5 Constructive Ways to Deal With Problems

January 17, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You say you have problems. Okay, these problems (or challenges as I call them) can be dealt with in a number of ways. 

Work through them with the help of this GenuLines list of “helpers” to help you lighten the load.

5 Constructive Ways to Deal With Problems
They say the makings of a great movie will make you laugh, cry and feel in love all at once. Psychologists call that blended emotional events.
 
It occurs when you feel a plethora of emotions within a short amount of time.
 
a way to deal with problemsThose emotions can make for a cinematic masterpiece. But dealing with fleeting emotions on a regular basis can be overwhelming.
 
Especially when you don’t have positive ways to manage them.
 
Many in our societies face drug and alcohol addiction. They might blame their state on not being able to cope with their problems.
 
They may have felt that those activities would help solve their issues. Unfortunately millions die as a result of these choices.
Negativity
Other negative coping strategies aren’t as evasive. Some may include passive-aggressiveness, laziness or avoidance.
 
This can make it tough to make lasting relationships with others. This makes for a lonely existence that could result in anxiety and depression.
 
Repressing your emotions, whether good or bad, comes with inner challenges. Often times, this can impact your daily routine.
 
Don’t allow your emotions to overwhelm you. Instead, develop positive coping strategies that’ll help you endure.
 
Consider these five tips. They’ll help you deal with your biggest challenges.
 
1. Talk to a Trusted Friend
Sometimes, the best therapy is releasing your emotions through communication. A good friend, with your best interests at heart, can be the rock you need during harsh times.
 
Ease your stress and get suggestions from someone you trust.
 
You might find that they’ve experienced the same trials. Their input can be a great help.
 
2. Get a Hobby
If you’re experiencing problems, it’s wise to spend your time doing something productive. This gives you a sense of purpose without dwelling on your issues.
 
Such hobbies include art, sports or cooking. Sometimes the act of engaging in an activity is therapy in itself.
 
3. Seek Professional Help
Never be afraid to seek help for your toughest challenges. A trained counselor or therapist will never judge or reveal what you share with them.
 
They’ll be able to offer constructive advice that you can put into your daily life.
 
4. Meditate
Meditation encourages you to let thoughts and emotions come to you without judgment. This gives you a clear and effective mindset to deal with challenges.
 
After your mind is clear, you’re able to take control of your problem and develop a positive solution. Consider journaling after meditation.
 
It can be a great way to develop positive coping strategies and solutions.
 
5. Exercise
Science has shown that engaging in regular exercise releases problem solving endorphins. You’re letting go of energy you would otherwise use worrying.
 
You can convert that energy into something productive. Consider increasing your exercise routine to give your mind some much-needed clarity.
 
We’ll all face mild to severe problems at one point or another. Don’t turn to destructive coping strategies.
 
Engage in something positive. This will help you deal with your problems in a constructive way.
 
JohnK 1-17-2022
 
stick man hears about solving problemsOverheard: There are children playing in the streets who could solve some of my top problems in physics, because they have modes of sensory perception that I lost long ago.
                                                ~J. Robert Oppenheimer
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for how to solve problems

Do You Have What It Takes to Think Strategically?

January 10, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You think clearly, but to think strategically is something else again. There are some important features that are part of this process and GenuLines gives you a look at a list to get you started. 

Do You Have What It Takes to Think Strategically?

 
“Curious, Not Judgmental.” – Walt Whitman
 
Strategic thinking is a wide-ranging skill.
It affects how you think, assess, view, solveSuggestion to think problems.
 
It goes a long way toward creating a future for you and others. It’s knowing what you want to achieve and how to achieve it.
 
It’s not always easy to develop a strategic approach since it’s both mindset and technique. Strategic thinkers are able to see the big picture,
 
identify the possible impact and set up a plan to get there.
 
 
 

 

Common ground

Strategic thinkers have seven main qualities in common:
 
Vision, Perceptiveness, Assertiveness, Framework, Flexibility, Emotional Balance, and Patience
 
Let’s look at those in more detail.
 
They have a knack for logical and creative thinking using both left and right sides of the brain.
 
Strategic thinkers can develop a razor sharp vision for business or personal needs.
 
They’re flexible in their planning. They set up benchmarks to guide them.
 
And they recognize opportunities to revise plans when they need to.

Self aware

Strategic thinkers are aware and perceptive of themselves and what’s around them. They recognize subtle external and internal clues to guide their direction.
 
And they grab opportunities for themselves or their company or organization.
 
They listen, hear, and understand what others say. They read and observe whatever they can to use as a guide.
 
And hey often have “Ah Ha” moments while relaxing or doing other activities.
 
Strategic thinkers have a clear definition of their goal. Their action plan breaks down into tasks.
 
It includes lists of needed resources or a specific timeline. 

Self care

The best thinkers take time for themselves. It can be a retreat.
 
A walk through someplace special to them. Relaxing in the lobby of a historic hotel.
 
Or an afternoon alone with a blank sheet of paper for writing down your thoughts.
 
Strategic thinkers are often lifelong learners. They draw from every experience put before them and in every part of life.
 
Their creativity is balanced with a realistic sense of what’s possible in the long term. They refer to themselves as realistic optimists.

Enlisting help

Strategic thinkers often seek advice, confide in, and offer ideas for feedback. This can come from a coach, mentor, a peer group or elsewhere.
 
They’re non-judgmental. and don’t allow themselves to judge their own thoughts.
 
Strategic thinkers are patient. They don’t rush to conclusions.
 
Great ideas need time to develop into success in the future, and they’re aware of this. They see a potential for how the world should be and take the steps to get there.
 
 Strategic thinkers set up and commit to deadlines.

Know thyself

They are conscious of their own biases.
 
They’re observant, watching before forming a judgement.
 
They understand other people’s intentions, desires and hopes.
 
Strategic thinkers make quick informed decisions.
 
They’re good communicators. They communicate what they want and need through clear directions or orders.
 
They respect the thoughts and desires of others.
 
They’re calm under pressure.
 
Strategic thinkers have a high level of confidence and self-esteem.
 
They know their weaknesses and seek advice from others in those areas.
 
They’re flexible thinkers so they can shift gears and think about things in more than one way.
 
Strategic thinkers develop skills that allow them to have a vision. They see where they want to go and they create the plan and begin the steps to get there.
 
You too can develop these skills and become a strategic thinker. 
 
JohnK 1-10-2022
 
Stick figure hears how to thinkOverheard: “Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too”
                                      ~Voltaire
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for how to think

What Does It Mean to Think Strategically?

January 3, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

I’ve always felt that improving how you think will go a long way toward improving what you think. The result is a marked improvement in your life.

 As a new year begins, GenuLines offers a closer look at the thought process.
 

What Does It Mean to Think Strategically

 
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose” – Robert Byrne
 
Have you ever thought about what it means to think strategically? Does it mean to create strategies like in a war?
 
Is it a skill you are born with or something you learn? Strategic thinking seems like vague buzzwords.
 
Man thinks
 
 
 
The kind that CEOs toss around to sound important.

Learning

Actually, strategic thinking is a skill we can all learn. It’s how we plan, think, and ask questions to grow and learn while we work toward a goal.
 
It’s embracing what you were like when you were young child. When you asked questions like, “why?”
 
Thinking strategically grows out of a combination of knowledge, experiences, and your hunches. It’s about taking calculated and uncalculated risks that we hope will pay off in the future.
 
It’s about shifting your focus. You go from just doing things to thinking and planning what should be getting done.
 

Three Behaviors That Inspire Thinking

Strategically Switching your focus is easier said than done. To cultivate a mind of thinking strategically, these three behaviors can help.
 
Question why. Don’t accept doing a task a certain way because it’s the way it’s always been done.
 
Ask yourself why it’s done that way. Or if there’s a better way to do it.
 
Thinking strategically is about knowledge to help you make an informed decision. Asking questions and listening to others’ opinions is important.
 
It supplies you with the information you need to make a well-informed decision.

Observe everything

Spending every minute doing stuff and getting things done might seem productive.
 
But it doesn’t allow for you to think strategically about what you are doing.
 
Instead occasionally step back and observe what’s going on. Look for areas that could be more efficient. Who’s doing what and how much each activity is helping things move forward.
 
Look at the big picture. See the way the pieces fit together.

Reflect on your day

Think about what gave you energy or took it away.
 
Reflect on the activities that helped the organization move ahead. And the ones that wasted your time.
 
Reflection time each day allows you to ask yourself if you’re on the right path. Whether you develop solutions, and stay on track with your goals.
 
This is where inspiration and creativity have a chance to grow in a visible way.

Takeaway

When you focus on doing and making something happen by doing this and doing that, you’re working hard. But you’re not thinking strategically.
 
Of course, working and doing is necessary up to a point.
 
Instead stop focusing on just getting things done. Take a step back and set goals for what you want in the future and how you can help the organization win.
 
Thinking strategically is inspiring. You move away from going through the motions in a mindless way.
 
You don’t jump at the commands of others. Or you plan and observe and put ideas into motion.
 
And that takes you (and your team) to success.
 
JohnK 1-3-2022
 
stick figure hears about how to think
Overheard: “The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
                           ~Christopher Hitchens, Lettets to a Young Contrarian
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for how to think

Why Personal Growth Matters

December 27, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Think of your personal growth as the measuring stick of your life. The quality of your progress can affect the quality of your years. 

And GenuLines wants to make you aware of that quality and how you can improve it. 

Why Personal Growth Matters

How much time have you dedicated to your personal development in the past year? Six months? Week?
 
Unfortunately, society trains us to put other things first, like education and careers. We’re not downplaying their value in life.
 
We only want to point out the importance of taking the time to invest in our self-improvement.
 
Today, we’re talking about all the reasons why personal growth matters. As you’ll find out below, it makes up a huge chunk of your life as a whole, no matter how old you are.
 
graph showing growth
 
So, let’s get started.

What Is Personal Growth?

Working on accomplishing things in life, setting goals, and achieving them. This is personal growth.
 
It starts with the drive to do and be better.
 
Even before that, you have to start with a positive mindset. That helps boost your resilience and keeps you going, even when things don’t go your way.
 
The beauty of personal growth is that it’s subjective. It’s different for everyone, like success.

A Closer Look

Some people define being successful as having a happy, healthy family. Others define it as having a career, or more money than they know what to do with.
 
Even though personal growth is a bit more elusive, it’s all improving as an individual. This can be polishing up your education or refining your temperament. Whatever it is you’re seeking out of life, that’s your personal growth journey.

What’s In a Name?

Because it’s so diverse and covers so many aspects, it goes by several names, including:
 
*Self-improvement
 
*Personal development
 
*Self-growth
 
*Self-help

Why Does Personal Growth Matter?

Now that we understand what personal growth is, you can see how it can have a positive effect on someone. Then, without even trying, that person will motivate others to work harder and do better.
 
So, personal growth isn’t a solitary journey. Yes, you do the hard work. Yet, you reap so many rewards that soon you realize it was all worth it.
 
Working on developing as a person will help you in various aspects of your life. You’ll shine at work and you’ll notice people will start to praise your accomplishments.
 
You’ll also grow into a more compassionate and loving person. Listening and being attentive will become second nature. You’ll feel good about yourself, and you’ll make others feel good as well.

How to Start Your Personal Growth Journey

Empathy and positive thinking are two traits we seem to lose over the years. Personal growth can help you regain them.
 
Here are some of the things you can do to begin achieving personal growth.

Set Short-Term Goals

Aim to set and achieve short-term goals. When creating goals, keep the following in mind:
 
Make your goals realistic
 
Divide long-term goals into several short-term ones
 
Write each goal on a Post-It and hang it on your desk or bathroom mirror
 
Recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses
 
Treat yourself to something nice every time you complete one of your goals

Keep Learning

We’re never too old to learn. Keep an open mind and take a step out of your comfort zone, and you’ll find fascinating things to learn about.
 
Ask any entrepreneur, and they’ll tell you they never stop learning. Their fascination with the world is what keeps them a step ahead of everyone else.
 
The trick is to find something that piques your interest. Nowadays everything is evolving so fast, there’s no shortage of that!

Find Your Purpose

What makes you happy? Find what makes you giddy with happiness, a.k.a. your purpose in life.
 
Each one of us has something that drives them and sets them apart from everyone else. Find what you want and go after it.
 
Even if you don’t know much about it, you can always learn. Thanks to modern-day technology, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Wake Up Early

Having healthy sleep patterns will regulate your physical, emotional, and mental states. You’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle the day that lies ahead.
 
Studies looked at people who make a habit of waking up early. They found those people to be healthier, happier, and more productive. It may take some time to get used to, but, once you do, you’ll never go back!

Read More

Many of us have given up on reading, thanks to our ever-present smartphones. You have to start the habit of reading each day, even if you read one blog a day.
 
Acquiring knowledge can be quite satisfying. You feel both competent and good. It’s an easy way to boost self-confidence and personal growth.

Personal Self-Acceptance

Knowing what your talents and skills are, is a vital part of self-acceptance. Likewise it’s important to recognize the areas where you’re not as strong.
 
Be confident in what you’ve accomplished and forgive yourself for any past mistakes. That’s the first step to accepting who you are and realizing your true worth.
 
We’re all here for a reason. Take the time to find out what yours is.

A Final Note

Understanding why personal growth matters is like understanding the secret of the universe. It can mean the difference between being happy, hopeful, and feeling dejected and lost.
 
Well, of course no one wakes up saying, “I want to be miserable.” It requires hard work and dedication.
 
You have to have a positive outlook and accept yourself for who you are. Only then can you unlock your true potential, which I have no doubt, will be amazing!
 
JohnK 12-27-2021
 
Stick figure hears about growthOverheard: “Don’t go through life, grow through life.”
                                    ~Eric Butterworth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for growth

How Your Thoughts Influence Your Behavior

December 20, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Someone once said thoughts are things. Whatever they are thoughts thoughts play a big part in guiding your day to day activity. 

And GenuLiines wants to give you some insight into how that’s done. 

How Your Thoughts Influence Your Behavior

picture of thoughtsThere’s a universal secret to living a full life: you are what you think. Not what you were expecting, huh?
 
Many of the great minds of our time agree that thoughts are the building blocks of life experiences. They’re telling us that the quality of your thoughts reflects the quality of your life.
 
 
 
 
The problem is when you start to believe that material things can make your life better. You buy shiny, expensive things and go on trips to faraway, exotic places.
 
Some people even resort to mind-numbing substances to help them forget their reality.
The truth is that creating a better reality starts by creating change from the inside.
 
Your thoughts are the driving force behind why you feel and act the way you do. Once you understand the link between those three, you can start living the life you want in the way you want it.
 
Below, you’ll find three life-altering tips. Incorporate them into your day.
They’ll help you change negative thought patterns to positive ones. Let’s dive in

Recognize Faulty Thought Patterns

Most of our beliefs and thoughts tend to be more on the negative side. These faulty thought patterns can lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression.
 
The author Earl Nightingale said, “We become what we think.” So, why are you letting your negative thoughts dictate how you live your life?
 
Below are some of the more common negative patterns of thought many of us suffer from. Get a pen and paper and write down which of them you most relate to.
 
Once you’ve identified them, you can start to transform them from the negative to the positive.
 
Minimizing achievements and maximizing simple errors
*Catastrophizing future outcomes All-or-nothing dichotomous thinking
*Generalizing people and situations
*Filtering out positive statements and focusing only on the negative

Foster Healthy Habits

When you do something often enough it becomes a habit. The more you do it, the more likely you’ll keep doing it in the future.
 
Thought patterns are the same way. The more you think in a certain way, the more you’ll likely keep thinking about it the same way over and over again.
 
Soon enough, it’ll start to consume your day-to-day living. The science behind it is that each thought ignites a chemical reaction in your brain.
 
This process then triggers a certain emotion.
 
As a result, your emotions send a signal to your body and then you react. This cycle repeats itself until you realize you’re not living the life you want for yourself.
 
You can’t even recognize who you are anymore.
 
Think Good Thoughts
Marcus Aurelius’ quote rings true here, “A man’s life is what his thoughts make of it.”
It’s then that you should decide to make a change.
 
Recondition yourself by recognizing negative thoughts and how they affect your emotions.
 
This thinking about your thinking is what psychologists refer to as metacognition. It’s one of the best ways to find out what’s causing your thought patterns.
 
As with most things, reconditioning your thoughts takes time. Brace yourself for a few bumps along the way but stick with it.
 
You’ll realize it’s the only way to become aware of the link between your thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Only then will you be able to regain control and live the life you deserve.

Seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective tool for dealing with certain mental disorders. This type of therapy focuses on the idea that our thoughts, behavior, and emotions are all linked.
 
The best thing about CBT is it’s all about your present, rather than focusing on past events. After all, it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
 
Through CBT, you learn how to challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT is also unique in that it assigns practical work outside each session.
 
It’s a great way to see first-hand how thoughts influence behavior. You’ll be able to start living with intention.

Check out some of the most common CBT strategies:

*Exposure: Coming face-to-face with your fears to confront and overcome stress and apprehension
*Mindfulness: Focusing on the present moment through steady breathing and your five senses
*Skills training: Practicing certain skills through role-playing, modeling, and mock scenarios

The Takeaway

Now, it’s time for a little challenge. Become more conscious of your thoughts, both the good and the bad.
 
Negative thoughts hold you back from living life to the fullest. They keep you shackled in a tiring cycle of self-doubt, fear, and panic.
 
On the flip side, positive thoughts make you feel good about yourself. They lift your mood, boost your motivation, and encourage you to work hard.
 
So, work on rewiring your brain to think happy, positive thoughts. Getting started may be difficult in the beginning, but it’s worth it in the long run.
 
Your future self will thank you!
 
JohnK 12-20-2021
 
 
Stick figure hears about thoughtsOverheard: “Our thoughts make us what we are”
                             ~Dale Carnegie
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for thoughts
 

Trouble Staying Focused? This Might Help

December 13, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Your focus needs to be laser-like. But for some reason it tends to wander. These few reminders from GenuLines will help keep you on the beam.

Trouble Staying Focused? This Might Help
We all have days when we’re struggling to stay focused on our work. One of the first things you should look at is distractions.
 
Various things and people can keep us from concentrating and getting work done. Let’s look at what shape and form these distractions may take and what you can do to lose them.
 
kids focus 
 
Then we’ll look at how you can get back to staying focused.
 
Physical Distractions
First the obvious. There can be all sorts of things that distract you in your office, or around your desk. This could be your phone blinking each time you get a new social media alert or email.
 
It could be your email program on your laptop notifying you of incoming messages. It could be your phone ringing, or that pile of files sitting on the corner of your desk that you know you need to deal with.
 
If you’re working at home it could also be that sink full of dirty dishes. Or the washing machine beeping to let you know it’s finished.
 
The key here is to realize that you’re in control of your work space. Turn your phone to silent and stick it in a drawer, or lay it upside down while you’re working.
 
Turn off the phone’s ringer, and either deal with the files now, or stick them in a drawer until you can take a look at them. Cut out the physical distractions as much as possible.
 
Then work on staying focused and getting your work done. The key here is also to make a conscious choice of when to deal with things that tend to interrupt you.
 
Distracting People
People who show up and distract you can be a little harder to deal with. You need to work with others.
 
You want to cultivate friendships. And there are times when you have to deal with a family situation, no matter how big a work deadline you have looming.
 
Setting expectations helps. So does making it clear that there are times when you need to shut your office door.
 
If you can set aside a time and make a schedule of sorts. Let people know when you must work without interruption.
 
At other times having an open door can help. This works well with co-workers, but also with family and friends.
 
Mental Distractions
Last but not least there are mental distractions. They can be the trickiest to keep at bay since there’s not a lot you can do to shut them out completely.
 
Thoughts will pop into your head and do their best to distract you. It helps to keep a notepad nearby.
 
You can jot those thoughts down. Later you can go back and check on things after you’re done with your task.
 
For example, if you’re worried if your check cleared, make a note.
Then get back to work.
 
Check your online bank account during your break.
By writing it down, you don’t have to worry about remembering to do it.
 
JohnK 12-13-2021
 
stick figure hears about focusOverheard: “Focus does not mean saying yes, it means saying no”
                                ~Steve Jobs
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for focus

You Might Not Be Who You Think You Are

December 6, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

You think of yourself in a certain way. Yet that way may not be who you really are.

Puzzling as it can be, GenuLines points the way to more understanding.

You Might Not Be Who You Think You Are

The famous psychologist, William James, once said, “You’re not what you think you are,man stops to think but what you think, you are!” This quote is a bit of a riddle.
 
But at its core, there’s a profound message: you’re in control of your destiny.
 
We know that it’s not always as easy as it sounds. This is why this post is all about self-exploration.
 
Let’s find out if you know exactly who you are. It may take you by surprise to realize that you might not be who you think you are.
 
 
Interested in finding out more? Then, let’s dive in!
 
The All-Powerful Mind
The mind is one of the most powerful tools you have in your arsenal. It can impact our moods, health, and pretty much our view of life.
 
Your mind is so powerful that it can make you ill, even when there’s actually nothing wrong with you.
 
Let’s say you’re stressed out about a job interview or an upcoming exam. Within a matter of days, all that anxiety will manifest itself in disease.
 
You may start experiencing digestive problems. Your blood pressure will start to rise.
 
Some people even start suffering from nausea, heart palpitations, and sweaty palms.
 
According to William James, if you create a mental picture of yourself—good or bad—you’ll begin to embody it. That’s how powerful your thoughts can be!
 
Your Self-Schema
Your schema is the collection of cognitive beliefs and generalizations of ourselves. We gather these from the experiences we go through and the messages we receive from other people.
 
These messages quite often dictate who we are and how we behave in certain situations.
 
In almost all cases, these perceptions develop without our even knowing about them. But they still have a big influence on how we see ourselves.
 
Whatever you believe is true, it will at some point become true for you.
 
Not all self-schemas are negative
Many of them can be good for your self-esteem and inspire you to achieve more, like:
I’m:
*talented
*outgoing
*athletic
 
Then, some self-schemas are incomplete, distorted, or inaccurate. As a result, they force us to view ourselves, our choices, and our entire world in a negative light.
 
They may make you feel hopeless, even worthless at times.
Some of these include:
I’m:
*lazy
*not successful
*overweight

See the Big Picture

 If you’ve experienced any type of trauma or anxiety, you know that a negative sense of self can follow. Low self-esteem and negative self-talk also develop soon after.
 
Leaving yourself vulnerable to these feelings of defeat and despair can be dangerous.
 
The scary part is that this distorted self-image of can affect anyone. It doesn’t target the weak or lonely.
 
It also happens to those who are resilient, courageous, or perseverant.
 
Always remember that you’re more than your self-schemas allow you to believe. Still, it can be hard to see the bigger picture, especially when times are tough.
 
Below are a few things you can do to provide support to yourself or someone you care about. They’re a good reminder of your self-worth and help you see yourself as your true, complete self.
 
Question the Accuracy of Self-Schemas
It’s easy to let others determine our perception of who we are, aka our schemas. Yet, the problem starts when we convince ourselves that that’s who we are as individuals.
 
The only way to avoid this is by taking some time to reflect. Ask yourself, “How accurate is this belief?
 
Does it reflect who I am?”
Remember that if others have drawn up a certain picture of you, it may be incomplete. It may even be 100% inaccurate.
 
No one knows who you are and what you’re capable of except you.
 
Take Control of Your Thoughts
Were you able to question the truth of certain aspects of yourself? You know now that other people’s perception of you isn’t always correct.
 
Once you recognize that, you can be aware of how unkind you can be to yourself. Don’t worry, we’re all victims of one form of self-sabotage or another.
 
At times, we can be our own worst enemies. Luckily, there are ways to avoid falling into that pit.
 
The simplest thing you can do is to emphasize the positive, no matter how small you may think they are.
 
Start with some strength-based affirmations, such as:
*I welcome change.
*I don’t waste time feeling sorry for myself.
*I’m grateful for all that I have.
 
Making mistakes doesn’t make me a failure.
Giving up isn’t an option.
 
Allow Yourself to Be Whole
You are the sum of all your parts. You’re not defined by a mistake you made at work- or by your successes.
 
You are a combination of your strengths and weaknesses, failures, and accomplishments. Allowing them to coexist is the first step to appreciating yourself and all you stand for.
 
JohnK 12-6-2021
 
stick figure hears how to thinkOverheard: “If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”
                                   ~Masaru Emoto, Secret Life of Water
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for think

Why You Might Be Failing at Self-care

November 29, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Are you falling down in the area of self-care? If so you’ve got a lot of company.

Time for a gentle reminder from GenuLines 

Why You Might Be Failing at Self-care  

picture of self care
 
You might know how important self-care is to your well-being. But it isn’t always easy to work it into your daily routine.
 
Here, we’ll look at why you often fail at this.
 
 
 
 
And we’ll look at the things that are holding you back.
 

It’s often perceived as selfish

One of the main reasons people fail to take care of themselves is because they feel it’s selfish. It could be that you feel guilty when you take time to focus on yourself.
 
Or, you may worry about what other people think.
 
It’s a total myth that self-care is selfish. In fact, it can help you to be a better parent, friend, spouse, and relative.
 
The more you take care of yourself, the easier you’ll find it to take care of others.
 
You’ll also show your children how important this is. Teaching them to take care of their own needs is a crucial life skill.
 
One that’s going to help them to grow up to be happier adults.

It requires effort

There’s no getting away from the fact that self-care does take some level of effort in the beginning. When you aren’t used to making self-care a priority, you’re going to need to make quite a few changes to your routine.
 
Coming up with a self-care plan can feel like a chore, making it easy to put off. But there are ways to reduce the effort.
 
For example, focusing on one thing you want to improve at a time can help. Would you like to start working out more?
 
Scheduling time to exercise as soon as you wake up, for example, can be a great start. Or, if you’re looking to drink more water, focus on that goal first.
 
If you break down your self-care tasks, it makes them much easier, reducing a lot of the effort involved.

Different approaches work for different people

Every one of us is different, and we enjoy different things. You might find more feel-good in going for a run than you do in yoga or meditation.
 
So you would list running as a self-care task.
 
If you find one approach isn’t working, try something else. Your decision should be personal and fit your own needs.
 
These are some of the most common reasons people fail to take good care of themselves. It can be difficult overcoming the initial barriers.
 
But when you understand what and how important it is, you’ll find it much easier to stick to a self-care routine.
 
JohnK 11-29-2021
chiforyourself.com home
 
stick man hears about self careOverheard: “When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself”
                            ~Paolo Coehlo
 
 
 
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Stop Worrying About What People Think

November 22, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Worrying isn’t good for much. Especially when you worry about what people think.

GenuLines wants to help you keep others’ opinions from getting to you. 

 

Stop Worrying About What People Think

Do you find yourself always doubting your decisions? Are you fretting over other people’s reactions to your actions or opinions?
 
worrying guy in hoodieIn this post, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you stop worrying about what people think of you. Learn how to use constructive criticism to your advantage.
 
Then filter out any negative judgment.
 
 
 
This will leave you less anxious and less overwhelmed. As a result, you can stay more focused on yourself and the best ways to achieve your goals.
 
Let’s get started.
 
Are People’s Opinions Holding You Back?
Worrying about what others think and feel about you is a normal part of our DNA. We’re programmed to seek others’ approval.
 
Studies show there’s a reward center that’s activated when we’re given a compliment.
 
Even if you sense people’s recognition of your hard work, your brains fire up those same reward centers.
 
So acceptance brings a good feeling. Yet we won’t find acceptance from everyone every time.
 
Problems start when we start pivoting our lifestyles to fit people’s expectations. We give others power over our lives and how we should live it.
 
Thus, we lose out on experiencing genuine living.
 
Next
After that, things go downhill and start spiraling out of control. Being stuck in that mind frame can be destructive to you and those around you.
 
Going down this unproductive path, you’ll be leaving a path of destruction in your wake. It will affect your job, your relationships, and your self-esteem.
 
How Can I Stop Worrying About What People Think?
Do some serious soul searching. Do you feel that your reality has shifted? Have you started to believe in other people’s version of who you are as opposed to the real you?
 
Then, it’s time to step up and take some actionable steps. You owe it to yourself to share the real you with the world.
 
We rounded some simple, yet effective, ways to help you break this vicious cycle. Read on to learn more.
 
Focus on What’s Important
Has someone said something unkind about you? Instead of letting it fester, don’t let it go to your head.
 
Chances are, that person won’t recall what they said in about ten minutes. Plus, what they say reflects who they are as a person.
 
If you think about it, it actually has very little to do with you.
 
In other words, their perceptions of you come from them. And you’re not responsible for how they feel or what they think, neither can you change any of it.
 
So, why waste your time fretting over something you have no control over?
 
Instead, channel that energy into something productive. You can learn a new skill, take up a class, or pick up an old hobby.
 
Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you enjoy.
 

Some things more worthy of your time

Spend quality time with friends and family

 
Smile at the barista serving your coffee or hold the door for someone
 
Surround yourself with people who encourage and support you
 
Volunteer at a local shelter or food bank
 
Take a walk through the park
 
Have dinner at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try
 
Highlight Your Accomplishments
We’ve all been through difficult times in our lives; some more than others. At the same time, we’ve all accomplished one thing or another.
 
It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose or elaborate. But it does have to mean something to you.
 
Like filing your taxes on time or making home-cooked meals for an entire week. Be proud of yourself and all the hard work you put in.
 
You can even write down these accomplishments and hang them up on your fridge or vanity mirror. Then every time you catch a glimpse of one of your achievements, say to yourself, “I did that!”
 
Say it over and over until your subconscious takes it in.
 
Uplifting Talk
Another way to boost your confidence is to practice saying encouraging statements. These will help build up your self-esteem and improve the way you view yourself.
 
Here are a few statements to get you inspired:
 
My self-confidence is on the rise.
 
I’m worthy of all good things.
 
I can’t control what happens, but I can control my reaction to them.
 
My ideas are great.
 
I’m blessed and appreciative of everyone and everything in my life.
 
Train Yourself to See the Positive
Our brains see the negative. They’re wired that way.
 
We complain, we blame others, and we dwell. This has to stop!
 
You can train your thoughts to be more positive. And you can do it in a healthy, productive way.
 
As a result, you become less anxious and more resilient.
 

Take an honest look at your weaknesses or flaws

We all have them.
 
Some are better at acknowledging and improving them than others. Why can’t that be you?
 
Write down a list of five things that bother you about yourself. Then, set some realistic goals to change them and reward yourself each time you reach one of your set goals.
 
Make sure you start small and work at your own pace. The point is to feel good about yourself, not overwhelm or burden you.
 
That kind of defeats the purpose.
 
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques are becoming popular because people are realizing the importance of self-care. These techniques aim at reducing stress levels and improving your health.
 
They also teach you the value of savoring the present.
 
When you focus on your today, you stop worrying about what happened in the past or what might happen in the future. These techniques can also help you stop worrying about what people think about you.
 
The great thing about them is that you can do them anywhere. Whenever you start to worry, remind yourself that you could be overreacting.
 
It’s likely that your colleagues aren’t judging you in the harsh way you think they are.
 
Take a few deep breaths and focus on anything around you: your coffee mug, a cloud, and your nails. Anything that can steer your thoughts to the present moment will do the trick!
 
Then, lo and behold, you’ll notice that your pulse is slowing down and so is your heart rate. Your anxiety will start to recede and you’ll realize you don’t care about what people think as much anymore.
 
JohnK 11-22-2021
 
Stick figure hears about worryingOverheard: “If only the people who worry about their liabilities would think about the riches they do possess, they would stop worrying.”
                                        ~Dale Carnegie
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for worrying

Are Emotional Vampires Draining You Dry?

November 15, 2021 John Uncategorized No comments

Those emotional vampires make you want to turn around and run the other way. And their effect can stay with you after they’re gone.

Today GenuLines helps you educate yourself to keep the vampires at bay. 

Are Emotional Vampires Draining You Dry?

The people around us affect our view of the world. And there are plenty of reasons why some people may drain your energy more than others.

An emotional vampire

You could be dealing with a narcissist or someone who complains most of the time.

If an emotional vampire is draining you dry, it’s time to start protecting your energy. Today we look at how to recognize the signs of an emotional vampire, and the best ways to protect your energy.
 

Understanding The Different Types of Emotional Vampires Emotional vampires come in a variety of forms.

They include:

 Victims Narcissists Constant talkers Controllers Drama queens
 
Each type of emotional vampire can leave an effect on you. You feel tired and deflated after being in their company.
 
The victim emotional vampire plays the victim, even when they’re the perpetrator. Narcissists are only interested in their own thoughts and feelings.
 
Constant talkers drain your mental energy.
 
They’re in your midst
Most of us know at least one type of emotional vampire in our lives. Not sure how to identify them?
 
There are a few signs to watch out for…
Tell-Tale Signs You Are Dealing with An Emotional Vampire
The main signs to watch out for include:
 
You feel mentally exhausted after spending time with them. Your depression or anxiety ratchet up.
 
You feel like they’re putting you down. You turn to comfort eating or drinking alcohol after being around them.
Protecting Your Energy
If you are dealing with an emotional vampire, how can you stop them from draining your energy? The good news is there are strategies you can use to deal with them.
 
First, if you can, you should distance yourself from the person. Avoid being around an emotional vampire.
 
Now, this isn’t always possible.
 

To thine own self

If you can’t distance yourself, make sure you’re practicing self-care. Taking care of yourself will allow you to feel more confident to set healthy boundaries.

 You’ll be more assertive and protective of your time.
 
So, if you don’t already, set aside time every day to focus on yourself. Take care of your own needs first.
 
Then watch how your energy and tolerance changes for negative people.
 
Getting help
If you’re struggling to handle an emotional vampire in your life, you can also turn to therapy. Seeking help from a professional will enable you to understand why you can’t deal with the problem.
 
And you’ll learn about solutions that can help.
 
Emotional vampires are everywhere today. It isn’t always possible to get away from them immediately.
 
But there are things you can do in the meantime to protect yourself and your energy.
 
JohnK 11-15-2021
 
stick figure hears emotional messageOverheard: “Genius is the ability to renew one’s emotions in daily experience”. 
                             ~Paul Cezanne
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for emotional vampires
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