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I am committed to caring for myself.

I know that when I take care of myself, I make my whole life better.

Properly caring for me gives me the passion and energy to live life to its fullest with plenty left over to devote to those I love.

I take my commitment seriously and schedule time every day for self-care.

I use tools like meditation and affirmations to relax me and nurture my soul.

I exercise, eat right, and sleep well for both physical and mental health.

My day starts and ends with thanks and meditation.

I visualize my success and happiness and enjoy it to the fullest.

Throughout the day, I use positive affirmations whenever I need a lift.

I include time for myself even on hectic days and especially on stressful days.

Exercising releases my stress and sends a rush of the feel good hormone throughout my body.

It replenishes and revives me so I am ready to take on the world again.

Caring for myself lets me be the best I can be.

When I take a break to do something just for me, I come back stronger than before.

I have more focus and energy for my tasks at hand.

As a result, life is good! I am happy and so are those around me.

I have the strength and fortitude to handle whatever life may throw my way.

Today, I plan to spend more time on me!

When was the last time you did something simply because it would be fun for you?

What are your most relaxing activities this week?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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Becoming Your Own Number 1 Fan

If you’re looking to lead a happier life, believing in yourself is an absolute necessity.

If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you?

You may have gone through some rough times in your life making it difficult to be the happy person you want to be.

Maybe you even suffer from a lack of self-confidence because of past conflicts and pains.

No matter what you’ve been through, you can choose to overcome these obstacles.

It’s time to be your own Number 1 fan and there’s no better time to start than right now! 

1. Gain more confidence in yourself by facing your fears.

Fear of failure may have caused you to ignore your dreams, desires or goals.

Don’t let fear stop you from getting what you want and achieving your goals.

If Thomas Edison had been afraid of failure, we wouldn’t have the luxury of indoor lighting today.

He never gave up trying to find the right way to make a light bulb and he experienced over 10,000 ways of how not to make a light bulb.

Just because you don’t reach your goals or dreams the first time, don’t give up. Keep trying until you succeed. 

Fear of being alone may stop you from going away to school or moving to a new city where you can pursue your dreams.

Realize that you will make new friends and that you’re current friends will always be there.

Now with the Internet, staying in touch with your friends and family is easier and more convenient than ever. 

Once you begin facing your fears, you’ll discover that what you feared may not be such a big deal after all.

But, you’ll never know until you start.

2. Self-talk can also determine whether you believe in yourself or not.

Do you often say negative things like, “I’m an idiot,” or “That was a dumb thing to do,” or “I’m ugly?”

How you perceive yourself comes out in what you say.

However, what you say to yourself can also change how you see yourself.

Start speaking positively to yourself, about yourself.

When you’re getting ready for the day, while looking in the mirror, point out positive characteristics about yourself and say them out loud.

Phrases such as:

“I am an attractive person.”

“I am a good parent.”

“I am a hard worker.”

“I love myself.”

“I like how I look in these clothes.”

“I am brilliant.”

Even if you don’t believe it, say it! You’ll soon realize these things really are true.

You can also post positive quotes or scriptures where you would see them several times a day to keep your spirits high.

3. Insecurity can be a source of disbelief.

Learning to be more secure in certain areas of your life will help you believe in yourself more, plus others will begin to believe in you as well.

There may be certain areas in your life that you feel you need to work on, so work on them!

Are you bad at financial management?

Take a class to help you learn how to budget so you can be in control of your money, instead of your money controlling you.

Are you a slow reader?

Take a speed-reading class or get a tutor to help you build speed.

Do you find it challenging to speak in public?

Take a public speaking course or become an intern for an organization where you must speak in public.

Is your weight stopping you from believing yourself?

First of all, remember that today’s society has a skewed view of beauty.

Don’t allow the media to determine your worth!

However, if your weight is at an unhealthy level, learn how to eat healthy and get regular exercise to take some weight off.

No matter what’s stopping you from believing in yourself, there’s a way to overcome it.

You’ll first need to figure out what’s causing your self-doubt.

Is it fear, insecurity, mental attitudes, or something else?

Only then can you face the obstacle and overcome it.

When was the last time you appreciated yourself?

What skills do you need to develop to become better than what you are now?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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I am raising the bar on self-education, self-talk, and self-development.

My inner motivation is leading me to self-improvement on a whole new level.

I actively seek out new sources of inspiration and positivity.

I devote time each day to learning new ways to ignite my passions and propel me toward success.

I find that the Internet is a literal cornucopia of resources that allow me to improve myself with every possible medium – and it is available to me right in my own home!

The inspirational audios, videos, eBooks, reports, published interviews with experts, seminars, affirmations, and even inspirational desktop wallpapers provide me with self-education, self-talk, and self-development at the click of a mouse.

I can find anything I want to learn about, taught by some of the best experts on the planet!

My self-talk is filled with an abundance of positive statements for every situation.

Negative thoughts and attitudes get dispelled the moment they try to show their ugly head!

Self-development is a priority in my schedule.

I am sure to reserve some time each day to learn new skills, develop new talents, and discover new challenges to expand my limits.

I strengthen my skills in stress reduction and joyful living.

I find new ways to enable fulfillment.

I keep up with the latest health news and I practice everything I learn. My self-improvement time is time well spent.

Today, I plan to start a new strategy of learning one new skill each day and developing them fully to receive their best benefits for my life.

When was the last time you did research simply to learn something for yourself?

How have you included time in your schedule for self-development?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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How to Boost Your Teen’s Self-Esteem

Teens are stuck in an in-between world.

They’re neither children nor adults.

They’re adjusting to both physical and mental changes, including emotional extremes caused by additional activity in the part of the brain that regulates emotions.

Needless to say, for many teens, this is a confusing time!

Along with the normal confusion, teens often suffer from low self-esteem and peer pressure.

Females are more prone to self-esteem issues and often get more attention for the problem, but males are just as susceptible.

In fact, any teen is vulnerable to self-esteem challenges.

As parents and involved adults, it’s our responsibility to help teens foster a healthy self-esteem.

It’s an ongoing process and there are no shortcuts.

Teens need to be constantly reminded that they’re great kids and we’re proud of them.

Follow these strategies every day to boost your teen’s self-esteem:

1. Take the time to talk with your teen.

While your teen may not want to talk to you, make sure they know you’re available if they change their mind.

Sometimes just knowing you’re there for them makes a difference.

Part of talking with a teen is actively listening.

Teens with self-esteem issues often feel that no one listens to them or cares about what they have to say.

Show them you’re listening by letting them finish and then asking questions about what they said.

2. Encourage your teen to live a healthy lifestyle.

Many times problems can manifest when teens are couch potatoes or have unhealthy eating habits.

When a teen eats a well balanced diet and gets a regular amount of exercise, it’s easier for them to feel better about themselves.

Schedule your teen for a full check-up with your doctor.

Your primary health care provider can rule out any physical causes for your teen’s low self-esteem.

They may also recommend additional steps or counseling that can help.

3. Encourage your teen to get involved in an activity they enjoy.

It could be any activity, club, or organization.

Getting them involved in something will help them realize they’re more normal than they think!

Encourage their individuality and interests by letting them pick the activity.

Give them the freedom to express themselves by getting involved in their own interests and passions.

4. Set a positive example for your teen.

No matter how distant your teen may seem, they still model your behaviors closely.

If they see you have a self-esteem issue, they may mimic that. Set an example with a positive attitude towards yourself and others.

5. Help your teen set goals and celebrate when they reach them.

Start with small goals that they can achieve in a short period of time.

When they reach the goal, celebrate with them.

If it takes longer to reach their goal, keep encouraging them.

Show them that taking definitive action to achieve their goal is just as important as reaching the goal.

Let your teen know that it’s okay to change their goal along the way.

This is the way of life and an important skill teens need to learn.

When circumstances change, we may need to re-adjust our plans.

If your teen understands this, it will help build their confidence.

6. Let your teen know you’re proud of them.

When they score an A, tell them how great they did. If they got a C, it’s just as important that your teen knows you’re proud of that grade as well.

Encourage them to do their best and be proud of them when they do.

A teen’s self-esteem can be fragile.

All the time you spend building your teen’s self-esteem can be torn down in one afternoon.

7. Teach your teen that learning to deal with disappointment, criticism, and challenges is an important life skill.

Talk to your teen about how important it is to know they’re still a great person worthy of love and affection, no matter what life may throw their way.

As with anyone, teens will have good and bad days.

Never be discouraged or give up on them.

Follow these strategies and soon enough, you’ll know that you’re on the right path.

Your teen will go through mood swings, but with time and love, they’ll emerge as a strong and confident adult.

What activities can you and your teen do to help boost your teen’s self esteem?

How can sharing your own experiences help your teen think positively?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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Top Five Ways to Be Assertive and Confident

Self-help books fly off the shelves of bookstores.

They’re the most common books on request at libraries.

From business people to housewives, people are looking for ways to improve their lives, and the most sought after self-help books are those on how to be assertive and confident.

During job interviews, potential employers look for essential qualities in prospective employees.

Assertiveness and confidence are high on the list.

People we admire in the business world are often seen as confident and assertive.

To achieve goals in life, these are two valuable character traits.

While some people seem to be born assertive and confident, the rest of us can learn these coveted characteristics.

Here are the top 5 ways to become assertive and confident:

1. Overcome shyness. Shyness can range from healthy to overwhelming and debilitating.

Shyness is not the same as having low self-esteem.

Many shy people have a very positive image of themselves, but they lack assertiveness and confidence.

If you’re shy, you can practice these techniques to overcome your shyness:

2. Visualization. Positively visualize situations and circumstances before experiencing them.

This will give you a better “what if” scenario, and help you be better prepared for any variation.

3. Practice speaking. People who are shy often dislike the sound of their own voices.

Practicing speeches in front of a mirror or with trusted friends will help you gain the confidence you need.

4. Reinforce the positive. This is a way of thinking yourself out of being shy.

By using affirmations to assert your positive characteristics, you can convince yourself that you are brilliant and worthy of great things.

After all, sometimes the hardest person to convince is you!

5. Learn the difference between being aggressive and assertive.

People respond better to an assertive person rather than an aggressive person.

Aggressive people are seen as bullies who approach a problem with harsh criticism.

They would say someone is doing a project “all wrong,” for example.

An assertive person, on the other hand, approaches the same situation with concerns and ideas to improve the project.

Your goal should be to approach people with positive attitudes and solutions to problems.

If you respect others and treat them as you want to be treated, you’ll have the same courtesy returned to you.

Become informed. One of the best methods of being assertive and confident is to know your subject matter.

No matter what the situation is, the more you know, the more confident you’ll be.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a job interview or a presentation to your peers, knowing what you’re speaking about will give you that aura of confidence you desire.

Be prepared for potential questions on your subject matter.

A good idea is to have a trusted coworker help you identify common questions and answers.

You will gain confidence in front of others when you first brainstorm and practice with someone you are comfortable with.

Speak up. Speak with confidence even if you don’t feel confident.

Practice speaking this way. The more you practice the more it will become second nature.

Model your behavior after people you admire.

Chances are the people you admire have the assertiveness and confidence you’re looking for in your own life.

  • Observe how they do things.
  • Pay attention to what they say and how they say it.
  • Watch their body language.

Studying people who have the traits you crave is one of the best ways to create those very same traits in yourself.

Learning to be confident and assertive can enable you to achieve your goals with ease, whatever they may be.

Practicing these and other methods will put you on the right track to success.

First and foremost, you must believe in yourself and your abilities.

Keep in mind that some of our greatest leaders didn’t start out assertive and confident.

George Washington was too shy to talk to people growing up. He changed his ways, and so can you!

How can confidence help you achieve more in life?

In what situations do you need to show your confidence?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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Get More Out of Life: Five Tips to Focus on You

Do you feel like something is missing in your life?

Learning to focus on you, instead of others, may be the key you’ve been seeking!

If you find that you’re comparing yourself to others and coming up short, it’s time to stop that destructive habit.

Comparisons get you nowhere.

Rather than leading to positive improvements, they only cause you pain and discontent.

A better choice is to focus on your own personal needs and wants.

You’re a unique individual who requires a personal approach!

This helps you boost your self-image because you’re focused on improving yourself and not trying to beat someone else in some uncharted race.

Learning to focus on you rather than everyone else around you can be a difficult task.

Too often, we’re so used to focusing on our families and friends that we don’t even know how to begin the process of focusing on our own choices and decisions that determine our lives.

Follow these five tips to help you focus on fully enjoying your life:

1. Devote one hour a day to “me time.”

During this time, focus completely on yourself and the things you need or desire to feel strong, lovable and important.

Reflect on what’s important to you. Dream big dreams and figure out small steps you can take to achieve them.

Your  “me-time” can be anything you like it to be: take a relaxing bubble bath, go for a walk, take a nap, get a manicure, read a novel, or do something else.

Anything that brings you pleasure simply for the sake of pleasure qualifies as me-time.

2. Take care of your own physical, spiritual and health needs.

Relying on someone else to meet your needs only leads to dependence and resentment.

Don’t wait for someone else to do these things for you. 

You have the power within you to meet your own needs and the only way you can be truly whole is to do just that.

3. Feed you mind and body good healthy fuels.

You cannot expect your mind and body to function at their best if you don’t provide them with the fuels they need to work at full capacity.

Feed your body good foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Drink plenty of water to keep your body fully hydrated.

Feed your mind by reading informative, well-written books, newspapers, and magazines.

Choose recreational reading that builds your mind and spirit.

Limit your TV watching and spend your time pursuing things that stimulate your thinking instead.

Play board games rather than video games. Listen to music designed to stimulate your brain waves with binary beats.

4. Spend time each day doing something you love. No matter what your hobby is, it’s healthy to indulge in a creative pastime.

Gardening, painting, woodcarving and pottery are all hobbies that encourage your creativity while you use your hands to create something beautiful.

5. Start a gratitude journal. Begin and end each day by listing five unique things you’re grateful for in your life.

Before long, you’ll find that you spend more of your time dwelling on all the good things you have in the world rather than negative obstacles you might face. 

Focusing on you helps you take the best possible care of yourself.

It allows you to replenish your batteries and regain your strength so you can be fully present and engaged in the rest of your day.

Use these tips to start changing your focus today, and have many happy tomorrows!

What distractions do you have in life?

How can you move away from them and keep your focus on what’s important?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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Building Self-Awareness

Would you like to see some changes in your life?

You can begin making these changes by building self-awareness.

Self-awareness is a self-conscious state where you’re focused on yourself and your well being.

It’s often said, “We cannot change what we will not see.”

Self-awareness is the process of acknowledging not only our strengths, but our weaknesses as well.

Becoming self-aware entails listening to your body and feelings and taking action based on what you hear.

If you’re in tune with your body, you’ll know when to say no to that extra piece of cake or say no to staying up late.

You’ll become more in tune with your body the more often you respect it.

Self-awareness is a process. The more we do it, the better we become at it.

How do you become self-aware?

These tips will help you in your journey to self-awareness:

1. Reflect on who you are and who you’d like to become.

While it’s important to notice your faults and weaknesses, it’s equally important to acknowledge your strengths.

The better you understand yourself, the better you’re able to accept yourself as you are or change the things you’d like to be different.

Self-awareness requires you to be honest with yourself and have the courage to change the things you can.

A full recognition of yourself gives you the opportunity to become the self-fulfilled person you’re destined to be.

Looking deep within your soul, you’ll find the many character traits that make you unique. Begin by acknowledging the positive things.

This will strengthen and encourage you to face the less favorable character traits without abandoning your new venture.

On the other hand, when evaluating your strengths, don’t let your ego get the best of you.

If you magnify either your strengths or your weaknesses, you can’t possibly get a realistic picture of yourself.

Until you examine the truth of who you are, you cannot move into the person you can become.

2. Pay attention to your likes and dislikes.

Far too often, people make life-changing choices without acknowledging deeply rooted personal preferences.

Before you embark on goals for your future, have a full awareness of the things you especially enjoy and those you prefer not to have in your life.

3. Face your inner self.

During your self-awareness process, think about your motivations, dreams, fears and stressors.

Think about why you feel the way you do, then begin to work toward overcoming these inner battles.

4. Ask your loved ones’ opinions.

Talk to people who know you best and really listen to what they see as your dominant character traits and motivations.

Ask them to be completely honest with you and be prepared to hear their opinions. 

You may not be your own best judge of character.

Accept the way your loved ones see you as part of this process.

Consider their opinions along with your own analysis in order to see the full picture of who you are.

Self-awareness is a necessary part of self-esteem and change.

If you want to grow as an individual, begin with a complete and honest picture of who you are now.

This total awareness will start your journey to becoming the best you can be.

How aware are you of your talents and abilities?

How are you using those to your advantage and to better your life?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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Becoming a Master of Self-Discipline

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is learning to master the art of self-discipline.

Learning how to tell yourself no is an important step to become a stronger, wiser and more mature person.

While practicing self-discipline isn’t easy, there are many benefits to mastering this art of personal control:

1. Self-discipline can help you achieve your goals and realize your dreams.

Many times, achieving the goals you set for yourself requires you to sacrifice time, money and energy you might prefer to spend on other things.

Are you willing to have this dedication?

2. Self-discipline helps you get more done.

By cutting out time wasters in your day, you can accomplish more every day and reach your goal sooner.

Without the self-discipline to stick to a task, you can be easily distracted by less important details.

Are you willing to remove these distractions?

3. Self-discipline helps you have greater focus.

By shutting out the things that take you away from your work, you can focus on what is most important.

You can’t say yes to everything and everyone; you must be able to focus on one thing at a time and do it well. 

Focus is nearly impossible to achieve without self-discipline, and goals are nearly impossible to achieve without focus.

Are you willing to focus intensely on your goals?

4. The keys to self-discipline are simple.

If you make a commitment to someone, keep it. If you make a commitment to yourself, guard it with your life!

If you break a commitment to yourself, remember that you are human.

You need to prioritize your commitments to yourself in the same way you prioritize other people’s needs.

5. Part of self-discipline is self-respect.

In order to live the life you truly desire, you need to care for yourself properly.

Respect every part of yourself:

Respect your body. Pay attention to the signals your body sends you.

We’re masterfully created, and your body will tell you when something is out of balance.

Listen to the signals and treat yourself with VIP handling to be the strongest and most productive you can be!

Consider adding exercise or yoga to your daily routine to help you achieve balance in your body and mind.

Nurture your mind by filling it with positive, engaging information.

  • Read books for the sheer joy of learning.
  • Engage in meaningful discussions with people of all backgrounds and philosophies.
  • Avoid negative people and conversations.
  • Listen to joyful, uplifting music instead of letting the television flood your mind with commercialism and negativity.

Respect the spiritual part of yourself.

It’s important to feel connected to something larger than you are.

Connect with your Creator by meditating, praying or spending time in nature.

  • Attend worship services at a local church, if that’s part of your belief system.
  • Allow the spiritual side of yourself to become stronger and more important to you.
  • Base decisions on the greater good rather than simply what feels good at the time.

Respect your physical health.

Taking good care of your health requires self-discipline.

Your body will help you accomplish amazing things if you treat it properly!

  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Get plenty of rest and exercise.
  • Strive to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Refuse to smoke.
  • Avoid over indulging in caffeine or alcohol.

Respect your time.

This includes your work time, family time, playtime and personal time.

Make space in your life for every area.

Schedule family time and alone time just as you do work time and other obligations.

By adding everything to your written agenda, you create a priority within yourself and self-discipline helps you stick to your priorities.

If you want to live your life to the fullest and achieve your goals, self-discipline is a must.

Learning how to control your impulses and make strong decisions is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Self-discipline can bring you the life you always wanted.

How can you control your thoughts and actions to better yourself?

What things do you consider when making a decision for yourself?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!

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In my book of life, personal time equals productive time.

Giving myself personal time is a terrific gift.

I have learned that personal time allows me to be more productive.

Having the time to focus on the things I want to accomplish is important.

Personal time allows me to address the tasks I have set for myself.

In order to actively pursue my life purpose, I need to devote time to my goals.

Because I am a giving person, it is sometimes hard for me to see that I deserve the same amount of respect that I show to others.

When it is right, I find ways to put myself first.

Since I give myself the time and space to accomplish my goals, I am a better person.

I feel like I am listening to and honoring my true desires.

Time for myself enables me to be the best I can be.

It is a great practice to devote time to my thoughts and goals.

Personal time allows me to maximize my productivity.

My book of life is designed to help me become a complete person.

I make time for others and myself.

When I give myself personal time, I use that time fully.

Because personal time equals productive time, I am able to achieve my goals and devote more time to my family and friends.

When I am available to others, I am alive with energy.

My time alone has refreshed my life view and filled me with renewed passion. In my book of life, personal time is priceless.

What do you hope to accomplish during your personal time?

How can you maximize the productivity of your personal time?

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.

Before you leave…

Please share the link to this post on your Facebook, Twitter, etc., and like it, and comment right here – THANKS!