5 Ways to Calm Down in an Emergency or When Having a Panic Attack
Sometimes, despite all our best efforts, we can suffer from the symptoms of panic or as they used to call it "bad nerves". The symptoms of panic can be:
* Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
* Sweating
* Shaking visibly or inside
* Choking sensations or lump in throat
* Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
* Dizziness or unsteadiness
* Feeling light-headed
* Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
* Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
* Chills or hot flushes
* Skin losing colour
* Blushing or skin blotches
* Urgently needing to urinate or defecate
When you are panicking - the body releases adrenaline into your blood and this puts you on a high state of alert. Your fight or flight system triggers. The fight or flight system harkens back to the day when we were all living in caves and hunting for food. Perhaps we might get attacked by a saber tooth tiger and then we have a choice - we can either fight the beast or run away. In both cases we need a boost of adrenaline to help us fight or run. In today's culture, we don't get attacked by many saber tooth tigers but we do experience mental and emotional stress. This mental and emotional stress still triggers the fight or flight system except we usually don't do either. If the boss is giving you a hard time it wouldn't pay to start punching him in the head or running away!
When this panic reaction happens we need a little "first aid" to break the cycle of panic before ever addressing the cause of what brought you to feeling like this in the first place. If you are unable to break the cycle of panic and anxiety then this is classified as a panic disorder and you should seek medical help. Panic disorder is very common and it is not dangerous in itself although the symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. I could write pages on my experiences with Panic Disorder but I will leave that for another day but suffice to say I view panic attacks as your mind and body's way of telling you something about the way you think has to change.
So when you feel the symptoms of panic what can you do? Well here are five suggestions (that have worked for me) on how to calm down in an emergency:
1) Abdominal Breathing.
When you feel panic your breathing becomes faster and shallower. Abdominal breathing is the exact opposite of this and is the best way I have found to calm down. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of the lungs. After exhaling through the mouth, take a slow deep breath in through your nose to the count of 5. Hold it for 3 seconds and then breath out to count of 5. Repeat this cycle until you feel you have calmed down.
2) Distract Yourself.
When you feel panic it is your thoughts that actually cause the panic. A cycle of scary thoughts but only thoughts. These thoughts trigger the fight or flight system in the body which triggers the symptoms of panic. What you could do when you are trapped in this cycle is distract yourself thus, breaking the cycle of thoughts. This can be done by picking up the phone and talking to someone, playing a video game, watching a favorite movie or TV show, going for a brisk walk, writing about your feelings in a journal - anything that will distract your mind from the panic thoughts.
3) Face/Accept, Float and let time pass.
This is the famous technique created by Dr. Claire Weekes on how to deal with being trapped in a cycle of panic. The more you "fight" your panic symptoms, the more adrenaline your body releases and the worse you will feel. Its like picking at wound - it just wont heal! So this technique is more about changing your attitude to the symptoms. You need to face and accept that because of the adrenaline in your system you will be feeling the symptoms of panic for the next while. In the mean time you need to carry out your daily activities while having the symptoms but the key here is to accept the symptoms not just "put up with them". The less you fight with yourself the more relaxed you will become. This brings us to floating. You can imagine yourself floating as you move and live with the symptoms. Relax yourself and go with the flow. Float don't fight! And finally you need to let time pass. Frayed nerves take time to heal and it doesn't pay to keep obsessing about how long you have been feeling this way. Live in the moment. If you are feeling panicky say to yourself "this is only adrenaline in my system and time will heal my frazzled nerves". For more on this technique please check out the book "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.
4) Do something physical.
This is not always possible and is similar to point number 2 in that you will be distracting yourself but it is still very important. Remember your system is full of adrenaline and so you need to burn this off. Your fight or flight system is triggered so we are not going to fight but we are going to take flight. Go for a brisk walk or run to burn off that adrenaline. Go and do some work in the garden. Do some of those chores you keep putting off. Do some housework, wash dishes - anything that will get you moving. I realize if you are taking an exam or test you can't just get up and run off - as much as you would like to - but you could apply one of the other techniques and then go and burn off the stress chemicals later. Exercise is important.
5) Comfort yourself.
While applying the other techniques also try and comfort yourself. Have a long hot soak in the bath, eat your favorite food, drink some warm milk. Don't drink alcohol this will put your body under more stress. Ask for a hug from someone you love, go for a long leisurely walk or a swim. Do something you enjoy that will bring a smile to your face and comfort your soul.
Know that in time these feelings will pass.
These symptoms are nothing more than feelings and feelings no matter how unpleasant cannot hurt you.
For more information check out these wonderful sites (they are still worth checking out even if you don't have panic DISORDER but just feel panicky).
Panic disorder at about .com
TAPIR: The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource
Good Luck,
Allen
Showing posts with label stress management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress management. Show all posts
Monday, 1 October 2007
5 Ways to Calm Down in an Emergency or When Having a Panic Attack
5 Ways to Calm Down in an Emergency or When Having a Panic Attack
Sometimes, despite all our best efforts, we can suffer from the symptoms of panic or as they used to call it "bad nerves". The symptoms of panic can be:
* Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
* Sweating
* Shaking visibly or inside
* Choking sensations or lump in throat
* Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
* Dizziness or unsteadiness
* Feeling light-headed
* Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
* Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
* Chills or hot flushes
* Skin losing colour
* Blushing or skin blotches
* Urgently needing to urinate or defecate
When you are panicking - the body releases adrenaline into your blood and this puts you on a high state of alert. Your fight or flight system triggers. The fight or flight system harkens back to the day when we were all living in caves and hunting for food. Perhaps we might get attacked by a saber tooth tiger and then we have a choice - we can either fight the beast or run away. In both cases we need a boost of adrenaline to help us fight or run. In today's culture, we don't get attacked by many saber tooth tigers but we do experience mental and emotional stress. This mental and emotional stress still triggers the fight or flight system except we usually don't do either. If the boss is giving you a hard time it wouldn't pay to start punching him in the head or running away!
When this panic reaction happens we need a little "first aid" to break the cycle of panic before ever addressing the cause of what brought you to feeling like this in the first place. If you are unable to break the cycle of panic and anxiety then this is classified as a panic disorder and you should seek medical help. Panic disorder is very common and it is not dangerous in itself although the symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. I could write pages on my experiences with Panic Disorder but I will leave that for another day but suffice to say I view panic attacks as your mind and body's way of telling you something about the way you think has to change.
So when you feel the symptoms of panic what can you do? Well here are five suggestions (that have worked for me) on how to calm down in an emergency:
1) Abdominal Breathing.
When you feel panic your breathing becomes faster and shallower. Abdominal breathing is the exact opposite of this and is the best way I have found to calm down. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of the lungs. After exhaling through the mouth, take a slow deep breath in through your nose to the count of 5. Hold it for 3 seconds and then breath out to count of 5. Repeat this cycle until you feel you have calmed down.
2) Distract Yourself.
When you feel panic it is your thoughts that actually cause the panic. A cycle of scary thoughts but only thoughts. These thoughts trigger the fight or flight system in the body which triggers the symptoms of panic. What you could do when you are trapped in this cycle is distract yourself thus, breaking the cycle of thoughts. This can be done by picking up the phone and talking to someone, playing a video game, watching a favorite movie or TV show, going for a brisk walk, writing about your feelings in a journal - anything that will distract your mind from the panic thoughts.
3) Face/Accept, Float and let time pass.
This is the famous technique created by Dr. Claire Weekes on how to deal with being trapped in a cycle of panic. The more you "fight" your panic symptoms, the more adrenaline your body releases and the worse you will feel. Its like picking at wound - it just wont heal! So this technique is more about changing your attitude to the symptoms. You need to face and accept that because of the adrenaline in your system you will be feeling the symptoms of panic for the next while. In the mean time you need to carry out your daily activities while having the symptoms but the key here is to accept the symptoms not just "put up with them". The less you fight with yourself the more relaxed you will become. This brings us to floating. You can imagine yourself floating as you move and live with the symptoms. Relax yourself and go with the flow. Float don't fight! And finally you need to let time pass. Frayed nerves take time to heal and it doesn't pay to keep obsessing about how long you have been feeling this way. Live in the moment. If you are feeling panicky say to yourself "this is only adrenaline in my system and time will heal my frazzled nerves". For more on this technique please check out the book "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.
4) Do something physical.
This is not always possible and is similar to point number 2 in that you will be distracting yourself but it is still very important. Remember your system is full of adrenaline and so you need to burn this off. Your fight or flight system is triggered so we are not going to fight but we are going to take flight. Go for a brisk walk or run to burn off that adrenaline. Go and do some work in the garden. Do some of those chores you keep putting off. Do some housework, wash dishes - anything that will get you moving. I realize if you are taking an exam or test you can't just get up and run off - as much as you would like to - but you could apply one of the other techniques and then go and burn off the stress chemicals later. Exercise is important.
5) Comfort yourself.
While applying the other techniques also try and comfort yourself. Have a long hot soak in the bath, eat your favorite food, drink some warm milk. Don't drink alcohol this will put your body under more stress. Ask for a hug from someone you love, go for a long leisurely walk or a swim. Do something you enjoy that will bring a smile to your face and comfort your soul.
Know that in time these feelings will pass.
These symptoms are nothing more than feelings and feelings no matter how unpleasant cannot hurt you.
For more information check out these wonderful sites (they are still worth checking out even if you don't have panic DISORDER but just feel panicky).
Panic disorder at about .com
TAPIR: The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource
Good Luck,
Allen
Sometimes, despite all our best efforts, we can suffer from the symptoms of panic or as they used to call it "bad nerves". The symptoms of panic can be:
* Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
* Sweating
* Shaking visibly or inside
* Choking sensations or lump in throat
* Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
* Dizziness or unsteadiness
* Feeling light-headed
* Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
* Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
* Chills or hot flushes
* Skin losing colour
* Blushing or skin blotches
* Urgently needing to urinate or defecate
When you are panicking - the body releases adrenaline into your blood and this puts you on a high state of alert. Your fight or flight system triggers. The fight or flight system harkens back to the day when we were all living in caves and hunting for food. Perhaps we might get attacked by a saber tooth tiger and then we have a choice - we can either fight the beast or run away. In both cases we need a boost of adrenaline to help us fight or run. In today's culture, we don't get attacked by many saber tooth tigers but we do experience mental and emotional stress. This mental and emotional stress still triggers the fight or flight system except we usually don't do either. If the boss is giving you a hard time it wouldn't pay to start punching him in the head or running away!
When this panic reaction happens we need a little "first aid" to break the cycle of panic before ever addressing the cause of what brought you to feeling like this in the first place. If you are unable to break the cycle of panic and anxiety then this is classified as a panic disorder and you should seek medical help. Panic disorder is very common and it is not dangerous in itself although the symptoms can be extremely unpleasant. I could write pages on my experiences with Panic Disorder but I will leave that for another day but suffice to say I view panic attacks as your mind and body's way of telling you something about the way you think has to change.
So when you feel the symptoms of panic what can you do? Well here are five suggestions (that have worked for me) on how to calm down in an emergency:
1) Abdominal Breathing.
When you feel panic your breathing becomes faster and shallower. Abdominal breathing is the exact opposite of this and is the best way I have found to calm down. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of the lungs. After exhaling through the mouth, take a slow deep breath in through your nose to the count of 5. Hold it for 3 seconds and then breath out to count of 5. Repeat this cycle until you feel you have calmed down.
2) Distract Yourself.
When you feel panic it is your thoughts that actually cause the panic. A cycle of scary thoughts but only thoughts. These thoughts trigger the fight or flight system in the body which triggers the symptoms of panic. What you could do when you are trapped in this cycle is distract yourself thus, breaking the cycle of thoughts. This can be done by picking up the phone and talking to someone, playing a video game, watching a favorite movie or TV show, going for a brisk walk, writing about your feelings in a journal - anything that will distract your mind from the panic thoughts.
3) Face/Accept, Float and let time pass.
This is the famous technique created by Dr. Claire Weekes on how to deal with being trapped in a cycle of panic. The more you "fight" your panic symptoms, the more adrenaline your body releases and the worse you will feel. Its like picking at wound - it just wont heal! So this technique is more about changing your attitude to the symptoms. You need to face and accept that because of the adrenaline in your system you will be feeling the symptoms of panic for the next while. In the mean time you need to carry out your daily activities while having the symptoms but the key here is to accept the symptoms not just "put up with them". The less you fight with yourself the more relaxed you will become. This brings us to floating. You can imagine yourself floating as you move and live with the symptoms. Relax yourself and go with the flow. Float don't fight! And finally you need to let time pass. Frayed nerves take time to heal and it doesn't pay to keep obsessing about how long you have been feeling this way. Live in the moment. If you are feeling panicky say to yourself "this is only adrenaline in my system and time will heal my frazzled nerves". For more on this technique please check out the book "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes.
4) Do something physical.
This is not always possible and is similar to point number 2 in that you will be distracting yourself but it is still very important. Remember your system is full of adrenaline and so you need to burn this off. Your fight or flight system is triggered so we are not going to fight but we are going to take flight. Go for a brisk walk or run to burn off that adrenaline. Go and do some work in the garden. Do some of those chores you keep putting off. Do some housework, wash dishes - anything that will get you moving. I realize if you are taking an exam or test you can't just get up and run off - as much as you would like to - but you could apply one of the other techniques and then go and burn off the stress chemicals later. Exercise is important.
5) Comfort yourself.
While applying the other techniques also try and comfort yourself. Have a long hot soak in the bath, eat your favorite food, drink some warm milk. Don't drink alcohol this will put your body under more stress. Ask for a hug from someone you love, go for a long leisurely walk or a swim. Do something you enjoy that will bring a smile to your face and comfort your soul.
Know that in time these feelings will pass.
These symptoms are nothing more than feelings and feelings no matter how unpleasant cannot hurt you.
For more information check out these wonderful sites (they are still worth checking out even if you don't have panic DISORDER but just feel panicky).
Panic disorder at about .com
TAPIR: The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource
Good Luck,
Allen
Thursday, 9 August 2007
10 Tips on Leading a Balanced Life - Revisted.
Part two of the summer re-runs of popular posts is this one about a balanced life. Like all the life hacks and tips I write about, these are things I strive towards. I never pretend to have it all figured out by any means.
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
10 Tips on Leading a Balanced Life - Revisted.
Part two of the summer re-runs of popular posts is this one about a balanced life. Like all the life hacks and tips I write about, these are things I strive towards. I never pretend to have it all figured out by any means.
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
As usual let me know what you think..
Allen
Balance is important. When one aspect of our life becomes too dominant we loose that balance and experience conflict and unhappiness. It’s not easy and sometimes it feels like a juggling match but if we develop some healthy habits it is possible to achieve balance in a relaxed and calm way. Don’t forget the amount of time you devote to each aspect of your life will undergo fluctuation. It’s all a matter of realizing the natural flow of life and giving the right amount of attention to all aspects of our day to day living. So here I present my own ten tips on leading a balanced life.
1) Go home from work on time.
You need to look after yourself. Contrary to what the current culture will tell you – we are not machines. You need a healthy balance between the time you spend at work and the time you spend outside the work place. You need to be constantly reminded that there is more to life than work. (Although there will be some times you might have to work late in case of emergencies but they should be the exceptions and not the norm.)
2) Don’t be a yes person.
This follows on from point number one. You will find it easier to go home on time when you don’t agree to every single thing that is asked of you. Your inbox will never be empty – only agree to things that you can manage and that do not interfere with point 1.
3) Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday.
Treat this as your foundation for a more balanced life. Creating a natural rhythm to your day will go a long way to creating balance in your life. You will feel more rested and grounded in reality and less overwhelmed by events that happen during the day.
4) Slow down.
Consciously slow down. Walk slower, drive slower, talk slower. Notice things as you walk. Notice the tree that you pass by each day on the way to work and how it changes color with the seasons. Notice the fresh smell of morning and feel the warm sunshine on your face during the day (or the rain pelting of your face if you live in Ireland) :). Become more aware and awake in general and take your time over your day. Practice some form of daily relaxation exercise such as meditation, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation. Slow down - it is not a race you know!
5) Don’t buy into the culture around you if you don’t want to.
24-7 News (mostly bad news), the pressures of work, the go go go of modern life – this is what the media likes to tell us about our culture. That is not MY culture. I don’t agree with it and I don’t buy it. I am a human being and unique with my own feelings and needs – I don’t have to buy into something if it violates my values.
6) Create your own sub-culture involving your friends and family.
Surround yourself with people you like and who like you back. Create you own subculture of activities. Leave the couch and TV and go out and meet people be it through reading groups, charity work, nature rambles and more!
7) Recognize you have the right to be healthier than those around you.
Again don’t buy into the bad habits of other people. If everyone else around you drink too much coffee – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your colleagues at work love to eat fried foods at lunch – that doesn’t mean you have to. If your peers don’t bother to exercise that doesn’t mean you have to. Look after yourself!
8) Do something meaningful with your spare time.
Volunteer and do something that suits your personality. Not everyone can have the qualities that are required to go visit and talk to the elderly for example. Find out what skills you have (everyone has them!) and see how you could use those skills to help others.
9) Let go of the need to buy the next big thing.
If you let go of the cravings to keep consuming and buying things you don’t need then you might not feel you have to work such long hours. Why do you need that car? Is it something you really NEED or just something you think would be nice to have. Don’t forget about all those items you bought and you thought they were great to begin with. You were feeling empty and you thought that this might make your life more exciting or make you feel a bit better. Then the novelty wears off and you have that empty feeling inside that you had before you bought it in the first place. Why do you feel you need to keep up with the neighbors? If they get a big 4 X 4 does that mean you have to? Ask yourself why you feel you have to do that?
10) Develop compassion, patience and tolerance for your fellow people.
Happiness comes from relationships you have with people. We are all very complicated and can have our negative aspects. Developing compassion, patience and tolerance for others will go a long way to having better relationships with people. Accepting how different we all are is the starting point the rest is up to you!
What methods for addressing balance in your life worked for you? Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Good luck,
Allen
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Self Help For Lazy People - Revisited
Hi there,
This is the post that kicked off this site and I felt (since it is one year later) it would be time for a re-run. If the television networks can have summer re-runs I don't see why I cant either :-) ...
Let me know what you think .. one year later?
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
There is a common thread to all self help books. Instead of having to fork out hard earned cash to hear the same message again and again - why not just follow the tips listed below and it will save you time and money. I have called this post "Self Help and Personal Development for Lazy People".
1) Relax - This doesn't mean to zombie out in front of the television. This means taking 10-20 minutes of your day to do NOTHING. There are various ways in which you can relax.
a) Meditation.
b) Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
c) Deep breathing.
d) Yoga.
You will find if you do this on a regular basis that you will be less susceptible to the symptoms of bad stress and you will not be as tired.
2) Take regular physical exercise - It doesn’t have to be anything special - a daily 20 minute walk would be enough and if you feel like doing more you will. Start with small amounts of enjoyable exercise. Don't be going off all gung ho.
3) Eat a balanced diet. There has been so much written on this. I think you know what you should eat more off and what you should cut down on.
4) Sleep well - Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Listen to your body - everyone needs different amounts of sleep. You know what the right amount is for you. If you have a television in your bedroom - get rid of it! The bedroom should be used for two things and one of them is sleeping. See your sleep as an investment in order to feel better during the day.
5) Socialize - Spend time with family and friends on a regular basis. Try not to isolate yourself.
6) Keep a journal - These are great places to express your feelings, review what happened during the day and solve problems. Get your problems out of your head and onto paper and you will feel less overwhelmed by them.
7) Help other people - It’s simple. You help others - they will feel good and you will feel good. The world will be a better place if we all did this.
8) Keep close to nature - Go for walks in the country, do some gardening and basically anything that will remind you that there is more to this earth than us!
9) Develop a spiritual life - Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism - whatever is your thing.
10) Laugh - Keep a sense of humor about life! In a hundred years you will be dead so lighten up and enjoy it.
11) Watch less T.V. - There are a few programs I really like. I usually tape them so I can choose when to watch them. Watching less T.V. will free so much of your time up to go and do so many other things. I get my news from listening to the radio or the internet. Again you don’t have to cut it out all together but you have to ask yourself – does anyone benefit from watching Big Brother?
12) Listen – If you give someone who is talking to you 100% of your attention you will feel more relaxed and responsive to that person. Your mind will not be rushing on to the next thing that needs to be done and the person who is talking to you will respond warmly to your attention.
13) De-clutter your life - Strive for a minimalistic life style. What do you want with all the stuff? How many little dust collectors do you have that you can get rid off? Stop listening to all those ads. If you buy THAT it will NOT make you happy. Keep things simple!
14) Get organized - Manage your time better at work prioritize your tasks. Stop procrastinating. Keep your home clean and well organized. You will feel better and less frustrated. Time is a precious quantity - look after it.
Finally ..
15) Think for yourself - You don’t have to blindly follow people and do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to follow the culture in which you live if you don’t agree with it. You are your own unique and special individual. You are not to be classified or labeled! You are YOU! No other person has ever existed – quite like you. No other person will ever exist again like you. Listen to your feelings more and think for yourself. Do not blindly accept things just because other people do. Be true to yourself and you will be more fully human and in the end happier.
I hope you find this post useful… If you follow the tips above, I can guarantee you will feel better.
Good Luck,
Allen
If you liked this you might like to read:
How to Stop Obsessive Worry for Lazy People
50 Self Nuturing Activities for Lazy People
p.s. More posts along this topic will follow soon including ...
How To Get Exercise and Avoid The Gym for Lazy People and
How to be Assertive for Lazy People.
Click here for professional e-commerce and website development.
This is the post that kicked off this site and I felt (since it is one year later) it would be time for a re-run. If the television networks can have summer re-runs I don't see why I cant either :-) ...
Let me know what you think .. one year later?
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
There is a common thread to all self help books. Instead of having to fork out hard earned cash to hear the same message again and again - why not just follow the tips listed below and it will save you time and money. I have called this post "Self Help and Personal Development for Lazy People".
1) Relax - This doesn't mean to zombie out in front of the television. This means taking 10-20 minutes of your day to do NOTHING. There are various ways in which you can relax.
a) Meditation.
b) Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
c) Deep breathing.
d) Yoga.
You will find if you do this on a regular basis that you will be less susceptible to the symptoms of bad stress and you will not be as tired.
2) Take regular physical exercise - It doesn’t have to be anything special - a daily 20 minute walk would be enough and if you feel like doing more you will. Start with small amounts of enjoyable exercise. Don't be going off all gung ho.
3) Eat a balanced diet. There has been so much written on this. I think you know what you should eat more off and what you should cut down on.
4) Sleep well - Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Listen to your body - everyone needs different amounts of sleep. You know what the right amount is for you. If you have a television in your bedroom - get rid of it! The bedroom should be used for two things and one of them is sleeping. See your sleep as an investment in order to feel better during the day.
5) Socialize - Spend time with family and friends on a regular basis. Try not to isolate yourself.
6) Keep a journal - These are great places to express your feelings, review what happened during the day and solve problems. Get your problems out of your head and onto paper and you will feel less overwhelmed by them.
7) Help other people - It’s simple. You help others - they will feel good and you will feel good. The world will be a better place if we all did this.
8) Keep close to nature - Go for walks in the country, do some gardening and basically anything that will remind you that there is more to this earth than us!
9) Develop a spiritual life - Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism - whatever is your thing.
10) Laugh - Keep a sense of humor about life! In a hundred years you will be dead so lighten up and enjoy it.
11) Watch less T.V. - There are a few programs I really like. I usually tape them so I can choose when to watch them. Watching less T.V. will free so much of your time up to go and do so many other things. I get my news from listening to the radio or the internet. Again you don’t have to cut it out all together but you have to ask yourself – does anyone benefit from watching Big Brother?
12) Listen – If you give someone who is talking to you 100% of your attention you will feel more relaxed and responsive to that person. Your mind will not be rushing on to the next thing that needs to be done and the person who is talking to you will respond warmly to your attention.
13) De-clutter your life - Strive for a minimalistic life style. What do you want with all the stuff? How many little dust collectors do you have that you can get rid off? Stop listening to all those ads. If you buy THAT it will NOT make you happy. Keep things simple!
14) Get organized - Manage your time better at work prioritize your tasks. Stop procrastinating. Keep your home clean and well organized. You will feel better and less frustrated. Time is a precious quantity - look after it.
Finally ..
15) Think for yourself - You don’t have to blindly follow people and do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to follow the culture in which you live if you don’t agree with it. You are your own unique and special individual. You are not to be classified or labeled! You are YOU! No other person has ever existed – quite like you. No other person will ever exist again like you. Listen to your feelings more and think for yourself. Do not blindly accept things just because other people do. Be true to yourself and you will be more fully human and in the end happier.
I hope you find this post useful… If you follow the tips above, I can guarantee you will feel better.
Good Luck,
Allen
If you liked this you might like to read:
How to Stop Obsessive Worry for Lazy People
50 Self Nuturing Activities for Lazy People
p.s. More posts along this topic will follow soon including ...
How To Get Exercise and Avoid The Gym for Lazy People and
How to be Assertive for Lazy People.
Self Help For Lazy People - Revisited
Hi there,
This is the post that kicked off this site and I felt (since it is one year later) it would be time for a re-run. If the television networks can have summer re-runs I don't see why I cant either :-) ...
Let me know what you think .. one year later?
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
There is a common thread to all self help books. Instead of having to fork out hard earned cash to hear the same message again and again - why not just follow the tips listed below and it will save you time and money. I have called this post "Self Help and Personal Development for Lazy People".
1) Relax - This doesn't mean to zombie out in front of the television. This means taking 10-20 minutes of your day to do NOTHING. There are various ways in which you can relax.
a) Meditation.
b) Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
c) Deep breathing.
d) Yoga.
You will find if you do this on a regular basis that you will be less susceptible to the symptoms of bad stress and you will not be as tired.
2) Take regular physical exercise - It doesn’t have to be anything special - a daily 20 minute walk would be enough and if you feel like doing more you will. Start with small amounts of enjoyable exercise. Don't be going off all gung ho.
3) Eat a balanced diet. There has been so much written on this. I think you know what you should eat more off and what you should cut down on.
4) Sleep well - Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Listen to your body - everyone needs different amounts of sleep. You know what the right amount is for you. If you have a television in your bedroom - get rid of it! The bedroom should be used for two things and one of them is sleeping. See your sleep as an investment in order to feel better during the day.
5) Socialize - Spend time with family and friends on a regular basis. Try not to isolate yourself.
6) Keep a journal - These are great places to express your feelings, review what happened during the day and solve problems. Get your problems out of your head and onto paper and you will feel less overwhelmed by them.
7) Help other people - It’s simple. You help others - they will feel good and you will feel good. The world will be a better place if we all did this.
8) Keep close to nature - Go for walks in the country, do some gardening and basically anything that will remind you that there is more to this earth than us!
9) Develop a spiritual life - Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism - whatever is your thing.
10) Laugh - Keep a sense of humor about life! In a hundred years you will be dead so lighten up and enjoy it.
11) Watch less T.V. - There are a few programs I really like. I usually tape them so I can choose when to watch them. Watching less T.V. will free so much of your time up to go and do so many other things. I get my news from listening to the radio or the internet. Again you don’t have to cut it out all together but you have to ask yourself – does anyone benefit from watching Big Brother?
12) Listen – If you give someone who is talking to you 100% of your attention you will feel more relaxed and responsive to that person. Your mind will not be rushing on to the next thing that needs to be done and the person who is talking to you will respond warmly to your attention.
13) De-clutter your life - Strive for a minimalistic life style. What do you want with all the stuff? How many little dust collectors do you have that you can get rid off? Stop listening to all those ads. If you buy THAT it will NOT make you happy. Keep things simple!
14) Get organized - Manage your time better at work prioritize your tasks. Stop procrastinating. Keep your home clean and well organized. You will feel better and less frustrated. Time is a precious quantity - look after it.
Finally ..
15) Think for yourself - You don’t have to blindly follow people and do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to follow the culture in which you live if you don’t agree with it. You are your own unique and special individual. You are not to be classified or labeled! You are YOU! No other person has ever existed – quite like you. No other person will ever exist again like you. Listen to your feelings more and think for yourself. Do not blindly accept things just because other people do. Be true to yourself and you will be more fully human and in the end happier.
I hope you find this post useful… If you follow the tips above, I can guarantee you will feel better.
Good Luck,
Allen
If you liked this you might like to read:
How to Stop Obsessive Worry for Lazy People
50 Self Nuturing Activities for Lazy People
p.s. More posts along this topic will follow soon including ...
How To Get Exercise and Avoid The Gym for Lazy People and
How to be Assertive for Lazy People.
Click here for professional e-commerce and website development.
This is the post that kicked off this site and I felt (since it is one year later) it would be time for a re-run. If the television networks can have summer re-runs I don't see why I cant either :-) ...
Let me know what you think .. one year later?
Allen
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
There is a common thread to all self help books. Instead of having to fork out hard earned cash to hear the same message again and again - why not just follow the tips listed below and it will save you time and money. I have called this post "Self Help and Personal Development for Lazy People".
1) Relax - This doesn't mean to zombie out in front of the television. This means taking 10-20 minutes of your day to do NOTHING. There are various ways in which you can relax.
a) Meditation.
b) Progressive Muscle Relaxation.
c) Deep breathing.
d) Yoga.
You will find if you do this on a regular basis that you will be less susceptible to the symptoms of bad stress and you will not be as tired.
2) Take regular physical exercise - It doesn’t have to be anything special - a daily 20 minute walk would be enough and if you feel like doing more you will. Start with small amounts of enjoyable exercise. Don't be going off all gung ho.
3) Eat a balanced diet. There has been so much written on this. I think you know what you should eat more off and what you should cut down on.
4) Sleep well - Go to bed and get up at the same time everyday. Listen to your body - everyone needs different amounts of sleep. You know what the right amount is for you. If you have a television in your bedroom - get rid of it! The bedroom should be used for two things and one of them is sleeping. See your sleep as an investment in order to feel better during the day.
5) Socialize - Spend time with family and friends on a regular basis. Try not to isolate yourself.
6) Keep a journal - These are great places to express your feelings, review what happened during the day and solve problems. Get your problems out of your head and onto paper and you will feel less overwhelmed by them.
7) Help other people - It’s simple. You help others - they will feel good and you will feel good. The world will be a better place if we all did this.
8) Keep close to nature - Go for walks in the country, do some gardening and basically anything that will remind you that there is more to this earth than us!
9) Develop a spiritual life - Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism - whatever is your thing.
10) Laugh - Keep a sense of humor about life! In a hundred years you will be dead so lighten up and enjoy it.
11) Watch less T.V. - There are a few programs I really like. I usually tape them so I can choose when to watch them. Watching less T.V. will free so much of your time up to go and do so many other things. I get my news from listening to the radio or the internet. Again you don’t have to cut it out all together but you have to ask yourself – does anyone benefit from watching Big Brother?
12) Listen – If you give someone who is talking to you 100% of your attention you will feel more relaxed and responsive to that person. Your mind will not be rushing on to the next thing that needs to be done and the person who is talking to you will respond warmly to your attention.
13) De-clutter your life - Strive for a minimalistic life style. What do you want with all the stuff? How many little dust collectors do you have that you can get rid off? Stop listening to all those ads. If you buy THAT it will NOT make you happy. Keep things simple!
14) Get organized - Manage your time better at work prioritize your tasks. Stop procrastinating. Keep your home clean and well organized. You will feel better and less frustrated. Time is a precious quantity - look after it.
Finally ..
15) Think for yourself - You don’t have to blindly follow people and do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to follow the culture in which you live if you don’t agree with it. You are your own unique and special individual. You are not to be classified or labeled! You are YOU! No other person has ever existed – quite like you. No other person will ever exist again like you. Listen to your feelings more and think for yourself. Do not blindly accept things just because other people do. Be true to yourself and you will be more fully human and in the end happier.
I hope you find this post useful… If you follow the tips above, I can guarantee you will feel better.
Good Luck,
Allen
If you liked this you might like to read:
How to Stop Obsessive Worry for Lazy People
50 Self Nuturing Activities for Lazy People
p.s. More posts along this topic will follow soon including ...
How To Get Exercise and Avoid The Gym for Lazy People and
How to be Assertive for Lazy People.
Thursday, 5 July 2007
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important.
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important
5 Reasons Why Hobbies are Important.
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
I cannot stress this enough. Having a hobby is important to your happiness. Here are my five reasons why:
1) Give your life meaning.
In my experience a lot of people seem to lack meaning in their day jobs. Now I could go into how one should find meaning in your day job but one way to add a sense of meaning to your life is to have a meaningful hobby. This could involve doing charity work, helping to care for the elderly, volunteering at your local “soup kitchen” or helping out at your local animal sanctuary. Volunteering allows you to be human again rather than a cog in the machine.
2) Energizes your life.
If you find yourself falling through your front door after a hard day’s slog and slumping in front of the television you may be surprised to know that you do in fact have some hidden energy left. I found when I was doing a live show on community radio, even after a hard day at the office, I was able to find the energy to perform. The thought of doing the live show energized me. I got a “buzz” from doing it even though every other day of the week I would find myself not having the same energy. So if you think you are just too tired after work to do something with your spare time – if you find something you’re passionate about – you might be surprised by the energy you have.
3) A chance to switch off.
If I continue to use my radio show as an example – I never thought about my worries or work issues when I was doing the show. It was totally different from my day to day life and I just didn’t have time to dwell on my worries. When the on-air sign came on and I got my queue I had to do my segment, introduce the next song and generally try and be entertaining. Having a hobby that captures your imagination and all of your attention can be a welcome rest from all your worries. Try it and see.
4) A way to express your talent.
Are you keeping your talents hidden? Do the necessities of paying the bills force you to work in jobs where your talents are not fully expressed? Well if you are a budding artist, musician, author, actor or (ahem) radio presenter – a hobby can give you the forum to express your hidden talent or even discover a new one!
5) A way to have fun.
Having fun is important! Life is much too short to be serious all the time! Having fun can release tension and is a perfect way to counter stress. Having a hobby that is fun can make you feel alive again and remind you that you don’t always need to be productive to feel worthwhile. Doing the activity for the sake of doing it is enough! Get out there and have some fun…
Hobbies can allow you to be the person you were meant to be and give perspective to your life. It can remind you on a regular basis - life is not always about work. Find your passion and your hobby today and you will find happiness!
Good Luck,
Allen
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Calm Down and Save Lives - Drive Your Car Slower
This is a simple tip. If you drive your car slower you will feel calmer. Seriously! Try it and see! I know it sounds very obvious but then why are there so many people driving like maniacs? Why are there so many people stressed in traffic? If you are in a traffic Jam - just shrug your shoulders and learn how to go with the flow. You will get to your destination more relaxed and most importantly you will be ALIVE!Speeding is dangerous for everyone, It just doesn't make any sense. SLOW DOWN - its the best thing you can do for everyone!
Calm Down and Save Lives - Drive Your Car Slower
This is a simple tip. If you drive your car slower you will feel calmer. Seriously! Try it and see! I know it sounds very obvious but then why are there so many people driving like maniacs? Why are there so many people stressed in traffic? If you are in a traffic Jam - just shrug your shoulders and learn how to go with the flow. You will get to your destination more relaxed and most importantly you will be ALIVE!Speeding is dangerous for everyone, It just doesn't make any sense. SLOW DOWN - its the best thing you can do for everyone!
Friday, 13 April 2007
DON'T JUST SIT THERE - MOVE!
DON'T JUST SIT THERE - MOVE!
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Quick tip for today:
While thinking about your posture at work - it is better to MOVE OFTEN than to SIT WELL.
Good Luck,
Allen
Quick tip for today:
While thinking about your posture at work - it is better to MOVE OFTEN than to SIT WELL.
Good Luck,
Allen
DON'T JUST SIT THERE - MOVE!
DON'T JUST SIT THERE - MOVE!
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
Quick tip for today:
While thinking about your posture at work - it is better to MOVE OFTEN than to SIT WELL.
Good Luck,
Allen
Quick tip for today:
While thinking about your posture at work - it is better to MOVE OFTEN than to SIT WELL.
Good Luck,
Allen
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
5 Tips on How to Manage Change in Your Life
5 Tips on How to Manage Change in Your Life
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
One of the most difficult aspects of life is handling change. Life is full of change. It could mean changing job, moving house, a new relationship, the ending of a relationship - you name it! It can be stressful but don't forget the golden rule! We can't just FEEL stressed without first THINKING about being stressed.
Here are some tips that I have gotten from self help books that have worked for ME.
1) Anticipate Change.
Change can be happening around you without you realising it! Try and anticipate change. Look at patterns or trends that are happening right now. Perhaps they may be a prelude or indicate an important change on the horizon. Let me give you an example. Here in Ireland, more and more Information Technology jobs are being moved to low cost environments in Asia. My job may be safe in the short term but is it really sustainable? What happens in a couple of years time? I can clearly see a trend so perhaps I should think about re-skilling into a profession that is not likely to be moved abroad? You get my point?
2) Plan for Change.
If we continue with the example of my kind of employment being moved to Asia - what can I do to plan for this inevitability? What options do I have? Perhaps I should think laterally or "outside the box". I have time now to adapt but how long do I have left? The way I see it one should think of planning for change like being in a game of chess. To be successful you need to be able see a few moves ahead. What are the consequences of your action today on the future? What are the consequences of INACTION on the future? What skills do I need to adapt? What are my priorities?
3) Overcome the Fear of Change.
In my experience, we humans fear change. We love being "stuck in a rut" so to speak. We get accustomed to the life we have today and get great comfort in the routine of the day to day tasks of our lives. Maybe we are adverse to taking risks equally you need to ask yourself "Am I taking a bigger risk by not changing?". Maybe we are afraid of the UNKNOWN. If this is so then we need to develop trust that everything will be ok. Look at past experiences? Has everything worked out in the end? When I knew it was time for me to move on from living in Sweden - I was afraid. I had my friends in Stockholm! I had spent 8 years of my life there. I was "used to" the way things were but I knew deep down it was time to change. I had to take the leap and trust everything was going to be OK.
4) Be Kind To Yourself During Change.
No matter how hard you try - you will most likely find change stressful. It seems to be the natural order of things. Try and be kind to yourself during times of change. Take care of your health - both physical and mental. With your physical health, take good care of your diet and make sure you get some exercise to burn of those stress hormones. For you mental health make sure you get enough sleep, enough relaxation and if you are spiritually inclined now is the time to draw on that part of your life.
5) Expect to make mistakes.
Finally - expect to make mistakes. When you are trying something new you are bound to make mistakes for the first while. When I passed my driving test I remember not only how nervous I was driving by myself but I remember how many mistakes I made. I also remember how much I learnt and an overall sense of freedom which was worth all the risks and hard work of trying to pass my driving test in a foreign country AND in a foreign language!
I hope you find these tips on managing change helpful. I certainly feel that if you take these five lessons on board you will manage change in your life. Well, perhaps better than you did before.
Good Luck,
Allen
One of the most difficult aspects of life is handling change. Life is full of change. It could mean changing job, moving house, a new relationship, the ending of a relationship - you name it! It can be stressful but don't forget the golden rule! We can't just FEEL stressed without first THINKING about being stressed.
Here are some tips that I have gotten from self help books that have worked for ME.
1) Anticipate Change.
Change can be happening around you without you realising it! Try and anticipate change. Look at patterns or trends that are happening right now. Perhaps they may be a prelude or indicate an important change on the horizon. Let me give you an example. Here in Ireland, more and more Information Technology jobs are being moved to low cost environments in Asia. My job may be safe in the short term but is it really sustainable? What happens in a couple of years time? I can clearly see a trend so perhaps I should think about re-skilling into a profession that is not likely to be moved abroad? You get my point?
2) Plan for Change.
If we continue with the example of my kind of employment being moved to Asia - what can I do to plan for this inevitability? What options do I have? Perhaps I should think laterally or "outside the box". I have time now to adapt but how long do I have left? The way I see it one should think of planning for change like being in a game of chess. To be successful you need to be able see a few moves ahead. What are the consequences of your action today on the future? What are the consequences of INACTION on the future? What skills do I need to adapt? What are my priorities?
3) Overcome the Fear of Change.
In my experience, we humans fear change. We love being "stuck in a rut" so to speak. We get accustomed to the life we have today and get great comfort in the routine of the day to day tasks of our lives. Maybe we are adverse to taking risks equally you need to ask yourself "Am I taking a bigger risk by not changing?". Maybe we are afraid of the UNKNOWN. If this is so then we need to develop trust that everything will be ok. Look at past experiences? Has everything worked out in the end? When I knew it was time for me to move on from living in Sweden - I was afraid. I had my friends in Stockholm! I had spent 8 years of my life there. I was "used to" the way things were but I knew deep down it was time to change. I had to take the leap and trust everything was going to be OK.
4) Be Kind To Yourself During Change.
No matter how hard you try - you will most likely find change stressful. It seems to be the natural order of things. Try and be kind to yourself during times of change. Take care of your health - both physical and mental. With your physical health, take good care of your diet and make sure you get some exercise to burn of those stress hormones. For you mental health make sure you get enough sleep, enough relaxation and if you are spiritually inclined now is the time to draw on that part of your life.
5) Expect to make mistakes.
Finally - expect to make mistakes. When you are trying something new you are bound to make mistakes for the first while. When I passed my driving test I remember not only how nervous I was driving by myself but I remember how many mistakes I made. I also remember how much I learnt and an overall sense of freedom which was worth all the risks and hard work of trying to pass my driving test in a foreign country AND in a foreign language!
I hope you find these tips on managing change helpful. I certainly feel that if you take these five lessons on board you will manage change in your life. Well, perhaps better than you did before.
Good Luck,
Allen
5 Tips on How to Manage Change in Your Life
5 Tips on How to Manage Change in Your Life
Photo By N. Ireland Wallpapers / Desktop Backgrounds
One of the most difficult aspects of life is handling change. Life is full of change. It could mean changing job, moving house, a new relationship, the ending of a relationship - you name it! It can be stressful but don't forget the golden rule! We can't just FEEL stressed without first THINKING about being stressed.
Here are some tips that I have gotten from self help books that have worked for ME.
1) Anticipate Change.
Change can be happening around you without you realising it! Try and anticipate change. Look at patterns or trends that are happening right now. Perhaps they may be a prelude or indicate an important change on the horizon. Let me give you an example. Here in Ireland, more and more Information Technology jobs are being moved to low cost environments in Asia. My job may be safe in the short term but is it really sustainable? What happens in a couple of years time? I can clearly see a trend so perhaps I should think about re-skilling into a profession that is not likely to be moved abroad? You get my point?
2) Plan for Change.
If we continue with the example of my kind of employment being moved to Asia - what can I do to plan for this inevitability? What options do I have? Perhaps I should think laterally or "outside the box". I have time now to adapt but how long do I have left? The way I see it one should think of planning for change like being in a game of chess. To be successful you need to be able see a few moves ahead. What are the consequences of your action today on the future? What are the consequences of INACTION on the future? What skills do I need to adapt? What are my priorities?
3) Overcome the Fear of Change.
In my experience, we humans fear change. We love being "stuck in a rut" so to speak. We get accustomed to the life we have today and get great comfort in the routine of the day to day tasks of our lives. Maybe we are adverse to taking risks equally you need to ask yourself "Am I taking a bigger risk by not changing?". Maybe we are afraid of the UNKNOWN. If this is so then we need to develop trust that everything will be ok. Look at past experiences? Has everything worked out in the end? When I knew it was time for me to move on from living in Sweden - I was afraid. I had my friends in Stockholm! I had spent 8 years of my life there. I was "used to" the way things were but I knew deep down it was time to change. I had to take the leap and trust everything was going to be OK.
4) Be Kind To Yourself During Change.
No matter how hard you try - you will most likely find change stressful. It seems to be the natural order of things. Try and be kind to yourself during times of change. Take care of your health - both physical and mental. With your physical health, take good care of your diet and make sure you get some exercise to burn of those stress hormones. For you mental health make sure you get enough sleep, enough relaxation and if you are spiritually inclined now is the time to draw on that part of your life.
5) Expect to make mistakes.
Finally - expect to make mistakes. When you are trying something new you are bound to make mistakes for the first while. When I passed my driving test I remember not only how nervous I was driving by myself but I remember how many mistakes I made. I also remember how much I learnt and an overall sense of freedom which was worth all the risks and hard work of trying to pass my driving test in a foreign country AND in a foreign language!
I hope you find these tips on managing change helpful. I certainly feel that if you take these five lessons on board you will manage change in your life. Well, perhaps better than you did before.
Good Luck,
Allen
One of the most difficult aspects of life is handling change. Life is full of change. It could mean changing job, moving house, a new relationship, the ending of a relationship - you name it! It can be stressful but don't forget the golden rule! We can't just FEEL stressed without first THINKING about being stressed.
Here are some tips that I have gotten from self help books that have worked for ME.
1) Anticipate Change.
Change can be happening around you without you realising it! Try and anticipate change. Look at patterns or trends that are happening right now. Perhaps they may be a prelude or indicate an important change on the horizon. Let me give you an example. Here in Ireland, more and more Information Technology jobs are being moved to low cost environments in Asia. My job may be safe in the short term but is it really sustainable? What happens in a couple of years time? I can clearly see a trend so perhaps I should think about re-skilling into a profession that is not likely to be moved abroad? You get my point?
2) Plan for Change.
If we continue with the example of my kind of employment being moved to Asia - what can I do to plan for this inevitability? What options do I have? Perhaps I should think laterally or "outside the box". I have time now to adapt but how long do I have left? The way I see it one should think of planning for change like being in a game of chess. To be successful you need to be able see a few moves ahead. What are the consequences of your action today on the future? What are the consequences of INACTION on the future? What skills do I need to adapt? What are my priorities?
3) Overcome the Fear of Change.
In my experience, we humans fear change. We love being "stuck in a rut" so to speak. We get accustomed to the life we have today and get great comfort in the routine of the day to day tasks of our lives. Maybe we are adverse to taking risks equally you need to ask yourself "Am I taking a bigger risk by not changing?". Maybe we are afraid of the UNKNOWN. If this is so then we need to develop trust that everything will be ok. Look at past experiences? Has everything worked out in the end? When I knew it was time for me to move on from living in Sweden - I was afraid. I had my friends in Stockholm! I had spent 8 years of my life there. I was "used to" the way things were but I knew deep down it was time to change. I had to take the leap and trust everything was going to be OK.
4) Be Kind To Yourself During Change.
No matter how hard you try - you will most likely find change stressful. It seems to be the natural order of things. Try and be kind to yourself during times of change. Take care of your health - both physical and mental. With your physical health, take good care of your diet and make sure you get some exercise to burn of those stress hormones. For you mental health make sure you get enough sleep, enough relaxation and if you are spiritually inclined now is the time to draw on that part of your life.
5) Expect to make mistakes.
Finally - expect to make mistakes. When you are trying something new you are bound to make mistakes for the first while. When I passed my driving test I remember not only how nervous I was driving by myself but I remember how many mistakes I made. I also remember how much I learnt and an overall sense of freedom which was worth all the risks and hard work of trying to pass my driving test in a foreign country AND in a foreign language!
I hope you find these tips on managing change helpful. I certainly feel that if you take these five lessons on board you will manage change in your life. Well, perhaps better than you did before.
Good Luck,
Allen
Friday, 6 April 2007
Great Blog About Workplace Happiness
I happened across this blog : Chief Happiness Officer. This is a great blog about a very important topic. How can we be happy in work? After all we spend a sizable junk of our lives there.
Check it out and let me know what you think of it! I am very impressed by the no BS attitude and the open mindedness of the articles.
Here is what the site is about :
Happiness at work is a strange idea to many people, who have gotten used to the idea that work is unpleasant, tough and hard. Trust me, it doesn’t need to be that way at all. Work can be energizing, meaningful, inspiring and plain old fun. When it is, we enjoy work more, we enjoy life more and we get more done on the job.
Here are some good places to start reading about happiness at work:
Happy Hour is 9 to 5 - How to Love Your Job, Love Your Life and Kick Butt at Work - My first book about happiness at work.
The most popular articles on the site
Happy at work in six minutes - A short video about happiness at work featuring yours truly.
Make your business happy and rich - a good overview for leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners
This site is a rant-free zone. I enjoy reading or writing a good rant as much as the nex person, but there are just. so. many. on the net already. On this site I stick to writing about what I like and what makes me happy.
Do yourself a favour and check it out!
Allen
Great Blog About Workplace Happiness
I happened across this blog : Chief Happiness Officer. This is a great blog about a very important topic. How can we be happy in work? After all we spend a sizable junk of our lives there.
Check it out and let me know what you think of it! I am very impressed by the no BS attitude and the open mindedness of the articles.
Here is what the site is about :
Happiness at work is a strange idea to many people, who have gotten used to the idea that work is unpleasant, tough and hard. Trust me, it doesn’t need to be that way at all. Work can be energizing, meaningful, inspiring and plain old fun. When it is, we enjoy work more, we enjoy life more and we get more done on the job.
Here are some good places to start reading about happiness at work:
Happy Hour is 9 to 5 - How to Love Your Job, Love Your Life and Kick Butt at Work - My first book about happiness at work.
The most popular articles on the site
Happy at work in six minutes - A short video about happiness at work featuring yours truly.
Make your business happy and rich - a good overview for leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners
This site is a rant-free zone. I enjoy reading or writing a good rant as much as the nex person, but there are just. so. many. on the net already. On this site I stick to writing about what I like and what makes me happy.
Do yourself a favour and check it out!
Allen
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
How to take Micropauses
Hi Everyone,
A micropause is a very short break that one can take when working at your desk or computer. It is a very important method of reducing the chances of developing an occupational injury at work. About a year ago I had to go on sick leave as my neck had frozen due to sitting at my desk for long periods without taking the appropriate breaks. A micropause need only be 20-30 secs and could involve looking away from your computer or carrying out some simple stretching exercises. I will write more on this later.
In the mean time check out http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html . I have been using this tool and it really helps me manage the micropauses and longer breaks. I need something to FORCE me to take the breaks! The demo is free to download and as far as I can see you can keep using it without having to pay for it. Although you need to restart it daily to keep using it.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
Allen
A micropause is a very short break that one can take when working at your desk or computer. It is a very important method of reducing the chances of developing an occupational injury at work. About a year ago I had to go on sick leave as my neck had frozen due to sitting at my desk for long periods without taking the appropriate breaks. A micropause need only be 20-30 secs and could involve looking away from your computer or carrying out some simple stretching exercises. I will write more on this later.
In the mean time check out http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html . I have been using this tool and it really helps me manage the micropauses and longer breaks. I need something to FORCE me to take the breaks! The demo is free to download and as far as I can see you can keep using it without having to pay for it. Although you need to restart it daily to keep using it.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
Allen
How to take Micropauses
Hi Everyone,
A micropause is a very short break that one can take when working at your desk or computer. It is a very important method of reducing the chances of developing an occupational injury at work. About a year ago I had to go on sick leave as my neck had frozen due to sitting at my desk for long periods without taking the appropriate breaks. A micropause need only be 20-30 secs and could involve looking away from your computer or carrying out some simple stretching exercises. I will write more on this later.
In the mean time check out http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html . I have been using this tool and it really helps me manage the micropauses and longer breaks. I need something to FORCE me to take the breaks! The demo is free to download and as far as I can see you can keep using it without having to pay for it. Although you need to restart it daily to keep using it.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
Allen
A micropause is a very short break that one can take when working at your desk or computer. It is a very important method of reducing the chances of developing an occupational injury at work. About a year ago I had to go on sick leave as my neck had frozen due to sitting at my desk for long periods without taking the appropriate breaks. A micropause need only be 20-30 secs and could involve looking away from your computer or carrying out some simple stretching exercises. I will write more on this later.
In the mean time check out http://www.cheqsoft.com/break.html . I have been using this tool and it really helps me manage the micropauses and longer breaks. I need something to FORCE me to take the breaks! The demo is free to download and as far as I can see you can keep using it without having to pay for it. Although you need to restart it daily to keep using it.
Give it a whirl and let me know what you think!
Allen
Friday, 9 February 2007
How to Help Lateral Thinking and Stop Destructive Thoughts in Their Tracks - Consider PO!
The great thinker and inventor of the term of lateral thinking, Edward De Bono came up with the concept of "Po". Basically Po is used to ignite the imagination and take away boundaries when coming up with creative solutions for problems. Basically you make a statement - no matter how silly - and see where it leads you in finding a real solution to a problem.
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
How to Help Lateral Thinking and Stop Destructive Thoughts in Their Tracks - Consider PO!
The great thinker and inventor of the term of lateral thinking, Edward De Bono came up with the concept of "Po". Basically Po is used to ignite the imagination and take away boundaries when coming up with creative solutions for problems. Basically you make a statement - no matter how silly - and see where it leads you in finding a real solution to a problem.
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
To quote Wikipedia:
For example, Sales are dropping off because our product is perceived as old fashioned.
po: Change the color of the packaging
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
po: Call it retro
po: Sell it to old people
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
po: Pretend it is a new product
Some of the above ideas may be impractical, not sensible, not business-minded, not politically correct, or just plain daft. The value of these ideas is that they move thinking from a place where it is entrenched to a place where it can move. The above ideas might develop into...
po: Change the color of the packaging
update the product casing to bring it up to date (electronic goods can often do this)
po: Flood the market with even older-looking products to make it seem more appealing
take a cut down version and release it as an older cheaper one to make this product seem like the top of the line
po: Call it retro
instead of retro say "tried and tested" or "industry standard"
po: Sell it to old people
good idea
po: Sell it to young people as a gift for old people
good idea
po: Open a museum dedicated to it
exhibit only your competitor's products
sell this product in the museum
make the experience educational within your sector
open a café
accept group bookings
add a theme park
po: Pretend it is a new product
give it a new name and call it state of the art
The second use of the word "Po" is using it as a "wedge of awareness" when you wish to change destructive thoughts. What you do is this.. When you want to change your habitual destructive thinking mutter the word Po to yourself during the thought attack and it breaks the cycle. Let me give you an example:
"That fella just cut me off in his big fancy car... !!! People are ignorant and stupid ... Po!.... I am getting worked up over nothing and I am generalizing and labeling people.."
It really works! Its such an odd word it sort pops into your head during these spiral of destructive thoughts - it certainly seems to work for me! Give it a go and let me know how you get on!
For more "mind hacks" I recommend Mind Performance Hacks published by O'Relly by Ron Hale-Evans. I am currently reading this and loving it!
Have a nice weekend
Allen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments