Tag Archive for genuine living

How Your Mental Attitude Helps You Prosper

November 21, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Keeping a good attitude helps you stay on the road to realizing your dreams. Kinda hard to argue with that. 

Today GenuLines examines how your mental attitude can take some of the bumps out of that road. 

How Your Mental Attitude Helps You Prosper

You’ve heard the one about ‘The Power Of Positivity’ right? Yes, it’s a famous book that made someone famous.
 
And it’s become even more famous because other famous people agree with this famous saying. And they live by it, or at least that’s what they tell everyone that they do.
 
Let’s find out for ourselves.

Being Positive Helps You To Be More Positive

cat with attitude
 
Positivity has a wonderful characteristic. It’s a feedback loop of positivity.
 
When you’re more positive you feel better about yourself and your life. And that positivity builds on itself.
 
 
 
 
Unfortunately, negativity works in exactly the same way. But that’s for miserable people and we’re not going to be like them, are we?
 
To some, this will make complete sense immediately. But I can already hear some ‘Negative Nellies.’ They’re saying, “How can I be positive about my life when it’s so bad?” There’s a simple answer. It’s loved by children, and it’s called ‘Let’s Pretend’.

The Prosperity Of ‘Let’s Pretend’

Your brain doesn’t know the difference between what’s happening to you and what’s imagined. Think about spending all day imagining that everything was great.
 
You felt happy about yourself and your life. You would think that everything was great and that you were happy about yourself and your life.
 
Isn’t that great, and a positive thing to know?
 
But if things aren’t particularly great you can pretend and make your brain think that they actually are. But how does this apply to prosperity?
 
If you feel and think you’re prosperous, who on earth is there to say that you’re not. You might not have the biggest house or newest car.
 
Yet if you don’t need those things to be happy and peaceful in your life, then what do they have to do with true prosperity? If you’re in an internal state of happiness and peace, then you are more likely to be open to opportunities.
 
Your internal state influences your external state. Have a go at making yourself more prosperous by being more positive.
 
JohnK 11-21-2022
 
Stick figure hears about attitudeOverheard: “Two things define you: Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.”
                              ~George Bernard Shaw
 
 
 
disclaimer for attitude
 

Do You Need Mentors?

November 14, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Mentors can help you find your way through life. But how do you go about finding the mentor?

Use these directional guides from GenuLines to better get your bearings.

Do You Need Mentors?

You can’t know everything there is to know about how to get where you want to be in life. While it’s possible to learn the needed skills, this will take time and likely a lot of money.
 
Instead, what if you had someone (or a group of people) who can help guide you to success?
 
A mentor in action
 
 
A mentor is someone who right now is where you want to be. The relationship you have with a mentor can be an official one.
 
Or it can be informal such as following in the footsteps of someone you admire.
 
Mentors have experience and have gone through the growing pains towards success. They will know what kinds of training you may need or skills to develop.

Feedback

Best of all, mentors can provide feedback. They’ll let you know what you’re doing right and wrong during your development.
 
This kind of advice is invaluable.
 
You don’t want a mentor who will hold back. Make sure you give them full permission to be completely honest with you.
 
Most worthwhile mentors will have no problems doing this for you. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but you’ll be better off than having mentors who sugarcoat your progress.
 
That won’t help you in any way.

Matching up

The mentors you choose should have the experience or skills you desire to learn. Be sure to ask lots of questions about what they expect from you and ask what you can expect from them.
 
This expectation is important.
 
Otherwise, you won’t know whether the mentoring relationship is working. Someone you’re considering to mentor you may take issue with these questions.
 
If so, this is a sign they may not be right for you. It can also be more difficult to sever the relationship once it’s begun.

Should you pay for mentors?

It depends on what you currently have available at your disposal. And what you intend to receive from this kind of arrangement.
 
If mentorship is available free of charge then consider going ahead with it. Then again, paying for someone to help you lets you hold them accountable.
 
This is a crucial aspect of mentoring.
 
Without it, you could be spinning your wheels, going nowhere. You don’t want to waste time.
 
The whole reason to take on a mentor is to save time and get you further in your development.
 
JohnK 11-14-2022
 
 
stick man hears about mentorsOverheard: “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
                                   ~Isaac Newton
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for mentors
 
 
 
 

6 Effective Ways To Change Your Attitude Towards The Positive

November 7, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s tough to feel positive these days. A lot of us need what I call an “atti-tune-up.” Today GenuLines takes a look under the hood to help you run on all cylinders. 

6 Effective Ways To Change Your Attitude Towards The Positive

Your attitude reveals how you live your life, how you treat others, how others treat you, and a whole lot more.
 
man feeling positive
 
 
It can help you be successful at home and work.
 
At the same, you’ll enjoy a sense of inner peace and confidence.
 
 
If you’re looking for ways to boost your optimism, these six effective ways can help you.
 
 
Have the Desire to Change
Change may be scary. But if you want a more positive attitude, you have to embrace change.
 
You’ll find you become a calmer, more accepting person. Your self-confidence will also get a nice boost because fewer things bother you.
 
Personal growth is a slow and steady process. Yet, it goes hand-in-hand with change and all the good that can come of it.
Find a New Vantage Point
Life shows us both a good side and a bad. They’re always there, co-existing. Which one you see depends on your perspective.
 
The next time something happens, try to look at it from more than one angle. If there are other people involved, try to picture it from their point of view.
 
Being aware of other people’s vantage points gives clarity and puts things in their right place. It also helps you see both the good and bad in everything.
 
To develop a more positive attitude, direct more of your energy to the good.
Develop Good Habits
Negative thoughts and beliefs lead to negative habits. A habit is a learned behavior that, over time, becomes reflexive. Start doing more of the good habits.
 
Develop one good habit at a time. For example, start with taking a 10-minute walk during your lunchtime.
 
Add 10 minutes each week. You may even find yourself waiting in anticipation for your daily walks.
 
Other good habits to try could be: Getting quality sleep each night. Cutting back on processed food, alcohol, or smoking
 
And being a more effective manager of your money.
 
Take some time to re-energize and de-stress. Give back to your community.
 
Practice self-reflection through meditation, journaling, or prayer. Find a hobby that indulges your creative side
Spend Time with Positive People
Positive people seem to find a way to see the silver lining in a situation. Their presence will lift your mood.
 
Their can-do attitude will remind you of your accomplishments and life lessons.
 
Hanging out with people who have a positive attitude can help you see things in a brighter light. It’s a scientific fact that, after a while, you’ll start to think and act like them.
 
You’ll start to be more optimistic and self-assured.
Focus on Solutions
Rather than spending so much time and energy focusing on the problem, try to focus more on the solution. Brainstorm one, or ten, ways to solve a certain prickly situation.
 
It could get difficult in the beginning. But soon, finding solutions will become an automatic response.
Live in the Present
The past contains all life lessons that have helped shape the person you’ve become. In the future your goals and dreams are lying in wait.
 
While they’re important, they’re both out of your control.
 
The only thing you can control is the present moment. You can either make it the best it can be or you can let it pass you by, causing you to spend the rest of your life feeling regret.
 
One great way you can live in the present is to practice mindfulness. Sit somewhere quiet for a couple of minutes.
 
Let your eyes wander to absorb everything going on around you. Whatever it is you’re seeing, take a few seconds to look at every detail.
 
Mindfulness meditation doesn’t only reduce stress by allowing you to live in the moment. It also teaches you gratitude for all you have and all you’ve accomplished.
 
JohnK 11-7-2022
 
stick man hears about positiveOverheard: Satisfaction consists in freedom from pain, which is the positive element of life.
                                    ~Arthur Schopenhauer
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for positive

Put Your Savings On Autopilot

October 31, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You want your savings to last. But you don’t want to spend your days and nights worrying about whether they will. 

Here’s a GenuLines look at money management that will let you sleep at night. 

Put Your Savings On Autopilot

picture of savings
 
Putting a little money away for a rainy day isn’t always easy. You may have some good intentions, but at the end of the day, there isn’t any money left.
 
Somehow whatever you make is spend before you get it to the next paycheck.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Start by making a personal budget. Take a look at what you bring in each month. Next, write down your fixed expenses.
 
These are things like rent, car payments, utilities etc..
 
Figure out how much you need each month for groceries and other essentials. This is your bare bones budget.
 
It’s good to know what you need each month to get by.

Do the math

Next it’s time for a little bit of math. Start with what you bring in each month and subtract all your core expenses.
 
What you’re left with is your discretionary income.
 
This will pay for entertainment, clothes, and other things. And from this point on, part of that income will go into a savings account.
 
Pick a number you’re comfortable with. It could be a mere $20 per month, Or $500.
 
Put it in your budget and treat it like any other bill.
 
It won’t take you long to get into the habit of setting aside that money for savings.

Bank on it

To make it even more hands-off, talk to your bank about opening a separate savings account. Set up an auto-deposit to have the savings transferred to the new account.
 
This will happen as soon as your pay check comes in. If you don’t see it, you’ll never miss it and your savings will run on autopilot.
 
Don’t forget to audit your nest egg from time to time. Take a second look at your budget.
 
Can you increase your savings a little more?
 
Another savings booster involves things like birthday cash, tax returns, and bonuses. You’ll put those straight into the savings account
 
Again, you won’t even miss the money, but it will give you a quick savings buildup.

Don’t lose interest

Make sure your savings are sitting in an interest bearing account. Since you won’t be touching this money unless it’s a dire emergency, you should be able to earn at least a little interest.
 
Talk to your banker about your best options and start putting your savings on autopilot.
 
One last tip: Talk to your employer about matching 401K funds. Their contribution can help you reach your goal even faster.
 
JohnK 10-31-2022
 
stick man hears about savingsOverheard: “A man who both spends and saves money is the happiest man, because he has both enjoyments”
                                         ~Samuel Johnson
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for savings

What Is Prosperity? ( And How Do You Find It?)

October 24, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Prosperity isn’t guaranteed in life. First you have to know what it is, then know how to get there. 

The following is a GenuLines road map aimed at getting you to your destination. 

What Is Prosperity? ( And How Do You Find It?)

Okay, let’s have a look. The dictionary definition is – ‘The state of being prosperous’
 
Well that wasn’t much help. So, what is the definition?’
 
piggy bank means prosperity
 
Prosperous means – ‘successful in material terms, bringing wealth and success.’
 
Okay now we’re getting somewhere. We know what prosperity is, but how do we go about finding it?

Let’s Talk About Prosperity

Although we have the dictionary definition above, I’m not real happy with it.
 
Yes prosperity can apply to material wealth and success. But it can also take in mental, emotional, and even spiritual wealth and success too.
 
 
But what if it doesn’t reach into every facet of our lives?
 
To find prosperity in all areas, we have to be very clear about the things that we want in our lives. And the things that we don’t want.
 
We must also make sure that we’re living a way of life that removes anything that doesn’t serve us. Examples include addictions to negative behavior or people.
 

Internal & External Prosperity

You can’t consider only your external environment or external resources.
 
You want to secure your external and internal prosperity. We do this through the means of internal mental and emotional mastery.
 
So even if you do lose your material wealth you won’t lose your ability to be happy. You can stay in a state of internal peace.
 
Bull’s-eye!.
 
To summarize: know yourself to the best of your ability. Then develop a better mindset and way of life.
 
One that supports, encourages and cultivates this innate capacity for prosperity. For you and for others, too.
 
You’ll become a force for good. The world, your world¸ will be a much brighter place if you can do this.
 
So, get to work. At the end of the day, true prosperity comes from you.
 
No one in the world can give this to you. You’re going to have to forge this one for yourself.
 
All the best!
 
JohnK 10-24-2022
 
stick man hears about prosperityOverheard: “Prosperity of wicked men runs like a torrent past, and soon is spent”
                     ~Marcel Proust, Swann’s Way
 
 
 
Article image by Ann H: https://www.pexels.com/photo/love-business-money-toy-11933551/
 
 
disclaimer for prosperity

How To Make Wellness A Habit In Every Part Of Your Day

October 17, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You’re making positive changes in your habits. Have you included the wellness habit? 

You can make this second nature as GenuLines will show you today. .

How To Make Wellness A Habit In Every Part Of Your Day

You can become distracted by what life throws at you. This leads you to neglect your own well-being.
 
Days can be fast paced. But seldom do you slow down to think about the importance of maintaining your well being.sign urges good habits
 
Stress is commonplace in this scenario. Driving to work in gridlock traffic can make you a basket case.
 
But you can make better choices and develop good habits to make wellness a part of your every day routine…
Make a Decision and Stick to it
First, you’ll need to make the decision to live a healthy lifestyle. This is a step that many people avoid.
 
They end up giving up and reverting back to their original way of everyday living. Wellness is a decision (As simplistic as it seems) and it’s a necessary one.
How Can We Make Wellness a Habit?
Doing something over and over again until it becomes ingrained within makes it a habit. It’s like you’re rewired to now make choices without thinking.
 
So, here’s a few ways you can make wellness a habit every single day…
 
Set an alarm clock.
 
Make healthy diet choices.
 
Plan an exercise routine.
 
Make time every day to do one thing you enjoy.
 
Spend more time with friends and family.
 
If you do this every day as often as you can you’ll notice improved wellness. Being disciplined is the best way to go about it.
 
Especially in the fast-paced world we’re so accustomed to.
Alarm clock
Setting an alarm clock to wake up early is a good way to start your day. You’ll know exactly why you’re waking up early… to get things done!
Diet
The nutritional choices you make are crucial to physical wellness. Feeding your body live foods (Vegetables, fruits, lean meats, grains etc.) will make you feel good.
 
And they’ll give you energy for the days ahead.
Daily exercise
The benefits of exercise are wide ranging. From improving mental health to creating stronger and more capable bodies
 
And there’s more. Exercise helps prevent chronic disease like Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease and Osteoporosis.
Enjoy life
We tend to get too focused on things like work, personal issues, relationships etc. . But why can’t we take the time to laugh and enjoy being in the moment?
 
It’s so important to relieve stress by putting worry aside for a little bit each day to focus on leisure activity. We’re not meant to always be in fight or flight mode.
 
Having leisure time can bring down accumulated stress levels.
Have healthy relationships
The relationships we develop and maintain in life are essential for wellness. Having a sense of worth often comes from the love and appreciation of others.
 
We want to get along with others and function as a society. Friends and family can give a nice boost to our self-confidence and happiness, too.
 
Make Wellness a Daily Habit
Make a decision to live every day in a state of wellness.  At the very least, you’ll have a good start in creating healthy everyday habits.
 
Good habits can take you far. Wellness is a determining factor in your ability to be productive and effective.
 
JohnK 10-17-2022
 
stick man hears about habit formingOverheard: “All people are the same; only their habits differ”
                              ~Confucius
 
 
 
 
Article image by Drew Beamer on Unsplash
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for habit segtting
 
 
 

5 Tips To Stop Stress Eating

October 10, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

It seems your stress never stops. And you’re thinking the same might be said about your eating.

Today GenuLines chips in with some ways to delete the caloric part of this equation. . 

5 Tips To Stop Stress Eating

 

man is stress eatingStress eating can happen to any of us during any stressful situation. We turn to food for comfort.
 
This is not a healthy way to deal with stress and will cause weight gain, depression, and low self-esteem. Here are 5 tips that can help you end stressful eating.

 

Food Choices

We often turn to junk food for comfort such as chips, chocolate, candy and anything sweet. You can create a food diary to track your eating progress.
 
Keep track of what you eat, when you eat, and what times you’re hungriest to figure out what is your trigger food.
 
You don’t want to throw out every one of your favorite foods because this will only tempt you more. Instead, make healthier food choices.
 
You’ll feel better. and healthy eating helps decrease your appetite and improve your health in general.

Exercise

The second tip is to exercise. .Stress can bring on depression and overwhelm.
 
Exercising will help manage stress and keep you healthy. You don’t need to run to the gym or a treadmill.
 
You can work out at home, go jogging, running, play a sport, or go for a walk.
 
Mayo Clinic studies found a positive connection between exercise and feeling better. They found that your brain receives feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins.

Meditation

Meditation is a powerful tool used for stress, anxiety, and depression. It brings you into a relaxed and soothing mood.
 
Even if you only meditate for 5 minutes, you’ll feel a difference. It’s best to meditate every day to help cope with stress.

Prevent Boredom

The fourth way to end stressful eating is to prevent boredom. Many people don’t realize they turn to food because they’re bored.
 
To prevent boredom, keep active throughout your day. Buy some art supplies from your local art store. and you can paint, draw, try out pottery, knitting, or even sewing.
 
There are so many things you can do to fill up your day no matter where you live. You can go into the city.
 
Visit an art gallery, learn a new language, read a book, visit family or friends to help prevent boredom.
 
Your preoccupied mind will keep your thoughts away from eating unless necessary.

Support

Call calling a friend or family member for support. It’s a great option to help overcome stressful food intake.
 
In fact, some other options such as joining a support group or signing up for therapy will help you even more!
 
Talking with a professional will help you identify your stressors and triggers. And you’ll come away with a plan that works best for you.
 
Joining a support group partners you with others facing the same challenge. It’ll be inspiring and uplifting!
 
JohnK 10-10-2020
 
stick figure hears about stressOverheard: “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one”
                                       ~Hans Selye
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for stress

5 Steps To Boost Your Motivation Skills

September 12, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Motivation is like a muscle, and it can get flabby over time. There are ways to deal with this. 

Let these GenuLines pointers be your strength coach and motivator. 

5 Steps To Boost Your Motivation Skills

Life can sometimes feel like nothing more than one struggle after another. This is especially true for anyone set on living a life of fulfillment and achievement.
 
Motivation is the one variable that allows you to push yourself when those around you give up.
 
suggestion to motivation
 
 
Today’s post is worth your attention. Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as driven , but would like to change that.
 
We’ll look at 5 helpful steps, in no particular order, to help boost your motivation and drive.

Know Your Why

When you first set out toward a goal or achievement, your “why” for doing so tends to be pretty clear. But as you work toward your goal, the foundation can become obscured.
 
No matter what you pursue there WILL be days on which you feel less motivated than others. Stay aware of why you started in the first place.
 
It will serve as your second (or third, or fourth) wind to get back up and keep pushing.

Know Your Direction

Extreme motivation has a tendency to cause you to put your head down and work like a maniac. At times this mindset is beneficial.
 
You want to maintain some sense of direction.
 
Big goals rarely consist of point A and point B. Instead, it’s important to have a general outline in mind of each step toward your destination.
 
So yes, keep your nose to the grindstone.
 
But look up every now and then. Adjust and begin the next phase of your blueprint.
 
This is the way to continue heading in the right direction!

Allow Small Victories

Make sure you enjoy small successes in pursuit of the finish line. No matter how much (or little) motivation you have towards your goal.
 
You won’t run out of gas before you get there. Take some time to reward yourself when you do one of the (often many) small steps along the way.
 
And remember: You Versus You, not You Versus Them
 
Keep in mind that your goals are YOUR goals. Letting other people’s pursuits dictate what you strive for is counter-productive.
 
You won’t find the motivation to achieve great things without personal conviction. Whatever it is you want, the only comparison to consider is to the person you were the day before.

Controlled Tunnel Vision

Consider this: whatever you’re after most likely involves only one facet of your life. Career, athletic, personal and other areas won’t stop while you go after it.
 
Balance is always key. Don’t let the rest of your life fall to the wayside while you pursue your dream!
 
JohnK 9-12-2022
                   
Stick figure hears about motivationOverheard: “Hold the vision, trust the process”
                               ~Unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for motivation
 

5 Factors That Keep You From Finding Your Life’s Purpose

September 5, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Why are you here and what is your purpose? Don’t spend your life struggling with this question, as many do. 

Explore the possibilities with GenuLines and start finding some answers.

5 Factors That Keep You From Finding Your Life’s Purpose

A great way to find your true purpose in life is by living what I call your ‘genuine life.” You live your life without needing approval from other people.
 
sign warns wrong way to purpose
 
You explore your interests and passions. And when you discover that passion, you have to listen to one voice only.
 
The voice that lives inside of you. That voice which is your True North.
 
 
 
 
 
The voice that will tell you to keep trying, keep moving, believe in yourself, and to stay true to your purpose.
 
Unfortunately, few people find their true purpose in life. They’re living a life someone told them they’re supposed to live.
 
Or they follow the misguided notion that finding your true purpose takes years and years. Which may not always be the case.
 
Here are 5 things that are hindering you from finding your true purpose in life:
1. You don’t know where to begin
To find your calling know where to begin searching. And the best place to start is inside you.
 
What are you passionate or excited about? What are you so good at that people come to you for help or advice?
 
That could be your true purpose.
2. You rely on other people to dictate your life purpose
You miss your calling when you become accustomed to people telling you how to live. And what you ought to be doing.
 
Close friends or family may have the right intentions when advising you. They’ll tell what you should be pursuing.
 
But because they have good intentions doesn’t mean they’re right. They may have a picture of who and what they want you to become.
 
But that doesn’t mean it’s what you must become.
3. You’re busy comparing your life to that of others
Don’t spend your time focusing on “If only I was that smart.” Or “I wish I could do that.”
 
You won’t appreciate what you’re already great at. Get rid of negative thoughts, and replace them with “I was born to have an impact and I will find out what that is.”
4. You already have a “picture” of what your purpose is
We all have an “idea” of what we’re meant to do. Or which line of work we’re supposed to be in, particularly during our adolescent years.
 
Not to generalize but more often than not this is an idealized “picture.” This picture from our younger years turns out to be the wrong picture. 
5. You are not seeking guidance from the right people
While discovering your true purpose on your own is the way to go, seeking guidance from the right people won’t hurt. It will speed up the process of finding out what your calling is in life.
 
It will give you ample time to look for ways of staying true to your purpose. And working on becoming who you’re meant to be.
 
JohnK 9-5-2022
 
Stick figure hears about finding purposeOverheard: “There is no hope of success for the person who does not have a central purpose, or definite goal at which to aim”
                                               ~Napoleon Hill
 
 
 
disclaimer for purpose
 
 
 
 

Why Stress is Terrible for Problem Solving

August 29, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Working on problems and dealing with the resulting stress is a delicate balance. It can derail an important project.

GenuLines looks at the problem for ways you can keep everything “on the rails,”

Why Stress is Terrible for Problem Solving

Got a challenging problem that’s causing you stress? Is it preventing you from working to the best of your abilities?
 
 
 Then take a lie down!
 
 
Lying down on the job might sound like the worst thing you could do when you have a problem. But it’s actually one of the very best options of all.
 
Let’s take a look at why…

Neurochemistry and Problem Solving

When we’re stressed, our body assumes that we are in immediate danger. And it responds by putting us in the ‘fight or flight’ mode.
 
This means that we’re flooded with norepinephrine, dopamine and cortisol – stress hormones.
 
These have some effects on the body. From contracting our muscles, to clotting our blood (so we can better survive injury).
 
Another effect is intense focus. The resulting ‘tunnel vision’ helps us escape from the threat we’re facing.
 
This is very useful if you need to keep your eye on the terrain while you run from a leopard that’s chasing you. But it’s not very helpful when facing down the kinds of problems you encounter in the office.

Creativity and Problem Solving

This is because problem solving in the modern world requires creativity. It requires us to be able to think outside the box and to make connections between disparate ideas.
 
That’s why we’re actually at our most creative when we’re relaxed – even when we’re close to sleep.
 
The ‘hypnagogic’ brain state is what we slip into right before we nod off. It’s actually considered responsible for many creative works and scientific breakthroughs.
 
Studies say this is also why sitting in a more supine position at work boosts creative thinking. Likewise, exposure to the color green is enough to increase creativity.
 
Our subconscious mind associates it with being in natural environments.
 
Next time you’re facing stress, know that your stress will only make it more difficult to find the answer. So relax, take a breather and come back to it when you feel calmer!
 
JohnK 8-29-2022
 
stick figure hears about problemsOverheard: “Problems are the price you pay for progress”
                              ~Branch Rickey
 
 
 
 
 
 

disclaimer for problems

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