Tag Archive for happiness

Embody Persistence And Watch Your Life Change

December 28, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

We know that persistence is important when working toward a goal. But too often we get bogged down on our way to reaching it. 

Push on toward success with this GenuLines look at persistence.

(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

Embody Persistence And Watch Your Life Change

Practice makes perfect. We’ve heard that mantra since we were kids.
 
But more to the point, this phrase embodies persistence. That’s the key to mastering most anything.
 
You can practice something once every two months and not get very good at it. But persistence will usually deliver results.
 
There are so many distractions. From video games to the internet, to television.
 
It can be a difficult proposition to keep focused on persistence. Putting aside the distractions frees you to become better at something you want.
 
It’s important to balance being persistent with not being too pushy. It’s one thing to want something and do whatever it takes to get it.
 
But that could encroach on others’ personal space or even their rights. You may have to take a different approach or back off and find another way.
 
This doesn’t mean backing away from something you desire. Persistence is the key to getting it.
 
If it’s within your rights to have it then you should go for it. Maybe you’ve been trying to get a promotion at work.
 
Your persistence may be the aspect that makes you stand out above the others.
 
You might remember the 1970’s television series, Columbo. On that show, Peter Falk played a detective who tended to be persistent with his inquiries.
 
This paid off for him since he was always able to catch the perpetrator. Of course, this is a fictional story, but the concept carries over into real life.
 
perseverance quote
 
Many people believe that if you want something enough, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Usually, this is a result of persistence.
 
There’s some truth to this. But sometimes your limitations keep you from doing what’s necessary.
 
Try to determine what’s blocking you.
 
Say you failed at something, only to try it again later, It doesn’t mean that your efforts were lacking.
 
You just weren’t ready for it during the first attempts.
 
People can also persist in bad habits or unwanted behaviors. In this case, it’s best not to embody persistence and try to deemphasize the negative behavior or traits.
 
One great way to do this is to replace these negative aspects with positive ones. The effort is the same.
 
But the results will be a whole lot better.
 
JohnK 12-28-2020
 
Stick figure hears about persisteceOverheard: “Paralyze resistance with persistence”
                                    ~Woody Hayes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for persistence

What Does Being Productive Really Mean?

December 7, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

It’s tough being productive during a time of lockdown. And not a good time to think about ways you can kick things into gear. 

So GenuLines feels it’s a good time to bring you an overview of how you can make this happen.

(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

What Does Being Productive Really Mean?

productive manIntending to be productive is a worthy pursuit. But over time and with overuse the definition of productive has become a little fuzzy.
 
Now “Productivity” is a sort of buzzword. It’s used in employee training seminars and self-help techniques.
 
 
 
 
If you don’t get the true meaning of this word you might waste valuable time that could be better spent.
 
In a fast-paced driven society we’re expected to produce more in less time. Unfortunately, this can often have the opposite effect.
 
Here are a few things to consider when looking at how you spend your time,
 
Busy & Productive Are Not Synonymous
This might be the biggest misconception about what it means to be productive. Staying busy and on the go doesn’t always mean you’re being productive.
 
Being productive means you are actually getting something done.
 
It’s easy to jump from one task to another. Could be you shift your focus and attention every five minutes, all in the name of “multi-tasking.”
 
Now and then ask yourself if you’re actually accomplishing anything. For example, after a five-hour stint on your computer at work, take a look at the end result.
 
Have you produced something of value that was not there when you first sat down at your desk? Never confuse being busy with being productive.
 
Progressing Towards Something
This kind of piggybacks off of the previous thought. But this tip deserves its own discussion.
 
You can get into a kind of “grind” mentality.
 
You spend hours working at irrelevant things. Again, this may or may not help your productivity.
 
With anything that you dedicate a lot of your time to, there should be an end goal in mind.
 
Have a well-understood plan of how you’ll reach it. Productivity involves a linear path from where you are right now to what you want to get done.
 
If you’re working hard only for the sake of working hard, you run the risk of wasting valuable time and energy. It’s always important to consider your “why” before you commit your valuable time to any task.
 
Balancing Productivity
Achieving anything worthwhile often involves hard work and focus. But it doesn’t mean neglecting every other area of your life in the process.
 
For example, you want to transform your body and get in better shape. Will it help if you neglect your closest relationships and other commitments, too?
 
True productivity includes nurturing every aspect of who you are. Even during the pursuit of something specific.
 
Sure, there are going to be times when more of your time and energy goes toward one thing in particular. But make sure that not ALL of it is!
 
As a human being, you are a lot of things at the same time.
 
JohnK 12-7-2020
 
Stick figure hears productive ideasOverheard: “Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before”
                                           ~Franz Kafka
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for being productive

Declutter Your Mind In 5 Steps

November 30, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
It’s common to declutter in the spring. Throwing away stuff that’s outlived its usefulness feels good. 
 
GenuLines has some ideas on decluttering your mind that will feel pretty good, too. 
 
 

Declutter Your Mind In 5 Steps

When it comes to decluttering your home, you might decide to put everything you throw
out on eBay. But decluttering your mind is a little trickier.
 
declutter sign
 
 
Here are a few ways to declutter your mind.
 
 
 
 

#1: Declutter your space

This one is pretty obvious. With fewer things in your field of vision, you have less garbage to stew over and worry about.
 
This frees up space in your mind.
 

#2: Declutter your schedule

Another thing that can drive you crazy is the constant rush from one activity to another. Take a look at your schedule and start eliminating things that aren’t necessary.
 
With fewer ingredients in your stressful stew, you’ll make your day a little calmer.
 

#3: Unplug from the party

Would you be able to get any rest if you were attending a party of several thousand people? I’m talking, like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
 
That’s pretty much what’s going on with your smartphone, tapped in as you no doubt are to social media networks. The pings, dings, and rings from your contacts are all adding small but unhealthy doses of stress to your day.
 

#4: Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about engaging with the present in a fully, alive way. There are lots of ways to practice mindfulness.
 
One is meditation. Another could be fixing your stare at an object (like a candle) and noticing your thoughts.
 
Mindfulness can contribute to increased concentration and a decluttered mind.
 

#5: Let go

Sometimes it’s best to let old memories die. These can range from broken relationships to diabolical bosses.
 
We tend to have a whole lot of backstory spinning in the recesses of our minds. Let it all go, and like a faster-operating computer, you’ll find your mind in a much more free and easy state.
 
JohnK 11-30-2020
 
stick man talks declutterOverheard: “For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned“
                                          ~Benjamin Franklin
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 
 
 
disclaimer for declutter

Boost Your Motivation With a Bit of Science

November 9, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
 
Motivation is a key component of success. Sure, talent, intelligence, and money can play a part.
 
But there’s a science involved as well, and GenuLines wants you to put it to work in your path to success.

Boost Your Motivation With a Bit of Science

suggestion to motivationWe all have lists of things we
“hope” we’ll do. But how do we
put these things into the “done”
column?
 
 
 
 
 
Let’s take a look at the science of motivation and the ways to harness it to your advantage.

An Improved Approach to Motivation

Dan Pink wrote a best-selling book, “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.” He says that there are three components of motivation that push us to get things done.
 
And he scraps the old carrot and stick types of reward systems.
 
Instead, Pink argues that a scientific approach gives us a better view of the subject. This, he says, helps us come up with strategies to power up motivation.
 
Three Elements of Motivation
Pink says research shows that autonomy, value, and competence drive motivation. Autonomy refers to the amount of control or independence we feel over a task or action.
 
He says studies point to a connection between input on a task and better follow through.
 
The second component of motivation is value. This is the amount of personal significance or importance you place on a matter.
 
In other words, if something matters to you on a personal level, you’ll feel more motivated to take it on.
 
Competence comes from a feeling of mastery as it relates to practice and hard work. This doesn’t mean you have to have natural abilities.
 
Spending time developing competence seems to increase chances of reaching the goal.
 

Strategies to Increase Motivation

Now you have an understanding of what matters most with regard to what motivates us. So let’s look at some strategies to increase motivation.
 
With autonomy as a guide, let’s consider ways to add a sense of control or involvement in activities. One way to do this is to take ownership of a chore or add some aspect of self-direction to it.
 
Let’s say you’re having difficulty starting a project such as submitting a paper. It may help to think of all the ways doing this will set you apart as an expert in your field.
 
You’ll see that turning in the paper is a necessary part of sharing your unique views with your colleagues.
 
To add value to your task, you want to make it meaningful or personal. Find a way to add purpose to that item on your to-do list.
 
This involves changing your perspective or the way you look at that item.
 
Doing your taxes is a chore you might dread. Add purpose to it by focusing on the work you’ve done that’s represented by the numbers on the page.
 
Or the contribution you’ve made to your job and community through your efforts. Paying taxes is a symbol of good citizenry.
 
Finally, there’s competence. Feeling mastery over an act requires practice.
 
Try to look at the job at hand as one in which you are working toward an end goal of skillfulness.
 
For instance, you’ll soon see the treadmill as less of an adversary the more workout sessions you endure. As you get fitter you’ll see exercise as a little easier.
 
And, you’ll get a feeling of accomplishment.
 
Motivation is not always easy to come by. But with a little knowledge of science you can be more effective in moving toward your dreams.
 
In time you’ll be mastering your goals. And that will fuel your motivation in the future.
 
JohnK 11-9-2020
 
Stick figure hears about motivatonOverheard: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
                                   ~Nelson Mandela
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for motivation
 

6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

August 31, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Motivation is great- when you have it. But sometimes it slips away like the proverbial thief in the night. 

Just ahead you’ll find some GenuLines tips to bring the motivation back where it belongs.

(To listen to the article click HERE)

6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

robot needing motivationSo you got motivated recently. Maybe you saw an awesome speaker or got a stinging dose of honesty from a friend or family member.
 
But initial motivation often fades…so here are a few ways to keep it going strong.
 
 
 
1. Remember the pain points
In sales lingo, pain points are problems that come about when the solution offered is not taken. Try to keep in mind all the things that could or will happen if you don’t stay the course.
 
For example, if you were once motivated to go running three times a week. Think about what will happen if you don’t give your heart the exercise it needs.
 
2. Don’t play leapfrog
Feelings of motivation can sometimes slip into the category of finding the next high. Don’t bounce from goal to goal.
 
Instead finish what you start before getting motivated about something else. Let’s say you enjoy language and made a goal for yourself to learn French.
 
Learn it before you switch to learning German, and then Italian, or whatever else.
 
3. Know Thyself
When you try to reach goals that other people set for you, your motivation can wane. Take a look at those goals.
 
Make sure they’re yours…not goals that other people want you to achieve. If they’re not, you may want to set them aside and reassess where you’re going.
 
4. Visualize
Picturing realizing your goal is a big help in motivating you to succeed. And it has some awesome side effects.
 
The positive energy you give that imagery will affect you at a subconscious level. The mental affirmation that you can achieve it will do loads for your self confidence.
 
This will also also help you stay the course.
 
5. Let go of stuff beyond your control
When it comes to motivation, it can be easy to give up because things don’t’ go according to plan. Learn to let go of things beyond your control. If you don’t they’ll reduce your motivation to succeed.
 
6. Get organized
If you want to stay motivated, you need to work a little bit to keep the motivation alive. If you don’t it’ll slip under the radar.
 
Motivation will be just another feeling unless you crystalize it. Put your goals on the calendar and make an action plan.
 
JohnK 8-31-2020
 
stick figure man hears about motivationOverheard: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing–that’s why we recommend it daily.” 
                                                       ~ Zig Ziglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Dmitry Abramov from Pixabay 
 
disclaimer for motivation

Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

July 21, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
Anxiety is something we connect to the conditions around us. The bad stuff is always “out there.”
 
But GenuLines looks at how the things around you are impacted by what goes inside you. 
 
microphone for speaking about anxiety

 

 

 

 

 

Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

If you’re feeling anxiety you might tend to blame your environment. But what you eat and drink can have a big effect on your body’s chemistry.
 
Some foods and drinks may actually worsen your anxiety. Here are some of the culprits.
 
picture of anxiety
 
 
Drinks

-Coffee

As you might have expected, the caffeine in coffee can make anxiety worse. It causes constriction of blood vessels and that feeling of the “jitters.”
 
It can also cause or worsen insomnia. And it inhibits the absorption of Vitamin C, a key nutrient for optimal mind and body function.

-Soft Drinks and Colas

Even caffeine-free, sugar-free soft drinks, can worsen your anxiety. The high-acid content of dark colas produces an acidic environment in the body.
 
This process sets off a reaction that leaches calcium and magnesium from your bones. Both of these minerals are crucial to proper brain and muscle function.
 
In fact, reduced calcium and magnesium impedes muscle relaxation.
 
That increases muscle tension.
 
So if you choose a clear, caffeine-free, sugar-free soft drink, it won’t worsen your anxiety, right? Wrong!
 
The artificial sweetener in these drinks, aspartame, may have significant cognitive effects. It may actually worsen the psychological aspect of anxiety.
 

-Alcohol

Alcohol seems like a good option for anxiety sufferers. But over-consumption can worsen depression and inhibit the absorption of key nutrients.
 

Foods

-Chocolate
Chocolate is often called the “feel-good” food. But it contains significant caffeine and large amounts of sugar. Next, we’ll take a look at sugar.
 

-Excessive Sugar

By “excessive,” some nutritionists mean anything over 5 tablespoons of refined sugar daily. While you may think that would be easy, it’s not.
 
Sugar is in almost everything, and 5 tablespoons is a bit more than 1/4 cup. If you drink several large glasses of sweet iced tea, you can take in close to 1/4 cup of sugar.
 
And that doesn’t take into account the sugar in your food. This sugar is either hidden (such as in frozen foods) or obvious (such as “frosted” cereals).
 
So why is sugar a problem? For one thing, the body uses Vitamin B6.
 
It’s crucial to mood and proper hormone function and metabolizing sugar. But sugar depletes your body of this and other important nutrients.
 
It can also create high and low moods, and bring on a post-sugar “crash,” or low blood sugar.

-Refined Flour

Refined flour acts much like sugar in the body. And it has none of the essential fatty acids, fiber, and other nutrients that whole grains do.
 

-Processed Foods

Many processed foods are full of preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Some of these can pass through the blood-brain barrier, affecting cognitive function.
 
Then there’s yellow #5. This is often found in candy, gum, margarine, and other processed foods.
 
It can disrupt the hormone balance in the body.
 
Think about what you put into your body. It can go a long way toward keeping you calm. 
 
JohnK 7-21-2020
 
Stick figure hears about anxietyOverheard: “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”
                                             ~Charles Spurgeon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for anxiety
 

Get Better Sleep The Easy Way

June 30, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

These days good sleep seems like, well, a dream. But  GenuLines wants you to “sleep tight.”

Rest assured that the following suggestions are designed to let you do just that. 

 

microphone for speaking about sleep

 

 

 

 

Get Better Sleep The Easy Way

baby going to sleepIf getting good sleep is a challenge for you you’re not alone. It’s a common complaint of working people.
 
And stress due to lockdown and constant negative news reports doesn’t help either.
 
If you’re in one or more of these categories, here are some of the ways that can help make positive changes:
 
Develop better sleeping habits
Good sleep habits help you complete tasks. If you’re falling down in this area get to working on those habits.
 
You might start with daytime routines that include eating smarter. Avoid food that contains stimulants such as caffeine.
 
An afternoon nap can work, but don’t “over nap” and affect your sleep at night.
 
Daily exercise can help 
Aside from health benefits, regular exercise also helps you get better sleep. This is because it lets the body do enough work to want to rest at night.
 
Consider simple exercises like brisk walking or light yoga.
 
Come up with your own personal sleeping plan
More than anyone you know your own body. If you’re having trouble sleeping, analyze what may be the problem.
 
If it’s something that you can handle, try to do the things that will help you overcome it. You can do this by coming up with a personal sleeping plan.
 
Decide on what you’ll do each night. If the specific plan doesn’t work today, try another the next night and then another one the next. By doing this, you can find the techniques that will work for you.

Create a good sleeping environment

An easy way to get good sleep is to create a comfortable, and cozy sleeping environment. Take a look at your bedroom.
 
Is there something there that keeps you awake? It could be time to re-arrange the space.
 
Check to see if your bed still suits the needs of your body and if not, try replacing it. Look for smaller items that catch your attention and make it hard for you to close your eyes.
 
If there are, try removing them for a while until you’re able to sleep better.
 
JohnK 6-30-2020
 
stick figure man hears about sleepOverheard: “There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep”
                                     ~Homer, The Odyssey
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for sleep

4 Self-Care Tips For Extra Busy People

June 24, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
Even in a time of downtime you can find yourself short on time.Here are some GenuLines tips for making sure that self care is one of your priorities.  
 
microphone for speaking self-care

 

 

 

 

4 Self-Care Tips For Extra Busy People

Living in challenging times can leave little time to take care of yourself. The constant wail of news and social media take a toll on your physical, mental and emotional health.
 
If you’re struggling to find time for self-care, try these four tips. They’ll help you work good self-care habits into your schedule.
 
banner to boost self care

1. Establish a morning routine                                                       

Starting the day right is a good way to maintain your mental and physical health. This might include a healthy breakfast, daily exercise or meditation.self care means breathe
 
Figure out what works for you and do it every day.
 
Over time this will become a habit, helping you to take some time for self-care every day.
 
 
 
 
 
2. Schedule time off
It’s easy to find yourself in a cycle of continuous activity. You move from one activity to the next until it seems you’re just going through the motions.
 
Schedule some time off so you don’t get lost in the chaos.
 
It might be an afternoon away from your normal routine. Then again it could be something more extravagant like a weekend away or a vacation.
 
Whatever you choose, taking a break will allow you to relax and rejuvenate.

3. Get enough sleep

Don’t underestimate the importance of sleep.Good quality sleep allows your body to heal and re-energize.
 
Proper sleep helps you maintain good lifestyle habits, too. You’ll be less likely to make bad diet choices and avoid exercise when you’re rested.
 
Sleep is critical for physical and mental health. Make sure it’s one of your priorities.
 
4. Set realistic goals
Manage your mental health by setting realistic goals. Why let your commitment to something unachievable cause you to feel like a failure?
 
Spend some time considering your aspirations.
 
Make goals that are challenging, but possible for you to reach. You also need to set realistic goals when it comes to your self-care commitments.
 
Add things to your routine that will work long term with your lifestyle.
 
We all get 24 hours in a day. Make sure yours include time for self-care.
 
JohnK 6-24-2020
 
stick man hears about self-careOverheard: “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop”
                                                         ~Ovid
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Tim Goedhart on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer for self care
 

 

Powerful Goals Are Yours If They’re S.M.A.R.T.

May 20, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
The lockdown gives you time to make plans and set goals. When it’s over you’ll want to resume your life with a full head of steam.
 
GenuLines offers a list of steps to make sure your goals are powerful- and genuine!
 
 
microphone for speaking about goals

 

 

 

 

Powerful Goals Are Yours If They’re S.M.A.R.T.

There are smart goals and then there are S.M.A.R.T. goals. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. can help you set better goals.
 
The letters stand for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Reasonable, and Timely. Let.s take a look at each one.
 
Rubik's Cube toward goals

 

S

Stands for specific. Be precise.

Use language that spells out what the goal is. 

Why you want to reach it. And how you will get there.
 
Detail is important here. Take the time to do this part right.

M

Stands for measurable. For example, you want to add 100 dollars a week to your income. So you decide to write 5 articles a week for buyers that will pay you for them,

A 

“A” can stand for several things, like actionable, assignable, or achievable. Actionable goals give you daily activity to get you closer to them.
 
Goals should also be achievable or you will only get frustrated. Be accurate about the time it takes to reach a goal, and what actions it takes to get there.
 
Also, know who will be responsible for doing it.

R 

This can stand for realistic or relevant, and either or both are important and are true. If you want your goal to succeed, it should be something that is realistic or you’ll fail.
 
It should also be relevant to your life’s vision and match with your values.

T

Various authors refer to the “T” in the S.M.A.R.T. acronym as time-bound, timely or trackable. These are all important parts of the goal creating and setting process.
 
If you don’t set a time limit and you can’t track what’s happening, your goal will be hard to count as achieved.
 
There are plenty of words you can use to help you craft your goals. The important thing is that you need to have a process to help you set smart goals.
 
The ones you know you’ll follow through on and know when you’ve met them.
 
JohnK 5-18-2020
 
Stick figure hears about goalsOverheard: “A goal properly set is halfway reached”
                                       ~Zig Ziglar
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for goals

Can You Learn To Be More Optimistic?

March 18, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Optimistic outlooks are pretty rare these days. It’s easy to point to everything that’s going on in the world to back this up. 

GenuLines takes a look at some optimism building blocks and how you can use them to build a new outlook.

(You can listen to this article by clicking on below or scroll down to read it)

Radio for being more optimistic

 

 


 

banner to be optimistic

____________________

Can You Learn To Be More Optimistic?

Door to optimismWe all know that one person who sees the positive in every situation.  Some of us hate that person. 
 
Some of us love that person.  And some of us ARE that person.
 
If you’re not that person, you may be wondering if you can actually learn (or teach yourself) to be more optimistic. While some people are inherently positive, others lean toward the negative. 
 
 
 
Are we capable of changing from one to the other?
There are many benefits to a positive mindset. Optimists tend to be healthier and they lead lives that are better in most ways.
Changing the Way you Think
It turns out that optimism is more than thinking things will be better and pessimism means they will not. Instead, we use these words to describe the way a person thinks about what causes adversity.
 
A pessimist tends to think about these things in a way that makes them feel powerless. For example, a pessimist might say their adversity is due to internal forces.
 
They’ll say it’s all their fault, and there’s no way they can change it.
 
It’s possible to change the way that you think about things. When adversity makes your first thought a negative one, take a step back.
Re-examine it from a different angle
Let’s say you’re studying for a test and you’re struggling to understand the material. It’s easy to fall into thinking that you’re going to fail.
 
Rather, think about ways you might better understand the material. Then work on learning and studying what’s needed to help you toward a good grade.
 
Re-route your pessimism away from making failure inevitable.
 
Change your thought process and study the material to boost your chances of success. Our attitudes toward things are somewhat inherent.
 
But it’s possible to change your thinking and be more optimistic in the process.
Don’t rely on clicking off positive quotations to yourself and nothing else.
 
Do teach yourself to look at every situation from different angles.
 
Do that and don’t be surprised when your attitude improves, too.
 
JohnK 3-18-2020
 
stick figure man hears about optimismOverheard: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree”
                                                                      ~Martin Luther
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
Article image by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer about being optimistic
 
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