That was until I came across an interesting article, which stopped me in my tracks.

It seems some parents have noticed their children copying the ‘naughty’ behavior of Peppa, and her younger brother, George, by answering back.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit children do not need to be shown how to misbehave.

However, I do think we need to be careful what we allow our children to watch on TV and DVD’s.

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The quiet time we enjoy when they are nicely plonked in front of the box can be wonderful, but what exactly are the long-term consequences?

Children Copy What They See

As parents, we ought to realize that what our children see on a regular basis will have an effect on them.

I’ve spoken about this before in my article, “Encouraging Your Kids To Eat Healthy,” when I said one of the best ways to get your child to adopt a healthy habit, is to see you doing it first.

I am constantly amazed when Elissa acts out something she has observed me do, pretty much as I would have done it.

It’s wonderful, and a little scary, too, since I know she is picking up a lot more than what I realize at times, and that means I need to be on my guard, if I want to influence her for the best.

Peppa Pig

The main factor which sealed this whole “Peppa Pig issue” for me, was when I heard about the episode where George Pig says “yuck” to vegetables, and will only eat chocolate cake.

You may think this is insignificant. But, in our home we never use language like that when we talk about food.

We try to instill the idea that all foods are “yummy!”

We also try not to make statements like, “Elissa doesn’t like broccoli,” for example.

The reason being, when a child is told they do, or don’t do something, this is what they believe about themselves.

So, if I am constantly saying she doesn’t like this and that, she will soon believe this to be the case, and never try those foods she isn’t so sure about.

In the same vain, I also find it’s better to ignore it when she decides not to eat a certain food, instead gleefully eating that food myself in her presence.

We have proved this to work in our home, when she will eat a food she has been avoiding on her plate, as soon as she sees mummy and daddy enjoying it.

My point in all of this?

Use Positive Language

The language we use around our dinner table is positive and thankful for the food which is in front of us. So, why should I allow a cartoon, being played in my living room, to sound a different tune?

You may think it’s cute when Peppa or George Pig answer back to their parents, but according to psychologist, Dr Aric Sigman, 80 percent of brain development is between birth and three years old.

That means if your child spends a lot of time watching TV, they will undoubtedly copy the forms of behavior they see there.

Dr Sigman says that parents need to realize children cannot distinguish between what is real and what is pretend.

So, just because you try to set a good example with your own eating and lifestyle habits, for example, do not be fooled into thinking that what your child watches on TV isn’t having an effect on them as well.

What do you think, is banning Peppa Pig (or similar kids programs) totally unreasonable, and a bit OTT?

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I often recommend a good place to begin is to start making small measurements.

This usually involves a weekly record of weight and waist measurements, as well as perhaps time spent exercising.

These measurements are extremely effective for helping with weight loss, as well as improving your health and fitness levels.

I’ve posted about this in the past, when I discussed the research findings that keeping a food diary can double weight loss.

The reason for this is something called the “Hawthorne Effect.”

The Hawthorne Effect

In the early 20th century, the Hawthorne Works factory set about studying if their workers would become more productive in higher or lower levels of light.

Surprisingly, they found that workers worked harder no matter how dim, or bright, the light was.

What did that mean?

Well, these experiments revealed that workers’ productivity improved when any changes were made. This increase in productivity is thought to be the result of simply being measured.

Basically, measuring something equals increased motivation.

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This method is certainly something you could implement into your own lifestyle change. And it’s very simple to do.

By making your chosen measurements, you will have more motivation to keep going, and you will see how much you are improving as time goes on.

You may like to measure,

• Your weight
• Your fruit and vegetable intake
• Your water intake
• How many lifts you can preform in a certain exercise
• How many minutes you can run on a treadmill
• Or, something completely different

Making The Hawthorne Method Work For You

Dustin, from Fit Marriage, recently discussued how this method helped him to start drinking more water, flossing, and being more active,

The paper was folded down to pocket-sized so that I could always have it with me. I wrote down the items that I wanted to track in the first column, and then added the days of the week in the remaining columns. Then, I took a few minutes each afternoon to note what I had accomplished and what was left to complete.

It took me less than a week to become aware of these activities without the list. I began to almost feel guilty about not flossing each morning, because I knew that I was “supposed” to (after nearly 3 decades of being told the same thing by dentists). Every cup of coffee or juice was consciously followed by a glass of water. The elevator didn’t look as appealing as the stairs.

All because I started tracking whether or not I did something.

So, how can you being to make similar changes?

1. Decide What To Record

Pick one to three things you want to improve, then get recording.

There’s no point choosing a huge number of things to change, because your list will be totally overwhelming, and you will more than likely get nowhere.

This reminds me of “analysis paralysis,” where we over-analyze a situation, so that a decision or action is never taken.

Keeping things simple is the secret to making this work…

2. Keep It Simple

Try not to get really technical with this, as that will just be another reason for not following through with it.

I suggest following Dustin’s lead, by using a simple sheet of paper, then recording only the basic details, or simply giving a tick where appropriate.

Remember, it is the act of becoming more aware of what you are doing or not doing, which makes this effective, so don’t worry about making detailed notes.

3. Maintain The Momentum

As you become more conscious of what you are doing, you can gradually build on your initial goals.

Perhaps, after some time, you notice you can easily run for 10 minutes on the treadmill at a moderate pace. So, why not try adding some intervals of high intensity sprinting into your routine to boost your fitness levels?

Apply this to whatever goals you have set for yourself. The aim is to keep moving yourself forward.

What changes would you like to make to improve your health?

Well, as you might expect, you’re not alone.

Many of us virtually sleepwalk through the morning in a serious mental and physical fog, desperately plying ourselves with coffee in an attempt to wake up!

If this sounds like you, you might think you’re just not a morning person, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

But, you’d be wrong about that.

While it’s true we all have varying predispositions to being either a “night owl,” or a “morning person.” But, it is possible to boost your morning energy, with a few simple strategies.

How To Boost Your Morning Productivity

charliecho

1. Get A Good Nights Sleep

This may seem obvious, but lack of sleep, and insomnia is an epidemic in our fast paced, 24/7 world.

As I’ve said before, most of us need around 8 hours of sleep each night to function at our best.

If this sounds too good to be true, here are a few tips:

Establish a routine
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.

Your body loves routine, and sleeping similar hours each day helps adjust your circadian rhythms, so that you naturally fall asleep and wake up refreshed.

Sleep in the dark
Try to sleep in a dark, cool room.

They body responds to light, and it is much easier to sleep in a completely dark room.

Light can actually interfere with the body’s production of melatonin, a neurotransmitter which helps us sleep.

Chill out
Try to relax before bed.

Vigorous exercise, or mentally stressful activities in the last hour or two before bedtime, can make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.

2. Eat A Healthy Breakfast

One of the main causes of low energy in the morning is low blood sugar due to the overnight fast, and also skipping breakfast.

So, try to eat a balanced breakfast, with a source of protein, whole grain carbohydrates, and fruits or vegetables, as appropriate.

I recommend avoiding sugary, highly processed carbs, as these can trigger rapid peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels, which ultimately rob you of energy.

3. Avoid Excessive Caffeine And Alcohol

Many of us feel dependent on the caffeine in tea or coffee, to get us through the morning, and it does indeed provide a temporary boost.

Unfortunately, this boost comes with a price.

Excessive caffeine can impair your ability to relax, and it can interfere with your usual sleep patterns, too.

Alcohol on the other hand, tends to disturb your sleep cycle, leading to frequent waking, and a poor night’s sleep overall.

4. Exercise In The Morning

One of the best ways to boost your morning energy, and ability to concentrate, is to get some exercise first thing in the morning.

Exercise helps improve your circulation, strength and flexibility, as well as your mood.

Exercising before work also gives you more energy on the job, while boosting your creativity.

As an added bonus, many studies have shown that people who exercise in the morning are the most consistent at staying with their exercise plan.

If you wait to exercise in the afternoon or evening, problems or scheduling conflicts often occur, and prevent you from getting your workout in.

Going for a morning walk, jog, swim session, or working out in your own home, ensures that no matter what else happens that day, you’ve already had a chance to exercise.

5. Create A Morning Ritual

Try getting into the habit of starting your day with a relaxing ritual.

This may include taking time out to simply be thankful for the day ahead, praying, or listening to uplifting music.

These activities will help you to feel more in control of your day, and set you up to deal with whatever life throws at you.

Remember, dreary, sleepy, foggy mornings don’t have to be the norm for you.

With a little planning and preparation, you can start your day full of energy, enthusiasm and vitality!

What are your tips for being more energetic each morning?

But, some people overthink everything, and others don’t think enough… so how can you get the balance right?

Unfortunately, it is possible to think yourself into anxiety, frustration, and even illness. So, if you have the ability to make things that should be simple, complex; or a minor issue, a major drama, you could be damaging your health, and it’s time to stop.

Remember, it’s a real waste of your time and talent to over-analyze everything and everyone. It’s actually called “analysis paralysis,” or the over-analyzing of a situation so that a decision or action is never taken. Not good!

But, what exactly can you do to stop this overthinking?

7 Ways To Deal With Overthinking

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1. Forget Perfection

It doesn’t exist, so don’t waste your time waiting around for that perfect time, condition, or whatever, because before you know it your ambitious will have passed you by. We should all be aiming to improvement our life, but don’t allow a need for perfection to get in the way of actually living your life to the fullest.

2. Just Do It

Remember that old analysis paralysis I mentioned above? Well, instead of overthinking everything and never actually taking action, just get out there and do stuff… now! Especially if it scares you — don’t let fear run your life.

3. Be In The Moment

It’s not always possible, but focusing on what’s in front of you is much better than allowing your mind to dwell way back in the past, or indeed, to worry about what’s around the next corner. You can’t change it, so live in the moment.

4. Be Honest

It’s easy to fall into the trap of rationalizing why you do or don’t do certain things to anyone who will listen, but honesty is refreshing.

5. Get A Mentor

You might have a friend who is a great lister, or even your very own coach. But it should be someone who will be able to give you honest, meaningful, specific, and relevant advice, not someone who will tell you what you want to hear. This can be hugely helpful — two heads really are better than one.

6. Change Position

When you find yourself starting to overthink something again, try getting up and changing your position; perhaps go for a walk, or call a friend. Studies actually show that a new vantage point can be enough to shake you out of a fruitless and harmful thought process.

7. Avoid Overthinkers

If you have friends or colleagues who also worry way too much about everything, try to stay out of their way as much as possible. Instead, spend time with positive thinkers, since they will have a much better impact on your mind.

Are you an overthinker? What methods do you use to help overcome the tendency for overthinking?

Fortunately, there are ways to break out of that mindset, and get back to your normal, happy self — and I don’t mean popping a few pills, to make you feel better.

There are plenty of natural ways to boost your mood, and get more energy and enthusiasm back into your daily life once again.

6 Natural Mood Boosters

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1. Get Moving

One of the very best things you can do for your mood is to take some moderate exercise. The great thing about exercise, is that it has mood-boosting benefits both in the short and long term.

Exercise is so effective because of the release of those feel-good endorphins — these hormones will leave you feeling happier and more energized. And, in the long run, people who exercise regularly tend to have fewer health problems, and are better able to manage any stress which they come up against.

2. Turn Up The Vibes

Listening to some upbeat music, in whatever genre you like, is a great way to boost your mood.

Music can have a profound effect on our mood. Studies of brain activity actually show that the pleasure centers are more active when we listen to music.

But remember, if you’re looking to boost your mood, the music you listen to should be light and energetic, not dark and somber.

3. Catch Up With Friends

We are social creatures, and most of us feel better in the company of good friends and family.

Also, if you’re looking to meet new people, one of the best things you can do is pursue something you’re interested in, such as taking a class, joining a club, or volunteering for a cause you believe in.

Chances are you’ll meet like-minded people, with whom you have plenty in common, when you do this.

Exploring The World Through Elissa's Eyes

For many people, spending time with their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc., is also a great way to get an energy boost. I love seeing the world through Elissa’s eyes. To her everything is a new and wondrous adventure. It’s hugely refreshing, and difficult for that sweet attitude not to rub off on us adults also.

4. Eat Well

One of the most common reasons for a lack of energy and low mood, is eating a poor diet.

The first thing you should do is check that your diet isn’t too carb-heavy. High starchy foods can give you a quick energy boost at the time, but this is quickly followed by a prolonged letdown.

Instead, your diet should be full of lean proteins, colorful vegetables (particularly greens) and fruits. And, when you do eat carbohydrates, make sure they are wholegrain, and take care with your portion size.

Keep things in balance by filling around half your plate with vegetables, one quarter with lean meats or alternatives, and one quarter with wholegrains.

Some important mood boosting foods to eat regularly are:

• Bananas
• Oranges
• Berries
• Avocados
• Dried apricots
• Nuts and seeds (especially walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
• Fish like salmon and mackerel
• Lean beef (for iron)
• And, drink lots of water

5. Boost Your Vitamin D levels

There are a number of studies which report some connection between vitamin D levels and the risk of depression.

However, treating low vitamin D levels in people with depression, or other mental disorders, may improve their long-term health, and quality of life.

If you notice your mood is unusually low, set a goal of getting outside into the sunshine (if the season permits), to naturally boost your vitamin D levels.

If you’ve had your vitamin D levels tested, and you know they are low, consider taking a supplement, particularly if it’s during the winter months, or you live in a more northernly climate.

Read my article on What Is Vitamin D? for more information on this extremely important vitamin.

6. Go To Bed Early

Getting a good nights sleep, on a consistent basis, can contribute enormously to your mood and sense of well being. Most people need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, but you may need more.

If at all possible, try to stick to a regular routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

This will help your body to prepare for sleep, and improves your chance of sleeping well and waking up rested, so that you are ready to face whatever your day has to offer.

Maintaining a healthy, energetic, positive mood isn’t always easy, but it is one of the best gifts you can give yourself, and those around you.

Most importantly, if you do feel particularly down for an extended period of time, talk to your doctor to see if there are any underlying health-related problems. This is very important.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Perhaps you are so indecisive at times you can’t even choose what to eat at breakfast, let alone, be sure of who you’d like to marry, or which house to buy.

If making decisions is difficult for you, you probably find yourself doubting what you should do for the simplest of things, because you’ve lot all confidence in your ability to make good choices.

It’s frustrating, right? But, it is possible to learn how to make clear, solid decisions, quickly and with ease.

Here are 4 steps to help you make confident decisions

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1. Test decisions against your core values

Your core values are the things which make you who you are, they make up your personal rule book, if you like. So, ultimately any decision you make must be in line with these, as that will be the best decision for you.

There will be tricky decisions to make in all areas of your life, and not merely concerning your health. So, when these situations arise, you must ask yourself, “Which of these decisions or choices are in line with that matters most to me?”

Sometimes it will be something simple like, “Should I have second helpings of chocolate cake?” for which you already know the answer.

But at other times, these decisions are more complicated and serious, when you must consider things that have happened in your past, or ask yourself how a given decision reflects on your faith, and other values.

Often making decisions based on your core values will not be the simplest choice to make, but because it fits with what’s most important to you, it will always be the best decision.

2. Go with your gut

Some of the decisions you make will be simple day-to-day choices like what you will eat that day. At other times it will be a totally life changing decision, like what to study at university.

I believe there is a certain amount of “going with your gut instinct,” when it comes to making these choices. Intuition is the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.

Sometimes it’s just a matter of stopping and questioning yourself about what the best decision really is. You see often times, you already know what the answer is, you just haven’t taken the time to realize that, or you don’t trust yourself enough.

3. Weigh up the pros and cons

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There’s usually positives and negatives for most decisions you make, and getting all of the facts first can help, before you make any complex decisions.

You need to weigh up which choice will make you better, or indeed worse off.

But, don’t spend ages on this, because it can become another way to procrastinate and put off making that important decision for another while.

4. Respect your doubts

It’s natural to want to avoid change and situations that make you feel out of your comfort zone.

These doubts can actually be helpful in getting you prepared for what’s ahead. But, you need to realize that some of these doubts and fears can really hinder your progress, and hold you back.

If you find yourself avoiding making decisions, as a way to avoid making a “mistake,” you are allowing your inner fears to dictate what you do, and it is more than likely hindering your success in all areas of your life.

Indecision and second guessing your actions can certainly get you going around in circles, trying to figure out the best course of action.

So, next time you notice yourself having trouble making a decision, big or small, ask yourself, “Which of these decisions or choices are in line with that matters most to me?””

Many people, in fact probably most people, feel the same way.

But, some surprising research suggests that people who are kind to themselves, and more tolerant toward their own imperfections, are more likely to be successful with their health and fitness goals.

The study, published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, took 87 female students, who thought they were participating in a food tasting experiment. They were asked to eat donuts and candy as part of the taste test.

The instructor casually told one group, “I hope you won’t be hard on yourself, everyone in the study eats this stuff, so I don’t think there’s any reason to feel real bad about it.” The second group (the control) were not given any further instructions.

The researchers found that women who were regular dieters ate less than the control group after hearing the instructor’s reassurance.

Researchers believe the women who felt badly about eating the junk food eventually ate more due to “emotional eating” patterns. They experienced emotional stress about the food, this caused them to eat more in an attempt to feel better.

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The women who received reassurance that it was okay to enjoy the food felt less guilt, and didn’t overeat as a result.

Many people beat themselves up over every minor dieting transgression. The problem with this approach is that it leads to more stress, which then triggers the urge to overeat, perpetuating the vicious circle over and over and over again.

So, how can you get over this dieting pitfall, and start giving yourself a bit of slack?

3 Strategies For Practicing Self-Compassion

1. Be Aware of Your Thoughts

As with any habit, the first key is awareness.

Take some time to think about the way you talk to yourself internally, and how you react to different situations.

Do you constantly judge and criticize yourself when things go wrong, or do you see yourself as doing the best you can under the circumstances?

2. Realize You’re Not Alone

Often we feel that we’re the only ones who struggle with these issues, or have trouble coping.

The truth is that we are all human, and we all struggle with our problems and issues whatever they may be. We don’t expect our friends to be perfect, so why not give ourselves the same leeway?

Consider how you treat yourself when you experience challenges and difficulties in your life.

Are you able to keep a balanced perspective, or do you beat yourself up over it? Do you often make situations out to be worse than they really are?

Take some time to think about the consequences of self-criticism.

Do you feel more or less motivated toward your goals when you indulge in self-criticism? How would you feel if you were able to simply accept yourself as you are?

Learning to accept yourself despite the flaws, which we all have, can become a powerful turning point in your life.

3. Keep It Real

Finally, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic.

The fact is, staying fit and healthy is a lifelong process, and there will be many ups and downs along the way. It’s important not to get too carried away with your success, or get too down on yourself when things aren’t going the way you would like.

Learning to relax into life, and be a bit easier on yourself, can make your life more enjoyable, while helping you reach your goals more quickly.

Don’t let your mind bully your body into believing it must carry the burden of its worries.

~Astrid Alauda

My Little Spring Lamb!!!

We all know the benefits of bulk buying.

It’s why we go out of our way to pick up the best deals at Costco, because of the value. That extra trip to the bulk-buy store, filling up your car, then storing it all at home, is simply worth the effort.

You just know those toilet rolls aren’t going to go to waste!

In the same vein, what if you could combine the collective wisdom of some of the top experts in Health, Cooking, Marriage, Money, etc., for a fraction of the price it would normally cost you?

It would be worth a small outlay, right?

Well, that’s precisely what is going to be available to you for four days.

Simplify Your Family Life SALE

Corey from Simple Marriage and Mandi from Life…Your Way have organised a mammoth spring bargain book sale, which includes world-renowned author Leo Babauta, Jules Clancy from the most beautiful food blog I know of, The Stone Soup, and little me with my Healthy Eating Handbook

As I said, this collection is only available for 4 days, from 2 pm, today, March 21st, until 2 pm on March 24th.

There will be no late sales offered.

Click here to purchase the entire collection today!

This is essentially an investment in all areas of your family life, for an amazingly low price.

I’ve had a sneaky peak at some of the ebooks, and I am genuinely impressed with the quality content and authors who have contributed. I also feel very honored to have been included myself.

When you purchase the Simplify Family Life collection, you get instant access to each of the 30 ebooks listed below:

Family Minimalism

• Inside Out Simplicity by Joshua Becker @ Becoming Minimalist ($11.99)

• Simple Guide to Minimalist Life by Leo Babauta @ Zen Habits ($9.95)

• The Minimalist Mom by Dusti Arab @ Minimalist Adventures ($17)

Food & Cooking

• 5 ingredients, 10 minutes by Jules Clancy @ The Stone Soup ($37)

• Healthy Snacks to Go by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($6.95)

• Healthy Eating Handbook by Melanie Thomassian @ Dietriffic ($27)

• Real Food on a Real Budget by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($18.97)

• The Real Food Cleansing Guide by Lisa Byrne @ Well Grounded Life ($14.99)

Green Living

• Simply Car-Free by Tammy Strobel @ Rowdy Kittens ($9.95)

• Healthy Homemaking by Stephanie Langford @ Keeper of the Home ($12.95)

• Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide by Michele Augur @ Frugal Granola ($8.95)

Intimacy & Marriage

• Stripped Down Marriage by Tony DiLorenzo @ One Extraordinary Marriage ($12)

• A Simple Marriage by Corey Allan @ Simple Marriage ($18)

• Buck Naked Marriage by Corey Allan @ Simple Marriage ($9.50)

• 15 Minute Marriage Makeover by Dustin Riechmann @ Engaged Marriage ($27)

• Getting Lucky With The Wife by Sarah Baron @ Anonymous8 ($18)

Money

• The Super-Charged Guide to Financial Freedom by Jeff Nickles @ My Super-Charged Life ($14.60)

• The Hybrid Homemaker by Melissa Gorzellanczyk @ Peace and Projects ($17)

Organizing

• Organizing Life as Mom by Jessica Fisher @ Life as Mom ($9)

• Tell Your Time by Amy Lynn Andrews @ Blogging with Amy ($12)

Parenting

• Parenting with Positive Guidance by Amanda Morgan @ Not Just Cute ($9)

• Finding Educational Activities in the Most Unexpected Places by Angie Kauffman @ Many Little Blessings ($7.50)

Personal Development

• Your Life. Live It. Love It. by Sherri Kruger @ Serene Journey ($19.50)

• The Gratitude Journal by Sherri Kruger @ Serene Journey ($5.99)

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• The 7 Week Life Cleanse by Katie Tallo @ Momentum Gathering ($20)

• How to be Rich and Happy by John Strelecky & Tim Brownson @ How to be Rich and Happy ($19)

Travel

• Family Camping Handbook by Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship ($4.95)

Holidays

• Christmas Your Way + Planning Printables from Mandi Ehman @Life…Your Way ($4)

• Thanksgiving Your Way + Planning Printables from Mandi Ehman @Life…Your Way ($3)

Work at Home

• Smalltopia by Tammy Strobel @ Rowdy Kittens ($27)

Phew… that’s quite a list!

You can get all of these books, worth a whopping $450 when purchased separately, for just $47.

Click here to purchase your collection today!

Remember, the sale ends at 2 pm ET on March 24th, and there will be no late sales offered, so don’t wait around.

As always, if you’ve any questions at all just let me know…

sxc.hu: popsicle

One of the hardest things about trying to change your life for the better is that it can be difficult to see beyond your present circumstances.

A problem that has plagued you for years may seem as if it’s insurmountable, yet sometimes a friend or mentor can see answers to our problems that we would never have considered.

Why? Because they have a different perspective, they’re looking at the situation from a completely different angle.

We all get stuck in a rut at times, and it’s worth remembering that we can make meaningful changes to our life if we’re willing to think outside the box a little, and find the inspiration we need to change those thoughts we’ve held for a lifetime.

Changing your outlook isn’t easy, but the rewards, and the corresponding changes in your life, make the effort worthwhile.

Here Are 5 Ways to Find Inspiration to Change Your Thoughts

1. Seek Out New Experiences
Going through the same routine day in and day out can feel comforting and safe, and at times it’s just what we need. But it can also be limiting and emotionally stifling at times.

Try to make an effort to do something out of your comfort zone once a week.

It doesn’t have to be much, you could try out a new restaurant in the neighbourhood, take a walk in a new area, or make friends with the new person on your street.

Just giving your brain some new experiences to digest will help you to be more creative and motivated.

2. Keep An Open Mind
Often we make judgments about people or events in our lives, whether positive or negative. Sometimes pre-judging situations can limit our opportunities to learn.

There is a great story about an old farmer who found a wild horse and brought him to his farm:

“That’s good,” said the farmer’s friend. “We’ll see,” said the farmer. The next day the farmer’s son was riding the new horse and fell off and broke his leg. “That’s too bad,” said the friend. “We’ll see,” the farmer replied. The following week, the army came to conscript all the young men in the village, but the farmer’s son was spared because of his broken leg. “That’s great news,” said the friend. “We’ll see,” said the farmer.

The point is that we really don’t know how the events of our lives will affect us in the long run, so by keeping an open mind, we can maintain a youthful curiosity about people, places and things, and maybe even learn a new way to think about our life experiences, or address a problem more successfully in future.

3. Spend Some Time Alone
Spending time alone thinking, praying, writing in a journal, are some of the best ways to think deeply about a problem and really get in touch with what’s going on in your mind.

When you’re alone you will tend to notice subtle things that you often wouldn’t if others were around, and you can maintain your train of thought more easily without distraction.

4. Find Mentors
Good mentors can be a tremendous help to us in life. Having someone to discuss ideas, thoughts and feelings, and share experiences with can really help us to become more open to new possibilities.

Some mentors don’t even need to be part of your life to help you. One of the best ways to learn is to read biographies of successful people, those who you aspire to be like, who have been in a similar circumstance to you.

Finding out what pitfalls they faced, and how they solved their problems, will be motivating, at the very least.

5. Share Your Experiences
Finally, sharing your experiences can help you see your life in a different context.

Teachers often report that they learn as much from their students as the students learn from them.

By sharing your experiences, you not only help others, but you allow yourself to receive support, which can lead to a beneficial change in your own thought process long-term.

Begin NOW

You can begin this process right now by sharing your own experiences, thoughts, or tips below in the comments section…

How can we all find the inspiration needed to change our thoughts for the better?

sxc.hu: nkzs

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.

~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I find it hard to believe it’s the end of another year. 2010 seemed to go past in a flash for me. And so, it’s that time of year again when many of us dream about being a better version of ourselves.

But, if you’ve set New Years Resolutions in the past, you’ll be familiar with how those good intentions can begin to flag by the time you get to February, or maybe even sooner.

One of the main problems with setting goals at New Year is, they have a tendency to be more unrealistic than normal — perhaps given the gluttony in the month that has just passed.

You know how it goes, you launch into a strict and inflexible diet, and an intensive exercise plan, all at the same time, and it’s almost impossible to maintain.

These are easy traps to fall into. But, how can you avoid history repeating itself in 2011?

Here are 5 tips to help you achieve your health goals this New Year

1. Review, Review, Review
Go back to the goals you set yourself last New Year — have you achieved them? Do some need revisiting and refining?

You may find that in the past you had set goals that were not easy to maintain or achieve. So, take an honest and objective look at your lifestyle: work commitments, family, energy levels, etc., and plan this years goals around something that is workable for you, and the people in your life.

2. Be Realistic
I think that here in the Northern Hemisphere it’s one of the worst times of year to impose strict rules and regimens on our lives.

The weather is cold, it’s dark, and after Christmas many people are left feeling deflated. So, starting a punishing diet and exercise program isn’t a good idea.

But, I’m not saying forget about getting healthy for a few months… no way! The sooner you start, the better.

Instead, try setting yourself some doable goals, which you can achieve within the first 3 months of the year. After you see how that goes, you can always up your game to make sure you are challenging yourself as the months progress.

If you don’t exercise right now, perhaps you could begin by setting a goal to workout out 3 times per week, for 20 minutes, as opposed to jumping right into it, and trying to punch out one hour workouts, 7 days per week.

3. Be Specific
Make sure your goals are clear and also measurable.

Do you want to be a certain weight, dress size, or maybe you have specific measurements you wish to achieve (weight isn’t the best indicator of a healthy body size)? Perhaps you want to be able to run a certain distance, or you want to train for a fun run, mini marathon, or even a full marathon. Your health goals may be to improve your blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Whatever your goals are, it’s important to have a specific number/figure in mind, as this gives you a way to keep track of your progress.

Specific goals will help you to feel more motivated, as you will be constantly working towards that specific goal. This give clarity and focus, and is a hugely important factor in successful goal setting.

Also, don’t forget to plan for what you will do once you achieve a specific goal. Stopping your regimen too suddenly can lead to weight gain, or a drop in your level of fitness, and it’s difficult to get back on track again.

So, make sure you have a maintenance plan in place for when you get to that stage.

4. Make a Record
When you write make a record of your goals you are much more likely to stick to them — research proves this. There’s something about having that visual reminder of what you want to achieve. It really is a powerful motivator.

Try writing down a few words about why you want to achieve your goals. Remind yourself frequently of all the ways you will feel better when you are successful.

Also, track your progress by recording your weight or inches lost, or distance you have run, depending on your what your goal is.

sxc.hu: lusi

5. Have FUN
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you must remember to enjoy yourself.

Exercise and diet should not be a form of punishment. Remember, if you dislike something, you are unlikely to stay motivated, and giving up is only a matter of time.

Make your focus all about enjoying the process, as well as the final result. This way, your new regimen can become a way of life, rather than a temporary measure that you feel you have to endure.

To read more goal setting tips, check out 8 Steps to Making Successful New Year’s Resolutions.

I wish you a happy, healthy and energetic New Year. Best wishes.