You’re reading 5 Steps To Use Mind Maps to Unlock Your Creativity, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Mind mapping is gaining popularity both as a concept, and as a method of organizing thoughts and understanding ideas. While it’s not necessarily a new process, it is not as widely used as many other organizational structures, like outlines or flow charts. While those tend to be very linear, mind maps are more based on groupings of ideas around a central theme, that can be further divided or arranged depending on need.

What is mind mapping?

Mind maps are diagrams used to help visually organize information. Generally, you would start with a central idea or theme, in the center of the map. Sub-sections will branch out from the center much like the branches of a tree, but will be arranged all around, instead of just going up and down. Mind mapping uses lot of color, doodles, and varying sizes of text, in order to arrange the information. Colors can help to group parts of a larger idea together, and using different sizes can help differentiate subsets of information, or more important parts of the map.

Why should I use mind mapping?

Many people find it difficult to begin using mind maps, simply because they are unused to the concept, but it’s definitely worth it to learn. A 2002 study found students that used mind mapping to help them study found a 10% increase in the ability to recall information. It also speculated that if students were more familiar with the process and more motivated to use it, they might gain as much as a 15% increase. The fact that the information is organized visually and you need to invest thought into how to arrange it, makes it easier to recall. You are not just copying words down, you’re thinking about what they mean and where they fit in the map. It’s also important to realize it’s not the map itself that helps you learn, it’s the mapping. Simply studying a map that someone else has created will be no better for you than copying notes off of a board. You have to take the time to understand how the ideas should be arranged, in order to gain the benefit.

Where do I start?

The simple answer is you start in the middle of a blank page. You begin with a keyword, idea, or subject you are trying to understand or organize, and you branch out from there. Much like an actual tree, your branches closest to the center will be heavier with supporting broader topics, and as the ideas are broken down further, should turn to smaller lines. Using a different color for each main idea will help you figure out how to place new keywords or images into your map. If you like the idea but aren’t convinced of your drawing abilities, you can look into software that is designed to help with the process. It will allow you to link documents, websites, images, or other digital content to your map, making it easy to gather your information or ideas in one accessible place.

Basic steps to creating a mind map

1. Decide on a central idea and write it down
2. Add branches
3. Add keywords to the branches
4. Color-code your branches and sub-groups
5. Add images to your map to help you solidify the ideas

By the time you’ve finished your map, you should have a full understanding of the central idea, and how all of the sub-ideas relate to and interact with the main idea.

Here are some examples of mind maps that may help you gain a better understanding of how they work. Don’t be discouraged if you are worried you aren’t a good enough artist. It’s not about how pretty it looks; it’s about using your own brain to map out the idea. No one else needs to see it, and as long as it helps you understand it, it’s a great map!

Sophia Beirne is a writer at Career FAQs, Australia’s leading portal on online learning and career resources. She is interested in new eLearning industry trends and leadership development.

You’ve read 5 Steps To Use Mind Maps to Unlock Your Creativity, 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 Reasons We Should Embrace Solitude, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

I was asked a very insightful question recently by a young Malaysian Shaman, who seemed to me to be the perfect embodiment of peaceful tranquility. Jo had just overseen my spiritual voyage to the past, through a wonderfully soothing- and mind-expanding- regression therapy session. After traversing backwards in time through my present incarnation, I was instructed to choose a card at random from a shuffled deck, and soon after, a question was put forward which forced me to look deeper and consider my journey.

‘Do you enjoy being alone?’

I sat focusing on the image of a withered old man, walking towards a bright light in the distance, and in clear white font on the bottom of the card, was the word ‘aloneness’.

I don’t know why I was drawn to that card, but when I turned it over I immediately related it to my own situation, that of a man on a journey. In saying that, the word troubled me a little. I think it’s something a lot of us fear, the thought of being alone.

I sat pondering her probing question. Although I am extremely close with my family and friends, I feel like I have flourished as a result of departing the shores of my beloved home three years ago, and spending some time in (relative) solitude as a result. I don’t just enjoy alone time nowadays, I celebrate it. I’m not a complete recluse, don’t get me wrong, I have a strong support network which I deeply value, but I do feel as though I thrive in isolation.

Here are 3 reasons why I believe we should all embrace solitude from time to time.

1. Solitude is healthy

The manic nature of the world we live in can be overwhelming; it is crucial for our health and well-being to be able to distance ourselves from the madness of modern society on a regular basis. By seeking out some alone time throughout the day, we allow ourselves the opportunity to press the reset button. Armed with a fresh new perspective, we re-enter feeling reinvigorated, and rejuvenated, almost like a re-birth.

2. Solitude is productive

You would be surprised what time alone can do for our productivity levels; in these moments of isolation we are afforded valuable time upon which to gather our thoughts, and prioritize our time. By delving even deeper we can figure out what it is we actually want to do. At times when we are in the thick of the rat race, our work is often influenced by those around us, and the hectic environment in which we exist. By acquiring some alone time in the day to look deep within, to ask questions of ourselves, and to create, we ensure that the work produced bears significance.

To immerse ourselves in meaningful work which lights the fire within, is to live purposefully. We thrive on the work that feeds our soul- that fire which burns from within- and resonates through to our core.

Seek out solitude, and find out what it is that you were born to create.

3. Solitude is empowering

As we allow ourselves to enjoy the comfort of those solitary moments, we gradually become more assured, and self-aware, as we get acquainted with our true selves. Don’t be surprised if you start to consider the journey you are on, the direction in which you are headed, and the destination at which you wish to find yourself.

We can take comfort and assurance from the fact that we were able to put ourselves first, which is not only crucial for real growth, but also takes great courage. People may call it selfish, but this could not be further from the truth. Seeking out the empowering energy that solitude provides, is the ultimate selfless act, because it benefits everyone whom we come into contact with thereafter.

So to answer Jo’s exploratory question, well, the word enjoy doesn’t cover it- I treasure the moments where I can be alone. I pursue solitude, and I think we should all do the same.

By investing in some form of alone time each day we are encouraging ourselves to look inward, regroup, and return to centre, in those deeply meditative and relaxing moments. Seek out solitary occasions throughout the day, revel in their power, and allow mind and body to peacefully reconnect with the soul.

Patrick Hyland documents his journey of self-discovery in The Irish Introvert, a self-development website which was created to help inspire, motivate and educate, through the sharing of significant experiences, and reflections upon life defining moments. He writes as a means of providing an outlet for his inner world.

You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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You’re reading 5 Habits That Keep You From Making The Most Of Your Time, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

So many things to do, so little time.

I don’t know about you, but it always feels like a million things are competing for my attention.

There’s that urgent email I need to reply to, a file I need to submit by the end of the week, and of course, a movie I’ve been meaning to watch for the past month.

Work-life balance can feel like a pipe dream when everything is just piling up.

Unfortunately, in an effort to get as much done as possible, it can be too easy to resort to counterproductive tactics that actually get in the way of completing your work.

So, see if you’re using any of these 5 habits that actually make you less productive:

1. Doing as many things as possible.

Do you ever see those people who are completely frazzled by trying to do everything under the Sun?

They’re pulling their hair, running from place to place, and barely have time to breathe.

Well, trying to do everything is an indicator that you’re not being discriminate enough on your tasks.

Think of it this way: most things we do in a day have minimal, or little impact. Instead of doing everything you think you need to do, take a step back and evaluate the 2-3 most crucial tasks you need to complete.

2. Just winging it.

I remember back in school when my class had to make speeches, and someone would always say, “I’m just going to wing it!”

Chances are, that person wasn’t performing at the top of the class (or if they were, weren’t actually winging it).

High-achieving people are proactive, rather than reactive. They prepare relentlessly and practice daily so that when the time comes, their performance is flawless.

If you want to excel, don’t wing it. Practice instead.

3. Not giving yourself any free time.

A common misconception is that successful people are working day and night, non-stop. They don’t have time for fun or games.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Creative people and innovators often need spare time in order to explore. By going out and having fun, they can see problems from a different perspective.

If you want to feel refreshed and creative, try taking a break from your work.

4. Skipping lunch.

A friend bragged to me the other day that she had worked for 18 hours a day, non-stop. No eating or naps.

On the other hand, another friend gets adequate sleep and cooks and eats regularly. He has more time and energy for other hobbies.

Skipping meals lowers your energy and concentration levels, so that you get less work done for the hours you put in. It also leads to increased cravings for foods that are quick fixes, like junk food and sweets.

Eat healthy food regularly so that you remain alert and avoid unhealthy cravings.

5. Micromanaging everything.

Micromanagement is a common problem for perfectionists who need everything to be done their way. They tend to hover over other people’s work, and try doing things that could have been done at a more affordable price by someone else.

The worst part about micromanagement is that other people feel smothered and dissatisfied that their work isn’t being respected.

Instead of looking over every single detail, try to focus more on the big picture. Loosen the reins to give others some decision-making power (to a certain extent). It’ll be better for your health and well-being.

What will you do with your time today?

Start making the most of your most precious resource. Click below to grab my free guide:

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This guide will help you to:

• set and achieve milestones for your goals
• develop a strong mindset to getting the most out of life
• get more things done in a shorter period of time

Ready to bring positive change to your life? Grab your free guide here (it’s free).

I look forward to sharing my secrets with you!

 

You’ve read 5 Habits That Keep You From Making The Most Of Your Time, 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 Top 11 Quotes By Keanu Reeves To Help You Live a Happy, Epic Life, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Straight from the mouth of the immortal Neo himself!

So if you’ve been around the internet, you’d know that Keanu Reeves is pretty much a meme.

But it’s not all for the sake of shallow humor, like most memes all.

The actor has a lot of wisdom and I’ve compiled some of his best quotes for you!

1) On opening your eyes and enjoying the beauty in life around you

“You see these people behind me? They are rushing to work and not paying attention to anything. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It’s like we’re zombies. Look up and take your head phones out. Say Hi to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they’re hurting. Help out someone. You have to live every day like it’s your last. What people don’t know about me is that I had depression a couple of years back. I never told anyone about it. I had to fight my way out of depression. The person who was holding me back from my happiness was ME. Every day is precious so let’s treat it like that. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so live today! I hope you share this post to spread love this holiday.”

2) On the true importance of money and living simply

“Money doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ve made a lot of money, but I want to enjoy life and not stress myself building my bank account. I give lots away and live simply, mostly out of a suitcase in hotels. We all know that good health is much more important.”

3) On living authentically and not faking it

“Because we’re actors we can pretend and fake it, but I’d rather the intimate investment was authentic.”

4) On simple happiness

“Life is good when you’ve a good sandwich.”

5) On being thankful for the struggle

“Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard times, they can only make you stronger.”

6) On convenience and living a simple, humble life

From his AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit, after being asked if there was a reason why he takes the subway.

“Yeah, the subway in New York is really convenient, and uh, I’ve been taking subways since I was a little kid. So… some days it’s just a really smart way to travel.”

Note: Please go check out his AMAs on Reddit! Just from his answers alone, you’d see that he’s a pretty cool dude.

7) On respect

“I was raised to show respect. I was taught to knock before I open a door. Say hello when I enter a room. Say please and thank you, and to have respect for my elders. I’d let another person have my seat if they need it. Say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, and help others when they need me to, not stand on the sidelines and watch. Hold the door for the person behind me, say ‘excuse me’ when it’s needed and to love people for who they are and not for what I can get from them and most importantly, I was also raised to treat people exactly how I would like to be treated by others. It’s called respect.”

8) On overcoming hard times and still loving life!

“Most people know me, but don’t know my story. At the age of 3, I watched my father leave. I attended four different high schools and struggled with dyslexia, making my education more challenging than it is for most. Eventually I left high school without earning a diploma. At the age of 23, my closest friend River Phoenix died of a drug overdose. In 1998, I met Jennifer Syme. We fell instantly in love and by 1999, Jennifer was pregnant with our daughter. Sadly, after eight months, our child was born stillborn. We were devastated by her death and it eventually ended our relationship. 18 months later, Jennifer died in a car accident. Since then I avoid serious relationships and having kids. My younger sister had leukemia. Today she is cured, and I donated 70% of my gains from the movie Matrix to Hospitals that treat leukemia. I am one of the only Hollywood stars without a Mansion. I don’t have any bodyguards and do not wear fancy clothes. And even though I’m worth $100 million, I still ride the subway and I love it! So in the end, I think we can all pretty well agree that even in the face of tragedy, a stellar person can thrive. No matter what’s going on in your life, you can overcome it! Life is worth living.”

9) On Art

“Art is about trying to find the good in people and making the world a more compassionate place.”

10) On Love

“It’s fun to be hopelessly in love. It’s dangerous, but it’s fun.”

11) On living life to the fullest

“My friend’s mom has eaten healthy all her life. Never ever consumed alcohol or any “bad” food, exercised every day, very limber, very active, took all supplements suggested by her doctor, never went in the sun without sunscreen and when she did it was for as short a period as possible- so pretty much she protected her health with the utmost that anyone could. She is now 76 and has skin cancer, bone marrow cancer and extreme osteoporosis.

My friend’s father eats bacon on top of bacon, butter on top of butter, fat on top of fat, never and I mean never exercised, was out in the sun burnt to a crisp every summer, he basically took the approach to live life to his fullest and not as others suggest. He is 81 and the doctors says his health is that of a young person.

People you cannot hide from your poison. It’s out there and it will find you so in the words of my friend’s still living mother: “If I would have known my life would end this way I would have lived it more to the fullest enjoying everything I was told not to!”

None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an after thought. Eat the delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.”

Just for Pick The Brain readers

Hey guys! Wanna be inspired even more?

Get my free book then. I’ll activate that happiness in you: 12 things happy people don’t give a f**k about!

This free book only available through this link. Enjoy!

Alden Tan is a passionate breakdancer and writer. He writes about honest and real self-improvement without the bullshit. Get his free book already!

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You’re reading The Importance of Self-Care: Imperative for both Body and Mind, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

What if the power to discourage, dissuade, and even prevent disease and mental decline were within your grasp?

You might think I’m talking about good nutrition or even some top secret pharmaceutical.

But, no.

While good nutrition is a part of it, what I’m really talking about is self-care. And not self-care in the limited sense of self-medicating, at-home remedies, or even herbs or supplements.

Understanding Self-Care

The idea of self-care I’m referring to is much broader, encompassing body, mind, emotions, and spirit, being both preventative and proactive.

Self-care is developing the awareness of and then honoring what you really—on every level—and the rituals and practices that ensure you’re looking after your total well-being every single day. It includes habits that make you healthier, happier, and help you to feel more connected.

The benefits of self-care are truly enormous and shouldn’t be ignored.

Regular self-care can:

• Prevent disease and illness
• Make you feel good
• Help you be more productive, engaged, and connected
• Help you to eat to satisfaction but not to stuffed
• Make it easier to maintain your weight
• Improve your longevity and quality of life

The importance of self-care cannot be underestimated. In fact, increasing research suggests self-nourishing practices can prevent or reduce the duration of colds and the flu, improve recovery from cancer treatments, promote focus and attention, and much, much more.

To get started with self-care, the mind-body connection needs to be strengthened. The stronger the mind-body connection is, the more responsive and effective self-care practices will be. Next, it’s time to develop the practices that become habits.

Developing Self-Care Practices

Because self-care is so individual, and you must determine what best suits you, it is only possible to share some of the most popular ones.

Here are a few ideas:

Daily meditation – Research suggests that daily meditation can prevent chronic illness; improve mood, self-esteem, and concentration; and reduce stress, anxiety, pain, and depression. It also increases compassion and builds a sense of connectedness. [1, 2]

Movement that feels good – The body is meant to move, and movement that feels good elevates hormones that lead to happiness and satisfaction and reduce inflammation. Plus, boost blood flow, which makes you feel more alert. This isn’t necessarily exercise; it could just be walking, dancing, some stretching, gardening, or whatever active movement is enjoyable for your body.

Self-massage (with oil) – Giving yourself a massage helps you connect with your body, feel it, nourish it, love it. Just as any human being thrives on positive, loving touch, so, too does your own body. Adding oil can help nourish dry skin, aid in feeling grounded and present, and give your body extra nutrients through skin absorption.

Enough sleep – 7-9 hours of quality sleep is fundamental to good self-care, and sleep is arguably the easiest thing on this list. Plus, sleep has a multitude of other benefits for your brain and body. [3]

Personal time to connect with the body and breathe deeply – Our rush, rush, rush world hardly seems to allow enough time to just be, to feel connected to our body, to breathe deeply. Yet, countless studies have shown that focused breathing (belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing) can lower heart rate and blood pressure, improve cognitive abilities, and prevent disease.  [4, 5, 6]

Fun – Why does our culture think adults shouldn’t have fun? Fun, laughter, and play brightens the mood, helps us connect to others, reduces stress, and enhances well-being.

Body brushing – Using a natural bristle brush over dry skin can improve lymphatic circulation, allowing more toxins to be moved and cleared through the liver or skin. Overtime, daily skin brushing can also reduce the appearance of cellulite and lighten PMS symptoms.

Intuitive eating – Listening to and responding honestly to the body’s cues of hunger, satiety, a need for more nutrient-dense foods, or negative reactions to sugar, coffee, processed food, wheat or dairy has numerous benefits. It strengthens and reinforces the mind-body connection, it makes weight management easier, and frequently leads to eating healthier, which contributes to better brain function. [7]

Other – You may also consider practicing yoga, or more specifically asanas or vinyasa, spending quiet time alone (which has proven benefits) [8], actually use vacation days to have a break from work, or just take a relaxing bath.

Benefiting from Self-Care

By taking an active role in your own self-care, you will be rewarded:

1. Self-care increases your awareness (and connection to) your body, to be able to notice changes earlier and take a proactive approach to preventing disease.
2. It creates an attitude of gratitude for all your body and mind do for you.
3. Self-care helps develop love for yourself and your body, because whenever you invest time and care into something you come to love it.
4. When you love something, you want to treat it well (nourishing foods, sleep, more self-care).
5. And when you treat yourself well, it’s easier to maintain your health and to care more fully and deeply for those you love.

In order to reap these benefits, though you must start.

Perhaps today you just reread the list of ideas and let your own intuition guide you to one.

Choose something that will nourish you. Perhaps 3 minutes of meditation in the morning, 1 minute of dry brushing before a shower, or a few minutes of movement or deep breathing scattered throughout the day.

Test it out, feel that experience fully, reflect on that practice, and adjust as necessary. Repeat.

Just like any regular practice, it can take a while to get started, but once the habit is formed, it becomes an automatic routine. And the benefits to both mental and physical health are immeasurable.

Self-care is one of the most overlooked fundamentals to well-being, including mental and emotional health. Yet it costs virtually nothing. And can easily be cultivated one day at time.

Are you ready to start today?

—

Toffler Niemuth is passionate about empowering individuals to take care of their own health and vitality. She does so with her wellness tea blends, BeLight and BeBalanced, which help individuals forge a new path toward better health.

You’ve read The Importance of Self-Care: Imperative for both Body and Mind, 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 Secrets That Children Can Teach Us About Successfully Creating, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

I don’t know if this has happened to you too (yet, I bet it has), but many times in the past I  used to find myself procrastinating throughout the day, though I really love my job. Deep inside I wanted to create new projects, but I was feeling tied down by daily routine, and I had very little time to think creatively. Every day I used to promise myself, “Today I will focus on my new projects and nothing else, and I will keep doing that until they are complete.” But I couldn’t keep that promise. Something else always needed my immediate care. My priorities were never set on what I wanted to create.

It was at that moment I realized that my creativity has been blocked. Instead of investing my time in things that inspire me, I was merely spending it doing administrative stuff and running errands all day long. This spoiled my energy and made me exhausted, disoriented and in a negative mood that not only left me far from inspired, but also caused me to lose my focus on the creative projects that were important to me.

But why do we, adults, end up living in a mostly uncreative way? Little by little, day by day, we forget the behaviors we used to have as kids that enhanced our creative attitudes. We focus more on the “shoulds” and “musts” of the daily life, which dictate a very strict and uninspired way of behaving: following a very precise program of “to dos”, going to work, meeting specific social obligations and running errands for our household or job. This condition leads us far away from some wonderful habits we used to have before we reached adulthood. These childhood behaviors, if carried into adulthood and adjusted to our adult lifestyle, can ensure increased creativity and allow us to develop our creative side so that we actually implement all our creative projects enjoyably and to our benefit.

So, what are the things we can learn from kids in order to keep our creative muscle energized and in shape? Here are three habits to incorporate into your daily life:

#1 Never take something for granted.

Children examine everything as totally new information, from the simplest object to the most elaborate scene. They exhibit a constant natural curiosity about everything, from a regular object, like their plastic goblet, to more elaborated ones like a mechanical toy, a TV set, or a bicycle. This big “why” children keep asking all the time is a rich source of knowledge and inspiration. As adults, we take a lot of this for granted and we don’t put many questions into our daily routine. If we start following kids’ examples, this could provide us with new perspectives of the “usual” and the “routine” and thus with refreshing solutions to overcome our constant preoccupation with uncreative obligations.

#2 All is done happily.

The quest for creativity is a source of happy emotions for children. When they create, they do it joyfully, and they are happy because they can express their creativity. This is the loop of creativity. The more we create, the more happy we become, and when we are happy we can be more and more creative. Non-creative activities do not offer us any positive emotion, only frustration and stress, that after a while drains our creative energy, leaving us unmotivated and easily overwhelmed. In order to re-boost our own creative loop, we can create minor projects that will certainly provide us with positive emotions upon their completion. These emotions will become the basis of new creative projects.

#3 Perfection is not an issue.

Children do not project high expectations on their creativity. They do not expect to ensure the best outcomes in order to realize an idea. They merely conceive and start creating in the physical plane. They don’t put obstacles in the way of manifestation, such as, “If it is not perfect, it’s not worth doing.” In the end, they have their idea done (e.g. a painting, a song, a pottery sculpture), along with great satisfaction over their accomplishment (aka a boost of positive emotions) and a newly acquired experience that offers betterment to their skills. We can do the same thing; start creating without criticizing our projects with an overdose of perfectionism. The results will surprise you with unadulterated joy.

So how much time and energy does it take to start implementing the core ideas of these strategies to our own adult daily life?  It suffices to let ourselves stay genuine to our personality and apply them in small ways to our natural behavior.

Do you ever feel creative blocks in your own activities? Have you ever considered the child mindset as a way to break free of those barriers?

———-

Panagiota is a Cognitive Psychologist with a long experience in international scientific research. For many years now she loves practicing her counselling, life-coaching and creativity coaching activities helping people walk their path of personal growth and fulfil their life goals. Furthermore, she is a trained meditator and adores teaching meditation and mindfulness techniques to people, especially children!
Panagiota is the author of many scientific articles and books, including the “Handbook of DreamMaking: A Life-Coaching Fairy Tale for Adults”.

You’ve read 3 Secrets That Children Can Teach Us About Successfully Creating, 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 22 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes for a Quick Boost of Inspiration, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American essayist, orator and poet who lead the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19^th century.

He was an innovative thinker for his time, someone who was the mentor of Henry David Thoreau and sighted as a heavy influence by Friedrich Nietzche.

Emerson’s words have gone on to inspire millions all around the world for over 150 years, their simplicity allowing them to transcend cultural differences and stay relevant over time.

Here are 22 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes for some quick inspiration to brighten up your day.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He who is not every day conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“To be great is to be misunderstood.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The first wealth is health.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We become what we think about all day long.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When it is dark enough, only then can you see the stars.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Every man I meet is in some way my superior.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The creation of a thousand forests is one acorn.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Science does not know its debt to imagination.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“We gain the strength of the temptation we resist.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It is not the length of life, but the depth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When nature has work to be done, she creates a genius to do it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Never lose an opportunity for seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Attention Pick the Brain Readers! I hope you enjoyed this post.

As a thank you for reading this post, I want to offer you a free copy our new eBook:

MORNING MASTERY: The Simple 20 Minute Routine For Long Lasting Energy, Laser-Sharp Focus, and Stress Free Living.

Ben is a freelance writer, and the co-creator of Project Monkey Mind—a new blog for the 21st century solopreneur and young professional who wants to take control of their minds, smash through their limitations, and lead a life worth living.

You’ve read 22 Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes for a Quick Boost of Inspiration, 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 Things that Kill Your Productivity (and What to Do About It), originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

Do you ever feel like you are spinning your wheels? You spend hours working but you don’t make much progress. And you wonder where all those hours go?

You look at the pile of things you still need to do and you feel overwhelmed.

To make things worse, your coworker, who has a lot more on his plate than you do, is able to stay on top of his stuff and is always cheerful and positive.

You wonder how on earth does he do it? Has he been blessed with a special productivity gene? Is he using a special tool? Why can’t you be in control like that?

Maybe he never ever procrastinates.

But could he be doing something else, something that you haven’t tried yet?

If you feel that you are not getting the results you want, you may be victim to one of these five productivity killers.

1. Maddening multitasking

Multitasking is a good and necessary skill in life. However excessive multitasking doesn’t help your productivity. In today’s highly connected and fast-paced world we are constantly bombarded with information. It’s not unusual to be answering emails, instant messages, and texts almost simultaneously. Of course you want to reply to all right away, but you’ll pay a price.

On a study conducted by Stanford University a few years ago, investigators found that excessive multitaskers were not able to filter information as well as light multitaskers. They concluded that “failure to filter means they’re slowed down by that irrelevant information.”

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The fix: Slowing down on the multitasking isn’t complicated. It’s just one decision away. For most of us the key is to have less communication devices open when we have to concentrate on an important task. You can silence your phone, set yourself “busy” in the messenger, and if you are working on something you really dread you can even close your email. You’ll be able to be more efficient when you silence the distractions. Of course answering multiple communication devices at the same time is not the only way to multitask, if you find yourself doing several things at a time, ask yourself if you are really being efficient.

2. You work without priorities

You have a lot of different things you need to do, but are all of those top priorities? You may have 50 emails you need to reply to, but if you have a deadline tomorrow morning, you need to start working on the deadline’s tasks first.

Not recognizing what are the things that need to be finished first and working on something that can be done later is a huge cause of inefficiency. You can stay very busy all day, but if the important things don’t get done on time, you’ll be in trouble.

The fix: I learned my favorite way of dealing with this problem from Brian Tracy. It’s really simple and works wonderfully. Here is the summary:

• You list all the things you need to do.
• You categorize those things; you put a letter A, B, C, or D besides each item on your list.
• You force yourself to not start on any B items until all the A items are done.
• Repeat for items for category B, and so on.

3. You work till you are burned out

You noticed that you don’t work at the same pace all day long. You go through energy cycles during the day and after working for a long time you can’t seem to make any progress. Working eight hours straight is a fantasy. You are going to get tired, your eyes are going to need a rest after reading so many emails and reports, and your mental output will go down.

The fix: Divide your working time. Tony Schwartz (author of NY Times bestseller The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working), says we ideally should work in 90 minute increments.  So you work 90 minutes, then take a break, and repeat throughout the day. He says that if you work beyond 90 minutes fatigue will settle in, and you won’t be able to accomplish much. You’ll be spinning your wheels.

If you have enough willpower you can turn the breaks into active ones. By going for a short walk, or exercising at work, you’ll be combating the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. You’ll be also pumping endorphins into your system, which in turn will make you feel happy.

4. You are surrounded by chaos

The environment you work in affects you. If you are surrounded by piles of papers, folders, and post-it notes you’ll be distracted. Stuff around you competes for your attention, which is the last thing you want when you need to be effective.

In addition, an unorganized working space and computer filing system can create a huge waste of time for you. How many hours have you spent looking for missing documents in the past few months?

The fix: Spend 30 minutes getting your desk organized. Get rid of stuff that you no longer need and put away papers you need where you’ll find them easily. Regarding your electronic documents, make sure you have a filing system that works for you. Then when you need a document you won’t spent more than a couple of seconds to find it.

5. You succumb to self-doubt

Did you ever start a project only to start doubting yourself in the middle of it? What if I can’t finish it on time? What if nobody is interested in the results? What if I waste weeks on this and it flops? That kind of negative thinking can consume hours and even make you quit altogether.

Sometimes self-doubt can lead you to positive questioning. It can help you figure out that you need help to finish a project or you need to learn new skills. But more times than not self-doubt will only take you further from your goal. On extreme cases it can send you on an emotional ‘I’m not good enough’ ride.

The fix: The first step in fixing self-doubt is recognizing it. Once you recognize it, you need to put that thought to the trial. Is the doubt based on any real facts? Are you just dealing with fear of failure? Is there something you can do that will help you succeed? What is the worst thing that can happen if you keep going?

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

You can double your productivity today

You lead a very fast-paced, demanding life and it’s not slowing down any time soon.

Technology was supposed to come to your rescue and make things easier but somehow you are still constantly busy, short on time, and running behind.

It’s time to get your to-do list under control. You can stay ahead of the piles of work and you don’t need to stay late at work or work during your weekend to catch up.

All it takes is learning a few tricks on how to be more efficient.

So decide today to eliminate the productivity killers in your life and start enjoying the amazing benefits.

Author Bio: Corina Semph is a mom, designer, and blogger on a mission to help people transform their houses into peaceful and uncluttered homes, even if they have a problem getting rid off stuff.  Download her FREE Ultimate Cheat Sheet to Transform Your Closet from Crazy to Blissful in No Time.

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You’ve read 5 Things that Kill Your Productivity (and What to Do About It), 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 Factors To Help Clarify Your Vision, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

In life, it’s important for us to have a clear vision; of who we want to be and the kind of life we want to lead. What does the ideal life look like for us? If we were an author writing a story about our dream character who lives the most amazing life and is admirable in every way possible, what and who would that look like? How can we manifest that vision in ourselves and our own lives? If we can figure out that vision, we can work backwards from that goal, and figure out the baby steps necessary to “conquer that mountain”.

You’ve got to decide what you want, otherwise forces outside of you will decide for you. And if/when this happens, you’re in trouble. Your mother or father’s opinion, or your professor, or your favourite aunty, or your mentor, or your teachers, or the status quo—whatever influences you—never has the right answer. Only you can hit the bulls eye for your life—don’t let them throw your darts for you.

Your vision illuminates the path that you need to follow. Vision is everything. Vision is the pep in your step. It’s your reason why. It’ll be your reason for waking up in the morning. It’ll be the foundation and fuel for everything to come. Vision really, is what you want and how you can make it happen. Barbara Marx Hubbard once wrote, “Without vision, people perish. With vision, people flourish.”

And a brief note: you want your vision to be as genuine and true as possible. If you’re wanting a Benz or an Audi, you need to ask yourself why. Is it for happiness? Will that make you genuinely and truly happy? If you’re wanting to start a business, what for? What’s your purpose? If you want to be a writer, why do you want to be a writer?

Self-awareness is key. You’ll never figure out your vision unless you figure out yourself. Who are you? What are your core values? What are your strengths? What sets you on fire? If you had three hours to do anything, what would you spend your time doing? What profession makes you go, ‘Yeah, I’d like to do that for the rest of my life.’ What are your goals and dreams? What kind of difference do you want to make in the world?

You’re never going to crystallize your vision with the first attempt. It’s an ever-evolving process. Getting a rough idea of what you want is the first place to start. From there, just go. Don’t wait too long. Just go, my friend. As you evolve as a human being, your vision evolves as well. But, you must start somewhere. A rough draft is better than no draft.

The question then becomes, do we follow the money, or do we follow our bliss? I’ve had numerous adults tell me to go into this field of work because it offers good money and there’s job security and a whole bunch of other facets of a career that comforts conventional society into believing that that is a “good life”. But what about passion? I want to feel alive when I work, I don’t want to constantly numb my humanity so I can fulfill my obligations. Of course, it’s a give and take sometimes. But, if I can figure out my passion, and devise a plan so I can spend my entire life living through and supporting myself through that passion, well, why not? It’s a scary path most definitely, because often times, it goes against everything we know. It may be unconventional sometimes. It may not. It may be clear to us, it may not. It may turn out successful, it may not. But, when it comes to it, do we follow the money or follow our passion?

Joseph Campbell says to follow your bliss. Never follow the money. If you follow the money, there’s no guarantee you’ll be happy. But if you follow your bliss, even if you don’t make money, you’ll at least have your bliss. I can vouch for that. Alan Watts says this too:

“What do you desire? What makes you itch? What sort of situation would you like? I do this often in vocational guidance of students. They come to me and say: “Well, um, we’re getting out of college and we haven’t the faintest idea what we want to do.” So I always ask the question: What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life? It’s so amazing, the result of our educational system, that crowds of students say: “Well, we’d like to be painters,” “We’d like to be poets,” “We’d like to be writers,” “I’d like to live an outdoors life and ride horses,”—”But everybody knows you can’t earn any money that way!” When we finally get down to something which the individual says they really want to do, I will say to them … You do that. And forget the money. Because if you say that getting money is the most important thing … you will spend your life completely wasting your time. You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living. That is, to go on doing things you don’t like doing. Which is stupid! Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way. And after all, if you do really like what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter what it is … you can eventually become a master of it. The only way to become a master of something is to be really ‘with it’. And then you’ll be able to get a good fee for whatever it is. Therefore, it is so important to consider this question: “What do I desire?”

Following your bliss and being simultaneously successful is entirely possible. It just takes hard work and the willingness to make it happen. It’s up to you to devise the plan. It’s up to you to piece together the puzzle. It’s up to you to create your ‘success’. It’s up to you to figure out the way. There exists no code you must follow.

Three things that are a good idea to factor into your plan:
1) Something you’re passionate about.
2) Something you’re real good at
3) Something that contributes back to the world.

Steve Pavlina says work needs to have passion and you need to make money off of it. One without the other is either a hobby or a headache. I add in a third, because it’s only through contributing to the greater good do we truly feel fulfilled in all our efforts.

Two questions to ponder on to help you clarify your vision: what do you want out of life, and what can you offer the world that no one else can?

Christopher Tan is a writer at his blog The Art Of Life where he explores the human condition and what it means to live and live well. He also makes films on YouTube. Connect with him on Twitter.

You’ve read 3 Factors To Help Clarify Your Vision, 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 4 Simple Ways to Transform Crippling Stress Into True Strength, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” – Seneca

We often hear over and over again about how damaging stress can be to our health.

From paying the bills to sitting in traffic to working jobs we don’t like and handling what can seem like endless responsibilities, the list of things that can stress us out in the modern world is endless.
What most people don’t realize is that stress is natural. Some form of stress (whether physical or emotional) is actually happening to us every second of the day—from the moment we’re born until the moment we die. Breathing, walking, talking, eating; these are all forms of stress on the body.

But researchers are starting to realize how beneficial stress can actually be to our wellbeing.

In her book, The Upside of Stress, Kelly McGonigal looks at all the research which suggests how important stress is in our lives.

The main point of McGonagal’s book is that the impact stress has on our bodies and minds is mediated by our perception of stress.

This means if we view stress as a positive thing, we can actually improve from it.

One study found those who experienced high stress levels but viewed stress as beneficial had the highest life expectancy—not just higher than those who viewed stress as damaging, but higher than those who reported low stress!

Here are 4 tactics you can use to turn stress on its head and transform it into true strength.

1. Reframe the stress

Do you remember the old cliché, always look at the bright side of life?

This is actually very good advice that is heavily backed by science. In a study at Yale University, people who viewed old age in a positive light went on to live an average of 7.6 years longer—that’s almost as much time as you lose from a lifetime of smoking.

Another study at Harvard found that repeating positive mantras turned feeling into productive energy. Public speakers reported much greater performances when they reframed their stressful symptoms as “I am excited.”

Remember though, this doesn’t mean being blind to the negative impacts that stress could have. It’s about seeing both sides of the coin and consciously choosing the positive one.

2. Learn to love the stress

In order to turn stress into productive energy you need to learn to appreciate it for what it really is—an opportunity.

Most people are so fixed on avoiding stress that when they experience it in any shape or form it can overwhelm them.

The reality is that the sooner you accept stress, the sooner you are likely to creatively develop new strategies for dealing with whatever is stressing you out.

When you learn to see stress as normal, you will improve your confidence to deal with stress as your beliefs manifest themselves as self-fulfilling prophecies.

3. Talk to close friends and loved ones

Talking to other people is a positive response to stress that can help you build resilience. Doing so releases the age-fighting hormone oxytocin and allows us to better connect with others.

By relating to people through stressful experiences you’re able to feel more empathy towards one another and develop more trust, both of which are vital in a meaningful life.

The brain will also reward you by releasing dopamine, encouraging you to proactively reframe and handle stress in the future.

4. Have a higher purpose

Having a higher purpose is another factor that allows you to reframe stress and turn it into strength.

But your purpose doesn’t need to be religious. You just need to commit to some cause or idea greater than yourself.

Having a greater purpose allows us to give our stress meaning and improves our life expectancy.

This is because we derive meaning from stressful events and are more likely to consider our lives meaningful if we have had them in our past.

 

Would you like to get a better handle on your stress?

A morning routine can help you do just that, and as a thank you for reading this post we want to offer you our latest eBook for free:

MORNING MASTERY: The Simple 20 Minute Routine For Long Lasting Energy, Laser-Sharp Focus, and Stress Free Living.

Ben is a freelance writer, and the co-creator of Project Monkey Mind—a new blog for the 21st century solopreneur and young professional who wants to take control of their minds, smash through their limitations, and lead a life worth living.

You’ve read 4 Simple Ways to Transform Crippling Stress Into True Strength, 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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