Tips for Entrepreneurs to Survive in a Hostile Economy
How you respond to the current marketplace and consumer demand will determine if you are still standing at the end of this economic crisis.
Literature Reflections: Lord of the Rings
Figures in history and literature can have a great resonance with who we think we are and who we wish to be (and not be!).
Against Surrender
We all have the capacity to enact change in our environments! OF COURSE we are all influenced by others and physical reality, but we also have the power to control our own lives if we are brave enough to use it!
5 Easy Ways to Deal with Anger
Anger can be a natural response when we feel that our safety or personal space has been violated. But, if you are quick to anger and do not deal with inner conflicts, you probably need better ways to manage your anger. It is important to deal with your anger properly, so you can grow as an individual and maintain healthy relationships.
Apr 11
1
A Singles’ Cruise
Guest post from: Natalie Walter
My best friend and I just got back from one of those singles’ cruises to Mexico that we’ve been hearing about for years. To be honest, it was wilder than either one of us expected. There were parties going on at every hour of the day and night. It was such a blast.
We danced with several different guys every night, and really enjoyed spending time with our table mates at dinner. The only worry we had was when someone brought up the subject of security back home. My best friend–who is also my roommate–shot my such a look of worry. I assured her that I did set the home security alarm from Allhomesecurity.com before we left on the cruise. Her relief was obvious!
Of course that kicked off a whole other topic about forgetfullnes, and we learned that she isn’t the only one who forgets important things. It was reassuring to hear that other people our age can be so forgetful.
But you can bet we won’t forget all the fun we had on our cruise. Dancing, shows, gambling, and relaxing on deck chairs were just some of the things we did for fun. Going ashore to shop and see the sights of Cozumel was fun, too, and we’re both looking forward to taking another cruise to Mexico soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Nov 10
28
5 Easy Ways to Deal with Anger
- anger from Crestock Image Bank
Anger can be a natural response when we feel that our safety or personal space has been violated. But, if you are quick to anger and do not deal with inner conflicts, you probably need better ways to manage your anger. It is important to deal with your anger properly, so you can grow as an individual and maintain healthy relationships.
It is important to acknowledge a few simple concepts that can help guide us to better understanding of those around us, and hopefully decrease angry run-ins with others:
- Most people mean well, and most folks generally are not cruel or mean-spirited.
- Many people are very sensitive to the words of others, and are often more insecure than they let on.
- Most people genuinely believe they are doing the right thing.
- Many people do not accurately judge what impact their behavior and actions will have on others.
1. Be calm and view the issue from all sides. If you feel that you have been wronged by a friend or a spouse, take a moment to consider their perspective and see where they are coming from on the issue. They, like you, probably feel that their stance is genuine and correct. You shouldn’t feel the need to defend yourself from their critical statements. By remaining calm and detached, you can change the tone of the conversation to one that is more productive for discussion and problem solving.
2. Work it out. Try exercising your anger away with a vigorous run outside, a hike on a great trail, or swimming laps in the pool. Anything that gets your body moving and quiets your mind is sure to dissipate your anger. At the very least, it will give you time to think about your situation and ways to solve your problem.
3. Be indifferent to those that provoke you. People who go out of their way to anger you or “get a rise out of you” are not people that you want to surround yourself with on a regular basis. Of course, we all have family members that may try to bait us, and this presents a sticky situation. It is best to
4. Figure out if the issue is important. Are you angry over something small and insignificant? If so, it might be prudent to think about whether or not the issue is even worth getting upset over. Think about what underlying issues may exist, and you may discover a larger issue that needs attention.
5. Breathe deeply and meditate. When you have become angry and the situation requires your immediate attention, take a few deep and calming breaths to calm yourself down and reduce your anger. If the situation allows, take a few minutes or as long as you need to meditate and clear your mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Personal Development by .
Finding time to exercise and relax each day can be difficult. But, if you can find just one hour per day, yoga provides an excellent opportunity to combine exercise, relaxation, and personal development into one experience.
Beginners may want to try starting with a yoga DVD or a local class to learn proper techniques. After developing a routine, you can always transition to more advanced classes, DVDs, or books to help you deepen your yoga practice.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your yoga practice:
- If you are not very flexible, look for yoga props to help you ease into your new practice.
- Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing to maximize comfort.
- Choose a yoga style that fits your personality, desires, and lifestyle. Hatha is an excellent type of yoga to begin with if you are a beginner.
- If you take a class, make sure you find a yoga instructor that you like that has a personality and teaching style that is compatible with your own.
- Be aware of the sensations you feel while practicing yoga, and learn to differentiate between a comfortable stretch and discomfort.
Several yoga DVDs to try:
Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss
AM & PM Yoga – Conditioning for Weight Loss with Suzanne Deason
Yoga for Stress Relief with the Dalai Lama
AM PM Yoga with Rodney Yee
What are your favorite yoga DVDs?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Health & Wellness Personal Development by .
Nov 10
16
Musical Me
Music enhances our lives in a variety of different ways. The “chills” we experience during an especially uplifting song are correlated with a real physiological response associated with pleasure and motivation centers in the brain (Blood & Zatorre, 2001). Thank about how you can use this to your advantage: Think about the songs and artists that excite you, and drive you to improve your life and the lives of others…. Remember that *you* have ultimate control over the music that you listen to!
Reference
Blood, A.J., Zatorre, R.J. (2001). Intensely pleasurable responses to music
correlate with activity in brain regions implicated in reward and
emotion. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 11818–11823.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Music by .
Nov 10
13
Back to life
Coming back to life: After a year+ hiatus, we’ll be updating the site regularly. Coaching regarding life philosophy, psychology, food and friends all coming up!
Follow us on twitter as well!
Excitement!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in General Updates by .
May 09
7
Healthy Lifestyle & Weight Loss
A recent story discusses former “Cheers” star (and Jenny Craig spokeswoman) Kirstie Alley’s battle with weight loss.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20276768,00.html
Isn’t it strange how a topic can be so difficult, controversial and complicated for some people, but a seemingly non-issue for others? The bottom line is that biological predispositions for different metabolisms in conjunciton with lifestyle is responsible for one’s figure. So, why are people always looking for ‘simple rules’ to ‘obey’ in order to get what they want?
Exercise and eating right cannot be a chore, or even something you do. It has to be more than a habit, it has to be a way of life. In order to change what you eat, and how you excercise, you need to change who you *are*.
Exercise
1. Begin why completing each of the following sentences:
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
I am ___________________.
2. Think about the activities you perform now that are related to exercise. List them below, and how often.
3. Think about the activities you would like to perform that are related to exercise. List needed changes (in kind or frequency) below.
4. Think about the social relationships that are linked to the activities above.
How do the impressions of others prevent exersise changes?
How do the impressions of others facilitate exercise changes?
5. Describe the changes in your social relationships that would help you meet your goals.
6. Consider the positive eating habits that you practice on a regular basis.
-social factors?
-physical factors?
7. Consider the negative eating habits that you practice on a regular basis.
-social factors?
-physical factors?
While no magic solution exists, it is important to realize that by eating healthy food coupled with regular exercise you can increase your health without resorting to crash diets or excessive exercise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Health & Wellness by .
We exercise in order to increase our power: physical power, cognitive power, emotional power. Of course, there are many ways to do this…
Think about the way in which you exercise. You can exercise by running or lifting weights or walking around the block. You also exercise by going to a place that you’ve never gone before, thinking about a controversial issue in an entirely new way, or actively empathizing with someone that has done you harm. You exercise by listening to new music, or old music with a new appreciation. You exercise by visiting a museum, or seeing the art in the world around you. One famous artist made Campbell’s Soup famous in this way…
Now, the question is: How will you exercise today?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Health & Wellness by .
Apr 09
10
Simple Ways to be Green Everyday
Here are some simple and easy tips on how to be green everyday:
- Recycle! Look for programs in your area and get involved.
- Reuse items or give them to those who can use them
- Go Vegetarian (at least a few days per week)
- Ride your bike to places you need to go
- Buy produce and other products locally
- Reduce or eliminate paper usage
- Replace household cleaners with greener cleaning products
- Meet with clients online rather than in person
- Compost to reduce household waste
- Grow some fruit and vegetables
- Use native plants in your yard to reduce watering
- Change lightbulbs in your house to CFLs or LEDs
- Turn down the thermostat
- Reduce seafood consumption
- Use natural skin care products
- Use reusable shopping bags
One of the best ways to be green is to simply start asking questions. Ask where products come from, how they are made, what processes are used, what ingredients are in the product, and if fair labor was used?
When you see an item you no longer need, ask yourself how you are going to get rid of it. Also, think about how the decision to get rid of an item can affect others and the planet. By simply making an effort to understand the impact of your everyday actions and lifestyle choices we can begin to change our communities.
One great book on the topic is: 365 Ways to Live Green: Your Everyday Guide to Saving the Environment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Being Green by .
Apr 09
5
Find Happiness!
Many people say they want happiness. Does that mean that they will change their ways to find it! Perhaps not! Desiring an outcome and acting upon it are different things entirely. …and of course we will need to be *aware* and understand what exactly we need to do to make our desires a reality!
Recently, I found a fascinating book on this “The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People”, and I wanted to give a bit of commentary on a few that I found most interesting:
- “Your Life Has Purpose and Meaning“. Avoiding existential crisis is always a good idea… Niven cites a study of older Americans showing that ‘having a purpose’ is one of the best predictors of happiness. Of course, studies like this cannot tell use *which* purpose is best, this we must define for ourselves…
- “Use a Strategy for Happiness“. You are not fated to be happy or unhappy! Although there may be genetic influence on tendencies to depression, there are many strategies we can all use to increase our happiness. Unhappy people tend to think more about unpleasant events, and things that have gone wrong in their lives. Focusing on the positive isn’t being dishonest with yourself, or delusional. We can recognize negative events from the past without belaboring them and allowing them to unnecessarily impact our current state of being. Choosing to focus on positive events, and learning from them, can enable us to be more happy and productive in the long run…
- “Be a Peacemaker“. Nevin cites a study that the avoidance of problems between loved ones can reduce contentment by 15 percent. Not only will you be impacted by the unhappiness and conflict of others, you might internalize it in the process. If you learn to tolerate and accept the unhappiness and problems with others, you may be more likely to accept that in yourself as well.
- “Pay Attention–You May Have What You Want“. It is ok to have a strong drive for success. However, although creating a new goal is the best way to progress, doing so will stimulate additional unsatisfaction. Of course, this unsatisfaction motivates further action….but we need to enjoy the reward at the end as well! Make sure you use the “carrot” in addition to the “stick” to get from point A to point B in your professional as well as your personal life.
- “Be Open to New Ideas“. Being able to adapt to the circumstances around you will enable you to better take advantages of happiness opportunities that come your way. If you are open to new ideas, you can find more ways to be happy, even if your social or financial surroundings change over time…
Of course, there are 95 more suggestions, all with research support, but I don’t want to go into them here. It would be interesting to build a type of *Exercise schedule* based on this and other research, however…. I believe I just might do that!
I’ll update when I add it as an “Optimize Happiness Activity” to the Products Section… Fun times!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Personal Development by .
Apr 09
3
Ethiopian Recipes
I just added a new page in the Food/Recipes section for an Ethiopian Feast that can easily feed at least 15+ people, maybe more. I have done this feast for family and friends several times and it is a really fun and enjoyable meal to make and eat.
You do not use utensils to eat Ethiopian food and all of the food is communal so it is a very different eating experience compared to traditional American eating which is very private and intended only for one individual to consume.
I think that the Ethiopian style of eating lends itself to a slower pace, increased conversation, and more time spent savoring the meal and time spent with friends and family.
![[Creative commons photo credit at flikr: Ethiopian Food]](http://beginconsciousliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/3022028828_a6b22d792d_m.jpg "3022028828_a6b22d792d_m")
Creative commons photo credit at flikr: Ethiopian Food
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Submit to Any - jjtcomputing.co.uk |
Posted in Food by .