Tag Archive for fulfilling life

Is Age Really All In Your Mind?

September 21, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
 
You grow older and you die. That’s a common timeline for many of us.
 
But how you deal with aging is another story, and GenuLines says that’s up to you.
 
(You can listen to this article by clicking here)

Is Age Really All In Your Mind?

Now we don’t mean that your mind can keep you from aging. But it can make you feel that way!
 
old person with caneYou often hear people over the age of 50 talk about aging. They talk about deterioration, decline, and feeling unwanted and not useful.
 
One way to deal with this is to focus on the positive things age brings. Things like wisdom, understanding, and the ability to help others.
 
 
Doing your best to be healthy is another way to keep the bad thoughts at a distance.
Your outlook and quality of life are likely to increase, too.

Ignore the Culture Surrounding You

We live in a world obsessed with youth. Every day, older people get pushed to the side in favor of the young.
 
The late teens and early twenties are the years called prime.
 
To get past this and actually start living with an ageless mindset, you have to do your best to tune it out. You’ve aged to the best you’ve ever been.
 
You’re wizened and seasoned. Stop denying your aging and own it; that’s what will truly make you ageless.

Love Your Body and Own Your Age

The only way to ensure you keep having the ageless mindset is to continue to love your body. Remind yourself that you’re getting better with age.
 
Appreciate your body for what it does for you and how far it’s taken you. Every day that you’re alive, you can learn something new and adapt to changes around you.

Never Say ‘Never’

One thing that will knock you off your path towards an ageless mindset is negativity. We psych ourselves with an attitude that we’re too old to do certain things.
 
You feel too set in your ways to learn. That can lead to feeling too old to be of value.
 
These thoughts are toxic and they threaten the positivity you’re working to maintain. Block negative mind chatter about your abilities, your worth, or your age.
 
It may take you a little extra effort to get where you want to go, but if you make the effort, you can.
 
How you deal with aging is up to you. You can dye you hair and lie about your age.
 
Or you can move forward with a new positive mindset that will have you feeling ageless.
 
JohnK 9-21-2020
 
Stick figure hears about ageOverheard: “Age is not important unless you’re a cheese”                                                                  
                                       ~Helen Hayes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for age
 

4 Solid Ways To Stop Procrastination

September 7, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Procrastination.

I do it.

You do it.

The fact is, we do it more often than we like to admit.

So GenuLines urges you to get moving on some ways to stop procrastinating.

(You can listen to this article by clicking HERE)

4 Solid Ways To Stop Procrastination

Procrastination is more than turning in school or work projects late.
It can also include putting off important life decisions.

Like whether to ask your boss for the raise promised you last month. Or whether you should join a gym, or end a relationship, or have a baby.man shows procrastination

The list of possibilities is endless.

The effect of not dealing with this can be life-long. Your relationships, career, and health might all take a hit.

 

 

But the tendency is to put things off until later. There’s always tomorrow, right?

It won’t be easy but try to identify the stress factor behind your procrastination. It could be fear of failure, fear of confrontation, fear of not being perfect.

You are your own worst critic.

Follow these tips to help you avoid procrastination once and for all.

1. Turn burdensome tasks into habits

We all have enough willpower to get about 3 or 4 tasks done each day. Turn yours into habits rather than mundane tasks.

You’ll give it less thought, and rely less on willpower. You won’t fall into the procrastination rut.

Why not turn healthy eating, daily exercise, or turning in reports ahead of time into daily habits, too? Procrastination is all about taking that dreaded first step.

So why not ease into it knowing that in time, or once you’ve finished X, you can watch videos or head outdoors.

2. Break work tasks into chunks

Instead of cleaning out the entire garage, do the right side first. Take a break.

Then do the left side. Take a break, and then finish off the rest.

At work, big tasks may seem daunting when you look at them as a whole. The answer?

Break them down into smaller tasks. Make an outline of the entire project, and then divide it into smaller tasks.

Working in 30-minute increments also helps break down tasks into smaller chunks. Those are manageable and not so intimidating.

After the 30 minutes, take a break and assess your work. Seeing how much you’ve accomplished will give you that boost of confidence you need to keep at it.

3. Remove distractions

Checking your email every 5 minutes isn’t doing you any good. So, once you’ve committed to doing the job, limit distractions by putting your away.

You can find apps that help you stay on track, but some will say that’s completely missing the point.

The important thing is that you set up a certain time for checking emails or your social media. Once you’ve started your task, you avoid the urge to take a sneak peak.

Another serious distraction is multi-tasking. Even though it may seem that you’re being productive, the truth is it wastes time and energy.

Yes you’re working more. But your end results will be below average.

4. Work during your peak hours

We all have certain times during the day when we’re most alert. Some of us are morning people, some are night owls, and some have more energy during the afternoon hours.

Find out what your peak hours are and tackle your most difficult tasks then. You’ll be more of a powerhouse then with your brain working at its highest capacity.

Procrastination is different than laziness. When you procrastinate, you delay one task for a more pleasurable activity.

So why not turn that mundane task you’re dreading into something more fun and enjoyable? Then you’ll put the brakes on procrastination.

JohnK 9-7-2020
chiforyourself.com home

stick figure man hears about procrastinationOverheard: “Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin”
                                      ~ Victor Kiam

 

 

 

 

Article image by Sam Solomon on Unsplash

 

disclaimer for procrastination

6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

August 31, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

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

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

(To listen to the article click HERE)

6 Hacks to Keep Your Motivation Going Strong

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

Change Your Beliefs – AND Your Behaviors, Too

August 17, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
sign that changes belief

Your beliefs can and sometimes do change. The process of living has a way of forcing us to see things with new eyes. 

If so, remember to consider these GenuLines points to bring your behavior in line with your beliefs. 

 

microphone for stating beliefs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change Your Beliefs – AND Your Behaviors, Too

A powerful enough event can change even your closest held beliefs. It could have been something traumatizing.
 
Or something minor, like reading a blog post.
 
But a change in thinking doesn’t mean you’ll change your behaviors to match your beliefs. For example, you read how successful entrepreneurs master time management.
 
It sounds great, but you don’t act to change your disorganized behavior.
 
Or you might find a new way of dieting, and you start noticing the many unhealthy things people eat. Then again, you might not actually be eating the healthiest yourself.
 
And you might want better treatment, while still being a bit unpleasant to those around you.This kind of behavior can hurt your relationships with your friends and family.
 
And it can kick up your stress, too.
 
sign that changes belief
 
Practice what you preach or those around you will see you as a hypocrite. They’ll only accept your beliefs if you reflect them in an accurate way.
 
It can be difficult, though, to make these changes. When you realize that you’re not behaving as you believe you should be, it can be hard to change your actual behavior.
 
Spend time every day thinking about what changes you want to make. Then dedicate time to following through with those changes.
 
It won’t happen right away – it’ll take a few weeks for you to get used to changing your behavior.
 
In the meantime, ask a friend or family member to help you focus on this change and keep you on track.
 
When you start acting as you believe you should, you’ll find that you’re happier with who you are as a person. You’ll feel better about the quality of your personality.
 
And your social life will improve.
 
The accurate display of your beliefs will make you seem more trustworthy. Folks then show you more respect.
 
You did the hard yards. And now you’re actually following through on what you say.
 
JohnK 8-17-2020
 
stick figure man hears about beliefsOverheard: “Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is”
                                    ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 
 
 
disclaimer for beliefs

Choose Your Reaction to What Life Sends Your Way

August 10, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

Life has a way of knocking you to your knees. And tough times just seem to keep the bad stuff coming.

But GenuLines wants you to remember that a thought-out response can protect you from action you’ll regret.

microphone for speaking about life

 

 

 

 

 

 

Choose Your Reaction to What Life Sends Your Way

Whether life slams you or only throws you a curve you might tend to react without thinking. But making rational thought your first reaction puts you in control.
 
life ringKnee-jerk reactions rarely work to your advantage.
 
Here’s an example. A customer says your product is horrible and wants a refund.
 
You’re on the defensive but your calm response takes away the person’s power.
 
 
 
Now your life isn’t dictated by things happening around you. You control your emotions.
 
Taking the “reins” in this way keeps your emotions under control. And making this a habit can contribute to a happier and more satisfying life.
 
Reactions that aren’t thought out tend to be irrational. And this can get you into a lot of trouble.
 
Highway tailgaters might seem like your enemy. You get upset and you try to get away from them.
 
Or, you try to get back at them.
 
This can cause a crash or an altercation Think about simple solutions to solving the problem at hand.
 

There are times when an immediate reaction is appropriate, such as the loss of someone close to you. You’re not going to make a situation like that positive.

For the emotions that follow, such as grief, choose how you’ll handle having these feelings.
 
Talk things out with a grief counselor. Don’t put it on the back burner.
 
It’s important to recognize situations in which instant reactions are acceptable. Don’t confuse them with situations that call for well thought out, controlled responses.
 
JohnK 8-10-2020
 
Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on”
                                                         ~Robert Frost
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for life
 
 

 

Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

August 3, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments
With all the madness we’re seeing in society it’s easy to lose connection with our authenticity. Who can be blamed for feeling a little like part of the “herd mentality?” 
 
GenuLines understands that feeling and offers this bit of support for staying connected to your “genuine self.”
 

microphone for speaking about authenticity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find Your Authenticity by Embracing Your Inner Self

Human beings have an inherent tendency to avoid standing out from the crowd. From the very beginning, our survival relied on safety in numbers. 
 
And that habit stays a part of our nature despite any real need for in today’s world. This reality flies in the face of a society that lives on social media.
 
Every day there’s pressure to mask your authentic self. It could be at work, with friends, or on social media.
 
In this article, we look at a few of the many reasons that embracing your inner self benefits you. And how it can benefit most everyone around you.
 
banner to boost authenticity
 
 
One of the best traits of human beings is that each of us is unique. We differ in our individual talents, abilities, perspectives, and so on.
 
But we often mask these differences to avoid standing out. This deprives us and others of the benefits of our self-expression.
 
Think about history’s greatest inventions and discoveries. These came from people willing to be different and to resist the status quo.
 
We do want to accept ourselves. But this can clash with the need to fit in.
 
When you’re able to embrace your inner self and go against the grain, you invite others to do the same.
 
When people around you notice your self-acceptance they’re more likely to follow suit! It’s a ripple effect.
 
The others gain from the fellowship of collective talent and abilities.
 
It’s ironic that you burn more energy blending in than by being your genuine self.
Going with the crowd involves a conscious effort to act and behave a certain way at all times.
 
It wastes mental resources you can use in much better ways. Going your own way can bring impressive results.

No Regrets

One of the most painful feelings we can experience is that of regret. You don’t need a reminder to know that life is short.
 
If you squander your gifts the sad day will eventually come when you’re aware of what you did.
 
Often the most monumental chances in life come and go in the blink of an eye. And when those chances are gone they’re gone.
 
By embracing your inner self, you can mitigate so much regret down the road.
 
Standing out from the crowd will feel odd at first.
But, you’ll find that the benefits to you and those around you are more than worth it!
 
JohnK 8-3-2020
 
Stick figure hears about authenticityOverheard: “To find yourself, think for yourself”
                                 ~Seneca
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for authenticity

Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

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

 

 

 

 

 

Food And Drink And Your Anxiety

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

-Coffee

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

-Soft Drinks and Colas

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

-Alcohol

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

Foods

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

-Excessive Sugar

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

-Refined Flour

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

-Processed Foods

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

Are You Making Your Life Hard?

July 7, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

When life is hard we tend to look outside ourselves for reasons. We don’t want to think the cause is a lot closer to home. 

As always, GenuLines helps re-direct you back to your “self” as a start toward getting your bearings. 

 

microphone for speaking about life

 

 

 

 

Are You Making Your Life Hard?

life training pictureEvery day brings us a million things to take care of and it’s easy to fall behind. But sometimes life is hard because we’re making it that way.

One reason we make it harder is that we want to feel like we have some control. Let’s look at some ways you might be getting in your own way.

 

 

 

You Assume Malicious Intent

Most of the time people don’t mean to inconvenience you or make your life harder. Could be the person who cut you off in traffic was in a hurry.

Your significant other was quiet this morning. It may have been due to fatigue rather than anything you did.

If we decide the world is out to get us, we make life harder than it has to be. Be very slow to assume malicious intent.

It usually leaves you angry and unpleasant. The truth behind someone’s intentions is usually far from malicious.

And often not personal at all.

You Maintain Unreasonable Expectations

One thing we can control about life is our expectations. That doesn’t mean that we should go through life expecting and getting nothing.

Instead don’t expect the glass to be half full, half empty, or even a little full. Be grateful that it contains any wine at all!

You’re Afraid of Risks

Avoiding risk is part of human nature. We don’t want to run into danger unless we know we can get out of it.

But our bubble of comfort can often become a prison. Risking social rejection, loss of money, and loss of time is a trade-off for making our lives better.

When we spend most of our time avoiding risks, we make life harder.

Make sure you take smart risks! Think of an area in your life you’d like to expand upon and set some short terms goals.

Once you’ve challenged yourself and become comfortable again, set some higher goals!

You Compare Yourself to Others

One negative feature about social media is that it enables us to compare ourselves to others. Even worse, we compare ourselves to others in only their best moments.

Your friends may not have it as good as they’d like you to think. There will always be someone with more money, more friends, or whatever else than you.

The only person you should compare yourself to is the version of you from the past.

In short, we need to worry less about others, less about risks, and maintain our expectations. Don’t spend your life trying to be other people.

Or thinking the world is out to get you. Or afraid to take a chance.

Don’t expect things to get better without changing your actions. That sets you up for failure.

Stop making life harder!

JohnK 6-7-2020
chiforyourself.com home

Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “The greatest pleasure of life is love.
                             ~Euripides

 

 

 

Article image by David Mark from Pixabay

 

 

disclaimer for life

Get Better Sleep The Easy Way

June 30, 2020 John Uncategorized No comments

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

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

 

microphone for speaking about sleep

 

 

 

 

Get Better Sleep The Easy Way

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

Create a good sleeping environment

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

4 Self-Care Tips For Extra Busy People

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

 

 

 

 

4 Self-Care Tips For Extra Busy People

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

1. Establish a morning routine                                                       

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

3. Get enough sleep

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

 

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