http://ezinearticles.com/?3-Ways-That-Organization-Can-Help-You-Run-Your-Home-Based-Business-Successfully&id=1584571
The sun shines through your window cheerily, and you contemplate rolling over and getting a few more minutes of sleep. After all, you own your own business, and one of the perks is that you make the rules, right?
Wrong.
While you can make most of the rules, organization isn't something you can compromise on; at least not if you want to be successful. Getting a few more hours of sleep may seem appealing, but it's likely to cause a backlog of work for the future. Procrastination is not your friend. However, determination, organization and resolve are definitely your friends, and you should put them to use as much as possible.
Setting Business Hours
If you own your own home based business, you need to set up regular working hours. Whether those hours are at night, when the rest of the household is in bed, or it's during the day, during traditional working hours, you should have an allocated time that you work. This will help you to plan your day better, and not fall under the pall of procrastination, like so many other business owners do.
Staying Neat
If you walk into your work area and see files on the floor and papers littering your desk, it's tough to get motivated about your job. Staying neat and organized is the solution to this problem. By keeping your area neat and easily accessible, you'll find that your job is a whole lot easier.
Get Into a Routine
Routine is the mortal enemy of procrastination. People are creatures of habit, so it only follows that if you set a routine, you'll stick to it out of habit. If you need to get motivated in the morning, try going for a light jog, or visiting your local gym before you start your day. Not only will this benefit you health-wise, but it will allow you to get your blood moving, which will certainly get you motivated.
The important thing, no matter how you accomplish the feat, is to set up some sort of routine that works for you, and stick to it.
Organization is a major keystone in any successful, well run business. Don't allow procrastination to make a failure out of you.
If you'd like to know more about what could be getting in the way of your success, just go to http://www.CrackTheAddCode.com/sp080224.html to sign up and I'll send you a copy of my "Get Into Action - Eight Simple Steps to Overcome Procrastination and " just for visiting. Frank Coppola is an Senior Certified AD/HD Coach (SCAC) & Trainer, Executive Business Advisor & Clinical Psychotherapist who specializes in helping people get organized, overcome procrastination, effectively manage their time and gain focus.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Coppola
Showing posts with label article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label article. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2009
Simple Tricks to Increase Focus If You Have ADD
Having ADD can be a frustrating experience. Very little is known about this condition, and often doctors will prescribe powerful drugs to sharpen a patient's focus. However, there are techniques that can be used to sharpen mental focus, that don't require the use of drugs. There are no side-effects to these techniques, and if one doesn't work for you, you can skip to the next one on the list. After all, what do you have to lose?
Increase Mental Stamina
If you have ADD, you've probably noticed that some tasks are harder to focus on than others. For example, you may find studying for an exam an excruciating practice. Often, you may only be able to focus on a task for 15-30 minutes, and then you begin to look for reasons to do something else, or take a break.
You can increase your mental stamina by forcing yourself to complete an extra 15 minutes. For instance, let's use the above studying scenario. Instead of walking away, force yourself to focus on the task for just fifteen more minutes. Or perhaps, you could finish the chapter before taking a break. The point is, that instead of giving up, you continue to pluck away at the problem, and slowly but surely, you'll increase your mental stamina and be able to concentrate on tasks longer.
Learn to Deal with Distractions
Distractions are everywhere, and it's very hard for most people who have ADD to focus on task when surrounded by phones chirping, people talking or moving around. Sure, you could try to find a quiet place to work, but in some cases, that's not possible.
When surrounded by distractions, you need to learn how to tune out those distractions. Whether you place your hands to the sides of your eyes, thereby blocking out your peripheral vision, or wear ear plugs, you have to begin to explore ways to block out distractions and regain your focus.
Change Tasks
If you're stuck doing a task hour after hour, such as filling out a ledger or excel sheet, break it up some so you don't become bored. Read an interesting book on your break, do some push-ups to stay physically stimulated or do a complex math problem. Whatever it takes, this will help keep your mind sharp and focused.
Dealing with ADD is not a simple task, but it can be done. Never give up, and try new things to help you along the way.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The 'Honeycomb' is a Chinese restaurant
Program：Restaurant Location： Shenzhen, ChinaPlanning Phase ：completedDesinning Period： 2007.10-2008.2Construction Period ： 2008.02-07Date of completion ：2008.07 -Scale：2 FloorsFloor Area： 1,300 m2
Boundary pleat / hole
A restaurant is a place where externalizes the ordinary eating and drinking behaviors. It is utilized in cases where only the location has been externalized for convenience purpose, or for enjoying delicious food prepared by skilled chef, or to hold special events, The Honeycomb is the latter case which sought to create an unordinary space.The 'Honeycomb' is a Chinese restaurant in Shenzhen.The 1300 square meters project is composed of 'large space' （W23ｍ×D50ｍ×H9.2ｍ） and 'small space'（W14ｍ×D16ｍ×H3.6ｍ）. The entrance penetrates lengthwise through the small space that leads to the large space.Similar to other typical Chinese restaurant, it has a large hall for the use of groups and VIP rooms for private use. We sought to distinguish these two types of spaces in nature.For partition, white opaque surface is used in large space and transparent acrylic surface in small space.The white surfaces of the large space undulate in plane, and form six bands of 'pleats' that become the boundary for each space. In section, they appear like six 'honeycombs'. Over 1000 oval shaped holes have been opened on the surface, and a subtle continuity has been established between the two areas.These holes bulge on the outer surface like empty pots, and enrich the space with an organic expression. Base on such manipulation of space, a hall with ceiling height of 9.2 is form at the outer side, and VIP rooms for private use at the inner side. The diameter, angle, and level vary for each of the 6 honeycombs. Based on such variations, hierarchies are established in terms of VIP room sizes, and ceiling height etc.The curtain wall is made of half-mirror panels, when the night falls, it reflects the white surface around, and creates a scene as if the hall is surrounded by waves of the ‘pleats’. Viewing from the outside, light rays shoot out from countless holes of the white surface and making the entire space to look like a giant organism.The inner side of the white surface is divided up to two levers, of which consist of large room and private rooms as well. A spiral staircase penetrates between the levels, and in the center, about twenty five thousands of acrylic balls hang from the 9.2 meters ceiling above. Drops of water dribble along the lines of acrylic balls, and glitter under the strong ceiling light. It looks like as if a waterfall is running down from the ceiling. This waterfall is an eye-catcher from the entrance and draws customers’ attention to the back of the restaurant.Same as the large space, the transparent surface of the small space forms a smooth wavy-line in plane and has many openings. Located on its outer side is the entrance spaces of which the light is dimed, and the inner side is the big hall. The composition of black granite flooring, stain less mirror finishing ceiling and transparent acrylic partitions, blurs the profile of the entrance spaces, so that people have a feeling of looking out at a different dimension while enjoying their meal.In the theme of 'unordinary space', the 'Honeycomb' presented us with the idea where customers can enjoy their meal and the space at the same time.
RIBBON Surrounding/Intertwining KID’S REPUBLIC in Beijing
RIBBON Surrounding/Intertwining KID’S REPUBLIC in Beijing
http://www.sako.co.jp/news/news_top_us.html
Colorful ribbons that “wrap” the space and colorful ribbons that “twist” in space?these two types of colorful ribbons create a place that both creates and cultivates the curiosity of children.
KID’S REPUBLIC in Beijing has an activity room on the first floor and a children’s bookstore on the second floor. The activity room on the first floor is a rainbow-like space created with 12 colorful ribbons of different perimeters. Activities like story-telling and animation shows are periodically held here. The section gaps in the wall and ceiling are used for illumination or displaying items, while those in the floor are also used as a stage and an auditorium. Carpets are laid in the room for children to freely sit and lie down on the floor.
The stairs leads the children to the bookstore on the second floor. The rainbow-like ribbon starts from the hall and goes up along the stairs till the bookstore. The 100-meter-long colorful ribbon, which serves various functions at various places, whirls and twists in the store; it finally ends in the room and goes back to the armrest of the staircase baluster on the first floor where it had started.
The front covers of children’s picture books have rich and bright colors. In comparison to those bookstores selling professional books, the collection of such picture books can produce a cheerful space. No orderly bookshelves can be found here, and children can sit in places that appeal to them and read the picture books at their own pleasure. The colorful ribbon starting from the stairs twists and whirls in the store, and it comes in contact with the bookshelves, tables, gate, checkout counter, and ceiling, and finally, the armrest of the stairs.
Holes of different sizes are designed on the bookshelves against the wall, serving as not only windows to pass internal and external information but also as reading spaces for children. The scenery of children sitting and reading not only decorates the elevation of the store but also gives the appearance of a delightful store to people on the outside.
Interior design generally classifies the floor, wall, ceiling, and furniture into different components. This is an easy way to sort out articles and establish a certain order in the adult world. The design in this case does not consider any of these since the sensibilities of children do not tend toward the abovementioned components. There is no separation for the children to read and play. I tried to make the space more intuitive and free by the design.
http://www.sako.co.jp/news/news_top_us.html
Colorful ribbons that “wrap” the space and colorful ribbons that “twist” in space?these two types of colorful ribbons create a place that both creates and cultivates the curiosity of children.
KID’S REPUBLIC in Beijing has an activity room on the first floor and a children’s bookstore on the second floor. The activity room on the first floor is a rainbow-like space created with 12 colorful ribbons of different perimeters. Activities like story-telling and animation shows are periodically held here. The section gaps in the wall and ceiling are used for illumination or displaying items, while those in the floor are also used as a stage and an auditorium. Carpets are laid in the room for children to freely sit and lie down on the floor.
The stairs leads the children to the bookstore on the second floor. The rainbow-like ribbon starts from the hall and goes up along the stairs till the bookstore. The 100-meter-long colorful ribbon, which serves various functions at various places, whirls and twists in the store; it finally ends in the room and goes back to the armrest of the staircase baluster on the first floor where it had started.
The front covers of children’s picture books have rich and bright colors. In comparison to those bookstores selling professional books, the collection of such picture books can produce a cheerful space. No orderly bookshelves can be found here, and children can sit in places that appeal to them and read the picture books at their own pleasure. The colorful ribbon starting from the stairs twists and whirls in the store, and it comes in contact with the bookshelves, tables, gate, checkout counter, and ceiling, and finally, the armrest of the stairs.
Holes of different sizes are designed on the bookshelves against the wall, serving as not only windows to pass internal and external information but also as reading spaces for children. The scenery of children sitting and reading not only decorates the elevation of the store but also gives the appearance of a delightful store to people on the outside.
Interior design generally classifies the floor, wall, ceiling, and furniture into different components. This is an easy way to sort out articles and establish a certain order in the adult world. The design in this case does not consider any of these since the sensibilities of children do not tend toward the abovementioned components. There is no separation for the children to read and play. I tried to make the space more intuitive and free by the design.
Ways to Unleashing your Creativity
Ways to Unleashing your Creativity
http://www.designsojourn.com/
1) Watch a movie or documentary.
2) Listen to music. No more excuses about having no money to buy CDs. Go to Last.fm or Pandora.
3) Step out of the office for a short stroll.
4) Browse through magazines or books not related to your project.
5) Keep posting questions to yourself. Jolt down pointers or make notes about the project.
7) Do some writing.
8) Go back to the sketching board. Prepare lotsa sketches and try to identify sweet spots. Put these pieces together to form another picture.
9) Go out and take some photos.
10) Exercise if you can. I tend to get insipirations during my morning jog.Looking forward to other contributions.
No matter how good a designer we are, they are times when we face mental blocks that disrupt our design thinking. So in times like these, how can we then boost our creative juices? Here’s another exciting post by our resident contributor py, helping me fill in while I’m off beating my head on some other issues!
Here are some tips inspired by the best, on how we can unleash the creativity from inside us:
1. Setting up your dedicated workspaceIs your environment working for or against your creative work?
If you have to clear off the kitchen table before you’re able to work, it may be time to set up a space that will be ready when you are.
Designing is generally a messy process(i lov this!!) a point at which the clutter becomes an obstacle to be overcome rather than an inspiration. Exactly where that line is drawn varies tremendously from person to person, but it is essential that you are comfortable working in the space around you. So other than clearing up my desk space whenever I finish my work, I will arrange my desk space such that my favorite design books are put next to my computer, within my reach for easy reference.
Decorating one’s desk space helps to cultivate creativity too. For example I decorate my walls with designer postcards as a form of inspiration.
Adapted from The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley and Jonathan Littman, on how workspaces are designed in Ideo to promote communal creativity.
2. Knowing your “peak” period of creativity flow
Our brain can never function creatively at a 100% concentration level every single minute. Psychologists have cited that we are only able to concentrate best at a particular period of the day or night, when we are comfortable with our environment and personal habits. So do take note of the time you are able to concentrate the most, realize how far you can stretch yourself at this period, and notice if it is common for you to always work at this particular period whenever you generate ideas.
Some people have common timings of “peak” design creativity, while others don’t. So the best way is to understand how your own brain, mind and body work when you get creative. By realizing your own creative thinking pattern, you can then learn how to better stimulate optimum “design creativity flow”.
Source: gapingvoid
3. Having a creative community by your side
Isolation is one of the major obstacles that can block creativity, especially when friends and family don’t get what you are trying to do.
Thus, having a group of fellow creatives whom you can brainstorm ideas with helps a lot. Because your creative community understands what it takes, they can motivate, inspire and challenge you to expand your vision of yourself and your work. Setting up regular discussions with one another to share each other’s progress will help motivate one’s creative input further
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, on creative brainstorming. This illustrates how playing with balloons was encouraged in the team, to create a fun discussion together.
4. Mastering the art of story telling
A good way of analyzing design thoroughly is by looking at the design from three different aspects:
Syntactic: By logically breaking down a product into its design parts, this will give a good physical breakdown of the components inside, which gives designers a realistic idea of how the product can be re-designed.
Semantic: By conjuring key words or doing a mood collage to define the artistic values of your design concept, it is a good start to creating strong aesthetic meanings to your design. Flipping through books and websites for visual images is often a good method of getting your creative juices flowing.
Pragmatic: Weaving a mind map or user scenario is always a clear and visual way to rethink design creatively through the eyes of the users. Not only does it enable a simple breakdown of the factors needed for the design aim, it also cultivates a logical way of design thinking
5. Constant reading increases your design knowledge
When we make a point to read and listen to the design and technology buzz around us, we can learn a lot from what we see and hear. As designers, we can easily fall into the trap of just staring at our computer screens only, and be immune to the environment around us.
But as designers, we should always try to take a step back and spend time reading about everyday news and current technologies to keep ourselves abreast, to learn about how new ideas can be improved. By actively reading, we can then build up a strong foundation of how current affairs can apply to design.
Documentation of current news that you find interesting is a good way to archive interesting information for design. Whenever I prepare my blogging entries, I’m often subconsciously reminded of the books or news articles I’ve once read before. That inspires me to regenerate new design ideas and topics constantly and efficiently. Whatever I find interesting, I will archive it in my library for future reference. This is often a good practice to keep you updated with powerful information, of which can be used as a good reference for future ideation of design concepts.
6. Work in other mediums to work your creative brain cells
There are two ways of activating our creative flow, one is brain stimulation and the other is brain relaxation. One way of exercising our brains is to undergo activities like playing with computer games, board games or playing with toys to stimulate the mind.
Listening to music is a good way to relax our minds when thinking of design. By listening to the genre of music you enjoy, it prepares and empties the mind for great learning and creativity. So having an MP3 or music with you can be essential to unlocking the creative impulses inside you.
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, of a typical IDEO work area in Palo Alto, filled with inspirational toys to stimulate the IDEO designers to work creatively.
7. Write down what we understand from the design inspiration we have found
Writing is a good way of exercising our analytical and creative abilities. It is always good practice to document the ideas you have thought of in a notebook or on post-it notes. It helps to record and reflect on your design process. At the end of each project, always try to question yourself on what you have learnt. Also write down the time you took to conceptualized your ideas in your archive. This is so you can self-check your own design progress as well as a primer for good time management.
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, on one of the project rooms in IDEO, Palo Alto, where brainstorm notes are documented evidence of the creative energy generated by the team.
http://www.designsojourn.com/
1) Watch a movie or documentary.
2) Listen to music. No more excuses about having no money to buy CDs. Go to Last.fm or Pandora.
3) Step out of the office for a short stroll.
4) Browse through magazines or books not related to your project.
5) Keep posting questions to yourself. Jolt down pointers or make notes about the project.
7) Do some writing.
8) Go back to the sketching board. Prepare lotsa sketches and try to identify sweet spots. Put these pieces together to form another picture.
9) Go out and take some photos.
10) Exercise if you can. I tend to get insipirations during my morning jog.Looking forward to other contributions.
No matter how good a designer we are, they are times when we face mental blocks that disrupt our design thinking. So in times like these, how can we then boost our creative juices? Here’s another exciting post by our resident contributor py, helping me fill in while I’m off beating my head on some other issues!
Here are some tips inspired by the best, on how we can unleash the creativity from inside us:
1. Setting up your dedicated workspaceIs your environment working for or against your creative work?
If you have to clear off the kitchen table before you’re able to work, it may be time to set up a space that will be ready when you are.
Designing is generally a messy process(i lov this!!) a point at which the clutter becomes an obstacle to be overcome rather than an inspiration. Exactly where that line is drawn varies tremendously from person to person, but it is essential that you are comfortable working in the space around you. So other than clearing up my desk space whenever I finish my work, I will arrange my desk space such that my favorite design books are put next to my computer, within my reach for easy reference.
Decorating one’s desk space helps to cultivate creativity too. For example I decorate my walls with designer postcards as a form of inspiration.
Adapted from The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley and Jonathan Littman, on how workspaces are designed in Ideo to promote communal creativity.
2. Knowing your “peak” period of creativity flow
Our brain can never function creatively at a 100% concentration level every single minute. Psychologists have cited that we are only able to concentrate best at a particular period of the day or night, when we are comfortable with our environment and personal habits. So do take note of the time you are able to concentrate the most, realize how far you can stretch yourself at this period, and notice if it is common for you to always work at this particular period whenever you generate ideas.
Some people have common timings of “peak” design creativity, while others don’t. So the best way is to understand how your own brain, mind and body work when you get creative. By realizing your own creative thinking pattern, you can then learn how to better stimulate optimum “design creativity flow”.
Source: gapingvoid
3. Having a creative community by your side
Isolation is one of the major obstacles that can block creativity, especially when friends and family don’t get what you are trying to do.
Thus, having a group of fellow creatives whom you can brainstorm ideas with helps a lot. Because your creative community understands what it takes, they can motivate, inspire and challenge you to expand your vision of yourself and your work. Setting up regular discussions with one another to share each other’s progress will help motivate one’s creative input further
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, on creative brainstorming. This illustrates how playing with balloons was encouraged in the team, to create a fun discussion together.
4. Mastering the art of story telling
A good way of analyzing design thoroughly is by looking at the design from three different aspects:
Syntactic: By logically breaking down a product into its design parts, this will give a good physical breakdown of the components inside, which gives designers a realistic idea of how the product can be re-designed.
Semantic: By conjuring key words or doing a mood collage to define the artistic values of your design concept, it is a good start to creating strong aesthetic meanings to your design. Flipping through books and websites for visual images is often a good method of getting your creative juices flowing.
Pragmatic: Weaving a mind map or user scenario is always a clear and visual way to rethink design creatively through the eyes of the users. Not only does it enable a simple breakdown of the factors needed for the design aim, it also cultivates a logical way of design thinking
5. Constant reading increases your design knowledge
When we make a point to read and listen to the design and technology buzz around us, we can learn a lot from what we see and hear. As designers, we can easily fall into the trap of just staring at our computer screens only, and be immune to the environment around us.
But as designers, we should always try to take a step back and spend time reading about everyday news and current technologies to keep ourselves abreast, to learn about how new ideas can be improved. By actively reading, we can then build up a strong foundation of how current affairs can apply to design.
Documentation of current news that you find interesting is a good way to archive interesting information for design. Whenever I prepare my blogging entries, I’m often subconsciously reminded of the books or news articles I’ve once read before. That inspires me to regenerate new design ideas and topics constantly and efficiently. Whatever I find interesting, I will archive it in my library for future reference. This is often a good practice to keep you updated with powerful information, of which can be used as a good reference for future ideation of design concepts.
6. Work in other mediums to work your creative brain cells
There are two ways of activating our creative flow, one is brain stimulation and the other is brain relaxation. One way of exercising our brains is to undergo activities like playing with computer games, board games or playing with toys to stimulate the mind.
Listening to music is a good way to relax our minds when thinking of design. By listening to the genre of music you enjoy, it prepares and empties the mind for great learning and creativity. So having an MP3 or music with you can be essential to unlocking the creative impulses inside you.
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, of a typical IDEO work area in Palo Alto, filled with inspirational toys to stimulate the IDEO designers to work creatively.
7. Write down what we understand from the design inspiration we have found
Writing is a good way of exercising our analytical and creative abilities. It is always good practice to document the ideas you have thought of in a notebook or on post-it notes. It helps to record and reflect on your design process. At the end of each project, always try to question yourself on what you have learnt. Also write down the time you took to conceptualized your ideas in your archive. This is so you can self-check your own design progress as well as a primer for good time management.
Adapted from “IDEO: Masters of Innovation” by Jeremy Myerson, on one of the project rooms in IDEO, Palo Alto, where brainstorm notes are documented evidence of the creative energy generated by the team.ConclusionLearning how to unlock the creativity inside us is an important design skill. You don’t need all of them to work at once, you just need to identify some of the ways that bests fits your comfort level and try it. Hopefully you’ll see the difference I time to come!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
How to break this lethargic circuit and derive motivation to face each day?
hmm... read this article...
For me, praying to God and reading the Bible daily, is my first weapon to break this lethargic circuit.
I realized that unless God gives me the grace and strength to cope,
I will not have the energy nor the desire to face another day.
Thank God for His faithfulness in helping me to cope. God sent me many kind friends who prayed and encouraged me. God also led me to read useful books and articles on how to manage clinical depression.
I am learning and doing the following which is helping me to break the lethargic circuit and derive motivation to face each day and to do things:
1) I am learning to wake up at the same time each day though I dread waking up.
I realized that once I am up, I am able to do some things after all.
I also try to sleep at the same time every night so that I get enough sleep.
Insufficient sleep or rest can worsen depression.
2) I am learning to eat my meals regularly and as nutritiously as possible.
Though I don't have much appetite and eating seems to be such an effort, I realized that I need all the energy and nutrition to fight this depression and therefore I must eat!
I try to eat more vegetable and fruits to gain more vitamins and nutrition.
3) I am learning to exercise regularly.
Exercise seemed so difficult at first as I am so tired daily.
But I am learning that exercise is important to build up my strength and stamina.
So I learn to start slowly and daily.
I find that as the days go by, I began able to exercise longer.
My body and mind becomes stronger.
Exercise release good chemicals to help us fight depression.
I enjoy briskwalking. I go for briskwalks whenever I can. Sometimes I exercise by walking on my brother's treadmill or stationery bike.
4) I am learning to create a routine.
I realized that without a routine, I tend to avoid doing things as I no longer enjoy anything.
This will only caused me to remain in the lethargic circuit.
To break this lethargic circuit,
I learn to plan my days.
I schedule regular exercise and some activities that I enjoy for each day.
I found that with every task that I managed to complete, I began to feel motivated to do more.
I began to experience a sense of accomplishment.
5) Break tasks into smaller portions.
When going through depression, every tasks seemed so difficult.
It's hard to began to do anything. Procastination sets in.
To avoid this, I am learning to break my tasks into smaller and more manageable portions.
I try to do only a portion each day and I found that I was able to get things done slowly.
This again gives me a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to do more.
6) I am learning to be patient and not to be too hard with myself.
I try to remember that I am unwell now and it takes time to rebuild my body and mind.
So when I failed to accomplish what I planned for the day, I learn to tell myself, it's okay. I will try harder tomorrow. Or I break the task into even smaller portions. 7) I am learning not to let my negative thoughts or feelings prevent me from daily activities. I am learning that my feelings during depression are not necessarily valid. They often have little bearing on the truth. My feelings of being too depressed to cope do not mean that I will not be able to cope when I am actually in a situation. So I am learning to ask God for strength to cope with daily challenges despite my depression. I am thankful to God for His mercies and faithfulness in helping me to cope each day. This relapse of clinical depression is yet another learning experience for me to learn to manage my bipolar disorder better. It is also another opportunity for me to experience God's love, goodness and mercies in many wonderful ways. God's Words and His presence with me is my daily encouragement and strength. I am also thankful to my family, my church and my friends for prayers and support. I am thankful to all of you, my dear blogging friends and visitors, for your prayers, encouragements and support in this difficult time. Thanks for all your suggestions on how to manage depression and for sharing your life and experiences with me. I have so much to learn! How about you? How do you motivate yourself to do things when you go through depression? Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a blessed day. >
p/s: how i wish i work out my life this way~
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Pose Questions To Find Life Purpose
1) What am I good at?
Make a list of your unique talents and characteristics.
Go really deep inside yourself.
Some people lack self esteem and might find this difficult, but we all have unique talents that are special to us individually.
We just don't connect ourselves to them often enough. They're already there but only in our subconscious mind - so extract them.
Most importantly - do this from your perspective, not from others'. Don't try and put yourself into other peoples' shoes.
Don't try to compete with others' talents. Ignore them and just focus on yours. You won't find life purpose by pretending to be somebody else.
Idea - Perhaps list some 'peculiar oddities' you might possess. What I mean here is those particular talents that people you know might mention to you on occasion, like close friends and family.
Perhaps you have a special talent which is perceived as unorthodox?
2) What do I give in abundance - what do I find easy to give?
List all the things that you seem to naturally give to other people. You have some kind of internal motivation as why you always do this: it's easy for you.
We're not talking just physical things here. Think of what you in particular bring into other people's lives.
Again, remember the rapid fire.
3) Why do I do things?
Think about those activities you do that you really enjoy.
Why do you enjoy them?
What makes you drawn to the small things in everyday life that you seem to occupy yourself with all the time?
Try and picture how you spend all your time, not just in work and play, but in your 'idle' moments too.
Again: Rapid fire.
4) Where do I feel most at ease?
Picture yourself in your perfect place. Why do you feel most comfortable here? It could be a place you already occupy or a place in the future that you would like to be.
The latter might be the most important one as it is your dream , you're in control of it and so it can be as big and bright as you want to make it.
Use your imagination, what are you always thinking about?
Try and remember the idle daydreams you have, don't discount them. They're trying to tell you something.
Find Life Purpose NaturallyWhen you've finished, look at the paper you've written on. It might resemble a jumbled up list of words and phases that only you may be able to understand.
You may have used more than one sheet, if so that's fine. Now take a second blank page.
Write the four questions along the top or down the side if there isn't enough space then use two sheets. Look over your answers and begin to list them more neatly.
Rule out what isn't one hundred percent true or relevant.
For example, the stuff you wrote straightaway might not be what you actually truly felt, it could be that you were still in an 'outside world' state of mind to begin with.
As time went on though, you went deeper into the real you as the outside domain slowly drifted away.
However, what you first wrote might have been right on the money so don't discount it if you feel it's leading you in the right direction.
Carry on reflecting on what you wrote and try to connect to your emotions as you read and write, this is important as it makes it easier for you to find life purpose.
If you write something and it makes you emotional there is a very good reason why this happened: be aware of this.
Thin the list down until you have a few sentences or phrases for each question that clearly relate to just you.
You are inspired by them and they swell up deep internal emotion for you.
Take a new blank page and finally put together a statement, this can be a few lines, phrases or bullet points, make it poetic if you want.
The point here is that this will be your personal mission statement that helps you find life purpose.
You will refer to it on other occasions, refine it as necessary and preferably keep it with you for the rest of your life.
You need to write it in the best possible way for you to clearly understand it. So take as much time as you like here, it's important.
Keep revising it, using new pages if necessary, but aim to get to one final, neat page.
Don't worry if you can't get down to that final draft in this exercise.
This is not a race, if you've spent a good deal of time doing this exercise and you just can't get to it, leave it and come back later.
You'll reach it with time and patience.
I hope that this exercise at least gets you going to find life purpose.
The rest is up to you.
Make a list of your unique talents and characteristics.
Go really deep inside yourself.
Some people lack self esteem and might find this difficult, but we all have unique talents that are special to us individually.
We just don't connect ourselves to them often enough. They're already there but only in our subconscious mind - so extract them.
Most importantly - do this from your perspective, not from others'. Don't try and put yourself into other peoples' shoes.
Don't try to compete with others' talents. Ignore them and just focus on yours. You won't find life purpose by pretending to be somebody else.
Idea - Perhaps list some 'peculiar oddities' you might possess. What I mean here is those particular talents that people you know might mention to you on occasion, like close friends and family.
Perhaps you have a special talent which is perceived as unorthodox?
2) What do I give in abundance - what do I find easy to give?
List all the things that you seem to naturally give to other people. You have some kind of internal motivation as why you always do this: it's easy for you.
We're not talking just physical things here. Think of what you in particular bring into other people's lives.
Again, remember the rapid fire.
3) Why do I do things?
Think about those activities you do that you really enjoy.
Why do you enjoy them?
What makes you drawn to the small things in everyday life that you seem to occupy yourself with all the time?
Try and picture how you spend all your time, not just in work and play, but in your 'idle' moments too.
Again: Rapid fire.
4) Where do I feel most at ease?
Picture yourself in your perfect place. Why do you feel most comfortable here? It could be a place you already occupy or a place in the future that you would like to be.
The latter might be the most important one as it is your dream , you're in control of it and so it can be as big and bright as you want to make it.
Use your imagination, what are you always thinking about?
Try and remember the idle daydreams you have, don't discount them. They're trying to tell you something.
Find Life Purpose NaturallyWhen you've finished, look at the paper you've written on. It might resemble a jumbled up list of words and phases that only you may be able to understand.
You may have used more than one sheet, if so that's fine. Now take a second blank page.
Write the four questions along the top or down the side if there isn't enough space then use two sheets. Look over your answers and begin to list them more neatly.
Rule out what isn't one hundred percent true or relevant.
For example, the stuff you wrote straightaway might not be what you actually truly felt, it could be that you were still in an 'outside world' state of mind to begin with.
As time went on though, you went deeper into the real you as the outside domain slowly drifted away.
However, what you first wrote might have been right on the money so don't discount it if you feel it's leading you in the right direction.
Carry on reflecting on what you wrote and try to connect to your emotions as you read and write, this is important as it makes it easier for you to find life purpose.
If you write something and it makes you emotional there is a very good reason why this happened: be aware of this.
Thin the list down until you have a few sentences or phrases for each question that clearly relate to just you.
You are inspired by them and they swell up deep internal emotion for you.
Take a new blank page and finally put together a statement, this can be a few lines, phrases or bullet points, make it poetic if you want.
The point here is that this will be your personal mission statement that helps you find life purpose.
You will refer to it on other occasions, refine it as necessary and preferably keep it with you for the rest of your life.
You need to write it in the best possible way for you to clearly understand it. So take as much time as you like here, it's important.
Keep revising it, using new pages if necessary, but aim to get to one final, neat page.
Don't worry if you can't get down to that final draft in this exercise.
This is not a race, if you've spent a good deal of time doing this exercise and you just can't get to it, leave it and come back later.
You'll reach it with time and patience.
I hope that this exercise at least gets you going to find life purpose.
The rest is up to you.
The Grocery LIST for Life !
by Stan Billue
I've chosen the title simply because just as many people find a Grocery List helpful to get exactly what they want in the least amount of time in a Grocery Store, there are certain Lists which will help each of us get exactly what we desire out of Life in the least amount of time.
Any one of these Lists can have a dramatic impact on your Life. All of them together will provide you a Life and Lifestyle that most people only dream about achieving. It's my desire that you will give careful consideration to constructing each List so that you will indeed become the Best you can become. "If you work at developing a Lifestyle for the next 5 years like most people WON'T you'll be able to live your Life like most people CAN'T."
CHAPTERS:
Gratitude List
Accomplishment List
To Do List
What I'm Learning List
Goals List
Ways to Improve List
GRATITUDE LIST
This is a definite Attitude Changing List that everyone should have. When it seems that Life has you down and is kicking you repeatedly, simply get out your Gratitude List and start to appreciate all of the wonderful things that you have to be thankful for. It is a great way to offset and/or replace all of the Negative thoughts that have been occupying your mind.
Start your Gratitude List by writing down each and everything you have been given and that you should be appreciative off. You might include your relationship with a Higher Power, your Health, your Spouse, your Children, your Grandchildren, your Residence, the area of the Country that you live in, your Vehicle(s), your Job or Career, your Income, your Portfolio, your Wardrobe, your Appearance, your Friends or Associates, your Talents and/or Abilities in specific areas, your Hobbies, your Interests, your Volunteer work, the Sunrises, the Sunsets, the Rain, Rainbows, certain Flowers or Birds or Animals, certain things you've Acquired, certain Places you been able to visit or even Live, etc.
I urge you to start each item on your List with the words; "I am thankful for . . .".
As with most Lists, it doesn't need to be set in concrete. Continually add new things as you think of them. In fact I'll go so far as to suggest if you can't add at least one new Experience or Person or Gift to your Gratitude List each and every week, you might be experiencing the Richness of Life that you deserve.
ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST
This is another great list to have which will offset a different set of Negatives. Every so often we start to doubt our progress. We wonder if our efforts are really paying off. We concern ourselves with worry about not accomplishment as much as we want as fast as we want it. Needless to say it helps to remember that our Higher Power provides to us on His timetable and not ours, however it can also help to have an Accomplishment List.
This is a List of everything and every Goal you've accomplished, the Date you achieved it and how it Felt. If you're just now starting this List it's really neat to sit down and remember and recall everything you've accomplished over the last 5, 10 or 20 years to make up your List. Then in the future, add to your List every single time you achieve another Goal, Victory and/or Success, plus the Date you made it happen and most importantly, how It Felt.
If at any time in the future you start to doubt your progress, simply look over your Accomplishment List to appreciate how far you've come and all that you have accomplished.
TO DO LIST
Any great Entrepreneur will gladly share with you that one of the most important List they have is their To Do List. This would include everything you should be doing each day and should go at least one Month into the Future. In fact you might want to use a Legal Pad instead of a standard Day Planner. Each page would have the Day and Date written on the top except for the weekend where you might want to have both Saturday and Sunday on the same page. You'll quickly discover that you can easily have about 6 Weeks on one Legal Pad.
Here's a critical point that is not included in most other publications. Always assign an "A" or "B" or "C" priority to each item, unless it's a firm Appointment which you know you're going to keep. Needless to say, anything that needs to be done immediately or in the near future would have an "A" next to it. Some things that would be nice to do if you have the extra time would be classified as a "B". The rest are items that you'll do someday in the future and of course they would have a "C" classification. As you go through each day and each week, certain "B" priorities will need to be changed to an "A" and some "C" items will become a "B" because of time limitations.
Now here's the most important thing you'll ever learn about achieving More in Less time. Always start with the things you don't like or even those things which you despise . . . FIRST. Instead of confusing Activity with Accomplishment and getting a few "B" or "C" items done, you'll be way ahead of the pack if you concentrate on the "A" items first and never move to a "B" or "C" until and unless all of the "A" items have been completed on your List for that particular day.
WHAT I'M LEARNING LIST
There's an old saying: "When you're Green you Grow and when you're Ripe you Rot" which is so true. It's amazing how many people are still using the same skills and even choices of words that they learned 5, or 10 or 20 years ago. They certainly don't have 5, or 10 or 20 years experience. They have one year's experience repeated many, many years in a row.
I challenge you to start a Legal Pad where you write down a column on the left from top to bottom of Days and Dates and then next to each Day, write down a specific Skill, Technique, Idea or choice of Words that you've purposely added to your arsenal on that Day and Date.
If you happen to find yourself at the end of a Day and can't identify something to add to your Leaning List, at least be willing to open up a Dictionary and blindly point to any Word. Practice, drill and rehearse that Word and add that to you vocabulary.
GOALS LIST
Of course it's critical to have short term, mid term and long range Goals. You know the drill by now; if you don't know where you're going you'll probably end up someplace else, or if you fail to plan you're planning on failing.
Remember the Formula when setting Goals;
AIM, CLAIM, PROCLAIM and you will OBTAIN.
AIM -- Be specific on exactly what you want and describe it in great detail.
CLAIM -- Instead of using "I will" or "I am going to" always put your Goal Statement in the "now" by saying; "I AM OWNING . . ." or "I AM EARNING . . . ", etc. Also make sure and have a definite Due Date, such as; "ON OR BEFORE (date)".
PROCLAIM -- Write your Goals on many 3 x 5 Cards and place them in your Sock Drawer, your Car Visor, your Billfold or Purse, your Refrigerator, your Coffee Pot, your Dresser, your Night Stand, etc. and read them out loud every time you see them.
You will OBTAIN -- Although this Formula works a majority of the time, it is possible that you will occasionally miss a Goal or a Due Date. No problem. Always remember that the real value of Goal Setting is the person we become in the process of trying to achieve more out of Life.
WAYS TO IMPROVE LIST
Many successful leaders in History are famous for
setting aside some time each weekend and
writing down at least 10 ways to do what they do Faster, Cheaper or Better.
Of course not all of them are Winners however by forcing yourself to constantly and continually evaluate your situation, you'll be amazed at some of the truly great Ideas you will be able to come up with.
Once you have your List of 10, pick out the one that could have the most dramatic impact on your growth and income and write it out in the form of a Positive Affirmation. Keep that 3x5 Card in your Work area and consciously be aware of it and attempt to implement it whenever possible for the next week. Each weekend simply repeat the process.
Stan Billue, CSP is a recognized expert in Sales Training, Telemarketing, Motivation, Mentoring, and Marketing. He's been a student of successful Business Owners, top Sales Pros, and imaginative Entrepreneurs, an hour a day for 30 years and doubled his own Income each year for 5 consecutive years selling over the Phone. Stan has taught more 6 and 7 figure a year Income earning Mega-Buck Sales Pros than any other Trainer. His power-packed Audio and Video programs are sold in over 40 Countries. You can subscribe to his Free Monthly Newsletter at http://www.stanbillue.com
Contact the AuthorStan BillueSales Skills & Motivationsbillue@cfl.rr.comMore Details about sales training, telemarketing, telesale here.
Keywords: sales training, telemarketing, telesales, phone sales, motivation, free content, objections, closing
I've chosen the title simply because just as many people find a Grocery List helpful to get exactly what they want in the least amount of time in a Grocery Store, there are certain Lists which will help each of us get exactly what we desire out of Life in the least amount of time.
Any one of these Lists can have a dramatic impact on your Life. All of them together will provide you a Life and Lifestyle that most people only dream about achieving. It's my desire that you will give careful consideration to constructing each List so that you will indeed become the Best you can become. "If you work at developing a Lifestyle for the next 5 years like most people WON'T you'll be able to live your Life like most people CAN'T."
CHAPTERS:
Gratitude List
Accomplishment List
To Do List
What I'm Learning List
Goals List
Ways to Improve List
GRATITUDE LIST
This is a definite Attitude Changing List that everyone should have. When it seems that Life has you down and is kicking you repeatedly, simply get out your Gratitude List and start to appreciate all of the wonderful things that you have to be thankful for. It is a great way to offset and/or replace all of the Negative thoughts that have been occupying your mind.
Start your Gratitude List by writing down each and everything you have been given and that you should be appreciative off. You might include your relationship with a Higher Power, your Health, your Spouse, your Children, your Grandchildren, your Residence, the area of the Country that you live in, your Vehicle(s), your Job or Career, your Income, your Portfolio, your Wardrobe, your Appearance, your Friends or Associates, your Talents and/or Abilities in specific areas, your Hobbies, your Interests, your Volunteer work, the Sunrises, the Sunsets, the Rain, Rainbows, certain Flowers or Birds or Animals, certain things you've Acquired, certain Places you been able to visit or even Live, etc.
I urge you to start each item on your List with the words; "I am thankful for . . .".
As with most Lists, it doesn't need to be set in concrete. Continually add new things as you think of them. In fact I'll go so far as to suggest if you can't add at least one new Experience or Person or Gift to your Gratitude List each and every week, you might be experiencing the Richness of Life that you deserve.
ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST
This is another great list to have which will offset a different set of Negatives. Every so often we start to doubt our progress. We wonder if our efforts are really paying off. We concern ourselves with worry about not accomplishment as much as we want as fast as we want it. Needless to say it helps to remember that our Higher Power provides to us on His timetable and not ours, however it can also help to have an Accomplishment List.
This is a List of everything and every Goal you've accomplished, the Date you achieved it and how it Felt. If you're just now starting this List it's really neat to sit down and remember and recall everything you've accomplished over the last 5, 10 or 20 years to make up your List. Then in the future, add to your List every single time you achieve another Goal, Victory and/or Success, plus the Date you made it happen and most importantly, how It Felt.
If at any time in the future you start to doubt your progress, simply look over your Accomplishment List to appreciate how far you've come and all that you have accomplished.
TO DO LIST
Any great Entrepreneur will gladly share with you that one of the most important List they have is their To Do List. This would include everything you should be doing each day and should go at least one Month into the Future. In fact you might want to use a Legal Pad instead of a standard Day Planner. Each page would have the Day and Date written on the top except for the weekend where you might want to have both Saturday and Sunday on the same page. You'll quickly discover that you can easily have about 6 Weeks on one Legal Pad.
Here's a critical point that is not included in most other publications. Always assign an "A" or "B" or "C" priority to each item, unless it's a firm Appointment which you know you're going to keep. Needless to say, anything that needs to be done immediately or in the near future would have an "A" next to it. Some things that would be nice to do if you have the extra time would be classified as a "B". The rest are items that you'll do someday in the future and of course they would have a "C" classification. As you go through each day and each week, certain "B" priorities will need to be changed to an "A" and some "C" items will become a "B" because of time limitations.
Now here's the most important thing you'll ever learn about achieving More in Less time. Always start with the things you don't like or even those things which you despise . . . FIRST. Instead of confusing Activity with Accomplishment and getting a few "B" or "C" items done, you'll be way ahead of the pack if you concentrate on the "A" items first and never move to a "B" or "C" until and unless all of the "A" items have been completed on your List for that particular day.
WHAT I'M LEARNING LIST
There's an old saying: "When you're Green you Grow and when you're Ripe you Rot" which is so true. It's amazing how many people are still using the same skills and even choices of words that they learned 5, or 10 or 20 years ago. They certainly don't have 5, or 10 or 20 years experience. They have one year's experience repeated many, many years in a row.
I challenge you to start a Legal Pad where you write down a column on the left from top to bottom of Days and Dates and then next to each Day, write down a specific Skill, Technique, Idea or choice of Words that you've purposely added to your arsenal on that Day and Date.
If you happen to find yourself at the end of a Day and can't identify something to add to your Leaning List, at least be willing to open up a Dictionary and blindly point to any Word. Practice, drill and rehearse that Word and add that to you vocabulary.
GOALS LIST
Of course it's critical to have short term, mid term and long range Goals. You know the drill by now; if you don't know where you're going you'll probably end up someplace else, or if you fail to plan you're planning on failing.
Remember the Formula when setting Goals;
AIM, CLAIM, PROCLAIM and you will OBTAIN.
AIM -- Be specific on exactly what you want and describe it in great detail.
CLAIM -- Instead of using "I will" or "I am going to" always put your Goal Statement in the "now" by saying; "I AM OWNING . . ." or "I AM EARNING . . . ", etc. Also make sure and have a definite Due Date, such as; "ON OR BEFORE (date)".
PROCLAIM -- Write your Goals on many 3 x 5 Cards and place them in your Sock Drawer, your Car Visor, your Billfold or Purse, your Refrigerator, your Coffee Pot, your Dresser, your Night Stand, etc. and read them out loud every time you see them.
You will OBTAIN -- Although this Formula works a majority of the time, it is possible that you will occasionally miss a Goal or a Due Date. No problem. Always remember that the real value of Goal Setting is the person we become in the process of trying to achieve more out of Life.
WAYS TO IMPROVE LIST
Many successful leaders in History are famous for
setting aside some time each weekend and
writing down at least 10 ways to do what they do Faster, Cheaper or Better.
Of course not all of them are Winners however by forcing yourself to constantly and continually evaluate your situation, you'll be amazed at some of the truly great Ideas you will be able to come up with.
Once you have your List of 10, pick out the one that could have the most dramatic impact on your growth and income and write it out in the form of a Positive Affirmation. Keep that 3x5 Card in your Work area and consciously be aware of it and attempt to implement it whenever possible for the next week. Each weekend simply repeat the process.
Stan Billue, CSP is a recognized expert in Sales Training, Telemarketing, Motivation, Mentoring, and Marketing. He's been a student of successful Business Owners, top Sales Pros, and imaginative Entrepreneurs, an hour a day for 30 years and doubled his own Income each year for 5 consecutive years selling over the Phone. Stan has taught more 6 and 7 figure a year Income earning Mega-Buck Sales Pros than any other Trainer. His power-packed Audio and Video programs are sold in over 40 Countries. You can subscribe to his Free Monthly Newsletter at http://www.stanbillue.com
Contact the AuthorStan BillueSales Skills & Motivationsbillue@cfl.rr.comMore Details about sales training, telemarketing, telesale here.
Keywords: sales training, telemarketing, telesales, phone sales, motivation, free content, objections, closing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)