Tag Archive 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 
 
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Handle Adversity: Consider Opposing Viewpoints

September 17, 2019 John Uncategorized No comments
Adversity can bring you opportunity- an opportunity to do your homework! GenuLines helps you get an edge by looking at all sides of an issue.
 

call to action for adversity

Handle Adversity: Consider Opposing Viewpoints

Adversity often grows out of misinformation about a situation. You know the information might not be true but you act on it as if it was.
 
A good way to counter this situation is to take the other end of an argument or the opposing viewpoint.
 
 
two men showing antagonismFirst, consider the people you have an issue with and learn more about them. Do you disagree with their political views?
 
Or do you have some other bias against them? For instance, religion can bring out different standpoints and beliefs.
 
 
 
 
For the sake of discussion, we’ll call your opposition adversaries. You’ll need to find out more about them.
 
The internet is a good place to start. If you get stuck go old school. Visit your local library and ask the reference librarian.
 
They specialize in research and they can help you.
 
Get A Read on Things
Read material that you normally would not. Do this even if you’re not facing an adversarial situation.
 
It gets you in the mindset of accepting differences in others. You can look for magazines and books, or you can view blogs and forums related to the topic you want to learn.
 
You aren’t required to agree with adversarial topics. You only want to learn more about them so that you have information on your side.
 
Back your arguments with information. This will make it tougher to challenge you because you can cite your sources.
 
Play devil’s advocate when approaching any subject. Try to pose questions that your adversaries would pose. See if you can understand why they would pose those questions.
 
It may get you to rethink your own beliefs.

What were they thinking?

It’s also important to understand the motivations of your adversaries. Here’s an example. Fundraisers sometimes use a lot of hype to get you to buy into their message.
 
When this happens, knowing the facts will help you make your decision.
 
Try to stay away from name-calling since this never solves the problem. You’ll come off as petty.
 
And you might strengthen your adversary’s position.
 
It’s okay to argue with people when you have the facts on your side. But, some people won’t accept those facts no matter how hard you try to get them to consider them.
 
When this happens, there isn’t much you can do but walk away.
 
JohnK 9-17-2017
 
 
stick figure hearing about adversityOverheard: “Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them”
                                ~ Washington Irving
 
 
 
get quotes about adversity
 
animated man talks adversity
 
 
Banner to combat adversity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Pain: A Different Perspective on Dealing With It

July 25, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments

 

woman in painOur next scheduled guest on Chi For Yourself has lived with chronic pain since 2007.

Sarah Anne Schockley offers fellow pain sufferers a compassionate and supportive guide for living with pain that can be used alongside their ongoing medical or therapeutic healing programs.

 

 

Sarah Anne Shockley is the author of The Pain Companion: Everyday Wisdom for Living With and Moving Beyond Chronic Pain.

Be with us for Chi For Yourself on Thursday, July 26th at 4 pm Eastern, 1 pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com

JohnK 7-25-2019

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7 Ways to Differentiate Memory Changes as You Age

July 19, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
Memory is a sometimes a touchy subject. The degree to which it bothers you may be a tipoff that something’s wrong.
 
Today we’ll look at how forgetfulness can be an annoyance or a sign of something more serious.
 
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ARTICLE:

 
memory reminderAs you age you may see that your memory is not as good as it used to be. This could affect your ability to learn and remember new things.
 
Some of these changes in memory can be due to lack of attention. For example, if you’re a working parent you may be on overwhelm.
 
 
 
You’re trying to remember who needs to go where and when. This is considered a normal memory problem.
 
There are biological reasons for memory loss, too. Over the years the brain changes.
 
 
memory helperThe ability to process information and to react to it slows, as does the ability to multi-task. You can curb the process with a little more effort to learn and remember new things.
 
 
 
 
There are differences in normal and abnormal cognitive and biological changes. Abnormal changes can be the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
 
Here are some ways to tell normal forgetfulness from abnormal forgetfulness:
 
1. The passage of time –
 
The passing of time is often to blame for decreased memory in normal aging. If you don’t think about particular memories often, you might forget them.
 
A less important event might mean more chance of forgetting the details. This isn’t unusual.
 
The memories that you call upon more often tend to stay front of mind. Bottom line: if you don’t use those memories, you lose them.
 
Abnormal forgetfulness is the inability to recall recent events. Things like what you ate for breakfast or who visited you that day.
 
2. Stressful events –
 
If you’re trying to remember events from a time of stress in your life, it’s likely due to normal memory lapses. During times of stress, your brain has a harder time storing information.
 
3. Repetition –
 
If you tell your kids the same story over a couple of weeks it’s called simple forgetfulness. But if you tell them the same story during a short visit it may be more serious.
 
4. Date –
 
You might forget exact dates, but you have a general idea of the time of the month. This is common.
 
You would likely have the presence of mind to, say, check a newspaper for your answer. It’s a different story if you don’t even know what year it is.
 
5. Self-care abilities –
 
You may experience some forgetfulness now and then. But you still remember to wash and dress yourself.
 
You eat at your usual times. You go to the grocery store.
 
And you take your medications. You may need to use a pill box as a personal reminder but your memory is likely still within range for your age.
 
It’s a different story if you don’t remember how to do these tasks or even that they need to get done.
 
6. Familiarity –
 
Sometimes you get lost in unfamiliar locations, such as when you’re visiting a new area of your city. Usually not a big deal.
 
It’s another matter when you get lost in your neighborhood. Or if you don’t remember your own family members.
 
7. Frustration levels –
 
Talking about forgetfulness is not likely a trigger for anger. But a memory problem can cause angry outbursts to someone faced with questions.
 
They don’t want to be tested about dates, places, and more. They may even accuse you of stealing something that they lost and cannot locate.
 
JohnK 7-19-2018
 
 
 
 
Image for memoryOverheard: “As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.”
                                  ~ British comedian Sir Norman Wisdom
 
 
 

The Benefits of Meditation for Motivation

July 12, 2018 John Uncategorized No comments
The next scheduled Chi For Yourself is set for a couple of weeks from today. I won’t go into details. But, if you’re someone who suffers from constant pain you’ll want to listen in. 
 
You’ll get the details in an upcoming GenuLines blog post. You can get those sent to you if you subscribe.
 
Put your email address in the box at the top of the page and get the updates. 
 
Today we’ll look at motivation. If you’re not doing well in this department you might benefit from a shot of mindfulness. 
 
Read on to learn more:
 
picture of meditation
 
 

ARTICLE:

 
Do you struggle with low motivation? The stress and strain of a busy life can overwhelm you.
 
The most basic tasks seem difficult.
 
The downward spiral of low motivation can seem like an impossible cycle to break. Productivity and accomplishment look like unattainable goals when you lose your spark.
 
There’s a simple tool you may not have considered before that can get you back on track, and that’s meditation. You can gain a lot of good things through your practice.
 
Let’s look at some of the benefits of meditation for motivation.
 
Strengthened Focus and Concentration
 
Focus and concentration are essential elements of motivation. If you can’t get your mind to center on the things you need to do, your motivation will also go out the window.
 
Meditation involves focus and concentration. You’ll be engaging in focusing your attention in some way.
 
 
 
Increased Happiness
 
We all get down now and again. But staying in the “happy zone” pays dividends.
 
Happy people tend to have more energy and higher self-confidence. Motivation increases happiness by stimulating the release of the brain’s “happiness hormones.”
 
When you’re feeling more positive, you’re likely to have more internal desire to get things done.
 
Less Stress
 
Meditation allows the brain to slow down as it receives sensory input. This leads to a more relaxed feeling
 
This relaxation and improved processing leads to reduced feelings of stress and overwhelm. With less stress comes a feeling of more control, which then fuels your motivation.
 
Positive Thinking
 
One of the biggest killers of motivation is negative thinking.
 
Pessimism can come from many sources. These include depression, poor habits or general life difficulties.
 
Meditation “rewires” brain patterns to naturally trigger more positive ones. The result is the “reset” you need to be more motivated.
 
Clarified Goals and Purpose
 
Taking time each day for meditation gives you loads of personal insight. This self-reflection can be the fuel for reassessing what’s really important in your life.
 
When you have a better picture of your priorities, your goals and life’s purpose become clearer. Knowing where you want to go kicks your motivation into high-gear.
 
You feel a greater urgency to take the steps necessary on the path to your dreams.
 
The benefits of meditation for increased motivation are many. And there are many different types of meditation.
 
You can begin to research on your own or find a skilled teacher who can help you develop a practice that works for you. What’s most important is that you get started.
 
And be consistent in your meditation practice. You’ll see more effective results.
 
The energy uptick will help you tackle your to-do list and go after the life goals that matter.
 
JohnK 7-12-2018
 
 
 
 
meditation manOverheard:   “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
                             ~ Florence Nightingale
 
 
 
 
 
 
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