You’re reading How to Improve Yourself in 2 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Sometimes self-improvement can feel rather overwhelming.

You just wanted to be a bit more confident at social gatherings…

…but 3 years and 100 books later you find yourself deep down the self-development rabbit hole pondering questions such as:

“How do I find my life purpose?“

“How can I live an authentic life?”

And as if these questions were not already complicated enough, your social confidence isn’t your only problem anymore.

You tasted the self-help fruit and are now concerned about your health, fitness, spirituality, productivity, professional success, happiness, integrity …

….and the list goes on and on.

I’d like to ask you this:

“Wouldn’t it be nice to make self-improvement simple again?”

Simple as in an uncomplicated process you can follow to make changes in your life?

My answer to this question is “Yes”, which is why I tried to simplify self-development down to 2 steps.

I came up with those 2 steps reflecting on what has worked for me in the past (I’ve been one of those self-development junkies for the last three years), and what in my experience self-development tends to come down to.

Of course, you cannot explain the world in a short article like this.

But sometimes simplicity drives you towards action more effectively than complexity.

And that’s what I hope to do for you. So without further a due – How to improve yourself in 2 simple steps:

Step 1: Ask Yourself 2 Simple Questions

The first step is to reflect on your life.

And no you don’t have to lock yourself in a room for a year or meditate on a mountain with Tibetan monks.

Let’s take it very easy.

Just ask yourself those two simple questions:

#1 What is going well in my life?

#2 What is going not so well in my life?

And answer them.

Make sure you cover a range of areas: work, relationships, health, fitness, dating, hobbies, family, whatever.

Some people are chattier. So if that’s you ask your best friend if she can help you answer those questions over coffee.

If you are more introverted like me, just write down the answers on a paper or in a word document.

Once you’ve thought enough about those two questions (maybe an hour or so), give yourself props for the stuff that’s going well. Good for you! Nothing we have to improve here.

For the stuff that’s going not so well, pick a few items that bother you the most and write them down on a list. It might look like this:

• I want to exercise more but I also want to see my friends
• I fight a lot with my boyfriend recently over trivial things and don’t quite know why

Once you’ve done that you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Fix What Bothers You

Now it’s time to go through each item on the list and find a solution.

Depending on the issue you will find yourself in one of two scenarios:

Scenario 1: That’s easy! I know how to fix this!

After a bit of reflection you realize that your  friends are a priority for you, while exercise is a necessary evil.

The walk to the gym is your main issue, as it takes up so much time that you cannot meet up with your friends afterward.

After thinking a bit about it you come up with the following solution:

You’ll just try out following one of those 20 minute YouTube home workout videos for the next few weeks. That way you can still see your friends while exercising more and wasting less time.

Congratulations! You have officially improved yourself.

Scenario 2: Hmm this seems complicated. No idea what to do.

Recently your boyfriend and you had a lot of small fights over stuff you both agree is quite trivial. You are not sure what causes this pattern.

How do you fix something like that?

Well, you are in scenarios 2, so just realize you have no idea and do some research!

Find the top 3 books on relationship advice on Amazon. Find 1 popular YouTube channel and 1 popular blog on relationship advice…

…Then study all of them.

• Perhaps you’ll read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman and find out your boyfriend likes to express and receive affection differently than you.
• Or you read “That’s Not What I Meant!” by Deborah Tannen and find out that both of you are confused by each other’s communication style.
• Or maybe you read “Radical Honesty” by Brad Blanton and figure you relationship lacks honesty on certain topics, which causes conflict in other areas.

By seeking out educational material you will improve your understanding of relationship dynamics and become a more resourceful human being.

While that won’t guarantee your relationship will be happy ever after it will give you plenty of ideas on what might cause the fighting and how to fix it.

Then all that’s left to do is apply and see what sticks.

 

…That’s it.

2 Simple Steps to improve yourself.

Come back to them whenever you feel overwhelmed, stuck or like you don’t know what to do.

And they will put you back on track in no time.

You’ve read How to Improve Yourself in 2 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading How to Improve Yourself in 2 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Sometimes self-improvement can feel rather overwhelming.

You just wanted to be a bit more confident at social gatherings…

…but 3 years and 100 books later you find yourself deep down the self-development rabbit hole pondering questions such as:

“How do I find my life purpose?“

“How can I live an authentic life?”

And as if these questions were not already complicated enough, your social confidence isn’t your only problem anymore.

You tasted the self-help fruit and are now concerned about your health, fitness, spirituality, productivity, professional success, happiness, integrity …

….and the list goes on and on.

I’d like to ask you this:

“Wouldn’t it be nice to make self-improvement simple again?”

Simple as in an uncomplicated process you can follow to make changes in your life?

My answer to this question is “Yes”, which is why I tried to simplify self-development down to 2 steps.

I came up with those 2 steps reflecting on what has worked for me in the past (I’ve been one of those self-development junkies for the last three years), and what in my experience self-development tends to come down to.

Of course, you cannot explain the world in a short article like this.

But sometimes simplicity drives you towards action more effectively than complexity.

And that’s what I hope to do for you. So without further a due – How to improve yourself in 2 simple steps:

Step 1: Ask Yourself 2 Simple Questions

The first step is to reflect on your life.

And no you don’t have to lock yourself in a room for a year or meditate on a mountain with Tibetan monks.

Let’s take it very easy.

Just ask yourself those two simple questions:

#1 What is going well in my life?

#2 What is going not so well in my life?

And answer them.

Make sure you cover a range of areas: work, relationships, health, fitness, dating, hobbies, family, whatever.

Some people are chattier. So if that’s you ask your best friend if she can help you answer those questions over coffee.

If you are more introverted like me, just write down the answers on a paper or in a word document.

Once you’ve thought enough about those two questions (maybe an hour or so), give yourself props for the stuff that’s going well. Good for you! Nothing we have to improve here.

For the stuff that’s going not so well, pick a few items that bother you the most and write them down on a list. It might look like this:

• I want to exercise more but I also want to see my friends
• I fight a lot with my boyfriend recently over trivial things and don’t quite know why

Once you’ve done that you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Fix What Bothers You

Now it’s time to go through each item on the list and find a solution.

Depending on the issue you will find yourself in one of two scenarios:

Scenario 1: That’s easy! I know how to fix this!

After a bit of reflection you realize that your  friends are a priority for you, while exercise is a necessary evil.

The walk to the gym is your main issue, as it takes up so much time that you cannot meet up with your friends afterward.

After thinking a bit about it you come up with the following solution:

You’ll just try out following one of those 20 minute YouTube home workout videos for the next few weeks. That way you can still see your friends while exercising more and wasting less time.

Congratulations! You have officially improved yourself.

Scenario 2: Hmm this seems complicated. No idea what to do.

Recently your boyfriend and you had a lot of small fights over stuff you both agree is quite trivial. You are not sure what causes this pattern.

How do you fix something like that?

Well, you are in scenarios 2, so just realize you have no idea and do some research!

Find the top 3 books on relationship advice on Amazon. Find 1 popular YouTube channel and 1 popular blog on relationship advice…

…Then study all of them.

• Perhaps you’ll read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman and find out your boyfriend likes to express and receive affection differently than you.
• Or you read “That’s Not What I Meant!” by Deborah Tannen and find out that both of you are confused by each other’s communication style.
• Or maybe you read “Radical Honesty” by Brad Blanton and figure you relationship lacks honesty on certain topics, which causes conflict in other areas.

By seeking out educational material you will improve your understanding of relationship dynamics and become a more resourceful human being.

While that won’t guarantee your relationship will be happy ever after it will give you plenty of ideas on what might cause the fighting and how to fix it.

Then all that’s left to do is apply and see what sticks.

 

…That’s it.

2 Simple Steps to improve yourself.

Come back to them whenever you feel overwhelmed, stuck or like you don’t know what to do.

And they will put you back on track in no time.

You’ve read How to Improve Yourself in 2 Simple Steps, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading 19 Quotes to Inspire Self-Control, Focus, and Action, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Tell me you haven’t had this happen to you.

You have an important project or exam and you really need to focus, but every time you sit down you just seem to get distracted.

It’s happened to me, hundreds, maybe even thousands of times.

No matter how important it is, sometimes it can be hard to focus on the task in front of us. We find ourselves constantly getting interrupted by social media, friends, other obligations, or even just unrelated thoughts that seem to pop up.

There are many reasons this could be. Sometimes we need to rest, others we need to eat. It could be that we need to strengthen our willpower, or that we need to improve our organizations kills.

On the other hand, there are occasions where all we need is a simple momentum boost. A little bit of motivation to kickstart our focus and get us back on track.

One effective way to do that is to think of a certain quote that motivates us to action.

For me, it’s the following quote from Steven Pressfield’s book The War of Art.

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

This reminds me to stop overthinking and just get the job done. I return to this quote and it acts as an anchor to quiet my mind.

For you, it might be something different. Which is why I’ve compiled this list of 19 quotes to inspire self-control, focus, and action.

 

“The greatest challenge is to control oneself.” – Kazi Shams

“Don’t watch the clock; Do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

“That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.” – Anonymous

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” – Simone de Beauvoir

“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.” – James Allen

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.” – Steven Pressfield

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” – Dr. Henry Link

“Self-control is a key factor in achieving success. We can’t control everything in life, but we can definitely control ourselves.” – Jan McKingley Hilado

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stow

“I cannot trust a man to control others if he cannot control himself.” – Robert E. Lee

“Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do…The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” – Steven Pressfield

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

What quotes motivate you to work? Comment and share on the Pick the Brain Facebook to inspire this drive in others!

———————————————————————————————————-

Ben Fishel is a freelance writer and the creator of the blog Project Monkey Mind.

Head over to the blog for practical guides such as tips for focusing on your studies like a Zen master and how you can overcome rumination for good!

You’ve read 19 Quotes to Inspire Self-Control, Focus, and Action, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading 19 Quotes to Inspire Self-Control, Focus, and Action, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Tell me you haven’t had this happen to you.

You have an important project or exam and you really need to focus, but every time you sit down you just seem to get distracted.

It’s happened to me, hundreds, maybe even thousands of times.

No matter how important it is, sometimes it can be hard to focus on the task in front of us. We find ourselves constantly getting interrupted by social media, friends, other obligations, or even just unrelated thoughts that seem to pop up.

There are many reasons this could be. Sometimes we need to rest, others we need to eat. It could be that we need to strengthen our willpower, or that we need to improve our organizations kills.

On the other hand, there are occasions where all we need is a simple momentum boost. A little bit of motivation to kickstart our focus and get us back on track.

One effective way to do that is to think of a certain quote that motivates us to action.

For me, it’s the following quote from Steven Pressfield’s book The War of Art.

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”

This reminds me to stop overthinking and just get the job done. I return to this quote and it acts as an anchor to quiet my mind.

For you, it might be something different. Which is why I’ve compiled this list of 19 quotes to inspire self-control, focus, and action.

 

“The greatest challenge is to control oneself.” – Kazi Shams

“Don’t watch the clock; Do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson

“That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Starve your distractions, feed your focus.” – Anonymous

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” – Simone de Beauvoir

“Self-control is strength. Right thought is mastery. Calmness is power.” – James Allen

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

“The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference.” – Steven Pressfield

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

“We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.” – Dr. Henry Link

“Self-control is a key factor in achieving success. We can’t control everything in life, but we can definitely control ourselves.” – Jan McKingley Hilado

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stow

“I cannot trust a man to control others if he cannot control himself.” – Robert E. Lee

“Fear is good. Like self-doubt, fear is an indicator. Fear tells us what we have to do…The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.” – Steven Pressfield

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” – Greg Anderson

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

What quotes motivate you to work? Comment and share on the Pick the Brain Facebook to inspire this drive in others!

———————————————————————————————————-

Ben Fishel is a freelance writer and the creator of the blog Project Monkey Mind.

Head over to the blog for practical guides such as tips for focusing on your studies like a Zen master and how you can overcome rumination for good!

You’ve read 19 Quotes to Inspire Self-Control, Focus, and Action, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading Erin’s Things: October 22, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

This week I found some major inspo so i’ll just jump right to it! As always, if you have any suggestions that made your week better please share in the comments below or dm me!

1. IT DEVOURS! By Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Canor – These two have a bestselling novel called ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ for which they also have a podcast. They have decided to wrote another book, this time about how faith and science intersect. In this novel a scientist is investigating a rumbling in the desert, where she discovers a congregation called ‘Smiling God’. She is attracted to a young man she meets there and she must try to reconcile with their very different worldview. Witty and interesting, this book is definitely an entertaining read.

 

2. BILLIE EILISH – Billie Eilish O’Connell released a haunting single called ‘Ocean Eyes’ about a year ago, written by her brother Finneas (also a singer). After an extreme 2 million streams on soundcloud, she is now signed to Interscope records, and ar 15 years old she is not at all going to be a cookie cutter pop star. On one soong, she sings about holding someone hostage and burning down their car. Not for the faint of heart, or your average 15 year old I would say. One to watch.

 

3. ZOJIRUSHI STAINLESS STEEL TUFF BOTTLE – These bottles look cool. Thankfully, that is not all! They have a lock on vacuum insulation technology that keeps beverages hot or cold for at least 6 hours. They feature a one touch pour through stopper, and a lid that doubles as a cup. Lightweight and durable, they come in a series of mug sized thermos’ as well, and a variety of bright, metallic and pastel colors!

 

4. TRAVELING SOLO – I love to be solitary, whether it is hiking or meditating, I prefer these activities solo. Lately, I have been wondering about taking that desire up a notch and traveling solo. At first, it seems daunting and perhaps even lonely that you would not have anyone else to share or witness the experiences with you. As I let go of those limiting thoughts, I realized that it is in fact, the ultimate embodiment of confidence. You will meet morel locals, you will focus more on the destination, you will find your own way and have financial control. Some of the best places to travel alone are: Dublin, San Francisco, Toronto, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Brussels. Bon Voyage!

 

5. SUPER SOUL SUNDAY – Airing Sundays at 11am/10C on the OWN network, this is Oprah’s talk show on her network. On October 22, 2017, she had a conversation about consciousness with Eckart Tolle (The Power of Now, A New Earth), one of my favorite authors. If you missed it, one can download the app you can watch the episode at any time, and all other episodes that are still available for that matter. Super Soul Sunday is a collection of episodes featuring conversations with thought leaders, authors and wellness experts., as well as feature length documentaries and short form content. The show offers insights in to living your best life.

Hope you have a great week next week!

Be well,

Erin

You’ve read Erin’s Things: October 22, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading Erin’s Things: October 22, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

This week I found some major inspo so i’ll just jump right to it! As always, if you have any suggestions that made your week better please share in the comments below or dm me!

1. IT DEVOURS! By Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Canor – These two have a bestselling novel called ‘Welcome to Night Vale’ for which they also have a podcast. They have decided to wrote another book, this time about how faith and science intersect. In this novel a scientist is investigating a rumbling in the desert, where she discovers a congregation called ‘Smiling God’. She is attracted to a young man she meets there and she must try to reconcile with their very different worldview. Witty and interesting, this book is definitely an entertaining read.

 

2. BILLIE EILISH – Billie Eilish O’Connell released a haunting single called ‘Ocean Eyes’ about a year ago, written by her brother Finneas (also a singer). After an extreme 2 million streams on soundcloud, she is now signed to Interscope records, and ar 15 years old she is not at all going to be a cookie cutter pop star. On one soong, she sings about holding someone hostage and burning down their car. Not for the faint of heart, or your average 15 year old I would say. One to watch.

 

3. ZOJIRUSHI STAINLESS STEEL TUFF BOTTLE – These bottles look cool. Thankfully, that is not all! They have a lock on vacuum insulation technology that keeps beverages hot or cold for at least 6 hours. They feature a one touch pour through stopper, and a lid that doubles as a cup. Lightweight and durable, they come in a series of mug sized thermos’ as well, and a variety of bright, metallic and pastel colors!

 

4. TRAVELING SOLO – I love to be solitary, whether it is hiking or meditating, I prefer these activities solo. Lately, I have been wondering about taking that desire up a notch and traveling solo. At first, it seems daunting and perhaps even lonely that you would not have anyone else to share or witness the experiences with you. As I let go of those limiting thoughts, I realized that it is in fact, the ultimate embodiment of confidence. You will meet morel locals, you will focus more on the destination, you will find your own way and have financial control. Some of the best places to travel alone are: Dublin, San Francisco, Toronto, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Brussels. Bon Voyage!

 

5. SUPER SOUL SUNDAY – Airing Sundays at 11am/10C on the OWN network, this is Oprah’s talk show on her network. On October 22, 2017, she had a conversation about consciousness with Eckart Tolle (The Power of Now, A New Earth), one of my favorite authors. If you missed it, one can download the app you can watch the episode at any time, and all other episodes that are still available for that matter. Super Soul Sunday is a collection of episodes featuring conversations with thought leaders, authors and wellness experts., as well as feature length documentaries and short form content. The show offers insights in to living your best life.

Hope you have a great week next week!

Be well,

Erin

You’ve read Erin’s Things: October 22, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

>

You’re reading 4 Tactics to Take Control of Your Career, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Millennials—a word synonymous with labels such as lazy, demanding, entitled, impatient and disrespectful. Is it any wonder that many Millennials are finding a less-than-welcoming workplace environment?

A shocking clash of culture between Millennial employees and top-down management can create a very hostile and unsuccessful experience. This lack of understanding is forcing many Millennials to quickly exit their newfound, hard-fought-for jobs in just a matter of months.

So, what’s a Millennial to do? Stand up and fight for your right to contribute! Don’t give up at the first sign of negativity—instead, consider using one or more of the tactics below to demonstrate the value you bring.

Communicate with Confidence

Text messages, instant messages, email and social media messaging are amazing tools that Millennials are extremely confident in using to share opinions, ideas and general discussion. Unfortunately, while these forms of communication are excellent means for getting content out, what they lack is the emotion and the intent behind the information.

Often, what is not said can have a bigger impact on communication than the spoken words. Imagine you are with your manager talking about a challenge that came up on the project. You finish giving all the details, and your manager leans back in her chair, takes a long pause, and says, “Okay.” Chances are, she is not really “okay” with the situation. Leaning back and the long pause are both nonverbal indicators that need to be addressed. Neither of these cues would have been identified had you sent a quick email about the project. And, likely—much further along the project timeline—you would have found out you truly didn’t have your manager’s support.

Quick tip: To be a confident communicator, know when to use the most effective form of communication. Sharing content? Great opportunity to use technology! Needing to have a dialogue? Face-to-face might be the much better route to take.

Take the Wheel

Once you have successfully communicated an idea, and you have support, the next step is taking charge. What better way to overcome the stigma of Millennials being lazy or entitled, than stepping up to the plate to take charge.

Taking charge begins with choosing the players to join you on this venture. Who you select for the team will either help you reach the goal or derail you quickly. Having the right mix of skills, personalities, and work styles will help you minimize potential discord while maximizing effectiveness.

Quick tip: Avoid personality clashes. Just because a resource has the right skill set doesn’t mean the person is the right fit. If he or she doesn’t have the ability to work well with others, you will waste a lot of time on conflict and may derail your entire team, resulting in failure to achieve the goal.

Become a Game Changer

What is a game changer? Game changers are individuals with an imagination, confidence and a willingness to take risk. Game changers can come from any department and any role within an organization. Keep in mind that each of us has the ability to be a positive change agent. We just have to believe passionately in our vision, be relentless in our commitment, be bold and not let anyone tell us we can’t achieve.

Quick tip: Often, ideas are left unspoken because you think, “This sounds crazy,” or “I’m not sure I can pull that off.” Unless you get your ideas out there and gain support, the idea may remain just that—an idea. Keep in mind, crazy ideas are often the ones that change the world.

Be Proactive

Negative experiences happen to all of us. We get passed over for a promotion that we really worked hard to win. We end up having to work late to meet a deadline, making us miss a dinner party we had planned to attend. Teammates fail to deliver on a promised task. Life happens to all of us; it is how we respond that makes all the difference. We can choose to react to all these circumstances, or we can instead choose to be proactive. When we react, we are allowing others to control the situation. When we choose to be proactive, we take control. Proactively anticipate potential problems, take charge of the situation, and remain solution-focused.

Quick tip: Being proactive means that you take ownership of both your successes and failures. Accept responsibility for any mistakes along the way, and use these as opportunities to learn and grow.

These are a few effective ways to ensure you take control of your career, attain your vision and achieve your goals. If you’re interested in learning more helpful tips to drive your career forward in a meaningful way, I invite you to take a look inside my book Unleashing the Intrapreneur, Changing the Face of Corporate America (download a free chapter here) and the companion book, The Manager’s Guide to Unleashing the Intrapreneur (launching October 2017).

You’ve read 4 Tactics to Take Control of Your Career, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading 3 Convenient Ways to Be a Lifelong Learner, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Lifelong learning is a buzzword today, and it’s easy to see why. The massive changes in technology and the changing nature of work are reasons to sharpen our skills and expand our knowledge. We need to be lifelong learners, but how?

When people hear “lifelong learning” they often think of getting another degree or taking university-level classes. They dread the costs and time commitment associated with these options. And the caliber of massive open online courses (MOOCs) can range drastically. However, there are high-quality, inexpensive alternatives to consider.

1. The Great Courses Plus

The Great Courses Plus have lifelong learners in mind. It’s an on-demand video service of lectures that cover a range of subjects: history, science, philosophy, economics and finance, travel, and music and fine arts, among many others. Each subject offers a variety of courses to choose from. For example, “history” has over 70 courses; “History of the Ancient World” is one course and it has 48 lectures.

The benefits are many. First, lectures are about 30 minutes long, so you get a dense amount of information in a reasonable amount of time. Second, the price is right. For about the cost of one movie ticket each month, I have access to thousands of videos taught by high-caliber professors.

Third, The Great Courses Plus app makes it easy to learn while you’re on the go. I listen to about two lectures each day walking to and from work; sometimes I download lectures in advance so I can watch them on my smartphone when sitting on the train or in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. As a result, I’ve learned about creativity, Japanese history, European art, American history, and writing, among many other topics.

2. Lynda.com

Another online education platform I use regularly is Lynda.com. It consists of thousands of courses on subjects, like technology, business, software, and productivity, that are taught by industry experts. For example, there are more than 200 hundred courses on productivity alone.

A course, which may last a few minutes or several hours, consists of multiple lectures. Lectures typically last just a few minutes, thereby distilling complicated topics into small, digestible bits. Plus, similar to The Great Courses Plus, convenience is key. I often download lectures in advance and listen to them when I’m sitting in the airport or standing in line at the store.

And, once again, the price is right: for the price of a meal out each month I have the convenience and expertise Lynda.com offers.

3. Audiobooks

Listening to audiobooks is not a novel concept, but it seems to be glossed over today. That’s a shame, because listening to audiobooks are an easy, and often free, way to cycle through a lot of information quickly.

I download books from my library and listen to them on my smartphone during the course of my day. Sure, I prefer sitting down in a comfortable chair and reading a physical book. But audiobooks are another convenient and inexpensive way to learn.

Of course there are many other ways to keep learning, like reading and listening to podcasts. Reading is valuable, but I find that podcast episodes vary greatly in terms of quality. In contrast, the quality of a Great Course or Lynda.com course is consistently high over time. When I start a Great Course lecture, I know it’ll be an information filled, thought-provoking 30 minutes.

The above options make learning about a wide variety of subjects easy, affordable, and enjoyable. Now you can fill pockets of time throughout your day with quality information.

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Amy Haddad writes for a Chicago-based software company. She is also a freelance writer and blogger, writing about productivity, art, and technology. Read her blog at amymhaddad.com.

You’ve read 3 Convenient Ways to Be a Lifelong Learner, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading 5 Unusual Techniques to Stay Confident Under Extreme Pressure, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

You freeze. Your mind races furiously, as you try to come up with a reply.

Time seems to stretch forever while everyone in the room looks at you for an answer, the silence growing louder every second.

You know the work inside out, but yet, at this crucial moment, your mind seems to have shut down.

And you can’t help thinking:

What is wrong with me? Why does my mind always freeze when I need it most?

I am so embarrassed.

Why can’t I be like other people who are calm and confident?

The truth is, mind freeze is absolutely normal and there’s nothing to feel ashamed of.

It’s simply our body’s way of reacting and protecting us when we are in a stressful situation. Even the most seasoned politicians have frozen during presidential debates.

While this is normal, it’s still extremely painful to go through it. The blow to our confidence can be debilitating, as we start questioning our capabilities and beat ourselves up.

It doesn’t have to be this way. With a little practice, staying confident under pressure can be achieved.

Here are some unusual but effective techniques that help you overcome the freeze and feel confident and composed in a high-stress situation.

 

Reset Your Mind

When our mind goes blank under high pressure, it’s because our body feels overwhelmed by the situation and shuts down.

To break the freeze cycle, use a distracting image or thought to cut through the overwhelm and reset your mind.

Choose a distracting thought that has nothing to do with the situation. For example, pick an image that makes you laugh, so it eases the tension and relaxes you.

You could decide on an anchor image ahead of time so it’s easy to recall whenever you need it. For example, I use an image of Homer Simpson dreaming of donuts and going “Mmm…donuts.” It’s an unexpected image in the middle of something serious, and it’s funny.

Doing this interrupts your mind from the current stress and anxiety, since it switches its attention to this new thought.

This helps to reset your mind so you can get back on track during the situation.

Relaxed Face Technique

Whenever we feel stress, one of the first areas to tense up are our jaw and facial muscles. This tends to go unnoticed because it happens so quickly and unconsciously that we are unaware that it’s happening.

So when you feel flustered in a high-stress situation, put your attention on the back of your jaw, and consciously let go of the tension. Relaxing the jaw muscles, helps your facial muslces to relax, which also signals to the rest of the body to let go of tension.

This helps you feel calmer, reduces feelings of anxiety flooding your body, and enables you to think more clearly.

Embrace the Elephant in the Room

Fighting the anxiety when you are under pressure takes up an incredible amount energy. It feels like you are repeatedly knocking your head against a massive, blank wall that surrounds you.

In this state, fighting it only serves to heightens your anxiety and makes it worse.

Instead of fighting it, acknowledge its presence. Don’t judge it, just breathe into it, observe it, and let it flow through and out of you.

Letting it pass through you helps you bounce back and into the present quickly, which empowers you to handle the situation with confidence.

Call out Your Fears

When we feel fear, the mind can feel like a runaway train, exaggerating the negative effects on us. It becomes an oppressive dark cloud that threatens to swallow us whole, and skyrockets our panic to stratospheric levels.

However, when we bring the fear out into the open, we often realize that the reality is not as bad as we thought it would be.

So, call out the fear and address it: What is it that you are fearful about? What is the worst that could happen? Is this worst fear likely to occur or is it an exaggerated projection?

This helps us put things into perspective that the outcome of a stressful situation is not as bad as it seems, and cools down the build up of frantic anxiety.

Be The Ball of Light in the Room

Our body language, and how we project our energy has large physiological effects on our confidence and how we feel.

Project confidence by imagining a ball of energy that extends outward from you to about 1 feet from your body. This is your inviolable, sacred space. Carry yourself with this projected confident energy radiating outwards.

When we move with confidence, we feel confident and energized, which others can sense immediately. As they react and reflect back the positive energy towards you, this results in a cumulative positive feedback loop, which creates more confidence within you.

Move Forward Positively

Having your mind go blank during the most crucial moments can crush your confidence.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Just putting into practice some simple techniques can have a dramatic effect on your ability to stay calm and confident in the face of pressure.

Imagine feeling composed and self-assured, as you answer questions with ease and poise in a high stakes meeting.

Knowing that you are able to truly display the wealth and depth of the expertise you possess and articulate it clearly and confidently.

All it takes is just one step. Pick one or two of the techniques that appeal to you and try it out tomorrow.

And you will be on your way to bringing out the composed and confident you that’s been there all along.

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Shan Foo is an irreverent Sociologist who’s on a mission to help folks get out of confusion, leverage their full potential and step into an amazing career. Join the Free Amazing Career Community, with how-to videos on navigating career & mindset challenges, an expanding video content library and community support.

You’ve read 5 Unusual Techniques to Stay Confident Under Extreme Pressure, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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You’re reading (3) Habits For Living A Bold and Authentic Life, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

For thousands of years, storytelling has been a way to pass down wisdom from one generation to the next. There is a reason for this.

Stories make accessible the wisdom of our elders and our peers. Through a tale well told, we find answers. Insight. Even hope.

And so our search for boldness, for authenticity in this life, begins with three stories. Each daring us to form a new habit. Each daring to go to another level.

The Architect & Habit #1 – Take Ownership

He briefly looks over his client list. Frank Sinatra. Lucille Ball. Lon Chaney. His mind wanders. What a journey it has been. Beyond words.

That spaceship looking building at LAX. Other notable buildings. Will anyone know that he had a hand in those designs? He doubts it but that’s ok.

It has been one hell of a ride. A ride that started in the 1920’s and continued for forty years. It was a good run. A really good run.

And his talent for rendering architectural drawings upside down, that always caught their eye. But it was more than a trick.

It put his clients at ease because back then, many of his clients were uncomfortable sitting next to a black man. And that’s what he was. A black man.

The true story of Los Angeles architect Paul Williams.

Don’t make excuses and don’t blame others. Take personal responsibility for your life.

The Politician & Habit #2 – Be Mindful

His mastery with the pen would make even the most savage of warriors think twice. And so it was in the late 1800s. An adversary had appeared.

And he would strike that adversary down from the shadows, through an alias, no less. Anonymous articles submitted to a local newspaper.

All the key ingredients for sabotage were there. An anti-immigrant subplot. Charges of incompetence. Other nuances. But he overplayed his hand and got caught.

He would have to face his adversary in a duel to the death.

The 6’4” Abraham Lincoln wisely choose a broadsword as his weapon of choice. A wise decision because back then, men with Lincoln’s reach were very rare.

Upon seeing this, James Shields, Lincoln’s adversary, decided to work things out. The duel was over before it ever began. But for Lincoln, it was a wake-up call.

His emotions had gotten the best of him. It was a mistake he would not make again. Letters penned in anger, he decided, deserved a good night’s rest.

Learn to calmly sit with your emotions, no matter what. Let go of the need to control people, places, and things. Learn to mindfully react to all things.

The Imagineer & Habit #3 – Speak Your Truth

Would people ever truly get him? His inner world. The fantastical things going on inside his head. Did people get the importance of such things?

It didn’t matter. He would do them anyway.

Animation as high art. People had their doubts until he started winning Oscars. But what about the blending of technology and art? Not enough was being done there.

He would fix that.

And then he had the crazy idea of bringing his animated worlds to life. It would cost a fortune to build but it had to be done. He would build an amusement park without equal.

On July 17th, 1955– The Magic Kingdom opened its doors.

Walt Disney continually faced impossible odds and criticism. And yet his visionary convictions remained. His truth was non-negotiable.

You have but one life, make the most of it! Honor the voice within.

Everyday Humans Welcome

All that is well and good, but most of us will never become the next Walt Disney. What then? These habits offer as much value to you and me, as they do anyone else.

Taking ownership is getting fed up with your own excuses. It’s saying, enough is enough and grabbing the bull by the horns. It’s choosing to rise rather than fall.

Being mindful is simply not reacting. That’s it. Just don’t react. It’s grabbing your breath to get some perspective. It’s calmly working through a problem versus intensely reacting to a problem.

And honestly, for most people, speaking your truth can be as simple as saying “no” more often. Or it’s chasing a dream. Leaving a job. Or changing a circumstance.

Perhaps it’s time to tell all of your story, not just good stuff.

Absent these three fundamentals, little will change. Absent these three fundamentals, chaos and reaction will reign supreme.

But master these three fundamentals and everything changes. Your focus. Your sense of self. The results you get in all areas of life.

The pinball is no longer stuck between the bumpers.

 

You’ve read (3) Habits For Living A Bold and Authentic Life, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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