Personal Growth Cafe – Page 80 – Empowering You to Live Your Inspired Vision!

October 9, 2018February 1, 2018

Create a Better Work-Life Balance and Get Your Life Back

Do you feel like you’re so busy that you don’t have time for a life?

Do you feel as if you’re constantly running behind?

There are ways you can learn to negotiate your work life so you become more productive.

Once you become more organized at work, you can more fully enjoy your time away from work as well.

If you’re not stressing about your job, you can relax when you’re at home and live a more balanced life.

How can you be more productive?

What can you do to improve the quality of your life?

Here are a few ideas to find work-life balance:

1. Slow Down. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and it seems like you’re running in circles, sometimes the best thing you can do is to slow down.

Take the time to prioritize.

Going faster doesn’t mean you’re more productive or that you accomplish more things.

Doing things right the first time will save time in the long run.

2. Stop Procrastinating. There are certain things about any job that are mundane.

If you take the time to do the tedious parts of your job, you can breathe a sigh of relief sooner.

Schedule an afternoon to finish those pesky tasks so you can move on to more interesting (or even fun!) things.

3. Share The Work. You don’t have to do everything!

Recruit some help from your fellow employees or family members.

Delegate responsibilities, and you’ll get everything done in a timely manner.

This facilitates teamwork and makes everyone feel like they’ve made a contribution.

It also gives you some relief while your helpers gain a sense of accomplishment.

Don’t make things complicated. As humans, we tend to make extra work for ourselves even if it’s unnecessary.

Why reinvent the wheel?

If something works, don’t try to fix it.

Always remember the KISS method: Keep It Simple Silly.

4. De-clutter. Streamlining your workspace helps you focus on your work.

Arrange your desk so you can reach what you need the moment you need it.

Sifting through multiple piles costs you valuable time, causes frustration, and can even prevent you from completing important tasks!

5. Learn To Say No. When your workload is maxed out, be assertive about saying Help your boss understand that your plate is full and you’re not being insubordinate.

6. Stay within your scheduled hours. Once you’ve learned to keep work from cutting into your personal time, you will become more empowered to enjoy life outside the office walls.

7. Implement Technology. Use technology to your advantage.

A small time investment in entering information, such as addresses and other contact information, into a computer system can save volumes of time later.

Once you’ve implemented a system, it’s much easier to make changes to information and stay current.

It also makes it easier to keep up with detailed customer information.

8. Eliminate Distractions. If your personal life interferes with your job, set some boundaries.

Be firm when you have work to finish.

Leave your cell phone in the car or switch it off during work hours.

Discourage frequent personal calls or visits.

Delay socializing with co-workers until your work is done.

Once you’ve learned to streamline your workday, you’ll find that you no longer dread going to work and bringing it all home!

Imagine knowing that you’re ready to start your day instead of playing catch up from yesterday.

Be sure to start using these ideas today to enjoy a great work-life balance and a more fulfilling life!

What do you think of when you leave work?

What are you going to do differently this week to have time for yourself and your family?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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October 9, 2018February 1, 2018

When I organize my space, my life has order.

October 8, 2018February 1, 2018

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

October 8, 2018February 1, 2018

Attracting Positive People Into Your Life

According to the law of attraction, we’re always transmitting positive or negative energy.

Others pick up on this and respond likewise.

When you attract like-minded positive people, together you can focus on obtaining your desires.

Positive people will encourage and support you.

On the other hand, negative people will tell you that you can’t achieve your goals, and that they’re too hard or unreachable.

If you’re continually bombarded with negative phrases in your thinking, such as “I just can’t make ends meet,” “There’s never enough,” or “I just can’t seem to get ahead,” then you’re attracting more negativity into your life.

The universe will always respond to your song, so make your song harmonious with your desires, not your frustrations!

If you find yourself focusing on your small paycheck, physical ailments or unfulfilling relationships, it’s time to make a change.

Maybe your parents were role models of criticism instead of encouragement, or maybe you’ve always surrounded yourself with negative friends.

Whatever the reason, it’s time to break this cycle of negativity.

Consider raising your standard of expectation.

Find people to associate with who emit positive energy.

When seeking other positive people, think of people you admire and identify their traits you especially enjoy.

You’ll be generally attracted to people who have a similar sense of humor or who hold the same set of values.

Here are some ways to attract positive people and create more positive energy in your life:

1. Look for positive qualities in other people.

It’s far easier to see someone’s faults before seeing their goodness. Challenge yourself to look only for a person’s good qualities.

2. Be aware of your own finest qualities and project these qualities to the world.

This contributes to your self-awareness and increases your self-esteem.

3. Exercise compassion toward everyone, including yourself.

Negative energy obsesses about unattainable goals.

However, positive energy allows us to realize when we’re doing the best we can.

4. Value others’ opinions.

Positive energy is open-minded.

Listen to all points of view and do your best to understand them, regardless of how different from your own they are.

Trying to change someone’s mind is usually futile, so, even if you’re right, save your energy, understand their opinion, and move on.

1. Refrain from judging.

Give others the benefit of the doubt.

Negative energy is critical in judging others and loves finding fault.

Judging produces negative energy and attracts more of the same back to you.

2. Be honest.

Express your true self in thoughts, words, and actions.

3. Don’t be afraid to admit to having occasional negative thoughts and emotions.

We’re all human, and negative thoughts are a part of human nature.

The key is not to dwell on them.

4. Celebrate the success and happiness of others.

Negative energy is jealous, but positive people are thrilled when others succeed.

Use someone else’s success as a motivator to make you a better person.

5. Balance fulfillment and serving others.

If you spend your life trying to please others, you may find yourself ignoring your own Positive energy is balanced.

6. Persevere in spite of fear or defeat.

We all experience defeat and disappointment!

Rather than bemoaning a setback, use it as a chance to learn something new and prepare for your next challenge.

7. Follow your dreams and desires.

Embrace your joy every step of the way as you achieve your goals.

People with positive energy approach the world with an open heart and a sense of humor.

They refuse to be colored by cynicism and bitterness.

They strive to see the best in the world around them, revel in the success of others, and diligently pursue their own goals.

Becoming a positive person today will help you attract more positive people into your life tomorrow.

The more positive people that surround you, the more you’ll feel joy, contentment, and fulfillment in your own life!

Who do you consider as a positive influence in your life?

What has he/she done that makes you feel positive about your life?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 7, 2018February 1, 2018

How to Give Constructive Criticism

Have you ever been on the receiving end of criticism and felt that you just had the wind knocked out of you?

While most criticism is intended as helpful advice, many people have poor communication skills and the message gets lost in the delivery.

If you’re responsible for supervising any group of people, whether small children, a sports team, or employees, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to deliver criticism.

When that time comes, keep in mind that positive criticism gets much better results than negative criticism.

Here are some ways you can constructively criticize behavior to promote positive changes:

1. Sandwich it. One of the best ways to deliver criticism is through a technique called the hamburger method.

Keeping this process in mind will help you stay positive when correcting someone.

Start with something positive (the bun), discuss the problem (the burger), and then finish with another complement (the bun).

When discussing the situation, refrain from attacking the individual. Focus on the behavior or the situation, not the person.

2. Be direct. When you’re approaching someone with a complaint or criticism, deal directly with the problem.

This is no time for subtle hints.

Come right out and say what you need, and then offer a workable solution.

You can avert problems before they start by making sure your directions leave no room for misunderstanding.

When you need to correct someone, ask him or her to explain their perspective of how to handle their task.

A difference in expectations could be causing the problem.

If so, state clearly what you want so they have an opportunity to change the problem.

3. Move on quickly. Once you’ve established what you want, let this issue rest and give the other person time to process and implement changes.

Over time, sometimes continued prompts may be needed, but most people will be able to implement change as long as they don’t feel threatened.

The ideal situation is where the person listens to your feedback, understands the desired outcome, and then finds a way to achieve that outcome.

You can encourage this behavior with explicit expectations.

4. Avoid public humiliation.

Unless you’re addressing an entire group who can all learn the same lessons from your criticism, speak to individual employees privately.

Showing respect by not embarrassing them in front of their co-workers will lessen any adverse reactions and can lead to a more effective conversation about the issues.

If your workplace is made up of cubicles, borrow someone’s office or a conference room to converse privately.

Avoid starting office gossip by having a private conversation in the midst of open cubicles and curious ears.

5. Be specific. Relay exactly what the problem is and determine a solution. Vague criticism can be just as harmful as harsh criticism.

For your best results, when giving details, strive to strike a balance between being overly critical and being indistinct.

Rather than saying, “We need to see improvement from you,” try, “Our sales numbers are down for this quarter.

I need you to schedule more sales meetings for the next month.”

When delivering criticism, always consider the other person’s point of view before making your comments.

Constructive criticism can be helpful and even appreciated if done effectively.

Use these techniques to deliver your criticism and you’ll foster a positive environment where everyone can thrive.

How can you help others become better by providing criticism?

How can this help make you better as well?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 6, 2018February 1, 2018

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. – Ellen Parr

October 6, 2018February 1, 2018

How to Easily Expand Your Comfort Zone

What if I told you I’d give you $1,000 to make an important public speech?

Would you take the offer?

Like most of us, you probably recoiled immediately at the idea, even though it could be lucrative for you!

Why didn’t this idea appeal to you?

When the very thought of certain activities evokes fear or anxiety within you, it’s because they’re outside your comfort zone.

Public speaking, for example, is outside most people’s comfort zone.

Your comfort zone is the sphere of activities that you feel comfortable with and that you can accomplish without negative emotions.

It also includes people, places, and things that cause only positive thoughts within you.

How Important is Your Comfort Zone?

Your comfort zone can limit your capabilities and cause you to forsake your dreams and goals, or it can spur you on to great things.

In fact, your comfort zone can determine both your personality and your potential for success.

Many successful people achieve their goals because they have the ability to expand their comfort zone in order to get what they want.

If you wish to expand your comfort zone, you can mentally condition yourself to be comfortable in new situations so you can overcome your anxiety, achieve your goals, and fulfill your dreams.

Here are some tips you can use to expand your comfort zone and help fight your anxiety about certain situations:

Understand your mindset. Mental conditioning plays a large role in developing your comfort zone.

This means that how we form our comfort zones begins in our own mind.

Each of us already has preconceived notions of what may be comfortable and what may not be, and we designate mental guidelines to keep us within our comfort zone.

You have chosen your own comfort zone boundaries!

Knowing your boundaries is the first step to being able to expand them.

Disobey some of your self-imposed rules.

If you want to expand your comfort zone, you must let yourself loose from the guidelines you impose on yourself.

Breaking some of these rules will allow you to seek new experiences that can bring you greater success!

Consider the true risk of a situation.

It’s important to know what the true risks are, as opposed to what you feel (or fear) may occur.

Knowing the difference can enable you to overcome your limitations.

Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort level.

Many times, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to boundaries and limitations.

There are times when you’ll have to push yourself to get where you want to be.

In these instances, you must meet the challenge to leave your comfort zone.

When stepping outside your comfort zone brings you success, you’ll find that the benefits are well worth the effort!

Whenever you try something for the first time, you’re bound to be a little uncomfortable.

We’re all conditioned to fight change and stay in our comfort zones.

You may have to remind yourself that only you can push yourself to step outside the box.

Be patient, be aware of your self-imposed limitations, and try things in small steps at a time.

This way your comfort zone will expand at a gradual, comfortable pace, and your fears and anxieties will subside as you gain positive experiences.

Keep your dreams in sight!

Expanding your comfort zone may be all it takes to achieve your goals and live the life you dream of.

What is one thing you would like to do that you are hesitant in doing?

How can doing this help you be happier?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 5, 2018February 1, 2018

How to Delegate Tasks Effectively at Work and Home

Do you ever feel frustrated by too much work?

Does everyone else involved seem totally unaware of the urgency?

Imagine how different your life would be if only you could gain more cooperation in the workplace or at home!

Learning to delegate tasks effectively to employees, children, or teammates can reduce stress while accomplishing much more in less time.

Whether it’s your home or business you want to improve, a few changes can make all the difference in the world!

For example, when you visit a well-run classroom, you’ll find a teacher who has planned ahead for the day, assigned specific tasks to different children based on strengths, and requests help from the students.

The teacher doesn’t try to do everything.

Rather, the students are given assignments to be office helper, chalkboard washer, group leader, and more.

This works best when the tasks are spelled out on a chart with names assigned to the job, but simply requesting help is also effective.

You can use these same methods in your environment to recruit some much needed help and cooperation.

People intrinsically want to feel useful, so when delegating tasks, use these ideas:

Plan ahead. You can’t overestimate the power of planning.

When you know exactly what you want to accomplish, you can express it clearly to your children or employees.

With an end result in view, everyone stays on track.

Make a master list of tasks you’d like accomplished, including the different steps needed to complete each task.

Assign these steps to different people so each person in the office or family is working together to achieve a goal, and nobody is overburdened.

Match tasks to strengths.

Finding the person whose strength matches each need will not only result in the best product, but also more satisfaction in those doing the tasks.

Figure out who the writers, organizers, computer geeks, and artistic people are within your group and let their gifts complement their assignments.

The same holds true in your family when delegating tasks.

Match chores to the child based on age, physical capabilities, and preferences.

For example, if you have one child who likes a particular chore, let that chore become your child’s regular job.

Make tasks clear. Take the time to explain each person’s task and the steps needed to finish it.

Posting the steps on a dry erase board or chart is an effective visible reminder.

If your subordinates or children have clear expectations, you can simply tell them to complete their assigned job.

Some children are visual learners.

They learn by watching rather than listening to directions.

Show your children how to do a task correctly and they’ll learn quickly.

Make Deadlines Reasonable.

When you need something done quickly, especially in an office environment, people will naturally become stressed out trying to do the job correctly and quickly.

This will inevitably lead to mistakes being made and you’ll need extra time – and possibly extra money – to fix those mistakes.

Let your clients know how long is required to complete the job, and only commit to reasonable time frames.

If necessary, hire extra people to help rather than overloading your current workers.

You can keep your home and business running smoothly without frustration or stress.

With clear expectations and people functioning in their best capacities, peace and efficiency can be yours!

Start getting the results you want today by implementing these tips into your every day routines.

How does your family help with the chores at home?

How can you develop a better relationship with your family because of delegating?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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October 5, 2018February 1, 2018

Delegating is important to my success and well-being.

October 4, 2018February 1, 2018

How to Communicate Effectively with Your Partner

Do you ever feel like your partner doesn’t understand you?

Has there been a change in your communication level in recent months?

If you’ve been experiencing either of these problems, it may help to know you’re not alone.

In fact, lack of communication between partners is often one of the top reasons for breakups.

There is hope, however. You can learn how to communicate effectively with your partner!

Most people don’t have any idea what it takes to have effective communication.

Even though you’ve been talking your whole life, have you really been communicating?

There’s so much more to communication that merely talking.

Effective communication includes non-verbal cues like eye contact, body language, and tone of voice, as well as the words you choose.

Communication also includes being able to listen and actually hear what your partner is saying.

If you’d like to communicate better with your partner, here are some ideas that can help:

Discuss problems appropriately.

If arguing is a problem for you and your partner, you can turn the arguments into meaningful discussions with the right techniques.

When you need to discuss an issue, set the right stage for effective communication by choosing a time when both of you are calm and in a good mood.

Instead of both of you talking at the same time, only one person should be allowed to talk at a time.

While one person is talking, the other person should concentrate on listening and hearing what’s actually being said.

When the first person finishes what they want to say, the other can then express their views about the situation.

Acknowledge your partner’s feelings and concerns rather than putting them down for how they feel.

Avoid accusations.

Blaming or accusing may also be an issue you have with your partner.

You can both help alleviate this problem by using “I” messages rather than “you”

Starting a statement with “You always” will accomplish one thing and one thing only: you, your partner, or both of you will immediately become defensive.

Use “I feel” or “I think” statements to express your feelings without blaming your partner for doing, or not doing, something you thought they should.

Here’s an example: Instead of saying “You’re never home in time for dinner,” you could say, “I feel upset about having spent time preparing a meal and having to share in it alone.”

In this way, your partner knows how you feel but they haven’t been personally attacked.

Listen effectively. You may feel like your partner doesn’t listen.

There’s a method of communicating called active listening in which one person talks and then the other paraphrases what was said.

After listening to the first partner, the second partner asks, “Did I understand you correctly?” and then paraphrases what they just heard.

Listening to each other might not even be the problem.

It might be that one or both of you haven’t actually understood what the other has said.

Active listening will clarify your comprehension.

Focus on one topic at a time.

Try to stick to one subject until the issue has been resolved or you agree to take a break from it.

Some couples start out talking about which type of dog to get and end up arguing about where to send their children to college.

This can help you make decisions and reduce the amount of stress you may both feel while you’re talking.

Effective communication with your partner is of the utmost importance if you want your relationship to last.

You want to know that your partner hears you, understands you, and is there for you.

They need to be able to convey to you their hopes and dreams as well as their concerns.

If you take the time to learn how to communicate effectively with your partner by following these ideas, you’ll enjoy greater happiness and success in your relationship.

What was the most memorable conversation you last had with your partner about?

How did it make you feel?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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