You’re reading 9 Things Truly Confident People Just Don’t Do, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Building your confidence is all about adopting great habits; truly confident people understand that.

Below are nine habits that you need to give up if you want to reap the tremendous rewards that come from confident living.

9 Habits that Sabotage Your Confidence:

1. Comparing Yourself with Others.  Mark Twain said that comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison is also the thief of confidence.

Confident people don’t go around comparing themselves to other people as a measure of how they stack up.  Confident people learn from others.  They seek mentors and coaches. They make sure they connect with others who can help them grow.  But, they never, ever get caught up in the comparison trap.

When you compare yourself to others, you’re not focused on the unique strengths and talents you have.   Comparison only undermines your sense of self. It breeds feelings of insecurity and jealousy. It also isn’t effective, as you only get a partial glimpse of reality. When you’re comparing yourself with others, you never know the whole story; hence, what you’re seeing is at best an incomplete picture of others anyway.

2. Living in the Past. You cannot change the past, only learn from it. Confident people are not focused on the past, they’re focused on the present and envisioning what they can create for the future.

Dwelling on the past … whether it be on great things that happened or not-so-great things that happened … robs you of your ability to drink in the opportunities of today. Successful people just don’t do it and if you want to be more confident, neither should you.

3. Needing Others’ Approval. You can’t be an approval junky and be confident at the same time; life just doesn’t work that way.

If you let another person’s praise be the only thing that lifts you up, then get ready for their criticism to tear you down. Who wants to be on that rollercoaster ride?  Not confident people!

When you long for the praise and admiration of others, then you’re seeking confidence from outside of you, not within you. Confidence is an inside job.  No one can bestow it on you.

4. Indulging in Self-Bashing Self-Talk. Truly confident people take control of their internal dialogue. They use their self-talk to build them up, not tear them down. They affirm their strengths and their capabilities. They affirm positive outcomes in their lives.

Do confident people ever have thoughts of self-doubt?  Of course they do. They just don’t set up a tent and linger there.  They understand that uncertainty is a part of being human. They’re not 100%  certain they can always succeed, but they are certain that being brave is better than cowering to internal fears. They understand that positive self-encouragement is the fuel for success, so they never allow themselves to get stuck in ongoing critical self-talk.

5. Resting on Your Laurels. Confident people keep learning and growing and achieving. They celebrate their wins but never rest on their laurels.
6. Inaction.  Confident people are people of action. I could go on and on about this, but isn’t it obvious why action is the hallmark of confidence?  Confident people aren’t afraid to make things happen, in fact, they insist on it.
7. Saying “Yes” All the Time. Confident people understand the importance of setting and enforcing healthy boundaries. They understand that saying “No” is not a bad thing; it’s often necessary and confident people bear no guilt for saying “No” to others.
8. Acting Out of Jealousy. Confident people aren’t jealous of others’ successes. They applaud other’s wins. They celebrate them. Confident people understand that others’ triumphs do not diminish their own accomplishments. Confident people know there is plenty of room for everyone to succeed.
9. Stop Learning. Confident people are lifelong learners.  (Arrogant people might not be, but never confuse arrogance with confidence; they are NOT the same thing!).

One of the reasons confident people are so confident is that they are continually building their knowledge and skills. Confident people are avid readers. They also attend classes, seminars, and conferences, and join mastermind groups where they can connect and learn at same time.

The biggest mistake that confidence seekers make is believing that confidence is bestowed on you one day, and then everything is easier. Confidence comes from refusing to engage in the nine confidence-busting habits listed here and instead choosing to adopt the opposite behavior.

Remember, confident people feel fear, they just refuse to accept a life that’s paralyzed by that fear.  Instead, they step up and create the lives they want to lead. Feeling confident is not some pipe dream that’s out of reach for you; it’s well within your grasp. All you need to do is adopt the habits of confident people, and soon you’ll be one, too!

J. Marie Novak is an author and Life Transformation Coach. She’s also the founder of Believe And Create, a community that’s grounded in the following mindset:  Believe in Yourself and Create the Amazing Life You Were Born to Live.  Visit http://ift.tt/1HMMWow to get our free guide.  

You’ve read 9 Things Truly Confident People Just Don’t Do, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2tWv4HA

You’re reading 9 Things Truly Confident People Just Don’t Do, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Building your confidence is all about adopting great habits; truly confident people understand that.

Below are nine habits that you need to give up if you want to reap the tremendous rewards that come from confident living.

9 Habits that Sabotage Your Confidence:

1. Comparing Yourself with Others.  Mark Twain said that comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison is also the thief of confidence.

Confident people don’t go around comparing themselves to other people as a measure of how they stack up.  Confident people learn from others.  They seek mentors and coaches. They make sure they connect with others who can help them grow.  But, they never, ever get caught up in the comparison trap.

When you compare yourself to others, you’re not focused on the unique strengths and talents you have.   Comparison only undermines your sense of self. It breeds feelings of insecurity and jealousy. It also isn’t effective, as you only get a partial glimpse of reality. When you’re comparing yourself with others, you never know the whole story; hence, what you’re seeing is at best an incomplete picture of others anyway.

2. Living in the Past. You cannot change the past, only learn from it. Confident people are not focused on the past, they’re focused on the present and envisioning what they can create for the future.

Dwelling on the past … whether it be on great things that happened or not-so-great things that happened … robs you of your ability to drink in the opportunities of today. Successful people just don’t do it and if you want to be more confident, neither should you.

3. Needing Others’ Approval. You can’t be an approval junky and be confident at the same time; life just doesn’t work that way.

If you let another person’s praise be the only thing that lifts you up, then get ready for their criticism to tear you down. Who wants to be on that rollercoaster ride?  Not confident people!

When you long for the praise and admiration of others, then you’re seeking confidence from outside of you, not within you. Confidence is an inside job.  No one can bestow it on you.

4. Indulging in Self-Bashing Self-Talk. Truly confident people take control of their internal dialogue. They use their self-talk to build them up, not tear them down. They affirm their strengths and their capabilities. They affirm positive outcomes in their lives.

Do confident people ever have thoughts of self-doubt?  Of course they do. They just don’t set up a tent and linger there.  They understand that uncertainty is a part of being human. They’re not 100%  certain they can always succeed, but they are certain that being brave is better than cowering to internal fears. They understand that positive self-encouragement is the fuel for success, so they never allow themselves to get stuck in ongoing critical self-talk.

5. Resting on Your Laurels. Confident people keep learning and growing and achieving. They celebrate their wins but never rest on their laurels.
6. Inaction.  Confident people are people of action. I could go on and on about this, but isn’t it obvious why action is the hallmark of confidence?  Confident people aren’t afraid to make things happen, in fact, they insist on it.
7. Saying “Yes” All the Time. Confident people understand the importance of setting and enforcing healthy boundaries. They understand that saying “No” is not a bad thing; it’s often necessary and confident people bear no guilt for saying “No” to others.
8. Acting Out of Jealousy. Confident people aren’t jealous of others’ successes. They applaud other’s wins. They celebrate them. Confident people understand that others’ triumphs do not diminish their own accomplishments. Confident people know there is plenty of room for everyone to succeed.
9. Stop Learning. Confident people are lifelong learners.  (Arrogant people might not be, but never confuse arrogance with confidence; they are NOT the same thing!).

One of the reasons confident people are so confident is that they are continually building their knowledge and skills. Confident people are avid readers. They also attend classes, seminars, and conferences, and join mastermind groups where they can connect and learn at same time.

The biggest mistake that confidence seekers make is believing that confidence is bestowed on you one day, and then everything is easier. Confidence comes from refusing to engage in the nine confidence-busting habits listed here and instead choosing to adopt the opposite behavior.

Remember, confident people feel fear, they just refuse to accept a life that’s paralyzed by that fear.  Instead, they step up and create the lives they want to lead. Feeling confident is not some pipe dream that’s out of reach for you; it’s well within your grasp. All you need to do is adopt the habits of confident people, and soon you’ll be one, too!

J. Marie Novak is an author and Life Transformation Coach. She’s also the founder of Believe And Create, a community that’s grounded in the following mindset:  Believe in Yourself and Create the Amazing Life You Were Born to Live.  Visit http://ift.tt/1HMMWow to get our free guide.  

You’ve read 9 Things Truly Confident People Just Don’t Do, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2tWv4HA

You’re reading How to Save Yourself From ‘Text Neck’ (Trust me, you’ve got it!), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

As I type this I’m sitting, hunched over at my desk, staring at my phone researching what I’m about to tell you.

Turns out, this slouched over position I find myself in, and that I’m in constantly throughout the day, has now been proven to lead to degeneration of the spine and even surgery. You see, the human head weighs an average of 12 pounds and, when bent over looking at a phone at a sixty degree angle, that means a weight of sixty pounds is being exerted on your neck as the weight on the cervical spine increases when you look down.

If you are thinking that doesn’t sound very good, you’d be right.

Scientists are saying that this heavy weight being exerted on your spine daily can cause intense damage. According to The Washington Post, this poor posture caused by an epidemic people are calling “text neck” can hurt more than just your spine. “Experts say it can reduce lung capacity by as much as 30 percent. It has also been linked to headaches and neurological issues, depression and heart disease,” the article states.

You can try looking at your phone or screen with only your eyes, but that probably will get strange after a few minutes. Or, move your computer monitor up higher, so it is at eye level, using a stand. Or, even better yet: You can get up and move around.

Backing away from your desk, putting down your phone, looking out the window, and best of all, walking or exercising, are all great solutions.

There’s even a way that you can walk at your desk, using a desk treadmill like UnSit’s WALK-1. You can keep up your fitness routine while working, and according to research from Stanford University, be more creative and productive, too. How’s this for a crazy stat: The Stanford study discovered that a person’s creative output increased by an average of 60 percent when walking.

By exercising as much as possible, even when at work – a place where you’re usually dormant and gazing at a screen – you can ward off text neck and the negative effects of sitting. (You’ve probably heard that “sitting is the new smoking.”)

Why does exercise fight text neck? Well, a person needs to have strong core muscles to support their upper body, including their neck. Core muscles usually do not get enough exercise during normal daily activities, so increasing your workout time can help with that. Also, strong and flexible muscles in the neck are needed to reduce pressure on your cervical spine and help support the heaviness of your head. The answer to building those muscles and improving your flexibility is simply to get off your phone and away from your desk and start exercising.

A treadmill desk can help, and UnSit’s WALK-1 is 50% wider than traditional treadmills, meaning you can actually focus on work, reach across your desk to grab your notes, without worrying that you’ll fall off a treadmill tightrope. The WALK-1 also takes up about 6 square feet less space and fits where your chair is now.

On top of that, there is even an app that is paired with the WALK-1, which tracks steps, distance, time, calories, standing time. The App automatically sends its data to Apple Health and/or to your FitBit account so you can see just how proactive you’re being in avoiding text neck.

Sources:
http://ift.tt/1OeiWFt

Kate Durocher is a TV host, writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She is the Press Outreach Manager for Red Cup Agency and also works in editorial for L.A. Weekly. On the side, Kate is an entertainment host and has worked for outlets such as E! News and The Hollywood Reporter. Kate graduated from the University of Southern California in 2015 with a degree in broadcast and digital journalism. See more of Kate’s work at http://ift.tt/2tOIWUD.

You’ve read How to Save Yourself From ‘Text Neck’ (Trust me, you’ve got it!), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2svLqTV

You’re reading How to Save Yourself From ‘Text Neck’ (Trust me, you’ve got it!), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

As I type this I’m sitting, hunched over at my desk, staring at my phone researching what I’m about to tell you.

Turns out, this slouched over position I find myself in, and that I’m in constantly throughout the day, has now been proven to lead to degeneration of the spine and even surgery. You see, the human head weighs an average of 12 pounds and, when bent over looking at a phone at a sixty degree angle, that means a weight of sixty pounds is being exerted on your neck as the weight on the cervical spine increases when you look down.

If you are thinking that doesn’t sound very good, you’d be right.

Scientists are saying that this heavy weight being exerted on your spine daily can cause intense damage. According to The Washington Post, this poor posture caused by an epidemic people are calling “text neck” can hurt more than just your spine. “Experts say it can reduce lung capacity by as much as 30 percent. It has also been linked to headaches and neurological issues, depression and heart disease,” the article states.

You can try looking at your phone or screen with only your eyes, but that probably will get strange after a few minutes. Or, move your computer monitor up higher, so it is at eye level, using a stand. Or, even better yet: You can get up and move around.

Backing away from your desk, putting down your phone, looking out the window, and best of all, walking or exercising, are all great solutions.

There’s even a way that you can walk at your desk, using a desk treadmill like UnSit’s WALK-1. You can keep up your fitness routine while working, and according to research from Stanford University, be more creative and productive, too. How’s this for a crazy stat: The Stanford study discovered that a person’s creative output increased by an average of 60 percent when walking.

By exercising as much as possible, even when at work – a place where you’re usually dormant and gazing at a screen – you can ward off text neck and the negative effects of sitting. (You’ve probably heard that “sitting is the new smoking.”)

Why does exercise fight text neck? Well, a person needs to have strong core muscles to support their upper body, including their neck. Core muscles usually do not get enough exercise during normal daily activities, so increasing your workout time can help with that. Also, strong and flexible muscles in the neck are needed to reduce pressure on your cervical spine and help support the heaviness of your head. The answer to building those muscles and improving your flexibility is simply to get off your phone and away from your desk and start exercising.

A treadmill desk can help, and UnSit’s WALK-1 is 50% wider than traditional treadmills, meaning you can actually focus on work, reach across your desk to grab your notes, without worrying that you’ll fall off a treadmill tightrope. The WALK-1 also takes up about 6 square feet less space and fits where your chair is now.

On top of that, there is even an app that is paired with the WALK-1, which tracks steps, distance, time, calories, standing time. The App automatically sends its data to Apple Health and/or to your FitBit account so you can see just how proactive you’re being in avoiding text neck.

Sources:
http://ift.tt/1OeiWFt

Kate Durocher is a TV host, writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She is the Press Outreach Manager for Red Cup Agency and also works in editorial for L.A. Weekly. On the side, Kate is an entertainment host and has worked for outlets such as E! News and The Hollywood Reporter. Kate graduated from the University of Southern California in 2015 with a degree in broadcast and digital journalism. See more of Kate’s work at http://ift.tt/2tOIWUD.

You’ve read How to Save Yourself From ‘Text Neck’ (Trust me, you’ve got it!), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2svLqTV

You’re reading 5 Surefire Ways To Escape Inferiority And Mediocrity In This Automation Age, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Have you ever imagined why it’s hard to achieve your desired goal? Ever wondered why your life is operating below the standard you’ve always wanted.

However, we are in an age where everyone is so occupied with tech advancements, social media and what not, and this is, in turn, making us lose our uniqueness while following the path of the mediocrity.

In fact, a study conducted by JAMPP shows the human attention span decreases by 88 percent every year.

That, however, doesn’t mean you can’t overcome mediocrity. In fact, you can live your life to the fullest and achieve your dreams. These effective steps below will teach you how.

1. Take up a challenge concerning what you want for your life.

Everybody wants to succeed, everybody wants a good living and possibly some luxuries, but most people are not ready to put in the work. They don’t push themselves.

It’s easy to say, “I want a better life”, but it’s not easy to take up the challenge and pay the price. That is why most people desire great things but still settle for less.

Here are few steps you can take to challenge yourself every day.

• Intently review your life; where you are and where you want to be.
• Give up your excuses.
• Write down your goals and review it every single day.
• Stay away from people that have decided to settle for mediocrity.
• Do something that brings you a step closer to your dreams every day.

If you don’t challenge yourself for the things you want, you will settle for the things you don’t want.

2. Rewire your mindset to believing in the impossible.

A lot of people think their situation can’t change for the better, and with this belief alone, they don’t even work towards changing it.

Sometimes the situation you find yourself in might not be favorable to move forward, but that is when some people see the opportunity to stand out — strive to be such persons.

Bethany Hamilton started surfing from small, she was attacked by a shark at age 13 which made her lose one of her arms. Her belief prompted her to do the impossible. She was back on her surf board a month later with one arm, and she won first place in the Explorer Women’s Division of the NSSA National Championships some years later.

Strong belief draws out possibilities from the impossible.

3. Stretch out of your comfort zone.

There is a popular saying that, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Sometimes what stops us from getting what we want in life is our reluctance to make moves and take necessary steps towards our goals and ambitions.

We tend to endure in a situation that doesn’t favor us, just because we want to avoid risk and play it safe.

However, to achieve what you really want in life, you must move out of your comfort zone and face your fears. No excuses whatsoever.

4. Eliminate your fears and build your confidence.

A lot of people allow fear to trap them into a life they didn’t want. The fear of, “What will happen if I try”, “If it doesn’t work out the way I want.” They Forget that fear is one of the greatest enemies of success. With fear in place, numerous brands like Facebook, Microsoft, Colorlib, amongst others, wouldn’t have been created as the founders would be too scared to give their unique idea a shot at success.

If you decide to give fear a chance, it will be hard to achieve anything at all.

The only way to eliminate fear is to develop a strong self-confidence, as this will enable you to summon the courage to pursue whatever you want in life.

5. Focus on one thing at a time.

Lack of focus keeps a lot of people on the same spot for a long period of time, and before they realize it, it’s already the eleventh-hour.

Moreso, a lot of people involve themselves in several activities at a time, which distracts them from getting a reasonable result. They, in turn, settle for whatever comes their way instead of what they want.

Don’t be this kind of people, or better still, be them in reverse.

Concentrate all your energy, time and attention to a single goal at a time and focus on how to reach that goal.

To round it up

There’s only a tiny line between living your dream life and living the life of mediocrity. It’s either you sit back and wish for your dream life, or you go out to chase and achieve it.

Joseph Chukwube is an experienced content writer, link builder and SEO specialist. He is the Founder and CEO of Dream Chase Achieve, a rapidly growing lifestyle and self-improvement blog.

You’ve read 5 Surefire Ways To Escape Inferiority And Mediocrity In This Automation Age, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2sOlhPJ

You’re reading 5 Surefire Ways To Escape Inferiority And Mediocrity In This Automation Age, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Have you ever imagined why it’s hard to achieve your desired goal? Ever wondered why your life is operating below the standard you’ve always wanted.

However, we are in an age where everyone is so occupied with tech advancements, social media and what not, and this is, in turn, making us lose our uniqueness while following the path of the mediocrity.

In fact, a study conducted by JAMPP shows the human attention span decreases by 88 percent every year.

That, however, doesn’t mean you can’t overcome mediocrity. In fact, you can live your life to the fullest and achieve your dreams. These effective steps below will teach you how.

1. Take up a challenge concerning what you want for your life.

Everybody wants to succeed, everybody wants a good living and possibly some luxuries, but most people are not ready to put in the work. They don’t push themselves.

It’s easy to say, “I want a better life”, but it’s not easy to take up the challenge and pay the price. That is why most people desire great things but still settle for less.

Here are few steps you can take to challenge yourself every day.

• Intently review your life; where you are and where you want to be.
• Give up your excuses.
• Write down your goals and review it every single day.
• Stay away from people that have decided to settle for mediocrity.
• Do something that brings you a step closer to your dreams every day.

If you don’t challenge yourself for the things you want, you will settle for the things you don’t want.

2. Rewire your mindset to believing in the impossible.

A lot of people think their situation can’t change for the better, and with this belief alone, they don’t even work towards changing it.

Sometimes the situation you find yourself in might not be favorable to move forward, but that is when some people see the opportunity to stand out — strive to be such persons.

Bethany Hamilton started surfing from small, she was attacked by a shark at age 13 which made her lose one of her arms. Her belief prompted her to do the impossible. She was back on her surf board a month later with one arm, and she won first place in the Explorer Women’s Division of the NSSA National Championships some years later.

Strong belief draws out possibilities from the impossible.

3. Stretch out of your comfort zone.

There is a popular saying that, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Sometimes what stops us from getting what we want in life is our reluctance to make moves and take necessary steps towards our goals and ambitions.

We tend to endure in a situation that doesn’t favor us, just because we want to avoid risk and play it safe.

However, to achieve what you really want in life, you must move out of your comfort zone and face your fears. No excuses whatsoever.

4. Eliminate your fears and build your confidence.

A lot of people allow fear to trap them into a life they didn’t want. The fear of, “What will happen if I try”, “If it doesn’t work out the way I want.” They Forget that fear is one of the greatest enemies of success. With fear in place, numerous brands like Facebook, Microsoft, Colorlib, amongst others, wouldn’t have been created as the founders would be too scared to give their unique idea a shot at success.

If you decide to give fear a chance, it will be hard to achieve anything at all.

The only way to eliminate fear is to develop a strong self-confidence, as this will enable you to summon the courage to pursue whatever you want in life.

5. Focus on one thing at a time.

Lack of focus keeps a lot of people on the same spot for a long period of time, and before they realize it, it’s already the eleventh-hour.

Moreso, a lot of people involve themselves in several activities at a time, which distracts them from getting a reasonable result. They, in turn, settle for whatever comes their way instead of what they want.

Don’t be this kind of people, or better still, be them in reverse.

Concentrate all your energy, time and attention to a single goal at a time and focus on how to reach that goal.

To round it up

There’s only a tiny line between living your dream life and living the life of mediocrity. It’s either you sit back and wish for your dream life, or you go out to chase and achieve it.

Joseph Chukwube is an experienced content writer, link builder and SEO specialist. He is the Founder and CEO of Dream Chase Achieve, a rapidly growing lifestyle and self-improvement blog.

You’ve read 5 Surefire Ways To Escape Inferiority And Mediocrity In This Automation Age, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2sOlhPJ

You’re reading Stop Drowning and Start Making Each Week Awesome, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

You can learn to stop drowning and start making your ultimate reality slowly come true. I used to worry incessantly about how the future would turn out. Then, it finally dawned on me that all this worrying was doing nothing to help me. It was taking away from my present, and by doing that, it was draining my future from what it could eventually become.

I fundamentally began to realize that the feelings and actions I feel and take week by week, would ultimately create my future. So if I fret and worry now, I’m laying the seeds for continuing that cycle in the future. If I smile and do my best work now, then I’m laying the seeds for that too.

The only way I can be sure of creating a great future is to do my best to create a great present, incrementally improving it week by week – despite the mishaps and little pains that inevitably arise through the course of life.

These days, I write what I’m grateful for every morning and night. I hug my family every day. I do a little exercise each day. I eat a healthy meal each day. I work on my writing each day. Because small acts multiplied through Monday to Sunday and each week, change my future by an enormous amount.

Why are we focused on the distant future?

The underlying reason behind why we worry so much about the future is because we’ve put it on a pedestal. The same model of focusing on a particular guy or girl replicates itself with the way we lead our lives. Macy can’t stop thinking about Gary, so she’s spending less time feeling happy about her life; giving less time to her hobbies and friendships (her present). But really Gary is a scumbag (the future) and doesn’t care about her.

Done right, thinking about the future may be useful since it can engender positive actions in the present. For instance, perhaps Macy realizes that Gary isn’t good for her after some careful thinking and starts focusing her attention on the right people and goals. Yet, when we concentrate on the future too much, it creates anxiety and a distorted vision that cripples our ability to take advantage of each week.

The first step in getting over our anxiety for the future is first to accept that the only reason why we’re anxious is because we’re looking away from what’s in front of us. The second step is recognizing that, at the deepest root, our anxiety for the future comes down to believing that it’s our salvation (most often, that’s never the case).

We need to change the lens we’re looking through.

Since many of us don’t have a dominant overriding focus time view, our mind naturally gravitates to its default thinking; the distant future. But since our mind loves concepts, we might as well hold on to the one that serves us best. And a week to two weeks seems to be the sweet spot.

Tim Ferriss, the well known author of the Four Hour Work Week and Tools of Titans, lives his life through the mainframe of two-week experiments within six-month timelines; eschewing five-year plans for a more short term focus.

Several other different authors like Scott Adams, have explored the benefits of setting short-term deadlines and using systems based thinking. So for instance, instead of dreaming about writing a book, for example, ditch the idea and focus on writing a chapter per week. Short term focus gets you moving.

Cancer patients, who know that their death is coming within the year, inevitably start losing their fear of being successful and start taking more action.

But you can’t do anything when you’re focusing on the what-if’s in-between a month, to five years, or a decade from now. And that state of inaction is what sets the stage for worry.
To worry less about the future, here are some of the things you can focus on through the lens of the week:

1. What time you wake up
2. What you choose to eat, read, and watch
3. Blocking 1-3 hours daily or more to drive you towards your goals
4. Meeting your friends
5. Saying thank you, smiling, and laughing as often as you can

We all have goals and dreams. But to build the best future possible, all you need to come back to is making your week as phenomenal as you can. Not too long ago, you were picturing how life would be like when you’d be *insert your current age*.

Don’t let that cycle repeat itself your whole life. Act this week, and make it count. Because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Though I’m not saying we need to live each day like it’s our last — we’re all going to have our off days. I just like you will have minor blips along my journey.

And having a perfectionist mindset is only going to screw us over in the long run. But as long as we keep showing up in our work, relationships, and habits each week, the future will be okay. To have a dazzling future, all we need to focus on is making our average week better by 1-5% consistently.

By applying the principles in this article, living each week in a phenomenal manner will eventually become more and more natural. That’s the place where you want to get to. Where doing the hard things becomes easier. Where embracing the week instead of the imaginary future, becomes your default living mechanism.

Eventually, you’ll barely care about the future. Why? Because you’ll get all the thrills and fulfillment you need by crushing it every week.

My Last Words

If you work on a PC and you’re interested in learning how to brighten your path to its full potential, read my free book on Creating your Week.

• You’ll learn about how to split up your day into four chunks, so you worry less about external influences.
• You’ll discover the small hacks that will take your productive work on the PC to the next level.
• And much more…

 Samy Felice is a writer who brings meaning to words. His Free Book explores how to make success easier. 

You’ve read Stop Drowning and Start Making Each Week Awesome, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

http://ift.tt/2tnGeTf