Tuesday, 29 November 2016

How To Remove A VW Front Seat ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this DIY and Drive video, I will show you how to remove a Volkswagen front seat. This mostly applies to the 1998-2005 Passat, and very similar the 1999-2005 Golf, Beetle and Jetta. That is the B5, B5.5, and MK4 Volkswagens. This may apply to other VW and Audi cars as well Help Support The Show Many...


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Monday, 28 November 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 172

Today I am back in the shop studio, and I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to...


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Thursday, 24 November 2016

How To Properly Check A Serpentine Belt

As a professional mechanic, there are many items we check on cars. We not only look for broken or failing car parts, but we look for maintenance items as well. Over the years serpentine belts and “V-belt” have been a common part that require maintenance. Back when I first started, a simple visual inspection was...


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Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 171

Today I am back in the shop studio, and I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to...


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Sunday, 20 November 2016

VR6 Block And Bearing Inspection ~ White Wookie

Next up in the “Project White Wookie”, we focus on the bottom end of the engine. I will be mounting up the Eurowise VR6 stand mount, removing the oil pan, removing the oil pump, and inspecting the bearings. As we go through the VR6 engine, we are doing several inspections to avoid a potential engine...


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Tuesday, 15 November 2016

How To Remove A VW Serpentine Belt Tensioner ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this DIY and Drive video, I will show you how to remove a Volkswagen serpentine belt tensioner. This car is a 2.0 Jetta MK4. And while I am using this one for the demo, the strategy used can be applied to many other Volkswagen and even Audi cars. Help Support The Show Many of...


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Monday, 14 November 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 169

Today I am back in the shop studio, and I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to...


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Tuesday, 8 November 2016

How To Remove A VW Rear Door ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this video I will teach you how to remove the rear door from a VW. This applies to a wide range of Volkswagens. And while some doors may be slightly different, you can use these techniques to successfully remove most doors. It is also important to always be safe. These doors are generally heavy. I highly...


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Monday, 7 November 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 168

Today from the SEMA and AAPEX shows, I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put...


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Tuesday, 1 November 2016

How To Remove A VW Door Handle ~ Salvage Yard Tips

In this video I will teach you how to remove the outer door handle from a VW. This applies to a wide range of Volkswagens including, B5 and B5.5 Passats, MK5 Rabbit, Jetta and more. I have seen this door handle job go south for many professional VW techs. I spent a long time perfecting...


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Friday, 28 October 2016

Flir One™ Thermal Camera ~ Review and Demo

Today we are checking out the FlirOne Thermal imager for iPhone and IOS devices. This camera is also available for Android devises as well. This is a great thermal camera, and can do so much more than we even talk about in this video. As an automotive technician, this is a very valuable tool.*Flir provided...


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Tuesday, 25 October 2016

How To Remove A VW Cooling Fan ~ Salvage Yard Tips

This is the first in a series of DIY's for the Salvage yard. I teamed up with the folks at Pull A Part used auto parts to help teach how to maximize time at the salvage yard. Today I will show you how to pull an electric cooling fan from a Volkswagen. The vehicle we...


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Monday, 24 October 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 167

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Thursday, 20 October 2016

Your Synthetic Engine Oil vs NASCAR Synthetic Oil

Today I am joined by Ron and Hank from Sport Dimensions Inc. When it comes to engine oils, and racing these are the smartest two guys I know. We We are talking the differences between an passenger car Synthetic oil change and a NASCAR oil change. This video has been compensated by Pennzoil. All opinions...


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Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Tips For Getting Your Project Car DONE ~ with EricTheCarGuy

Today I sit down with EricTheCarGuy and talk project cars. Both ETCG and I are both way deep in getting project cars finished. There are a lot of struggles with project cars, from budgeting projects, to staying motivated and even keeping the fun alive. This can be a lot more challenging than many people think....


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Monday, 17 October 2016

Pull A Part Outtakes with EricTheCarGuy

Today I kick off the series of DIY videos with Pull A Part used auto parts. I wanted to share some of the bloopers and outtakes from the week. Eric from EricTheCarGuy was my camera man. When you are kinda goofy, and have a great friend as your camera guy, hi jinx will ensue! This is...


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Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 166

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Monday, 3 October 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 162

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Sunday, 2 October 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 161

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Sunday, 18 September 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 160

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 158

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Saturday, 13 August 2016

Removing Carbon From Piston, Cylinder Walls, and Block Deck

Today I am removing carbon buildup from combustion chamber, the tops of the pistons, and removing debris from the engine block deck. If these areas are not clean, it can lead to hot spots in the cylinder, and a poorly sealing head gasket. I am using WD-40® Trigger Pro® and Scotchbright pads. While WD-40® does not...


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Sunday, 31 July 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 154

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Monday, 18 July 2016

Custom VW Tool Set, Sonic Tools

For a limited time all Humble Mechanic fans get 25% off this rail. AND ALL SONIC TOOLS! USE CODE  humble25 The folks at Sonic Tools and I worked hard to develop a custom tool rail for VW. This rail was designed by me, and assembled by Sonic Tools. We wanted to put together a simple set...


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Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Why It's Important To Check or Replace Your Engine Air Filter

Checking and replacing a car's engine air filter is often overlooked. You may even be able to DIY a car's air filter with no tools. Today we look at why checking and or replacing your engine air filter is so important. A dirty air filter can lead to reduced performance in your car. In really...


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Monday, 6 June 2016

Viewer Automotive Questions ~ Podcast Episode 148

Today I will be taking your automotive questions. If you have a question about a car, car repair, DIYs on your car, Volkswagen, mechanic's tools, or anything car related, ask it up. If you have a car question for a show like this, email me Charles(at)Humblemechanic(DOT)com.  Be sure to put the phrase “Question for Charles” in...


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Sunday, 5 June 2016

Top Father's Day Gifts for 2016

Happy Father's Day It's that time of year again. Time to find that perfect gift for dad. As a new(ish) father myself, It's fun to shop for all the cool things I would want my daughter to get for me. She is only a year and a half old, so she needs some help. But...


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Friday, 3 June 2016

Why You Don't Need To Travel Far To Turn Your Life Around

You're reading Why You Don't Need To Travel Far To Turn Your Life Around, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


Why You Don't Need To Travel Far To Turn Your Life Around


“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.” ― Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes


Almost every person you know (perhaps including yourself) wants to travel the world. And it's not just because you see your friends' sunny photos by the beach on Instagram. Traveling has plenty of benefits: from seeing your dream city, experiencing different cultures, to leaving everything behind and starting over.


For a lot of people, their travels have changed their lives forever. They found new jobs, a new home, new friends, and a new reason to exist.


Whether you want to fly off to Paris or to simply visit another state, the idea of a getaway is enough to make you restless. But here's the catch: you're broke. If you're like most millennials, you love life but hate the fact that it's challenging to follow your dreams due to lack of funding.


So what do you do when you have bills to pay but you want to see how traveling can change your life? Do you quit your job and go? Or do you suffer in silence for a couple of years until you get a light bulb moment?


This may already be obvious to you: but you don't need to travel the world to turn your life around.


It's Not The Destination But The Journey


A coworker of mine is a cyclist. Every weekend, he goes on his bike and pedals on together with his other cyclist friends.


Not only is this great exercise, he claims it helped clear his mind of worries AND he was able to visit remote locations. His Facebook page is proof of that. He has pictures of long, narrow roads surrounded by greenery, steep mountains that look golden under the sunset, and grassy trails dotted with wildflowers.


Sure – it's not international travel. But he still went on a journey.


For my friend, cycling was his way of exploring, while de-stressing after a long week of hard work. It's economical, great for the body, and has helped him quit his addiction to video games. He says that since he started this new hobby, he has never gone back and feels a renewed sense of vigor now.


travel-cycling


Never underestimate the power of small things. Like the tiny bits of coral washed ashore, they collect to form the beautiful sandy beach. It doesn't matter where you go: be it to another island, a neighboring state, or back to your parents' house. What matters is what you did – and felt - during your short expedition.


Travel with Yourself


If you want to spice up a relationship, going on a date (particularly somewhere romantic) is often recommended. That's why honeymoon trips are usually held in Paris, Maldives, Prague, Sydney, or Venice. These destinations are beautiful, boast of countless activities, and have that air of romance.


So why not do the same if you want to spice up your life? That's right: date yourself.


Psychiatrist Abigail Brenner, M.D. suggests being alone to help you make better decisions and choices. Being in solitude gives you the free space to be yourself. To become who you truly are without outside influences.


Back when I needed to think about whether or not to quit my job, I would retreat to the woods near my mother's home. It was just a few minutes away, and I knew the path very well. I would go out in late afternoon, just when people would go inside their homes for dinner.


travel-woods


It was during these solitary walks when I would silently weigh the pros and cons of my choices. In my head, I would go over my plans. I imagine myself working, finding joy in the small things. But sometimes, I would picture my situation differently. I was a digital nomad working everywhere with my trusty laptop. These daydreams may seem silly, but they helped me choose a good path to follow.


Back then, my impulsive self would have just quit. But reality is a good wakeup call. Had I not taken the courage to be alone, I would have followed my impulses like before and perhaps regretted my decision. Thanks to these solitary walks, I have gained new insight to what I want to achieve in my life.


Happiness Is Nearer Than You Think


“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ― Marcel Proust


So what can you do when you're itching to get away but have little time or patience to do get started?


Begin small. In fact, start so small that your first trip is just within your city (or state). You'd be surprised to find that the place you've become so familiar with still has one or two surprises just waiting to be discovered.


Take freelance writer, Ginny Graves, for example. In one post, she recalled being so caught up in her worries that she didn't notice the cute, black, potbellied pig in her neighborhood until one rainy day, when she saw it frolicking in the rain. Often, little slivers of joy pass our eyes but we fail to notice them because we're too focused elsewhere.


Wanting what we don't have is normal. Being worried about little things is also typical human behavior. But it's when we dwell on negative emotions that they start to wreak havoc with our potential.


Maybe the change you're looking for is right in front of you. Perhaps the happiness you're seeking is already beside you. Sure, it's alright to daydream about sunny beaches or romantic castles. But you probably don't need to leave everything behind to see a significant change in your life.


Maybe you just need a fresh perspective.


Traveling isn't just about seeing the world. Real travel happens when you start seeing the world in a new light. Like getting glasses for the first time, you suddenly begin to notice every crevice, every nook, and every curve. It's when you think to yourself with a smile: what's here is good, after all.


-

Cristina Antonio is the EIC of scoopfed.com and a writer of all things related to world news, movies, real estate, health, or social media. She's currently focused on helping healthcare workers find better career opportunities through Locum Tenens. Cris also enjoys painting, collecting toys, reading German novels, and lurking the Web.


You've read Why You Don't Need To Travel Far To Turn Your Life Around, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

8 Tips to Optimize Your Commute

Note: This post is written by Sarah Landrum


Every morning, 128 million people commute to work in the U.S. More than three-quarters of them commute alone. While you may regard your commute as an event to be suffered through - and perhaps even dread - you could be putting that time in your car to productive use.


Here are eight ways to make the most of your time in the car:


1. Use a Voice Recorder


Voice recorders are one of the best ways to boost your productivity on commute. You can use them to generate to-do lists for the day or the week. You might also make a list of instructions your assistant needs to accomplish while you're traveling.


If you are preparing a presentation, a voice recorder can be deployed for listening to your presentation. It helps you see how it sounds to you before you deliver it, and it lets you hone your speech as necessary.


2. Listen to the News


Wall Street gyrations, the price of oil, the election cycle - whatever your business, it can be very tied to the news. You need to know what's going on, but keeping up with breaking news can be a real time suck. Unless you use your commute to listen to the news.


Many podcasts and CD or MP3 audio providers have news programs, newspapers or magazines available for you to listen to. All-news radio is also an option.


3. Learn Something New


Whether you want to increase sales, learn better Spanish or simply want to find out where the best hiking spots are, you can do it all on your commute. Check out audio books and download podcasts.


4. Sing for Health


What better time to sing than when you're alone! You can really let loose. Singing can be invigorating. It's also good for your heart and de-stresses you, lowering blood pressure, improving circulation and reducing anxiety.


There's evidence that lengthy commutes or traveling to work during rush hour causes spikes in blood pressure that are both short and long term. Do your blood pressure a favor and warble at the top of your lungs.


5. Relax Your Eyes


Much of your day will likely be spent staring at a screen. Perhaps even as you walk in from your car, you'll be checking your smartphone for messages. At the end of the day, your eyes will need a rest. What better time than on your drive? We don't mean, of course, that you should do nothing with your eyes. You need them while driving! Just enjoy the road and the scenery as you decompress from your screen staring.


6. Exercise by Strategic Parking


You can't run, row or walk in a car, of course. But you can get exercise during your commute through strategic parking. If you've been angling for the parking space closest to the door, aim for one furthest from the door instead. Your walk from the back 40 to your office door counts as part of the commute, and it's aerobic!


7. Utilize Time to Think


In daily life, we often don't have time to just sit and think. Suppose you want to draft a pitch to your boss or analyze ways to increase sales. You've got to start to think about these tasks early in order to accomplish them quickly.


There is no better way to use your commute time than to think these chores through. Create scenarios. Develop alternate scenarios. Poke holes as a devil's advocate. Refine them. It's all possible on your commute.


8. Eat Healthy Breakfasts


You can easily grab a cholesterol-laden fast food meal to eat on your way to work. Still, one key to productivity is to be healthy and fit. Think power bars. Eat bananas for breakfast and carrots for the way home. These snacks are all very easy to eat in a car, and chock full of energy, vitamins and minerals.


***


If you have to commute - as so many of us do - you can at least make it a productive time. These tips will help you on the job, with your boss and with life in general.


Sarah Landrum is a freelance writer and the founder of Punched Clocks, a site dedicated to helping you grow your career. Follow Sarah on social media and subscribe to her newsletter for more great advice! You can catch her tweeting daily tips @SarahLandrum




Why Setting Boundaries Will Change Your Game

You're reading Why Setting Boundaries Will Change Your Game, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


Why Setting Boundaries Will Change Your Game


setting boundaries


Wanted to share with you a quick but useful tip I picked up from Warren Buffett and others.


Set definitive boundaries.


Warren Buffett recently decided to live stream his annual shareholder meeting for the first time. I was watching an interview of the man from Yahoo! responsible for the live stream talk about the arrangement.


He said that Warren set a very clear and simple arrangement: we will give you the wire to the broadcast, plug it in, and if you don't have it ready in X number of days, we will look to someone else.


He had a very specific number of days for the deadline (I used X to substitute the number since I don't remember the exact number).


The point is that when you are operating on such a high level, you can easily clog up efficiency with inefficient deadlines or vague promises.


When you're starting out, you may want to say Yes to multiple opportunities more often.


But there comes a point where you have to set boundaries for your own health. Because people are out there who will manipulate, trick, scam, or push on those boundaries.


This applies to areas outside of just business: dating, relationships, and friends.


We all have met someone who is exploitative or will take advantage of you because you are weak or appear to be weak; some have met more of these people than others. Unfortunately, there are really bad people in the world.


If you are way too lenient, nice, or people-pleasing, it will show that you are weak or easily exploited, and some people will take advantage of that by abusing their privileges.


Here are some of the most common things you should set boundaries for and why:



  • Meetings and deadlines. If a friend or employee keeps missing deadlines or rescheduling, it can show extreme lack of discipline and professionalism. If you show too much lenience too often, they will just get worse.

  • Physical touch boundaries. Very important for women. Not saying anything could communicate the wrong implied message.

  • Lack of respect when talking. If you don't speak up and say something is wrong, they may not know.


Do This Or We Walk Method


A great way of keeping things firm is the "Do this or we walk" method from Warren Buffett.


It's not super threatening and aggressive, but more than firm enough.


Examples include:


"If you don't have the project in by March 15, we will find someone else to do it."


Important things to note about the subtle tone of the situation:



  • The requirements are not super difficult to reach. In Warren Buffett's case, they were more than easily achievable: plug in the live stream wire and get it prepped to start working in time. Having impossible to reach deadlines makes you look like an unreasonable dick.

  • It's very clear what the deadline is and the consequences of not achieving it. I have experimented with using this myself when someone was very unprofessional and rescheduled a confirmed meeting I set time for: "I'll reschedule just once more. If you fail, I'm not doing this anymore." The consequence was clear. If you keep it vague and open like "Oh, yeah, whenever you are free." They will feel more and more like it's totally okay to be unprofessional and get worse. I've seen this before.


When you are younger, you may not have as many opportunities. Therefore, saying yes more and being more open could be better for you.


However, at all stages of life, we need to set some level of personal and professional boundaries. Otherwise, we can be taken advantage of.


_________


Will Chou is a self-development blogger who finds the most useful practices of the world's most successful people through science, studies, and books by authors to find out how they did it. Join his free email newsletter for the top insights. 


You've read Why Setting Boundaries Will Change Your Game, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Thursday, 2 June 2016

The 4 Thieves of Productivity (Avoid Them At All Cost)

You're reading The 4 Thieves of Productivity (Avoid Them At All Cost), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


The 4 Thieves of Productivity (Avoid Them At All Cost)







“…at any moment in time there can be only ONE Thing, and when that ONE Thing is in line with your purpose and sits atop your priorities, it ill be the most productive thing you can do to launch you toward the best you can be. Actions build on action. Habits build on habit. Success builds on success.”

- Gary Keller, Jay Papasan from
The ONE Thing


One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. Give up the following four thieves of productivity in order to get more of what you want, and less of what you don't. Let's get into it…


1. Inability to Say “No”.


As a rule of thumb, you should avoid saying yes to most things unless they're connected to your most important goals. If you're afraid of saying no to someone because it might hurt their feelings, come up with a way to say it that you're comfortable with. Here's Seth Godin on saying no: “you can say no with respect, you can say no promptly, and you can say no with a lead to someone who might say yes. But just saying yes because you can't bear the short-term pain of saying no is not going to help you do the work.” Love it.


Prefer audio? Listen to this on iTunes


2. Fear of Chaos.


Stuff happens. Messes occur. Wives (and husbands) get angry. These things happen. But it doesn't mean you should give up on your goals. Chaos is natural. In fact, the more you focus on what you want, the more of it you'll probably get. That's okay. In fact, problems are a good thing. When you've got problems, it means you're taking action. You can't grow unless you take action. And the more action you take, the more problems you'll face. In fact, one of the biggest differences between productive people and unproductive people is this: when productive people come across a problem, they keep going - they take action. When unproductive people come across a problem, they stagnate - they stop.


Create time blocks to control the chaos in your life and remain as productive as possible. Use your time blocks to work on your most important projects, and protect them with your life. In time, you'll learn to deal with the chaos in your own unique way. But don't let chaos control you. YOU control the chaos… by focusing on one thing at a time. One time block at a time.


3. Poor Health Habits.


Poor health habits- especially poorly managed energy habits- are one of the most underestimated thieves of productivity. Your health and your success are intertwined with one another and depend on each to survive and thrive. For maximum energy management and productivity, plan your days to include the following:



  1. Meditate / pray for spiritual energy.

  2. Eat right, exercise, and sleep sufficiently for physical energy.

  3. Spend time with friends and family for emotional energy.

  4. Set goals, plan, and calendar for mental energy.

  5. Time block your most important goals and projects for business energy.


4. An Environment That Doesn't Support Your Goals.


Did you know that if one of your close friends becomes obese, you're 57% more likely to become obese [1] as well? Crazy, eh? This is because the people we see and spend time with most tend to set our standards (see: The Law of Averages).


The final thief of productivity is about getting your game up! It's about raising your standards in every arena of life - your goals, your habits, and your surroundings. I think Oprah's got a great little nugget of wisdom when it comes to this: “Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher.”


Prefer audio? Listen to this on iTunes


It's about the journey.


Here's a quick recap of the four thieves of productivity - avoid them at all times, unless you want them to highjack your productivity:



  1. Inability to say “No”

  2. The fear of chaos

  3. Poor health habits

  4. An environment that doesn't support your goals





You've read The 4 Thieves of Productivity (Avoid Them At All Cost), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

The 3 Surprising Things That Cause Short-Term Memory Loss

You're reading The 3 Surprising Things That Cause Short-Term Memory Loss, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


The 3 Surprising Things That Cause Short-Term Memory Loss


best tips to improve your memory


Memories are a funny thing, aren't they? Sometimes our minds can recall the most intricate details of an event that happened 10 years ago. Other times, we can't remember where we put our phone 10 minutes ago.


While some age-related forgetfulness is normal, chronic forgetfulness is not-and it can happen at any age. New research has shown that certain lifestyle habits can impede our short-term memory and even increase our risk for neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.


So what common factors are linked to cognitive impairment and how can we improve our memory? The answers may surprise you.




  • Lack of Sleep




We already know how critical sleep is for our physical well-being-but a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley shows what a vital role it plays in memory retention.


Since the short-term memory storage area of your brain can only hold a limited amount of information, things like names, dates, and phone numbers are pushed out and forgotten as new information enters. Researchers have found that as we sleep, brain waves carry these short-term memories to the prefrontal cortex (where long-term memories are stored). This process stores memories safely so you can recall them when you need to.


Poor quality sleep disrupts this transmission of information, and can affect your ability to remember things as recent as the day before.


Studies show that getting 7 to 8 hours of deep (non-REM) sleep, per night, can help your brain properly retain and consolidate fact-based memories. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the easiest ways to start improving your short-term memory.


While getting better quality sleep may help improve your short-term memory, if you have trouble sleeping, be cautious of using common over-the-counter sleep aids that contain Diphenhydramine.


Diphenhydramine is part of a class of drugs considered Anticholinergics, which can inhibit neurotransmitters associated with learning and memory. A large study found that long-term use of these medications can increase your risk for certain types of dementia, including Alzheimer's.


Instead, try these natural sleep aids:



  • Chamomile herbal tea contains flavonoids that can act as a natural sedative

  • Cherries, contain natural muscle relaxants like Melatonin

  • Bananas, almonds, and walnuts, have sleep-enhancing amino acids, including Magnesium




  • Age Related Hormone Fluctuations




Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and the thyroid hormones are all critical to our cognitive functions. Hormonal imbalances and decreases in these levels can have a major effect on brain function, often leading to memory and concentration problems.


Women tend to experience these types of memory lapses when they are pregnant (we call it baby-brain), and when going through Menopause. Men also experience a similar period of forgetfulness as their testosterone begins to decline in their later years.


While we all experience these changes at some point in our life, most scientists agree that it is never too late to improve brain health.


The Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation suggests that simple lifestyle habits can have a profound effect on brain function. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and incorporating 150 minutes a week of cardio exercise and weight lifting can dramatically reduce memory loss and cognitive decline.


Brain aerobics are also a good idea to improve memory function and help reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease. Whenever you are challenging your brain with new and different tasks, you are helping to improve cognitive functions. Try to incorporate mental exercises for 20 minutes a day, at least three days a week. Some ideas are crossword puzzles, word games, sudoku, reading, writing or playing board games.




  • Busy Brain




With the advent of media and information overload, it's no surprise that short-term memory loss is sometimes attributed to lack of attention span. Microsoft recently reported that our average attention span is only about 8 seconds. Highly digitized lifestyles including web-brows, multi-screen devices, smart phones and social media, all create a “busy brain” that make it difficult to stay focused.


Avoiding a diet high saturated fats and eating fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help feed your brain for better memory and protect against memory loss. But if you're serious about boosting your short-term memory, you should consider improving your clarity and focus as well.


Adding the following nutrients in your daily vitamin plan may be of help:


L-Theanine


This cognitive enhancer is an amino acid that can be found in green and black tea. It can help improve a person's focus and mental clarity especially when combined with caffeine.


Ashwagandha Root


This exotic Indian herb is receiving a lot of attention lately, due to recent studies on its ability to enhance concentration, mental clarity and focus.


PQQ


First discovered in 1979, this compound has been scientifically tested to improve brain function, particularly in attention and working memory.


You may be wondering if there is just one supplement that you can take to improve your memory without spending hundreds of dollars on vitamins at natural food stores. Be Brilliant supports memory, clarity and focus with both traditional and scientific ingredients including Vitamin D, Magnesium, PQQ, Coenzyme Q-10, L-Theanine, Gingko Biloba and Ashwagandha Root, in a convenient, one-a-day tablet.


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-----------------


Sources:


http://www.alzheimersprevention.org/4-pillars-of-prevention/exercise-and-brain-aerobics


http://www.womensinternational.com/connections/cognition.html


http://www.livescience.com/42891-short-term-memory-loss.html


http://www.alzheimers.net/2014-01-02/foods-that-induce-memory-loss/


http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/wellness/healthy-aging/memory-boosting-foods


http://www.webmd.com/brain/memory-loss


http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/5-surprising-causes-memory-loss/


http://www.simplypsychology.org/short-term-memory.html


http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20120716/sleep-may-protect-memory


http://www.rd.com/health/beauty/foods-that-help-you-sleep/


http://www.alzheimers.net/8-27-14-vitamin-d-and-dementia


https://www.dropbox.com/home/Be%20Brilliant%20Article/Ashwaganda%20Root%20KSM-66%20Research%20Materials?preview=An+Overview+on+Ashwagandha_+A+Rasayana+(Rejuvenator)+of+Ayurveda.pdf


http://bebrainfit.com/stop-short-term-memory-loss/


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How to Find Your Own Calling Within 7 Days

You're reading How to Find Your Own Calling Within 7 Days, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


How to Find Your Own Calling Within 7 Days


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Leading a meaningful, satisfying life is all about finding your calling. As great as this may seem in theory, finding your purpose in life is easier said than done. Busy and overworked, we often let go of our dreams and simply exist on a day by day basis. Dreaming big and finding something meaningful to live for get pushed in the background.


There's no need to give up on your calling, however. Figuring out why it's worth living will require just a few days and a conscious effort on your behalf. Here's how to do in seven days.


Identify Your Barriers


Use a day or two to figure out what's holding you back. Most of us are so burdened by our everyday existence that we forget about the more important things in life.


Are you stuck in a job that doesn't fulfill you but that you stick with because of necessity? Are you stuck in a relationship with a person who isn't right for you because you're afraid of ending up alone? Most of us are guilty of making such compromises. While they may start feeling comfortable with the passage of time, such compromises with values and beliefs will inevitably lead to a mediocre existence. To realize your full potential, you need to have a really good idea about what you want to accomplish and what's holding you back.


What Captivates You, What are You Passionate about?


After identifying the barriers that you'll have to overcome, it's time to think about your passions. You have certain values, beliefs and a legacy that you want to live behind. Taking some time to think consciously about those will make it easier to identify your calling.


Journaling and recording your past experiences and attempts to identify your calling will come in handy. There may be things that you were passionate about for a certain period of time. After the passion subsides, however, you find out that they don't provide the genuine fulfillment you're looking for.


Apart from doing journaling, you may also take a day to carry out a brainstorming session.


Sit down and try to answer the question “what's my calling?” Don't think about it – just write down everything that comes to mind. You may be surprised by some of the concepts and the passions that will come to the surface through such a brainstorming session. It's even possible to realize something that has been sitting in the back of your mind but that has never manifested itself as a complete idea.


Learn to Say YES


We are so set in our ways that saying “no” to new opportunities becomes an almost automatic response.


When you're used to your comfortable, everyday existence, you stop challenging yourself. If you don't push yourself outside of your comfort zone, chances are that you'll never figure out what your calling in life is.


Instead of simply dismissing anything alien and scary, force yourself to say yes to opportunities. By accepting something that you would otherwise have turned down, chances are that you'll identify new passions and things in life worth living for.


Find a Mission that Resonates with You


To feel satisfied and fulfilled, we need to know that we're making a difference. This is the main reason why volunteering, doing fundraising or participating in charities gives people so much happiness.


Identify a mission that resonates with you and stick with it. You may start with something simple like launching a blog about wildlife preservation or ending animal cruelty. You may want to attempt collecting clothes or making money for people in need. You may even travel to a third world country as a volunteer. The size of the project doesn't really matter, as long as you're doing something that you believe in. Sooner or later, you'll see yourself making the difference that you've always dreamed about.


Finding your calling doesn't have to be about helping others or being a volunteer. It could also be quitting your day job and starting a business of your own. It could involve turning your favorite hobby in a full-time occupation. As long as you're passionate about the mission you've embraced, jumping into a brand new world isn't going to feel scary – it will be motivating.


To accomplish these steps within a short period of time, you may want to give yourself a vacation. Spending some time away from work, even away from the people that you live will help you find clarity. Travel to a serene place and dedicate some quality time to connecting with your own self. Opening the inner lines of communication and allowing yourself to dream big can lead to self-awareness that you never would have expected. After all, allowing yourself to dream and explore your desires isn't scary. If you let your mind and your creativity wonder, chances are that you'll come out with something amazing at the end of the process.


--


Alicia Honeycutt is a digital strategist and a beginning writer at  essay.  She adores travelling and writing about her adventures.


 


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Tuesday, 31 May 2016

How to Never Quit Learning Something New

You're reading How to Never Quit Learning Something New, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you're enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.


How To Never Quit Learning Something New


the importance of education


Learning something new is never easy.


We're often comfortable with what we already know, and entering the unknown can make many of us feel uncertainty, whether we're learning a new language, new sport, or activity.


But with the right resources, anyone of us can learn something new without quitting ever again. This is what we call overcoming "The Dip."


Overcoming “The Dip”


Bestselling author and entrepreneur, Seth Godin shares when is the right time to quit something versus when we should persist. In his book, he talks about the most common reasons why most people quit before they reach their full potential, which can be very useful to know before it happens to you.


the dip


According to Godin, these are the five reasons why you might fail to overcome “The Dip.”


1. You run out of time (and quit)

2. You run out of money (and quit)

3. You get scared (and quit)

4. You're not serious about it (and quit)

5. You lose interest (and quit)


You can apply these reasons to common situations, including learning a new language, starting your own business, or getting in shape.



As you follow the progression of the cycle one goes through while learning something new, you can see that the "Crisis" mode is the most significant, as it can lead to one of 3 moves:



  1. You quit.

  2. You accept the crisis and go through an extended crisis.

  3. You re-construct, recover, and transform yourself to reach a higher standard than when you started.


As we continue our learning journey, “The Dip” is something we will continuously face. The faster we can get ourselves out of “Crisis” mode, and into “Transformation” mode will determine the potential of the talent we can reach at the skill.


How To Make It Stick When We Learn Something New


Mindset > Skills


You can have all the resources and skills in the world, but they're not much without the right mindset.


Carol Dweck, who's the bestselling author of Mindset, talks about what's known as the Growth Mindset.


According to Dweck, humans can have one of two mindsets: Growth mindset or Fixed mindset. She differentiates the two here:


A “fixed mindset” assumes that our character, intelligence, and creative ability are static givens which we can't change in any meaningful way, and success is the affirmation of that inherent intelligence, an assessment of how those givens measure up against an equally fixed standard; striving for success and avoiding failure at all costs become a way of maintaining the sense of being smart or skilled.


A “growth mindset,” on the other hand, thrives on challenge and sees failure not as evidence of un-intelligence but as a heartening springboard for growth and for stretching our existing abilities.


growth mindset


If you're thinking about quitting or giving up, remember that you're undergoing a process of growing, and struggle is part of the path to mastery.


Figure Out How You Learn Best


Just like you wouldn't expect a basketball player to be the best juggler, we shouldn't expect everyone to learn the same.


Some of us learn better by listening to an audio recording, while others would be bored out of their minds.


Studies have shown that there are seven main learning styles:



  • Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

  • Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.

  • Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

  • Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

  • Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.

  • Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.

  • Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.


It's safe to assume that the way you are learning today may not be your ideal way of learning, and that you should experiment for yourself what your best style of learning is.


For example, if you're an adult, there's exciting research that shows adults can be as good, if not better, than children at learning a language. This depends on the right learning method of adults, whether they use immersion versus memorization, and their ability to continue learning. One of the key explanations for this is that adults have more experience than children at understanding how we best learn something new, versus children who are only figuring it out.


Figure out how you learn best by recalling the moments when you retained the most information from a learning session, while experimenting and analyzing new styles of learning moving forward.


Learn By Doing


Think about how you learned how to ride a bicycle, swim at the pool, or learn your first language. You learned it by doing.


As we shared in our post on how to remember more, a study done by the National Training Laboratories Institute revealed that:


5% of what they learn when they've learned from a lecture (i.e. university/college lectures)

10% of what they learn when they've learned from reading (i.e. books, articles)

20% of what they learn from audio-visual (i.e. apps, videos)

30% of what they learn when they see a demonstration

50% of what they learn when engaged in a group discussion.

75% of what they learn when they practice what they learned.

90% of what they learn when they use immediately (or teach others)


the learning pyramid


Give yourself the best shot at learning faster and retaining more skill/information by completely immersing yourself in the activity, instead of relying on theory (i.e. books, videos, courses).


If you're learning a foreign language, speak it with other native speakers.

If you're learning how to program, learn it by creating your own website.

And so forth...


Summary


As for next steps, pick something hat you've been wanting to learn. Then refer to the 3 steps we shared in this post:



  1. Mindset > Skills

  2. Figure out how you learn best

  3. Learn by doing


Follow-up reading recommendation:



You've read How to Never Quit Learning Something New, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you've enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

6 Ways To Deal With Rejection Positively

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6 Ways To Deal With Rejection Positively


how to face rejection


It is pretty much a given that all of us will have to face a lot of rejection, criticism and even ridicule at different times in our lives. If it is constant and happens for a long time, eventually it will lead to a situation where we start doubting our worth and our capabilities.


For people with low self esteem this is an even more grave issue as they may stop believing in themselves much sooner and thereby harm their prospects in the future. Even for people who have reasonable self confidence, getting criticized and ridiculed over and over again will sooner or later dent their self worth.


So what can one do in order to keep marching on despite ridicule and rejection? Well here are six tips that can be immensely useful.


1) Realize that there is a difference between facts and opinions.


A lot of things people say are opinions rather than facts. The difference between the two is that facts are universal, they hold true no matter what the condition. While an opinion is subject, it differs from person to person.


For example - The Earth is round is a fact (Even if you are a flat Earther!) Whether a person is good looking or not is an opinion.


Earth being round is a fact and it will continue being so until it is destroyed.


On the other hand if someone thinks you are not good looking, it doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't. Maybe you are attractive to another person or in a different culture.


Most of the problems people will have with you will be based on opinions not facts. Don't let them bog you down.


2) Try to understand why the other person thinks the way they think.


Sometimes we confuse our own opinions with facts. We think that just because something is right in our opinion, everyone else should agree with it. Not the case.


You have to be willing to see things from the point of view of the other person. Sometimes you have to realize don't fit in with the other person's needs and you don't have to take it personally.


Suppose you get rejected for an interview, try and get feedback. Also ask yourself whether you would truly hire someone like yourself. Do you truly fit in with the needs of the company. Most of the times you will realize there is a discrepancy between would the company needs and what you are giving them.


But maybe a different company is looking for exactly what you are able to give them. Don't take things personally, keep moving forward!


3) Remind yourself of all the things you are good at.


Einstein once said that if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will go through its entire life thinking its stupid.


The main cause of people suffering from low self confidence which lowers further with ridicule or criticism is that they are only focusing on things that are not their strengths. Look, the fact is you can't be great at everything, in fact you will probably suck at most things. But that doesn't mean you are a failure because there are always a few things in the world which you are supremely talented at.


There is always one thing where you are the Guru and even the Gurus of the other fields will look up to you when it comes to that thing. When you introspect and find out that thing at which you are amazing, you will realize how special you are. You are immensely blessed!


4) Ask people to clarify why they rejected you.


This is one of the best ways in order to differentiate between facts and opinions. If someone's logic for saying no to you is not validm, it will be evident with the kind of reasoning they use. If all they are making is excuses, they will not have a single valid concrete reason for saying no. If their reasoning does not make sense, there is no point to feel bad about it because they are saying no based on opinions not facts


If they have a valid answer, it is actually useful to you. Sometimes the brutally honest answer may even end up hurting you, but if it's based on facts, correct it. If not, reject it. If you improve yourself based on the facts you hear, it will be incredibly useful to you in the future, even if it is not particularly present to hear in the present!


5) Stop Over thinking!


Once you have understood the reality of the situation and differentiated between what is true and what is not, you need to move on. Do not keep thinking about it or focusing on it beyond the point where the situation was under control or you were receiving valuable feedback. The more you give unnecessary attention to it, the worse the cycle of rumination will get. You may even fall into a cycle of depression if you don't snap out of it quickly enough.


If you can move on quickly without wasting time on over thinking, you can then focus on productive things that will actually pay off in the future. Remember, that getting feedback and then taking action to correct the problem may help solve it but over thinking only complicates problems, it never solves them. Refocus on something else and don't waste your time dwelling on negativity.


6) Realize that one can make you feel horrible or depressed unless you give them the power to do so.


Anything said by someone else is simply an arrangement of words and words do not mean anything unless you decide you want to give importance to what is being said. When you allow meaningless words to get inside your brain and choose to give importance to them, it is only then they can start bothering you and make you feel depressed. However, you can also consciously choose to deflect them and move on with your life.


Some of the most influential personalities have been humiliated and rejected. Edison was called mentally inept. Oprah Winfrey was called unfit for television. Amitabh Bachchan, the famous Bollywood actor was told that his voice sucked. Today it is his distinct deep voice that sets him apart from everyone else. Arnold Schwarzenegger was told, his accent was too weird. But he gained much attention in popular culture because of the same accent.


All of these people turned the attacks into them into motivation to prove their critics wrong and succeed. And succeed amazingly they did!


Conclusion.


I hope you have gained some useful information for this piece. Analyze what's said and if they seem to be true then use that as useful information and make a positive change.


If they are mere opinions with no basis in reality or could differ from person to person, then ignore them and move on in the right direction with a determination to prove your critics wrong.


Finally, if there is one thing you should always keep in mind is that the world remembers the doors, not the people who threw stones at them.


Use people's stones to build your staircase to success. Let them do what they do best, while you do what you do best. They will waste their time going green with jealousy while you shine in your success.


They will be forgotten, while the rest of the world will begin to look up to you. Remember that  one can pull you down when you are truly determined to climb high!


So what are you waiting for? Go create your  history!


----------------


Anubhav Srivastava is an author, speaker and the director of Carve Your Destiny, a first of its kind, comprehensive motivational movie on the principles of success. It has been seen on Youtube by a million people.  Visit Anubhavsrivastava.com for his inspirational blog for more great content and to watch the Film.


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5 Reasons I Think About Death As Often As I Can

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5 Reasons I Think About Death As Often As I Can


meaning of life


I think about death. A lot. On any given day, I consciously embrace my existential fate an innumerable amount of times. This usually occurs when I become aware of myself not being or living as I would like to be or live, in the sense that I'm not emulating the potential I would like to see in myself, or enjoying (or when that is not possible, dealing with) the life I have to live. Reminding myself that Death hovers over my shoulders waiting for his time to swoop me from this plane of existence allows me to remember that my time here is limited. And because it is limited, it is precious.


I don't know why I'm here, if there even exists a why in the first place. I simply know that I am. And because I am, I have things to do. Death motivates me to do these things when I become apathetic and begin to procrastinate on my duties.


Here are five reasons (benefits) as to why I ponder on my death so much, and perhaps why you should too:


It's inevitable


We're going to die. This is a fact. When and how is irrelevant. It doesn't really matter when and how one dies, because when it occurs, that is that. It's over and done with.


As much as suppressing death may provide us temporary relief from our suffering, we cannot suppress that reality forever; we will come face to face with it one day.


What does matter however, is the effect of one's life. When one dies, his life is sealed forever in the history of time; his contributions, deeds, victories, successes, creations become immortalized. This effect occurs when one is alive too, but for some reason, the effect's influence increases exponentially when an individual passes away. It is this effect on the world which is so important. It is why writers are quoted, philosophies embraced, art admired, science and technology furthered decades after creation; because, as Newton once said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Your life can help lead the way.


It fuels me to be my best self


I've described myself before to be a "momentary flicker of light", like a candle lit in the dense immenseness of the universe. I want to live purely. I want to be a light unto this world. This is a difficult task because doing so requires work. The responsibility to be who I want to be rests solely upon my shoulders. Who will help me become pure but myself?


On some days, anger courses through my veins. On others, depression fills my heart. Today I may be miserable and tomorrow I may feel like giving up, but I will persist. I will persevere. I will continue to try.


I will strive towards perfection, towards excellence, towards purity. I will soothe my anger and fill my heart with faith. I will embrace my misery and use it as fuel to be better tomorrow.


I will master myself, transform myself. Because this world needs this from me, and perhaps more importantly, I deserve this from me.


It reminds me to live


I wrote about death once wherein I realized a very important notion about life. The reason we are so afraid to die (a status quo norm) is because we are so afraid to live.


When one vanquishes his fear of death by fully embracing and coming to terms with his destiny, he ceases to be held back from the "mental prison" he kept himself in for so long.


He is free from his fear of death, and so be embraces his responsibility and freedom to live.


But this responsibility scares most people because we've been conditioned to have weak and timid minds. This responsibility can be as scary as death for some people because it means that the life one lives is due to choice. It means we become the authors of our story. It means we shoulder the costs of our investments. It means we are responsible for how we feel. It means, if we suffer, if we fail, if we fall, if we falter, if we cower; all of that is on us. And this terrifies some. This fear is not worth it to them. They would much rather tolerate their suffering than to take responsibility to live.


But I will tell you a mighty secret that may empower you to claim your responsibility for your life. You can become responsible for your happiness, your strength, your meaning and purpose, your peace, your self, your life. It simply (really) requires the decision to do so.


It reminds me to love


My WiFi password is loveislaw. And I would like everyone I bless with the privilege of using it to know it so.


But I am a human being. Some days, I would really like to demolish a paradigm with my fury or regulate someone who talks a little too recklessly. But I don't. Because loveislaw.


Love is what we and this world needs. Love heals. It transforms things in magical, unexpected ways. If you give 10, love will give you a million. It is our nature. It is fundamental to progress, harmony, compassion, understanding, communion. Love is powerful. It is the force that binds the universe and makes your heart beat. I have seen love at work, and because so, I am on its side. There is a force like no other greater than it. It is a light unto this world. A very necessary one.


Death reminds me to love on the days I feel like hurting. It reminds me that my heart is still beating, and as long as this is so, I have the capacity to change this world.


It reminds me to contribute to this world in some way


I'd like to get you to try an exercise. It's a kind of meditation designed to cultivate "Metta", a Pali word for "loving-kindness", which can be categorized by a compassion for others through love.


Think of someone you love dearly. Imagine them in their most happiest state. Imagine them healed of their hurts. Imagine them overflowing with an abundance of positive, peaceful, loving energy. Do this genuinely and seriously with the belief that this will work; that they will feel more happy, peaceful, loved. See them glowing with a smile on their face.


It is very likely that you feel this energy originating within your own body too. Where does it stem from? I find that mine originates straight from the heart, as if it was a portal, allowing that energy to flow forth from another place, into this world.


My life is dedicated to allowing this energy to flow through from my heart into this world. The way this goes about is numerous: an article I write, a video I make, a piece of advice to a friend in need, a warm smile to a stranger, a sincere hello-how-are-you to a neighbour, a hug to my mother, a thank you to my father, a wish for someone I care deeply about.


I do not live simply for myself. I live for me because I know how liberating that is for the world around me. My life is dedicated to the whole because I am a part of it. I wish nothing but love, life, peace and joy for this world.


I'm going to die someday, and I hope that my life; my contributions, deeds, love, energy, hopes, dreams and all else that emanated from my being helps to inch the world a bit more forward, a bit more upward. Oh, my friend. Life is a beautiful thing. I wish you the most of it.


- Christopher (: <3


Christopher Tan is a writer, film-maker and artist, passionate about self-mastery, enlightenment and world change. He writes regularly at his blog The Art Of Life, spews wisdom daily on Twitter, and enjoys posting his art on Instagram. Subscribe to his blog's newsletter to get a free book.


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Dealing with Stress: 5 Effective Ways to Distract Yourself

Note: This post is written by Stephanie Norman


Stress is a major distraction in your life. When you are worried and you carry a huge burden on your back, your work and relationships suffer.


When people are under stress, they might experience increased blood pressure, headaches, muscle tension, sweating, pain in the stomach and neck, an abnormally rapid heart rate, and shallow breathing. They are tense, unhappy, judgmental, and irritable. In fewer words – stress disables you to function normally.


There are a few ways of dealing with stress. Some people do everything in their power to face the problem and find a solution. But sometimes that's impossible to do, since you cannot always solve issues that are not directly dependent upon you.


When you realize that you have nothing else to do but to leave things to flow naturally, you have to find a way to distract yourself from the stress. If there is nothing you can do about it, you shouldn't allow the pressure to affect your life too much.


Here are five methods that will help you deal with stressful thoughts and emotions you don't want to go through:


1. Don't suppress the thoughts. Observe them!


How are you supposed to distract yourself from stress without suppressing the thoughts that worry you? There is a paradox in the process of dealing with stress: if you cut out the bad thoughts the moment they appear, they will burden your subconscious levels and create an even worse situation for you. Sooner or later, they will come to the surface with full intensity.


Instead of suppressing the thoughts, you should observe them. Allow all thoughts to flow, but do not analyze them under any circumstances. Let's see a banal example: you had a fight with your best friend and now the entire conversation is being recreated in your head. Don't stop to analyze a certain argument, thinking 'I should've said this/that in that moment'. Then the entire recreation will take another direction and you'll start fantasizing. That's not a good way to deal with stressful thoughts. Just let them pass through your mind and don't be carried away by them.


This technique is simple to explain, but it takes some practice to gain immunity from the mind patterns. However, it helps by not letting you to suppress bad thoughts and emotions in the subconscious levels, where they can cause physiological and psychological problems.


2. Write!


If it's too difficult for you to stay detached from your thoughts when you observe them with the previous method, then write them down. Use plain paper and pen instead of a computer; writing by hand enables you to focus more on the process itself. Your thoughts will start to flow; all you need to do is write them down.



Keeping a journal can help a lot in the process of dealing with stress. Take notes about your mental health and write about the way you feel every day. However, it's important not to focus solely on yourself, since that can make the problems seem even more serious. Take a random event from the day and write about it. You can also write about your impressions from the books you read and movies you see. Don't focus on sadness and anxiety every single day; find something fun to write about and discover your bright side.


The journal may help you discover the potential triggers of stress. Sometimes you feel bad for no particular reason. When you write the journal, you may discover the patterns and suppressed thoughts that caused that state. Then, you will let them come to surface and you'll be able to let them go away.


3. Emphasize the good things in your life.


People like to complain. Negativity seems to be a natural state of mind these days. Here is a simple example: you see a woman with a wonderful white shirt – it's perfectly clean, but there is a tiny mark of a pen on the shirt. Although it's almost unnoticeable, that mark gets your entire attention, so you forget how clean that shirt looked at first sight.


Your mind is drawn towards negativity, but you can bring it out of that state. This will sound like a cliché, but you do need to perceive the glass as half full.


When you're burdened by stress, try to think about the things that bring balance in your life. Maybe you don't have enough money to pay the bills, but you're loved, you love and you're healthy. Whatever the case is, you can always find a joyful moment in your life. Think about the good things and be grateful for them.


4. Be active!


Work is a great distraction from stress. This doesn't mean that you should focus on your job, which brings even more stress on its own. You need an enjoyable activity you won't be attached to. It shouldn't bring money or acknowledgment – you do it just because you like it. Think about something you always wanted to do. Maybe you like big, colorful gardens? Why don't you transform your background into your personal heaven?



You always wanted to go to yoga? Now is the perfect moment to do that; this discipline can help you deal with stress in many ways. Physical activity is important. You can walk, run, or even clean the house to get your mind away from the worrying thoughts. Try painting, knitting, playing music… do whatever makes you happy and engaged.


5. Make a change.


Have you considered the possibility of stressful situation coming with a purpose? Stress is part of everyone's lives. Why does it always find a way to get into different aspects of our living? Maybe it's there for a reason.


Every single stressful situation may transform us in good ways. When we observe the events, we realize that we cannot always make a change in the way the world works. However, if we observe and understand our thoughts and emotions, we may come to the realization that we can change ourselves for the better.


Stress may be an incentive for us to accept challenges and learn something more about ourselves. If you focus on finding creative solutions to surpass the stressful situation, you will transform it into a positive state of being. When you understand that stress is a constant, you won't allow it to bring you down. Instead, you will use every situation for your personal progress.


It's Not About Avoiding Stress; It's About Dealing with It


No matter how hard you try to suppress or avoid stress, it will get to you at one point or another. The way you deal with these situations determines how much they will affect you.


The most difficult aspect of dealing with stress is staying away from the state of disappointment. With the five methods explained above, you will learn how to get through the most stressful periods of your life and rise like a phoenix from them.


Stephanie Norman from Sydney has been a contributing blogger and professional writer for 4 years already. She writes creative and business content covering writing and inspirational issues as a freelancer. Also, sometimes she provides editing service at Australian Writings. You can follow her at Facebook and Google+.


Photos by bottled_void, churl, Melissa