The thought of conflict can make you tighten up, ready to deal with trouble. That’s a natural reaction.
But there’s a good side to conflict and today GenuLines shows you how that’s natural, too.
5 Benefits of Conflict (Yes, Benefits!)
When you experience a violent storm, it’s easy to rail against the weather. The wind and the rain can seem terrifying.
Especially when coupled with the thunder and lightning.
But ask any farmer, and they’ll tell you that even storms have their benefits. Of course the rain is necessary for their crops.
But lightning hitting the ground, puts nitrogen into the soil that’s so needed for things to grow.
Likewise, conflict in the workplace has certain benefits. But we don’t always see them right away.
Keep reading to find several of them you might not have considered before now.
1. Conflicts make us aware of new ways to do things
The very fact that there’s a conflict tells you that someone else has a different point of view from your own. By exploring those conflicts, you’re likewise invited to explore the idea from a new angle.
This might bring out a new solution that wouldn’t have occurred before.
2. Conflicts enable us to verbalize better what we want
It’s through conflict that we decide what’s important to us, and how to put those feelings into words.
3. Conflict drives flexibility
When we’re in conflict, we’re hoping for others to see our point of view. But also in dealing with conflict, we’re forced to see the point of view of those around us.
That’s where we learn how to become flexible, to acknowledge that we’re not always right.
So the conflict teaches you two very important traits. Being open-minded, and understanding humility.
4. Conflict forces us to listen
The only way to resolve conflict is to listen to the other person. Through listening, we gain wisdom and learn to make better decisions.
5. Conflict drives solutions
When you deal with conflict, you’re likewise dealing with a problem that needs a solution. Resolving that conflict means finding those solutions, usually in new and innovative ways.
So conflict forces us to solve our problems in a creative way.
At first you might shy away from the idea of conflict, but it’s good to remember these benefits. Without conflict, we stagnate.
In time you’ll be able to see how much you’ve grown and benefitted by that conflict.
Mindset matters. Is yours standing still or all about forward motion.
Let GenuLines take the brakes off of your mindset and point you toward success.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset- Which One Describes You?
There are two mindsets that go a long way toward determining your personality. A fixe mindset assumes that your character, creative ability and intelligence are unchangeable.
It insists hat your basic abilities are those you’re born with.
People with a fixed mindset often want to appear intelligent. But they don’t believe they can change their intelligence.
They’re afraid of looking dumb and that they’ll always look that way.
Common fixed mindset thoughts:
Either I’m good at something, or I’m not.
I can’t learn now; it’s too late.
There’s no point in trying if I’m going to fail.
I always struggle with…
I’m a procrastinator.
I’m not creative.
It’s hard for me to lose weight.
Growth mindset goes in a different direction. It’s the belief that abilities and intelligence can grow with time and experience.
That you can become smarter. that your efforts effect your success and with persistence you can learn.
A growth mindset sees basic ability as only the starting point for true potential. It creates a passion for learning rather than a constant need for approval.
Some common growth mindset thoughts:
I can always become better at something through practice.
I can learn whatever I want or need to, exactly when I need to learn it.
I see failures as opportunities to learn, to reassess, and to do better next time.
I can always do better at something if I want to, but it will take effort.
Determination and effort are the measures of my outcomes
I enjoy learning and growing, and learning is a lifetime pursuit for me.
There are key differences between a fixed and growth mindset. Challenge is one of them.
A person with a fixed mindset will shy away from a challenge, often from fear of failure. They may go into hiding to avoid responsibilities.
Challenge excites the growth mindset person.
They find valuable takeaways from their experiences. And they master the challenge and move to greater accomplishments.
Another key difference
A person with a fixed mindset sees mistakes as embarrassing.
They blame others or become defensive when criticized.
The growth mindset person sees mistakes as a lesson learned. They are less likely to take criticism personally.
They’re open to criticism, believing it helps improve their ability to do better next time.
If you find you have a fixed mindset but you want to change, you can. It’ll take practice, determination, and being more aware of your thoughts.
Then you’ll be able to expect that the reactions to situations you want you’re likely to have. With these efforts, you benefit by having a more open, growth mindset.
And an open path to success in every area of your life.
Is it time to re-consider your mindset? The beginning of the year is a good time to give it some thought.
While you think it over keep these GenuLines tips close at hand.
How Changing Your Mindset Can Improve Your Life
“See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it. It always works, it works every time, with every person.” – Bob Proctor
I’m guessing that you don’t often think about how your mindset affects your life. You’ve always thought this way.
Either because of your upbringing or other circumstances.
This in fact does affect your life. By changing how you think you can improve your life.
Abundance mindset, scarcity mindset, fear mindset, fixed mindset, growth mindset, and confident mindset. These of some of the different types of mindsets we have.
Each unconscious and conscious belief affects our lives every moment.
Self Improvement
Here are some ways changing your mindset to an abundance or growth mindset can improve your life.
You aren’t afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Changing to a growth mindset allows you to see the many paths available to you in whatever you’re seeking.
These can include job advancement, creative outlets or something more personal. This allows you to move forward rather than being stuck in the same place.
When you make these changes, you see there are plenty of resources to go around. Now, there will be competition, but you’ll see the opportunities in every aspect of your life.
You become comfortable sharing ideas without feeling threatened or intimidated. This leads to better choices, environments and relationships.
You aren’t afraid of being a part of a team and participating in group situations.
Relationships
Setting your sights on growth helps you build better personal and romantic relationships. You realize people will always have differences.
You find that a relationship involves learning about and from each other. And you grow together and develop skills to work well together.
You’ll begin to judge yourself and others less. You won’t have time to waste on judging what others are saying or doing. Instead you’ll be focusing on making progress in your life.
The growth mindset has you accepting constructive criticism for what it is and using it for growth. It helps you be more confident because you won’t need validation to reassure you that you’re doing it right.
You Can Change
And it will improve your life. You can cultivate, learn, practice and grow new skills.
You no longer worry about what will happen. Instead you’ll commit to the process of doing, finishing and learning along the way.
Your growth will help you become a better person. Your skills will grow and you’ll build relationships.
You’ll step out of your comfort zone to go after what you want and believe you’ll get it.
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.
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.
They say success leaves clues, but for you the trail has run cold. Or has it?
Join GenuLines for this investigation into ways your success might be hiding from you in plain sight.
The Many Shades And Flavors Of Success
Webster’s dictionary defines success as…
a: degree or measure of succeeding
b: favorable or desired outcome.
also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
Have you ever stopped to think about how successful you are? For some reason we tend to look at success as it pertains to work and money.
But what about all the other successes that we achieve throughout our lifetimes?
Consider one part of the Webster definition above, favorable or desired outcome. Now realize that you’ve no doubt had lots of little successes that you’ve overlooked.
This could be finishing a report at work, or a school paper. Did your husband send you flowers for no special reason?
Did your child say she loves you because you’re the best mom? These are all favorable outcomes that result from our own efforts.
Effort And Achievement
Whenever you put effort into something you achieve, consider it a success. We don’t have to build a Bill Gates empire to consider ourselves successful.
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” – Henry David Thoreau
How about personal success? Consider for a moment how you live your life.
Do you take good care of yourself? If so, you’ve experienced another great success that eludes many people.
How many times a day or a week do you actually succeed without even thinking or planning to do so? It’s who you are.
You might even say that being who you are makes for success in its own right.
For example, a good friend needs help and you drop everything to be there. Color this a success.
What’s better than being there for the people we care about?
Acknowledgement
I’ll bet there are achievements in your week that you don’t notice. Why is that?
Wouldn’t it boost your emotional and psychological wellness to do so? Sure, it would.
Sometimes we miss the big picture. Those every day successes are some of our biggest.
It’s time to stand up and take notice of all that you do, every single day that makes you a success. Consider all the different shades and flavors of success in your own life, and celebrate them!
The Many Shades And Flavors Of Success
*Setting and following through on a fitness plan
*Being a loving and supportive parent
*Raising responsible kids• Eating healthy
*Taking good care of your mind, body and spirit
*Being a good friend
*Looking out for an elderly neighbor
*Taking good care of your family
*Being a responsible citizen
*Being a good friend
*Working a full time job and still coming home to cook dinner and do homework with kids
*Forgiving someone that wronged you
*Introducing a friend to her future husband
*Being honest when it’s hard to do so
*Saying sorry when it’s hard to do so
*Being your real self and living an authentic life
*Sticking with goals you set
*Giving your time and being of service
These are a few examples of the many shades and flavors of success.
Final Thoughts
Next time you consider whether you’ve succeeded in your own life, realize that big dreams and long-term goals are great. But there are many shades and flavors of success, and they all have value and meaning.
Overheard: “Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”
Your character is not set in stone. There are ways to make changes that can power up your life.
Let GenuLines start you on your own character re-charge..
You Can Improve Your Character Defects
Everybody has at least one character defect. But it’s how you go about changing your bad habits that define you as a person.
Life is non- linear and non- stagnant, and nobody is perfect. Keeping that in mind, be gentle on yourself.
And open your mind as you discover your character defects and work towards changing them.
What Are Character Defects?
They are what seem to be harmful or toxic traits hindering your growth. These present issues for you in your life.
It could be a vice, your habits, or a way of thinking. It’s something that you have may have recognized as a problem area that you would like to fix.
Changing Your Personality
Personality changes don’t happen overnight. It’s a process.
As humans, we spend most of our lives changing and evolving. The key is to acknowledge and work on what you see as an issue in your life and take action to fix it.
Personality has to do with your mind and the way you think. Here are some steps and things to think about as you work on overcoming what you believe is holding you back.
Progress Not Perfection
We spend the majority of our lives working to better ourselves. The goal is to start the process chase this idea of making progress, not finding the solution.
It’s the steps you take toward the solution that count.
Time is linear. But remember that progress and life are very much non-linear in how and when events in life happen.
It’s okay if something doesn’t work. The goal is to keep trying.
Replace Behavior
Replace malicious behavior with positive behavior. Substitute destructive activities with alternative tasks.
Use these to distract yourself. It can be something productive, but it doesn’t need to be.
The goal is for it to be less harmful than whatever it is you are trying to replace. This will do one of two things.
It will rewire your brain until you won’t focus or crave that harmful activity. And two, it would provide you less time to think about such.
Persistence
Don’t give up. Aim to change and improve yourself as a person.
This is an ongoing process. We’ll spend our whole lives improving.
And we’ll become better versions of ourselves each time. It won’t be perfect, but the idea is progress, not perfection.
Let Go
Let go of old negative behaviors from your past. Work towards conquering past pain so that you can move forward.
Let go of the things that stop you from moving forward. The ones that make you bitter or bear a grudge, and in general, anything that’s not making you happy.
Taking off that bitter edge will allow you to move forward and give up things that no longer serve you.
Bloom
Envision what you want for yourself and who you want to be. In a sense you’ll be a role model for yourself.
And you provide yourself something to strive toward. Control your narrative.
You can become the type of person you want to be. You have the power to change.
Not right away, but over time.
We grow
Everybody has something that could fall into the category of a character defect. We’re always growing and evolving.
Identify your problem areas and make a plan to address them. This will go a long way to a happier, healthier life.
Life’s ups and downs move you through a process known as personal growth. There’s a lot to keep track of while you make this journey.
This “road map” from GenuLines can help make your sailing a little smoother.
Personal Growth: Find Things You Need To Work On
Personal growth is the process of developing and bettering yourself. You can work on this throughout your life.
How does a person figure out what parts of their life they need to work on? Everyone has some part of like they need or want to improve.
It’s one thing to want to improve some part of life. It’s another thing to actually do it.
How do you go about making a change in your life? Especially if you’ve spent most of your life up to this point living day-to-day?
Do you ever think about the things in your life that you’re sure you’d like to change? Finding things, you need to work on is not as complicated as we make it.
Start where you are.
Project You
An important skill for life success is self-development. But self-mastery and general competence in daily life are only the beginning.
Tap into your own motivation and drive to find the path to elevate yourself beyond the status quo. You are your own self-development project.
You are the boss, the architect, and the quality control team.
Start With A-List
Make a list of what YOU think you need to work on. Then pick one and create a plan of tasks to take on one at a time.
Do this once a month.
Some of your goals will change. Others won’t matter anymore.
Some new items will pop up. There is nothing more satisfying than marking off a goal you have accomplished.
Treat Yourself
Making progress is motivating. Reaching milestones lights the fire to keep going.
Reward yourself for progress along the way. Rewards don’t have to be extravagant.
They could be as simple as watching a favorite movie or treating yourself to a favorite take-out meal. A small treat after hard work, and reaching a goal is a great way to motivate yourself to stay on track and keep going.
Celebrate that progress.
Network
Share your goals and vision with like-minded individuals. This can be friends, supportive family, or even social media groups.
You don’t have to all be in the same physical location to support each other. You’re not alone in your desire for change.
Revise, Regroup, And Reframe
If it’s broke, fix it. Don’t be inflexible about your methods.
When you are working on personal growth you have to be open-minded and a little flexible. Sometimes the best plans fail.
It’s ok.
Nothing has to be perfect. You have a lifetime to work on improving yourself and reaching goals.
If a plan needs adjusting make the change. Then get started again right away.
Expand Your Mind
Personal improvement doesn’t happen in a single day. This journey is a process.
The change is gradual.
There are many ways to create a growth mindset in your life. Browse social media, read self-help books, or psychology books.
Consider studying goal setting, attending conferences, and listening to podcasts. to open your mind up to new ways of personal growth.
Final Thoughts
These are only some of the tips and tools to help you on the journey to personal growth. Life is an ever-changing journey.
At different stages in life, your goals and perspectives may change. Keep going in the process for self-knowledge, self-mastery, and personal improvement.
This is one aspect of living a fulfilling and balanced life.
Think of your personal growth as the measuring stick of your life. The quality of your progress can affect the quality of your years.
And GenuLines wants to make you aware of that quality and how you can improve it.
Why Personal Growth Matters
How much time have you dedicated to your personal development in the past year? Six months? Week?
Unfortunately, society trains us to put other things first, like education and careers. We’re not downplaying their value in life.
We only want to point out the importance of taking the time to invest in our self-improvement.
Today, we’re talking about all the reasons why personal growth matters. As you’ll find out below, it makes up a huge chunk of your life as a whole, no matter how old you are.
So, let’s get started.
What Is Personal Growth?
Working on accomplishing things in life, setting goals, and achieving them. This is personal growth.
It starts with the drive to do and be better.
Even before that, you have to start with a positive mindset. That helps boost your resilience and keeps you going, even when things don’t go your way.
The beauty of personal growth is that it’s subjective. It’s different for everyone, like success.
A Closer Look
Some people define being successful as having a happy, healthy family. Others define it as having a career, or more money than they know what to do with.
Even though personal growth is a bit more elusive, it’s all improving as an individual. This can be polishing up your education or refining your temperament. Whatever it is you’re seeking out of life, that’s your personal growth journey.
What’s In a Name?
Because it’s so diverse and covers so many aspects, it goes by several names, including:
*Self-improvement
*Personal development
*Self-growth
*Self-help
Why Does Personal Growth Matter?
Now that we understand what personal growth is, you can see how it can have a positive effect on someone. Then, without even trying, that person will motivate others to work harder and do better.
So, personal growth isn’t a solitary journey. Yes, you do the hard work. Yet, you reap so many rewards that soon you realize it was all worth it.
Working on developing as a person will help you in various aspects of your life. You’ll shine at work and you’ll notice people will start to praise your accomplishments.
You’ll also grow into a more compassionate and loving person. Listening and being attentive will become second nature. You’ll feel good about yourself, and you’ll make others feel good as well.
How to Start Your Personal Growth Journey
Empathy and positive thinking are two traits we seem to lose over the years. Personal growth can help you regain them.
Here are some of the things you can do to begin achieving personal growth.
Set Short-Term Goals
Aim to set and achieve short-term goals. When creating goals, keep the following in mind:
Make your goals realistic
Divide long-term goals into several short-term ones
Write each goal on a Post-It and hang it on your desk or bathroom mirror
Recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses
Treat yourself to something nice every time you complete one of your goals
Keep Learning
We’re never too old to learn. Keep an open mind and take a step out of your comfort zone, and you’ll find fascinating things to learn about.
Ask any entrepreneur, and they’ll tell you they never stop learning. Their fascination with the world is what keeps them a step ahead of everyone else.
The trick is to find something that piques your interest. Nowadays everything is evolving so fast, there’s no shortage of that!
Find Your Purpose
What makes you happy? Find what makes you giddy with happiness, a.k.a. your purpose in life.
Each one of us has something that drives them and sets them apart from everyone else. Find what you want and go after it.
Even if you don’t know much about it, you can always learn. Thanks to modern-day technology, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Wake Up Early
Having healthy sleep patterns will regulate your physical, emotional, and mental states. You’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle the day that lies ahead.
Studies looked at people who make a habit of waking up early. They found those people to be healthier, happier, and more productive. It may take some time to get used to, but, once you do, you’ll never go back!
Read More
Many of us have given up on reading, thanks to our ever-present smartphones. You have to start the habit of reading each day, even if you read one blog a day.
Acquiring knowledge can be quite satisfying. You feel both competent and good. It’s an easy way to boost self-confidence and personal growth.
Personal Self-Acceptance
Knowing what your talents and skills are, is a vital part of self-acceptance. Likewise it’s important to recognize the areas where you’re not as strong.
Be confident in what you’ve accomplished and forgive yourself for any past mistakes. That’s the first step to accepting who you are and realizing your true worth.
We’re all here for a reason. Take the time to find out what yours is.
A Final Note
Understanding why personal growth matters is like understanding the secret of the universe. It can mean the difference between being happy, hopeful, and feeling dejected and lost.
Well, of course no one wakes up saying, “I want to be miserable.” It requires hard work and dedication.
You have to have a positive outlook and accept yourself for who you are. Only then can you unlock your true potential, which I have no doubt, will be amazing!
We’ve heard a lot about getting out of our comfort zone. But have you ever thought about why you should?
After all, it’s a place where we feel safe and in control.
It’s where we can predict what will happen and how we will feel. There won’t be any surprises that we can’t deal with.
So why would you feel compelled or even want to get out of your comfort zone? You need to do it because that would be key to your personal growth and happiness.
The benefits
Stepping out of that zone helps you build up your self-confidence and the way you view yourself.
Is being there holding you back from living a fulfilled life and growing in your career? The answer is yes.
It can also keep you from realizing and achieving your desires. You avoid challenges and you don’t have to rise to any new levels.
Here are 3 ways this is holding you back.
1. It’s keeping you from personal growth
When you’re afraid of something, staying in your comfort zone keeps you from facing that fear.
Then you suffer from it forever or until you do face it. You sidestep situations that would force you to face the fear as a way of overcoming it.
For example, say you have a fear of public speaking. It could keep you from taking a job that requires you to speak in front of others.
You hesitate even though it’s a step up on your career ladder.
2. Your happiness suffers
You might be prone to struggle with self-confidence and self-esteem issues. These problems can grow unless you begin to address them.
Stepping outside your comfort zone helps you build self-confidence. You see yourself in a better light.
When you’re confident and have good self-esteem, you’re happier. For example, if you’re not confident in your abilities, you may fear trying something new.
This drags down your confidence. You feel less competent and it’s making you unhappy.
3. Your comfort zone can make you feel trapped and unhealthy
Often our comfort zone keeps us doing bad habits out of fear. You might want to be more active, run a marathon, feel fewer aches and pains and go on adventures.
But to do any of these things means doing something that is outside your comfort zone.
For example, you want to run a short marathon. It’s always been a dream of yours, but you procrastinate and make excuses why you can’t.
You’re too out of shape. You don’t have time. You’re too old.
But the real reason is that you’re afraid to get out of your comfort zone and begin working with a trainer. As a result, you continue to eat unhealthily and you gain weight.
You lose muscle tone and put your dream on the back burner. At some point, your health takes a hit.
Staying in your comfort zone holds you back from living a life you love, from being happy, and from growing. You end up letting your fears rule.
When MatthewMcKay’s son Jordan was murdered, he set out on a quest to discover the truth about why we are here and what happens when we die. He became determined to listen and look for his dead son in any way he could.
In his book Seeking Jordan: How I Learned the Truth about Death and the Invisible Universe,McKay shares what he learned along the way. Matthew McKay will be our CHI FOR YOURSELF guest this Thursday May 26th at 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific time at chiforyourself.com
Overheard: “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” ~Thomas Paine
Overheard: “Dare to learn, to be different, to set your goals, to move out of your comfort zone, to be persistent.” 
RSS - Posts