Know & Then Strategically Define Your WHY.
The purpose of clarifying your WHY is two-fold.
Clarity leads to motivation.
Operating from your deepest conviction creates authentic and optimal performance.
So how do you get to your why?
It’s really not that hard.
I recently learned a brilliant strategy for getting to your why from Joe Stumpf, who is an author, CrossFit champion, and renowned transformational coach.
Here’s how it works:
Think about what it is you want, and ask yourself this simple question:
What about ___________ is important to me?
Just answer the first thing that comes to mind.
Don’t over complicate it.
If your goal is to work from home, then ask yourself the question:
What about “working from home” is important to me?
Your answer might be something like, “to have a more flexible schedule.”
You then put THAT into the previous question.
What about “having a more flexible schedule” is important to me?
Feeling less stressed and controlled.
What about “feeling less stressed and controlled” is important to me?
I work better, and am happier when I can manage myself.
What about “working better, being happy, and managing myself” is important to me?
It’s good to go at least 7-questions deep into this exercise.
If you’re answering really honest with yourself, this exercise will expose two things:
Key events that have shaped you (often from childhood)
Key beliefs/values you hold about the world
If you can get to the core of WHY you’re doing what you’re doing, you can then realize just how important that thing is to you.
Far too often, we only think of our base-level motivations for what we’re doing, which is less personally meaningful. Thus, our performance doesn’t come from our core.
For example, I’m starting this business to have more flexibility in my schedule.
Sure, that’s important. But it’s not THAT INSPIRING. Why do you want more flexibility?
Go deeper.
A lot deeper.
And once you get the crux, then remind yourself, daily, OF THAT REASON, for starting a business.
Here’s what’s great though. You get to decide HOW YOU FRAME your “Why.” You get to decide your reasons for what you do.
Those reasons COME FROM YOU. They don’t need to be assigned from an outside source. To quote the famed Diana Ross, “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream, you’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.”
In the epic TED talk, philosopher Ruth Chang explains how to make really really hard choices. You get down to the WHY, and then ultimately, you define that WHY for yourself.
Yes, you have a story. But you get to shape that story. You get to shape your reasons. And when you do, then not only can you act from your highest values, but you get to proactively decide and define what those values are.
The purpose of clarifying your WHY is two-fold.
Clarity leads to motivation.
Operating from your deepest conviction creates authentic and optimal performance.
So how do you get to your why?
It’s really not that hard.
I recently learned a brilliant strategy for getting to your why from Joe Stumpf, who is an author, CrossFit champion, and renowned transformational coach.
Here’s how it works:
Think about what it is you want, and ask yourself this simple question:
What about ___________ is important to me?
Just answer the first thing that comes to mind.
Don’t over complicate it.
If your goal is to work from home, then ask yourself the question:
What about “working from home” is important to me?
Your answer might be something like, “to have a more flexible schedule.”
You then put THAT into the previous question.
What about “having a more flexible schedule” is important to me?
Feeling less stressed and controlled.
What about “feeling less stressed and controlled” is important to me?
I work better, and am happier when I can manage myself.
What about “working better, being happy, and managing myself” is important to me?
It’s good to go at least 7-questions deep into this exercise.
If you’re answering really honest with yourself, this exercise will expose two things:
Key events that have shaped you (often from childhood)
Key beliefs/values you hold about the world
If you can get to the core of WHY you’re doing what you’re doing, you can then realize just how important that thing is to you.
Far too often, we only think of our base-level motivations for what we’re doing, which is less personally meaningful. Thus, our performance doesn’t come from our core.
For example, I’m starting this business to have more flexibility in my schedule.
Sure, that’s important. But it’s not THAT INSPIRING. Why do you want more flexibility?
Go deeper.
A lot deeper.
And once you get the crux, then remind yourself, daily, OF THAT REASON, for starting a business.
Here’s what’s great though. You get to decide HOW YOU FRAME your “Why.” You get to decide your reasons for what you do.
Those reasons COME FROM YOU. They don’t need to be assigned from an outside source. To quote the famed Diana Ross, “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream, you’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.”
In the epic TED talk, philosopher Ruth Chang explains how to make really really hard choices. You get down to the WHY, and then ultimately, you define that WHY for yourself.
Yes, you have a story. But you get to shape that story. You get to shape your reasons. And when you do, then not only can you act from your highest values, but you get to proactively decide and define what those values are.
You need to stay committed to your goal if you want to build a habit and eventually change your lifestyle. The 21/90 rule only works if you consistently stick to your plan, the days must be consecutive.
Decide what you want to accomplish or change. This could be a personal or professional goal. Write it down in your planner or keep it on your laptop. Make sure it is visible to you so you can remain present and focused on your goal.
Keep it focused, you can’t do EVERYTHING. Focus on building one small habit at a time, the rest will follow.
You need to stay committed to your goal if you want to build a habit and eventually change your lifestyle. The 21/90 rule only works if you consistently stick to your plan, the days must be consecutive.
Rinse and repeat! The 21/90 rule can be used again and again to achieve your goals, build habits and change your lifestyle. Start small but think big.
Decide what you want to accomplish or change. This could be a personal or professional goal. Write it down in your planner or keep it on your laptop. Make sure it is visible to you so you can remain present and focused on your goal.
Keep it focused, you can’t do EVERYTHING. Focus on building one small habit at a time, the rest will follow.
You need to stay committed to your goal if you want to build a habit and eventually change your lifestyle. The 21/90 rule only works if you consistently stick to your plan, the days must be consecutive.
Rinse and repeat! The 21/90 rule can be used again and again to achieve your goals, build habits and change your lifestyle. Start small but think big.
10 things to quit immediately.
1. What people think of you. That’s none of your business. Let ‘people’ do their job. You do yours!
2. Acting as if you are powerless. And when you act too often, you become powerless. Act responsibly. Response-Ably.
3. Fear of failure. Fear of failure is funny. It distracts you from controlling what you can and deprives you from celebrating what’s available right now.
4. Need for control and certainty. Need for speed is ok but need for control and certainty is illusionary. That’s not how things are designed by nature. Start enjoying uncertainty.
5. Comparison. With whom? When? On what basis? Under what circumstances? Comparison is perhaps the most vicious attack on our happiness.
6. Busyness as status symbol. You are busy — good. Try to improve on how you organize your day. Bragging about how busy you are is funny. It’s like bragging about what you should be actually ashamed of.
7. Self-doubt. Clarity… Build clarity. Don’t underestimate yourself.
8. Self-confidence. Clarity… Build clarity. Don’t overestimate yourself.
9. Always in control posture. It’s ok to be nervous. It’s ok to feel bad. It’s ok to feel sad. These are human emotions. Don’t fake control. It eats you more than it serves you.
10. “It’s my right” mindset. The world is chaotic because we are all focusing on rights. The world will be a more compassionate, joyful place to live if “it’s my right” mindset shifts to “it’s my responsibility”
1. What people think of you. That’s none of your business. Let ‘people’ do their job. You do yours!
2. Acting as if you are powerless. And when you act too often, you become powerless. Act responsibly. Response-Ably.
3. Fear of failure. Fear of failure is funny. It distracts you from controlling what you can and deprives you from celebrating what’s available right now.
4. Need for control and certainty. Need for speed is ok but need for control and certainty is illusionary. That’s not how things are designed by nature. Start enjoying uncertainty.
5. Comparison. With whom? When? On what basis? Under what circumstances? Comparison is perhaps the most vicious attack on our happiness.
6. Busyness as status symbol. You are busy — good. Try to improve on how you organize your day. Bragging about how busy you are is funny. It’s like bragging about what you should be actually ashamed of.
7. Self-doubt. Clarity… Build clarity. Don’t underestimate yourself.
8. Self-confidence. Clarity… Build clarity. Don’t overestimate yourself.
9. Always in control posture. It’s ok to be nervous. It’s ok to feel bad. It’s ok to feel sad. These are human emotions. Don’t fake control. It eats you more than it serves you.
10. “It’s my right” mindset. The world is chaotic because we are all focusing on rights. The world will be a more compassionate, joyful place to live if “it’s my right” mindset shifts to “it’s my responsibility”
Respect Yourself
There’s a phrase that goes “always pay yourself first”.
Remember that you should always work smart and hard. You should try to perform your best in everything you do.
However, that shouldn’t extend to devoting your entire life to your work.
Take time to recharge, spend time with friends and family, and do things that are important to you. You may do work that’s important to you and others and that’s great, but don’t forget that it is work.
You owe your employer what you’ve agreed to, not more.
So if they expect you to perform a certain level and you always push to exceed that by a wide margin you greatly help the organization while harming yourself personally.
Pay yourself first.
There’s a phrase that goes “always pay yourself first”.
Remember that you should always work smart and hard. You should try to perform your best in everything you do.
However, that shouldn’t extend to devoting your entire life to your work.
Take time to recharge, spend time with friends and family, and do things that are important to you. You may do work that’s important to you and others and that’s great, but don’t forget that it is work.
You owe your employer what you’ve agreed to, not more.
So if they expect you to perform a certain level and you always push to exceed that by a wide margin you greatly help the organization while harming yourself personally.
Pay yourself first.
The nine to five scam is a cultural phenomenon that keeps people stuck. It forces people to buy into the idea that they need to sell nearly a third of their time to a company – and for what? To survive really. There aren’t many better options out there, are there?
The scam is that you’ve been sold that a nine to five job is a good thing – something to aspire for.
Don’t get me wrong, it probably is better than some of the other options that our society has for work schedules. But that’s what makes the scam so insidious. All of the other options are so awful that we feel lucky to score a nine to five in today’s environment!
The nine to five schedule is one of the best options we have available. But that doesn’t mean it’s good, or something to celebrate. I get wanting to break away from those horrible schedules to get something a little less awful, but at the same time, we can try changing our culture around work and attempt different options. We don’t have to be tied to the least bad choice.
The forty-hour work week was born. Eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours to what we will, as the slogan goes.
But, in today’s world, it’s more of a trap than anything. Eight hours of work easily morphs into 10 or 12 hours when you include commute times and required but unpaid breaks.
The scam is that you’ve been sold that a nine to five job is a good thing – something to aspire for.
Don’t get me wrong, it probably is better than some of the other options that our society has for work schedules. But that’s what makes the scam so insidious. All of the other options are so awful that we feel lucky to score a nine to five in today’s environment!
The nine to five schedule is one of the best options we have available. But that doesn’t mean it’s good, or something to celebrate. I get wanting to break away from those horrible schedules to get something a little less awful, but at the same time, we can try changing our culture around work and attempt different options. We don’t have to be tied to the least bad choice.
The forty-hour work week was born. Eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours to what we will, as the slogan goes.
But, in today’s world, it’s more of a trap than anything. Eight hours of work easily morphs into 10 or 12 hours when you include commute times and required but unpaid breaks.
Practice These 10 Tiny Habits Every Day And Watch Your Entire Life Change.
I am a firm believer in the power of positive habits.
It’s so easy to point at the clouds and say, “This is where I want to be.”
Anyone can do that.
The challenge is to get your hands dirty and do what you need to do each and every day in order to turn those dreams into a reality.
1. Keep your first promise of the day.
The first promise all of us make to ourselves every day is what time we’re going to get up.
And you know what? A large majority of us break that promise.
The alarm goes off. You hit snooze. And without even meaning to, you’ve already started the day on the wrong foot.
You made a promise the night before that you decided not to keep.
Get in the habit of practicing making a promise to yourself and keeping it.
This is about more than just “waking up.”
This is about the habit.
2. Dress for success.
Look good, feel good.
Part of your morning routine should involve embodying the energy you want to bring into the world.
This has less to do with “looking professional” and more to do with getting yourself in a positive frame of mind.
When you feel comfortable in your own shoes, you carry yourself with a different energy.
It’s the energy that matters.
3. A meditative moment.
Before the chaos of the day begins, take a moment to yourself.
For some, this is meditation.
For others, it might be reading a few pages out of a book, or sitting quietly with a cup of coffee and the newspaper.
But take a moment and feel the calm of the day. It will help you later on, should a storm hit (metaphorically).
You’ll think back to these early morning moments of calm and remember that life is full of waves.
It’s all about riding them out.
4. Eat lunch!
So many people underestimate the value of taking a break for lunch — even if it’s just 15 minutes to eat a sandwich.
Personal health is so important to the long game, and if you ignore it, then you’re only setting yourself up for a much bigger problem down the road.
If your schedule is so busy you can’t make time to feed yourself, something is out of balance — and I promise you, it’s not the lunch that’s the problem.
5. An afternoon moment.
How many people take five minutes in the middle of the day to just reflect on where they’re at?
Not too many.
Instead, once our days get started, we push and push and push until we land on our couch at 9 p.m. and say, “Wow, I am exhausted.”
Life is not a sprint. Life is a marathon.
Instead of having only a quiet morning and/or a quiet night, make time to have five minutes of quiet in the middle of the day as well.
If it’s “impossible” to find that, then excuse yourself to the bathroom for those five minutes.
Everyone has to use the bathroom, right?
Whatever it takes, make those five minutes happen sometime in the afternoon.
You’ll be amazed at what five minutes of quiet can do for the rest of your day.
I am a firm believer in the power of positive habits.
It’s so easy to point at the clouds and say, “This is where I want to be.”
Anyone can do that.
The challenge is to get your hands dirty and do what you need to do each and every day in order to turn those dreams into a reality.
1. Keep your first promise of the day.
The first promise all of us make to ourselves every day is what time we’re going to get up.
And you know what? A large majority of us break that promise.
The alarm goes off. You hit snooze. And without even meaning to, you’ve already started the day on the wrong foot.
You made a promise the night before that you decided not to keep.
Get in the habit of practicing making a promise to yourself and keeping it.
This is about more than just “waking up.”
This is about the habit.
2. Dress for success.
Look good, feel good.
Part of your morning routine should involve embodying the energy you want to bring into the world.
This has less to do with “looking professional” and more to do with getting yourself in a positive frame of mind.
When you feel comfortable in your own shoes, you carry yourself with a different energy.
It’s the energy that matters.
3. A meditative moment.
Before the chaos of the day begins, take a moment to yourself.
For some, this is meditation.
For others, it might be reading a few pages out of a book, or sitting quietly with a cup of coffee and the newspaper.
But take a moment and feel the calm of the day. It will help you later on, should a storm hit (metaphorically).
You’ll think back to these early morning moments of calm and remember that life is full of waves.
It’s all about riding them out.
4. Eat lunch!
So many people underestimate the value of taking a break for lunch — even if it’s just 15 minutes to eat a sandwich.
Personal health is so important to the long game, and if you ignore it, then you’re only setting yourself up for a much bigger problem down the road.
If your schedule is so busy you can’t make time to feed yourself, something is out of balance — and I promise you, it’s not the lunch that’s the problem.
5. An afternoon moment.
How many people take five minutes in the middle of the day to just reflect on where they’re at?
Not too many.
Instead, once our days get started, we push and push and push until we land on our couch at 9 p.m. and say, “Wow, I am exhausted.”
Life is not a sprint. Life is a marathon.
Instead of having only a quiet morning and/or a quiet night, make time to have five minutes of quiet in the middle of the day as well.
If it’s “impossible” to find that, then excuse yourself to the bathroom for those five minutes.
Everyone has to use the bathroom, right?
Whatever it takes, make those five minutes happen sometime in the afternoon.
You’ll be amazed at what five minutes of quiet can do for the rest of your day.
6. Find some free time.
If you’re a driven individual, the concept of “free time” doesn’t really exist.
Free time is more time you can spend working toward your goals.
However, in the long run, this can also produce problems.
Everybody needs time to unwind.
It’s not the length of time that matters as much as the quality of time.
An hour completely detached from your daily grind is much more productive than 5 hours detached in which you mentally punish yourself for “taking a break.”
Free time is crucial, especially for creatives.
Let your mind wander.
Take a step back.
See the forest instead of the trees.
7. Manage your money, don’t let your money manage you.
A lot of stress is rooted in money.
But is it really money’s fault?
Or is it rather our relationship with it?
Take the time to learn a bit about finance and how you can set yourself up for success.
Implement positive habits here and then stick to them.
Put away a chunk of each paycheck to a retirement account.
Put away another chunk to your personal savings. Make purchases within reason.
And then once a month, do a quick review with yourself and look at where your money is being spent.The more diligent you can be here, the more you will be able to build habits that set you up for the future you truly want.
8. Introduce yourself.
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with someone on the train?
At the grocery store?
In line waiting for your coffee?
You never know who you could meet — and it’s these moments of serendipity that keep life moving in a playful way.
Some of my best business connections I met through random conversations at the gym.
Some of my favorite stories have been the result of deciding to talk to someone new.
Make it a habit to introduce yourself to people who cross your path.
It’s the easiest way to keep life interesting.
9. Explore.
Building off the above, it’s so easy to fall into routines of going to same places, ordering the same dishes, meeting up with the same people.
Make it a habit to explore new things.
If you’ve been wanting to go to that new coffee shop down the street, then go.
If you’ve been thinking of trying a new restaurant, make a reservation.
It’s never going to happen unless you make it happen.
10. Keep a journal and sleep.
And of course, there are two of the most underrated habits in the world — journaling before bed, and then actually sleeping.
The reason I advocate so much for journaling before bed is because it is one of the few moments during the day when all is calm.
This is time that is best used to reflect, see how the day went, see how you feel, see how you can improve for tomorrow and then set your intention.
The other reason it’s crucial to do this right before bed is because it will then soak into your subconscious while you sleep.
If you can make this a habit, then you will find yourself consistently waking up the next day very clear on what you need to do in order to be successful.
You will have just spent a whole night planting those “next steps” into who you are — and when you rise, it’ll be time to get to work.
If you’re a driven individual, the concept of “free time” doesn’t really exist.
Free time is more time you can spend working toward your goals.
However, in the long run, this can also produce problems.
Everybody needs time to unwind.
It’s not the length of time that matters as much as the quality of time.
An hour completely detached from your daily grind is much more productive than 5 hours detached in which you mentally punish yourself for “taking a break.”
Free time is crucial, especially for creatives.
Let your mind wander.
Take a step back.
See the forest instead of the trees.
7. Manage your money, don’t let your money manage you.
A lot of stress is rooted in money.
But is it really money’s fault?
Or is it rather our relationship with it?
Take the time to learn a bit about finance and how you can set yourself up for success.
Implement positive habits here and then stick to them.
Put away a chunk of each paycheck to a retirement account.
Put away another chunk to your personal savings. Make purchases within reason.
And then once a month, do a quick review with yourself and look at where your money is being spent.The more diligent you can be here, the more you will be able to build habits that set you up for the future you truly want.
8. Introduce yourself.
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with someone on the train?
At the grocery store?
In line waiting for your coffee?
You never know who you could meet — and it’s these moments of serendipity that keep life moving in a playful way.
Some of my best business connections I met through random conversations at the gym.
Some of my favorite stories have been the result of deciding to talk to someone new.
Make it a habit to introduce yourself to people who cross your path.
It’s the easiest way to keep life interesting.
9. Explore.
Building off the above, it’s so easy to fall into routines of going to same places, ordering the same dishes, meeting up with the same people.
Make it a habit to explore new things.
If you’ve been wanting to go to that new coffee shop down the street, then go.
If you’ve been thinking of trying a new restaurant, make a reservation.
It’s never going to happen unless you make it happen.
10. Keep a journal and sleep.
And of course, there are two of the most underrated habits in the world — journaling before bed, and then actually sleeping.
The reason I advocate so much for journaling before bed is because it is one of the few moments during the day when all is calm.
This is time that is best used to reflect, see how the day went, see how you feel, see how you can improve for tomorrow and then set your intention.
The other reason it’s crucial to do this right before bed is because it will then soak into your subconscious while you sleep.
If you can make this a habit, then you will find yourself consistently waking up the next day very clear on what you need to do in order to be successful.
You will have just spent a whole night planting those “next steps” into who you are — and when you rise, it’ll be time to get to work.
Forwarded from NFT Materialz
Decide Faster!!! 💭
Our lives are defined by our ability to make decisions. Our careers, relationships, health—anything and everything about our present selves—boils down to the decisions we’ve made in the past, yet some of us struggle with effective decision-making skills.
We are at the extreme of the decision-making process, spending too much time thinking about our decisions with not enough time acting on them.
For people like us, we need to balance out our decision-making processes with a bit of “rashness” or by listening to our gut feeling. We need techniques that will help us dive into our decisions head first and to stop worrying about the repercussions so much.
⚡️Check out TED Talk with Patrick McGinnis talking about how to make faster decisions 🔥
Our lives are defined by our ability to make decisions. Our careers, relationships, health—anything and everything about our present selves—boils down to the decisions we’ve made in the past, yet some of us struggle with effective decision-making skills.
We are at the extreme of the decision-making process, spending too much time thinking about our decisions with not enough time acting on them.
For people like us, we need to balance out our decision-making processes with a bit of “rashness” or by listening to our gut feeling. We need techniques that will help us dive into our decisions head first and to stop worrying about the repercussions so much.
⚡️Check out TED Talk with Patrick McGinnis talking about how to make faster decisions 🔥
Be a warrior.
Warriors walk the middle path—the path of poise, balance, and inner strength. There is a wise warrior within you, the part of you that completes complex tasks, perseveres in the heat of a challenge, gets things done, and solves problems. Warriors speak honestly without being hurtful, they’re confident without being arrogant, and they’re humble without being timid.
Warriors manage their inner world, think clearly, speak truthfully, and act with respect. They face difficult situations knowing they can only control their own words and actions. Their mission is not to please others or fit in. Their mission is to be true to themselves. The word “ruin” means to damage irreparably, destroy completely, or spoil something. Warriors only ruin that which seeks to harm themselves or others.
Warriors aren’t cynical about life; they fully embrace life. Warriors don’t blame others, don’t wish they had more than they do, don’t criticize themselves, or let fear run the show. Warriors take an interest in their inner world, pay attention to their intuition, and take care of their bodies, knowing life is short. They focus on what it’s their control and know real contentment is in the heart.
Warriors walk the middle path—the path of poise, balance, and inner strength. There is a wise warrior within you, the part of you that completes complex tasks, perseveres in the heat of a challenge, gets things done, and solves problems. Warriors speak honestly without being hurtful, they’re confident without being arrogant, and they’re humble without being timid.
Warriors manage their inner world, think clearly, speak truthfully, and act with respect. They face difficult situations knowing they can only control their own words and actions. Their mission is not to please others or fit in. Their mission is to be true to themselves. The word “ruin” means to damage irreparably, destroy completely, or spoil something. Warriors only ruin that which seeks to harm themselves or others.
Warriors aren’t cynical about life; they fully embrace life. Warriors don’t blame others, don’t wish they had more than they do, don’t criticize themselves, or let fear run the show. Warriors take an interest in their inner world, pay attention to their intuition, and take care of their bodies, knowing life is short. They focus on what it’s their control and know real contentment is in the heart.
Happiness is a Choice!
As Aristotle said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim . . . of human existence.”
One of the greatest achievements we can attain in life is leaving this world a better place than we found it. So, how can we make that a real accomplishment, and not just a hope? For one, we may need to re-think some of our attitudes about the sources of happiness.
Taking a fresh look at what we believe, can open up a world of possibilities. Ultimately, happiness boils down to small course corrections made daily. They will help us to become happier people.
There are many people who are knowledgeable and highly educated, yet who are quite unhappy in their lives. They know intellectually the steps to happiness, but knowledge without application is really just education.
We can learn all the things that contribute to true, lasting happiness, like gratitude, forgiveness, love, and being of service, but if we don’t apply them in our life on a daily basis, not much will change.
The good news is, we have quite a bit of control over whether we are happy or not. Although much of our natural disposition for happiness is based upon our genetic makeup, and therefore varies from person to person, it is merely an inherited tendency, not our destiny. Our destiny is, and always will be, what we work toward, what we accomplish in our lives.
Feedback Bot: @NeuroAnswersBot
As Aristotle said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim . . . of human existence.”
One of the greatest achievements we can attain in life is leaving this world a better place than we found it. So, how can we make that a real accomplishment, and not just a hope? For one, we may need to re-think some of our attitudes about the sources of happiness.
Taking a fresh look at what we believe, can open up a world of possibilities. Ultimately, happiness boils down to small course corrections made daily. They will help us to become happier people.
There are many people who are knowledgeable and highly educated, yet who are quite unhappy in their lives. They know intellectually the steps to happiness, but knowledge without application is really just education.
We can learn all the things that contribute to true, lasting happiness, like gratitude, forgiveness, love, and being of service, but if we don’t apply them in our life on a daily basis, not much will change.
The good news is, we have quite a bit of control over whether we are happy or not. Although much of our natural disposition for happiness is based upon our genetic makeup, and therefore varies from person to person, it is merely an inherited tendency, not our destiny. Our destiny is, and always will be, what we work toward, what we accomplish in our lives.
Feedback Bot: @NeuroAnswersBot
How to Execute Great Ideas 💡
Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of ideas, but this creative strength can quickly become a weakness if the ideas aren't managed well.
Taking a systematic approach isn't always easy for the right-brained, creative solopreneur. But to get these ideas off the ground, that's what we have to do. So whether your idea is about a new product, marketing or other growth or organizational opportunities, here are a few of these tips to move it forward – or take it off the list once and for all.
Get them out of your head and onto paper. Having all of this brilliance trapped in your brain is exhausting – it wants out! Begin by sorting out your ideas; big and small.
Examine and Expand. When your idea is in its initial stages take a curious, no pressure approach. Rather than putting pressure on yourself to find a way to make the idea work, simply ask 'what if' questions.
Compare your idea or strategy to your vision and mission statements. Is there synergy? Does it really fit in with your long term goals? Does it change anything in a way that you must explore or does it just confuse the picture? Is it too far off the mark or does it fit in seamlessly with the big picture?
Apply the S.W.O.T. analysis steps to your idea. Draw a quadrant on a piece of paper or write down the four categories on your mindmap or whiteboard. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Here's a fun idea - Go somewhere different to work through your ideas. I love to work in a hotel lobby or a coffee shop or bookstore I've never been to. Somehow, this creates a new level of excitement for my planning and brainstorming and really helps me tap into that playful side.
Feedback bot: @NeuroAnswerBot
Entrepreneurs typically have no shortage of ideas, but this creative strength can quickly become a weakness if the ideas aren't managed well.
Taking a systematic approach isn't always easy for the right-brained, creative solopreneur. But to get these ideas off the ground, that's what we have to do. So whether your idea is about a new product, marketing or other growth or organizational opportunities, here are a few of these tips to move it forward – or take it off the list once and for all.
Get them out of your head and onto paper. Having all of this brilliance trapped in your brain is exhausting – it wants out! Begin by sorting out your ideas; big and small.
Examine and Expand. When your idea is in its initial stages take a curious, no pressure approach. Rather than putting pressure on yourself to find a way to make the idea work, simply ask 'what if' questions.
Compare your idea or strategy to your vision and mission statements. Is there synergy? Does it really fit in with your long term goals? Does it change anything in a way that you must explore or does it just confuse the picture? Is it too far off the mark or does it fit in seamlessly with the big picture?
Apply the S.W.O.T. analysis steps to your idea. Draw a quadrant on a piece of paper or write down the four categories on your mindmap or whiteboard. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats.
Here's a fun idea - Go somewhere different to work through your ideas. I love to work in a hotel lobby or a coffee shop or bookstore I've never been to. Somehow, this creates a new level of excitement for my planning and brainstorming and really helps me tap into that playful side.
Feedback bot: @NeuroAnswerBot
Doing nothing becomes everything
Famed author, Raymond Chandler, had a brilliant strategy for procrastination that I have used for years. It’s called the “Nothing Alternative”:
When you are feeling unproductive, don’t allow yourself to do anything. This means no entertainment devices, no books, nothing. It is very boring. But if you make this rule and allow yourself only to do only one thing, you will find yourself walking the plank and doing that very task. It feels like putting yourself in time out. But you’ll find your task beats the despair of boredom.
Meditation is also extremely effective if you can’t get focused. When I’m most distracted, I close my eyes and focus on not allowing in any thoughts. It is in those moments that mental silence is most difficult. My head is full of chaotic energy and thoughts that gust and jerk around inside of me. But in the end, I feel still and focused. I am prepared to work. Start with 5–10 minutes. A little bit goes a long way.
Famed author, Raymond Chandler, had a brilliant strategy for procrastination that I have used for years. It’s called the “Nothing Alternative”:
When you are feeling unproductive, don’t allow yourself to do anything. This means no entertainment devices, no books, nothing. It is very boring. But if you make this rule and allow yourself only to do only one thing, you will find yourself walking the plank and doing that very task. It feels like putting yourself in time out. But you’ll find your task beats the despair of boredom.
Meditation is also extremely effective if you can’t get focused. When I’m most distracted, I close my eyes and focus on not allowing in any thoughts. It is in those moments that mental silence is most difficult. My head is full of chaotic energy and thoughts that gust and jerk around inside of me. But in the end, I feel still and focused. I am prepared to work. Start with 5–10 minutes. A little bit goes a long way.
Ways to Declutter Your Mind So You Can Focus on the Things That Matter Most 💭
Researchers estimate you have about 60,000 thoughts each day. And many of those thoughts involve thinking the same things over and over again.
Rehashing the same things, focusing on negativity, and worrying about things you can't control wastes your time and your mental energy. The key to building more mental muscle involves decluttering your mind of those mental habits that are keeping you stuck.
1. Get rid of the pity parties.
Feeling sad or disappointed is healthy. But self-pity is different. It involves magnifying your misfortune and convincing yourself that your problems are worse than anyone else's. And if you're not careful, it will keep you stuck. When you find yourself hosting a pity party, commit to taking some type of positive action. Even if you can't solve the problem--like you can't fix a loved one's health issue--you can choose to do something to make your life or someone else's life a little bit better.
2. Challenge your self-doubt.
Self-doubt tends to be too deep-rooted to respond to superficial platitudes that you don't actually believe. Repeatedly telling yourself that you're awesome may not drown out the negativity. The best way to deal with self-doubt is to challenge your negative thinking head-on. Each time you prove to your brain that you're more capable and competent than you think, your brain will start to view you in a slightly different light. Consistently challenging your self-doubt will change the way you think.
3. Distinguish worrying and ruminating from problem-solving.
Whether you're struggling to pay your bills or you're having a hard time dealing with a co-worker, active problem-solving is helpful. Rehashing the same things over and over, imagining catastrophic outcomes, and second-guessing your decisions won't get you anywhere. If it's a problem that can be solved, work on changing the environment. If there's nothing you can do to fix the problem, work on changing your mindset.
Researchers estimate you have about 60,000 thoughts each day. And many of those thoughts involve thinking the same things over and over again.
Rehashing the same things, focusing on negativity, and worrying about things you can't control wastes your time and your mental energy. The key to building more mental muscle involves decluttering your mind of those mental habits that are keeping you stuck.
1. Get rid of the pity parties.
Feeling sad or disappointed is healthy. But self-pity is different. It involves magnifying your misfortune and convincing yourself that your problems are worse than anyone else's. And if you're not careful, it will keep you stuck. When you find yourself hosting a pity party, commit to taking some type of positive action. Even if you can't solve the problem--like you can't fix a loved one's health issue--you can choose to do something to make your life or someone else's life a little bit better.
2. Challenge your self-doubt.
Self-doubt tends to be too deep-rooted to respond to superficial platitudes that you don't actually believe. Repeatedly telling yourself that you're awesome may not drown out the negativity. The best way to deal with self-doubt is to challenge your negative thinking head-on. Each time you prove to your brain that you're more capable and competent than you think, your brain will start to view you in a slightly different light. Consistently challenging your self-doubt will change the way you think.
3. Distinguish worrying and ruminating from problem-solving.
Whether you're struggling to pay your bills or you're having a hard time dealing with a co-worker, active problem-solving is helpful. Rehashing the same things over and over, imagining catastrophic outcomes, and second-guessing your decisions won't get you anywhere. If it's a problem that can be solved, work on changing the environment. If there's nothing you can do to fix the problem, work on changing your mindset.
The Power of Consistency Over Intensity For Success
If we think about life as a game, should it be played with more consistency or with more intensity?
If your answer was “consistently intense”, we like you very much, but that is not a legitimate answer. While this sounds great in theory, it’s a great way to burn out.
Turns out, that’s how a lot of us approach our tasks (like our fitness and wellness objectives) more often than we think. We caffeinate, undersleep, over-produce, and “grind” until we can’t seem to remember what “content” feels like.
We sprint to the weekend, crash land, and then try and restart the following week from a weaker position. We also tend to do this on vacation (and come back more tired than when we left).
We treat every day like “gameday.” We want to sweat and “get crushed” in our workouts, we want to eat all the foods, put off the recovery work in place of another hard workout, and play just as hard as we work.
You’d be better served to operate at 65–75% each and every day, with meaningful breaks, to live to fight another day. Frequency also matters, especially in acquiring and committing new skills. Take running for example; one 18-mile run on Saturday is probably less effective than running three miles, six days a week.
We must separate how we go about “training” and how we go about approaching big moments. Of course, there are times when we need to apply intensity. If an Olympic runner doesn’t push to their max potential during the 100m dash final, they’ll lose. If you don’t run 26.2 miles on marathon race day, you won’t finish. Sometimes work (and life) demand we go the extra mile to finish projects, seize unique opportunities, or show up in tough moments.
But that’s not most of the time. We convince ourselves every workout and every meal and every day of work has to be perfect, when in reality we need to show up consistently, over time, which will lead to sustainable results. If the Hare had just run a little slower and didn’t need to nap, he would have destroyed the Tortoise in the race. The higher your potential, the higher your average level of consistency output…75% of a lot is still a lot.
Our advice? Go fast, with purpose and a plan. Be consistent, more often than not. Commit to the long, sustainable process over time instead of the flashy get rich quick scheme.
The “best day ever” is repeatable because it’s consistent.
If we think about life as a game, should it be played with more consistency or with more intensity?
If your answer was “consistently intense”, we like you very much, but that is not a legitimate answer. While this sounds great in theory, it’s a great way to burn out.
Turns out, that’s how a lot of us approach our tasks (like our fitness and wellness objectives) more often than we think. We caffeinate, undersleep, over-produce, and “grind” until we can’t seem to remember what “content” feels like.
We sprint to the weekend, crash land, and then try and restart the following week from a weaker position. We also tend to do this on vacation (and come back more tired than when we left).
We treat every day like “gameday.” We want to sweat and “get crushed” in our workouts, we want to eat all the foods, put off the recovery work in place of another hard workout, and play just as hard as we work.
You’d be better served to operate at 65–75% each and every day, with meaningful breaks, to live to fight another day. Frequency also matters, especially in acquiring and committing new skills. Take running for example; one 18-mile run on Saturday is probably less effective than running three miles, six days a week.
We must separate how we go about “training” and how we go about approaching big moments. Of course, there are times when we need to apply intensity. If an Olympic runner doesn’t push to their max potential during the 100m dash final, they’ll lose. If you don’t run 26.2 miles on marathon race day, you won’t finish. Sometimes work (and life) demand we go the extra mile to finish projects, seize unique opportunities, or show up in tough moments.
But that’s not most of the time. We convince ourselves every workout and every meal and every day of work has to be perfect, when in reality we need to show up consistently, over time, which will lead to sustainable results. If the Hare had just run a little slower and didn’t need to nap, he would have destroyed the Tortoise in the race. The higher your potential, the higher your average level of consistency output…75% of a lot is still a lot.
Our advice? Go fast, with purpose and a plan. Be consistent, more often than not. Commit to the long, sustainable process over time instead of the flashy get rich quick scheme.
The “best day ever” is repeatable because it’s consistent.
How to Be More Organized 📑
Keeping life organized often feels like a juggling act. Just as swiftly as you move to catch one ball – say finances, family commitments, or fun with friends – the next one is hurtling towards you.
Unfortunately, some balls are bound to hit the ground: weeks failing to prioritize sleep, fast food instead of meal prep, and procrastinating with low-impact tasks instead of focusing on deep work.
Instead of throwing life’s tasks in the air in hopes you’ll somehow manage to catch them all, follow a framework to keep every area of your life in order.
1. Develop habits and build a routine
We all have habits that have solidified in our lives over the years and routines that determine our actions without conscious thought. The question is whether these habits are intentional or simply the result of inertia.
Good habits set us up for long-term success and make us feel good. Bad habits rob us of our time, health, happiness, and money. Take a look at the habits in your life too see what’s working, what needs to go, and what new habits would help you reach your goals.
Building good habits isn’t easy. In James Clear’s Atomic Habits he advises us to have a strong reason behind why we want to develop a certain habit:
—“Ultimately, your habits matter because they help you become the type of person you wish to be. They are the channel through which you develop your deepest beliefs about yourself. Quite literally, you become your habits.”
Once you have the habits you want in your life, assemble them in a daily routine that keeps you productive. When you have good habits and can string them together into a strong routine, you can rely less on fleeting motivation and leave minimal room for procrastination and distraction.
🤖 Feedback Bot: @NeuroAnswerBot
Keeping life organized often feels like a juggling act. Just as swiftly as you move to catch one ball – say finances, family commitments, or fun with friends – the next one is hurtling towards you.
Unfortunately, some balls are bound to hit the ground: weeks failing to prioritize sleep, fast food instead of meal prep, and procrastinating with low-impact tasks instead of focusing on deep work.
Instead of throwing life’s tasks in the air in hopes you’ll somehow manage to catch them all, follow a framework to keep every area of your life in order.
1. Develop habits and build a routine
We all have habits that have solidified in our lives over the years and routines that determine our actions without conscious thought. The question is whether these habits are intentional or simply the result of inertia.
Good habits set us up for long-term success and make us feel good. Bad habits rob us of our time, health, happiness, and money. Take a look at the habits in your life too see what’s working, what needs to go, and what new habits would help you reach your goals.
Building good habits isn’t easy. In James Clear’s Atomic Habits he advises us to have a strong reason behind why we want to develop a certain habit:
—“Ultimately, your habits matter because they help you become the type of person you wish to be. They are the channel through which you develop your deepest beliefs about yourself. Quite literally, you become your habits.”
Once you have the habits you want in your life, assemble them in a daily routine that keeps you productive. When you have good habits and can string them together into a strong routine, you can rely less on fleeting motivation and leave minimal room for procrastination and distraction.
🤖 Feedback Bot: @NeuroAnswerBot
Motivate Yourself 🦾
Whether its getting to the gym, writing that personal blog post, networking with professionals developing your app and more, we always need motivation to get these things done.
Sometimes it's tough to understand what motivates us best. However, generally speaking, there are three types of motivation that we can experience -each with their own benefits and drawbacks. So what kind of motivation do you find works for you?
The first is Extrinsic motivation, meaning you are motivated by external rewards and reinforcers. For example, praise or awards.
The second type of motivation is Intrinsic, meaning you are motivated by internal rewards and reinforcers. For example, a sense of achievement.
The third type of motivation is addiction, which is unhealthy and toxic. In this case, the rewards of an activity fade off and you're left only with the reinforcement.
Whether its getting to the gym, writing that personal blog post, networking with professionals developing your app and more, we always need motivation to get these things done.
Sometimes it's tough to understand what motivates us best. However, generally speaking, there are three types of motivation that we can experience -each with their own benefits and drawbacks. So what kind of motivation do you find works for you?
The first is Extrinsic motivation, meaning you are motivated by external rewards and reinforcers. For example, praise or awards.
The second type of motivation is Intrinsic, meaning you are motivated by internal rewards and reinforcers. For example, a sense of achievement.
The third type of motivation is addiction, which is unhealthy and toxic. In this case, the rewards of an activity fade off and you're left only with the reinforcement.
Proven Strategies for Overcoming Distractions
We’ve all been there. Even with the best of intentions to stay on task, we still catch ourselves scrolling through social media when we should be working on a project.
We can’t help but grab our cell phone the moment we hear a notification. And then there’s email! If we aren’t checking it every five minutes, we worry we might miss something important.
Put yourself in distraction-free mode.
Begin building habits that help you eliminate distractions and stay focused. Start by creating an environment in which you’re less tempted to get preoccupied with something other than what you’re working on. This isn’t always easy to do.
For one, many of us rely on a computer to do our work, but we also find our biggest distractions enabled by the use of a computer on the internet. If you constantly find yourself wandering over to video or shopping websites, try using a website blocker app.
Work to create habits that signal to yourself and those around you that you’re in distraction-free mode. Close the door to your office. Put on noise-canceling headphones.
Turn off your phone or put it on silent and move it away from you (so you can’t easily pick it up). If you work in an open office, you may find it helpful to move to a quieter location.
Remove as many excuses and distractions as you can so you can bring your full attention to one task at a time -- no multitasking.
We’ve all been there. Even with the best of intentions to stay on task, we still catch ourselves scrolling through social media when we should be working on a project.
We can’t help but grab our cell phone the moment we hear a notification. And then there’s email! If we aren’t checking it every five minutes, we worry we might miss something important.
Put yourself in distraction-free mode.
Begin building habits that help you eliminate distractions and stay focused. Start by creating an environment in which you’re less tempted to get preoccupied with something other than what you’re working on. This isn’t always easy to do.
For one, many of us rely on a computer to do our work, but we also find our biggest distractions enabled by the use of a computer on the internet. If you constantly find yourself wandering over to video or shopping websites, try using a website blocker app.
Work to create habits that signal to yourself and those around you that you’re in distraction-free mode. Close the door to your office. Put on noise-canceling headphones.
Turn off your phone or put it on silent and move it away from you (so you can’t easily pick it up). If you work in an open office, you may find it helpful to move to a quieter location.
Remove as many excuses and distractions as you can so you can bring your full attention to one task at a time -- no multitasking.
Pumping Up Your Creativity 🌈
We have all been happily trying to work on a project, or come up with some new ideas and hit a wall. Being creative isn’t always easy. It can often feel like all of your creative juice as run dry, and you are never going to break through it. So when that happens, it pays to have a range of ideas that will help you boost your creativity.
Meditation
When we meditate, we learn to control negative thoughts and be more in the moment. Silencing what is hectic and noisy in your life, and replacing it with calm and focused thoughts will make all the difference to your creative process. Not only that, but it will help with your inner calm.
Pressure
Although deadlines can be a good thing, the pressure that we put ourselves under can be crippling. It can be challenging to remove those expectations because goal setting and progress is often how we judge our success. If you find yourself saying things like ‘I should be able to do this’ or ‘Why can’t I do this?’. Then you need to consider changing your language.
Music
Many people swear by classical music to help them stay focused and relaxed while they are working on different projects. Scientists also believe that the brain functions better and become more creative when we listen to classical music. Albert Einstein attributes much of his creativity listening to Mozart – and if it is good enough for him… well, it is probably good enough for you too.
Write It
You should try and get into the habit of writing your ideas down as soon as they appear. Keeping a notebook by your bed, one in your car, and an ideas notebook at your desk or workspace. If you want to keep your ideas in one place, then consider using Evernote or Google Docs and adding as you go. You can go through the list of ideas every time you need some inspiration.
We have all been happily trying to work on a project, or come up with some new ideas and hit a wall. Being creative isn’t always easy. It can often feel like all of your creative juice as run dry, and you are never going to break through it. So when that happens, it pays to have a range of ideas that will help you boost your creativity.
Meditation
When we meditate, we learn to control negative thoughts and be more in the moment. Silencing what is hectic and noisy in your life, and replacing it with calm and focused thoughts will make all the difference to your creative process. Not only that, but it will help with your inner calm.
Pressure
Although deadlines can be a good thing, the pressure that we put ourselves under can be crippling. It can be challenging to remove those expectations because goal setting and progress is often how we judge our success. If you find yourself saying things like ‘I should be able to do this’ or ‘Why can’t I do this?’. Then you need to consider changing your language.
Music
Many people swear by classical music to help them stay focused and relaxed while they are working on different projects. Scientists also believe that the brain functions better and become more creative when we listen to classical music. Albert Einstein attributes much of his creativity listening to Mozart – and if it is good enough for him… well, it is probably good enough for you too.
Write It
You should try and get into the habit of writing your ideas down as soon as they appear. Keeping a notebook by your bed, one in your car, and an ideas notebook at your desk or workspace. If you want to keep your ideas in one place, then consider using Evernote or Google Docs and adding as you go. You can go through the list of ideas every time you need some inspiration.
What Successful People Do On Sunday To Be Productive All Week
It’s hard not to resent Mondays. The day marks the end of the fun and freedom of the weekend—and that’s especially true during the summer, when ordinary Saturdays and Sundays have a carefree vacation vibe.
Even if you love your job, the angst of having to go back to the grind on Monday can leave you disorganized and spinning your wheels all day, explains Richard Citrin, Ph.D., MBA, an organizational and consulting psychologist and author of “The Resilience Advantage.” Then you have to spend the rest of the week playing catch up.
But while Monday is going to happen whether you like it or not, that lack of productivity doesn’t have to. The key is to adopt a few smart habits on Sunday so you set yourself up for a brighter, more efficient workweek without really cutting into your weekend R&R time. These tips will help you do just that.
📌Steal an Hour to Get Organized
Whipping out the calendar app on your phone or tablet while you’re poolside or enjoying a sports marathon on TV is probably not how you planned to spend Sunday. But trust us, it’ll pay off.
“Taking no more than an hour out from your Sunday to anticipate the week ahead and get organized will help you free up head space and reduce worry,” says Christine M. Allen, Ph.D., a psychologist, executive and coach. Check your calendar, email a note to a coworker or yourself and make a to-do list prioritizing tasks you expect to come in first thing in the a.m.
And if you really want a happier Sunday to set you up for Monday, try knocking out annoying chores earlier in the day rather than waiting until the last minute. You know the ones: doing that load of laundry, prepping for next week’s meals or laying out your work clothes so you aren’t tearing through your closet desperately looking for something decent to wear. Tackle them ahead of time, and you can coast through the rest of the weekend.
📌Add Meaning to the Day
No judgment if your preferred way of spending Sunday afternoon is sacked out on the couch binge-watching “Game of Thrones.” But making your Mondays brighter might come down to designating Sunday as the day you do something active that’s personally fulfilling—such as going on a nature hike or walking shelter dogs.
We all have things we have to get done over the weekend, but there’s something to be said for making time for activities that are consistent with your values and connect you to the people you love, says Allen.
It’s hard not to resent Mondays. The day marks the end of the fun and freedom of the weekend—and that’s especially true during the summer, when ordinary Saturdays and Sundays have a carefree vacation vibe.
Even if you love your job, the angst of having to go back to the grind on Monday can leave you disorganized and spinning your wheels all day, explains Richard Citrin, Ph.D., MBA, an organizational and consulting psychologist and author of “The Resilience Advantage.” Then you have to spend the rest of the week playing catch up.
But while Monday is going to happen whether you like it or not, that lack of productivity doesn’t have to. The key is to adopt a few smart habits on Sunday so you set yourself up for a brighter, more efficient workweek without really cutting into your weekend R&R time. These tips will help you do just that.
📌Steal an Hour to Get Organized
Whipping out the calendar app on your phone or tablet while you’re poolside or enjoying a sports marathon on TV is probably not how you planned to spend Sunday. But trust us, it’ll pay off.
“Taking no more than an hour out from your Sunday to anticipate the week ahead and get organized will help you free up head space and reduce worry,” says Christine M. Allen, Ph.D., a psychologist, executive and coach. Check your calendar, email a note to a coworker or yourself and make a to-do list prioritizing tasks you expect to come in first thing in the a.m.
And if you really want a happier Sunday to set you up for Monday, try knocking out annoying chores earlier in the day rather than waiting until the last minute. You know the ones: doing that load of laundry, prepping for next week’s meals or laying out your work clothes so you aren’t tearing through your closet desperately looking for something decent to wear. Tackle them ahead of time, and you can coast through the rest of the weekend.
📌Add Meaning to the Day
No judgment if your preferred way of spending Sunday afternoon is sacked out on the couch binge-watching “Game of Thrones.” But making your Mondays brighter might come down to designating Sunday as the day you do something active that’s personally fulfilling—such as going on a nature hike or walking shelter dogs.
We all have things we have to get done over the weekend, but there’s something to be said for making time for activities that are consistent with your values and connect you to the people you love, says Allen.
Ways Surroundings Impact Your Everyday Life!
It may surprise you to know that what you surround yourself with every day can have a dramatic impact on your well-being. The “mood” you create through the elements that surround you will affect how you feel in each room of your home on a daily basis.
Ancient practices like Feng Shui have been used through the centuries, placing emphasis on creating harmony and good energy between people and their environment. Through the years, we find out more and more about how our environment affects our daily happiness and mental health.
Your surroundings have the power to dramatically influence your mood. This can apply to color, décor, tidiness, and warm vs. cool elements in the room.
Much like the way that the winter blues, or seasonal depression, moves in with the cold, dark, and often unwelcoming environment outdoors, the same emotions can occur indoors when the environment isn’t well suited to you.
When your mood is affected, your behavior, motivation, and drive, will also be affected. If your bedroom makes you feel down (let’s say your bed is too large for the space, making the room feel cramped and confined) you may be more likely to sleep longer and struggle to get out of bed and start your day.
It may surprise you to know that what you surround yourself with every day can have a dramatic impact on your well-being. The “mood” you create through the elements that surround you will affect how you feel in each room of your home on a daily basis.
Ancient practices like Feng Shui have been used through the centuries, placing emphasis on creating harmony and good energy between people and their environment. Through the years, we find out more and more about how our environment affects our daily happiness and mental health.
Your surroundings have the power to dramatically influence your mood. This can apply to color, décor, tidiness, and warm vs. cool elements in the room.
Much like the way that the winter blues, or seasonal depression, moves in with the cold, dark, and often unwelcoming environment outdoors, the same emotions can occur indoors when the environment isn’t well suited to you.
When your mood is affected, your behavior, motivation, and drive, will also be affected. If your bedroom makes you feel down (let’s say your bed is too large for the space, making the room feel cramped and confined) you may be more likely to sleep longer and struggle to get out of bed and start your day.
