self-awareness – Personal Growth Cafe

June 29, 2012July 3, 2012

Keep Your Hands Safe and Healthy

You need your hands to stay in top shape for all kinds of activities, from office work to petting your dog. They get a lot of exposure, so reduce the risk of injury from overuse, strains or cuts. You can use these simple techniques to protect your hands anytime or for specific activities that pose special challenges.

General Hand Safety Tips

1. Maintain correct posture. Pain caused by a lifetime of slouching can reach all the way down to your fingertips because the nerves in your hands are connected to the nerves in your neck. Keep your back straight, your shoulders lowered and pressed back, and your abdominal muscles slightly flexed.

2. Hold your hands and wrists in a neutral position. Extending your wrists puts pressure on the nerves and decreases circulation. Straighten them out as much as possible, especially when you’re at the keyboard for a long time.

3. Slow down and pay attention to what you’re doing. Whether you’re cooking dinner or pruning hedges, mindful and deliberate movements make any task less hazardous. Rushing around wastes time if you land in the hospital.

4. Warm up your hands. Just like you warm up before exercising, you can prepare your hands for any job. Try simple stretches like making a fist and then extending your fingers. Raise your arms over head and reach for the sky. Rotate your shoulders and wrists.

5. Take frequent breaks. Repetitive motions are usually to blame for carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. Rest and stretch for a minute about every half hour while typing or playing tennis. Alternate activities if you can.

6. Treat injuries promptly. Minor injuries can become serious disabilities if neglected. Go to an emergency room if direct pressure fails to stop bleeding within 15 minutes or if you need a tetanus shot. Talk with your doctor if you experience numbness or tingling in your hands.

Hand Safety Tips For Specific Activities

1. Think before carrying. Plan ahead when you shop for groceries or tote around yard tools. Use a wheeled cart rather than a hand basket. If you need to carry a load by hand, get a container that allows you to use two hands and use your arms to help you hold it against your chest rather than dangling it from your wrist.

2. Learn to carve properly. Always cut away from your body with small and controlled movements. Keep knives and work surfaces dry to avoid any slips.

3. Beware of bagel hand. Get a bagel slicer. Otherwise, slice them half way and then stand them on their ends and slice down to finish.

4. Wash cutlery with caution. Groping for sharp objects in soapy water is a recipe for disaster. Wash and dry cutting instruments separately.

5. Prevent paper cuts. In addition to being painful, paper cuts can get infected. You can avoid them by wearing inexpensive medical exam gloves or dabbing on a little olive oil or hand cream.

6. Be smart with personal electronics. Clasp your cell phone or tablet with as little pressure as needed to avoid strain from building up. Switch hands frequently to give each side time to rest.

7. Assess your work station. Good quality chairs, wrist rests and standing desks can help office workers to keep their hands and their whole bodies free of pain. Ask your supervisor to bring in an ergonomic consultant or do your own research online. Many solutions like adjusting your posture or keyboard height are free or cost very little to implement.

Your hands are two of your most precious assets. Prevent common injuries and chronic pain by using them wisely.

June 28, 2012July 3, 2012

Stop Embarrassment by Finding Help for Your Incontinence

If you thought that incontinence was the inevitable result of aging or childbearing, think again. Simple lifestyle changes or a talk with your doctor may help you regain control of your bladder and get back to enjoying all the activities you love.

People suffer from incontinence for an average of 7 years before they ask their physicians for help, according to the National Association for Continence. But you don’t have to suffer anymore. Learn the basics about incontinence and take control of your life.

Facts about Incontinence

1. Causes.Incontinence can be caused by many things, including injuries to the pelvic area, prostate enlargement, neurological conditions, and diseases such as diabetes. It may also be associated with physical changes due to aging or pregnancy.

2. Prevalence.Experts believe that 25 million American adults experience incontinence. It’s four to five times more likely in women, mostly due to pregnancy and childbirth.

3. Common forms.Stress incontinence occurs when you put pressure on the bladder, like when you laugh or lift something heavy. Overactive bladder (OAB) or urgency incontinence means you feel a need to urinate frequently and may lose urine before you can reach the bathroom. Mixed incontinence refers to a combination of the two.

4. Success rate.Urinary incontinence can be significantly reduced or eliminated in about 80 percent of cases.This is great news! You may be able toenjoy a better quality of life and leave behind those embarrassing moments.

Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies for Incontinence

1. Lose weight.Being overweight contributes to stress incontinence. Gain weight at a healthy pace during pregnancy and lose excess pounds whenever you need to.

2. Train your bladder.Schedule your restroom breaks as frequently as possible. Gradually extend the time between trips if you can. Plan ahead so you use the bathroom before a long movie or job interview.

3. Perform Kegel exercises. Pelvic muscle exercises can dramatically strengthen your muscles and stop leakage and sudden urges. You just tighten and release your pelvic floor muscles as though you were stopping a stream of urine. Your doctor can provide more specific instructions, or you can read about them online.

4. Stay hydrated.Keep drinking plenty of water. Dehydration causes additional health issues and diluted urine is gentler on your bladder. Just like with bathroom trips, you may want to time your fluid consumption to avoid disrupting important activities.

5. Avoid irritants.Some people get relief from OAB by cutting down on substances like caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners. It also helps to get regular exercise and eat a lot of fiber.

6. Use absorbent products.Incontinence pads and other devices can reduce your worries about leakage. Protect your skin by changing them at least once a day. You can shop online from the privacy of your own home and find many options to help you get the best fit.

Medical Treatments for Incontinence

1. Start with drug therapy.If you need more help than the suggestions above, your doctor will probably start you on prescription medications, depending on the cause of your incontinence. OAB is often treated with drugs that block bladder contractions. You may also be advised to stop taking certain medications, including diuretics.

2. Try electrical stimulation.Your doctor may also recommend strengthening the nerves and muscles of your pelvic floor and bladder through mild electrical stimulation. This is usually performed by a physical therapist or nurse specialist. Most patients say that it’s painless but you may feel some tightening or tingling.

3. Consider surgery.In more severe cases, surgery may be needed. There are a variety of options available, including minimally invasive same-day procedures.

Stay dry and enjoy life by taking steps to manage your incontinence. If you’re unable to regain control of your bladder through behavioral changes alone, talk with your doctor about finding the right treatment plan for you.

June 27, 2012July 3, 2012

Fire Safety Tips Every Family Needs To Know

Fires break out in almost half a million homes each year in the United States. To keep your family safe, learn the three most important rules for fire safety plus additional tips to help you prevent fires and minimize the damage to your loved ones and belongings if you do suffer a fire in your home.

3 Most Important Rules for Fire Safety

1. Install smoke alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration emphasizes three fire safety precautions starting with having all homes equipped with smoke alarms. Mount them on a ceiling or high up on a wall. Test them at least every 6 months. Replace the batteries once a year.

2. Get automatic fire sprinklers. The federal government also recommends home sprinklers. By spraying water immediately, they can put out small fires and help contain big fires. Residential systems are starting to become more affordable and some of them are suitable for older homes.

3. Develop an emergency escape plan. The third rule is creating and practicing an escape plan. Map out all the exits in your house. Figure out two ways to get out of each room. Go through the drill until you can get the whole family out in less than 3 minutes.

Tips for Preventing Fires

1. Pay attention while cooking. Stay in the kitchen if you have something on the stove. Turn off the heat if cooking oil starts smoking and slide a lid over the pot to squelch flames. Keep flammable items like plastics or cloth away from heat.

2. Put matches out of reach. Keep matches in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf beyond the reach of small children. The same goes for cigarette lighters and torches.

3. Watch candles closely. If you love candles, be sure to use them wisely. Set them out on stable surfaces and extinguish them before you go to sleep.

4. Keep heat sources clean. Furnaces and fireplaces need to be cleaned at least once a year. Empty the lint out of clothes dryers immediately after each load. Give space heaters plenty of distance from curtains and furniture.

5. Use electricity safely. Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Tuck cords away neatly without running them under rugs. Give pets their own chew toys so they’ll leave electrical cords alone.

Tips for Surviving Fires

1. Keep fire extinguishers handy. Buy the right kind of fire extinguisher for each room or look for multipurpose models. To use any extinguisher, you pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep the whole unit back and forth. If flames are already spreading, just focus on evacuating.

2. Stick close to the ground. Smoke rises, so it’s important to stay as low to the ground as possible where it will be easiest to breathe. Practice crawling during your home fire drills.

3. Feel doors for heat. Use the back of your hand to check if a door is hot before opening it. If you discover that there may be flames on the other side, leave it alone and exit through another door or window instead. Closing doors behind you as you leave will also help to slow down any fire.

4. Know what to do if your clothes catch fire. Drop to the ground using your hands to cover your face and roll back and forth to put out the flames. Run cool water over burned skin and call for emergency medical care.

5. Once you’re outside, stay outside. Once you’re out of the house, avoid making any return trips. The fire department is better equipped for conducting rescues in a burning building.

Most home fires are preventable if you know how to take the proper precautions.

Keep your smoke alarms in working order, have an emergency escape plan and pay attention to potential fire hazards. Learn these tips and give them your highest priority so you can feel safe from fire in your home.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Is Your Job Stressing You Out? 12 Ways to Decompress

As you’ve probably discovered, your work can trigger all kinds of stress reactions. From minor annoyances to heart attacks, on-the-job stress is a major cause of many mental and physical ailments. Are you suffering the consequences of workplace stress?

Consider these questions:

• Do you find yourself feeling annoyed with your supervisor or co-workers?
• Have you been looking for excuses to be late to work or to stay home occasionally?
• Do you get a stomach ache or headache within an hour after getting to work?
• Are you having trouble focusing on a work project because your emotions are wrought up over a work incident?

If you answered “Yes” to any one of these questions, you’re probably experiencing job-related stress. The good news is: if you’re proactive about managing your work stress level, you’ll feel less wound up and enjoy more success at work.

Try these strategies to deal with job stress:

1. Remind yourself, “it’s just work.” There will be times you’ll have a difference of opinion with your boss or co-workers. Consider it creative disagreement and move on.

2. Learn to recognize the things you control at the office. By the same token, let go of the things you’re not able to control. Your work life will become much lighter and brighter when you acknowledge both of these issues.

3. Work through “resolvable” issues immediately. Rather than let issues fester and grow, if it’s within your power to negotiate a resolution, do it as soon as you can.

4. When you feel overwhelmed, ask for assistance or guidance. Everyone occasionally experiences work struggles. In nearly every situation, it’s appropriate to ask for help at work.

5. Establish your work priorities; then methodically work to complete your projects. List your tasks in order of priority. Start at the top of the list and work down, crossing off tasks as you go.

• If you have any questions whatsoever about which task or project is more important to complete first, proceed directly to your supervisor and ask. Avoid excess job stress by seeking guidance if you need it.

6. Silently review all the reasons you do the work you do. Re-connect emotionally with all the positives you love about work. These realities about your career are far more important than the things that stress you.

7. Vow to avoid drama at work. Refrain from allowing yourself to generate too many feelings about work. After all, it’s business. It’s best to use tact, neutrality, and diplomacy when dealing with co-workers. Your chances of experiencing work stress will be vastly reduced.

8. Take a brisk 15 minute walk when you get home. There’s nothing like a walk to clear out the stress from your work day. Tell yourself that by the time you get back home, you’ll be thinking about what you’ll have for dinner. Walking after work is a great habit to develop for so many reasons.

9. Use visual imagery techniques to let go of minor annoyances and frustrations. Imagine your stress is a big red ball. You throw it into the ocean and watch it bob away on the waves. Say “good-bye” as the ball is completely submerged far in the distance.

10. Soothe yourself after you arrive home. Snuggle up in your blanket on the sofa and read your novel for a bit. Call your brother or a friend to chat. When you soothe yourself, you’re showing you know how to take care of your own troublesome feelings.

11. Journal your feelings about work. When you write down your irritations and sources of stress, you can psychologically release the negative feelings you experience.

12. Practice yoga or meditation to de-stress. The eastern philosophies of yoga and meditation soothe the souls of millions of people the world over. You’ll be surprised at how effective these methods are at eliminating your stress and keeping you more centered and relaxed.

Work stress is an unfortunate result of the human condition. Everyone deals with it from time to time. Practice these methods to remain optimistic and keep your work stress at manageable levels. You’ll re-discover the passion you have for your career!

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Helping Too Much? 7 Tips to Stop Enabling Others

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you felt you were doing everything you could to help someone yet their negative situation just got worse and worse? If so, it’s possible you were enabling the other person.

You might be enabling whenever you’re trying to help someone, but your actions are, instead, exacerbating the issues.

Sample Scenario

Your friend and co-worker, Sally, has been drinking a little more than usual. Lately, she’s coming in late to work and asking you to cover for her. When the supervisor asks you where Sally is, you say, “She went to Human Resources to ask a question. She should be right back.”

After work, you all go for drinks together. Sally doesn’t have any money so you offer to buy her beverages and she accepts.

Later that evening, Sally admits she hasn’t finished her chapter of a report that’s due tomorrow. Sally asks if you’ll finish her partially completed paper. Although you’re tired and would rather go home and just relax, you agree to take the report home and type it up before tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately, even if you don’t mind offering your consistent aid, your efforts are ensuring that Sally doesn’t have to take responsibility for her actions.

The Solution

What can you do to break the cycle of enabling someone you care about?

Follow these helpful tips:

1. Stop. Even though it’s your friend or loved one, picking up the slack for them is not helping them get better.

2. Instead, just observe. Rather than being so quick to jump in and offer help, sit back and watch what happens. Notice patterns in the person’s behaviors.

3. Listen. Stay informed by hearing how your friend or loved one feels. A good friend listens attentively. Consider listening an important act of caring.

4. Allow opportunity for your loved one to figure things out for themselves. Keep in mind that when you jump in and spontaneously offer your assistance all the time, the individual is robbed of opportunities to learn to resolve their own challenges.

5. Decline any direct requests for help. Recognize that your continued efforts to pick up the slack now are setting up your friend or loved one for a big fall later. Accept that it’s better if it happens sooner – when the situation isn’t so far out of hand – than later.

• Using the example above regarding Sally asking for your help with her report, you could say something like, “Oh, I’m so sorry, but I can’t finish your report. I need to pick up my daughter and do the laundry when I get home.” Then say nothing else.

6. Recognize it’s not your job to fix their troublesome situations. When you decline to help, you’re silently placing the issue back squarely on their shoulders where it belongs. Remember, it’s not your situation; it belongs to them.

7. Disengage emotionally from the person. Once you understand what you’re doing, you’ll be better able to remain on the outside of your friend’s troubling events. Think of your friend and their issues as a tornado. Then, decide to remain outside of the whirlwind.

• You’ll no longer allow yourself to get “sucked in” to your friend or loved one’s current crisis. You can still be their friend or confidante and spend time with them, if you choose. But you’ll avoid being pulled in to the fray of your friend’s ongoing drama.

• When you disengage emotionally, applying all the above strategies is also much easier.

If you believe you’re caught up in the cycle of helping a friend or loved one too much, step back and examine your relationship with the person. Then, apply the strategies above to stop enabling their self-destructive behaviors. As your loved one’s world becomes more overwhelming to them, it will encourage them to seek more direct assistance in resolving their underlying issues.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Managing Transitions in Life

The one thing you can be sure of in life is that there will be times when you’re thrown a curve ball. Something will happen that you aren’t expecting.

Even though you know you’ve got the strength to handle anything that life brings you, you might still be taken aback by an unexpected change in your life direction.

These suggestions will help you successfully handle some of life’s transitional times:

1. Take a deep breath. Pause for a moment and give yourself time to just breathe.

2. Process the information. Next, allow yourself some time to think through what’s happened. This might take a few days, depending on your situation. From your perspective, what occurred?

3. Talk about it. Call a close friend or family member you trust and tell them about what’s going on in your life. It helps to hear yourself think aloud whenever you’re faced with an enduring challenge.

4. Consider your options. Although you might not be completely ready to move on yet, try to ponder fully your situation and where you could go from here. Be open-minded about resolving the current issues in the short-term.

• If your situation involves an ending of a relationship, for example, maybe you’ll have to find another place to live quickly. Could you move in with a friend or family member, at least for now? Ask yourself what your possibilities are at the present time.

5. Take time to adjust. You might feel you have to make decisions fairly quickly to get moving forward, but still, it’s wise to allow yourself necessary moments to adjust to what’s happening.

6. Tell yourself that you’ll make it through. After the initial shock wears off, you’ll hopefully reach the point of realizing that “this too shall pass.” Thinking positively is the best way to approach any type of challenging situation. Remind yourself that you have the savvy and fortitude to find your way from this day forward.

7. Begin to formulate a plan. After considerable thinking, you’ll be relieved to see parts of a new plan for your life falling in to place.

8. Recognize your own strengths. Remember back to a time you struggled through a crisis and emerged better than ever. Maybe you had to drop out of college because there wasn’t enough money. You still made it through and were able to return to finish your studies within 2 years. Realize your strength to help you make it through the current situation.

9. Look at the recent change as an opportunity. Even though it might take some effort, allow yourself to see you’re being given a chance to change your life. You’re in a position to improve something about your existence.

• Let your imagination run free. Regard the coming episode of your life as a new adventure and embrace it.

10. Move forward with a sense of purpose. Now that you have the bare bones of a plan, you can proceed ahead with your new life with greater confidence. As time goes by, you’ll grow even surer of the direction you’re heading. Let yourself feel excited about your new goals.

Regardless of what life brings your way, you’ll still keep going. Allow yourself time to breathe and take in the information. Perhaps even talk to someone and ponder your choices.

You have what it takes to successfully manage any transition in life that appears before you. Openly accept this opportunity to let go of the old and embrace the new.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

How to Manage Controlling Behaviors in Early Dating Relationships

Whenever you meet someone new and start dating, it can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. You recognize you like the person and want things to go well. However, perhaps you’ve noticed there are times when the person shows some controlling behaviors toward you.

To avoid falling into the trap of becoming accustomed to someone who’s increasingly dominant, use these methods to manage a partner’s controlling behaviors early on in dating relationships:

1. Be open, honest, and clear about your own feelings from Day 1. Decline to take part in activities you prefer to avoid. Tell the truth about what you like and don’t like, even if you aren’t directly asked.

2. State what you’d like to do on a date. Pick the restaurant. Say if you don’t eat a particular kind of food. Consider your feelings and preferences as important as your partner’s.

3. Set clear boundaries. From the start, establish comfortable boundaries. For example, if the person just pops over to your house without calling, it’s appropriate to state, “I’m not comfortable with you coming to my house unannounced. Let’s agree to make plans in advance so we both know what’s going on and can schedule dates accordingly.”

4. Avoid going along with everything just so you won’t rock the boat. If you’re uncomfortable about something, speak up. Part of getting acquainted with someone new is honestly revealing your wishes and needs.

5. If you were less than pleased with the way your new friend behaved in public, remind yourself you’re entitled to your feelings. Think through the situation when you’re alone later and decide what you want to do about the public behavior. Do you want to talk to them about it? Or is their misbehavior a deal-breaker for you?

• Here’s an example: when you met with some of your work friends together, he openly insisted that you not sit beside a male co-worker whom you’ve been friends with for years. He was so insistent that, just to get him to stop his comments, you quickly switched seats.

• When this type of occurrence takes place, the question is “wouldn’t you rather discuss your feelings about his behavior right away so he understands how you feel and can adjust his actions in the future?”

6. Address challenging issues swiftly and tactfully. This way, there’s no question in your new friend’s mind about what you do and do not feel comfortable with.

• If they get angry with your honest expression, that will be your cue to say, “I’m sorry you’re upset but this issue is important to me.” If your new friend cannot accept your feelings about the situation, ponder whether it’s wise to go any further in the relationship.

7. Remind yourself neither person should possess all the power in the relationship. You’re both entitled to your feelings. However, if either of you seem to “rule” the relationship, it’s time to re-consider how you relate to each other. Healthy relationships exhibit a healthy balance of power.

8. If you feel extreme discomfort or fear because of your new friend’s behavior, recognize this may not be a relationship you want to continue. Under no condition should you push away feelings of fear that are well-grounded.

• If someone is even mildly or verbally threatening toward you when you date them, take careful, safe steps to separate yourself from the person.

You can successfully manage controlling behaviors of a new friend in a developing relationship by practicing the above strategies. Many times, your openness and capacity to genuinely express your wants and feelings will quell the other person’s efforts to take complete control.

Trust yourself to address any challenging situations right away to have a healthy, caring, and enjoyable relationship.

June 25, 2012July 4, 2012

Making the Most of a Career Fair

Career fairs add a personal touch to a job hunt that often takes place mostly online these days. Use these techniques before and during a career fair to help you make a better impression.

Before a Career Fair

1. Clarify your purpose. Know what you want to achieve. You may be looking to line up interviews with specific companies as soon as possible. On the other hand, you may be at a stage where you just want to learn more about organizations that interest you.

2. Research each fair. Visit the website for every job fair you attend. Get familiar with the sponsor and the employers who are expected to attend. Do more extensive research on the companies that look like the best match for you.

3. Polish up your resume. Proofread your resume and bring along multiple copies on high quality stationery. If you’re considering jobs in more than one field, make different versions emphasizing your most relevant qualifications.

4. Print business cards. Simple business cards are inexpensive to print, especially if you get a template that lets you do it yourself. Hand out your card to representatives who have a policy against accepting full resumes at the event.

5. Rehearse your opening lines. Expect to make a brief introductory speech at each booth you visit. Practice stating your name, summarizing your background (including a couple of top accomplishments), and describing the position you want. Keep at it until you can do this in fewer than two or three minutes and sound natural doing it.

6. Recruit a friend. Attending these events solo is fine but you may also benefit from the support of a friend. Touch base at strategic intervals to encourage each other and share feedback.

7. Dress to impress. Business casual is usually the way to go. Good grooming, simple accessories, and dress pants and shirts are a safe choice. Ensure your shoes are comfortable enough for hours of walking, and give them a quick shine on your way out the door to the event.

8. Volunteer your services. Volunteering is a great way to get inside information and make personal contacts. Call the organizers in advance to see if they can use your services.

During a Career Fair

1. Get there early. By arriving early, you catch the recruiters while they’re still fresh. They’re also more likely to remember you during the relatively quiet first hours than after the crowds build up.

2. Focus on your top prospects. Make a list of companies you think you must see. Budget your time so that you can talk with all your best leads.

3. Give yourself plenty of time. Schedule more time than you think you need. You’ll be able to take advantage of any additional opportunities and you can always go home early if you finish ahead of time.

4. Be friendly. Remember to smile, shake hands, let people know you’re glad to meet them, and that you’re enthusiastic about their organizations. Employers evaluate your personal qualities as well as your skills and experience.

5. Take it easy on the give-away items. All those free key chains and water bottles may look tempting. To maintain a professional appearance, limit yourself to what you can carry inconspicuously in your briefcase or tote bag.

6. Be prepared to follow up. Get the name of everyone you speak with and clarify the next step in the process. Send a prompt and personalized thank you message to express your appreciation and keep the communications going.

A career fair is a valuable opportunity to network and introduce yourself to employers. Keep using the usual online tools but add these events to the mix to make your job search as rewarding as possible.

June 13, 2012June 18, 2012

Being Judgmental: Costs and Benefits

Being quick to judge is a common mistake we all make. Although we do this for a variety of reasons, it can cause challenges for ourselves and others.

A lot of this happens because of the ways in which our brain operates. Some of it is simply a non-productive habit.

Contemplate these ideas:

We’re prone to mistaken assumptions. Most of us have strong views regarding issues in which we have zero practical experience. Whether you want to discuss vegetarianism, living the lifestyle of a monk, or space aliens, nearly everyone you speak to will have a pretty strong opinion even if they have no experience with any of these topics.

This happens in part because we get much of our information and knowledge secondhand. Keep in mind thatmany sources we rely on are likely derived the same way: from someone else.

Humans have pattern-seeking brains. When you’re exposed to something new, your brain naturally attempts to connect it to something you already know. This is valuable and provides certainty and predictability. It helps you deal with the world.

But these connections aren’t always sufficient to provide an accurate opinion. A degree of error is also introduced and the resulting conclusions have large degrees of error as well. Being quick to believe that your unrelated experience is a valid place from which to draw conclusions is usually your first error, and then it can grow from there.

The Perils of Being Judgmental

Being judgmental is hazardous both to you and others. When you hold inaccurate opinions and share them, you steer other people in the wrong direction, as well as yourself. You also prevent yourself from being open to new things. A high degree of self-awareness is needed to recognize when you’re getting off the path.
For example, you probably have a lot of opinions about being wealthy, even if you’ve never been wealthy. If your opinions are negative, do you think that this might have something to do with why you’ve never become wealthy?

Avoiding the Costs

Try suspending your judgment. The real key to unearthing your mistaken assumptions or incorrect pattern recognition is self-awareness.

Learn to recognize when your knowledge and relevant experience are lacking. Ask yourself a series of questions:

What knowledge do I have that allows me to have this opinion?
Is this knowledge valid?
Am I really an expert on this topic?
Is my ego involved?

When to Use Judgment

On the other hand, careful judgments can be beneficial for us. After all, what you chose to wear and eat today required a judgment call. So how do you know if your views and decisions are solid?

This is quite simple. Ask yourself: how accurate are my predictions? If you can anticipate outcomes well for a given topic, you can feel confident that your judgment is pretty good.

If a situation doesn’t involve risking your health or someone else’s, try to hold off on forming a strong opinion until after you’ve actually given the new activity a try. How many things have you stopped yourself from even trying because you already made up your mind it wouldn’t work?

You’ll be amazed at how your life blossoms when you cultivate an open mind!

Make sure you’re effectively using your power to manifest everything you want. Do the “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life” video training for free at the Personal Growth Cafe.