January 24, 2010

Importance of Managing Your Budget

Filed under: Money + Finance, Self Improvement Management — admin @ 5:59 pm

People often get disturbed about their monthly budget, not handling your monthly budget can contribute to placing you further in debt if you are not cautious. The gains that come from managing your budget the right way not only saves you money but help ease some of your tension over debt. Always keep in mind that a budget is primarily a plan for your monthly expenditure. Your budget, like any programme, involves some degree of management to make it work for you. The manner I manage mybudget, for example, is by concentrating on keeping info organized and controlling my expenditure.

My main focus is on organizing the info in mybudget. I keep track of recurring expenses like utilities, car and loan payments, insurance, and the like, for example. Consider that without organising my budget, I can very easily lose track of my spending. By knowing what expenses repeat every month, I have an immediate hold on the minimum amount of money I have to set away each month before I spend on other things I can control a little more such as entertainment, clothing, and vacations.

Watching the expenditure in my budget is important because this is where the most financial progression is made. A genuine measure of progression is placing money into a savings instrument or paying down debt. However, if I over spend, the contrary is true because rather than saving money I will use debt to help me cover the monthly expenditure in my budget. Distinctly, giving in to the tensions of budgeting can have expensive consequences for my finances, especially if I am not able to pay down my debt.

There are two gains for moderating and organizing my budget: First, I save money by fending off unneeded expenses. Second, my finances are guided at reaching financial goals. Essentially, by not buying things I do not need, I am actually freeing up money that I can either use for something else or save. The extra money can also be useful in paying off debt or keeping it for a holiday. In addition to having extra money, I am able to yield longer term financial goals like saving and investing for retirement or paying off my mortgage or student loans. With mybudget being coordinated and moderated, not only does my financial situation become more stable but successfully overseeing my budget reduces the stress that often comes with being in debt.

January 11, 2010

Importance of Managing Your Budget

Filed under: Money + Finance, Self Improvement Management — admin @ 6:34 pm

Most of us often get anxious about their monthly budget, not overseeing your monthly budget can can put you in to further in debt if you are not careful. Handling your budget properly has many benefits including saving you money and help relief some of your tension over debt. Always keep in mind that a budget is mainly a program for your monthly spending. Your budget, like any program, demands some level of management to get a successful outcome. The way I manage my budget, for instance, is by focussing on maintaining info organised and controlling my expenditure.

My first focus is on organising the info in my budget. For instance, I keep an eye on recurring expenses like utilities, automobile and loan payments, insurance, and the like. I can easily lose track of my spending without organizing my budget. By knowing what expenditures repeat every month, I have an imminent hold on the minimum amount of money I have to set away each month before I spend on other things I can monitor a little more such as entertainment, clothing, and vacations.

To make a financial advancement, I make sure that I monitor my expenditure in my budget. A good measure of progress is placing money into a savings account or paying down debt. However, if I over spend, the contrary is true because instead of saving money I will use debt to help me cover the monthly expenses in my budget. Distinctly, giving in to the stresses of budgeting can have expensive consequences for my finances, especially if I am unable to pay down my debt.

There are two gains for moderating and organizing my budget: First, I save money by fending off unneeded expenses. Second, my finances are pointed at reaching financial goals. Essentially, by not buying things I do not need, I am actually freeing up money that I can either use for something else or save. The extra money can also be useful in paying off debt or saving it for a vacation. In addition to having extra money, I am able to make longer term financial goals like saving and investing for retirement or paying off my mortgage or student loans. With mybudget being organised and moderated, not only does my financial situation become more secure but successfully managing my budget reduces the stress that often comes with being in debt.

November 29, 2009

Managing My Personal Budget: a Healthy Programme for Financial Peace of Mind

Filed under: Money + Finance, Self Improvement Management — admin @ 1:50 am

If you’re reading this article, you are most likely experiencing slight financial stress and searching for a way to gain control of your finances. Preparing and committing to a monthly budget has always been one of the ideal ways to do this. Having a sound budget is essential for managing money, one that has allowed me to survive even on limited funds. One of the most critical things that I do every month is managing my monthly budget, this has allowed me to consistently meet all expenditures, grow my savings, and control debt.

I usually plan my budget for the upcoming month on about the 20th of the current month. This will prepare me of what’s down the road. It’s not a good idea to produce a budget after getting paid because, too often, that flush feeling of receiving a paycheck results to unessential and spontaneous spending before the paycheck ever reaches the bank.

Start your personal budget by outlining all the things that must be paid that month like rent, electricity bills, insurance policies, loan repayments and telephone bills. The main idea is to apportion a budget for the things that I must pay to keep a comfortable roof over my head and continue earning money. I like to pad these requirements to create “money back” after paying the bills and, if costs increase circumstantially, I’m always covered.

Next, my budget is subjected to a list of discretionary things I need to cover but could live without if absolutely needed. These items include monthly savings deposits, credit card repayments, and donations to charity. These things are also necessary, but in case of emergency I could put them off for a short time. By paying credit card companies the maximum instead of the minimum, I keep my credit score high and my debt low.

My budget will not include the cost of food, clothing, or entertainment. These items get covered by what’s left over and that’s that. Some months involve lots of beans and rice, slow-cooker meals, free or cheap entertainment, and only one inexpensive piece of clothing . This strategy of overseeing my monthly budget has worked out very well over the long term as long as I honor it scrupulously.

August 24, 2009

Hair Loss Treatment Options Available

Filed under: Be Beautiful, Self Improvement Management — admin @ 9:43 pm

Many men and women that suffer from hair loss often have low self esteem. Hair loss can be caused by many things such as genetics, age and hormonal instabilities. However, people who suffer from baldness or thinning hair, have numerous hair loss solutions to choose from.

For the males, the only obtainable prescribed hair loss solution is Propecia (generic name Finasteride). Balding is caused by a hormone called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and this drug lowers the levels of this hormone. When taken daily, Propecia takes down DHT levels by up to 60%. About half of all men who take Propecia regrow hair on their scalps.

Another hair loss treatment that is available for males and women over-the-counter is Minoxidil (Rogaine). Based on research shows Minoxidil works in about one out of every three men who apply the product twice daily. While the five-percent strength is not recommended for women, some physicians will prescribe the higher concentration. Patients using the higher dose increased their hair growth.

Organic supplements are also used as hair loss treatments. Supplements such as flaxseed and primrose oils contain necessary fatty acids that make hair look lusher and healthier. Vitamin B3, B5, and B6 also promote hair growth. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Coenzyme Q10 stimulate hair follicles to enhance scalp circulation. Zinc, Kelp and Copper boost immune functions, aiding hair growth.

Laser hair therapy (LHT) is the latest hair loss treatment approved for women and men. This hair loss treatment uses low-light lasers to restore damaged hair cells. Studies suggest that roughly 90 percent of patients regrow hair. Laser hair therapy also prevents additional hair thinning and loss.

Currently, more hair loss treatments are available to treat male-pattern baldness. However, researchers are conducting studies to further understand which hair loss treatments work best for women. While many options exist, early intervention is the key to improving hair loss and regaining self confidence.

July 4, 2009

Serendipity’s Sister: Great Expectations Creates Beautiful Couples

Most call me a romantic, for the obvious reason that that’s my role in the universe. I fully endorse holding Great Expectations. Can’t be denied, matchmaking just follows me around as an unconscious behavior. Great singles networks, like this dating service called Great Expectations Milwaukee with a long-history of dating expertise, understand people individually. Matchmakers make effective social encounters as any good friend does, and that’s dating done right. That’s just a small task with big promise by impacting companionship for years to come.

I’ve dispensed more than my share of advice on my blog and without regret. What you’ll find here is not clich©s. Tips like: Take an interest in your date, be cool, don’t be afraid to use charm, be in touch with yourself and (a doozie) don’t start comparing traits you have in mind in your mind. Date like you ordinarly would! Welcome magical moments if it feels right. Obviously, keep it real and don’t attempt to pass as something is not you. What if the date gets meaningful, then you’ll have to reveal your lies. Of course there are perks to joining the top dating service for Milwaukee Singles. Yes, dating advice is naturally what I honed and worked on for as long as I remember. Victories those who know me fashioned my brand of sorts. My coupled-up friends are hard to ignore.

There’s Rebecca and Larry now toting about their flock of children. Yours truly shot arrows at these two at an improv class once upon a time, and the result is evident. Gregory and Caroline also hit it right off when I introduced them on a blind date with my late husband’s family. And of course my sister in law Andrea and her companion. Those two will be married in New York City in early August. They’re perfect together and found eachother using Great Expectations, at my behest.

It appears I have kept busy and marvelously productive at that! However I have my shortcomings, while I focus on graciously matching up the single people of the world (hah) realize the attitude needed to build a relationship, I forgot to tend to my personal dating happiness. What anxieties present when the dating expert searches for a matchmaker? I can’t wait to meet desirable Great Expectations Milwaukee singles, because when you’re specialized in an area it raises expectations. Perhaps these sentiments has kept me from really getting serious about dating. More than most, I must realize that you can’t walk this world without companionship. And here we are, I’m taking my own advice by quality singles.

Irene Pacheco

Expert Matchmaker

July 1, 2009

Accepting Your Better Self, Find Medical Wigs Right for You

Filed under: Be Beautiful, Health Infos, Self Improvement Management — admin @ 5:13 pm

My mother and I never imagined the sparkling Nancy Smart, our family friend, would cover her head with wigs. Her signature hair styles added so much to her personality. Have you seen her lately? Our favorite gal remains known because of her hair. Very few know she lives confidently wearing lace wigs. They look that good.

When we were mere children in high school, we once had our picks of boys. A few years went by before her women’s hair loss took its toll and her hair wouldn’t be the same. I mentioned these synthetic wigs. Oh well, she shrugged it off. Even on bad days she proudly never let you forget about her bald-headed look.

At her fiance’s baseball championship, we ate nuts till her beau retardedly kicked the little ball (or that thing they use) at us. Quick on her feet, she reached out for the thing when her bandana fell off, unveiling her shiny head. As though nothing were amiss, she walked over and delivered it to the game official. Attitude, did I mention she’s got it?

That said, nobody is perfect. Once we got together for a “Gilmore Girls” binge, when she grabbed my arm and confided that she would rather do without hair out of anger. She would never spend money on medical wigs, though she knew it was a good idea. And who would have thought our fearless protagonist became beet pink in the face and demanded that I shouldn’t concern myself with it. I didn’t know what to say.

I thought about it all night. The next morning, I IM’d with her about taking care of this wig problem. After a long deliberation the two of us ended up with the only logical action: we were going wig shopping! Wigs for the both of us, on me!

The both of us were floored by the fashionable styles. We never imagined that synthetic wigs could be so confidence inspiring for people, even superstars. These women’s wigs complimented her natural beauty. As for me, put together an entirely fresh set of outfits around my wig. We’re inseparable, but you knew that already. Recently she sent me her thanks for giving her back her hair, and explained it fosters a feminine mystique in her life. It’s delightful to have helped my best friend float about as light as a feather. She’s a better person, with the same confidence.

May 24, 2009

Relationships Designed to Endure

Firstly, I couldn’t characterize myself as downright happy living alone and not crack a smile. But, I’m not unhappy about it, either. I just bring it up in this blog as an intriguing detail introducing what I am prepared to explain in grand style.

A week ago today I was talking to Sandy, thinking of signing up for a dating service for Phoenix singles. You prolly couldn’t guess that, I stand to each of you as a delightfully single member of the dating service. Totally, it’s true. Its very comfortable and full of nice people! If you’ve been paying attention, you may be wondering, “You totally owe me an explanation.”

Here’s how it went down, I looked at this Great Expectations Dating site and can really get behind their approach. They’re for the honest singles who think dating should have a point.

Because in all honesty I’d never been too big on what a lot of singles call “The Dating Game.” I faced it more than you know. Each night friends ask, “Are you seeing somebody?” and “Just get out there and date him!”

“That’s rubbish,” I banter right back, smiling ear to ear. “There’s nothing to date!”

“Not true,” they reply. “You haven’t dated in a year, you wouldn’t know!”

Thankfully, that’s my partner in crime The One-And-Only hah! Sandy Feldman. She offers the best ideas to my brain to put me back on course. People never fail to offer perspective. No countering that, so I signed up.

Coming home to the theme of this essay. As I picked from hundreds of quality singles for my first date with Great Expectations, something occurred to me that was quite real. Over the last year, I hadn’t allowed myself too many literal great expectations for dating and myself in the serendipitous journey of life. Single life has its perks, only with healthy optimism. Holding great expectations makes a difference on a cynics social life.

~Monica Davis

June 5, 2008

Are You Your Own Worst Enemy Or Your Own Best Friend?

Filed under: Self Improvement Management — admin @ 1:15 am

Who do you consider as your worst enemy? The criminals roaming
the dark streets? Your boss who’s killing you mentally and
emotionally with stress and harsh words? The people in office
who are engaging in graft and corruption, instead of helping
those in need?

We have many implications of who our enemies are; but we have one common foe who is the main cause of our failures and misfortunes, and we’re not even aware of this opponent.

You may not want to admit it, but our worst enemy is ourselves.

Who do you blame when something goes wrong? You blame the people around you, the weather, maybe even God. But we are the ones who are in control of ourselves. We can change the outcome of our lives because we have the capacity to do that.

It is our fear, jealousy, greed, etc. that is ruining our lives. Some people who never managed to get out of poverty blame the government or their jobs. But they’re too afraid to try out new ventures that may improve their lives. They half-heartedly go to work on their 9 to 5 job. Then when the day is done, they watch TV and go out aimlessly having fun without seriously thinking of what great opportunity the future has in store for them, if only they would try to do something different with their lives.

Fear has caused many to remain frigid and to never go out exploring the wonderful things this world has to offer. Lots of people would rather stay where they are in an unsatisfied state than to risk difficulties and obstacles for the sake of attaining their dreams.

If their lives are not getting any better, they have no else
to blame but themselves.

Jealousy and envy has also caused some relationship problems. Some people immediately jump to conclusions without first analyzing the situation. They let their sudden emotions control their behaviors without even thinking of the consequences that may result.

If they’re having problems with their relationships, they have no else to blame but themselves.

This goes to show that we decide what will happen to us. Of course, there are circumstances that are beyond our control, like natural calamities. But we can still utilize to our best advantage the things that we have control of.

For instance, you got rejected by your dream girl. Some people would just get drunk and feel miserable, thinking that it’s the end of the world. Some will move onwards with their lives and find the best in what remains with them. See? It’s really up to you. You decide if you want to have a good life or not.

You failed in your exams? So what? There’s another opportunity. You can just sulk in sorrow or you can study harder to get a high score in the future. It’s up to you.

There’s no use crying over spilled milk. You don’t have to get frustrated over your misfortunes. Concentrate on how you could get better in the future.

If we encounter problems, we can either succumb to it, or we can treat it as an opportunity to become stronger and to become better individuals. Winners would always treat their dilemmas as opportunities.

Oh yes. We can be our worst enemy, but we can also be our best friend. It’s all up to you!

Paul is Head of Training for a major UK Charitable Organisation with a wealth of experience in personal development, management development, e-learning and operational management. In addition to owning one of the UK’s leading Ebook Provider http://www.pk-ebooks.co.uk Paul also owns http://www.help-your-child-learn.co.uk and http://www.ebay-profits.co.uk

June 2, 2008

Getting Motivated by a Motivational Speaker?

Filed under: Self Improvement Management — admin @ 10:58 am

In the past years, there has been a sudden rise of motivational speakers. They appear in television and in magazines as well as sold out seminars that are just brimming with people who are just craving to get some direction with their lives.

A motivational speaker, instead of focusing on the financial gains that he or she will most probably get from these seemingly “needy” people, should focus his or her attention to actually motivating people to actually be the best that they can be through their sheer motivation to change their lives for the better that is actually inspired by such a speaker.

A motivational speaker is, most often rather should be seen as, an expert, the one person who “normal people” can rely on when it comes to instilling positive thinking in them as well as providing them not just the answers that they want to hear but the answers that they would actually need and eventually help them with their lives. Speakers are actually regarded quite highly by the people who depend on them for the “answers.”

A good motivational speaker should exude confidence (not cockiness!) by being extremely knowledgeable as compared to most people, even one’s own colleagues about a specific topic. This is what makes speakers highly in-demand especially when organizers are trying to set-up an event or a seminar that aims to educate people about a certain topic. However, a motivational speaker shouldn’t just rely on book smarts to be able to help him or her throughout his or her motivational speaker career. Various experiences can actually help enrich a speaker’s expertise and knowledge about a certain topic. This is actually that will serve the speaker on a positive note considering that the audience during seminars actually want real affirmations of what the speaker is trying to teach them. People who are in doubt need the actual proof for them to be able to motivate themselves to believe.

For those who are aspiring to become a motivational speaker, here are a few reminders from public speaking experts that you should know before actually pursuing your dream as a motivational speaker as well as being able to get the attention of the people and companies who might want to get your services :

*First and foremost, for you to be able to motivate other people and get them out of the rut that they’re in, you must have a pleasant-sounding, clear and well-modulated voice. The type of voice that a speaker should have so as to be able to command attention. This is incredibly important because as a motivational speaker, or any kind of public speaker for that matter, you must be able to get a hold of your audience’s attention and make them believe in what they’re saying (this is NOT to say that you should “brainwash” your audience into doing something that are already against their will and moral standards based on what non believers of adhering to a public speakers advice). Still, having a good voice cannot assure you of a career as a motivational speaker.

You must also have the added charisma, charm, intellect, wit and sense of humor that can make people irresistibly drawn to you. Also try to brush up on current events or whatever new information that you may see as “relevant’ to your speeches. Relating your talk to present events or things that of interest to your audience would help capture your audience’s interests more.

*As a responsible motivational speaker, you must always keep in mind that you should value your audience because these are the people who actually took the time (and money) to be able to hear out on what you’ve got to say with regards to the topic on hand. This should actually motivate you to actually showing up on the venue on time, properly dressed and groomed as well as very much prepared for your talk. A good motivational speaker should know that people actually come to these seminars to learn new things from you and not just hear about rehashed material. They expect you, the motivational speaker, to be able to supply them with the information that they’re looking for, so always be prepared.

These are just a few tips to help you get started on being a motivational speaker. Remember, when it comes to holding your audience attention you must always be yourself. Be natural in your gestures. Absolutely no pretensions because people are incredibly smart and they can actually see through those who are just putting up a front.

For more great getaway tips and ideas check out: http://www.event-speaker.com

May 15, 2008

Be Proactive

Filed under: Self Improvement Management — admin @ 6:28 pm

“Be Proactive” is habit #1 from Steve Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Being proactive means taking conscious control over your life, setting goals and working to achieve them. Instead of reacting to events and waiting for opportunities, you go out and create your own events and opportunities.

Being proactive means that instead of merely reacting to events as they happen, you consciously engineer your own events.

Most people think reactively. And reacting to certain events is all well and good. But it becomes a problem when that’s all there is to a person’s life nothing more than instinctively reacting to stimuli.

Steve Covey points out that there’s a gap between stimulus and response, and within that gap lies the potential for us to choose our response. Four special human endowments give us this power:

1. Self-awareness - the understanding that you do have a choice between stimulus and response. If someone insults you, you can choose not to become angry. If you are offered a donut, you can choose not to eat it.

2. Conscience - the ability to consult your inner compass to decide what is right for you. You can make decisions based on unchanging principles, regardless of what is socially favored at the moment.

3. Creative Imagination - the ability to visualize alternative responses. By using your imagination, you can mentally generate and evaluate different options.

4. Independent Will - You have the freedom to choose your own unique response. You aren’t forced to conform to what others expect from you.

A lack of proactivity can often be traced to a weakness in one of these four human endowments. Maybe you’re spending too much time in a state of low consciousness and never reaching the level of awareness necessary to make proactive life decisions. Perhaps your conscience has become muddled by societal conditioning, so you aren’t even sure what you want from life; when something doesn’t feel right to you, you look to others to decide how you should feel about it. Maybe you aren’t taking the time to visualize alternatives. Or perhaps your independent will is being restricted by the pressure to conform to others’ expectations.

It can be argued that on some level, we’re always reacting to events, either external or internal. The difference between proactivity and reactivity can then be viewed in terms of what degree of “mental processing” occurs during the gap between stimulus and response. A proactive person will apply the four human endowments to choose a response (or to choose no response at all). But even more than that, a proactive person will invest the time to make conscious life choices and follow through on them.

Reactive people tend to be out of touch with their core values. Instead of running their lives based on unchanging core principles, they pick up temporary values from others around them. If no special opportunities come their way, they’ll stay at the same job year after year as long as it’s semi-satisfying. If most of their friends exercise, they probably will too; otherwise, they probably won’t. They go with the flow of the people and circumstances that surround them, but they don’t direct the flow. Their lives are largely out of their direct conscious control; they tend to only exert their human endowments when they absolutely must, such as if they get laid off unexpectedly (and even then it’s often to a minimal degree). But when things are pretty good, life is mostly on autopilot.

Proactive people, on the other hand, are aware of their core values. They consciously make key decisions based on those values. They create their own opportunities and direct the flow of their own lives. Even when things are pretty good, they’re still making conscious choices. Sometimes that means maintaining the status quo, while other times it means changing directions. Sometimes their values will align well with what’s socially popular; other times they won’t. Proactive people will take actions that often seem mysterious to reactive people. They may suddenly quit their job to start a new business, even though everything seemed to be going well for them. They’ll often start new projects or activities “out of the blue” when it seems like there’s no externally motivated reason to do so. A proactive person will still pay attention to external events, but they’ll pilot themselves to their desired destination regardless of those events.

If a reactive person were to captain a ship, the ship would flow with the currents. This person would be preoccupied with studying the currents, trying to predict where the ship will end up as a function of the currents. If the currents are good, this person is happy. If the currents are poor, this person feels stressed. On occasion this person might attempt to set a destination, and if the currents are good, the ship will arrive. But if the currents are poor, this person will bemoan them and give up the destination for an easier one.

If a proactive person were to captain a ship, however, the ship would go wherever the captain wanted it to go. This captain would still note the currents, but they’d merely be used for navigational purposes. Sometimes the ship would flow with the currents; other times it would steam against them. It matters little whether the currents are good or not; this captain will reach the intended destination regardless of the currents. The currents can only control the time of arrival and the exact path from starting point to final destination. But the currents have no power to dictate the final destination; that is entirely the captain’s choice.

Some examples of reactive [proactive] language:

* Where is the industry going? [Where shall I go next, and how will I get there?]

* I don’t have time to exercise. [How shall I make time to exercise?]

* How much money can I expect to make if I do X? [How much money do I want to make, and what will I do to earn it?]

* I’ll try it and see what happens. [I’ll do it.]

* I’m too tired. [What can I do to increase my energy?]

* I’ve never been very good at math. [How can I improve my math skills and enjoy the process?]

* Nothing really inspires me. [What would I tackle if I knew I couldn’t fail?]

* What is the meaning of life? [What is the meaning I wish to give to my life?]

Taking the pulse of others is a big concern for reactive people. They usually want to work at a “stable” job in a “good” industry, and they see themselves at the mercy of market conditions. If they manage to start a new business, it’s because they know lots of others who are already doing so, and they want to join the pack. They want to know what products and services seem to be doing well, so they can do something similar. If they fail, it’s because the industry isn’t doing well, or there’s too much competition, or because of some oft-cited external luck factor.

Do you think that anything that happens “out there” will determine how successful you’ll be in your endeavors? Not if you’re proactive. If you’re proactive, external events can only affect your time of arrival and the exact path you take to your goal. But they cannot dictate your goal for you. Proactive people still get knocked around by the currents at times, but they’ll just keep readjusting their course to retarget their goals, goals which are ultimately attainable by their own efforts.

Of course everyone has a mixture of both proactivity and reactivity. Pure examples of the two extremes are rare. You may find that you’re extremely proactive in one area, while letting other parts of your life slip into unconscious autopilot. So take the time to use your human endowments of self-awareness, conscience, creative imagination, and independent will to shine a light on those neglected areas of your life and consciously choose to get things moving. If you don’t like where the currents are taking you, then change course. Don’t wait for an opportunity to arrive; engineer your own. The reactive people in your life will often throw a fit when you do this, so let them, and exercise your independent will anyway. Even when everyone around you seems to be reactive, you can still be proactive. Initially that will probably feel like swimming against the currents, but if the currents of your life are leading in the wrong direction anyway, that’s a good thing.

Although “going with the flow” is often considered a wise admonition, the level of wisdom in this advice depends on where that flow is going. For example: in the USA going with the flow of our current state of health means becoming overweight or obese, living a sedentary exercise-free lifestyle, and then dying of either heart disease or cancer. Going with the flow financially means gradually sinking into debt and then dying broke. Going with the flow of our marriages means getting divorced (67% of Americans who were married in 1990 can ultimately expect to divorce, sources = Daniel Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence and John Gottman’s What Predicts Divorce). Going with the flow of our educational practices means never reading another nonfiction book after high school. Going with the flow of our environmental practices means … believe me, you don’t even want to go there.

If you wish to live an extraordinary life, you often have to go against the flow that everyone else seems to be following. You can choose not to be one of the “XXX billions served.” In a way you’re switching over to being guiding by the flow of your own self-awareness and consciousness. You tune into your inner flow instead of being dragged along by the flow of external stimuli. Sure you may win the lottery or receive a big inheritance, but most likey you won’t just flow into wealth… or health… or fulfillment. You have to consciously choose these things and then follow up with committed action.

Where is the flow of your life taking you? If you continue flowing along with the currents of your life as they are now, where will you end up? And what will you never experience because those currents just don’t stop at certain destinations? How can you exercise your proactivity and your human endowments to direct the course of your life (regardless of the currents), so that you intentionally create the kind of life you want instead of just drifting along?

Proactivity has many names. Tony Robbins’ refers to it as using your Personal Power. Brian Tracy states, “Those who don’t set goals for themselves are forever doomed to work to achieve the goals of others.” Denis Waitley juxtaposes winners make it happen vs. losers let it happen. Dr. Wayne Dyer refers to the proactive as no-limit people. Roger Dawson calls them achievers. Barbara Marx Hubbard labels them cocreators. David Allen uses the terms ready for anything and having a mind like water. The exact terms aren’t important. What matters is making the decision to start consciously directing your own life instead of being pushed along by external currents.

Copyright © Steve Pavlina

Steve Pavlina
Personal Development for Smart People
http://www.stevepavlina.com
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog (blog)
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles (articles)

Steve is intensely growth-oriented. He trained in martial arts, ran the L.A. Marathon, and graduated from college in three semesters with two degrees. He can juggle, count cards at blackjack, and make damn good guacamole. Steve is also a polyphasic sleeper, sleeping just 2-3 hours per day and only 20 minutes at a time. So chances are good that he’s awake right now.