Motivation

Finding time for your spouse

A strong marriage doesn't happen overnight. It takes a lot of time and commitment on your part. If you have children, they often overtake the spare time you have and you and your spouse may find it hard to spend some time alone. This article will discuss some ways you can find time for your spouse:

]]> Tip # 1 - Date Nights
Its tough to find time to actually date your spouse but it is important to the marriage. Date night doesn't just refer to watching a movie from Netflix, it is important to get dressed up once and awhile and actually go out on a date with your spouse. Hire a sitter and try to go out on a date at least once a week or 2-3 times a month. If you don't have a lot of money, rent a movie from Redbox and have a nice movie night when the kids go to bed. Make a big deal out of it and rent a romantic one and turn down the lights and cuddle up with your spouse. Date nights are essential for married couples as they help to draw the two of you closer together and they help you both let go of your worries and frustrations. It's important to spend time talking to one another where you can both share your hopes and goals for the future.

Tip # 2 - Little Gestures
One of the best things you can do for your spouse is to smile at them and do small gestures that let them know how much you love them. If you only see each other for 5 minutes in the morning before work, take those 5 minutes to stop what you are doing and give them a big hug and a kiss. Offer small compliments to them throughout the day and do small things without being asked. Never take them for granted and do not act like a drill sergeant that bosses them around. They get enough of that at work; you are there to be their support group and the person that loves them for their strengths and their weaknesses.

Tip # 3 - Communicate
Communication is essential in the marriage. Make time for meaningful discussions and small talk. Take a road trip together and just spend time talking to one another about your hopes, desires, fears, plans, etc. When your spouse is talking, listen to them. Don't cut them off or act uninterested. Repeat a couple of the things they said so they know you are truly listening to them. Proper communication in a marriage will avoid confusion and it will help the two of you maintain a healthy relationship. If you have a hard time talk to your spouse about certain things, attend counseling together. The therapist can help the two of you learn communication tools that will help you grow closer together. Make the most of the time you have to talk together and do it often.

Tip # 4 - Spend time together
Even if you and your spouse are complete opposites, you still share a few common interests. To build a stronger marriage, start spending more time together. Enroll in a class or try a new activity that neither one of you has tried before. Go to the gym together, go hiking, go camping, etc. Find activities that you both enjoy doing and go out and do them. If you can't find activities you both enjoy, alternate some of your favorite activities. One week you will both do something your husband likes and the next week you will do something you enjoy. This is a great way to show your spouse more about your personality and to have them share in some of your hobbies.

Tip # 5 - Intimacy
In many marriages, intimacy is one of the first things that will fade. Be aware of your needs and your spouses' needs. If you are parents, it may be hard to make time for sex, but it is important for your marriage. Be spontaneous even if it means you need to stay up a little later or wake up earlier. Make sex a priority in your marriage and it will give you and your spouse the closeness you need to stay motivated and committed to your marriage.

Finding solace

We all want to be better individuals. One way to become a better person is to find solace. The definition of solace reads: "relief from emotional distress and source of comfort." So how do you find solace? When is it time to relax and focus on you? Going through a trying time or difficult situation is hard to handle and can be very stressful. Where can you find solace? Handling an emotional situation can be hard and very stressful.

]]> We all go through hard times in our lives. We can lose a family member or close friend, lose a job, go through a divorce, or get devastating news. Finding solace in our lives is different for everyone. Below are some ideas for how you can find solace thru your trying time. You can even use these methods if you don't have a crisis; you just want to find out who you are.

Most stress in our lives is a negative stress that wears on our minds and bodies. Changing the negative to a positive will help your attitude, physical appearance and your outlook for the day. Take your stress one day at a time. Find something that will help you to relieve your stress. It could be reading a book, taking a nap, or going for a walk. If you need a physical stress relaxer and have the funds, go to a local spa and have a massage. Getting a massage can help release the bad toxins in our body and allows us to rebuild new toxins and help refocus our minds. Sweating out your negative energy is also a great way to relieve stress. Go to the gym or for a run; increasing your heart rate will help to push away your negative thoughts and helps you find answers.

Finding inner peace within your self is a trial we all go through. You are the only who can find it. The first step is to find out who you are, who you want to be, and what you are going to do with yourself. Write down some things you want to accomplish and goal you know you can meet. This will give you some focus and some strength to find your inner solace. The obstacles you encounter the more you learn about what you are capable of doing. Also, take some quiet time for just you. This will give you time to run thru your thoughts and ideas. Finding what you want to do with your life can be hard. You have to consider what you want to do as a career, hobbies, and what type of family life you want. Once you know what you want to do, you can reach for the stars. If you find that you are doing something you don't like, change it. You are the only person holding yourself back from your own potential. Don't let yourself and your fears get in the way.

When you find yourself in an emotional situation, talk to someone. That someone may be a friend or family member, it can even be a therapist or counselor. You don't have to handle a situation by yourself. Make sure that when you confide in someone, you trust them. You are sharing very personal and confidential information that you may not want others to know about. If you do decide to see a therapist, check their credentials to make sure they are who they say there are. Don't hold back when talking to them. Hiding your emotions and feelings from them, won't help you to solve your problem. Be open and honest with yourself.

Electronics that motivate us to get fit

Practically everyone has a New Year's Resolution to start exercising. No matter how many times you make this resolution, it is up to you to get motivated to get fit. Even the best pep talks you give yourself may never work, so what do you do? Fortunately we live in a world filled with unique electronics that may inspire you to get fit. Here are a few of the most-popular electronics to check out:

]]> Wii Fit
The Wii fit is one of the fastest-selling electronic devices on the market. Using a scale, the Wii fit will weigh you and track your weight loss progress. It will tell you your BMI and provide suggestions for how many exercises you need to be doing each day. The exercises you do are unique. You can do yoga, hula-hooping, snowboarding, and a handful of other exercises that truly make exercising fun. The Wii fit is a great motivator since it tracks your progress and it gives you a mini-lecture if it's been too long in-between workouts. If you are a video game addict, this is the perfect way for you to get in shape.

Nike + iPod Sport Kit
If you love to walk or run, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit is your answer. This unique device has a small microchip that goes inside your shoe or attaches to your shoelaces in a holder and it will report information directly to your iPod. You can customize your own workout playlist that will help you push yourself harder while you are running. Periodically you will receive information from the system and it will tell you how far you have run and how long you have been running. The sensor even measures how many calories you have burned so it can keep you on track with your weight loss goals. The information can be uploaded to Nike.com where you can track your progression and compare your results against some of your friends and family members that want to compete against you.

MiLife
MiLife.com provides you with an online personal training program. You can go into the site and sign-up for how much weight you plan to use and the different activities you are willing to try. You need to log-in and input your progress so the coaches can review it and help you. They will provide you with weekly feedback on how you are doing and what you can do differently to tone up and lose more weight. MiLife does require a monthly membership in order to use it. Plans start at about $5.00 a week and they fluctuate with the number of partners you have and the amount of months you sign up for. There is a 30-day guarantee so you can cancel before you are charged if you are not satisfied with the coaching program.

Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)
Another great way to get fit is to play the video game, Dance Dance Revolution. This video game forces you to move by stomping your feet around on a dance mat. Several people have found that playing the video games causes them to get their heart rate up and they start shedding extra pounds. One player lost 95 pounds just from playing the video game; she didn't do any other special diet or exercises. Dance Dance Revolution has 4 different ways you move, up, down, left, and right. You will follow the music and on-screen directions to keep in-sync with the song and to stomp on the mat at the right time. DDR is a great way to gain motivation to lose weight because the more you play, the better you get and the higher your score goes.

Different ways to get motivated about exercise

The reason why many of us abandon exercise is because we fail to stay motivated about it. There is a long list of reasons why people can't seem to find the time to workout from schedule conflicts to being too busy, there is no excuse why we aren't getting in 60 minutes of exercise daily. People that run out of time excuses often turn to other excuses like "I am too tired" or "Running hurts my knees." There are a handful of different exercises out there; the trick is finding the right one for your body type. Getting in shape take commitment from you, here are some tips that may help you get motivated about exercise:

]]> Get a workout Buddy
If you know you won't exercise on your own, get a friend that can help you stay motivated. It is 10 times easier to find the inner strength to go to the gym if you have friends that are counting on you to be there. Make sure you get a workout buddy that has self-motivation as they can inspire you to come. If you don't know of any friends that want to exercise, hire a personal trainer. Since you are paying for their help, it gives you a little extra motivation to get out of bed and go to the gym. A trainer's job is to help you find the motivation to start exercising and to continue going. If you struggle with motivation, a trainer is a great way to get yourself back in the game.

Join a Fitness Program
Another great way to motivate yourself to get fit is to join a fitness program. Fitness programs bring together all types of people that have similar fitness goals. Many of these programs are online programs that you log into and track your progress. Weight Watcher's is one of the most popular online programs. They provide you with specialized diets and help you find different exercises to try that will help you lose weight. You can interact with other people that are going through the same problems you may be having, this is a great way to find a little extra motivation to get fit. The fitness programs also have progress records so you can see where you started and how far you have come and how much longer it will take before you reach your goals.

Music and Television
If you are not comfortable exercising at the gym, exercise at home when you are watching your favorite television shows. Grab your iPod and set-up a workout playlist that will pump up your energy and help you keep focused on exercise. Music provides many people with extra inspiration and it may be the extra kick you need to get off your rear. A unique device you may want to try is the Nike + iPod sports kit. This is a great way to track your running progress. A small microchip is placed into the bottom of your shoe and it provides feedback to your iPod. As you are running, you will be given information about how far you have run, and how long you have been running for. The screen on your iPod will provide information about distance, time and pace. The unique feature of the software is that you can log onto Nike.com and track your progress. You can compete against other users or create a group of your friends. This allows you to establish some goals for yourself and you can track your progress from where you started. Once you complete your first goal, it will appear in a section known as the "trophy case". The program was designed to help you get motivated to start walking or running.

Daily exercises to improve concentration

Improving your concentration takes time and practice, just like any other muscle in your body. In order to keep your brain fine tuned and ready to work hard you can do some simple exercises each day. Find a quiet place where you can be alone. Relax your body, and work through any or all of these exercises. Spend 20-30 minutes a day to complete your work out and track your progress in a notebook or chart.

]]> Exercise 1: Select a thought and see how long you can hold your mind on this particular thought. Keep a clock handy so you can track how long you are able to focus on it each time. Make it a daily habit to concentrate on this same thought every day for 5-10 minutes. If other thoughts drift in, push them away as best you can. Practice doing this until you can keep all other obtruding thoughts from your mind.

Exercise 2: Find a comfortable, but straight chair to sit in and see how long you can sit completely still. You'll need to center your attention on sitting still since you'll have involuntary muscle movement the first few times you attempt this exercise. At first, try this for 5 minutes, as you get better at holding your body unmoving, increase your time to ten or fifteen minutes. Never strain yourself to sit still, instead relax completely. This will help you not only learn concentration skills, you'll be amazed at how much more relaxed and refreshed you feel after accomplishing this task every day.

Exercise 3: Use a clock with a second hand for this exercise. Find a comfortable chair, or sit on the floor and follow the second hand with your eyes as it makes its rounds. Concentrate completely on the second hand. This is a great exercise to work on if you have limited time. By pushing all other thoughts out of your mind and completely focusing on the second hand, you'll increase concentration and during particularly busy days, you'll feel re-energized after keeping all those other thoughts from pounding at your brain for a few minutes.

Exercise 4: Take a book or other article and count the words in any one paragraph. Count them again to be sure that you have counted them correctly. Start this exercise with one short paragraph and as it becomes easier, add additional paragraphs until you can correctly count the words on one whole page or article. Use only your eyes, no finger pointing to do this exercise. Record how many words you do each time and whether you count the paragraphs accurately.

Exercise 5: Choose an inspirational word or short phrase and repeat it silently in your mind for up to five minutes. If other thoughts creep in while you're concentrating on this word or phrase, push them out. As you are able to do this more easily, add time to the exercise.

Exercise 6: Choose an unfamiliar postcard, picture in a magazine or painting for this exercise. Carefully study the picture for a set amount of minutes (3-5 minutes works best) and then, after concentrating on the details of the picture, recall the details of it, either verbally or write the answers down. Try to increase the amount of details retained each day. Once you are comfortable with this picture, choose a new, unfamiliar source to look at and start again

Exercise 7: This is a great way to relax and refocus on your day. Lie down on a comfortable surface and completely relax your muscles one at a time. Concentrate on the beating of your heart and nothing else. See in your mind how your blood leaves the heart and travels to each part of your body, into your arms, legs and every toe. Push external thoughts from your mind as you work the supply of blood into your tired and weak muscles, eyes and fingers until you feel completely at ease and relaxed.

Curing a sexless marriage

About 18% of married couples have sex less than 10 times a year, causing experts to classify their marriages as "sexless marriages". A sexless marriage can lead to a handful of marital problems from cheating, emotional withdraw, depression, domestic violence, to a divorce. Newsweek conducted a survey and found that married couples have sex on average of once a week.

]]> For most people, a sexless marriage comes from lack of effort on their part. They allow their time to be consumed by so many other things that sex becomes less of a priority. There are about 25% of Americans that actually suffer from a condition know as Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSD). HSD currently does not have a cure and the symptoms are a persistent lack of interest in sex.

Many couples are told that a sexless marriage is just a phase and that they will get through it. While this may the case for some couples, it isn't for 90% of all cases. Most sexless marriages can be cured; you just need to find what the problem is. For some couples, they are lacking an emotional connection to their spouse. For others, they are lacking a physical connection to their spouse.

Every marriage has its different challenges. You and your spouse may be going through a dry spell because you are worried about your financial situation or you are worried about fulfilling the needs of your children. Many couples worry so much about other things that they withhold sex from their partner because they are upset with their daily struggles.

There are 2 people in the marriage and only the two of you can fix your problems. Paying hundreds of dollars to a shrink may help you both communicate better, but it won't help your sex life unless you both make an effort to change it. Take time out of your busy schedule and have a romantic evening with your spouse. Find ways to remind one another of your love that you share. Pull out your wedding pictures and other photos and remind one another about the good times you have shared. This can help to spark the fire between the two of you again.

Another way to rekindle the fire is to date each other again. Act like you are on your first date and get to know your spouse better. Spend time connecting with them emotionally and forget some of the daily stresses and pressures you have.

Don't turn to another person for sex, this will only make your marriage worse. If you are not satisfied in your marriage, talk to your spouse about it. Let them know of your needs and ask for their help. Even if your spouse doesn't enjoy sex that much, they may be willing to help you with your needs because that is part of being committed to one another in your marriage. Don't be afraid to try new things in the bedroom. Purchase a book with some tips on how to be a better lover and try them in the bedroom. Perhaps your spouse is disinterested in sex because they need something to feel new and different.

If the two of you are constantly upset with one another, stop avoiding each other and face your problems head-on. Don't sleep on the sofa to avoid your spouse, talk to them directly about your marital problems and work on fixing them before it is too late. Hire a counselor to help you both re-connect with one another. Keeping the lines of communication open is one of the best things you can do to cure your sexless marriage.

Conquering procrastination

Procrastination can take over us all. Make us late for an important event, unprepared for a meeting, look irresponsible and unorganized. It's a bad habit that many of us wish we could fix but have no idea how to begin. We've put together some simple ideas to help you conquer your lingering habits and help you become a more proactive person.

]]> Plan it before you act on it: Start with a written plan of action and keep it simple and straight forward. In order to feel productive, work on the one thing you must get done today. Pick an item that you can complete in ten to fifteen minutes. By breaking the day up into different manageable sessions for other tasks and by spending time planning it as well as actually doing the task you'll be ahead of the game. Review your progress at the end of the day, and plan out your events for the next day, but don't over plan your schedule.

Take small steps: In the beginning don't put anything on your list that takes more than thirty minutes. If it's a bigger project, break it up into smaller pieces and list each thing separately. You can tackle each step in the bigger project individually, with breaks in between. Having multiple small projects and checking each one off as you go will help you see the progress and you'll avoid feeling chained down to one large, overwhelming task or project.

Have a vision: When planning out your day, your tasks should match your values and purposes for that day. A goal for the day will make it much easier to stay focused on the steps to meet and even exceed your goals.

Know when to say enough: Don't push yourself so far that you'll get frustrated or bored with the task at hand. If you determine ahead of time how much you can do and plan these pieces into your day it will be easier to set a completion point or an end in sight. You don't need to do everything perfectly, in fact this can often lead to more procrastination because you get frustrated that the task doesn't turn out as well as you believe it should have. Aim for progress, for a step towards completion rather than a perfect ending to the task.

Act on it: Start with the worst job, or the one you're most dreading, first. Once you've completed that part, the rest will come easier without as much planning. You can set time limits on tasks you dislike or even alternate between the unpleasant ones and things you enjoy working on.

Don't interrupt yourself: Interruptions happen. The phone rings, someone stops by your office or house and suddenly your day has left it's planned course and you can't get back into the grove. Take steps to prevent as many interruptions as possible by staying aware and noticing when and why the problem occurs.

Motivate yourself: It's difficult to stay motivated if you haven't set up a pleasant environment to work in so play some music, let some fresh air in and get to work. Make sure your work space is organized and you have all the tools you need to focus on the task at hand. Having to run to the office next door to grab something could be a difficult distraction to overcome. If you struggle holding yourself accountable, find someone to track your progress for you in the beginning. Reward yourself as you accomplish your tasks with small treats, drinks or even a quick nap. A bigger accomplishment means a bigger treat or better reward.

Clearing your mind

Finding ways to clear your mind not only helps you achieve a more balanced, focused life, it will also allow you to relax through stressful moments. There are many different techniques for learning to exercise your brain in this way. We are going to look at a few different ideas to help you focus and relax so you're more alert and aware of your surroundings and the ability to finish your daily tasks.

]]> Simple meditation can involve focusing on something very intently as a way to stay in the present moment, while turning off your internal thoughts. Many people find this type of meditation easier to practice than other more classical forms where you focus on absolutely nothing. In this form, you can choose to focus on anything that involves your five basic senses and even your own breathing. To start, use these easy tips:

Choose a focus. A sound, scent or visual selections are easy choices. Using things like the tick of a secondhand on a clock, a metronome, a pleasant candle scent or a picture that is not too detailed or busy are great starting places.

Relax your body. Find a comfortable position and let your external thoughts be pushed out of your brain with every beat of your heart. As those thoughts leave, let the blood flow into each part of your body one by one until you feel at ease and completely relaxed.

Let your attention now drift to your target and take in the sounds, smells and sights associated with it. The idea is to experience it, being fully present in the moment, not to think about it.

If you start to "think" about your target, or begin to focus on anything else, such as your work day, your future, what you're making for dinner, or anything else, push yourself to turn your attention back to your target so your mind can stay clear and quiet.

Have patience with yourself. Start with short sessions, five to ten minutes and work your way up to more. Don't expect to do this exercise perfectly from the beginning. This will only increase your stress rather than relieve it and this type of meditation becomes easier and more effective after time. If this exercise doesn't work for you. There are a couple other short exercises we are going to share in order to help you too.

Sit in a comfortable straight chair and focus on sitting completely still. Center your attention on stopping involuntary muscle movement. It's easier said than done and trying it for 5 minutes the first time and working up to more is advisable. Never strain your muscles to stay still, but rather relax each muscle. This exercise helps you focus on a target, your body, and is short enough that most people can do it effectively. It not only will help you concentrate better, you'll feel more relaxed and refreshed.

Lie down on a comfortable, private surface area where you can be at peace. Focus your thoughts on the beating of your heart as your blood works its way into your arms, legs, fingers and toes. As it pushes into every portion of your body, let the muscles in that area relax until your entire body is at ease and almost in a state of hibernation. You'll be completely aware of your surroundings without letting them affect you.

Avoid drinking caffeine and stimulants that keep the brain active. When you are trying to clear your mind, you need to help your body relax by taking deep breaths.

Changing your routine to keep your relationship healthy

Studies have found that showing love regularly in a marriage will reduce stress, improve perspective, and build-up the immune system. If you do not have a daily routine of finding ways to show your spouse you love and care for them, now is the time to start. Here are some simple ways to change your routine and build a healthier marriage:

]]>

Watch for signs. If you have come home in a bad mood, take some time to be alone and clear your thoughts. Clearly communicate with your partner that you need some alone time. If your partner is feeling the same way, they will need some alone time too.

Learn to forgive and forget. Far too often married couples hold grudges from past arguments. If you want a successful marriage, learn how to forgive and forget. Never bring up a past mistake in a new fight, this only causes your partner to become upset with you because you are teaching them that you do not forgive and forget. At the end of every argument, end it by saying "I love you."

Find common ground. Everyone is different and there may be times when you need to learn to disagree. Accept your partner's beliefs about parenting or other things and they will return the favor. Finding common ground is one of the hardest parts about being married, but it the only way to keep peace in the marriage so you can both express your individuality.

Do not expect your partner to mind-read. Far too often people think their spouse should automatically know what they are thinking. Your spouse is not a mind-reader so you should never expect them to know what you need or want unless you tell them. Stay honest and open with your partner and help to avoid any confusion in the marriage.

Ask for clarification. If your spouse asks you to do something and you forget, you will be in trouble. It could be because you are disorganized or you need extra reminders. Perhaps you did some of what your spouse asked but you didn't do everything. Ask your spouse for clarification if you are confused.

Never place expectations on your spouse. Just because your parents would throw a huge party for your birthday each year means your spouse should be held to the same expectations. Let your spouse be who they are and if you have a problem with the way they do certain things, tell them. Most of the time people are too afraid to hurt other's feelings so they refuse to convey how they honestly feel.

Face your problems together. If something big comes up, bring it up to your spouse. Don't ignore the problems and let them get worse. Face them together and find out what your partner's motives are and why the problem arose in the first-place so you can find ways to avoid it in the future.

Listen to your spouse. Proper communication is essential in a marriage. Give your spouse time to talk and convey how they feel and listen to what they say before you provide input. Do not judge your spouse for the things they are saying, true love involves lending a non-judgmental ear.

Take time to laugh with your spouse. Laughter is one of the best medicines in marriage. If you do not spend time with your spouse each day, make an effort to do so. Watch your favorite movie together or play a board game. Make time to laugh with your spouse; it will help to smooth over some of the problems you may have been having.

Apologize. One of the hardest things anyone can do is apologize. Instead of waiting for your spouse to come to you and smooth over the bumps in the marriage, take the high-road and say you're sorry.

Becoming more accepting

People and life rarely turn out to be what we expect them to be and we tend to be disappointed when our perceptions and reality are different. We tend to forget that the things that make us all unique is our individuality, our flaws and our differences. We are so concerned with staying between the lines and fitting the mold that we have created for ourselves and others that we become unhappy when we don't fit that image we created. As individuals, we can learn to be more accepting of ourselves and others through some simple tips.

]]> Self judging: People often spend a lot of time labeling behavior as either good or bad. When you apply negative words to yourself or others, it makes it difficult to like what you see in the mirror or in front of you. Instead of evaluating others in a morally judgmental way, start to view yourself and others in a productive vs. non productive way. If something is non productive you can focus on the lesson learned from it and how to correct the misunderstanding that you perception initiated.

High standards: Having standards that are impossibly high for others to meet can be reason for not accepting others. Most of us are more demanding on ourselves than other people, but when our expectations get put on to our social lives it can have devastating effects on our ability to let people be who they are. We all make mistakes and accepting those imperfections means recognizing the limitations in being human. This helps us learn to value ourselves and others. Take time to appreciate the differences in each person you come across. Our differences are what make the world as interesting as it is.

Being over general: When you make a blanket statement about a group of people who believe in something that you may not agree with, you're over generalizing and not accepting based on one common idea. This way of thinking has caused many grievous moments in human history, from religious persecution to cultural and race differences. Take a moment to treat everyone as an individual, and make up your mind based on what each person has to bring to the table rather than as a group.

Comparing: Judging others or yourself against what someone else has accomplished is a sure way to lower acceptance. Whether you judge against top performing individuals or expect someone to be "normal", you're putting a label and a generalization on that individual that hampers your ability to see their true self. You're probably missing some other amazing qualities in that person that are more worthy of your judgement like honesty, loyalty, and friendliness. Value each person for their ability to be the best person they can be, rather than the best you they can be.

Passively letting life happen: Part of accepting others is learning to accept and like yourself. Engaging in activities that help you feel good about who you are and what you have to offer to the world can make you a more accepting person overall. We tend to be more flexible with others when we feel good about our lives and what we are giving back. Look for activities and relationships that give you more enjoyment, let you try new things or push you to be better.

It's easy to suggest new ways to become more accepting, but the reality is, it takes patience and active thoughts to break the habits we may have learned as children, have seen in the media, or have come to believe through our own experiences and knowledge about certain groups or people. Take a moment to ask yourself what others may see in you before you judge them too quickly.

Accepting our flaws to help accept others

We all have issues that we need to deal with. All of us have imperfections and our own personalities. Those differences are what draw other people to us. Our ability to be different than they are, to fill in the gaps where they are missing are the keys to our relationships and yet we still judge ourselves and others based on those differences. We tend to be harder on ourselves than on other people, but still push our expectations and judgments upon their imperfections and personality traits that are different than ours.

]]> A better way to look at flaws:
Character flaws are just a part of who we are. These characteristics make us unique so learning to accept them as part of our individuality will help us be more accepting of others too. There are two types of flaws; minor flaws encompass those quirky little habits we have such as always being five minutes late or being grumpy in the mornings. They are things that we just can't seem to shrug off, but don't affect our ability to function daily. Major character flaws include serious problems such as addictions. Professional treatment can be used to deal with major flaws and most of them are highly treatable.

Dealing with minor flaws is something we can all work on ourselves without professional help. Sometimes fixing the issue can be an easy short-term exercise, but others that are a little trickier may be a lifelong process of always consciously remember to choose another method or activity to change our habits. Here are some easy tips to dealing with some of our more common flaws:

Procrastination can cause unneeded stress in your life. Learning to manage time, organize your priorities and break daily activities into manageable sessions can help you stay more focused and proactive. Hold yourself accountable for meeting each goal you set for yourself in a day and reward yourself for finishing each task.

If you are easily irritated, take a moment to analyze yourself and your reactions. Is this more than a simple mood swing? Are you letting others actions rule how you perceive and react? Find some time in your day to let go of your stress. A simple trick to relaxing and keeping your focus on what you can control in life is to spend 5 minutes each day meditating on your goal for the day. Push excess thoughts out of your head, relax your muscles and experience your moment. You may find this process helps you relax and even concentrate a little better.

Do you find yourself bringing your work issues home with you? Snapping at your spouse of child over some innocent question or comment? This behavior is hurtful to the ones we love most, but an easy flaw to work on. Before leaving work each day, take a moment to reflect on what you've accomplished during the day, and what your goals are for tomorrow. Remember that your family deserves as much focus from you as your work did and taking time to let go of your day by remembering what you've already achieved is a great way to keep things in perspective and make the transition to your life at home.

Character flaws are a natural part of our personality. Depending on how it affects you and the people around you, you can work to take steps to accept the flaw as a part of who you are, or change it. In the end it is important to accept and like yourself in order to like and accept others. We are more flexible and accepting when we feel good about our lives and the choices we make.

Overcoming Failures

Do you know that most people who have enjoyed great success have failed more often than they succeed? It's true. Take Thomas Edison who conducted thousands of experiments before finally finding the correct formula for the light bulb. His success and those who have achieved other successes along the way is based on not fearing failure, but embracing the setbacks as an experience and an opportunity to change their approach.

]]> No regrets: Too often we find ourselves dwelling on past mistakes which only helps us feel more overwhelmed and more negative and more like our lives are complete failures. Successful people know that the real key is that you can't eliminate failure all together, you can only learn from your past mistakes, take notes so you don't do it again, and move on. It takes the wrong path for us to appreciate and focus on the right path towards our goals.

Failure brings wisdom: If you consider yourself and your activities to be a failure, that's how you and everyone else will see you. Instead of looking at the limitations you've placed on yourself, examine what's going right in your life and write it down. Be grateful for the small things and how those things help you through each day. Just the fact that you WANT to improve your situation is something to be grateful for. If you have family and friends who are behind you, you're already off to a great start. Let's build on that.

There is more to learn from the failure: Failure is opportunity. It's a map with a broken path and if you take time to document what didn't work as well as what did go right, you'll ensure that you don't take that same path the next time. Maybe you'll see the fork in the road and be able to choose differently this time through.

Stay motivated. It's all about attitude. If you think you can, you will. If you think your glass is half empty, it probably is. It's hard to see the light through a darkening tunnel, but finding and maintaining a positive attitude can help you focus on the bigger picture. If you have a goal you want to reach, write it down, then plot out every step necessary to accomplish that goal and hold yourself accountable by measuring your successes and failures. As long as you're still progressing, no matter how small the step, you're still working towards a brighter future.

Don't give up: So many people give up just one step from actually breaking through and finding their destination. There will be setbacks along the way, but if this is really what you want, go for it. Each time you fail, you've only put yourself that much closer to the right path, to the right people and to the right ending.

Prepare for success: Thinking it is half the battle. If you prepare your mind to create success everyday, eventually your subconscious will know no other way and you'll start to attract more positive opportunities. See your goal in your head, imagine how it will change your life, the pros and cons of achieving your goal and see the end result in your head. There are ways to help mold your mind, push it towards positive thinking, cleared visions and better mental focus. As part of your process, take ten minutes each day and exercise your mind just as you do the rest of your body. A rejuvenated mind can think more clearly and logically and will help your focus stay where it needs to be.

Take a break: It's ok to step away for a while. Bask in the support of friends and family for a while and let your mind relax. Sometimes that mountainous challenge you left behind will be nothing more than an ant hill by the time you come back, refreshed and ready to go again.

Your success depends more on your ability to be resilient and to take each step as a learning experience rather than a failure. Embrace the education you will receive as you travel this path and watch how you grow not only success, but internally as your efforts move towards a more positive, successful future.

Motivation at Work

Motivation at work is created by an environment where employees are focused on work priorities. Too often these priorities overlook how important employee communication, relations and recognition can be to maintaining a self sustaining and enthusiastic group of employees.

]]> A recent poll showed that, interestingly enough, 19 percent of interviewed employees are actively disengaged at work. They feel like they don't have the tools they need in order to be successful at their job, they don't know what is expected of them and they don't feel involved in the company and its goals. Based on this information, the price tag for employers that don't know how to keep their employees motivated is somewhere between $292 billion and $355 billion a year. Employees who don't feel engaged or motivated to support the goals of their employers also miss more days of work and are more willing to jump ship if they find other employment.

When it comes to motivating your employees, there is no secret formula or exact set of rules to follow. Motivation is as individual as the employees who work for you. From monetary to personal recognition to shareholding opportunities, each employee appreciates and is motivated by very different options and it's up to you as an employer to find out what your employees want and enable them to earn it.

Corporate Culture
Companies that maintained a positive cultural influence over customers, stockholders, and employees-did better economically than companies that did not maintain similar positive cultural traits.

Identifying and improving the attitude of your corporate culture depends on the values, attitudes and behaviors of the employees working at any business. Supervisors and managers set the tone for most organizations, so teaching them skills to help set that tone can be money well spent for businesses.

Customers and employees want the same things. To be treated in a dignified and respectful manner. They want good service and honesty and want the culture they're working gin to be direct and to the point.

The mission
Companies write mission statements to let their customers know what direction the company is headed. But just as important, this statement lets employees know where the company is headed in order to achieve the profit and marketing goals they have established. Mission statements work to keep businesses on track and function as a team towards a standard goal.
Along with a corporate mission statement, individual statements from each employee communicate their goals in life, work and within their current job. It's easier to find a good motivation strategy when supervisors are aware of what employees are working towards.

Motivation by Compensation
Most companies have some sort of motivational compensation. Just because it may not be healthy financial bonuses at the end of every quarter doesn't mean that the child care and health benefits are any less important or appreciated by employees.

Whether you realize it or not, it is already saying a lot. Child care and health benefits say that you value family. Giving longevity bonuses for employees on the anniversaries of their employment with you says that you value employees who stay with the business. Throwing a party at the end of your business's busy season lets the employees and their families know that you appreciate it when your people go the extra mile. No matter what compensation elements you use, they all carry a message.

That message is important. Compensation packages can be linked to business structure, employee recruitment, retention, motivation, performance, feedback and satisfaction. Compensation is typically among the first things potential employees consider when looking for employment. It is important, therefore, to give a lot of consideration to your business's compensation structure. After all, for employees, compensation is the equivalent not to how they are paid but, ultimately, to how they are valued.

Staying motivated to clean

Not a lot of people actually enjoy coming home to a messy home. Finding the time to clean may be one thing but staying motivated to clean is another. Some people have the money to hire a professional cleaner, but not all of us can do this. Here are some tips that may help you stay motivated to clean:

]]> Tip # 1 - Start small
A big problem with cleaning is that we just try to do too much. Instead of tackling the entire house in one day, break it up into smaller portions. Start with the bathrooms on Monday then the kitchen on Tuesday, the vacuuming on Wednesday, the dusting on Thursday, and the bedrooms on Friday. Breaking it into smaller doses can help you stay on top of your cleaning.

Tip # 2 - Daily cleaning
In order to make the big task of cleaning the entire house easier, look for ways to make it easier through small daily cleaning. If you notice the trash is full, take it out. Don't leave your clothes all over the floor, hang them up or put them in the laundry chute. Look for small ways to keep the house clean so you wont have as much to do on your big cleaning day.

Tip # 3 - Get Organized
Some people can't seem to stay on top of cleaning because they are living in a disorganized home. To help yourself stay clean, use bins and other things to organize your lifestyle. If you have children's toys, have a large Rubbermaid bin or a toy chest to put them in. If you have a dog or cat, have a designed area for their stuff. Doing simple things to organize your home will easily remove some of the stress you may feel to accomplish the big task of cleaning it.

Tip # 4 - Chores
If you aren't the only one that lives in the home, make sure everyone else pitches in. Everyone must have chores they are in charge of to help take the pressure off you. Even your small children need to learn how to keep the home clean. Help them by teaching them how to pick up their toys or put away their clothes.

Tip # 5 - Have fun
Sure cleaning isn't on the top of everyone's list, but it is a necessary evil. To make the process a little smoother, try to have fun with it. Look for ways to make cleaning into a game. If you have kids, set a timer for 10 minutes to see if they can clean their entire room in this time. If they are able to accomplish it, give them a reward like an extra 10 minutes of video games.

Tip # 6 - Hire a professional
You don't need to hire a full-time maid, but its nice to sit back and let someone else do the cleaning once and awhile. Hire a full-time maid to come at least once a month. They can help you keep the home organized a little bit better and they may even have some suggestions for how you can keep your home cleaner.

Tip # 7 - Toss it
The reason why a lot of homes start to get cluttered is because people just won't throw things away. Don't allow yourself to become the person that hangs onto everything; instead toss it if you haven't used it in 12 months. Donate some things to charity, but things that are un-usable, just get rid of them. Start with your closet and get rid of the jeans you have had since high school then move onto the garage and other rooms in the home that tend to become clutter factories.

Thirty minutes to improve your health

Doctors recommend that children and adults should get 30 minutes of daily exercise. This exercise should be something aerobic to get the heart racing and challenge the muscles. Finding the motivation to spend on daily exercise can be a difficult task for anyone. Instead of looking toward exercising as a drudgery, look at it as a great way to spend time with the people you care about.

]]> Walking
A great aerobic activity is to walk daily. If you have a dog, be sure to take them along because it's great for their health to. Try to get a walking group together and spend 30 minutes or more talking about your days. It's a great way to connect with your friends and neighbors and loved ones. The best part about walking is that you can make it as challenging as you want. If you just want a brisk workout, go for a walk on a straight road. If you want a challenge, pick an area that has a lot of hills and bends. To help yourself stay motivated to go walking, set aside time for it in the morning or in the evening so you know you will do it daily.

Hiking
Another fun aerobic exercise is hiking. Pick a hike that is challenging with a lot of inclines. This is a great way to help you figure out just how out of shape you really are! Start the hike at the beginning of the summer and go each week. Once you make it past certain areas on the hike, you can track your performance over the summer. Make it a goal to get to the end of the hike by fall. You can even hike in the winter with snowshoes. It's a great aerobic activity and it's always nice to get outside in the winter when we all tend to hibernate inside.

Swimming
Many people are turning to swimming for their aerobic activity because it doesn't seem as strenuous on the muscles as other aerobic activities. The nice thing about swimming is that the water tends to cushion the joints and the muscles, making it less painful for you to do some stretches. Take a look at your local health club to see if they offer water aerobics. This 60 minute course will have you burning calories while having a great time in the water.

Biking
A great way to burn off some excess calories is to spend some time biking each day. Get your kids and your spouse and go out for a family bike ride each day before or after dinner. During this time you can all challenge your bodies and you can spend some time bonding with one another. Biking on flat terrain can be challenging if you have a bike that will increase the tension as your body starts to get used to it. If you want more of a challenge, head to the hills and mountains. Make a goal for yourself to participate in a bike relay. This is a great motivational tool for anyone!

Running
The most basic aerobic activity every doctor recommends is to go running. In the summers, head to the streets to do your running. The sunlight and fresh air will do your body some good. In the winter, opt for a treadmill in your home or at the gym. Running outside is a little dangerous with the icy conditions of the winter so its better to be safe than sorry.

No matter what aerobic activity you choose to participate in, make sure you stretch your muscles and warm up first. This way you won't place too much strain on the muscles.