Tag Archive for live your dreams

Can Minimizing Your Life Boost Your Productivity?

Tough times can be tough on your productivity. You feel like something is missing from even your best efforts. 

Today GenuLines pitches in with a suggestion that you do some ‘addition by subtraction.”

microphone for talking productivity

 

 

 

 

Can Minimizing Your Life Boost Your Productivity?

Productivity is an essential part of achieving success. You can’t go very far in life or excel past your position in your career or in your life without being productive.
 
Staying productive can be difficult. This is especially true when clutter distracts you from the tasks at hand.
 
Minimizing your life can be most effective in helping you be more productive..
 What Does Minimizing Your Life Mean?
Clutter hurting productivityBy “minimizing your life,” we’re talking about de-cluttering it. Cutting out unnecessary obligations and activities.
 
Removing unneeded or unnecessary items. And de-cluttering your home and workplace.
 
 
 
 
This can mean refusing or delegating responsibilities when you’re already loaded down.
 
Throwing out things you no longer use or need. And keeping your priorities in order so you handle them in a reasonable time.
 
This may be easier said than done. All this letting go can do a number on your emotions.
 
Be patient and allow yourself time to let go and process the loss.
 
How Could Minimizing Life Help?
Clutter’s very existence can cause anxiety and stress. Much like the way junk clutters up your home, it clutters your mind and your life.
 
This makes it hard to get things done, decreasing your productivity.
 
Your mind gyrates in many different directions. There’s cleaning that needs done.
 
Events and work you have to plan, stuff you need to organize, and the task you’re trying to complete. Because your mind is so bogged down by all the clutter, your productivity worsens as you work slower.
 
You lose valuable time you could be spending with your loved ones. Or you could be nurturing existing or even building new relationships.
 
What Can Improved Productivity Do for You?
You need productivity to ensure you meet all the steps necessary to reach your goals. When you work toward a goal you want to get it done within the ideal time
 
Productivity helps to ensure that you stick to your schedule. You do all your work and still have time for your family and others you love 
 
Productivity helps you have a full and happy life.
 
Minimizing your life can bring big improvement to your productivity. It’s essential to your success in both your career and in life.
 
To reach and maintain productivity limit the distractions and clutter in your life. This will free up time to complete your tasks.
 
And, achieve your goals.
 
JohnK 6-10-2020
 
Stick figure hears about productivityOverheard: “Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before”
                                           ~Franz Kafka
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for productivity
 

5 Great Reasons To Cut The Sugar From Your Diet

Sugar is sweet. We know that.

But GenuLines reminds you that cutting back on sugar can sweeten your overall health. microphone for reasons to cut sugar

 

 

 

 

reasons to cut sugar

 

5 Great Reasons To Cut The Sugar From Your Diet                                        

reasons to cut sugarThere’s been a lot of talk in the media about the evils of sugar consumption. Sugar is hiding in all sorts of foods including bread and salad dressing.

 
 
 
 
Add to that our love for things like cookies and ice cream and it’s no wonder our sugar intake is skyrocketing. Unfortunately, all this added sugar is doing a lot of damage to our health.
 
And it’s causing weight gain like never before.
 
banner to counter sugar
 
It’s time to cut added sugar from our diets. Here are five reasons why you should do a sugar detox and do as much as possible to avoid sugar consumption.

Consuming Sugar Spikes Your Insulin

As soon as your body starts to digest sugar, your insulin spikes up. Insulin is the hormone that’s in charge of keeping blood sugar levels from rising too high.
 
It converts extra sugar into fat for storage. This is a delicate process. Consuming sugar in large quantities will cause your insulin to spike.
 
The insulin then faces more than it can handle. Over time it becomes less and less effective.
 
This is when you get a negative effect on your health.

Consuming Sugar Makes You Gain Weight

Because of the insulin and because sugar adds a lot of calories to food. It can make you gain weight and you don’t have to be eating a lot of candy and cakes for that to happen.
 
Health authorities tell you to watch and lower your fat intake. The food industry gives us all sorts of low fat and fat-free food options.
 
But, to make these low-fat foods taste o.k, they added a lot of sugar. Take a look at regular and low fat or fat-free salad dressing.
 
The lower fat options have a lot more carbs and in particular, sugar.
 
You may not taste it, but it’s there. Sugar gets digested a lot faster than fat.
 
You’re hungry sooner after consuming a low-fat meal, so you eat again. The end result is weight gain.

Consuming Sugar Increases Your Risk For Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

With all that increased sugar and weight gain comes a higher risk for diabetes. And a condition called metabolic syndrome.
 
This is a group of symptoms and behaviors that put you at a much higher risk for heart disease and Type II diabetes. The good news is that both conditions are reversible.
 
The first step is to cut out the sugar.
 
Sugar Doesn’t Have A Lot of Nutritional Value And It Makes You Hungrier
Remember that aside from a little boost of energy, sugar doesn’t provide a lot of nutritional value. If you want something sweet, you’re much better off grabbing a piece of fruit than a cookie.
 
At least with a piece of fruit, you’re getting some vitamins and fiber with your sugar fix. If you want or need to lose weight, begin by cutting out sugar.
 
It causes spikes in your blood sugar.
 
These make your body produce a large amount of insulin to pull the sugar out of your system (and convert it to body fat). The sad little side effect of that process is that your blood sugar goes on a roller coaster ride.
 
This nowhere ride will leave you hungry and craving more sugary treats. 
 
JohnK 6-3-2020
 
 
Stick figure hears about sugarOverheard: “I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.”
                                          ~Og Mandino
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for sugar use
 
 

5 Consequences of Chronic Boredom

 
Medical experts call boredom the ‘disease of our time”. This is especially true during times of pandemic and quarantine.
 
microphone for lifting boredom
 
It can manifest into serious problems so GenuLines looks at some ways that can happen.
 
 

 

5 Consequences of Chronic Boredom

It’s not just for children anymore. Everyone suffers from it.
 
It used to be temporary for the most part. You couldn’t wait for the lecture to be over.
 
Or for your turn to see the doctor. It’s boredom, and it can turn serious.
 
banner to counter boredom
 
Boredom is a chronic disease, and why not? You’re bombarded with an endless array of stimuli every waking moment.
 
We’re used to constant information flow when we awake. We’re expected to take it all in, Television Boredomand we do.
 
We’ve stopped interacting and engaging. So, we get bored.  
 
 
 
 
German psychologist, Theodor Lipps, described boredom as ” a feeling of unpleasant arising out of a conflict between a need for intense mental activity and lack of incitement to it, or inability to be incited.”
 
This can mean different things to different people. An introvert, might find pleasure between the pages of a book or any other type of solitary activity.
 
But an extrovert may want more excitement as well as more social encounters.
 

You Do You

No matter the personality type, there’s a correlation between boredom and self-awareness. Let’s say you have a clear idea of your strengths, weaknesses, motivations and beliefs.
 
And you’re comfortable in your own skin. You’re now better prepared with the tools required to make yourself less bored.
 
You can gauge your moods and feelings, and understand what it is you want out of life. It also better prepares you to deal with others, and respond accordingly.
 
But having a clear understanding of your personality can be a real problem. The world is at our fingertips 24/7.
 
The idea that we can turn off the noise for a few seconds is now a foreign concept.
 
No one wants to sit there and do nothing! Adults fixate on playing games or browsing through their social media.

Downtime can be scary!

 
But it’s in those moments where we really feel our presence, tune in to our thoughts, and get in touch with our feelings. It’s also when we are at our most imaginative and creative.
 
It’s how we evolve, discover and invent.
 
Chronic boredom can make it easy to leave you in a rut of negative habits. You feel powerless to finish tasks.
 
This puts a damper on the quality of your life, and exacerbates physical pain. It comes with a slew of negative ramifications, the 5 most common are:
 

• Obesity

 
Constant snacking minus real hunger could be a case of boredom. This often involves foods high in processed fats and sugars.
 
These make you feel calmer and happier. Dieticians refer to this as emotional eating, which is often brought on by boredom.
 

• Depression

 
Boredom can be a symptom of depression, and it can also trigger it.
Working long hours. Stressful work or home environments. Less than challenging jobs.
 
These can ramp up stress and lead to deep bouts of depression.
 
 

• Stress and anxiety

 
Living day to day in an environment that doesn’t give you what you need can lead to emotional exhaustion. Top that with a helping of work responsibilities and financial strain.
 
This is the perfect recipe for chronic stress triggered by boredom and redundancy.
 

• Alcohol and drug abuse

 
In an attempt to break through the boredom spells, it’s common to find people reaching for alcohol and drugs. Of course these can have an addictive effect.
 
But in the moment, all people see is how they allow them to forget. They’re forgetting the aggravating effects boredom has on their lives.
 

• Heart disease

 
When boredom is the rule, your brain releases toxic hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones create problems for your heart.
 
Moreover, chronic boredom sufferers tend to skip exercise and eating right. In fact, they’re more likely to turn to bad habits, like smoking and drinking.
 
These can take their toll on the cardiovascular system, resulting in premature death.
 
A great way to break the boredom cycle is to step back and look at the big picture. Make lists of all the good in your life. as well as all the things you’ve wanted to try but never found the time and start from there.
 
Take control of your life and try to work your way around the things you cannot change. Form new, healthier habits.
 
Try something different each day. Volunteer your time to helping others who are in need.
 
And, above all, find something that piques your interest.
 
JohnK 5-27-2020
 

Stick figure hears about boredomOverheard: “The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom”

                                ~Arthur Schopenhauer
 
 
 
 

 

 

disclaimer for bordom

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

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.

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

Your Stress Doesn’t Have to Own You

What do you do when the constant stress of staying tethered to your house all day feels unbearable? Try some suggestions from this GenuLines list to help you “chunk-down” the job of de-stressing.  

microphone counters stress

 

 

 

 

Your Stress Doesn’t Have to Own You

calm man resting in chairStress is unavoidable in life, but we don’t have to feel stressed around the clock. We can often prevent stressful incidents and decrease our negative reactions to them.
 
 
 
As a result, many times all we have to do to reduce our stress is to acknowledge that it’s there. Also, there are steps we can take to do an effective job of stress management.
 
banner to counter stress

Managing time

Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends. Furthermore, they can help with performance and productivity.
 
This will help reduce 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. 
 
· Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Re-direct your time to activities that are important and meaningful to you. 
 
· Manage your commitments by not over- or under committing. Don’t commit to what isn’t 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 stress 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 journal.
 
With this information, you can 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. These may not be direct causes of stress.
 
But they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress. Try to:
 
· Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
 
· Have a sense of purpose in life. 
 
· Make sure you get enough sleep since 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. This is the positive support you get from family, friends, and the community.
 
It affirms to you that you’re cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. And research shows social support can support better mental and physical health.
 
Ways of thinking
When something triggers negative thoughts, you may experience a range of problems. These include fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, and guilt.
 
Add to those a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness.
 
Emotions like these 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 do away with stress. 
 
· Disproving irrational thoughts is good practice. You’ll avoid exaggerating the negative thought and anticipating the worst. And you won’t give it an incorrect interpretation.
 
· Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it. 
 
· Maybe it’s time to change your communication style. You want to make sure others won’t feel put down, hostile, or intimidated.
 
This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the assertiveness ladder to improve your communication style.  

And Finally…

Anybody can get stressed. You don’t have to have a high powered job or any job at all.
 
Let’s face it unemployment is stressful in itself.
 
Whether you’re a mail carrier, the CEO, or a parent, stress is going to affect you from time to time.
 
Above all, how you deal with it is what counts.
 
JohnK 4-29-2020
 
Stick figure hears about stressOverheard: “Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one.”
                                                         ~Hans Selye
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for stress
 

You Can Find Joy In Challenging Times

“There’s no joy in Mudville” is a line from the poem “Casey At The Bat.” Today there doesn’t seem to be joy anwhere in the world.

But GenuLines reminds you can build a foundation of joy, even in an age of social isolation. 

(listen to this article by clicking on the radio image or scroll down to read)

Radio sounding joy

 

 

 

 

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You Can Find Joy In Challenging Times

They are life’s ups and downs. A constant fluctuation of emotional highs and lows.
We spend most of our time in a rather even, mundane state of emotional normalcy.
 
This is broken up by peaks of the best times and unfortunately, valleys when nothing goes right.
 
The lows of everyday life are tough. But in times of crisis such as a worldwide pandemic, they only intensify.
 
Daily news of death, isolation, fear, grief, and loss can strip us of our joy. And, this can lead to depression.
 
Sign tells of joy
 
While you can’t control what happens outside your door, you CAN control yourself. There are things you can do to maintain a positive and even joyful mindset.
 
Let’s look at three of them.

Surround Yourself With The Right People

It’s often said that we are the sum total of the five people we surround ourselves with most often. If so, make sure you get the right people around you.
 
Many times when life is beating us up, we retreat into the solitude of our home. We want to throw the covers over our heads and be alone with our thoughts.
 
Sometimes periods of solitude are healthy and necessary. Right now, isolation is the norm as we experience a health crisis.
 
But when you find your spirits cratering you feel robbed of your joy. So connecting with joyful types is crucial.
 
It’s not hard to stay connected to them during Shelter In Place orders. Technology has seen to that.
 
• Face Time on iPhones and Video calls on Android
• Skype
• A simple phone call
• Email
• Text
• Zoom and other video conferencing software can safely bring together friends and family.
• Good old-fashioned letter writing

Remember That Nothing Is Permanent

The time-honored adage says “THIS TOO SHALL PASS.” It would suggest that nothing in life is permanent.
 
So we tend to see extreme happiness and joy as temporary, and we play them down.
 
Yet keeping this expression in mind during the low times can be very beneficial. Whatever you’re going through, no matter how bad it may be, it WILL pass.
 
And consider this. Most of the difficult times you experience in life will end without any extra effort on your part.
 
It’s so easy to get into a mindset of having to put out a huge amount of effort to make something bad go away.
 
This is possible but most of the time TIME is the only remedy for tough situations. To maximize your joy in hard times, remember that your situation is not the way things are.
 
It’s the way they are RIGHT NOW.
 

Base Your Happiness On Yourself

So far we’ve discussed how life takes us through highs and lows. And that nothing lasts forever.
 
There’s one more thing to keep in mind during the best AND the worst periods.
To have more consistent joy never let your circumstances dictate your attitude.
 
Elation in good times and near despair during the bad can cause emotional exhaustion.
 
Stable, consistent, sustainable joy can only be created and found within yourself.
Life is far less about what happens to you than it is how you react to it.
 
You are in charge of how you feel. Don’t fall into the routine of letting happiness get to your head and failure to your heart.
 
JohnK 4-15-2020
 
Stick figure hears about joyOverheard: “Joy is untouched by circumstance”
                                  ~Anonymous
 
 
 
 
Article image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for joy
 
 

Junk Food Is NOT Food, It’s Junk

Are you a junk food junkie? Today GenuLines gives you an idea of what you’re taking into your body. 

You may want to re-consider.

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

radio talking about junk food

 

 

 
 

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Junk Food Is NOT Food, It’s Junk

Marketing can be a powerful tool. How so?
 
Well, think about it. Marketing can fool the masses into believing things are good for them when they’re not.
 
This opens the door for, say, the pharmaceutical companies to come in.
 
Many junk foods are so processed that their original products disappear. The fact is, junk food is NOT FOOD, it’s junk.
 
Need more information about processed food? Consider:
 
They’re Loaded With Sodium
A lot of our daily sodium consumption comes from processed rather than whole food. So many foods contain excessive sodium yet you’re unlikely to realize it.
 
For example, you may not have a natural liking for “salty foods”, but you love sweets. That sugary soda you’re drinking is also loaded with a sodium derivative, even though you can’t taste it.
 
Such are the hidden dangers of processed food.
 
Picture of junk food
 
Loading Up On Simple Sugars
If you rely on processed foods for “nourishment”, you’re falling short. You may often find yourself constipated if you use junk food for sustenance.
 
This is due to a lack of complex carbs and fiber. Simple carbohydrates enter the bloodstream and are quickly absorbed.
 
The result is blood sugar disruption.
 
Natural foods have more complex carbs that are low on the Glycemic Index. They have more fiber that promotes digestive health and regularity.
 
Processed Foods Contain Artificial Fats
It’s wrong to think all fats are bad. In fact, natural fats are ALL good for us and even essential. But it’s a different story for trans fats.
 
Trans fat is a modified variety of oil that allows it to remain solid at room temperature. Oils are usually liquid at room temperature.
 
This kind of fat is pro-inflammatory.
 
Inflammation speeds up aging and contributes to many of our chronic diseases. The list includes high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
 

Many Processed Foods Contain Anti-Nutrients

One such anti-nutrient is the white potato. It prevents the absorption of other nutrients.
 
This brings down the nutritional value of the entire meal. And guess what?
 
White potatoes are a favorite ingredient in processed food.
 
White potato is cheap, and some say, tastier than sweet potatoes. This helps increase the profits of big brand junk food companies.
 

Preservatives And Additives 

Food doesn’t keep for months without spoiling or turning rancid. So how does processed food last so long?
 
You can thank additives and preservatives. They’re chemicals for the most part.
 
And they extend the shelf life of food.
 
Are they helpful? Sometimes, definitely.
 
But more often than not, they’re a hazard to your health.
 
Many are “safe” in very, very low concentrations and approved for human consumption by the FDA. But they’re often used in amounts far exceeding their safe limit.
 
And their consumption is more than occasional.
 
Conclusion
Processed foods are far from natural- even with the word “natural” on the label. And many are genetically modified.
 
There’s been a lot of debate in this area, too. If you’re in doubt eat whole foods, closest to their original source.  
 
JohnK 4-1-2020
 
Stick figure hears about junk foodOverheard: “Nourish the mind like you would your body. The Mind cannot survive on junk food.”
                                          ~Jim Rohn
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer includes junk food

6 Tips For Building Optimism Into Your Life

Seen much optimism lately? Me too. 

But, you can begin to change things and GenuLines wants to put you on the path!

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

banner promoting optimism

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6 Tips For Building Optimism Into Your Life

Water glass and optimismOptimism…it’s a four-syllable word for something that can be harder to find than diamonds in South Africa.
 
But believe it or not, you can tap into the earth of your surroundings and dig up a rich store of feel-good.
 
 
 
Here are a few ways to do that.

 

#1: Find the laughter

You won’t have to go far to find it. Start with Youtube and social media.
 
No shortage of funny memes, videos, vines, and more here. You could also rent a funny movie, watch stand up comedy, or hang out with funny people.
 
Laughter will lead you to smile, and smiling will lead you to feel good. Which brings us to our next point.

#2: Turn the frown upside down

It’s hard to believe that something like smiling can improve your mood. But studies have linked outward acts of happiness to an internal shift.
 
Practice by looking in the mirror and smiling, even it if feels cheesy, stupid, and inauthentic. Hold your smile for a minute, two minutes, or more…see how long you can go.
 
Start the day off with a smile, and make a conscious effort to smile more.

#3: Use positive words

Studies have shown and confirmed what spiritual traditions have long held. Words can shape the reality around you.
 
If you want to build a more positive vibe, try using more positive words. Scrap the negative talk about yourself and others, too.

#4: Find positive people

The impact of those we hang out with is enormous. Avoid negative influences and people who bring you down with complaining and criticism.
 
Misery loves company, the old adage goes. And these people will send you into a downward spiral.
 
Be with friends who are upbeat, positive, and happy, and their resilience and optimism will rub off on you.

#5: Stay healthy

If you’re feeling tired and sick, it’s easy to get irritable and negative. By contrast, try maintaining an active lifestyle of healthy choices.
 
These will maximize your energy levels and build you up. It’s easier to be upbeat and happy when you feel good inside and out.

#6: Spirituality and/or self-actualization

Most spiritual traditions promote a positive outlook on life. Not keen on organized religion?
 
Find something that can provide a positive outlet. Like exercise, music, art, or reading.
 
Yes, positive words can turn your perspective around. And filling your heart and mind with good stuff will help optimism come easier.
 
JohnK 3-25-2020
 
Stick figure being optimistic
 
Overheard: “Keep looking up…. That’s the secret of life”
                                               ~Snoopy

 

 

 

Article photo by Joseph Greve on Unsplash

 

disclaimer to bring about optimism

Can You Learn To Be More Optimistic?

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

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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
 

Patience Is A Virture And It Can Be Yours

So patience is a virtue. Well, let’s get a definition of virtue.
 
Merriam Webster defines patience as “the ability to remain calm and not become annoyed when dealing with problems or with difficult people.” Simple but not always easy!
 
GenuLines drills down a bit deeper to help bring patience a little closer to you
 
(Listen to the article by clicking on below or scroll down to read)
 
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Patience is a Virtue And It Can Be Yours

Patience is one of those things that can make life go more smoothly. But, a lack of patience can cause serious problems, even health issues.
 
Some of life’s irritants move us to squeeze a little harder on the hair-trigger of impatience. But we can learn to overcome and enjoy life one day or even one minute at a time,
 
man needs to patiernce
 
 
Circumstances
What triggers your impatience? For some, it’s certain situations or circumstances, such as a job or a family problem.
 
Others may lose their patience when they’re driving or cooking. Impatience with job or family situation can be especially tough to address – and even harder to fix.
 
A good start though is to acknowledge it. Then focus on anything that may help relieve tension.
 
Seek help
Work toward focusing on pleasant things in your life. If a certain task at your job is causing your impatience ask your supervisor or co-worker for help.
 
They may be able to offer help or suggestions.
 
Also, they may have a better way of dealing with it or be able to adjust your workload. The problem with many of us is that we don’t want to ask for help.
 
We want to be able to take on everything even though we aren’t able to do it.
If it’s a family situation the best way to handle it may be to talk about it, which can be difficult.
 
Again, many tend to shy away or avoid difficult situations.
 
But, getting it out in the open and talking about it is often the best solution. Seek outside help if a difficult challenge amps up the impatience.
 
The problem itself may not cause the impatience. But it may trigger something in you that causes you to be impatient.
 
Focus on other things
Impatience can affect your driving, housework, or other routine tasks. Be ready by conditioning yourself to relax and focus on your breath.
 
You could try relaxing before you start or listening to music while doing any of these tasks. This is where gratitude comes in.
 
Be grateful that you can do routine tasks.
 
Some only imagine cooking or driving but aren’t able to for any number of reasons. Keep this in mind during the tense moments.
 
It’ll help you to focus on the task at hand, but it may also make you more patient.
 
JohnK 3-11-2020
 
stick figure man hears about patienceOverheard: “A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else.”
                                               ~George Savile
 
 
 
 
 
Article Image by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay 
 
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