Rise and Shine – Personal Development is a Lifestyle

The desire to be productive is hard wired into
the human psyche.  We feel better about ourselves when we can see our accomplishments. It raises our self confidence and allows us to relax guilt free. We all have a certain area of our lives that we find it difficult to get things done. For many, it is the day to day grind of household maintenance.

Certain chores around the house are boring no matter how you look at them. Others, however, can actually be fun. With some creative thinking, you can enjoy yourself while you’re being productive. Just keep an open mind as you search for creative ideas.

Here are nine ways to have fun being productive at home:

1. Listen to music. If you put on some of your favorite tunes, you might find that the job becomes much more enjoyable. This works especially well for the types of tasks that don’t involve much thinking, like washing dishes, doing laundry, or cleaning. You can concentrate on the music while you work.

2. Organize your memories. The outdoor chores you had planned got trumped by rain. Looking for a productive way to spend a rainy day? Take some time to organize your memories. Arrange photos in an album. Burn the old family videos and cassettes to DVD and CD. Start a scrapbook. This a perfect way to reminisce about the good old days while you work.

3. Work with friends. Gather family members and friends to help you out. You’ll find that it’s difficult to be bored when there are people around to talk to. Reward yourselves with a dinner party after the job is done.

4. Give yourself a break. Every now and then, it’s important to give yourself a break. Frequent small breaks can actually increase your productivity. Your concentration on the task at hand will increase because you can defer distractions until the upcoming break time.

5. Find a way to reward yourself. If you have to complete a task that seems overwhelming, give yourself a small reward for completing each step. If you’re working on something big, give yourself a big reward after you’re finished.

6. Make it a game. Think about the task at hand. How can you make it into a game? Maybe you can try to see how productive you can be in a certain amount of time. Enlist the help of others and create a good-natured competition. Before you know it, the task will be completed!

7. Make a special meal. Learn to cook new recipes so that you can provide delicious meals for your family. This is an opportunity to start learning to cook healthier meals for your family. It hardly feels like work if you’re cooking up the foods you love. Later, you can tweak the recipes to make them your own.

8. Try gardening. Gardening is a wonderful way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors. You can also take pride in choosing what to plant, tending your garden, and watching it grow. A garden enhances the beauty of your home and may even increase its value.

9. Sell items you don’t need. You can eliminate clutter from your home by selling items you don’t need. You can sell your stuff on the internet using sites like eBay or Craigslist. You’ll love the feeling of freedom that comes with the extra space in the house, and you may even pick up a few extra bucks in the process.

With the right mindset, you can make most tasks enjoyable. Ask yourself how to make your boring tasks more fun, and you’ll never look at your household tasks the same again.

Meditation is often practiced by people who want to relieve stress in their lives, by athletes who want to perform better, or by medical patients who use the power of the mind over the body to help heal themselves. For each of these purposes, a meditation clock can be a great addition to your meditation routine

During the process of meditation we often become unaware of our surroundings and are not attentive to the passage of time. Meditation clocks will help to guide you through the various stages of meditation and can serve as a gentle alarm of sort that will bring the participant back to the present reality.

This can be very helpful in the beginning of your meditation practice. Once you learn to truly let go and free fall into the mediation state, a short 20 minute meditation can pass in “no time.” If you are fitting meditation practice into a busy schedule, meditation clocks may be of assistance by gradually bringing you back to the waking state at the appointed time.

Meditation, although a stress reducer, requires patience and time to recognize the emergence of the altered state. When a person first begins meditating they may get more involved in the mechanics of the meditation process as opposed to the meditation itself. The meditation clock allows the participant to concentrate on their own awareness as opposed to getting caught up in where they are in the process.

The meditation clocks or timers often have soothing sounds instead of the harsh bell clamor that most people are used to in an alarm clock. Using a clock allows the meditator to put their full attention on their inner awakening and not on the clock or a timer.

Many people practice meditation to widen their awareness of both their external and internal selves. Regular practice can lead to a clearer and more object perception of self, others and the environment around us. A perception less clouded by our personal prejudices, cultural beliefs, desires and conditioned perceptions.

For those of us committed to personal development, some form of meditation practice is essential. Personal development requires personal intimacy. It requires the ability to step back and witness our own inner processes (pre-dispositions, aversions, growth opportunities, fears, etc.)

Our self development goals are often impeded by the social-survival mask we have shaped from past experiences that no longer exist. The mask not only hides our authentic, naked self from the world, it hides it from our own perception. The meditation state is the doorway into the boudoir or our being.

Mediation is not necessarily about sitting in an uncomfortable position for hours on the floor while your legs freeze in that position? While posture is a key aspect of mediation technology, it is but one click in the combination that unlocks the bolt holding fast the boudoir door.

The chosen posture must be accompanied by the inward gaze upon the breath of your beloved soul. A complete focus upon he/her until no one else occupies your heart. Only then will the veil be drawn and your nakedness revealed in it’s true beauty, power and light.

Although the process itself is simple the practice takes concentration and desire. There are many different types of meditation roads but they all lead to the same place. Like the branches on a tree all leading back to the trunk and trunk to the roots, roots to the soil .

Your favorite meditation technique will be the one that affords you the most direct path to the meditation state of no-mind. The state that allows access to the re-set button of the psyche. It cleanses the mind of excess (distractions) by emptying the psychic recycle bin and supplements your psychic deficiencies with added clarity, laser focus and motive force. Now we have a foundation upon which to build our personal development lifestyle.

Do you have experience with meditation practice? Leave a comment below and share your insights and experiences with us.

Thousand’s of books, articles, and media productions are published each year, targeting the human need to be productive. Self improvement enthusiast adopt new productivity strategies, like overweight people adopt diets. Each new offering is the flavor of the month.

We all know when we are not being productive. We can sense within ourselves a hint of falling short. There is a certain disappointment with our efforts and accomplishments, that leaves us feeling unfulfilled.

This sense of coming up short is a warning signal flashing on our divinity meter. It let’s us know, that we are not being the creators we were meant to be. We are not using the talents, intelligence, life force and consciousness that is our divine inheritance to create a haven for ourselves, our loved ones and the world.

Nature is a prime example of productivity in action. Every moment life is being created, growing, maturing, declining and passing away. Only to be replaced by new life, that will follow the same cycle.

What do we learn from the natures productive cycle?

• within every seed lies the template of the fruit – start your day with a goal in mind.
• The birth of the seed marks the death of the fruit – complete the previous task and have closure before initiating something new.
• before a tree rises up, the seed sinks into the earth to root itself – prepare for the productive journey by gathering the material, emotional and mental resources required. Root yourself in the certainty of a successful outcome before you make your plans public.
• Like the stem that becomes the trunk, your initial efforts toward your goal must be bold, passionate and focused. This initial surge will create the momentum that will help to keep you moving upward and forward when the unforeseen challenges arise (and they will arise).

Daily accomplishments are not just about checking to-dos off of a list. Every time you make a plan and carry it through, you strengthen your soul force and communicate value and respect for your very life breath. These are the prayers that reach heaven and shape earth.  In contrast, breaking you word to self, eats away at your soul confidence and increases your personal burden of guilt, apathy, doubt and fear.

Each task completed reduces the power of the adversary that is our own doubtful, rebellious thought habits.  When you keep your personal promise, your word becomes the bond that re-connects you to your divine promise/purpose/birth right.

Let’s be fruitful and multiply!

Self-Improvement is an holistic journey. The tendency to compartmentalize our life into separate formal and informal boxes and buckets, compounds the problems standing in the way of our becoming Extraordinary.

True, there is a time and place for everything, but this only serves to organize and increase the efficiency of our self-improvement efforts.

What I am getting at is this: Personal development initiatives must incorporate our whole life, in order to reap the most benefit.

We need to assess our effectiveness in meeting the demands of our material, physical, social and spiritual life. Then use that assessment as the foundation of our plan to reduce our excesses and supplement our deficiencies.

Although it can effectively enhance and fine tune our career, personal development is not career or professional development. It is the souls journey from seed to fruit.

It is our conscious effort to feed the world our brightest, juiciest and most fragrant self. While simultaneously planting the seed compasses for tomorrows personal development travelers.

Communications is the hub around which business, society and relationships are built and sustained.  You cannot expect to be successful in the modern world if you do not develop competence, if not mastery of at least verbal communications.

Personal development that does not address ones ability to communicate your ideas, plans, values, intentions or the benefits of your product or service is at best, well intended. And we all know where that leads.

To get the position, you’ve got to sell your qualifications.  To get the girl, you’ve got to sell your affinity.  To get the client, you’ve got to sell your service.  To get good customer service, you’ve got to sell your dissatisfaction.

Everyday, there is something we have got to sell.  Communications is the glue that binds every aspect of human society.

If you want to improve your financial, family, career or business life.  You must be able to communicate at the level you aspire to.  You don’t have to hold a degree in English or become a professional speaker, but you must first know exactly, what it is you want to say and express your ideas clearly.

Plan it, practice it, execute it.

As personal growth and health enthusiast, entrepreneurs and executives, we constantly seek ways to accomplish more during our busy days. Only to get the same average results. This is a very common occurrence for people seeking to boost their productivity. We are doing so much, but still remain dissatisfied with our progress.

Part of the problem is our tendency to add activities, goals, relationships and responsibilities to our lives, absent of any coherent vision. Listen closely to what I am about to say. Without a common vision, a core value system to guide your life, you can easily get involved in activities that actually work against your efforts to move forward.

Set aside some time to contemplate your core values. What are the non-negotiable principles upon which your ideal life is to be built. Once you have clarified your core priorities, the commitments you choose to add or subtract from you life will positively impact the momentum you need to draw nearer to your ideal life.

Allow your values to be a sharp blade you use to trim the excess that hinders your effectiveness, productivity and momentum.

The term “personal development” is sometimes confused with a sort of personality development. The development of an attractive, appealing, magnetic image that opens doors and hearts.

This could not be further from the truth. Personal development principles of today are the evolution of a long line of leadership training going back to the character development Wisdom Literature of Ancient Egypt and the Middle East.

Notable works of this genre include the Instructions of Kagemni, The Maxims of Ptahhotep, the Instructions of Amenemhat. More familiar to us are the biblical books of Psalms, Proverbs, and Songs of Solomon.

And so contrary to this line of thought which places personal development within the modern day image magic genre. It is the extension of a chain of instruction that has sought to develop the character and skill of individuals charged with the responsibility of managing, guiding and serving others.

Let us use it in this manner, to improve our organizations, businesses, communities and families. Our outer persona will then shine forth the guiding light of character, wisdom and competence.

I see it over and over. Folks get the urge to get in shape, change their diet, reduce their stressors.

They start asking questions. Researching programs and coaches to help them get started. Then Wham! Life happens.

Mandatory overtime, a child gets sick, maybe an old friend comes to town and you become host and tour guide.  When the smoke clears, the desire to adopt a healthier lifestyle is a faint memory.

When you get the inspiration to make a change in your life. Seize the time.  Don’t allow yourself to get distracted. Don’t waste precious  time trying to do it the “right way.”  “Just do it.”  You can perfect it as you go along.

The urge to better your health is the opening of your souls’ window. It’s an invitation to dance intimately with your own compassionate, nurturing spirit.

When you turn down this invitation, or worse, accept the invitation, then fail to show.  You hurt your spirit at a depth that requires much time to heal.  It will be a long time before you receive that invitation again.

Each occurrence of this no show behavior reduces your spirits faith in your word. Try standing up your family physician a few times and observe the results.

Recognize your own importance.  Make your health (thrive-ability) a priority for you.  Close the gap between your head and your heart.

The next time you receive an invitation to dance with your inner Shaman.  Kick off your shoes. Put your hair in a bun. Take a deep breath. And just do it!

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As a health & wellness professional, I am privileged to serve in the capacity of a catalyst for change.  Most clients are interested in things like weight loss, chronic disease prevention, post rehab. training, stress management, pain management and some want to totally transform their lifestyle to attain and maintain better health.

Far too often, I encounter people who are prevented from pursuing their health goals with passion due to both real and imaginary obstacles. Obstacles that make their goals seem impossible.  One real obstacle to pursuing a healthy lifestyle is finances.

There are still many Americans living on subsistence wages who find it very difficult to shop for the best food or find housing in an environment that is healthy for their families.  Spending money on organic food, spa treatments and fitness training, even in a group setting is out of the question. The working poor are still a reality in this country.

Another major obstacle that can thwart a healthy lifestyle transformation is a defeated mindset. In many cases the people with financial instability also suffer from poor mental models that inhibit the manifestation of their desire to change both their financial situation and their poor health.

Health in it’s totality is a reflection of an organism which embraces and exudes love, peace and happiness. These are experiences that are not limited to our physical being. They require an integration of our personal, social, environmental and universal beings.

I am convinced that this integral approach is needed in order for people to achieve the healthy life they truly desire.  So I have decided to expand the scope of my service to embrace a personal development model that educates and coaches individuals and groups in the mindset, skills and strategies that lead to a lifestyle that fosters and enhances not only health, but wealth and wisdom also.  Thus, Healthy Wealth-Wise.

I know that the experts would advise against such a move. Expert wisdom is to specialize and reduce your scope of practice. Fortunately, I am not an expert.  I know that I am tackling an enormous problem and that is exactly why it will be an extraordinary accomplishment for me.

My success in this venture will allow me to impact the lives of a greater number of people and exercise presently underutilized talents as an educator and coach.  Leading to a greater sense of accomplishment and wholeness for both myself and those I serve.

To accomplish this refocusing and retooling of my business model, I have enlisted the services of Goals and Accountability Coach Vernon Muhammad and his Six Weeks to Sunrise Teleseminar, to guide and support me through the process of producing Extraordinary Results.

So stay tuned for new themes and topics in future post. But don’t despair if you have come to look forward to the health related post I’ve been writing.  Without Health, how could we enjoy or wealth or share our wisdom.

muchpeace,
Kazi

www.mybodytemple.net
www.mybodyfitbootcamp.com
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