Tag Archive for Chi For Yourself

Lesson Learned On A School Bus

March 14, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Often the most important lessons you learn are outside of the classroom?  And they can double as stories you tell again and again throughout your life.

Today via GenuLines I share one of those with you.

Lesson Learned On A School Bus

It was sort of a side hustle. A job that would back up another job that would fund my college tuition.
 
lesson on chalkboard
 
I was a 22 year old school bus driver.
 
Most of my driving consisted of extra curricular activities and outings. One of those involved a field trip for kids from an inner city school in Pittsburgh.
 

 

Off we go

This group was like most. Talking, laughing, happy for a break from their stuffy classrooms.
 
We headed for the park and its wide open spaces. As I wheeled toward the entrance there was an anticipation that was palpable.
 
Everyone piled out of the vehicle full of happy expectation- with one exception.
 
The boy
He stayed in his seat, saying nothing and sort of staring into space. I wondered why he wanted to stay inside and miss a chance to enjoy the day with his friends.
 
I made an attempt to open him up a bit. It didn’t do much good.
 
He mumbled his responses and I couldn’t make them out. I did convince him to get up and go outside and I was sure he was going to run to catch up with the group.
 
But he didn’t.
 
He stood there in the same quiet state that kept him entranced during the ride. I thought the best thing for me to do was go back inside the bus and leave him to his thoughts.
 
But after a minute or so I heard, and felt, a loud bang on the side of the bus. Then there was another.
 
Ready, aim..
Outside the bus I saw this boy picking up chunks of dried mud from the parking lot. He was breaking off pieces and throwing them at the bus.
 
And I mean throwing them with a gusto a major league baseball scout would have admired.
 
This time I thought it best to get him back to his seat and away from any people who might be in the area. And now I questioned him in a more persistent way.
 
But his answers didn’t shed any light on why he would target a 72 passenger bus for a shelling. I did manage to keep him engaged in conversation.
 
And then the talk switched to movies.
 
Scene and heard
He volunteered that he had recently seen the movie Jaws. As he took me through the scenes of the movie he became more upbeat and animated.
 
I hadn’t yet seen the movie. But I didn’t mind hearing about the final scene without a spoiler alert.
 
The rest of the kids came back from their visit and we headed back to the school. I felt glad that I could diffuse the situation.
 
But I started to wonder what kind of a life this boy might be going back to.
 
Is he ignored in a dysfunctional house? Do his needs go unmet?
 
Is he a victim of violence?
 
Learning curve
Would this experience change the boy’s life? Probably not. 
 
But it taught the driver the importance of listening and caring. And that lesson would never show up on a college syllabus. 
 
JohnK 3-14-2022
 
Stick figure hears about lessonsOverheard: “Some people come in our life as blessings. Some come in your life as lessons.”
                                 ~Mother Teresa
 
 

 

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Eight “Bad” Habits That Are Actually Good for You

March 7, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Some habits we break, while other habits we make. But some of the not so good ones can work in your favor.

Join us as GenuLines unwraps this riddle for you. 

 

Eight “Bad” Habits That Are Actually Good for You

picture of habits

 
Believe it or not, some bad habits are good for you. Your parents may have tried to punish you out of or control us out of doing these things.
 
Of course, everything in moderation, right? Let’s look at eight “bad” habits that are actually good for you that you can stop trying to end now.
 

 

1. Fidgeting

If you tend to wiggle a lot, your mom might have tried to stop it. Your partner might try too.
 
Yet, fidgeting is good for you because it burns more calories and keeps your blood moving.
 
This is especially true if you have a job that requires a lot of sitting. Sitting is comparable to smoking in damaging health.
 
So anything that can undo that damage is a good thing.
 
2. Gum Chewing
Sugarless gum is good for you. That’s if you have the right dental work or your own teeth.
 
Chewing gum burns calories and helps you eat less. It freshens your breath and also cuts down on cavities.
 
3. Video Games
While there may be some games that aren’t worth the added benefit. But in general playing video games helps with developing fine motor skills.
 
It keeps the mind nimble. And by some reports can help give relief for chronic pain conditions by taking your mind off the problem.
 
4. Daydreaming
Finding a way to allow your mind to get bored enough to be able to daydream is very good for your mind. It clarifies your goals in life, too.
 
You won’t create lofty goals for your life if you can’t daydream.
 
5. Swearing
Most of us feel that swearing is inappropriate. But studies show that swearing in a certain way reduces stress.
 
Remember that swearing is completely different from a slur. A slur is something you say about a person, whilst a swearword is a curse word – otherwise known as an expletive.
 
6. Messiness
If you are a messy person by nature, take heart; you’re likely also a very creative person. Messiness is sometimes a sign of creativity.
 
If you want to be more creative, don’t become messy on purpose. But realize that sometimes being messy is part of the creative process.
 
7. Sleeping in Late
They say that “the early bird gets the worm,” but does it? Sleeping well and enough each night is important to your health and brain function.
 
If you stayed up late and need to sleep in and it won’t cause you to get fired or miss something important – go for it.
 
8. Passing Gas
Passing gas is a normal action. It gets rid of built-up gas from your digestive tract. to prevent bloating and pain.
 
Of course, you don’t want to do some of these things when other people are around. But it’s okay to accept some of them as part of who you are and part of living life.
 
As long as you can choose the habits you create, you can build a life in line with what you want it to be.
 
JohnK 3-7-2022
 
Stick figure hears about habitsOverheard: “The truth is that everyone is bored, and devotes himself to cultivating habits”                                       
                          ~Albert Camus, The Plague
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for habits
 
 

Stress Management In Easy Steps

February 28, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Living in times of stress can leave you feeling as though there’s nothing you can do about it. Each stressful event seems to dish out more than the one before. 

Take some of the stress off your plate with this GenuLines look at stress management, 

Stress Management In Easy Steps

man relieves stress

 

Feeling at least occasional levels of stress in life is unavoidable, But you don’t have to feel it at all times.

We can often prevent stressful incidents and decrease our negative reactions to them.

 
In fact, many times all we have to do to reduce our stress is to acknowledge that it’s there. And in many areas of our lives, there are steps we can and should take toward effective stress management.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Managing time
Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends. And they can help your general performance and productivity.
 
This will help reduce your stress.
 
To improve your time management:
 
· Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.
 
· Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.
 
· Rank tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.
 
· Manage your commitments by not over-or under committing. Don’t commit to what is not important to you.
 
· Deal with procrastination by using a day planner. Break large projects into smaller ones.
 
And set short-term deadlines.
 
· Examine your beliefs to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like.
 

Build healthy coping strategies

It’s important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording stressful events, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal.
 
Knowing this, you can work to turn unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones. Those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.
 

Lifestyle

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not be a direct cause of stress.
 
But they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief.
 
Try to:
 
· Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
 
· Have a sense of purpose in life.
 
· Get enough sleep. Your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
 
· Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
 
· Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
 
· Limit your consumption of alcohol.
 
· Don’t smoke.
 

Social support

Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. It’s the kind you get from family, friends, and the community.
 
It shows how they love, esteem, and care for you. Studies link this to good mental and physical health.
 

Ways of thinking

When an event triggers negative thoughts you can experience a cascade of reactions. Like fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt. and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness.
 
These emotions trigger the body’s stress, much like an actual threat does. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.
 
· Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help calm you.
 
· Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating negative thoughts. Anticipating the worst.
 
And giving the event an incorrect interpretation.
 
· Problem-solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it.
 
· Change your communication style. You’ll get your views across and others won’t feel put down, hostile, or intimidated.
 
This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication.
 
Anybody can get stressed. You don’t have to have a high-powered job or any job at all.
 
In fact, unemployment is stressful in itself. Whether you’re the mail guy, the CEO, or the average parent, stress is going to affect you from time to time.
 
How you deal with it is what counts.
 
JohnK 2-28-2022
 
stick man hears about stressOverheard: “ In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers”
                                                   ~Fred Rogers
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by SHVETS production from Pexels
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for stress
 

Signs Your Current Routine Needs an Update

February 21, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Your daily routine can be so hum-drum that you don’t even notice. This can leave you feeling that you’re sort of stuck in “neutral.” 

Get your life back in high gear with this GenuLines look at how you can get back up to speed, 

Signs Your Current Routine Needs an Update

Daily routines can be invaluable for improving our lives. But they aren’t all equal.
 
When you’re creating your first routine, there are several things you may miss out on or get wrong. At first, it may have worked for you.
 
But now you’ve stopped seeing the progress you wanted.
 
As humans, we change and evolve over time. Where you are now and how you feel willDull routine look completely different from how it did a year ago.
 
This means, what works for us, in the beginning, may not work for us further down the line.
 
Not sure whether your routine is working for you? Examine the issues, situations, and signs below.
 
They can help you decide if you need to hit the “refresh” button.
 
 
 
 
You find the routine is difficult to stick to
The right routine will become easy to follow over time. But, all routines need effort in the beginning.
 
When you’re making changes, the mind needs time to adjust. It has to re-learn different patterns of behavior.
 
It’s often said that it takes around 21 days to build up consistent habits. If you’re still struggling after 21 days, it could be a sign you need to change it.
 
You don’t see the value in it anymore
When you first start following a routine, it adds a lot of value to your life. It can boost energy levels, reduce stress, and make you feel happier.
 
You’ll have few problems identifying the value in the things you’re doing.
 
If you’re struggling to see the value in your routine, changing it up can help. Over time, you change and the things that once helped you are no longer relevant.
 
This means it’s important to make changes as you and your circumstances change.
 
There is no room for spontaneity
Daily routines create structure. Yet you want to leave some room for flexibility.
 
Life is unpredictable and it needs factoring into your routine. If you make it too strict, you’ll find it’s much harder to follow.
 
Stick to including the most important tasks in your routine. These include habits to improve your mornings.
 
Don’t aim to create a strict timeline of how your day should go.
 
You find change more difficult now
One of the great things about a daily routine is that it gives you structure. And it should leave room for change, too.
 
If you use your daily routine to avoid change, it’s time to stop.
 
Many people find that change is a lot tougher if they’ve been following a strict routine. Such as adjusting to a rigid new schedule.
 
Any change can leave you feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. But it’s important to be open to change so re-doing your routine may be necessary.
 
These are some of the top signs you may need to update your current routine. Remember, over time you may need to alter your routines.
 
You’ll be making room for any lifestyle and personal changes.
 
JohnK 2-21-2022
 
stick figure hears about routineOverheard:  “The fixity of a habit is generally in direct proportion to its absurdity”
                                      ~Marcel Proust
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for routine

Taking Action Even When You’re Scared to Death

February 14, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You visualize taking action. But thinking about it grips you with fear. 

This GenuLines report can help you take action while putting fear on the back foot. 

Taking Action Even When You’re Scared to Death

Fear is a normal emotion. Sometimes it can be beneficial because it makes you aware of risks.
 
It also keeps you alert, and improves mental focus.
 
man with fearBut too much fear will have the opposite effect. Don’t fret since even the most successful people experience this feeling.
 
The key is to prevent it from dictating your actions.

 

 

The many shades of fear

This human emotion isn’t all black and white. Fear can take many forms. They range from mild anxiety to downright debilitating over thinking under certain circumstances.
 
It can protect you from danger and stop impulsive behaviors. But because it’s closely tied into your gut instinct, it can also help you improve your decision.
 
Not all types of fear are good for you. In fact, this emotion often does more harm than good.
 
It can stop you from reaching your full potential, fuel procrastination.

It can cause stress

Let’s say you want to quit your nine to five job and start a creative agency or work as a freelance web designer. You might be afraid that you’ll lose time and money if things don’t workout as you planned.
 
But what if you won’t have enough clients? Or what if you get sick and can’t work anymore?
 
The risks are real, so it’s normal to experience fear. But you’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t try.
 
Who knows, you might have a huge success and build a loyal customer base five years from now. You could have enough money to buy the home of your dreams.
 
Do you want to live your life wondering what if?
 
How to Conquer Your Fear
No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to get rid of fear completely. Instead, you can make it your ally.
 
Picture yourself reaching your goal whatever it is. Imagine a worst-case scenario then come up with a backup plan.
 
Ask yourself: what are the facts? Am I making assumptions? What’s the best thing that can happen? Who can I call for help?
 
Use your fear as a source of guidance. Assess your inner fears and seek possible solutions.
 
Using our example above, you could start a web design side hustle to complement to your regular job. This way, if your business fails, you’ll still have an income.
 
If it keeps growing, turn it into a full time job. With this approach, you’ll get to do what you want and mitigate risks.
 
JohnK 2-14-2022
 
Stick figure hears about taking actionOverheard: “A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.”
                            ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Children of Húrin
 
 
 
 

 

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Personal Growth: Find Things You Need To Work On

February 7, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Life’s ups and downs move you through a process known as personal growth. There’s a lot to keep track of while you make this journey.

This “road map” from GenuLines can help make your sailing a little smoother. 

Personal Growth: Find Things You Need To Work On

Personal growth is the process of developing and bettering yourself. You can work on this throughout your life.
 
How does a person figure out what parts of their life they need to work on? Everyone has some part of like they need or want to improve.
 
It’s one thing to want to improve some part of life. It’s another thing to actually do it.
 
How do you go about making a change in your life? Especially if you’ve spent most of your life up to this point living day-to-day?
 
Thinking of personal growth
 
 
Do you ever think about the things in your life that you’re sure you’d like to change? Finding things, you need to work on is not as complicated as we make it.
 
Start where you are.
Project You
An important skill for life success is self-development. But self-mastery and general competence in daily life are only the beginning.
 
Tap into your own motivation and drive to find the path to elevate yourself beyond the status quo. You are your own self-development project.
 
You are the boss, the architect, and the quality control team.
 
Start With A-List
Make a list of what YOU think you need to work on. Then pick one and create a plan of tasks to take on one at a time.
 
Do this once a month.
 
Some of your goals will change. Others won’t matter anymore.
 
Some new items will pop up. There is nothing more satisfying than marking off a goal you have accomplished.
Treat Yourself
Making progress is motivating. Reaching milestones lights the fire to keep going.
 
Reward yourself for progress along the way. Rewards don’t have to be extravagant.
 
They could be as simple as watching a favorite movie or treating yourself to a favorite take-out meal. A small treat after hard work, and reaching a goal is a great way to motivate yourself to stay on track and keep going.
 
Celebrate that progress.
 
Network
Share your goals and vision with like-minded individuals. This can be friends, supportive family, or even social media groups.
 
You don’t have to all be in the same physical location to support each other. You’re not alone in your desire for change.
 
Revise, Regroup, And Reframe
 
If it’s broke, fix it. Don’t be inflexible about your methods.
 
When you are working on personal growth you have to be open-minded and a little flexible. Sometimes the best plans fail.
 
It’s ok.
 
Nothing has to be perfect. You have a lifetime to work on improving yourself and reaching goals.
 
If a plan needs adjusting make the change. Then get started again right away.
 
Expand Your Mind
Personal improvement doesn’t happen in a single day. This journey is a process.
 
The change is gradual.
 
There are many ways to create a growth mindset in your life. Browse social media, read self-help books, or psychology books.
 
Consider studying goal setting, attending conferences, and listening to podcasts. to open your mind up to new ways of personal growth.
 
Final Thoughts
These are only some of the tips and tools to help you on the journey to personal growth. Life is an ever-changing journey.
 
At different stages in life, your goals and perspectives may change. Keep going in the process for self-knowledge, self-mastery, and personal improvement.
 
This is one aspect of living a fulfilling and balanced life.
 
JohnK 2-7-2022
 
Stick figure hears about personal growthOverheard: “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live”
 
                                       ~Mortimer Adler
 
 
 
disclaimer for personal growth

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

January 31, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

So, how ya’ doing with that fitness resolution? If it’s not going well you’re not alone.

Right about now people put fitness plans on the shelf, so GenuLines is here with a little push to get you going!

Stick To Your Fitness Resolution

We’re well into the new year. January gives many of us a sense of renewal.
 
There’s a common theme here.
 
Our resolutions involve things we’d like to change or achieve in the new year.
One of the more common resolutions involves fitness.
 
We want to look better. Or get healthier.
 
Or we’d like to get a little stronger.
 
fitness tools

 

Failure

Unfortunately, the majority of New Year’s resolutions fail. The fiery motivation felt in late December to mid January begins to wane.
 
By February, we find ourselves at the same place we were the year before.
 
Fitness goals have a way of going unfulfilled. If you’ve ever spent much time in a gym, you know the routine.
 
For the entire month of January members line up at every piece of equipment in the building. The place starts to resemble Times Square.

Good deals?

Advertisements flood the media with discount gym membership rates. They tempt you with all sorts of shiny new pieces of equipment.
 
They promise to transform your body in no time at all.
 
Today we’re going to break down a few tips to help you hit your fitness goals for the rest of the year.

1. Keep Things Simple

It’s easy to slip into overwhelm when you start a new fitness journey. You have to figure out which workout routine to start.
 
What foods to eat. What equipment you’ll need and what to wear to the gym.
 
These can get in the way of your goal.Fitness, as well as life in general, is best kept simple.
 
The best workout routine is the one you’ll stick to. And your nutrition regimen shouldn’t be rocket science either.
 
You know what foods are good for you and what is junk. The most important factor in your fitness success is consistency.

2. Set Reasonable Goals

The media can make drastic body transformations seem like an overnight process. Their ads give you hope that you’ll look like the models used to promote these products.
 
Even more comical are the timeframes in these advertisements. How many times have you heard, “In only 15 minutes per day, 3 times per week, you’ll finally have those six-pack abs?”
 
This is unrealistic since physical changes to your physique don’t work this way.
 
Fitness is about the long game. As you begin your journey, know that while you WILL see progress, it doesn’t happen overnight.
 
Don’t plan gym visits 7 days a week and eating nothing but rice and chicken from a Tupperware container. Set goals that you can stick to.
 
Start small. Like holding yourself accountable to 3 workouts per week.
 
And resist the call of late-night junk food.

3. Develop A Strong “Why”

As we’ve already discussed, fitness is about consistency. The incredible sense of motivation and enthusiasm you feel at the start WILL come and go.
 
If your only goal to work out is to “look better,” keep one thing in mind. There may be a lot of days when that’s just not enough.
 
If you’re going to stick to your fitness goals this year, have a reason why. One that’s strong enough to stick to when the motivation cools off.
 
When the excitement isn’t there and you’d much rather stay in and watch television instead.
 
Your “why” has to be unique to you. Find whatever that is and use it to push through the hard days!
 
JohnK 1-31-2022
 
stick figure hears about fitnessOverheard: “It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit.”
                          ~Socrates
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for fitness

Anatomy Of A Great Day Of Wellness

January 24, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Bringing you wellness practices and information has been a GenuLines hallmark for years. Today we’ll break down the idea of wellness into segments that can add up to wellness for you. 

Anatomy Of A Great Day Of Wellness

Living in difficult times doesn’t have to be joyless. You can know joy using the right mindset and a lifestyle that promotes robust wellness.
 
stethoscope for wellnessIn designing great days for the long run, there is a certain standard you’ll want to follow. Today your vital organs could be at their best but that may not hold tomorrow.
 
Wholesome health is more than good eating habits and a workout routine.

 

 

 

Sustainable Sleeping Patterns

Sleep cycles have to be a consistent contributor to your daily routine. Without enough sleep, your vital organs get into overdrive.
 
This leads to fatigue and loss of mental sharpness. This makes you ineffective in any work environment and a couple of hours end up feeling like a lifetime.
 
Poor sleeping patterns can lead to binge eating. This brings on complications like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
 
And you could experience grogginess and premature aging.

Morning Stretches

Not everyone is a morning person. Many folks struggle to wake up and when they do, they’re like zombies around the house.
 
Stretching is beneficial for different muscle groups and joints. It also improves blood circulation to the entire body and stimulates a pleasant mood.
 
The American College of Sports Medicine looked at stretching to start your day. It found you get a burst of energy. more flexibility, and it enhances your coordination.
 
It’s great for your posture, too.

Wholesome Meals and Hydration

The food you eat makes a big difference in your day. Balance is key here,
 
Think proteins, fiber, nutritious carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins. These will sustain your energy levels all day.
 
Plan ahead for meals. You’ll avoid fumbling over menus or stuffing yourself with junk food.
 
There’s no nutritional value in eating processed food. And due to their high salt content, they leave you susceptible to high blood pressure.
 
While junk foods overwork your vital organs.
 
In little time you’ll feel hungry and fatigued. Your healthy diet should include proper hydration throughout the day.
 
Drinking 2-3 liters daily is not only refreshing but also elevates your moods. You depend on water to function and great days demand efficiency from your whole system.

Routine Exercise

Consistent movement is a key to a long healthy life. It also improves the quality of your lifestyle.
 
Having an exercise routine that you actually enjoy keeps you vigorous. You handle the challenges that come your way.
 
And you look good while doing it.
 
Exercising also increases your bone density and boosts your immunity. Breaking a sweat after a long day in the office is a great way to unwind and stay healthy.

Managing Stress

An active life is often characterized by stress. This might take a toll on you if you lack functional coping mechanisms.
 
There are lots of ways of dealing with stress as it happens.
 
Remember to breathe and stay composed. A clear mind can solve problems rather than escalating the situation.
 
A great day is the sum of all the little efforts that create the right environment for you to thrive. It’s vital to maintain a positive self-image.
 
Treating yourself well helps make life worth living.
 
JohnK 1-24-2022
chiforyourself.com home
 
Stick figure hears about wellnessOverheard: “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
                          ~Mahatma Gandhi
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for wellness
 

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
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