Personal Growth Cafe – Page 45 – Empowering You to Live Your Inspired Vision!

April 11, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Save Money During a Recession

Whether you want to admit it or not, there’s a global recession happening, and it’s affecting millions of families.

People are being laid off, companies are going under, and even some state governments are completely broke.

Finding ways to cut back on your spending can help you during this difficult economic period.

Saving money is always good, but it’s a skill that becomes especially important during a recession.

How can you save money during a recession?

It’s all about planning, cutting frivolous costs, and changing the way you spend money.

Here are some handy tips you can use to help you save money:

1. Pay important bills first. The mortgage, electricity, water and heat have to be paid no matter what.

2. Save Money on groceries. Groceries are a huge, yet necessary, expense. After the bills are paid, most of the budget will fall into the groceries category.

Buy generic rather than name brands. They usually taste just as good but cost less.

Buy non-perishable foods in bulk. Many items can be bought in bulk such as rice, canned foods, and frozen foods.

Never shop on an empty stomach. Eat before grocery shopping; otherwise, you’ll wind up buying more junk and convenience foods because you’re hungry.

Make a list of what you need and stick to it. It really is that simple!

Cut and use coupons. 10 for $10 deals and sale items are your friends.

Combining coupons with sales can slash your grocery bill even more.

Avoid shopping at expensive stores, even if they’re closer to home.

Instead, go a few miles out of the way for the discount grocery stores.

Most items in the store are exactly the same thing, other than the price tag.

3. Rent movies instead of going out. Have a movie night once a week.

Sit down with some popcorn (the kind you pop on the stove) and watch a movie.

This is a great way to spend quality family time, without much expense.

4. Put the credit card down. Credit purchases may get your “stuff” now, but you’ll pay double for it later.

If you want something, save up and pay cash or wait.

5. Cook at home. If you go out to eat two or three times a week, cut back to once every two weeks or once a month. Instead, learn to cook at home.

If you plan ahead and cook in quantities, you’ll save time and money by popping the extra portions into the freezer.

6. Unplug. If there are things in your house plugged into the wall and you aren’t using them, unplug them.

Many items, like computers and phone chargers, draw electricity whether they’re on or not.

Plug it in when you need it, then unplug it when you’re done.

7. Lower your thermostat. Set your thermostat at a specific temperature and leave it there. 68 to 70 is an energy-saving setting in the winter.

If you get chilly, put on a sweater or grab a blanket. You’ll save more than you realize on your heating bills.

These are just some of the many ways to save money and stretch your dollar a bit further during these challenging times.

These tips require a change to your habits, which can take some getting used to.

In time, however, you’ll adjust and the money you save can make a big difference in your budget.

It’s important to stick with your plan to save money.

Making a change for a week won’t do the trick.

Committing to changing bad habits for good will reap the greatest benefits in the long run.

What money saving strategies are you currently doing?

How does budgeting well help you live 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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April 11, 2019March 12, 2018

The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision. – Helen Keller

April 10, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Weather the Storm of the Economic Collapse

As you may well know, we are currently in the worst economic situation since the Great Depression.

What exactly does this mean and how can you survive until the economy gets back on its feet?

The first thing to do is stay current on what’s happening with the economy.

You need to have a basic understanding of it all and keep up with the changes that are happening as well.

Without this information, you may make decisions that could be detrimental to your financial future.

It’s far too easy to panic and make rash decisions when the future is uncertain and frightening, so don’t dwell on the latest news, just keep yourself in the loop.

Here are a few things to remember that can help you survive the economic collapse:

1. Markets. If you own stock invested in a long-term investment, leave it there.

The markets will fluctuate up and down, and sometimes it will happen sharply.

But over time, the market will recover; it’s a normal ebb and flow.

If you’re concerned about your investments, ask a professional for their advice.

Don’t pull it too soon in a knee-jerk reaction from a steep drop.

This is the nature of the stock market and you should be prepared for this type of thing happening.

2. Diversify. Simply put, don’t place all your eggs in one basket.

If all your investments are in one place, spread them out.

Look into CD’s, money markets and bonds.

These types of investments are slow and steady and the principal is protected.

3. Spend Less. This is pretty straightforward, but it’s an important reminder.

If you went out to dinner 3 times a week before the economy dipped, try 2 times a month now.

Put simply: if you don’t need to spend money on something, don’t.

The money you save can help pay your bills.

In this economy, survival requires sacrifice.

You’ll have to cook at home more or maybe rent a movie instead of going to the theater.

It could be worse, so make due with what you have!

4. Spend Wisely. Where do you normally shop?

If you answer high priced specialty stores, you may need to change your habits.

Start heading to discount supermarkets and dollar stores.

Believe it or not, dollar stores sell cleaning supplies for $1, as opposed to four or five dollars for the same thing in another store.

Skip the Starbucks stop on your way to work and bring your morning coffee from home instead.

These times are tough. Unemployment is on the rise, jobs are harder to find, and businesses are closing down faster than ever before.

Still, this is not something to fear. These things happen. It’s all part of a cycle and the economy will bounce back.

In the meantime, get creative and find new ways to make some extra money and save on expenses:

Search through your garage, attic and basement for things you own that you don’t need anymore and sell them online.

Look into home based Internet businesses and ways to generate passive income.

Affiliate marketing is great for this.

There are places all over the Internet with these types of programs.

The worst thing you can do in this economy is ignore the fact that there’s a problem or think it won’t affect you.

Consider everything expense you have and devise ways you can get it for less.

You can make this recessionary economy work to your benefit by negotiating cheaper rates.

You may have to look a little harder for opportunities, but they’re still there.

Take the skills you have, along with your passion, and find ways to generate some passive income from them.

When you do these things, you’ll be able to weather the storm and come out ahead!

How have you prepared for the drastic changes in the economy?

How can you better prepare starting today?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 10, 2019March 12, 2018

No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious. – George Bernard Shaw

April 9, 2019March 12, 2018

The most important thing about goals is having one. – Geoffrey F. Abert

April 9, 2019March 12, 2018

How to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Ever since computers have become such a large part of our lives, it seems that workloads have dramatically increased.

Now, instead of things getting easier, we’ve gotten busier and more hectic than ever before.

This may cause you to feel overburdened with your heavier workloads, especially when it comes to tasks you have to do repeatedly.

Finding better ways to accomplish your to-do list can save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration.

How do you “work smarter, not harder?” Look at what you do on a daily basis and develop ways to get the same amount done with less effort and struggle.

Here are some ways you can work smarter, not harder:

1. Simplify repeated tasks. Forms and templates can save time on a lot of tasks.

For example, if you have to send out a lot of the same email, create a template email so you can just fill in the specific parts for each person individually.

2. Delegate. Delegate some of your responsibilities to other people.

If you have too much housework, give the kids some chores and set up a schedule.

Four people doing four things will get them done faster than one person doing all four things alone.

3. Automate.

If you’re in a position that requires the same thing done every day, at the same time, then try to find a way to get the process automated so it happens without you there.

An example would be to back up your computer every night, automatically.

4. Eliminate the useless. There are unproductive things you do on a daily basis.

In fact, you probably already know exactly what these distractions are!

Once you identify your time-wasters, remove them from your routine and focus on those tasks that are truly productive.

5. Focus. Stay focused on your responsibilities, not the responsibilities of others.

If everyone focuses on their primary responsibilities first, the large portion of the job gets finished and then minor details can be taken care of later.

6. Learn to say “no.”

Many people take on too much work because they’ve never learned to tell others “no.”

Before taking on extra duties for someone else, make sure you schedule time for your own needs first.

7. Know your limits.

Avoid taking on more than you can handle in order to please someone above you.

If you do this on a regular basis, you’ll ultimately be working twice as hard because you’re not performing at your very best.

Learn how much you can handle while still being productive.

We all have limits, and respecting our own limits leads to greater productivity.

Working smarter, not harder is all about planning, executing and knowing your limits.

Planning saves time and money.

It allows you to delegate and assign tasks to those most qualified to complete them.

Using systems and automation to execute tasks eliminates repetition and assures quality control.

Wisely considering limits prevents burnout and late work.

All in all, working smarter, not harder does just what it says.

Not only does it save you valuable time, but your production levels will soar as well!

How often do you stress yourself out because of work?

How can you make your work lighter yet still efficient?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 8, 2019March 12, 2018

Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly. – Plutarch

April 7, 2019March 12, 2018

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. – Henry Ford

April 7, 2019March 12, 2018

Overcoming Obstacles to Your Success

In order to be successful, you have to overcome a great many things.

Some of those obstacles are created internally.

You can overcome these self-created obstacles with a little hard work and determination.

No matter what task you’re taking on, you can set yourself up for success!

Here are some ways to deal with obstacles that may thwart your endeavors:

1. Understand your goals.

Know exactly what it is you’re trying to do.

You can’t just run in without a plan of some kind.

Take the time to plan out your goals and the steps you intend to take to reach them.

Even with an exceptional plan, the reality is that things rarely go exactly as you’d expect.

You’ll have to stop and make changes at times, and that’s okay!

Be prepared for the unexpected with ideas on how to handle a situation if it arises.

Identify the parts of your plan that may become problematic and lay out alternatives.

2. Trust yourself. You’re in charge of your journey to success.

You set your goals and you’re the one making it happen, so you must trust yourself.

If you truly have a great passion for what you’re going to do, then you’ll be the best judge of what you want.

Follow your instincts.

That little voice in the back of your head may very well end up telling you exactly what you need to succeed in your goals.

3. Get help.

If there’s something in your way and it’s too big of an obstacle for you to remove on your own, get help!

You can’t do everything by yourself.

As humans, we’re social beings and we need help from those around us.

Get your friends, family or co-workers involved and welcome their input on how to get around an obstacle in your path.

This will bring in new ideas and fresh perspectives on the problem in ways you may have never considered.

4. Gain a fresh perspective.

There are times when, no matter how hard you try, things just don’t go your way.

This is where you need to stop, take a step back, and look at things from a different perspective.

You become used to your routine, so the fine details can easily slip past you.

Take a break and walk away for a little bit.

Change your focus for a time; then come back to the problem and you may see something you missed.

3. Never ever give up. Nothing has ever been solved or accomplished by giving up.

Vince Lombardi said it best: “Winners never quit and quitters never win!” This is as true as it gets.

Being too rigid on something can be counterproductive.

In order to succeed, we sometimes have to change our approach completely.

Keep at the problem until you find a solution. It’s there; you just have to find it.

4. Start again. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, you need to rebuild from the ground up.

Maybe one of your fundamental ideas was wrong and had an effect on everything else.

This happens, and while it’s a setback, it’s not the end of your dream.

With a little more effort and hard work, you can do it!

Being successful isn’t easy and it involves a lot of hard work, dedication and sometimes sacrifices.

With these tips, a good plan, and positive people around you to help, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

What obstacles do you have now that hinder you from becoming successful?

How can you work on becoming better everyday?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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April 6, 2019March 12, 2018

Procrastination Avoidance Tips

Did you ever feel like you wanted to join the Procrastinator’s Club, but never quite got around to it?

At some point in time, procrastination plagues us all, some more than others, but everyone at some point gets a bite from the bug.

We’ve all heard the quote, “Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today?”

For some of us, this is the only motivation we need, while others struggle with putting things off for weeks, months, or even years.

Procrastination doesn’t have to be a way of life for you; you can overcome it.

With a little focus and the right attitude, coupled with some practical tips and techniques, procrastination can be a thing of the past.

Here are five strategies you can use today to help you bite the procrastination bug back:

1. Set small goals.

Many times, we feel overwhelmed with a task, so we continue to put it off until we have no choice but to complete it.

Now throw on all the new projects we received while we were putting off the first project, and you have a prime equation for some serious procrastination.

Setting small, quickly achievable goals can help you avoid procrastinating in the first place so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Here are some tips for setting those small goals:

2. Break your big project up into smaller steps.

These steps can be completed systematically one at a time.

Make sure you have well-defined end points for each smaller goal, that way you have something to keep you going.

Setting small goals provides you a nonstop feeling of accomplishment as they’re attained.

With each individual success, you feel better about yourself, and this motivates you to continue.

Giving yourself break points allows you to focus on each individual task and takes the overwhelming feeling out of the job.

In addition, they give you a prime place to get up, move around, and refresh yourself for the next step.

3. Avoid distractions.

We all do it. We sit down to start working, but have to get back up and grab some coffee.

Then we sit back down and check email, then voicemail, and then email again just to make sure no one sent a message while we were checking the voicemail.

How long did that take?

Try checking your email only twice a day instead of every 5 minutes.

You need to have some time to focus!

Get everything you want, need or think you need before you sit down to start working so you can concentrate.

4. Delegate.

Start giving some of your responsibilities to others instead of hogging them for yourself and creating more stress.

Stress leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to tight deadlines, and tight deadlines lead to more stress; it’s a vicious cycle.

5. Keep a list.

A constant reminder of the things you absolutely need to do is a great way to avoid procrastination.

A small pocket notebook or even a note card works wonders for list keeping.

Keeping a list puts your daily to-dos in front of you at all times for quick reference.

Include your small goals on your list.

Get started early each day completing those small, easy goals.

Doesn’t it feel great to scratch through the things you’ve completed?

Before you know it, the whole list is marked off!

6. Turn it off.

When you’re done for the day, shut down everything work related. Don’t take it home if you can help it.

Turn your brain off at the end of your workday.

By giving your brain a break, you help avoid over exhaustion and keep your mind fresh for the next day.

7. Spend some time doing the things you love to recharge your batteries for the next day.

Pick one or two of these techniques and try them out for three weeks.

Studies have shown it takes 21 days to form a habit and if you truly want to beat procrastination, you have to make productivity a habit.

When you’ve made a habit of one of the strategies, pick out another one, and before you know it, you’ll be the personification of productive!

What can you do today that you moved to sometime in the future?

What is keeping you from doing that now?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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