GenuLines (blog) | Chi For Yourself

Find The Value In Criticism

February 11, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Where’s the value in criticism?

After all, taking criticism can put you in a funk.

Today GenuLines unpacks this thing called criticism and gives you some ways to put it on your side.

(click on the image below to listen to the article or scroll down to read)

Find The Value In Criticism

The concept of value is kind of unusual when you think about it. Most every person on earth has a different system when it comes to determining what’s important.

In general, the three things that we tend to value the most include our lives, our families and our jobs. And within each of those aspects, everyone will, again, have a very different value system.

And what is that system based on? What gives value to something?

(continue reading)

Often it’s determined by your upbringing, your experiences, and your education. This sets you apart from others.

And it touches off more than a few debates.

But who says those debates and differences have to be bad things?

You may meet someone who has the same values as you do, but there are still plenty of possible areas of disagreement. We all have different experiences and we all bring a different point of view to a relationship.

Value and Respect

Now let’s say that you have great respect for someone. Each of you has the same values in life.

You know their past. You could even say that you respect their opinion.

Now ask yourself if you would respect their criticism? Would you keep an open mind when it came to their critique of your work?

Is it only because you know them?

Why is it that we’ll value the criticism of a friend, but we’re quick to shy away from the criticism of a stranger? Don’t they hold the same value?

Could be it’s the mere fact that they don’t know us, they don’t know our experiences. But in reality, you don’t know their experiences or level of expertise either.

All too often we seem to equate the word value with respect. In some way, this seems to justify ignoring the opinions of someone we don’t know.

Or it could be that for personal reasons, we don’t care what their opinion is.

Does not knowing someone well mean we have to find no value or worth in their opinion? I mean, in the final analysis, criticism is an opinion.

What if we could find value in every opinion, of every criticism we ever received? Imagine how enriched our lives would be if we could put value to everyone’s opinion.

No matter who it’s coming from.

JohnK 2-11-2020

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Overheard: “The trouble with most of us is that we’d rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”

~Norman Vincent Peale

Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Don’t Let Anxiety Weigh You Down

February 5, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Anxiety is kind of like money. It’s a good servant but a terrible master.

GenuLines is here to help you take charge when anxious moments crop up.

(you can listen to the article by clicking on the “radio” or scroll down to read)

____________________

Don’t Let Anxiety Weigh You Down

Your quality of life takes a bit of a hit when anxiety is the order of your day. It puts your body on high alert.

You feel like you’re in danger, and that spikes your heart rate and gives you more stress and sweaty palms. Now, anxiety isn’t all bad.

It can motivate you, say, for a test or an interview. But in the workaday world, it’s pretty much useless.

If you think about them you could get anxious about things that are out of your control. The result is a terrible feeling that can cause you to lose sleep.

That loss of sleep often turns into a bad day. Too many of those and you start to see the effects on your body.

Upping the stakes

During times of unusual stress, our body releases a hormone called Cortisol. This, in turn, has been linked to weight gain.

When you’re stressed out you might reach for comfort foods. Things like chocolate or salty snacks.

Those will cause you to pack on the pounds.

Now, combine that with the added stress and lack of sleep and you risk heart disease. It takes some time for the physical debilitation to manifest itself.

But the mental effects of anxiety are immediate. A severe case can make each day a grind.

You constantly seem stressed out and fearful.

As anxiety starts to spiral out of control, you may come up with coping mechanisms. For instance, you might start avoiding people and stressful situations.

You find yourself only able to grocery shop during off-hours. Or you won’t feel like leaving the house at all.

Your high anxiety can morph into depression.

It gets hard to find the energy to get out of bed in the morning and face life. Operating on high alert and pumped full of adrenalin is exhausting.

Staying in bed seems like a much better alternative.

If you find your anxiety is weighing your life down get professional help. Anxiety can be debilitating.

But there’s help to be had and plenty of tools that can help you get back to where you want to be.

JohnK 2-5-2020

ChiForYourself.com home page

Overheard: “My anxiety doesn’t come from thinking about the future but from wanting to control it.”

~Hugh Prather, Notes to Myself

Article Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash

Five Effective Ways to Find Inspiration

January 28, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Inspiration can come to you in a flash. But it can also avoid you when you need it most.

GenuLines invites you to read on for some ways to get access to this thing called inspiration.

(you can listen to the article by clicking on below or scroll down to read)

____________________

Five Effective Ways to Find Inspiration

At a loss for inspiration? Here are five techniques you can use to try and coax something new and exciting out of your brain.

They won’t always work, but give them a shot. They may just surprise you!

Go for a Walk

Walks are inspiring for many reasons. For starters, they allow us to take a break from what we’re doing and to change our environment.

In turn, this leads to new input. This can help us to gain a new perspective on whatever problem or task we’re wrestling with.

At the same time, walking is a monotonous task that allows our default mode network to kick in.

You could end up daydreaming, which is often, a source of great inspiration.

Ask the Right Questions

Sometimes, inspiration is merely asking the right questions. This can help to re-frame the problem and see it in a new way.

Let’s say you’re wondering how to solve a problem and you can’t come up with an answer. Make up a name.

Then try asking yourself how ‘Johnny’ would approach it. Likewise, instead of thinking about what you want something to be, decide what you don’t want it to be.

Take a Break

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to spark some creativity or solve a problem is to take a break. With a time-out, you stop trying to force the idea.

You ease your stress, and that lets ideas come to you much easier. This is why we’re often encouraged to sleep on big decisions.

Listen to Music

Music can be a great inspiration. It alters our mood and energy level and takes us to different places.

Often, you’ll find that music can leave you lost in thought. So try listening to some tracks while you mull over a subject, and see if that helps.

Talk it Over

You’ve seen ideas depicted as light bulbs. Or, as lightning strikes that show up in a flash, fully formed.

When you ask them most people admit that their best ideas formed slowly. They’ll tell you that they gestated for days, months, or even years before showing up.

Often, the best ideas come to us when we discuss them with other people. Even if we’re just thinking aloud, this can help us to see new perspectives.

And it can lead to new breakthroughs.

JohnK 1-28-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out”

~John Wooden

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

January 21, 2020 John Uncategorized One comment

Your morning routine is on automatic pilot for the most part. You don’t give it much thought.

But what if you tweaked your routine a bit? It could help send you on your way to more success in life.

GenuLines explains how that works.

(You can listen to this article by clicking on this player)

____________________

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

How would it feel to start your day motivated and organized? It would be great, wouldn’t it?

You’d know what you were doing, and that everything was sorted out. You’d feel brilliant.

It wouldn’t take much to get a great start to your day every day. The key is to create a morning routine that motivates and organizes you for success; every day.

One of the secrets of success for the very successful is a morning routine. It doesn’t need to be complex nor does it have to be time-consuming to create or follow.

First, you’ll need to commit to planning it. Then practice it daily until it becomes a habit.

Now let’s look at the morning routine of motivated and organized people:

Early Start

Forget about long lie-ins and putting the alarm on snooze every 5 minutes. Set your alarm for an hour (or even two) earlier than normal and see your productivity soar.

The early start may be tough at first. But if you go to bed earlier and get enough sleep you’ll soon notice a positive difference.

Positive Visualization and Affirmations

Set the tone of your day with a positive charge. Visualize your success from the get-go.

Use positive affirmations. To boost their efficacy display those affirmations where you can see them often.

Do this step within the first 20 minutes of waking. The affirmations will reach your subconscious before your conscious mind takes over.

Exercise

Do some form of exercise. It will get your blood flowing, send oxygen through your body, and generally wake up your entire system.

You don’t need to go for a 5-mile run every day. Your regimen could consist of morning stretching, yoga or Tai Chi.

These will help calm and ground you as well as provide time for inner contemplation.

Hydration

Make sure you keep your body hydrated. Many people start their day with a glass of water and lemon.

Herbal tea or green juice are also good choices for an early morning drink to get your day started the right way.

Planning

When you know what needs to be done you increase your chances of having a successful day. Have a to-do list ready and identify the order of priority.

Make sure the list isn’t too long, 10 items or fewer is an ideal length.

Nutrition

A healthy breakfast fuels your body for the day ahead. You’ll feel more alert.

And you’ll be better able to concentrate on what needs to get done.

Reading

Take some time to read. A few minutes of inspiring material will help you be positive and motivated.

Even 10 minutes can be enough to get your mind working and your motivation kick-started.

The list of possible reading material is endless. From biographies to self-help the writers can inspire you and even act as role models.

Money Tasks

Somewhere during your day, you want to do something that will either make you money or keep you from spending it. Pay your bills so that you don’t get overdue notices and charges.

Kitchen Patrol

Prep the day’s meals so that you don’t feel tempted to get take out when you’re feeling tired at the end of the day. Load the dishwasher.

Clear (and clean) the kitchen counters.

If you want to have a successful day, start it in a positive way. Having a morning routine will ensure that you’re organized for success.

And you’ll feel motivated from the start.

JohnK 1-22-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “The sun is new each day”

~Heraclitus

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life (re-sending)

January 21, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Your morning routine is on automatic pilot for the most part. You don’t give it much thought.

But what if you tweaked your routine a bit? It could help send you on your way to more success in life.

GenuLines explains how that works.

(You can listen to this article by clicking on the player below)

____________________

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

How would it feel to start your day motivated and organized? It would be great, wouldn’t it?

You’d know what you were doing, and that everything was sorted out. You’d feel brilliant.

It wouldn’t take much to get a great start to your day every day. The key is to create a morning routine that motivates and organizes you for success; every day.

One of the secrets of success for the very successful is a morning routine. It doesn’t need to be complex nor does it have to be time-consuming to create or follow.

First, you’ll need to commit to planning it. Then practice it daily until it becomes a habit.

Now let’s look at the morning routine of motivated and organized people:

Early Start

Forget about long lie-ins and putting the alarm on snooze every 5 minutes. Set your alarm for an hour (or even two) earlier than normal and see your productivity soar.

The early start may be tough at first. But if you go to bed earlier and get enough sleep you’ll soon notice a positive difference.

Positive Visualization and Affirmations

Set the tone of your day with a positive charge. Visualize your success from the get-go.

Use positive affirmations. To boost their efficacy display those affirmations where you can see them often.

Do this step within the first 20 minutes of waking. The affirmations will reach your subconscious before your conscious mind takes over.

Exercise

Do some form of exercise. It will get your blood flowing, send oxygen through your body, and generally wake up your entire system.

You don’t need to go for a 5-mile run every day. Your regimen could consist of morning stretching, yoga or Tai Chi.

These will help calm and ground you as well as provide time for inner contemplation.

Hydration

Make sure you keep your body hydrated. Many people start their day with a glass of water and lemon.

Herbal tea or green juice are also good choices for an early morning drink to get your day started the right way.

Planning

When you know what needs to be done you increase your chances of having a successful day. Have a to-do list ready and identify the order of priority.

Make sure the list isn’t too long, 10 items or fewer is an ideal length.

Nutrition

A healthy breakfast fuels your body for the day ahead. You’ll feel more alert.

And you’ll be better able to concentrate on what needs to get done.

Reading

Take some time to read. A few minutes of inspiring material will help you be positive and motivated.

Even 10 minutes can be enough to get your mind working and your motivation kick-started.

The list of possible reading material is endless. From biographies to self-help the writers can inspire you and even act as role models.

Money Tasks

Somewhere during your day, you want to do something that will either make you money or keep you from spending it. Pay your bills so that you don’t get overdue notices and charges.

Kitchen Patrol

Prep the day’s meals so that you don’t feel tempted to get take out when you’re feeling tired at the end of the day. Load the dishwasher.

Clear (and clean) the kitchen counters.

If you want to have a successful day, start it in a positive way. Having a morning routine will ensure that you’re organized for success.

And you’ll feel motivated from the start.

JohnK 1-22-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “The sun is new each day”

~Heraclitus

A Plant-Based Diet: Is It For You?

January 15, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

The Plant-Based Diet is getting a good bit of attention lately. People want to be pro-active in their health, and what they put into their bodies is a good place to start.

GenuLines takes a look at the Plant-Based Diet and whether it might a good fit in your life. To your health!

A Plant-Based Diet: Is It For You?

The phrase “Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) Diet” is flexible. It can apply to any number of different eating styles.

The main difference? WFPB is characterized by what it includes rather than what it excludes.

There are lots of studies showing the benefits that come from eating a WFPB diet.

Those benefits start with a baseline of better nutrition. This is a given, but better nutrition is where a healthier body always starts.

It fuels our bodies. And it’s our defense against long-term chronic and avoidable lifestyle diseases.

Better nutrition

Most of us know that fruits and vegetables are healthy sources of nutrition. Yet we don’t eat anywhere near enough of them, let alone eat the recommended amounts.

Why not?

After all, they’re nutrient-dense edibles rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Plus, they’re delicious.

Disliking or avoiding a specific fruit or vegetable is fine. Same with fruits that you have to clean, cut, or carve.

Children often get finicky with things like broccoli, and that’s okay, too.

Still, science tells us that better nutrition comes from a nutrient-dense diet. The kind that’s filled with fruits and vegetables rather than processed meats. (Tuso, Ismail, Ha, & Bartolotto, 2013)

The same is true even for refined grains.

So, if you don’t like to carve your honeydews ask your produce department to carve it for you. Most grocery stores offer that service, but you have to ask.

And be persistent with children who like to avoid broccoli. Keep offering it.

In time your 5-year-old may surprise you and try something new after all.

Better health for your heart

A plant-based diet significantly reduces the risk of Cardiovascular Disease. WFPB diets can lower blood pressure, enhancing blood sugar control, and lowering cholesterol.

Choosing a WFPB diet is one of the best natural ways to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases on the whole.

Increased longevity

A WFPB diet might help you live longer. It reduces your risk of premature death due to untreated chronic lifestyle illnesses.

These include high blood pressure, CVD, obesity, and some cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists red meat consumption as a “likely carcinogen.” (Harvard Medical School, 201)

That’s not to say that consuming red meat is inherently dangerous. Occasional consumption of meats, including red meat, is allowable by some WFPB diets. (Think Mediterranean diet)

It’s a higher consumption of red meat that’s the culprit. That’s linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers like colorectal.

A plant-based diet will not only help your body become healthier but also help you live longer.

Lower cancer risk

Research also turns thumbs down on too much processed or red meat in the diet. The connection here is colorectal cancer. (Harvard Medical School, 2018).

But something good happens when we eat fruits, legumes, grains, and veggies on a regular basis. The risk of cancer and other chronic illnesses goes down.

This is because plants contain disease-fighting phytochemicals that can thwart cancer.

Lower rates of obesity

One of the main challenges of our modern lifestyle is obesity (Tuso, Ismail, Ha, & Bartolotto, 2013). We have plenty of ways to counter obesity at our disposal.

But the most effective is the diet.

Choosing to stick to a WFPB is an effective weight-loss strategy. Obesity is a risk factor for all the chronic and lifestyle illnesses listed above.

A nutritional approach to diabetes kick starts your process to better health.

The results? A healthier BMI, and the stunting of chronic illness like high blood pressure and CVD.

There’s no shortage of studies that factor in WFPB diets in relation to health and longevity.

This body of evidence seems to support WFPB diets.

And their many health benefits.

JohnK 1-15-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “Gluttony is not a secret vice”

~Orson Welles

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve (pt 2)

January 8, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Your goals are important to you. That’s why GenuLines used two days to cover the topic.

Today we offer some takeaway thoughts toward reaching your goals and building your genuine life!

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve (pt 2)

Be Measurable

At which point have you achieved the goal? If you can’t come up with a number or something that’s measurable, then you won’t have a real goal.

Let’s say you want your business to earn x number of dollars each week by a certain date. You would work out the how and why you’re going to do it.

Be Actionable

To achieve any goal there have to be steps you can take to get there. It’s like using a map to reach a vacation destination.

You need to draw a map to your vision of success with the steps and paths you’ll take along the way. Put not only what but when, and how you’ll reach your endpoint.

Be Realistic

You don’t want to work toward a goal that’s too hard to achieve or worse, impossible. Make sure to do thorough research and be realistic about your expectations.

For example, you’re not likely going to start a business today and earn six figures by tomorrow. Or even your first year in business.

Look at the research and determine what is doable and how you’ll do it.

Be Timely

Every goal has to have a time limit otherwise you may never achieve it. Start at the end and work your way back to today.

Create a list of things to do each day to finally reach the end result. But, do set a time limit. You can adjust as you get into the project if it works to be more realistic.

But resist the urge to change the time because you’re not sticking to your task lists.

Now Create!

Keep these points in mind to create powerful goals that you can achieve.

You’ll reduce your failure chances because:

you can always adjust your timeline and your goals
you’ll learn as you move along in the process

The important thing is to give each goal a lot of thought, consideration, and study before setting it.

JohnK 1-8-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “All successful people have a goal. No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do”

~Norman Vincent Peale

Article Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve

January 7, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Goals are a sort-of road map on your life’s journey. You want them to be satisfying, yes. But you don’t want them to be too challenging.

In this first of a two part post GenuLines offers a map to guide you on a comfortable and rewarding trip!

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve

Say you need a fresh start? O.K., you want to challenge yourself, but you don’t want to make things so tough that you fail.

First we’ll look inside, at the things that are important to you. And we’ll make sure that these goals are even doable.

Match Your Core Values

Start with four main areas in your life.

Family
Financial
Physical
Personal

The better you goal fits into one or more of these the more likely your goal is achievable.

If for some reason a goal doesn’t fit into one of your core values, it’s not likely you’ll experience much success.

Be 100 Percent in Control

Goals that rely on others are not necessarily wrong. But they can be harder to achieve.

A goal you control 100 percent is one that you can reach.

Make sure fear isn’t getting in your way. Be realistic about whether you do have control or not and give yourself more credit. And, don’t blame fate for your setbacks.

Don’t think you lack control over your financial future because “that’s just how it is,”

Be Able to Envision the Goal

If you can’t see the end result, it will be very difficult to move forward toward achieving the goal. If you need to draw a picture, make a vision board.

Or take a day off to fantasize about your big dreams. Imagine how it all fits together in the big picture of your life. You need to see the end to be able to achieve it.

Be Specific-Spell It Out

Every goal you set needs to be very exact in nature. If you want to be sure to reach the goal, you have to know when you’ve actually reached it. Instead of saying “I want to start a business,” state exactly what type of business you want to start.

Know who you want as your clients. Know all you can to make the goal more concrete.

JohnK 1-7-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.”

~Seneca the Younger

2020 Vision For a New Year

January 1, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

So 2020 has arrived. You’ve looked forward to it. ‘Gonna make lots of changes. But will you actually make those changes?

GenuLines is here to take inventory of some of the most popular resolutions, and to add a few you may want to consider.

We begin with a look back at a GenuLines post from 2011

Ready..set..2020!

We’re off to the resolution races- lose 20 pounds, move to a nicer address, take that tropical vacation.

As we move into another year I know that many of us are asking: What is it that really matters this year?

Are your New Year’s resolutions about the small things–getting organized, losing weight, getting in shape, being a little kinder…or about something wider and deeper?

There’s nothing wrong with making small commitments, but are they enough for you and who you intend to become, what you know you must do in this world?

Or are you ready to step into something bigger and more radical–daring to fulfill your passion to evolve not only a better self but a better world and a more enlightened future?

May I suggest some inward inspection to start the process? Ask yourself:

What is happening in my life?
How is my health?
How is/are my relationship(s)? Really, how are they?
How are my finances?
Do I enjoy my work?

Just a few ideas to take care of the inner self so that the outer results might be more satisfying.

Happy New Year!

JohnK 1-1-2020

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

~Seneca

Article Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success

December 27, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments

Happiness runs on a diet of success. That seems to make sense.

But GenuLines asks you to consider a different path to happiness.

Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success

It’s easy to simplify happiness and say that it’s obvious that successful people are happy. But if you interviewed 100 successful people you might find otherwise.

You can have wealth, great spouse and kids, and yet not be happy.

Turn the equation around and you find that happiness fuels success.

The Effect on Productivity

When people are happy with their work, they approach it more with a more cheerful attitude (some say they’d do it for nothing) When you have good health, food, and shelter you can find joy doing the most mundane things.

You focus on outcomes instead of effort.

The Bottom Line

Certain companies offer living wages, benefits, and flexible schedules. This can result in higher profits for the employer.

When people feel respected they’re likely happier about work, even when it’s hard.

Stability

When people are happy, they tend to be a lot more stable. They stick to tasks longer, and are more likely to complete an assignment.

They tend to job hop a lot less, too. This is one reason smart employers know that by making work a happy place they can reduce turnover.

A Better Work Ethic

People often think of work ethic as something that grows out of adversity. Happy people tend to stick to their jobs longer and work even harder.

They put their positive energy into envisioning the outcomes.

Don’t Bet on Wealth

An unhappy wealthy person may even be hateful. They seem to have everything but happiness.

Bank balances look good but don’t always make you feel good.

A New Attitude

It may surprise you but happiness can color your view of the world. You’ll see brighter outcomes regardless of your situation.

Staying In The Now

If you’re happy today you’re more likely to eat right, move more, get your work done, and do everything well. Of course, that can affect the future too.

Mindset

Still, doubt that happiness comes from your mindset? With some effort, you can train yourself to have a happier and more positive mindset.

This can work during tough times, too.

You can realize happiness now regardless of your life situation.

Accept that possibility while at the same time planning to make changes.

JohnK 12-27-2019

chiforyourself.com home

Overheard: “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re

happy”

~Anton Chekhov

« Older Entries Recent Entries »

Chi For Yourself

Raising Consciousness..Living Genuinely!

Value and Respect

Share this:

Don’t Let Anxiety Weigh You Down

Upping the stakes

Share this:

Five Effective Ways to Find Inspiration

Ask the Right Questions

Take a Break

Talk it Over

Share this:

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

Early Start

Exercise

Hydration

Share this:

A Good Morning Routine Can Change Your Life

Early Start

Exercise

Hydration

Share this:

A Plant-Based Diet: Is It For You?

Why not?

Better health for your heart

Lower cancer risk

Lower rates of obesity

Share this:

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve (pt 2)

Be Measurable

Be Actionable

Be Realistic

Be Timely

Now Create!

Share this:

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve

Match Your Core Values

Share this:

Ready..set..2020!

Share this:

Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success

Share this:

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