If you want to succeed in life, there is an important mindset you need to have. Without it, it’s unlikely that you will make much progress. But with it, you can have a breakthrough. The mindset is this:
Failure is an option
It might seem simple, but this mindset can make a big difference in your life.
A while back I read an article about how Domino’s Pizza reinvented itself. In 2010, its stock price was only $8.76 per share. But then Patrick Doyle became CEO and started working to reinvent the company. Guess how much the stock price is now? It’s $170 per share! How is that possible? How could the company make such a progress?
One big reason is because Doyle has this mindset. For him, failure is an option.
He explains that there are two great ills called “omission bias” and “loss aversion”:
Omission bias is the tendency to worry more about doing something than not doing something, because everyone sees the results of a move gone bad, and few see the costs of moves not made. Loss aversion describes the tendency to play not to lose rather than play to win.
We all need to overcome these two ills. Why? Because they make us just stay in our comfort zone. They make us unwilling to try new things because we may fail and look bad in front of others.
To overcome them, you need to have the right mindset. The right mindset is this: failure is fine, so take risks and try new things. Having this mindset can change your life.
Here are three tips to put this mindset into action:
1. Know your options.
Before you can try something new, you need to know your options. You need to know what the possibilities are. So make sure that you stay informed. For this, you should read books, blogs, or listen to podcasts. Then when you find something interesting, take note of it.
2. Experiment.
After knowing your options, you need to experiment with them. My favorite way of doing this is to create side projects. This website, for instance, started as a side project of mine.
3. Learn and adjust.
Your side project could come out as a success or a failure. If it fails, then that’s fine; just regard it as a learning opportunity. Learn all you can from it and adjust yourself accordingly. If it succeeds, then you can commit more resources to it.
That’s what happened to me with this website. Life Optimizer (and its related projects) eventually becomes my full-time job. That wouldn’t happen if I didn’t experiment with it in the first place.
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You need to take risks to make progress in your life. Yes, you could fail, but remember that you could succeed. The success will never come if you never try.
You’re reading How to Change Your Life in Just 5 Minutes a Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
There are many things that can make us happy: reading, healthy food, listening to good music, running and taking walks every single day, coffee with a friend… Why aren’t we doing all these things? The usual answer is: “there’s not enough time.” Well, time is a factor we can’t change. There’s no way to make a day last for 26 hours, so we’ll use that extra time for extra pleasure. We have to work with what we have, so the question is: how do we squeeze in some happiness in 24 hours?
The problem is in the approach. There are people who work really hard, have a great connection with their families, and still find time to prepare their meals and exercise in the morning. Their days are not longer; they just use the time more wisely. Can you find 5 minutes of your time for an activity you like? Those 5 minutes can really change your life. Think of it as an investment in your personal growth.
5 minutes a day. Everyone has them!
During these 5 minutes, you’ll be doing something important: building a daily habit of appreciation. It will be like a daily meditation that will push you forward through life… hopefully, with a smile on your face. You can’t meet all friends, read a book, watch a movie, or exercise in 5 minutes.
However, this habit will teach you to appreciate the time and make a wiser decision. You won’t even notice how you’re finding more time for those pleasures in future. Let’s see how it’s done. These are all things you can do in 5 minutes:
Have you ever felt the healing effects of water? You’re feeling exhausted after work. You don’t have a single atom of energy left in your body. After a shower, you feel much better. Water does have such an effect on us, but we have to be aware of it if we want to experience it in its full glory.
Take that shower. Use a luxurious soap that makes you feel special. Relax. You have these 5 minutes to yourself. You’re important. You deserve to have a special moment in the day. Feel how the water washes the stress away. When you’re focused on the process of relaxing, you realize that this routine is more powerful than you assumed.
Tomorrow, get up 5 minutes earlier than usual. Those 5 minutes don’t make a difference in sleep, but they make a huge difference when you’re awake. Before you get the cup of coffee and before you do anything else, just sit in quiet. Close your eyes and think of something you’re grateful for. You have your friends, your family, your home… the list can go on and on. Focus; don’t let your brain be drawn towards negativity. At the end of those 5 minutes, take a long, deep breath and be grateful for the air you breathe.
Do that every single day! When you start the day with positive thoughts, you have more strength to face any challenge that comes your way.
Here is another thing you can do in five minutes: think of the most important things you need to do in order to live a happy life. Maybe you already have a schedule and your priorities are listed there, but this is a difference. Set long-term goals that would make you happier than you currently are. Do you want to start a family? Write that down. Think of everything you need to do in order to make that happen.
This practice will keep you focused on the big picture, which can get blurred under all daily errands.
How long can a simple conversation take? Call a friend, every single day. Just ask how they are doing. Listen to them. Share your worries and happy moments. Texting is overestimated! When you’re actually talking to each other, you’re sharing real emotions and special moments.
You have 5 minutes on your hands and you’re wondering what to do? Start a book. Even if you have only 5 minutes, you’ll read a page. Sign up for an online course! There are tons of learning opportunities you can explore, and the best part is that they are free. You think you don’t have time, but sign up anyway. Tomorrow, you’ll explore the course for 5 minutes, and it won’t take long before you make a strong commitment. Use that little time to take any action.
When you do something you enjoy, you suddenly realize that every moment of the day is precious. Instead of spending 5 minutes stressing over tomorrow’s assignments, you can use that time to relax. Instead of taking a shower just for the sake of being clean, you can really enjoy those moments and be alone with yourself. Even if you decide to do every single one of the practices above, it will take 25 minutes of the day. You have that time. Repeat your favorite thing every day!
Eva Wislow is a writer and career advisor at CareersBooster.com. She is on a mission to help people find their true calling. When she is not working, you can find her reading with a cup of coffee.
You’ve read How to Change Your Life in Just 5 Minutes a Day, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
Las Vegas – Nevada – USA (by Paul Nicholson)
We’ve all had that time when we flubbed a first impression. That time when we were set to meet someone for the first time and something went really wrong.
Perhaps it was the poppyseeds in the teeth from the morning bagel? Or a skirt tucked into the pantyhose at the back, revealing more than you ever intended? Or the piece of toilet paper dragging on the bottom of your shoe?
It’s all fodder for a stand up comedy act. But a bad first impression doesn’t have to be the result of something as major as the skirt in the pantyhose. It can stem from something as simple as terrible listening skills or negative body language.
Read on a for a few tips on making a good impression, with some specific suggestions for those times when you are most likely to need them.
Tell me if there is anything worse than someone who isn’t listening when you’re speaking to them? You can tell from the look on their face that they’re working out what to say next and it will probably have no bearing on what you’ve been saying whatsoever. Or they are thinking about what they’re going to have for lunch? Either way, it doesn’t make a solid first impression.
A great way to make a good first impression is to be engaged. Listening to what the person in front of you is saying and responding to it accordingly. Parrot back some of their words, so that they know that you have heard them and ask them relevant questions, which incites them to keep talking. The thing most people want most in the world is to be heard. If they didn’t, Facebook and Twitter wouldn’t have a leg to stand on as social media platforms.
See Also: How Listening Makes You The Strongest Person In Any Given Room
In the same vein as active listening is body language. We say a lot without saying a word when we meet someone, particularly someone new. The non-verbal cues that the other person picks up from us are just as important as the verbal ones.
For example, not shaking hands with someone who offers theirs and if they don’t offer, not offering yours, can be taken as a snub. Having your arms folded across your chest while someone is talking might seem comfortable for you, but to others, it has the appearance of negativity, of a closed mind to what they are saying. It can even appear aggressive.
Facial expressions are part of body language. Some of us have what’s known as a ‘resting bitch face’. This is where our normal face looks sad or mad, even when that’s not what we’re feeling at all. If you’ve been told you have that, be aware of it when you’re meeting new people. Make an effort to avoid it.
Good eye contact is another great way to make sure that your first impression is a good one. Eye contact is a positive, engaged reaction to someone else. Looking over their shoulder, at the floor or worse, at some part of their body, is not.
The old adage says that you should always stay away from religion and politics. In this day and age, that’s probably more true than it’s ever been before. There are certain topics that should be off limits until you know someone fairly well. Pontificating your views on touchy issues can lead quickly to a negative impression. Assuming things about the person you’re meeting is also fraught. Example? you don’t want to talk about the senior’s discount at the shop you’re standing in front of with someone who MIGHT not be a senior!
So what’s safe, besides the weather? It’s always safe to ask the other person about themselves. Most people like to talk about something they know a lot about and what better topic is there than oneself? It will also give you the chance to pick up on something they have said and expand on it, using those active listening skills, all while you are maintaining good eye contact and after a vigorous handshake.
Just don’t ask “what do you do?” or one of the other standard conversation non-starters (see below!) Instead, you can ask things like “So, what should I know about you that I can’t read about on your LinkedIN profile?”
Other options?
If they’re not talkative about themselves, avoid asking the same benign questions that people always ask. They don’t lead to great conversations, on the whole:
See Also: How To Keep A Conversation Going With 8 Different Topics
#1 tip for first impressions at a social gathering
Compliments are your new best friend. If someone has a handbag you admire, walk up to them and say so. The person you are speaking with will be happy to receive a compliment, albeit indirect, and it’s a good way to begin a conversation. But be genuine: if you are faking it, it will show.
#1 tip for first impressions on a date
Be positive. Even if things go wildly wrong: the waiter drops soup on your date; a passing cab splashes both of you as you stand waiting to cross the street; whatever happens, take it in stride and remain positive. Nothing says ‘loser’ like a 34 year old having a tantrum in the middle of the street.
#1 tip for first impressions on the playground
Making new friends as an adult is HARD, particularly breaking into the ‘mommy cliques’ at the playground of your children’s school. Avoid talking about anything related to the school and instead approach a group and ask their opinion on the best place in the neighborhood to get a haircut for Little Timmy. They’ll be more than happy to share their wisdom and you’ve got an in by being open and curious.
#1 tip for first impressions online
These days, you are just as likely to ‘meet’ someone for the first time in the digital arena as in the real world, so it’s vital that your online image is clean. I’m not referring to your picture or avatar, though these should be suited to the platform (LinkedIN: professional; Facebook: fun but not awkward; Twitter: something more than the egg).
Search for yourself regularly on search engines and social media to see what people will find when they look you up, because they will look you up and you don’t want to find embarrassing shots of you knocking back shooters in your underwear as the first link they find.
#1 tip for first impressions in any situation: men vs. women
The thing that men are most impressed by? Eye contact and a good handshake – nothing limp or ‘wet fish’ like. For women? Eye contact as well, plus a genuine smile. So men and women might not be as different as originally thought!
At the end of the day, you have three to five seconds to make a first impression. Make it a good one.
The post First Impressions: How to Make Sure You Are Remembered for the Right Reasons appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
Most of our lives are spent following unconscious, habitual patterns.
We wake and start immediately with our usual distractions, fall into regular eating habits, interact with people reactively out of old mental patterns, procrastinate and put off exercise out of old mental habits, are constantly thinking of something other than what we’re doing out of habit …
What if we could step away from those old habitual patterns?
What would it be like to wake up from our daydream, and make more conscious choices in each moment?
That’s what I’m exploring in my new course for my Sea Change Program called “Deeper Into Mindfulness” … and I invite you to join me this month.
In this course, we’re looking at:
Each week, I share two videos with my Sea Change members who are taking the course, and offer them daily practices they can do to delve deeper into mindfulness and develop these skills.
Each week, there’s a challenge to do these practices every day if possible, and a weekly accountability thread.
And I’m going to do a live webinar on the topic, and answer member questions during the webinar.
I invite you to join me by signing up for Sea Change today. And step out of your old habits, and start becoming more conscious in every beautiful moment.
Vacations should never be your excuse for having bulges and getting unhealthy. There are a lot of ways you can do to stay fit and healthy while on your most awaited vacation.
Below are a handful of things you can consider to make your next vacation all worth while.
Definitely! A good way to stay healthy on your vacation is to go with people who have the same goals as yours. Avoiding unhealthy foods and still working on your regular exercise every day are a few of the things that your fitness buddies would encourage you to do even during vacation.
Fitness buddy will definitely encourage and push you to stay healthy during holidays.
Yes, you are on a vacation, thus sitting, lying down, sleeping and eating all day is not the reason why you are out of town or country. Keep moving and use your body.
If the tourist destination or location where you plan to visit is just near, you might as well walk. Use stairs instead of elevators. Enjoy the tourist spots, walk around, and enjoy the ambiance.
If you are on a vacation, never stay just in your rooms. If that is your plan, just better stay at home and watch television. You did not travel far, spend money and make reservations just so you can sleep and lie down all day in bed.
Most places we visit have local specialties and cuisines. Sure, you can try them all but make sure it is in moderation. Maintaining your weight is definitely a priority but that does not mean you will deprive yourself of eating dishes that you may never try somewhere else.
Go ahead and have a taste of what they can offer but make sure that your guards are up and still in control. Eating healthy should happen every day, wherever you are, wherever you go.
You would not want the sacrifices you did for months or even years to go to waste just for few days you are on a vacation.
See Also: 10 Essential Vitamins for Frequent Travelers
Instead of the usual vacations you do, try something different. Try something that can encourage and hype your interest in getting and staying fit and healthy. Go hiking, mountain-climbing and the like. You can also opt to visit spa resorts that have an emphasis on wellness.
If the place you will visit cannot offer too many activities, at least choose accommodations that have an indoor gym.
Make sure that after your vacation, you feel completely energized and rejuvenated. The real deal for having a vacation is to get you out for a moment from your real world and relax. This is a good way to recuperate. Vacations should make you feel like you are starting fresh and anew.
Needless to say, vacations are something that everyone look forward to, but still, never let them be your reason or excuse to be unhealthy. Make your vacation and fitness work hand and hand to ensure that when you get back from your vacation, you are still as fit and healthy or better.
See Also: Steps To Reinvent Your Life By Traveling
The post 5 Tips On Staying Healthy On Your Next Vacation appeared first on Dumb Little Man.
Where does President Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, stand on the liberal to conservative spectrum, compared to the other Supreme Court justices on the bench?
Researchers Lee Epstein, Andrew D. Martin, and Kevin Quinn conducted an analysis of Trump’s potential Supreme Court picks back in December, which we first saw in The New York Times, to answer that very question. Since judges are notoriously close-lipped about their political leanings or how they might rule on potential cases, the researchers used an equation taking into account the political affiliations of the senators from their home states and the president appointing them.
Sig Nordal 