Archive for Uncategorized

Happiness vs. Reality: The Hedonic Treadmill

June 27, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Happiness is something we say we want. But can we have it all the time, and then again should we?

We’ll take this question apart as GenuLines looks at The Hedonic Treadmill.

Happiness vs. Reality: The Hedonic Treadmill

The ‘hedonic treadmill’ is a term that describes one aspect of the human condition. It paints a portrait of what many of us think is the ‘default state’ of happiness.
 
That default state meanwhile summed up as being ‘never quite happy’.
 
The hedonic treadmill is what keeps driving us forward. At the same time it keeps us from giving up.
 
It’s the fine line that most of us walk. Somewhere between being content and a bit uncomfortable.
word happy written out
Proponents of the idea say that we’ll never quite reach perfect happiness. But at the same time we’ll likely never be completely distraught either.

Evidence for the Hedonic Treadmill

So, does the hedonic treadmill actually exist? Right now your gut may be giving you an answer.
 
Do you feel as though you’re never quite content? If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you be completely happy then?
 
According to some studies we do indeed have a kind of ‘baseline’ happiness that we fall back on. One study tested happiness levels before and after life changing events.
 
Some participants would lose a limb and others would win the lottery. After two years both groups were at happiness levels much like their pre-event levels.
 
Let’s look at it from an evolutionary perspective. It’s easy to see why something like the hedonic treadmill might exist.
 
If we were to become completely miserable it might lead us to give up completely.
 
But if we were completely content we would have no motivation to keep striving to make life better. So in this case being in a state of ‘slight discontent’ can be effective.
 
Of course there are also criticisms of the theory. Not everyone is at the same level of happiness. And most of us will experience considerable fluctuation throughout our lives.
 
So the jury is still out on whether such a thing exists. And it’s easy to see that you might never actually want to be ‘100-per-cent happy’.
 
Whether you find that comforting or not is likely to depend very much on your point of view…
JohnK 6-26-2023
Stick figure hears about happinessOverheard: “Our happiness depends on wisdom all the way”
                            ~Sophocles
disclaimer for happiness
 

5 Benefits of Conflict (Yes, Benefits!)

June 19, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

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.

picture of conflict

 

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.

JohnK 6-19-2023
chiforyourself.com

stick man hears about conflictOverheard:  “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph”                                                                  ~Thomas Paine

 

 

disclaimer for conflict

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset- Which One Describes You?

June 12, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

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.
 
train brain for mindset
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.
 
JohnK 6-12-2023
 
Stick figure hears about mindsetOverheard: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
                                   ~Earl Nightingale
disclaimer for mindset

How Defining Your Problem Can Often Help You to Solve It

May 29, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments
problem solving tool

You have a problem. You’re struggling with it and it seems things are getting out of hand.

Get the upper hand today as GenuLines looks at problem solving.

How Defining Your Problem Can Often Help You to Solve It

For many of us, the initial reaction to any problem that seams unsurmountable is to panic. Car won’t start when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere?

Now you have tons of problems and issues running through your head.

You’re going to be late, or you’re going to starve. You might be without your phone, or you’re cold, or you’re scared.

These are valid issues but they’re not the main problem. And in some cases they can distract you from the matter at hand.

What you need to do then is to take a breather, get a grip and define your problem.

Defining the Problem

This lets you cut through the issues and narrow things down to the one thing that’s getting you into trouble. In this case, the problem is that your car won’t start.

Forget the rest and instead focus on that one central challenge.

You might also have ‘other’ problems. But for this exercise the most effective thing to do is to pick one to focus on first.

Finding the Root

When defining your problem it’s also important to make sure that you’re at the root of it. The problem ‘you are going to be late’ is harder to solve because it’s more ‘high level’.

If the root of your problem is ‘your car won’t start’ then that’s a better place to begin.

Then again you might further simplify this and say ‘you’ve run out of petrol’. Now the solution becomes clearer because you’ve broken it down.

Rewording the Problem

If this hasn’t immediately helped, then you might want to try rewording the problem.

In this case you can think of your problem almost as an equation. You’re flipping it around while keeping the meaning the same.

you can often start seeing answers.

Your car won’t start

Your car is broken

You have no mode of transport

You have no way of getting home

These last two ‘rephrases’ in some cases might start to offer up solutions. A solution to not being able to get home is to call a friend

– or you might stay in a local hotel for the night. By rephrasing the question you can view it from different angles and this can end with a solution.

This all comes down to ‘knowing your ‘enemy’. Once you’ve done this you’ll have a target you can aim for and a solution will be much more likely.

JohnK 5-29-2023

chiforyourself.com

Making Your Dreams Come True

May 15, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Dreams do come true, for some of us. And you want to be among those who realize their dreams. 

Start with this GenuLines look at how your dreams can become reality.

Making Your Dreams Come True

Do you dream of being somebody special, somebody big? Do you fantasize about hitting the game-winning home run?
 
the word dream
 
Do you dream of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have you dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with your relationships?
 
Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams are only that – dreams.
 
 
 
 
And our aspirations collect dust.
 
We want to move toward self actualization. But we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day.
 
Mere existence becomes our reality. But life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The words get in the way

The most common problem with setting goals are the words ‘can’t’ and ‘impossible’.
 
Most people get hung up thinking ‘I can’t do this,’ or ‘It’s not possible.’ Now, if everyone thought that way, there would be no inventions.
 
No innovations. And no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.
 
Remember that scientists drew a blank when they studied the bumblebee. They said that in theory it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly.
 
But, the bumblebee doesn’t know that. So fly it does.
 
But some people dream very possible dreams and then don’t act on them. The result?
 
Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

Try this exercise

Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list things you ‘know you can do’.
 
Under another header, write the things you ‘might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that are ‘impossible to do.’
 
Now look at all the headers and strive every day to finish things you ‘know you can do’. Check them when you’re able to do them.
 
Then move to the goals you ‘might be able to do.’ Finally, tackle the goals you labeled ‘impossible to do.’
 
As you work through this process you’ll find that the ‘impossible’ begins to seem possible.
 
The intention here is not to limit your imagination. It’s to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little.
 
But keep it realistic so you don’t end up disappointed and disillusioned.
 
Thomas Edison said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer.
 
To reach your dreams be ready to call on hard work and discipline. Any gym rat will tell you that there can be no gains unless you’re out of your comfort zone.
 
So dream on! Don’t get caught up in your perceived limitations.
 
As you progress, you’ll find that the ‘impossible’ is feeling a bit more possible.
 
JohnK 5-15-2023
 
stick man hears about dreamsOverheard: “Keep true to the dreams of your youth”
                           ~ Friedrich Schiller
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for dreams
 
 
 
 

Are You Committed to Excellence?

May 8, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Excellence is a quality we admire wherever we see it. And with a bit of work you can see it every day in your own life. 

Use this GenuLines look at excellence to ramp up your efforts. 

Are You Committed to Excellence?

You’ve no doubt heard of the phrase ‘committed to excellence.’ Now, do you understand what it means?
 
sign urges excellence
 
 
The following quote is from Aristotle:
 
“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
 
Immediately you can see that excellence is a habit, and you can create most any habit. The best way to create a new habit is by setting new goals and creating a plan of attack.
 
Let’s see how you can do this.

The Why

First you want to define your reasons, or why, for wanting to commit to excellence. Does this pertain to your business, your family life or for some other reason?
 
If it helps write down your reasons and your why for wanting to achieve this.
 
If your business is your target there are some simple actionable steps that you can put into place. As for your clients, get into the habit of demanding more from yourself than they do of you.
 
You can please your clients by doing any of the following:
 
Giving more value
 
Over delivering
 
Finishing the work ahead of schedule
 
Adding a bonus

Be A Pro

Another way to improve is with a professional image. Is your website, logo, and brochure information looking good?
 
Are your business cards and other materials all up to date and modern looking? If not this is one simple area to improve upon.
 
Customer service is another area to examine. Make sure you have a great customer service center, whether online or offline.
 
Always respond to tickets in a timely fashion. And never get angry at the customer, regardless of the situation.
 
If you want to excel in life then start by putting forth the best effort you can. If you do this on a consistent basis you’ll have that air of excellence surrounding you.
 
This will rub off on other people and they’ll begin to view you in a different light.
 
JohnK 5-8-2023
 
stick figure hears about excellenceOverheard: “Excellence is not a skill, it’s an attitude”
                            ~Ralph Marston
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for excellence
 
 

5 Signs You’re Living A Meaningful Life

May 1, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Living life is something we all do. But we don’t all live it in a meaningful way.

Life does leave clues, and GenuLines is on the case to show you if you fit the description.. 

5 Signs You’re Living A Meaningful Life

Have you been feeling restless with your place in life? Do you feel as if you’re wasting your life?
 
These are common signs that you’re feeling the need to live a more meaningful life. You may be doing this already but you have no idea that you are.
 
Today, GenuLines explores the five signs that you’re living a meaningful life. Let’s begin.
 
man living meaningfully
 

1) You’re doing what you love

Too many people ignore their passions. Your passion is your passion for a reason.
 
Follow and explore if you MUST do what you’re doing

2) You have your priorities in order

Living with purpose keeps your priorities in order; you know what’s important. You’re living in a meaningful life “sweet spot.”
 
And you’re spending less time doing unhelpful, unproductive, or unimportant things.

3) You know your purpose

This one tends to apply to far fewer people. Many don’t know or at least don’t think they know what their life’s purpose is.

4) You’re focused and driven

People who live meaningful lives and live them with purpose are in this category. They toughed out all the trials and temptations. and they’re living their lives with purpose and in a meaningful way.

5) You aspire to daily goals

This doesn’t cover everyone who lives with purpose. You may have more long-term goals in mind, but it’s a good way to start and a pretty common one at that.
 
Reaching daily goals makes you more driven to push on. Setting daily goals is a good start to training your body and brain.
 
You get used to working towards goals and achieving them.
 
This beats setting them and hoping for the best. If you want to see if you’re living a meaningful life, treat this article like a checklist.
 
Check off the things that already apply to you and see how close to living a meaningful life you are.
 
Where might you be able to improve? What new habit could you form to make you feel more confident that you’re living a meaningful life?
 
The intention today was to help you gain some perspective on your purpose and your life’s path. All the best on your journey!
 
JohnK 5-1-2023
chiforyourself.com
 
stick man hears about living meaningfullyOverheard: “If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present”
                                ~Roy T. Bennett
 
 
 
 
 

disclaimer for living meaningfully

Signs It’s Time to Change Your Mindset

April 24, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Your life can change when you change your mindset. But it’s not always easy to see how this is so. 

Today GenuLines opens your eyes to some of the indicators.

Signs It’s Time to Change Your Mindset

“The key to abundance is to stop needing more, and to start appreciating what you already have.” – Anonymous
 
Everyone is talking about changing your mindset to attract what you desire. How do you know when it’s time to change your mindset?
 
After all, you’ve been thinking the same way for as long as you can remember.
Or maybe you’ve had a rough patch and your attitude has gotten out of whack.

The Good and The Bad

pocket watch signals change
 
When you start having more bad days than good ones, then it’s time to change your mindset. These are some of the reasons you may want to change your mindset.
 
Our mindset is what produces the thoughts we have. It shapes our thinking, which controls our actions and how we process things.
 
 
 
 
If you have a negative attitude, then you start blaming and thinking the worst. Positive or healthy thoughts create a better environment.
 
For you and those around you.

Six Signs It’s Time to Change Your Mindset

1. You’re always focused on failure
You get angry and disappointed over every failure without celebrating your success. You see yourself as a failure.
 
This sends messages to your mind that you’ll fail at whatever you try to do. Instead: Keep a success diary.
 
Acknowledge every success every day, no matter how small.
2. You have a victim mentality
You’ve had bad experiences or others you love hurt you. It could be an event that traumatized you and you’re still holding onto those moments.
 
Instead: Forgive and let go of the past.

3. You have social media envy

You’re see glamorous lifestyles of people online, and it makes you feel worse about yourself. You devalue what you have.
 
You focus on what you don’t have or aren’t doing.
Instead: Think about what you do have and show gratitude for it.
 
There are billions of people on this planet and at least a billion would love to have your life.

4. You see work as a chore

You dread going to work, complain about doing the work, or think it’s a burden. Instead, see your job as a way of providing value to others and having an impact on you and others around you.
 
Being able to work gives you the opportunity to contribute to society.
 
5. You obsess about things you can’t control or change
You complain about what you can’t control. Things like the weather, government, traffic and other people.
 
Your mind fills with everything you don’t like, rather than what you can control, which is yourself. Identify ways to change and control your own actions and thoughts.
 
You’ll make your experiences more positive.
 
Stop complaining. Start taking action that will bring you a greater sense of accomplishment and plenty.
 
6. You lack gratitude for what you have
You focus on what is wrong with things or the world, or the inadequacies in yourself and others. Instead, acknowledge that no one is perfect, and everyone learns lessons as they go.
 
Focus on identifying the positive things you’re grateful for every day.
Know that the reason you rarely feel happy and content is because of a negative mindset.
 
Know that it’s time to change your mindset to feel better about yourself.
Then be ready to attract more of the good stuff into your life. 
 
JohnK 4-24-2023
 
stick man hears about changeOverheard: ‘Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.’
                                           ~Leo Tolstoy
 
 
 
 
Article image by hapekla

 

 

disclaimer to change your mindset

Why Communication Is Such An Important Life Skill

April 17, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

As you progress through life, communication plays a major role. You might say it gets you where you want to go. 

Get on board with GenuLines as we take a closer look at this thing called communication. 

Why Communication Is Such An Important Life Skill

communication tower
 
 
Your communication skills can help take you far in both your career and your personal life. Now, you might be thinking technology makes these skills outdated.
 
But in today’s world, they’re even more important.
 
Come along with GenuLines as we show you what good communication can do for you.
 
 
 
 
Improve Your Social Life
It’s obvious that being a good communicator can improve your social life. It impacts loved ones, from friends to significant others to family members.
 
When you communicate well, you also tend to listen well. The two go hand in hand.
 
You tend to have fewer disagreements, dramas, and fights. You’re better prepared to make your feelings known in a clear and concise way.
 
You’ll be more able to get to the source of your problems instead of letting them linger or spiral out of control.
Improve Your Professional Life
Successful people tend to blend good effective leadership with good communicating ability. Leaders at work are responsible for guiding, informing, and managing their workforce.
 
They have to be able to communicate what they need to do, how they need to do it, and then make corrections when necessary. It takes excellent communication skills to get that job done.
Make You a Better Person
As we said earlier, excellent communication skills help you to be a better listener. and have less conflict because you’re better prepared to resolve issues. This improves your friendships and relationships, making them stronger and longer-lasting.
 
You listen more and better and you don’t hold on to bad feelings. You communicate them and do it well.
 
You’re a good friend, employee, leader, and a better person all around.
Get things done
This includes how you work through problems, discuss issues, and finish projects. Constant electronic contact may cause you to neglect your communication skills.
 
But you need those same skills to succeed in electronic communication as you do in person. Work on these points to improve your relationships, your career, and your life on the whole.
 
Honing your communication skills can do a lot to improve your life and make you a better and happier person.
 
JohnK 4/17/2023
 
stick man hears about communicationOverheard: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”
                            ~George Bernard Shaw
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for communication
 
 
 

Getting Over Disappointment

April 10, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

You know that disappointment is part of life, and we hope you accept that fact. But it can be heavy, you say.

Well, GenuLines has some tips to help you lighten the load.

Getting Over Disappointment

It can invade your personal, professional, or romantic life. Getting over a disappointment can be tough. especially if it’s something on which you had your heart set.
 
Today we offer six strategies you can use to help you let go of your disappointment and move on to set new goals.

1. Avoid Getting Mired in Your Discouragement

Boy showing disappointment
 
 
It’s okay to feel bad, but don’t get stuck there for too long. How long you think about your sadness depends on the letdown. Losing your favorite t-shirt may deserve a few minutes. Losing a longtime relationship may require a little more time.
 
The point is, acknowledge why you’re disappointed, consider what you’ve learned, and then take action to move on. Staying in bed for a week will only make you feel worse, and you’ll still have to deal with the consequences.

 

 

2. Find Perspective

Whatever the disappointment’s cause, try to maintain the perspective of how this will affect your overall life. You won’t even remember minor defeats in a few weeks’ time, and more significant downfalls should be kept in the perspective of your life as a whole.
 
Focus on that which makes you feel grateful, what you’ve learned, and how this will impact you in the future. You may also want to consider how this setback affects others, which can be a powerful exercise in perspective.
 
They may be hurting worse than you.

3. Remember You Can’t Change the Past

Whatever the disappointment, it’s done. It’s happened.
 
You can’t change it.
 
So you have two choices. Stagnate on your negative feelings about it or accept that it happened and move on.
 
Imagining what might have been or considering the “if onlys” can create more hurt and pain. Focus instead on what’s ahead and how you plan to get there.

4. Use the Chance to Examine Your Expectations

Disappointment is when a situation doesn’t meet your expectations. After a setback, look inward to determine if your expectations were appropriate.
 
Did you expect too much from another person? Were you too demanding of yourself?
 
How realistic were your goals for the situation?
 
Reexamining your expectations is a great way to set new goals for moving forward. Be honest with yourself and the true nature of your dissatisfaction. 
 
Be sure you don’t set yourself up for disappointment.

5. Take a Personal Inventory

Before you move on, this is a great chance to evaluate all the strengths you’re bringing to the table to handle this and other disappointments you may face. Look at the skills you have that will help you through your situation, think about the tools and resources you have to help you form a new plan.
 
Who in your life can assist you in moving on and progressing? Consider all the ways you can and are making the best of your situation and use those as resources for your next step.

6. Reassess and Set New Goals

Each blow in life is an opportunity for choosing a new direction. There is always another chance, to determine how you’re going to decide to move forward.
 
There is value in all setbacks, and you are only as good as what you learn from each one. Take that newfound knowledge and strength and put it toward a new plan for yourself.
 
Moving on from a setback isn’t always easy. But if you do the work and stay focused, you can find your way through to the other side with renewed focus and acceptance.
 
It may take time, but you can move past your defeat and learn from your experiences, too.
 
JohnK 4-10-2023
 

stick figure hears about disappointmentOverheard: “Lucky that man whose children make his happiness in life and not his grief, the anguished disappointment of his hopes”

                                    ~Euripides

 

Article Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sad-child-sitting-on-a-white-chair-3771681/

 

 

disclaimer for disappoinment

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