if you’re in need of a job, you can repeat something like: “I am a valuable and hard working individual who is worthy of a fulfilling new opportunity!”

Reaffirming positive thoughts repeatedly can help you believe that anything is possible. The power of the mind is endless.

5. Diet and exercise. Eating a well-balanced diet and exercising can physically help you handle stress and anxiety.

The stronger the body is, the stronger the mind is.

It’s a fact: if you abuse your body with junk foods or drugs and alcohol, your body and mind will react in a negative way.

Take good care of your body and it will help take care of your worries.

6. Seek support.

Talk to someone who has been in the same situation.

Reaching out to friends and family or seeking professional help can do wonders to help you get rid of your anxiety.

Once you’ve seen that someone else has gone through and overcome what you’re experiencing, it gives you great hope that you, too, can do the same.

Anxieties are a part of everyday life.

How you choose to manage them is what makes the difference.

Stop letting anxiety control you.

Take the reins and let anxiety and worries know that you are the one in the driver’s seat of your life.

What are things that cause you to worry today?

How can you use what you learned here to free yourself from worries?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 15, 2019March 12, 2018

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. – Seneca

April 14, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Live Consciously

Have you ever seen ants marching in search of food?

They just follow one another in an almost endless game that seems to drone on and on.

Does your life feel like an ant’s life – as if you’re going from day to day, doing the same thing, the same way, and nothing ever changes?

If so, then there’s a very good probability you’re not living consciously.

Conscious living is being aware of your life and the things you’re doing.

It’s about taking the time to stop and smell the roses so you can see where you fit into the whole picture.

Living consciously is a vital component in enjoying the fleeting moments we have on Earth.

It’s important to take note of what’s going on around us and be aware of what we’re doing.

Living consciously brings us an understanding of what we’re capable of doing and paves the way for us to get where we want to go.

Benefits of Conscious Living

Perhaps you’re wondering, “What’s in it for me?”

Conscious living brings with it many benefits, which you may already be seeking in your life.

Here are just a few of these benefits:

1. Relieve stress. Conscious living can be a great stress reliever.

Not only does it make life more enjoyable when you alleviate your stress, but it also makes you healthier.

Stress affects every process in our bodies and can cause serious disease if it builds up within us.

2. Expand your horizons. As you become more aware of your surroundings, you’ll find that you can better understand the world and your place in it.

3. Live in the moment. Throughout the day, you’ll be more focused on your work because you’re consciously acting on a specific task in the moment.

4. Enjoy more passion in your relationships.

While living consciously, your relationships will become more meaningful because you’ll be appreciative of them as well as the other person.

You’ll be more in tune with your partner and aware of every want and need.

5. Know your importance. Your job will become more fulfilling because you’re more conscious of your role in the grand scheme of things.

You no longer just answer a phone or hand someone a photocopy, but you are consciously making a difference.

6. Bring color into your world.

Your surroundings will become more vibrant because you’ll notice things like the subtle differences between the shades of the trees and the direction of the soft breeze.

7. Being conscious of life makes life more fun. When you’re living consciously, bad days are few and far between.

Action Steps to Living Consciously

Luckily, transforming your humdrum life into one filled with vibrant joy is easier than you may think!

You can make some simple adjustments to your everyday routines to live consciously and more fully enjoy your life.

Here are some action steps you can take to bring conscious living to your life:

1. Stop. Take some time to stop throughout the day and look around. Be aware of where you are and what’s around you.

Become conscious of your surroundings and notice how you fit into them.

Notice the details such as the green on the trees, or the condensation dripping down the side of the cup.

Become in tune with what your body feels and actually search out the sensations of your fingers and toes while feeling your chest rise and fall with each breath.

2. Breathe. Take deep breaths and be in the moment.

Don’t think about what you’ve done or what you still have to do, just take a minute or two to just breathe!

3. Learn. Take a few minutes each day to try something new.

Pick up a book you’ve wanted to read or learn a new skill.

By doing this, you’re starting to become conscious of your life and the things you can do with it.

There are many things you can do to live life to its fullest.

Living consciously is one of the easiest changes to make on a day-to-day basis.

Take a few of these ideas, integrate them into your routine, and begin enjoying the benefits of living consciously!

How much time do you give to yourself?

How are you living the life you have right now to your enjoyment?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 13, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Live Your Life with Intense Purpose

Wandering around aimlessly from day to day provides absolutely no benefit to you or those around you.

An unspecified purpose leaves you frustrated and lacking direction with everything you do.

If you don’t already know your purpose in life, take some time to reflect on what it may be.

Then make sure everything you do lines up with this purpose.

Discover Your Purpose

In order to find your purpose, look at the things you love to do and what makes you tick.

The trick is to figure out where you draw your internal energy from and where your gifts and talents are best used.

What do you do to recharge your batteries?

What do you absolutely love to do?

Take a little time to figure this out and then focus on it.

Choose Activities That Fulfill Your Purpose

Once you identify your purpose, look at the things you do on a day-to-day basis.

Do these activities add to your purpose or take away from it?

Everything you say, do, think and act on should complement your purpose and help fulfill you.

If it isn’t doing this, either drop the activity or delegate it to someone else.

An example of a purpose you might have is to provide a healthy and comfortable life for your partner and children.

What types of activities do you think fall in line with this purpose?

Let’s look at a few and see how they line up with your personal life purpose.

1. Cooking. Cooking your own food allows you to be the top chef.

You get to choose the ingredients in your food, rather than relying on some other person or company.

You can take out the salt, add flavor with herbs and spices, and reduce your portions to create something that fits within your family’s healthy lifestyle.

Plus you’re saving money, which can be used for your children’s education or a family retreat.

2. Cleaning. Keeping a clean house fulfills both the healthy and comfortable parts of your purpose.

By doing things like dusting, washing dishes, and taking out the garbage, you’re staying healthy.

Removing the clutter creates a more comfortable environment.

3. Exercise. Exercising, along with activities like yoga and meditation, help keep your mind and body healthy and comfortable.

These activities keep your weight down and make you feel better inside and out, which will also keep you strong for your family.

As you can see, each one of these activities adds to your purpose.

Things that distract you from your purpose might include eating out excessively, living beyond your means, and even sitting around doing nothing all day.

Negative or unfulfilling activities can be exchanged for the ones that supercharge both you and your life purpose.

Live With Purpose at Work, Too

For your professional purpose, you might have a passion to plan social events for you and your coworkers.

You can accomplish this by volunteering for your company’s activities committee or being on a board that plans events and meetings.

You can also start your own activity group and get things together for employee birthday parties in the office.

You can see how these ideas and actions fall directly in line with your passion and purpose.

Obviously you still have to get your job done, but you can certainly use your free time to fulfill your purpose.

Once you’ve identified your purpose, I challenge you to live your life with intensity toward that purpose.

Do everything you can to focus on your calling with the things you say, think and do.

If it isn’t necessary or doesn’t align with your goals, let it go.

Living your life with intense purpose renews your passion for life and enables you to be the best you can be.

It strengthens your self-confidence and, best of all, brings self-fulfillment.

Find your purpose today, and give it all you’ve got!

What is your purpose in life?

How are you making your life meaningful?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 12, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Respond to Criticism

Constructive criticism is a good thing.

It helps you improve yourself and refine your skills.

Destructive criticism, on the other hand, is useless and serves no good purpose, aside from hurting your feelings.

Destructive Criticism – What Should You Do?

Even though it’s difficult receiving destructive and negative criticism, you should still listen to it.

This type of criticism is normally motivated out of someone else’s need to feel superior, but there may be a shred of truth in there somewhere.

Try not to take it personally because, chances are, you’re not the problem.

The person lashing out may be feeling envious or jealous, which colors their opinion.

Destructive criticism tends to be a personal attack.

When the heart of an insult or comment is you (rather than something you’ve done), it is destructive and should be ignored.

After all, no one has the right to determine your self-esteem!

Constructive Criticism – How to Respond Appropriately

Constructive criticism is meant to help you. Listen carefully to what the person is saying.

When the speaker is finished, ignore any personal attacks and simply let them know you’ll consider your actions.

Constructive criticism can be useful if it’s based on performance or behavior.

We don’t always see our own behaviors in the same way others do, so listening to others’ viewpoints can be helpful.

Constructive criticism usually comes from a place of genuine concern.

If the person giving the criticism didn’t care about you, they wouldn’t offer the criticism in the first place.

If you receive professional constructive criticism from a superior, you should take notes and ask questions.

If your boss is giving you constructive criticism about your job performance, take it to heart.

Your boss is likely speaking from experience and their job is to help you improve and excel.

If they’re taking time out of their day to offer their insight, it means they value you as an employee and believe you can do better, so the least you can do is listen.

Types of Constructive Criticism

There are certain expressions you can look for to know you’re receiving constructive criticism.

If you hear these, then recognize the person is trying to help you rather than attack you.

Listen well to these types of criticism, analyze if there is credence to what is being said, and then act on their suggestions.

1. The compliment sandwich. Someone gives you a compliment followed by a suggestion for an area of improvement and then finally, another compliment.

This tells you that the person sees the good things you do and thinks you can improve further.

2. Encouragement criticism. In this type of constructive criticism, the person is trying to help you do better at something you’re already doing fairly well.

This tells you the person knows you try hard and maybe even wants to help you take it to the next level.

3. Thank you. If the conversation starts with someone thanking you for a job well done, you can be sure that they appreciate your efforts.

This person usually wants to help you do better because they like you.

When responding to constructive criticism, you want to be sure to understand where the person is coming from before you say anything.

You should always ask them to clarify something if you don’t fully understand what they’re saying.

When you receive constructive criticism, consider what is being said honestly and objectively.

Constructive criticism is all about improving.

Unless you accept it from this point of view, it will be difficult to change your behavior for the better.

The only thing you need to say when receiving constructive criticism is simply “Thank You.”

Responding appropriately to criticism shows your maturity and willingness to improve.

So swallow your pride, take it in the spirit in which it’s offered, and you’ll come out on top.

How often do you receive criticism?

How do you feel when you are criticized?

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!

April 12, 2019March 12, 2018

Posts

Boosting Your Self-Worth

Five Steps to Building a Strong Relationship

Through my example, I bring joy to others.

What seems impossible one minute becomes, through faith, possible the next. – Norman Vincent Peale

How to Free Yourself from Anxiety

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. – Seneca

How to Live Consciously

How to Live Your Life with Intense Purpose

How to Respond to Criticism

A man does not know what he is saying until he knows what he is not saying. – Gilbert Chesterton