5 Things to Ask When Looking for a Fresh Start

That's it. You've had it. Life is just not going as well as you'd like. It's time for a change, a Fresh Start if you will. But how do you know where to even begin? Especially if you're still neck-deep in a life you want to escape.

 

It’s simple. You start by asking yourself these five questions:

 

What Are You Looking For?

 

Too often, what we're thinking is a change in our life is nothing more than a dressed-up version of the old. To avoid falling into this trap, start looking for real and actual change. Start by asking the hard questions: What do you want out of life? How are you not getting this? What would you need to do to attain this? What's one positive change which would place you closer to this dream?

 

How Many Risks Are You Willing to Take?

 

Fresh starts will demand a certain commitment from you, which manifests in how much of yourself you’re willing to put into the project. If you’re not willing to risk a new way of life, or much in the way of change, you’re not going to have much success. 

 

What is Different About the Life You’re Proposing

 

If you're looking for a new beginning, there has to be something 'new,' or you're not starting over at all. You are merely continuing what you've been doing all along. What is the thing you haven't done before?

 

What Are You Giving Up?

 

A new beginning means something else is ending. What are you leaving behind? Keep in mind this question doesn't necessarily imply you need to abandon every aspect of your past. Sometimes we're leaving behind only a small part of our life.

 

Are You Truly Ready to Let Go of the Past?

 

This last question can be hard because you might not know this answer until you've begun. Every fresh start is doomed to failure if you're weighed down with a lot of baggage from the past. At the very least, though, it helps to have a positive attitude about letting go and are willing to do the work to make this happen.

 

In the end, these questions will give you some idea of what to expect as you embark on this journey of letting go. After all, being prepared truly is half the battle. 

3 Ways to Live More Strategically

When you live strategically, you make it easier for yourself to accomplish a goal and make decisions along the way. The problem is, it can be hard to know what you need to do to live a more strategic life. If you struggle with the idea, read below for three ways you can learn to live more strategically. 

 

Have a Strategic Plan for Your Life

 

It isn't enough to decide you want to live a more strategic life. You have to create a strategy to follow. It can be difficult to follow your thoughts and dreams when they are just in your head, so it's better to write this strategic plan down. This will help you to have a narrower focus and to plan out better how to deal with certain decisions when they arrive. 

 

For example, if you wish to hold a higher position at your job, write that down, then write what you can do to help you get there. 

 

Plan Ahead for Change

 

If you are following a strategic plan, it can be harrowing when something in your life changes and the plan doesn’t fit anymore. But this is okay. The only way to adequately deal with change is by embracing it so you can deal with it more quickly and get back on the path you were on before. 

 

It’s best if you prepare for possible changes in advance. While you can’t prepare for everything, this is a strategy that will help keep you on top of your goals even when the unexpected happens. 

 

Be More Confident In Yourself

When it comes to living a more strategic life, you will find that it is vitally important to be confident in yourself. It will take confidence and belief in yourself to stick to your strategy when people may disagree with you or you experience times of hardship. 

 

If self-confidence is something you struggle with, you should employ different tactics to help boost it. Some good ways to help your self-confidence are positive self-talk, practicing gratitude, and changing your posture when you sit and walk. 

 

If you have decided that you want to embrace a more strategic life, it's time to create a plan to prepare for change. It would be best if you also worked on your self-confidence, so you can stick to your strategic plan even when unforeseen circumstances come your way. 

3 Mental Shifts to Enrich Your Self-Belief in an Afternoon

Why are we so hard on ourselves? We hold ourselves back, stuck in a comfort zone that isn’t really very comfortable after all. 

 

If you’re tired of negative self-talk and feeling like you can’t accomplish anything, then it’s time for a change. It doesn’t even need to take long to do. In fact, by allowing yourself three mental shifts, you’ll not only enrich your self-belief, but you’ll be able to do so in a single afternoon. Read on to find out how.

 

Shift the Past

 

It’s time to let it go! Look at all the times where you felt less than stellar. For every time you messed up, you’re going to need to forgive yourself. It’s just that simple. This might take some time to do well, so prepare to dig in, and face some things you’ve maybe been avoiding. You start by examining each memory separately and responding to those memories with a heartfelt “I forgive you.” Once forgiven, you have to move on. That’s it. While this might not sound fun, it is absolutely crucial toward success. 

 

Shift the Messages You’re Listening To

 

Not every voice in your head says something worth absorbing. What are the messages you give yourself constantly? If you’re being negative, you absolutely must change over to a more positive dialogue. Reword problems to create exciting challenges and brainstorm solutions. Change out negative words to a more positive-sounding counterpart. Your inner dialogue must switch out to the positive if you intend to succeed. Self-awareness of your internal dialogue is where you start. Notice each time a negative self-belief comes up, recognize it for what it is (an old negative belief that you can change), and switch to a positive statement until you deeply believe the new version of you.

 

Shift the Game Plan

 

Now it’s time to act. Take your goals and discover the steps needed to fulfill them. Set yourself in motion to accomplish those smaller goals. Accomplish things. It’s these accomplishments that will shift your self-belief. What you’re doing is creating empirical evidence that you’re a person capable of success with each micro-goal you accomplish. What’s more, those micro-goals will eventually add up into those grand sweeping goals that you set initially, proving you’re capable of change, and of doing great things. 

 

Shifting your thinking isn’t as complicated as it’s made it out to be. The key is to be aware of your thinking and holding steady to the course you’ve laid with these three rules. You’re going to be amazed at how differently you feel, and how quickly life begins to get better.

 

Fears That Hold You Back From Finishing What You Start

Do you constantly find yourself starting a project you have every intention of finishing, and then you simply don't finish it? 

 

This failure to finish could simply be you harboring several fears that are holding you back from finishing what you start.

 

Fear Of Failure

 

The fear of failure is one of the most common fears people deal with. Almost everyone will experience it at some point in their life. This fear with undoubtedly hold you back from finishing what you start. 

 

This fear will hold you back from doing what needs to be done to conquer things that may be difficult or out of your comfort zone. The fear of failure often leads to procrastination. So, to conquer your procrastination habit, it's time first to learn to face your fear of failure. 

 

Fear Of Losing Something

 

Although this fear isn't as common as a fear of failure, one of the reasons you may be putting something off is because of your fear of losing something. Whenever you complete a project, you will be putting yourself through changes. 

 

This change can be scary and may cause you to fear losing something you currently have in your life. It would be best if you overcome this fear. Change is good and realizing this is important. Even if you do lose some things along the way, you are working towards something bigger and better. 

 

Fear That Others Will Judge You

 

Another common fear is that your peers will judge you. And this one, unfortunately, could be true. If you have goals, dreams, and aspirations that might seem odd to other people, you may put them off or give up on them forever. 

 

You might have a nice starter train set in your closet but never act on your plan to set it up because you are worried it isn't "cool" enough. Is that any way to live your life? 

 

Part of life is accepting that you are okay if people judge you and your actions. You know who you are and what you are doing, so don't let others' perceptions of you change your behavior. 

 

Overall, if you are struggling to finish something you've already started, it's probably because of one of these internal fears. The best way to work towards finishing what you start is by learning to conquer these three fears so that you can go on to be successful in all of your endeavors. 

Why Do We Need to Leave Our Comfort Zone?

Your comfort zone is so, well, comfy. Why would you ever need to leave it? Not to mention that being uncomfortable is so …uncomfortable. However, there are several reasons you need to leave your comfort zone. Read on to find out more. 

 

Your Comfort Zone Won’t Grow

 

Do you wish you were more comfortable with certain things? You will never become comfortable with new things unless you step out of your comfort zone. This is the number one reason that you should. Your comfort zone is a huge part of who you are, and if you want to grow as a person, your comfort zone needs to grow too. If you never step outside of it, well, you may be stuck in the same place for a while. Staying in the same place isn't very fun. It can be quite boring and frustrating. 

 

Your Comfort Zone Might Shrink

 

Not only will your comfort zone not grow if you don't step outside of it, but it might get smaller or shrink. Your comfort zone is like a muscle, and it needs to be worked out frequently to stay strong and grow larger. If you stay in your comfort zone, certain things that might be slightly comfortable may soon seem scarier than they did before. Instead of getting comfier with them, they will start getting more uncomfortable. Before you know it, you could find yourself taking steps backward instead of forward. 

 

Not Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone is Settling

 

You might think that you don't care if your comfort zone shrinks. Maybe you are too comfortable with some things already. But the reality is, if you decide not to step out of your comfort zone, this means you are settling for the way things are right now. 

 

Are you completely happy with your life, or is there even one thing you wish you could change? Change only comes when you step outside of your comfort zone. If you are still thinking about settling, give yourself a pep talk because you are too good to settle for your current comfort zone, no matter who you are. 

 

Regardless of what your comfort zone might look like, it would help if you stepped out of it. If you never step out of your comfort zone, it will never grow, and it may even shrink. As a result, you won't grow as a person. Don't settle by refusing to step out of your comfort zone. Take steps to conquer your fears and expand your comfort zone today. 

 

Are You Weighed Down Because You Hate Your Life?

Life can seem pretty hectic. Work, family, kids, and budget: balancing it all gets too much at times, and we feel like we’re at our ropes’ end.

 

We feel hopeless, isolated, and afraid. When all that negative energy combines, it can lead us to the sensation that you hate your life.

 

While it may seem like you’re in a rut and you’ll never escape, there is a way out! It takes a bit of soul searching and recognizing you’re not happy. Then, after coming to terms with the fact that something is wrong, you can take actionable steps to correct it.

 

Keep reading to find out more.

 

Get to the Root of Your Unhappiness

 

We mentioned above that the first step is to admit that you’re not happy. Once you recognize this, you become one step closer to reversing this state of mind so you can find joy and fulfillment in life once again.

 

But sometimes, it’s easier said than done. Change doesn’t come quickly, nor is it easy. It requires hard work, dedication, and a level of self-awareness that many of us just don’t have time for.

 

Or to be more specific, we don’t make ourselves a priority. So, we just keep feeling unhappy. But then, this unhappiness filters into every part of our lives, making us hate everything about it.

 

After all, it becomes this sense of feeling like you have this weight that’s crushing you. As a result, you feel miserable, stuck, and unmotivated.

 

The good news is that there’s a silver lining. Of course, there’s always hope that things can turn around for the better. But you have to be willing to put in the work.

 

For example, if you detest going to work every day. You hate it so much that it takes every ounce of energy in your body to get out of bed, then it’s time to look for a new job.

 

If you’re in a relationship where you feel tired and hum-drum rather than enjoying yourself and your partner, then leave.

 

Remember, you control your life’s choices. You just need to remind yourself how strong, worthy, and capable you truly are.

 

We do have to point out that there will be times in your life when you can’t take drastic measures to change your circumstances. That’s okay, too.

 

You just tell yourself that it won’t always feel this hopeless. But the silver lining is that one of the constants in life is change, so keep your head held high and always have hope that things will take a turn for the better.

 

Create a Life that Reflects Your Goals

 

One reason we’re unhappy is that we’ve strayed from our core values and the goals we set up for ourselves. Even if you never said your goals out loud or wrote them down in a diary, they’re stored deep in your mind.

 

Then, when the life we’re living isn’t getting us anywhere near these goals, we feel anxious and on edge. But, many times, we don’t connect the two things.

 

So, we keep muddling through, making us more anxious and driving us even farther away from our goals and values.

 

Family, friends, and society are another factor that drives a wedge between us and our authentic selves. They all have their own opinion of how we should live our lives, and they’re not afraid to tell us. Repeatedly.

 

Many times it’s just easier to follow along. After all, they know us better than ourselves, so who are we to doubt them?

 

But the reality is when you carry out another person’s idea of how you should live, it ultimately backfires because you’re not following your true path.

 

Be Kind to Yourself

 

Your inner thoughts are primarily based on childhood experiences and past influences. Oftentimes, they can be our own worst enemy.

 

Yet, they’re just thoughts, right?

 

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. These thoughts can drive you to hate your life by repeatedly telling you you’re not capable of progress or won’t make it because you’re not good enough.

 

The truth is our thought patterns shape our reality. The sooner you realize that the better because then, you can start to gain some control of this negative self-talk.

 

Start by showing yourself more empathy and compassion.

 

You’re probably great at helping others in their time of need. So why not do the same thing for yourself as well?

 

There’s so much empowerment and self-love that comes with being kind to yourself. For starters, you’ll stop hating your life. Then, you’ll start seeing the good things instead of constantly mulling over the bad.

 

So, the next time your inner critic voice starts to say something, focus on something positive that happened to you that day. Over time, you’ll find it easier to overcome the thoughts that undermine your worth and sabotage your achievements.

 

A Final Note

 

If you’re dissatisfied with how your life is turning out, start by finding out why you’re feeling this way. Once you put your finger on the why, it’s time to focus on changing your thought patterns from the toxic to the optimistic and productive.

 

Assess what needs to change and start making plans. Once you find the path that leads to your true self, keep at it. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but if you remain resilient and work hard towards your goals, you can achieve much more than you thought possible.

How Can I Get Motivated Quickly?

The term "motivation" is commonly used in ordinary speech to express why someone does something. It is the force that propels human behavior. According to a study by Washington University, "Most people readily acknowledge that motivation is the desire to do something but is it that simple? While motivation can start with a mere thought or verbalization, it must be followed by visible action—and anchored by a clear vision. The natural, psychological, interpersonal, and intellectual elements that trigger behavior are all motivation. Without these things, the thoughts and words tied to a desire for change remain empty and powerless."

 

People's drive and willpower fluctuate for a variety of reasons. At times, you may feel energized and motivated to attain your objectives, but you may also feel unmotivated or unclear of what you want or how to get it. Even if you aren't feeling very motivated, you may take measures to get motivated quickly. Among the things you can accomplish are the following:

 

Just Get Started

 

You do not need to wait for motivation to begin. If you want to work consistently every day, you'll have to get started sooner or later. And the odd thing is that once I've been working for a bit, things become simpler and more enjoyable, and your motivation returns. 

 

Most of the time, procrastination results from having too much on your plate and not knowing where to begin. It's difficult not to feel this way when you attempt to address it all at once: but when you concentrate on one or two things at a time, it's simpler to stay motivated and not feel so burdened. The next thing you know, your entire list is completed, and you're out with all of your friends.

 

Start Small and Slow Build-Up

 

Don't let the size or difficulty of a job or assignment cause you to procrastinate. Somewhat, narrow it down into more miniature stages – such as Sending that email or doing laundry for 5 minutes – and then start with just one of them.

 

Minimize The Number of Everyday Distractions

 

It's difficult to concentrate when there are so many distractions all around you. As a result, close the door to your workplace. At the opposite end of your work area or home, put your phone on silent mode. Also, use a browser plugin like StayFocusd to keep oneself on track.

 

Rest And Relax for A Bit

 

The distinction between being sluggish and resting is significant. Laziness serves no proper function. Rest is essential for life and clears your thoughts so you can focus on your goals.

 

Perhaps you've been working on a project for far too long and are exhausted. Try sleeping on it for a while. Allow yourself some time to relax. Rest is necessary for our bodies and minds to perform at their best.

What Language Do You Speak?

We live in a time of ever-increasing uncertainty and anxiety levels are on the increase. Adults and children alike are experiencing a sense of bewilderment as they try to balance the many things happening in their personal lives and in a world that is experiencing turmoil and disaster on unprecedented levels. 

 

In such a world, it is easy to slip into a language of negativity, yet it doesn’t need to be this way. We can learn to speak the language of optimism and help those around to learn it too. When you learn the language of optimism, you are learning to experience life by embracing and acknowledging the things that go right and shrugging your shoulders, and moving on from the things that go wrong. 

 

Teaching this essential skill to our children is extremely important for all parents, teachers and caregivers to understand and appreciate. As we practice recognizing our own achievements and acknowledging them in the home, we are role modeling to our children the importance of doing their best and then having the pleasure of others and ourselves showing appreciation for the things achieved. A pessimistic perspective however would look at the situation surrounding the achievements and focus attention on them, rather than on the people attaining them. 

 

When a child (or an adult) learns to speak with optimism, they are able to take failure and turn it into potential for growth. Instead of seeing failure pessimistically and dwelling in grief on the cause of the failure, the optimistic person can focus on the failure being a learning curve and will use the opportunity to turn this failure into an opportunity to learn new skills or to develop a new understanding of the way things work. 

 

The optimistic thinker is able to see the problem as a temporary setback, it doesn’t affect their self-worth or self-confidence and they keep trying until they achieve their goals. The pessimistic approach would see this problem as more of a permanent problem Over time, as all problems become “bad or big” , the person eventually begins to see them all in a pessimistic way, gradually losing all sense of self-esteem and self-worth. 

 

Children learn from their parents. They often mimic their parent’s behavior. As you teach your children to become successful and well educated, they will display optimism in their own lives. They will learn to see life from the perspective of self-worth and self-esteem and even if this is over exaggerated, it gives them the hidden courage to say" no" to peer pressure.

Why Regular Exercise Is Such an Important Aspect of Personal Development

If you are on a quest to try and improve yourself, then you certainly cannot ignore one of the chief aspects of personal development—exercise. You must have already heard the adage A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body. If you want to be really fit and become a successful person, your body has to be just as fit as your mind is. Undermining any of these aspects takes you away from developing your body fruitfully.

 

There are several benefits of regular exercise that are specific to personal development, as you shall see…

 

1. When your body is fitter, you look more attractive. A lot of people still equate good personality with an attractive body. Hence, you are pandering to one of the basest definitions of personal development. And, who’s complaining actually? Who doesn’t want to have an attractive body anyway?

 

2. A healthier body means that you have more energy to accomplish things. You are able to work faster and produce better results. You can go ahead of your competitors. This you won’t be able to do if you lack stamina and get breathless on your way to the top. A modicum of exercise is needed to keep you moving on.

 

3. Another very important benefit of regular exercise is that it keeps diseases away if not completely avoids them. You don’t need to call in sick as much as a person who doesn’t exercise would. You are healthier not only in body but also in mind, and that’s the reason why you can think better. Your plans and suggestions have a better chance of being accepted because you have formulated them in good health, something that your exercise-shirking rivals have not done.

 

4. Exercise helps free up your mind. If you haven’t exercised already, try it now. Exercise early in the mornings, which is the best time. Even if you just work out on the treadmill for 15 minutes in the morning, you will feel rejuvenated. You will feel as though you can just run out and grab what you want to achieve. Also, it gives you time to think, to plan out things, which is very important. While the blood is pumping in the body, it is pumping in the brain as well. It is filling up those little gray cells and ideas are generated.

 

These are just four of the many benefits that regular exercise has. Invest your time wisely in exercise—if you are looking for personal development, you cannot afford to downplay its importance in your life.

 

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Find Inner Peace - Get Back To Nature

Do you ever feel disconnected? Maybe you're so preoccupied with everything in your daily existence that you hardly even have time to realize what's going on around you.

 

Perhaps the only moment you observe nature is when the weather meddles with your to-do list. Perhaps you can't recall the last time you were inclined to simply inhale and sit outdoors.

 

There is indeed a great deal of proof that spending time in nature has a considerable beneficial influence on both mental and physical health. Strolling in a green space has been demonstrated to help with mental health issues such as depression and ADHD. 

 

According to VeryWellMind, “On days when you’re struggling with negative thoughts about your body, many different coping mechanisms can help. But new research suggests you should get outside and spend time in nature to soothe those feelings. Negative body image is a risk factor for behaviors like disordered eating, which can have disastrous consequences for one’s body, mind, and relationships. Nowadays, it can be harder to avoid negative body thoughts when navigating social media."

 

Time spent in nature is a wonderful way to focus oneself in addition to treating particular mental health challenges and enhancing mental and physical wellbeing. 

 

For some of us, it is the start of a meditation practice or a heightened spiritual understanding of how we are all related. For others, it is simply a fantastic method to relieve tension. 

 

Here are a few excellent techniques to get started bonding with the natural world around you, no matter where you want your time outside to take you.

 

1. Slow down to the speed of nature

 

Walking slowly causes you to breathe more slowly, making you feel instantaneously more relaxed. Slow down and start seeing the environment around you. It may be a speck of lichen in a crack in the sidewalk or a tree you've never spotted before. Look around you carefully and deliberately to see what you discover as you sink into this more natural rhythm of being.

 

2. Experiment with barefoot breathing

 

We people are the only animals that put a shoe between our feet and the Spirit of the Earth. The act of taking off your shoes and standing barefoot on the ground satisfies a primitive urge for connectivity. 

 

Find a peaceful spot outside—a park nook, a quiet spot in your garden, or your favorite wild location. Shut your eyes and take 100 deep, soft breaths while feeling the sunlight on your face, the breeze on your body, and the warm heart of the ground via the soles of your feet.

 

3. Dine outside

 

Take your lunch or a book outside to enjoy on a park seat or picnic blanket. While you dine or read, take in the fresh air and natural sunlight (or both).

 

4. Give a tree a hug

 

Which words come to mind when you think about trees? Sturdy? High? Statuesque? Tenacious? Primitive? The world's oldest trees have been alive for thousands of years, and we rely on them to create the oxygen we need to live. 

 

Although the term "tree-hugger" is sometimes used ironically, hugging a tree is an easy method to boost your energy levels by mopping up all that energy and oxygen-rich deliciousness! Close your eyes and press your cheek on the trunk. Feel the bark on your flesh as you spread your arms to embrace the tree.

 

Also Visit a greenhouse or a flower shop. Soak in the aroma of green vegetation and a plethora of flowers. Step into a flower shop's refrigerated department, which is brimming with freshly cut bouquets. 

 

Give heed to the tiny weeds and wildflowers that sprout up in sidewalk cracks. Consider the persistence and perseverance of that small creature to take root and flourish in such a challenging environment whenever you observe this. Take a moment to send your best wishes and consider how you could connect to that type of strength.