As I was getting to know a new friend I made, she asked me what star sign I was. Do zodiac signs affect your personality? I told her that I am a Leo, and suddenly she went on her horoscope app and started checking our compatibility chart. That felt silly to me, but from her point of view, the future of our friendship depended on how compatible our zodiacs are.
So what a zodiac sign really is?
The position of the planets and stars are reflected by a zodiac sign. When a person is born, the date and time, as well as the arrangement of planets, has a great impact on an individual’s personality.
6 Amazing Facts How Zodiac Signs Affect Your Personality
1. Astrology of Zodiacs
In order to get a better understanding, we need to know how horoscopes work. Different stars of different sizes and shapes exist and are found in constellations. The stars in these constellations are connected to one another, which causes different animals and objects to appear in shape. Reading the horoscope each day gives an idea of how personality affects every day decisions, so for the people curious about it is suggested toread your horoscope daily.
2. Impact of stars and planets
All the different planets and stars have an impact on our personality. Even the sun, moon, and the changing seasons can influence the characteristics of a human. The Sun Sign is the most dominant when it comes to explaining a person’s true identity.
3. One Individual, Multiple Traits
A person who is born at a date that is the beginning of the end of a new zodiac period, then that person is likely to reflect the personality of two zodiac signs.
Since there are 7 billion people, it’s untrue to say that each person will 100% show the traits of their own star sign.
4. Behavior
When the sun continues its motion across various astrological stars, this movement affects your behavior. When we are born, our behavior is determined by our birth month as well as the alignment of the sun with a planet of a particular sign happening on that specific day and time.
5. Festive Periods
Festive periods occur as a result of the sun’s movement on different zodiac territories. The time period between December and January is when a person feels happier and is willing to spend, the end of this period begins to automatically change our mood and so we control our spending.
The zodiac with the most strength is known as the Rising Sun. This reflects how your personality appears socially. Some people’s personalities are quite prominent compared to others, and they can be noticed easily in the crowd. They appear to be more dominant and passionate, all because of the rising sun.
6. Finally!
Zodiacs have influenced so many people’s lives that now they cannot go a day without reading their horoscopes, and sometimes those characteristics might not even exist in us, but our zodiac tends to convince us that it certainly is a part of our personality. So, in the end, we can say that it is definitely shaping many people’s lives in one way or another.
Hooponopono is a very powerful ancient Hawaiian healing method. Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, a Hawaiian kahuna, is the founder of the modern updated version of the Ho’oponopono healing process that we practice today.
She gave us some wonderful prayers which we can use to solve all our problems, you find them below.
The Original Hooponopono Prayer
This is the original Ho’oponopono prayer, given to us to use freely by Morrnah Simeona. It is a simple but very powerful prayer. Here it is:
“Divine creator, father, mother, son as one… If I, my family, relatives, and ancestors have offended you, your family, relatives, and ancestors in thoughts, words, deeds, and actions from the beginning of our creation to the present, we ask your forgiveness… Let this cleanse, purify, release, cut all the negative memories, blocks, energies, and vibrations, and transmute these unwanted energies to pure light… And it is done.”
When you start using Ho’oponopono in your life, your recurring problems are cleansed, released, and erased. And they are replaced with Divine Love flowing through you. Often, we are so occupied and consumed by our fears and (small) problems and issues that we are not receptive to the Love of the Divine, we don’t even see it. But when you start practicing Ho’oponopono and start cleansing yourself and your memories, in fact, you give permission to the Divine to solve your problems.
And when this happens, and the Divine Love flows through you, you feel joy and happiness, and you know that everything will be all right. You feel empowered, happier, more energized, more responsible, and on purpose.
Aside from this prayer, you can also use the famous Ho’oponopono mantra: “I am sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you.” The great benefit of this mantra is that it’s very simple and easy to remember, but still very effective. You can use it anytime you want. This short four phrase mantra combines the power of repentance, forgiveness, gratitude, and transmutation, and you can also use it to release any problem, just like the prayer.
There are also numerous Ho’oponopono cleaning tools and techniques to assist you in your daily practice.
Other Ho’oponopono Prayers
There are also other Ho’oponopono prayers, which you can all find on this website.
This is another very powerful prayer of Morrnah Simeona, it is her favorite (karmic) cleansing prayer. According to her, it works best if you repeat it four times every time you want to release something.
“Spirit, Superconscious, please locate the origin of my feelings, thoughts of ……. (fill in the blank with your belief, feeling, or thoughts that you want to erase) ……. Take each and every level, layer, area, and aspect of my being to this origin. Analyze it and resolve it perfectly with God’s truth. Come through all generations of time and eternity. Healing every incident and its appendages based on the origin. Please do it according to God’s will until I am at the present, Filled with light and truth. God’s peace and love, forgiveness of myself for my incorrect perceptions. Forgiveness of every person, place, circumstances and events which contributed to this, these feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.”
There are also 2 prayers in Hawaiian, “I Am The I” and “The Peace of I”, you can find the English and Hawaiian versions of both prayers on this page.
Erase Your Limiting Beliefs and Live the Life You Really Want
When you use the Ho’oponopono healing process, all your limiting beliefs and memories are released and deleted from your subconscious mind. All your fears, stress, worries, issues, and problems are neutralized and replaced by Divine Love and Light.
So when you practice Ho’oponopono regularly and incorporate it into your life, all your problems will be solved, and you will finally be able to find inner peace and experience true joy and bliss, and you will be able to receive Divine inspiration, which will guide you through life and towards your life purpose
Most people don’t realize that the Universe gives us exactly what we ask for, but often we are unaware of the things we ask because they are in our subconscious mind. Our reality is mostly created by our subconscious beliefs, memories, and programs.
So it’s very important we acknowledge this and take 100% responsibility for everything going on in our life because ultimately we manifested it and “asked” for it.
But the good news is, once we do this, and use Ho’oponopono, we have the power to cleanse and erase all these limiting memories and beliefs and create instead of the life we really want!
About the Author
Alexander Jones is passionate about personal development and spirituality and enjoys writing about it. He is mostly interested in meditation yoga and Ho’oponopono, which he is practicing already for many years.
Separating stress from our life has almost become impossible. Different people have different reasons for their stress. But, the reparations of long time stress are practically similar. If you will not find a way to deal with stress, it is there to stay. Stress can be the root cause of various mental and physical disorders. Techniques to reduce stress can help with this challenge.
Stress is injurious for our health. It might result in insomnia, depression, obesity, high B.P, heart diseases, panic attacks, etc. Various techniques are available that can help to reduce stress. Several methods are also there that can increase an individual’s ability to deal with stressful situations. Individuals can practice techniques that they considered most effective.
In this article, we have discussed seven techniques that can be very effective in reducing or managing stress.
1. Exercise Regularly
Exercise not only helps us in reducing weight and keeping us physically active and fit. But, it also is one of the most effective ways to reduce the stress levels in the body. Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly have lower chances of getting stressed.
2. How Exercise Helps Reduce Stress
Stress hormones: Exercise reduces the level of stress hormone (cortisol) in the brain. In addition to this, exercise stimulates the release of happy hormones (endorphins) in the body. The release of this hormone uplifts the mood, which further results in lowering stress levels.
Sleep: Lack of quality sleep may also result in anxiety and stress. Exercise or physical activity improves sleep quality. A good night’s sleep reduces the stress levels in the body.
Confidence: Regular exercise will make you feel more confident. An increase in confidence level is good for our overall wellbeing.
You can select an exercise that you enjoy doing. To get long-term results, regularity is vital.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that teaches us to live in the present. This technique increases self-awareness, and when practiced regularly, it enables an individual to stay away from negative thoughts.
Overthinking about failures, lousy day, past, or future causes stress. People who practice Mindfulness, learn to see a positive side of everything. Where there is positivity, the chances of getting stressed becomes quite less.
Hundreds of Mindfulness techniques are available all over the world. People can select and practice any technique. Some of the practices that help in increasing self-awareness are Yoga, meditation, etc.
If you are looking forward to a technique that not only helps you in reducing stress but also helps you evolve as a human being, then Mindfulness is the right technique for you. You may learn more about how mindfulness can improve your mental health by visiting BetterHelp.
4. Practice Yoga
People have been practicing Yoga since ancient times. In the past few days, more and more people have made Yoga a part of their daily life. Studies have proved that yoga is one technique that makes an individual physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy and strong.
Yoga helps in strengthening the connection between body, mind, and soul. Breathing exercises of Yoga has found to be very effective in reducing stress and anxiety. People who perform Yoga regularly have a lower risk of depression, high B.P., heart diseases, etc.
Yoga reduces the level of stress hormones and increases the production of GABA. This results in lowering the stress level in the body.
5. Listen to Soothing Music
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress levels is by listening to music. Listening to our favourite, song, album, or music takes our mind away from the situation at hand.
Music has a soothing effect on our brains. This lowers the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones.
Next time you are going through some tough time, or having a bad day or feeling stressed or anxious, switch on your favourite music and let yourself lose, feel the music, and try matching the rhythm.
6. Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
To stand out the competition or to prove ourselves, we end up setting up goals that are either difficult or might even be impossible to achieve. Failure to meet our goals or expectation makes us feel grey, sad, and can even lower our confidence. Many a time, we end up thinking about our failure. All of this might result in stress and depression.
Hence, an easy way to prevent ourselves from getting stressed is to set realistic and achievable goals. Achieving goals and landing up to the expectation would not only make us happy but would also increase our confidence level.
7. Spend Time with Friends and Family
Love and support of our family and friends give us the strength to face tough times. Having our loved ones around us during bad times provide us with a feeling of being loved and a sense of belongingness during hard times of our life.
Talking to our friends or spending time with them, help us in clearing negativity from our mind. This allows us to think clearly and rationally. Finding a solution to the problem becomes much easier when we have a clear mind.
Having friends and family members around might not solve our problems. But, knowing that they are there for us increases our strength to face the problem. Our loved ones act as a stress reliever for us.
8. Sleep Better to Reduce Stress
People under stress might face difficulty in sleeping. On the other hand, lack of peaceful or quality sleep can also result in stress and anxiety. Our sleep and state of mind our interconnected. Many people have claimed that a nap turned out to be very useful when they feel stressed. A peaceful sleep, clam, and relaxes our brain and body. Hence reducing stress and anxiety.
Finding ways to overcome stress is very important. Practices like Mindfulness and Yoga enhances our ability to fight stress. However, practicing these techniques in the right manner is very important.
Dhaval Patel is an expert writer who writes on different categories like mindfulness, meditation, mental health and many more. His writings are not only descriptive but also meaningful. He loves to share his ideas on different categories. To learn more about these techniques, refer “Zenfulspirit.com“.
Empower yourself with these 60 powerful I AM positive affirmations. Read them and also write them on a piece of paper so that you can embody them better.
See below a list of 30 powerful I AM affirmations containing positive emotions and another list with another 30 powerful I AM affirmations containing positive adjectives, in total 60 powerful I AM affirmations.
What you put after I AM is important because it shapes your reality.
30 Powerful I AM Positive Affirmations With Positive Emotions:
I AM HAPPINESS
I AM LIGHT
I AM BREATH
I AM HOPE
I AM FREEDOM
I AM BLESSINGS
I AM BALANCE
I AM KINDNESS
I AM COMPASSION
I AM POWER
I AM STRENGTH
I AM SERENITY
I AM HARMONY
I AM GOODNESS
I AM GROWTH
I AM WONDER
I AM INNOVATION
I AM CREATIVITY
I AM HEALTH
I AM LOVE
I AM LUCK
I AM PEACE
I AM OPTIMISM
I AM PROSPERITY
I AM VICTORY
I AM JOY
I AM TRUTH
I AM CONFIDENCE
I AM WEALTH
I AM UNITY
30 Powerful I AM Positive Affirmations With Positive Adjectives
I AM GRATEFUL
I AM LOVED
I AM HAPPY
I AM JOYFUL
I AM STRONG
I AM HEALED
I AM BEAUTIFUL
I AM POWERFUL
I AM BLISSFUL
I AM COURAGEOUS
I AM THANKFUL
I AM BLESSED
I AM AUTHENTIC
I AM OPTIMISTIC
I AM PEACEFUL
I AM CREATIVE
I AM CHEERFUL
I AM VICTORIOUS
I AM CENTERED
I AM ETERNAL
I AM EMPOWERED
I AM FREE
I AM SAFE
I AM FULFILLED
I AM GENEROUS
I AM HARMONIOUS
I AM HEALTHY
I AM KIND
I AM LOVABLE
I AM LUCKY
Read these positive affirmations slowly and try to embody them. Write them on an A4 paper.
You will notice that some I AM affirmations you will want to write in larger letters. Write them down in larger letters.
Did you know that your innermost self is gifted with endless supplies of power and energy? Have you ever felt connected to them? If so, it’s probably only been a couple of times and you don’t know how to open those channels again. Not only do you feel great when you manage to tap into your inner power, but you also exude confidence on the outside. You’ll also be more capable of eliminating negativity from your life, as well as more able to fulfill your every single objective. Let’s look at a few ways in which you can give yourself the wonderful gift of limitless inner power:
1. Visualize for More Inner Power
With athletes, it’s a known fact that most of them tend to visualize their results before going into a competition. They actually take the time to envision what it would be like to score those points, to bounce back from brutal attacks from the opponent and to finish the competition as winners. If this works for them, it’s further proof that visualization has tremendous value in accessing inner power.
So take the time to think about everything that you would like to happen to you. Visualize that loving relationship you yearn for – what kind of person would you need to be daily to be part of such a love connection? What kind of person would your partner be? Visualize your perfect job. What tasks would you need to do? What would be the rewards? What kind of person would you need to be for that job? The key is to be honest with yourself because the more and better you envision everything that’s at stake, the greater are the chances to actually attract those things and wonderful feelings with them.
2. Discard the Scarcity Mindset
One subconscious mindset that a lot of people unknowingly adhere to is one of scarcity and poverty. They feel they can’t attain more in life and that they can’t tap into an abundance mindset. They just feel it’s not for them – regardless if we’re talking about financial abundance or human relationship abundance. One way to create this shift in your mind is to ditch the thought of impending poverty and instead imagine yourself rich. Become generous with the little resources you have and you’ll soon start to attract the type of wealth you actually want. If you act from an expansive mindset and if you’re aiming for growth, you’re already positioning yourself to expand your limits.
3. Be More Authentic and Responsible
Striving to be more authentic and responsible in your day-to-day life is a key to unleashing inner power that’s often overlooked by many. We tend to think that it’s no big deal if we told a white lie once in a while or didn’t make the deadline for a project we had. But the truth is all these failings pile up in the back of our minds, taking away from our power to act on our desires and create new limiting beliefs about ourselves. Instead, you should try to always do what you say you’re going to do or restore this situation with the ones you faulted. Become aware of the immense power of words in your life. Additionally, you should always only do things you’ve opted for, instead of doing them half-heartedly and out of compromise. It’s amazing how much more whole you’ll start feeling as soon as you become more responsible and authentic.
4. Access Spirituality for Inner Power
Taking a step back, zooming out in life and connecting to the higher forces that govern us is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself. Take some time to meditate each day in absolute silence and let your mind, soul, and body feel that liberating smallness and greatness that define our beings at the same time. Practice becoming more patient, more forgiving and more grateful with yourself and those around you.
Process and let it seep in that our experiences are not assigned with either bad or good value to them, but it’s in our complete power to choose how we react to them. All our experiences are meant to lead us someplace new, from which we can grow into better, wiser versions of ourselves. Try to remember all the negative experiences you had and strive to integrate the positive lessons they ultimately came attached with.
These are only a few of the ways in which you can draw yourself closer and closer to that endless reservoir of power and energy you’ve always had within. Once you start tapping into that and get a taste of what it feels like to be in charge of your life, you’ll want more of it each day. This will prompt you to renounce cultivating negative emotions and start feeding positive thoughts that are meant to help you thrive.
About the Author
‘Claudia Spataru is a free spirit located in Bucharest, Romania and always in search of answers to life’s greatest questions. She loves to understand how people work, what makes them tick and find ways to help them reach higher grounds. She adores the sea, traveling and laughing.’
Life can become hectic at times! Your tight schedule may not allow you some moments to attend church on Sundays. In fact, it may not cross your mind that your children require spiritual growth as well, which neither you nor their nanny can provide. Some parents teach their children about God and prayer at home, which is great. They read some scriptures to them and even teach some songs. That’s perfect, however, it’s not enough. In addition, you may not have the skills to impart spiritual knowledge into kids the same as Sunday school teachers. Moreover, you can’t teach them as the preachers do in church and expect them to learn quickly. In fact, they will start dreading any information about God at an early age. Therefore, consider taking your children in Sunday school.
More than learning about the scriptures, there are many other benefits your children can get from kids church. Besides, it’s great to take advantage of the opportunity religious organizations provide to parents of taking care of their kids’ spiritual growth. Below are a few benefits your children can get from attending Sunday school. You can as well get such information from assignment writing service in Australia. After reading you will have no doubt that Sunday School is the best choice for you and your child.
1. Learn About God
When your children
attend kids’ Sunday school, they
are taught their age-appropriate bible teachings that can easily be absorbed by
their young minds. Their skilled tutors are able to craft the lessons to meet
the understanding level as well as capture their interests. Most teachers
integrate enjoyable activities in their lessons such as dances, skits and
contests in poem narration to make learning fun. They are taught about the
sovereignty of God. Therefore, don’t you get surprised to hear one of your
young ones saying, “God will see u.” It only means that he recognizes God as
his unseen protector. Or haven’t you heard them say, “let’s pray that God may
give Dad some money to buy me chocolate.” It only means that they now realize
God as their provider. Isn’t it one load off your shoulder? It actually, is.
They will no longer blame you for not buying them Pizza, because probably God
haven’t given you the money.
2. Find Mentors
Parenting is a
challenging and tough activity especially when both of you (parents) spend most
of your time at work. The few hours you spend with your kids is not enough to
mentor them or even to understand their characters well. However, they can get
some guidance and mentorship from their skilled instructors. The Church
community believes in providing help to each other. Therefore, you can trust
them with your little ones’ spiritual
education and mentorship.
3. Make Friends
Nothing
interests most children like meeting and making new friends. Sunday school is a
place where little ones from different neighborhoods, communities and race
meet. Kids don’t realize their differences and will mingle freely with each
other. The instructors will encourage their relationship by teaching them that
they are all children of God and that God requires them to love one another.
They will look forward to the coming Sunday to meet their friends.
4. Form Good Habits
You may
not be able to capture some of your children’s bad behavior and may learn about
them when such habits are mature. Their instructors will easily point out bad
behavior in kids and warn them, citing that they are sin before God. They have
already learnt that God sees and hears everyone all the time. Your kids don’t
want to be enemies with God; so they won’t do it ever again. They will adhere
to good habits and shun the bad ones.
5. Have Fun
These
skilled instructors know how best to make every moment of your young ones
enjoyable. They will learn new songs and dance to their tune. Occasionally they
will watch Christian films in their church especially about Jesus and his death
on the cross or about Moses and the Ten Commandments, among others. They will
learn even as they enjoy the cinemas. Sometimes they will form groups and compete
in reciting bible verses or songs. In some Sundays, they will sing and
recite poems to congregations and will be greatly appreciated and given
praises. Did you know that your children hunger for appreciation and praise?
Try praising and appreciating them and see that they will start behaving
maturely. Perhaps you don’t have time for that. But there’s plenty of it in Sunday school for kids.
6. Enhancing Parents-child Relationship
Whether
you’re so tired or not, your little ones will never cease telling you about
their church teachers, friends, sing you new songs, poems and about the film
they watched. They will also try to educate you about God and warn you if they
see you doing anything against what God requires of everyone. Moreover, they
will practice the good morals taught. Also, the instructors will teach them to
be obedient to their parents as a command from God. Their obedience and love to
you will attract a strong bond between you and your little ones. What’s more,
they will grow with such behavior to old age.
Now you know why you shouldn’t take away all these benefits and spiritual growth from your children. You may provide everything possible to your children but what they get from church is beyond your ability.
No matter at what moment we are in life, whether we are deepening our studies or leaving the children at school, we can all agree that finding time to take care of ourselves is of vital importance. Finding time for ourselves is the beginning of self-reflection and the reflection is the foundation of how we understand the meaning of our lives. By reflecting on everything we will be trained to be able to see problems from various perspectives.
However, although we all know it, most women devote time on a regular basis to personal care and attention. Instead, we put ourselves in the background and take care of the needs of everyone else first. And although it can be heroic at times, it is also harmful; it is harmful for health to overlook the needs of our body.
As in this fast-paced culture, how can we improve in our personal, physical, mental and spiritual care? We often hear advice like ‘eat real food’, ‘exercise regularly’ and ‘get enough sleep’, but I think the issue goes further. Here you will find four tips, adapted from my own experience , that focus more on the spiritual aspects of treating your whole being, both physical and spiritual, with kindness. To get more info you can visit Bestpsychics.club.
Have mercy on yourself.
Sometimes it may be easier to have compassion for others than for yourself. It is possible that you are giving other people second, third or even infinite opportunities, but to your own actions and thoughts, you give them the very little margin of error. When you make mistakes, do you reproduce them again and again in your head and find new details each time you see that you have made a mistake? It’s a common feeling, but it’s not healthy. Errors are natural as long as you don’t do it intentionally. What’s more important is to make peace with these mistakes while looking for ways not to repeat the same mistakes.
The first step in spiritual care is to realize that we all make mistakes and nothing happens because we are not perfect. If you are a believer, always bear in mind that God is bigger than our mistakes and problems. And the first step to accepting His forgiveness is to be merciful to ourselves and to recognize that we need help with our own care giving us permission to be human.
At the end of each day, remember the good things you have
Sometimes life is so busy that the only time left for one to think about it is at the end of the day, lying on the bed. It can be easy to fall into a habit of negativity, punishing yourself thoroughly for everything you’ve done wrong that day and thinking about what you could have done better.
Instead, try to think of the times you have been blessed throughout the day. They do not have to be extraordinary moments. They can be simple things, like an avenue with all the traffic lights in green way of the work, or that your husband makes the bed in the morning. Here is a simple way to start: share in your social media profile the little things for which you feel grateful every day.
When you are able to find joy even
in the smallest moments, you are learning to find kindness and gratitude in all
your days. And after all that practice seeing the good of creation, it may be
easier for you to learn to apply that lens of kindness and gratitude to
yourself. And when you feel better about yourself, you will be more willing to
do things that are good for your body, such as exercising and maintaining a
good diet.
Be aware that you are unique
Believe in God? He thinks you’re smart. He knows that you are unique and that there is no one else like you. He thought of you from the beginning of time. You are never too much for Him and you are always enough for Him. He created you and called you good. We have all passed by, and He loves us. On the days that you focus on your care, do not forget to focus on the person who cares most about you and loves you and knows you more. Every human being is unique and has its own advantages and disadvantages. This is a fact that we must accept and we should not view others as better as or worse than ourselves. By seeing all humans as equals, we will not be easily discouraged when we experience failure in life.
Taking a day off might be a need for you.
Mental prayer should not be seen as something exceptional, something that is done in a time taken from other activities but should become a habit, part of the normal rhythm of our lives so that its place is never questioned, not even a day. The time we spend away from the stress of daily life is not something that we should feel shame or guilt. In fact, that time on the sidelines is essential for our well-being and personal care. Mental prayer should become a daily event as vital to us as the basic rhythm of existence. It should be the breathing of our souls. Do not feel guilty for wanting to take a break and let your soul just breathe. There is time to work,and there is time to rest. Balance is a marker of whether our lives are normal or not. We are not slaves but free individuals and to note, no happiness without independence.
You need to find your own spiritual path and your smartphone can help you.
Sometimes
you can’t do everything yourself. You need guidance from an expert and
searching online is the most reasonable choice. You don’t need to ask people on
the street, spend your valuable time. With just a few keywords you can get the
spiritual help you want and need.
To help you, here we show some
recommended apps for
positive thinking.
They are available for both iOS and Android. Whatever your smartphone is, you
can enjoy spiritual guidance from them.
4 online spiritual services above are
highly recommended for busy people who do not have enough time to conduct
spiritual consultation sessions. By utilizing online spiritual services, you can get
spiritual guidance anytime and anywhere. Everything is presented on your small
screen! The times when you have to make an appointment with someone to do a
spiritual consultation session are over. Today you can immediately seek
spiritual help and get it immediately, even when you are in your comfortable
bed. The internet has changed everything, including how we can get spiritual
guidance to make our lives more balanced and better. Hopefully this article can enlighten you about the
importance of the spiritual side as a puzzle that shapes your whole life.
Finally, live in balance and be happy!
Have you ever faced a situation when the day comes to an end, but you still haven’t finished the text that you have planned for today? You can blame yourself, your fate, your client, or a house elf. But in fact, most of such undone tasks lie in the lack of focus.
Nowadays, it is a great deal to focus on one
task. Every time you start doing something, the phone starts to vibrate from
the flow of incoming messages and notifications from social networks. Also,
when you use the internet, you are surrounded by various temptations. I
frequently suffer from the following thing: I start writing the article, then I
open a browser to find more information on the topic, and finally, I find
myself reading about deoxyribonucleic acid after an hour. Sounds familiar?
Nearly all of us dream of a universal recipe
that will make us stay focused, write immediately and productively. In truth,
though, there is none. I have tried out various methods found over the internet
and want to share with you those that have worked in my case. Maybe, my
experience will help you get more focused and tuned into writing.
1. Clean up the workplace
Your workplace may directly affect your productivity. Favorite mini-figures of superheroes, family photos, a bunch of colored papers, tangled cables, a couple of unfinished cups of coffee. Don’t give the mess a chance to get rid of you!
Messy or clean desktop – is an endless battle. Some people claim that disorder helps them generate an idea and they just don’t want to waste their time cleaning. Scientists have found out that a messy environment affects your ability to focus, so if you want to be more concentrated on your tasks, keep your workplace clean.
Get cables in order, buy the most beautiful cup and make it one and only for your drinks, and keep only the necessary things on your table. Use organizers to store your writing stuff and materials in one place and by hand. If you enjoy keeping hand-written notes, inspirational phrases, and pictures before eyes, use inspirational boards that you can buy in-store or make by yourself. Hang it near your workplace and enjoy!
Cleaning your table from useless and
distracting things will clean your thoughts and tune into the work. Let
cleaning the workplace be your everyday ritual.
2. Tidy up the desktop from applications and files
In the ideal world files like Untitled1.doc or
Mind_Blowing_Article_v.2.0 are renamed and kept in the appropriate folder on
your computer, not on your desktop. I have a bad habit of storing current (and
old) files on my desktop. But when I finally put everything in the right place,
I can’t help feeling the freshness and inspiration.
Compare these two screenshots of before cleaning and after. Feel the difference?
It is a good habit to make a big clean-up on your computer once a week or month. Clean the desktop and downloads the directory, delete old files and duplicated documents. I prefer to place the necessary application shortcuts in the taskbar for quick access.
3. Mute your mobile phone
It’s hard not to check your phone every hour. Recent research from Deloitte has shown that Americans check their phones52 times a day. Checking your phone gives you a false feeling of consuming new information and being needed. It comforts us when we are annoyed, upset or when we are bored. At the same time, it distracts us from really important things like writing.
Unless you are waiting for an urgent call, turn your mobile off. At least turn off notifications. Nowadays, most phones have an option to pick the contacts you wish to receive calls and messages from.
If you have an iPhone, you can use a “do not disturb” feature. To manage this feature, tap Settings > Do Not Disturb. Here you can set a specific time when you want to turn off notifications. Also, you can create a list of important contacts to receive calls from them. Check your phone for similar features.
If you still feel the passion for checking
your mobile, try to reduce this habit with a new one. For example, I write
several random phrases or words on paper sheets and move to the trash.
4. Block time-consuming websites
How much time do you spend on Facebook, Pinterest, and other time-wasting websites? On the one hand, many of them may be helpful for finding necessary information and inspiration for your articles. On the other side, it turns into a monster that eats time when you need to focus on writing.
To get rid of such websites, use one of the
following extensions for the Chrome browser:
StayFocused,Strict
Workflow –
block the list of websites that distract you from work. You can manage the list
by adding and deleting websites. The application is based on the Pomodoro
technique that aims to improve productivity by alternating 25 minutes of work
and 5 minutes of break.
You can find similar extensions for other browsers in the productivity extensions section. And one more recommendation. Don’t keep several browsers on your computer. You may be tempted to open the desired website in another one.
5. Use simple text editing applications and online services
The primary aim of every writer is to write the text. If you are tired of the additional features and the bulk interface of your current text editor, try to use simple online editors and programs. Here are the most popular programs and charge-free services:
Calmly Writer. It’s an online text editor and also works as a Chrome extension. When you launch Calmly Writer, it will show you only the text entry area and nothing else. The format bar appears after you select the text. To access other options, you will need to click the menu button. The application automatically saves the document after you make any change. As a bonus for those who are in love with typewriters, you can turn on the typewriter sound.
FocusWriter. It is a simple writing environment available for Linux, Windows, and macOS. A simple interface, distraction-free writing text field, and intuitive design will be a savior for those who strive for simplicity. It’s free of charge and will meet the most demanding requirements of essay writers.
Zen Pen. Another one simple online text editor without superpowers. You have an option to save your text on your computer, format the text, set target word count, and switch day/night writing mode. Developers guarantee you a minimum of distractions.
6. Set deadlines and plan your time ahead
All great things start with careful planning. The plan helps to know your strength, stay focused on current tasks, and do everything on time. Planning is essential both for your work and personal life.
Take a habit to make to-do lists every day. If you are writing a voluminous work, write in parts and set daily goals for the word count. It’s a perfect formula for being a productive writer. Also, set the deadline. For many people, the deadline is the best tool to make something happen. So if you set yourself a deadline for a specific task – you raise the chance to do it.
Use the most convenient planning tool: notebook, planner, calendar, browser extension, or desktop/mobile application. Here are the most popular tools:
Googlecalendar. A classic tool for planning all spheres of your life. Available nearly on all devices has an intuitive interface and a great list of options.
Todoist. It’s a time-planner available as a mobile application, browser extension, and as a taskbar on PC and Mac. It’s a great tool to gather your recent and prospective tasks and goals in one place.
Wunderlist. A simple to-do list. Application available on various devices: iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chrome, and Kindle.
TeamweekButton. This extension will be helpful for those who work with services like GitHub, GitLab, Trello, Jira, Asana, Bitbucket, and Podio.
Win the Day. An eye-catchy Chrome extension that may help you achieve short- and long-term goals. You can set goals, daily targets, track the progress, and implement new habits.
7. Listen to the music
When your neighbors are too loud, or traffic sounds make you feel irritated, you need something to stay focused. The music can be a rescue. You may find out that one music serves well for brainstorming, while other help you keep doing routine tasks. Try out playlists created by other people or create one on your own. Experiment with music styles and find one that works for you the best.
8. Use a recorder
It’s a great way to record your thoughts while doing various things. For example, if you suddenly have caught a brilliant idea while writing an article, record it on a dictaphone. On the one hand, you can open a new file on your computer or write it by hand on a piece of paper. But I prefer to use a voice recorder – it’s my single place for my ideas and inspiration. It is easier to come back to writing after talking than turning from one writing to another. As if I will start writing something new, I will skip doing what I have planned. If you suffer from the same thing, try a voice recorder.
9. Learn to meditate
Meditation and mindfulness have become an essential part of those who keep with the progressive evolution. Today, many people practice meditation: office workers, artists, soldiers, scientists, athletes, and other people. It is an excellent non-pharmacological tool that helps improve attention, memory, verbal functions, and cognitive flexibility. Meditation is easy and doesn’t require specific knowledge. You can use meditation at your workplace, in the park, or on the way home. You won’t look strange or suspicious. If you haven’t practiced it yet, try it now!
Choose a comfortable position: sit or lie. Keep your back straight if you sit.
Breathe deeply. Mentally go through every part of your body with every breath you take. Start from the tips of your shoes and move up to the top of your head.
Try to feel all your body parts. Relax your body and fuel it with energy. Feel the warmth and calmness.
You can use such applications as Current, which will remind you when it’s time to meditate. Make it your habit.
Summing Up
All the methods from this article are a part of my daily struggle for being focused and productive. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. All in all, we are not machines. Try out different productivity approaches, experiment, and find those that work for you best. What does help you stay focused? What methods have you already tried?
Bio: Florence Clark is an aspiring writer and passionate traveler. Become a professional journalist is her biggest dream.
Want to see a positive transformation in action? Then head out to Mindvalley University, an annual month-long transformational event that reimagines global education in a completely new way.
It’s not easy to describe Mindvalley U—it really is that unique. But, let’s give it a shot!
First, select a city (this year, the university took place in Tallinn). Then, set a month-long schedule of incredible workshops led by world-class teachers in business, spirituality, and personal growth. For good measure, throw some seriously awesome social festivities into the mix.
You’ve almost got a recipe for success, but you’re missing one important ingredient (and this is what makes this university to the next level): the people.
Gather several hundred change-makers, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, artists and presto—you’ve got Mindvalley U.The next step in global education.
What’s It Like At Mindvalley U?
This university is much more than an education summit. It’s a social movement for sustained optimism and personal growth.
Vishen Lakhiani, founder, and CEO of Mindvalley explains it this way, “This new model questions all the rules we’ve been conditioned to believe about what education should look like. It takes advantage of emerging technologies, new social movements, new types of knowledge accessibility, and new research on what truly creates happy, successful, fulfilled lives.”
So, what’s it like at this new age university? The environment of the event is one that focuses on facilitating social connection and personal development in tandem.
Each year, this university takes place in a different city around the world. Last year, it took place in Barcelona. This year? Tallinn. This experience isn’t just about what you learn but about where you learn it.
Attend workshops with thought-provoking idea leaders by day and explore the city and connect with the community at night. Mindvalley U condenses years worth of education and social connection into a single jam-packed month.
What Types Of Activities Can I Expect At Mindvalley U?
This university seeks to reinvent what it means to learn—whether it be a new skill, a new concept, or coming to better understand yourself and the world around you.
For the month-long duration of the event, this innovative university sculpts a weekly program that brings together some of the most powerful leaders in entrepreneurship, personal growth, and health and wellness to the stage.
Events range from Unleash Your Inner Genius with memory and learning expert, Jim Kwik, to Meditation 4.0 with the spiritual master, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Not to mention the Mindvalley U socials. Join tours of the city, participate in the dance-off parties, and mix and mingle with fellow Mindvalley U peers and teachers alike.
Mindvalley U: Becoming A Member Of The Tribe
Past attendees of this university say the experience was one to remember, not just for the transformative ideas but forthe people.
“The people that I met, the relationships that I built—it gives me goosebumps!” says Journey Henkart, international speaker, author, and Mindvalley U attendee in Barcelona, 2017.
Because the truth is, attending Mindvalley U isn’t just about the educational experience. It’s about becoming a member of an international tribe of change-makers.
Not only do participants get to meet with like-minded individuals from around the globe, but they also have the opportunity to network, communicate, and connect with some of the most influential teachers to take the Mindvalley stage.
“When you’re around so many amazing powerful people who are really clear about their vision, it’s easy to get clear about your power and your gift,” explains entrepreneur, JB Owen.
Mindvalley U isn’t just a global education summit. It’s a transformational event that seeks to create and connect members of an international tribe.
Are you interested in taking part in the next Mindvalley U event? Let us know in the comments below!
Focusing on one’s personal spirituality, practicing mindfulness and honoring self-care are known for naturally increasing positivity in your life. These three different acts can seem a bit ambiguous to those who are unfamiliar with the terms. This may be due to the fact that they can have many different meanings to different people, which is why they are personal to your own journey.
Spiritual traditions such as prayer, meditation, yoga, and journaling are meant to nourish the soul and allow time for self-reflection. Mindfulness is becoming more consciously aware of your thoughts and emotions in the present moment. Self-care is intentionally restoring your mind, body, and soul with activities such as disconnecting from the outside world, making yourself a cup of tea or treating yourself with a massage. Whatever act of self-service that helps you to reconnect with yourself with your own being and revive your inner light is good.
Physical Benefits
Our present-day culture tends to feed into the need to be fast-moving and overly productive. Refocusing your attention to your inner-self has the ability to positively transform your physical body, especially after a day of hard work. Using nothing more than your breath and focus, meditation has shown to greatly reduce stress and stress-related conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia. If your work allows for you to escape to focus on your personal wellness, be sure to do so — even for as little as five minutes a day. Also, be sure to take advantage of communicating grievances to your manager. You’ll be surprised at how much more motivated and productive you’ll feel, after being honest.
Much like comparing a smoker to a non-smoker, personal choices and habits have an impact on our physical health and our ability to heal our own bodies. Healthcare-related research studies have found that having a connection with spirituality or religion helps ill patients better cope with stress and improves their quality of life. Giancarlo Lucchetti led a study that found that individuals with a strong spiritual connection have an 18 percent reduction in early mortality. This serves as evidence that establishing a spiritual life now may potentially prolong your life.
Positive Self-Image
The mind and body are inextricably connected. Treating the mind and body as a holistic system will aid in creating an overall positive self-image. When your physical body feels healthy and well, so does your mental health and vice versa. Practicing acts of self-care enable you to reinforce positive self-image by accepting that you deserve the best out of life. Self-care does not have to always look the same each time. Integrating routine exercise into your life’s schedule or simply looking at yourself in the mirror and saying the words “I love you” is as intensely impactful as treating yourself to something nice or going on vacation. By treating yourself with love and kindness you are simultaneously manifesting positivity and welcoming it into your life.
Start Young
A large percentage of a young person’s time is spent in school receiving their education. Integrating mindfulness practices into a child’s school day has proven to have many positive impacts. Millions of dollars have been invested into studies on the positive effects of mindfulness practices on students with results showing improved sleep, increased retention rates, and lower anxiety levels. Mindfulness practices not only have positive impacts on them at the time of the practice but the effects carry on throughout schooling into higher education. In one study by the University of California Santa Barbara, it was discovered that integrating mindfulness practices reduced mind-wandering, which helped to improve scores on the reading comprehension portion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Adapting intentional practices that benefit your mind, body and soul will naturally allow positivity to find you and influence your life. The positive outcomes will spill over onto those who surround you, creating a waterfall effect on all aspects of your life. Welcome and embrace mindfulness, spirituality, and self-care into your everyday routine — at work, school and at home. Every movement, encounter, and thought is an opportunity to intentionally be positive in the present moment.
Author’s Bio
Avery T. Phillips is a freelance human being with too much to say. She loves nature and examining human interactions with the world. Comment or tweet her @a_taylorian with any questions or suggestions. Avery lives in the United States.
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