9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

Are you an early bird? If so, good for you! If you’re not, you might want to consider trying out a new schedule. There are a lot of advantages to being an early riser. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

Studies show that early birds are more productive and healthier.

It’s a great way to live. All you have to do is get up a couple of hours earlier. The benefits are worth the momentary discomfort each morning.

Still not convinced? Read on.

See why the early bird really does get the worm: 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

1. It’s healthier. It’s been found that the sleep patterns of those that get up early are healthier. You might live longer by being an early bird. Spending less money on medical care is another bonus.

2. It’s more natural. Most animals are active during daylight hours and asleep while it’s dark. We don’t see well in the dark, so we’re clearly not designed to be active at night. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

3. You’ll be thinner. On the average, early birds are leaner than night owls. Maybe it’s the late-night snacking that many night owls like to do.

4. You’re more focused. There are fewer distractions early in the morning. You can get more done by having a greater level of focus. There’s no one around to intrude on your time. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

5. You’re in good company. The majority of highly successful people are early birds. You might become more successful if you wake up earlier and get started on your day.

6. You can enjoy the morning. When you have a few hours before you need to leave for work, you can take your time and enjoy the morning. See the sunrise. Listen to the birds. Enjoy a cup of coffee without being rushed. Relax while everyone else is rushing to get ready for work. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

7. You get more accomplished. You could use the extra time to learn the guitar, read, write, exercise, journal, or get started on your work for the day. Studies show that early risers are significantly more productive.

> Most people don’t accomplish much after 6:00pm, so early risers have a day that is effectively longer. The night owls might spend as many hours awake, but more of their hours are spent on less productive activities. The early birds are sleeping while the night owls are playing.

8. You build willpower. It’s not easy to get up when you know you have time to sleep for another hour or three. It can be a bit of a challenge to get up earlier than necessary each day. However, the willpower you develop can be applied to other aspects of your life. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

9. You’re more confident. Knowing that you have a big head start on most of the rest of the people in the world can make you feel a little smug. You can be a couple hours ahead of your coworkers while they’re still brushing their teeth.

> Some of those coworkers will likely be working for you someday soon.

If you’re not someone that naturally likes to get up in the morning, there’s still hope. The key is to alter your bedtime and wake-up time a little at a time. Fifteen minutes each day is doable and sustainable. Or you could adjust by 15 minutes and keep that schedule for a week. The next week, add another 15 minutes. And so on. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

Shifting your schedule to a couple hours earlier will change your life in so many positive ways.

Consider how you spend the last two hours of your evening with your current schedule. Those hours might be fun, but they’re probably not productive. Imagine adding two hours of productivity, enjoyment, and reflection into each day of your life. 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

There are so many advantages to being an early riser that it would likely benefit you to at least give it a try. Avoid assuming that it would never work for you. You might be pleasantly surprised! 9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

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9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

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9 Benefits of Being an Early Bird

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How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Do you consider yourself a great leader? Leadership skills are highly sought after by employers. Leadership is challenging. It’s part science and part art.

The science can be learned conventionally. The art is learned by experience. The ability to combine both separates the great leaders from the rest.

The business environment is rapidly changing. This is creating a great demand for those with leadership skills, particularly as it relates to leading others through change. In the past, managers were tasked with maintaining the status quo.

This is no longer true. If you can lead others through change, you possess one of the most valuable workplace skills.

Leaders have the ability to change companies and the world. Leadership skills are highly learnable and always valuable. Advancing your skills may be the best way to advance your career.

If you’ve always wanted to become an effective leader, you’re in luck. There has never been a better time to enhance your ability to lead others. There are more opportunities to learn these skills than ever before.

There’s also never been a greater need for these skills.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

– John Quincy Adams

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Are Great Leaders Born or Made?

The debate over whether leadership skills are innate or learned has likely been debated since the days of the cave man. Is it possible that some people are born with the gift of effective leadership skills while the rest of us are relegated to be full-time followers? Or is it possible that anyone can be a great leader?

While it’s debatable whether everyone has the ability to become the next Winston Churchill or Mahatma Gandhi, there’s little doubt that we are all capable of becoming effective leaders.

Even a moderate increase in your leadership skills can have a positive impact on your personal and professional life.

Many experts hold fast to the belief that leaders are created. It’s simply a matter of learning the necessary skills and gaining the necessary experience. Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to enhance your leadership skills.

There’s a plethora of information available, and it’s often free. In addition, researchers are hard at work to gain a better understanding of what makes great leaders tick. Business and psychology programs are constantly researching leadership topics.

Many of the famous leaders throughout history learned their leadership skills on the fly. They were passionate about a worthy cause and developed the ability to lead and inspire others along the way. They weren’t all born to be historical figures.

Most importantly, you can greatly strengthen your leadership skills, regardless of your current level of expertise. Being shy or introverted won’t prevent you from becoming an effective leader. In fact, many of history’s greatest leaders were introverts! We’ll even list a few later.

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” Nelson Mandela

The Advantages of Being a Skillful Leader

Your leadership abilities don’t just benefit your employer. Your ability to lead others can enhance your life in many ways. Even if you don’t currently hold a leadership position at work, there are many reasons to begin strengthening your leadership skills today.

Consider these advantages of being a skilled leader:

1. You’re more valuable to your employer. Employees can be trained to perform most work tasks quickly and easily. It’s much rarer to find someone with the skills to lead a large group of people to complete a complex task.

> If you’re an effective leader, you can do things for your employer that few other employees can do.

> The further up the chain you travel, the more important leadership skills become. Increasing your leadership skills can pave the way to both a promotion and a salary increase.

2. You’re more attractive to other employers. The best job opportunities often lie with other companies. Demonstrate that you have leadership skills, and other companies will take notice. Ensure that your resume lists your leadership accomplishments. Employers are always looking for new talent.

3. Leadership skills can positively affect your personal life. Leaders often have different lives outside of work than non-leaders. As a leader, you know how to influence others. People are more likely to treat you with respect.

4. Being a good leader can enhance your confidence. When you’re successful at leading others, you develop social confidence. A higher level of confidence can pay off in every facet of life. This confidence is helpful when dealing with friends, family, and strangers. Confidence attracts others.

Becoming a better leader will create more employment opportunities and increase your value to your employer. Leaders are always in short supply, and therefore, are always in demand. Growing your leadership skills may be the most effective way to improve your employment prospects and your bank account.

The benefits of leadership extend beyond the workplace. Your personal relationships are affected in positive ways, and the confidence you gain permeates your entire life. Improving your ability to lead will enhance your entire life.

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” -Arnold H. Glasow

Qualities Shared by Great Leaders

Success leaves clues. All great leaders are individuals with unique skills and personalities. However, great leaders have several characteristics in common. If you’re attempting to become a more effective leader, it makes sense to develop these qualities.

Great leaders share a foundation of particular traits:

1. Leaders have effective communication skills. It’s important to be able to effectively communicate your objective and other valuable information to your team. Communication is perhaps the most valuable skill for leaders.

> Expectations can’t be met if they’re not communicated clearly.

> Effective training requires communication.

> Constructive feedback is another valuable facet of any team endeavor. Can you provide constructive criticism in a way that enhances future results?

> Effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and working synergistically toward the same outcome.

2. Leaders have the ability to delegate effectively. If you could do everything yourself, it wouldn’t be necessary to lead anyone. However, big outcomes require many hands on deck. You can’t do it alone.

> Delegating appropriately also requires confidence that others can do their part. There isn’t enough time in the day to micromanage everyone. Too much meddling leads to poor performance and resentment, too.

> Understanding the capabilities of everyone on your team helps you to assign tasks to each member that are appropriate to their skills.

3. Leaders are adept at choosing team members. Sometimes you’re assigned a team. However, there are times you’re able to choose your team members. Leaders are able to determine which skills are required to complete a project successfully.

> It’s just as important to choose team members that will work well together. An effective leader is focused on getting work done, rather than playing referee.

> A skilled leader will also choose team members will skills that supplement his own. Being a leader doesn’t require the ability complete every possible task. Steve Jobs of Apple wasn’t capable of performing all the necessary engineering activities. However, he did a wonderful job of finding people with those skills.

4. Leaders are honest. All relationships require a foundation of trust to ensure success. Leaders are clear on their values and are willing to share them freely. A leader that fails to instill trust in her followers is ineffective.

> Many famous leaders are infamous for their brutal honesty.

5. Leaders have conviction. Big projects inevitably have many bumps, twists, and turns along the road to completion. Only the committed are able to find the finish line consistently.

> Leaders are committed in every way. They’re committed to getting the job done, whatever it takes. Leaders don’t expect to receive more commitment than they’re willing to give.

6. Leaders are confident. If a leader is unable to show he’s confident regarding the mission at hand, his followers will lack confidence, too. It’s vital to set a good example and remain confident that everything will work out.

7. Leaders are flexible. It’s not possible to predict every hiccup that will occur over the course of a project. Leaders are able to find creative solutions.

> Resources are often limited. An effective leader can creatively utilize all the resources available to him.

> The ability to think outside the box is valuable.

8. Leaders are intuitive. Successful leaders also possess intuition. Every situation is different, and past solutions don’t always apply. A great leader can rely on experience and intuition to find the best solution.

How many of these traits do possess? Where could you seek improvement? Are there any additional qualities you believe a great leader must possess?

Not all great leaders are created equal, but all great leaders share common characteristics. Develop the qualities that take your skills to a higher level.

“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu

What Leaders Provide to Others

Being a skilled leader doesn’t just benefit you and your employer. Leaders provide many benefits to their team members. Leadership can be a burden, but when you realize how much it contributes to others, you’ll be even more motivated to lead.

You’ll also be even more aware of how valuable you are to your company.

Leaders benefit their teams in a variety of ways:

1. Leaders take the blame. When things go wrong, leaders take the blame for the team. Leaders might get most of the credit when things go well, but they also receive the brunt of the blame the rest of the time.

2. Leaders inspire. An effective leader can inspire others to believe they’re capable of great things. Leaders also inspire others to believe in the project and to expect a positive outcome. Inspired employees are happier and more productive.

3. Leaders create a vision and clarity. When we don’t know what is going on, a leader can create a vision and provide direction. A team is lost without a leader.

4. Leaders are supportive. A good leader provides the support, encouragement, and resources needed to be at our best.

5. Leaders instill confidence. Leaders are good at stretching team members to be bigger and better than they’ve demonstrated in the past. Making someone feel confident in their abilities is a gift that an effective leader provides.

6. Leaders make the big decisions. Not everyone on a team is capable of making big decisions. Leaders remove the burden of making the hard choices.

Understand how much your leadership skills provide to your employer and your team. Effective leaders are highly prized within any organization. When your leadership responsibilities feel burdensome, remember just how important you are.

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” – Sam Walton

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Why Introverts can be Effective Leaders

Studies have demonstrated that roughly 40% of highly rated leaders are introverts. Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, and Abraham Lincoln are just a few notable examples. Being an extrovert isn’t a requirement to be a world-class leader! If you’re an introvert, now is the time to embrace it fully.

Introverts can be highly effective leaders:

1. Introverts are better listeners. Introverted leaders are considered better listeners and are able to absorb the suggestions of their team.

> Studies suggest that the most important skill for extroverted leaders to improve is the ability to listen. So introverts already have a big head start!

2. Introverted leaders tend to be less ego-driven. While there are certainly egotistical introverts, extroverts have a tendency to be more influenced by their egos. Introverts are more willing to give credit to others and commit to success for more altruistic reasons.

> Introverted leaders are more likely to feel a sense of service. Extroverted leaders are often motivated by reasons that are more selfish.

3. Introverts are more likely to be a calming influence during turbulent times. The more subdued and relaxed nature of introverts can be a calming presence.

> This calming effect extends beyond the team members to customers and upper management. Everyone wins.

> Calm and composed leaders are in a better position to make good decisions.

4. Introverts prepare extensively. Introverts are more likely to think through the possibilities and be proactive. This is thought to be due to an aversion to drama and the unknown. Introverts like their environment to be less stimulating than extroverts.

> Introverted leaders are prepared for anything and everything.

5. Introverts are able to form more meaningful relationships. Consider that you probably feel more fondness for your introverted friends than you do for your extroverted friends. While extroverted people often have more relationships, those relationships are often superficial.

> In many cases, introverted leaders are able to get more out of their team members. Team members also feel a greater sense of commitment to an introverted leader. Introverted leaders create a stronger bond.

This isn’t to say the extroverts aren’t good leaders. More than half of effective leaders are extroverts. However, introverts have skills, abilities, and tendencies that are very favorable for leaders. Embrace your introvert tendencies.

If you’re introverted and wish to be a great leader, you’re starting from a good position. Being an extrovert isn’t always an advantage.

“Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” – Colin Powell

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

How to Build Your Leadership Skills

Regardless of your current skills, improvement is always possible. There are many ways to strengthen your leadership skills. The most effective way to take your skills to the next level is practice.

There are opportunities each day to gain more experience, even outside of work. Plan a weekend trip for the family. Hold a family meeting. Organize and host a party.

Take advantage of every leadership opportunity to hone your skills:

1. Develop a vision and share it with your team. Take the necessary time to determine the goal and the path to that goal. Goals are most effective when they have a deadline and a clear sign of achievement.

> Lay out the path you intend to follow to complete the objective. Include everyone in the strategy session. Listen to the feedback you receive.

> Show team members how they will benefit from the achievement of the goal.

2. Demonstrate your values. Many team members aren’t sure what to expect from an unknown leader. Each person has their own code of conduct. Let everyone see what you stand for. Each decision you make provides an example of your moral code.

> Your behavior sets the boundaries for everyone else. Be confident enough to let everyone know what you expect from others.

3. Have a positive attitude. Even if things have taken a turn for the worse, keep your chin up. The attitude of your team will rarely be better than the attitude you’re demonstrating.

> Not only will you feel better, but also your team will perform at a higher level and feel confident about the future.

4. Work on your communication skills. These skills are crucial. Make every effort to strengthen your ability to communicate. Ask yourself these questions on a regular basis:

> Does everyone know what I expect from them?

> Does everyone know what they need to know?

> Can everyone on the team communicate the goal of our project accurately?

> Am I listening effectively to each team member?

5. Find the optimal way to motivate each team member. This can take time to discover. At the very least, take a moment to encourage and compliment each team member on a regular basis.

6. Demonstrate how much you care about being successful. You determine the commitment of your team members by the amount of commitment you demonstrate.

> No one will care more than you do. No one will work harder than you do. Demonstrate how important the project is to you.

> Your commitment provides motivation to others.

7. Be likable, but serious. If you’re likable, others will do their best to help you. Aren’t you more likely to help a friend than an enemy?

> Being likable isn’t the same as being a pushover. Hold people accountable, but be fair. If you want others to take the project seriously, you must be serious, too.

8. Maximize your strengths and allow your team to handle tasks that you’re weaker at. It’s rare that someone has all the skills and talents necessary to complete a significant project alone. Stick to what you do best and allow those with the requisite skills to fill in your blanks.

> Being at your best makes those around you more confident. Admitting your weaknesses demonstrates that you’re smart, humble, and committed to success.

9. Learn and advance your skills. The most effective way to enhance your leadership skills is to find a mentor with skills you admire. If you’re unable to find a suitable mentor, there are other options.

> Books. There are countless books on the subject of leadership. Peruse those with the best reviews and put them to work. Avoid limiting yourself to a quick read. It’s not just about educating yourself. You must apply the information regularly to see improvement.

> Websites. Leadership is a popular topic. There are plenty of free articles and videos to keep you busy for a lifetime.

> Formal education. There are seminars, webinars, and even college courses covering the topic of leadership.

> Anyone committed to becoming a more effective leader can find the necessary information to take their skills to the next level.

Practice makes perfect. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills. It’s not possible to become an expert at anything without intention and prolonged effort. Learn a little each day and apply it vigorously. Gauge your results and seek improvement.

Few people make a concerted effort to grow their leadership skills. You can quickly surpass your peers if you make the effort!

“Good management is the art of making problems so interesting and their solutions so constructive that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them.” – Paul Hawken

Great Historical Leaders

It can be helpful to remind yourself of the great leaders of the past. You can find many biographies dedicated to these leaders.

History’s great leaders were influential and fascinating:

1. Winston Churchill. The British Prime Minister during World War II, Churchill was known for his commitment to inspire resistance to Nazi Germany. He was able to thrive under difficult conditions and showed great determination and devotion.

> Many consider Churchill to be the greatest leader of the 20th century.

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt was able to overcome polio and paralysis in his legs to become president of the United States four times. Roosevelt successfully led the country through the great depression and World War II.

3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Have you ever had a dream to change society? Martin Luther King, Jr. is considered the greatest civil rights leader the U.S. has ever had. Courage, perseverance, and a stance of non-violence were his trademarks. He even won the Nobel Prize.

4. Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was able to lead the United States through the Civil War and begin the process of unifying the North and South. Lincoln was known for his humility and determination.

> Many historians consider Lincoln to be the greatest U.S. president.

5. Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was able to push the British out of India without resorting to violence. An ordinary citizen, Gandhi was able to lead a country to demonstrate civil disobedience to a level sufficient to earn India’s freedom from British rule.

> Gandhi is considered by many to be the greatest leader of all time.

Not all great leaders are great human beings. But all great leaders have the ability to motivate and influence others. There is much to be learned from the great leaders of the past. Avail yourself of this knowledge and reap the benefits.

“Leadership to me means duty, honor, country. It means character, and it means listening from time to time.” – -George W. Bush

Leadership: Become the Leader You’ve Always Wanted to Be

Conclusion

Leaders change the world. Even if you’re not interested in changing the world, becoming a stronger leader can have a positive effect on your personal and professional life. Regardless of your current skills, there is much you can do to improve your leadership abilities.

Finding a mentor can be among the best options for growing your skills. Take advantage of the books, videos, articles, and courses dedicated to teaching leadership skills and ideas.

An effective leader provides many benefits to his employer and his team. Leaders provide a vision, motivation, and direction while absorbing many of the unappealing components of a workplace team.

Historical leaders can provide inspiration and be examples of superb leadership skills in action.

While more than half of all effective leaders are extroverts, introverts have several advantages in leadership roles. Avoid allowing an introverted personality to be an obstacle. It’s really a blessing in disguise.

Becoming a more skillful leader requires education and experience. You’re unlikely to enhance your skills without time and effort. Take advantage of leadership opportunities, and your skills will grow. Leaders are made.

“Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.” – Stephen Covey

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How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

Check out this week’s affirmation: I am beautiful just the way I am.

Though related, self-acceptance is not the same as self-esteem.

Whereas self-esteem refers specifically to how valuable, or worthwhile, we see ourselves, self-acceptance alludes to a far more global affirmation of self. Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

When we’re self-accepting, we’re able to embrace all facets of ourselves—not just the positive, more “esteem-able” parts.

As such, self-acceptance is unconditional, free of any qualification. We can recognize our weaknesses or limitations, but this awareness in no way interferes with our ability to fully accept ourselves.

I am beautiful just the way I am. Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

When I look in the mirror each morning, I see a true reflection of me. The person looking back at me is beautiful.

The reflection today sometimes differs from previous reflections, but I am still the same person on the inside. Any difference is only from the outside, so I accept and love myself regardless of my physical features.

At times, I am hard on myself for gaining too much weight, but I am careful to adjust my thoughts. I remind myself that my spirit and mind make me beautiful. Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

Although I have goals for my external appearance, I spend very little time dwelling on those. It is true that my inner being shines through regardless of how I appear on the outside. My emphasis is on having a good heart and a kind spirit.

Even when others say hurtful things to make me lose confidence in myself, I still give myself love. I know that the hurtful words of others sometimes come from broken hearts.

I own my beauty. I see myself as someone with a lot of love to give and that is truly beautiful. When I give out love, I get love in return. There are many people who love me deeply. I am embraced for my spirit. Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

Today, the current version of myself is the one that I love the most. It is the truest one because I live with a clean heart and pureness of thought. My choice to give love results in me getting love in return.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What positive thoughts do I recite to myself in the mirror each day?

2. What is my source of emotional strength?

3. How do I inspire myself to rise whenever I am feeling less than confident about myself?

Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

What’s your level of emotional intelligence?

Find out if your emotional intelligence is helping or hindering your growth! .

Affirmation I am beautiful just the way I am.

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How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Affirmation: I embrace growth.

Affirmation: I embrace growth.

Check out this week’s affirmation: I embrace growth.

Embracing growth, by definition, is about developing our skills and staying open to change.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Embracing growth is having your world turned upside down and still being able to see it as a learning opportunity. Affirmation: I embrace growth.

I embrace growth.

I become stronger and wiser each day.

I make my wellbeing a top priority. I build a solid foundation for my personal development by taking care of my mental and physical health. I watch what I eat. I exercise regularly. I manage daily stress and sleep well at night. Affirmation: I embrace growth.

I continue learning. I use my library card. I read books, watch videos, and listen to podcasts. I take courses online or at my local community college. I talk with friends and coworkers about their hobbies and interests.

I connect with others. I cultivate mutually supportive relationships. I share constructive feedback. I engage in deep discussions and listen carefully to different points of view. Affirmation: I embrace growth.

I give generously. Practicing random acts of kindness increases my capacity for love.

I advance my career. I study thought leaders and high performers. I adapt their habits to suit my own style. I work on my communication and writing skills. I manage my time and maintain balance.

I seek out inspiration. I spend time outdoors. Natural beauty energizes me and stimulates my creativity. I practice my faith. Prayer and reflection encourage my self-awareness. My life feels more joyful and meaningful. Affirmation: I embrace growth.

I celebrate the power of positivity. I believe in myself and my abilities. I learn from experience. I give myself sincere compliments and invigorating pep talks.

Today, I am like a garden in full bloom. I flourish and thrive. I grow my talents with dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Affirmation: I embrace growth.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Why is personal development a lifelong process?

2. What is my personal mission statement?

3 How do challenges help me to grow?

Affirmation: I embrace growth.

Affirmation: I embrace growth.

What’s your level of emotional intelligence?

Find out if your emotional intelligence is helping or hindering your growth! .

Affirmation: I embrace growth.

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How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings

How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

There’s a lot to be said for making a series of small changes to your life and taking your time. It’s an effective way of changing your life with a minimal amount of stress. But, what if you’re impatient? How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

What if your life is such a mess that you’re willing to risk being uncomfortable to have a chance of changing your life quickly? In this case, there’s another option.

If you want to make big changes quickly, you can do a hard reset. Doing a hard reset on your cell phone erases everything and allows you to start over from scratch. You can do the same thing in your life if you’re tough enough.

A hard reset can be in just one part of your life or can encompass several aspects of your life. How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

  • Changing careers
  • Ending a relationship
  • Moving to a new city
  • Losing a dramatic amount of weight

Hard resets are big, serious, and require a lot of time and focus.

If you’re ready to make a big change quickly, follow this process of proven strategies:

1. Have a vision for what you want to accomplish. A big change requires a big and clear goal. What change do you want to make to your life? How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

> Do you want to move to the beach?
> Find someone that is a better match for you
> Quit your job and go back to school?
> Lose 75 pounds?
> Run an ultramarathon?

2. Clear the junk out of your life. This includes possessions, people, and obligations that don’t add significantly to your life. People carry too much dead weight through life.

> Big goals require sacrifices to be made. You might have to cut-off your high school friend, quit playing darts on Saturday nights, or throw your ukulele in the trash. How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

3. Decide on the most important actions to take. We like to be busy. It feels like we’re doing something. But we don’t necessarily like to do the most effective tasks, because they’re uncomfortable or inconvenient. That mentality isn’t an option if you’re doing a hard reset. You have to be tough on yourself.

> Cutting off your food after dinner and taking a walk is a lot more effective than eating low-fat artificially sweetened brownies on the couch. How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

> Approaching five interesting strangers each day is more effective than rewriting your personal ad profile for the 8th time.

> Cold calling is more effective than tweaking your website that no one visits anyway.

> Find the most effective actions and focus on those.

4. Schedule your time. You have 168 hours in the next week. If you sleep for 7 hours each night, that leaves 119 hours. If you’re working 40 hours a week, you still have another 79 hours left to use as well as you can. Even if you work 60 hours, that’s still a lot of time left over! How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

> Make a plan for each day.
> Each night, make an even better plan.
> Execute your plan.

5. Realize the truth. If you’re spending all of your available time taking the most effective actions, how could you not be supremely successful at what you’re trying to accomplish?

> Success isn’t a secret. It’s just that the obvious path to success looks miserable to most people.

The only issue you really have is yourself. With time, intention, and a little courage, it’s possible to make dramatic changes to your life very quickly.

A hard reset isn’t for everyone. Many people would have better luck making small changes over the course of several months. How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

On the other hand, some people are capable of moving faster and handling more pressure.

Which type of person are you? Go for it, in the way that works best for you. Either way, you’ll see success. How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

What’s your level of emotional intelligence?

Find out if your emotional intelligence is helping or hindering your growth! .

I am a Board Certified Life Coach, a Board Certified Health Coach, and a teacher of Mindfulness Living who helps people unlock their potential and live life on Purpose

How to Do a Hard Reset to Make Big Changes in Your Life Quickly

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How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Reacting Versus Responding to Life’s Challenges

Reacting Versus Responding to Life’s Challenges

There are a lot of people that react to any kind of obstacle, setback, or challenge. Reactions are reflexive, ego-driven, and only consider the short-term outcome. Reactions make you feel better, but don’t resolve an issue effectively.

Responding is different. It’s intelligent, practical, and considers the long-term implications of that course of action.

People that react struggle and are known for making impulsive decisions. Those that respond have fewer struggles in life. As it turns out, the biggest hassles in life are usually of your own making.

Let’s consider an example that highlights the differences between reacting and responding:

Imagine that you have a horrible boss. Today at work, he berates you for something that isn’t your fault. He calls you a mean name. He says that you’re a worthless employee. You leave work enraged and convinced that you can’t take it anymore.

Reacting to this situation might entail quitting in a blaze of glory. You march in the next day and tell him exactly what you think of him. You might even spit in his eye, stomp on his foot, and shove your resignation letter into his mouth.

However, when you get home, you realize that the job market is tight, you have no savings, and no employment prospects.

Responding to this situation might look something like this:

You determine that you need to find another job. You work on your resume. You put out feelers to everyone you know that have or know of a position that’s suitable for you. You get in touch with a recruiter and let them know that you’re looking.

You also cut back on your expenses and save some money just in case you lose your job.

One of these options is short-sighted and risky. The other is thoughtful and logical. One is likely to end in misery, while the other is likely to end in success.

How can you strengthen your odds of success when challenges arise?

Following this process will help you to respond rather than react:

1. Steady yourself. It’s hard to be intelligent, logical, and practical when your emotions are high. Never make an important decision when you’re not cool, calm and collected. Take the time you need. Mull it over. Consider your options.

2. Identify the problem. What is the issue that you need to resolve? Think about what you want to change. Avoid changing a bunch of other things that may have a negative impact on your life. In the example above, you’d get away from your boss, but drastically change your income, too.

3. Be clear on the outcome you desire. It’s just as important to consider the outcome you desire. You might hate your job, but you don’t just want to get away from it. You’ll want a good landing place, too.

4. Make an intelligent plan. Create a plan that resolves your issue and gives you the outcome you desire. Reacting only removes the initial problem. It doesn’t provide a great outcome. A good plan does both.

5. Execute that plan. Use your plan. There are a lot of people that are great at making plans, but never execute them. You don’t want to be one of those people. Put your plan to the test and see what happens.

If you’re someone that reacts to the challenges in your life, you already know the additional challenges it can bring. It’s the perfect example of “out of the frying pan and into the fire.”

Avoid making decisions when you’re upset. Calm yourself first. Then make an intelligent decision that will remove that challenge from your life in a way that leaves you better than you started. Life is much easier this way.

What’s your level of emotional intelligence?

Find out if your emotional intelligence is helping or hindering your growth! .

I am a Board Certified Life Coach, a Board Certified Health Coach, and a teacher of Mindfulness Living who helps people unlock their potential and live life on Purpose

Receive, via email, our Action Guides, EBooks, Worksheets, Checklist, and Life Tips we only share with our communtiy

Don't Wait Any Longer. Start Forging Your Own Path Today!

How to Fight Negative Thoughts and Feelings