1. Eat Several Hours Before Going To Bed. Eat at meal times and don't snack just before going to bed.
2. Don't Drink Alcohol. 
3. Reduce the Bright Light of the Computer Screen. Computers, Blackberries, iPhones, the television.
4. Take a Power Nap in a Sunny Spot. Find a cozy warm spot, curl up, catch a few refreshing zz's just like your dog, and go back to a productive day.
5. Get Out and Exercise. Most exercise should be done in the morning or afternoon. Don't get your heart racing just before you plan on shutting it all down for sleep.
6. Get Enough Sunlight. Getting sunlight every day can help with your sleep cycles so make sure to get outside and soak up some real daylight.
7. A Comfortable Bed. Fluff up the bed, turn around three times and curl up in a nice warm little ball.

1. Grin and bear it. Sometimes there will be times when your energy levels are off or something else happens in your life forcing you to put your dreams on hold for a just a bit.
2. Take a time-out. You never know when the idea you need to bridge the gap between your current reality and your dreams will be found. But sometimes you need to give yourself the space to find it.
3. Assess whether your current plans are realistic. Maybe your dreams aren't coming true by the deadlines you set because your deadlines were unrealistic to begin with.
4. Get support.
5. Play a game called "15 Ways..." This is a little game I like to play whenever I get stuck on how to break through barriers in achieving goals. Grab a sheet of paper and brainstorm 15 ways you can overcome whatever obstacle is standing in between you and your goals. 
6. Pick a hero. Who in your mind is a noteworthy person you would like to emulate in life?  Tack a picture of them on your wall.  
7. Go out and execute every day. If you're done with your time out, then commit to doing one thing for your dreams everyday, no matter how small it is.

1. Discover why you were created. Everything created solves a problem. You were created to solve a problem, and your success in life is dependent on your ability to find that problem and solve it.
2. Commit to be a Success. Success begins with a decision.
3. Have Faith in Your Possibilities. If you don't believe you're going to succeed, then ...you're probably right. Faith in your possibilities is what gives you the strength to do the impossible.
4. Keep Your Life in Balance. What good is it to be wealthy and have no one to share your wealth with? 
5. Help Others. To have "small" success, help a small number of people. To have great success, you must help a great number of people. Your success is dependent on your ability to help others.  

• Before you open another door, follow this three-step process: Stop. Pause. Enter. It might take an extra 10 seconds, but doing this will help you become more conscious of your objectives and help you connect with your spouse, children, boss, mother-in-law, or whomever.
• If you're like me, you have a thousand things you're thinking about and commitments you're juggling. You could say I'm a little future-focused as well. 
• According to Philip Zimbardo, future oriented folks make more money, are more hopeful, make the best of failure, and simply, get the job done. But, future-focused folks sacrifice family, friends, and sex for success. Apparently we are so driven for a better future, we fail to recognize and appreciate the present. And that's where the doorknob principle comes in.
• If you find yourself focused on the past or the future and want to "live in the moment" a little more, the next time you come home, don't just automatically open the door.
• Focus on who is on the other side of the door. It is your spouse? Your children? Whoever is on the other side of that door is probably one of the most important people in your life. Think about what they mean to you. With your heard cleared, open the door and enter. Make it a point to properly greet whoever is inside.

1. Assess Your Life. The first step that you need to do is to take a look at your life. More often than not, people who are bored and unhappy do not really know the things that are beautiful and precious in their lives.
2. Set Goals. Set goals so that you have something to look forward to in the future.
3. Be More Positive. One sure way that can bring your motivation down is by thinking negatively. Positivity moves you forward.
4. Count Your Blessings. Envy is something that can really put anyone down.
5. Find a Hobby. Doing the same things over and over again can really make people bored.
6. Don't Be Afraid to Change. Lastly, do not be afraid to change. Simply trying a new route to the office or eating at a new restaurant can help perk up your otherwise boring life. 

• The new ABCs are Always Be Creating. People who create will be the people who succeed and excel. If you can create, you can write your own check.
• You must get out there and create — start a blog, write a book, record a video, start a business, code a new application, etc. 

Here are a few ideas on how to jumpstart your creative thinking:

• Brainstorm. Think about what services/products might be needed if this turmoil continues and what services/products people will want when we recover.
• $1 million game. This is a fun one. If you absolutely positively had to make $1 million in less than 365 days, what would you do? What area would you focus on? What skills would you have to rely on? You might not start any of the businesses you think about, but it's a great way to jumpstart your creativity.
• Get partners. Get two or three friends/colleagues together for a twice-a-month meeting. Sit down with them and brainstorm. Tell them what's on your mind — what ideas you're toying with. Press each other to come up with at least three business ideas for each meeting. If you agree on one, you have your team in place. But even if you don't, this get-together will force you to think entrepreneurially inside AND outside of the group.

1. Identify your goal. Write it down.
2. Ask yourself: What feelings do I think I am going to get from achieving this goal? Write those down next to the goal.
3. Brainstorm 10 other ways to get that feeling state. Just brainstorm—put ideas down rapidly. Don't evaluate their quality or feasibility now.
4. Ask "What can I easily do today that will get me into this feeling state?" You'll discover some new "little things" you can do in your life – right now- that will have big impact. Come up with at least 5 of these.
5. Finally, ask yourself, what are the current thoughts or beliefs that are getting in the way of me feeling that feeling state in this very moment? What new thoughts would free me to be in the feeling state I want, right now?

1. Dress sharp. Clothes can be an instant confidence booster.
2. Breathe. Focus on your breathing: first notice it, then start to consciously breathe deeper, slower, and more regular.
3. Exercise. Exercising will help release tension in the muscles and will boost your level of endorphins, which is the body's natural drug for improving your mood, including your confidence.
4. Focus on action. When you feel insecure, your thoughts will often go into a negative cycle: you start thinking negative, dramatic things, etc focus on positive and action.
5. Stop! When negative, say 'stop'. This self-command will interrupt the negative internal dialogue for a while, prevent it from spinning out of control and help you boost your confidence.
6. Think of your qualities. A lot of times, lack of confidence is a result of loosing sight of our qualities.
7. Remember positive experiences. When you think of positive things, you generate and amplify positive emotions, while at the same time combating negative ones. 

• The monkeys that learned fear: 
• Monkeys that don't fear snakes were introduced to some snakes while being forced to listen to loud noises. Some monkeys learned to fear but some didn't, instead saw the fear response of monkeys that fear snakes then learned to fear snakes too. 
• Conclusion: We learn to fear things when we associate them with another even. Moreover, if a child watched an adult reacting with fear to a certain situation the child will develop fear too.

• The frog that died in the boiling water: 
• When a group of frogs were thrown in boiling water they jumped and survive. However, when the same frogs were put into cold water that was slowly heated, all of them died because they didn't react.
• Conclusion: We can feel sudden changes but when the change happens over time we don't feel it until it is too late.

• The Rats that failed to swim: 
• A researcher got rats that could swim for 80 hours continuously, then frightened them by making them believe that they were stuck before throwing them in water. Many rats died after a few minutes of swimming! The rats didn't drown due to lack of ability but at some point they just gave up swimming and died. 
• Conclusion: When we feel in control we can reach our maximum potential, if we feel out of control we give up even if we have the required skills.

• The dogs that learned to be helpless: 
• Few dogs were placed in room that has a switch which turns on electric current and shock the dogs or turn it off. When the dogs were first shocked they kept jumping around until one dog pushed the switch and discovered that the electric current stopped. Dogs learned how to turn off the shock. They were split into two groups,  first remained in the same room while the second was placed in a similar one that had a faulty switch. 
• When the second group was shocked the dogs tried to push the switch but nothing happened. The second group of dogs were returned to the first room then were shocked again but this time they never tried to push the switch. The dogs learned to become helpless as a result. 
• Conclusion: No one is born helpless but we learn how to become helpless when we face certain situations that we fail to deal with.

• Big goals can become a double-edged sword. Big can get you off the couch, but it can also create frustration.
• To achieve of a healthy balance, try the following:

1. Think big. In order to get the motivation to enter the race
2. Act small. Get out of your head and start doing small things every day to get one step closer to reaching your goal
3. Start today. Thinking about successfully achieving a big goal is easy. Actually achieving a big goal is hard. This is why most people talk and only a few do. Start today.

1. Exercise During the Day. If you're struggling to fit exercise into your day, try looking for ways to get active in your lunch hour or straight after work.
2. Stop Work in the Middle of a Task. At the end of the day, try stopping work in the middle of a task. The advantage here is that instead of building up the energy to get stuck in on something new  you've got an easy little task to start off your day.
3. Avoid Caffeine in the Evening. Drinking tea, coffee, cola or other caffeinated drinks in the evening is almost certainly going to have a bad effect on your sleep.
4. Set Out Your Clothes the Night Before. Decide exactly what you're wearing and hang your clothes at the far edge of your closet, or over a chair or on a door.
5. Don't Eat a Heavy Dinner. You could eat a bit earlier in the evening, or simply eat a lighter meal at dinner time.
6. Journal or Read Before Bed. Many of us find it hard to "switch off" at the end of the day.
7. Know What You're Doing First Thing. What's your morning routine like? Decide before you go to sleep then you won't have to wake up dithering about what to do first.
8. Get to Bed On Time. 
9. Visualize Sleeping Well. When you lie down to sleep, visualize getting a really great night's sleep. 

1. Yogic Breathing. One of the five principles of Yoga is Pranayama. It is a breathing exercise that promotes proper breathing. Proper breathing in the Yogic sense is to bring more oxygen to your brain and blood, while also controlling the Prana (life force energy).
2. Sungazing. Sungazing is an interesting concept, which involves gazing at the sun to give your body the nourishment it requires. 
3. Sauna. Sauna has some pretty impressive health benefits. It has even been shown that taking cold showers in conjunction with a sauna challenges your immune system and reduces stress hormones. 
4. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an Indian folk remedy, where you take an oil, such as sunflower oil, and you swish it in your mouth in the morning before eating anything for about 10-20 minutes. Helps against certain bacteria in your mouth.
5. Finding Your Passion. Passion is critical to happiness and although I have found no large studies done on the effects of passion on people's health and happiness, but it has been shown that happier people live longer.

1. Launch Your Courage. CONCEPT: Courage to Dream
2. Drive Your Desires. CONCEPT: Conscious Belief Systems
3. Free Your Imagination. CONCEPT: Imagination Stimulation
4. Stage Your Dream. CONCEPT: Enlightened Visualization
5. Pen Your Dream Script. CONCEPT: Power of Words-Write it!
6. Set Your Dream on Fire. CONCEPT: Ignite Dream Momentum
7. Publish Your Dream Plan Book. CONCEPT: Connect with the "Thinking Stuff"
8. Inspire Your Dream With Action. CONCEPT: Power of the Present Moment
9. Awaken Your Dream with Thanks. CONCEPT: Attraction Action of Gratitude
10. Become a Dream Achiever. CONCEPT: Live, Share, Expand Your Dreams

1. Take a Look Around. Guess what? Your life isn't that bad. The next time you feel down about something insignificant, take a look around. There are a lot of people a lot worse off than you.
2. Time Travel to "Someday". In a couple of months you are going to look back on what you are going through right now and laugh at yourself for how stupidly you overreacted. Skip the mourning period and start laughing about it now. 
3. Guffaw, Even If For No Reason. Give it a whirl now: just let out a big laugh. Not just a chuckle, but a long sustained, hearty guffaw.
4. Gallagherize. Gallagher was a comedian who told some very bad jokes, but for some unknown reason was immensely successful. Make your own humor, even when you don't feel like it.
5. Jump Into A Big Pile Of "Ha Ha". Watch funny movies and TV shows. Hang out with funny people. Listen to stand up comics. 

1. Tip 1. Plan to be spontaneous. Some people make a list of potential topics they can 'fall back on' if the conversation starts running out of steam.
2. Tip 2. It's (not) all about looks. Wear clothes you feel suit you. It might sound obvious, but feeling well-groomed actually makes us feel better about everything. 
3. Tip 3. Desperation is not a good strategy. It's just a date. If the other person is put off by you saying 'the wrong thing', then they weren't dating material for you anyway. Desperation is driven by anxiety and fear and other people pick up on it. 
4. Tip 4. Remember your date is human, too. Dave was so preoccupied by his own dating anxiety that he didn't even stop to think that Kate might be anxious too. Taking the burden off yourself and working to help the other person relax has a two-way benefit. It helps them feel special and more at ease and diverting your focus away from yourself makes you feel more calm and confident.
5. Tip 5. Calm yourself right down – and that's right down. Lack of dating confidence can also be described as 'dating anxiety' and what's the antidote to anxiety? Why, calm, of course. Before your date, take time to relax and breathe deeply.
6. Tip 6. Flattery can get you everywhere. "That's a beautiful dress you're wearing." – then say why it's beautiful on them – "It really brings out the lovely colour of your eyes..."

1. The Power Of Certainty. To achieve your goals, you need to have the feeling of certainty that you will be able to achieve your goals.
2. Lesser Is Better.  Do not fall into this trap thinking that the more goals you have the more you will achieve. Make it a point to set up a maximum of 3 goals and replace them only when you achieve the first ones that were set up.
3. Reminders – Why Everyone Needs One. To drastically increase your chances of achieving your goals, you will need to remind yourself daily.
4. Consistent Action. To achieve your goals, you will have to take consistent action every other day.  Create the habit of planning your day.
5. Support. You can break a chopstick easily but it is hard to break a bunch of chopsticks. If you are trying to achieve your goals without any support from others, it may seem like you are fighting against the world alone. 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

Myth #1 – Simplifying means having and doing less.

• Wrong! Simplifying is not necessarily about less. It can be about more. More time. More enjoyment. More joy etc
• Try thinking of activities and things as either assets or liabilities.

Assets

• An asset is anything that:

1. Gives
2. Increases in value
3. Provides something valuable such as money, joy, security, happiness, etc.
4. Strengthens and empowers you etc

• A liability is anything that:

1. Takes from you
2. Decreases in value
3. Eliminates or reduces something valuable such as money, joy, security, happiness, etc.
4. Weakens you etc

• So how does this help you simplify? Create an inventory of everything in your life — from your friendships, projects, and commitments to your expenses, belongings, and goals. 
• Now, categorize each of these commitments as either an asset (A) or a liability (L).
• The next step is determining if you can eliminate any of the Ls.
• Again, simplifying is not about doing or having less. 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Step 1: Put Yourself In Control. It's tempting to blame our problems on other people. It's easy to make excuses for not taking the steps we want to in our lives. Stop making excuses. Start admitting what you want.
2. Step 2: Get Real About Barriers to Entry. When we're stuck waiting for permission (from ourselves), it's often because we think we're not good enough. Everyone starts as a beginner. 
3. Step 3: Figure out a First Step. Sometimes, we're not just waiting for permission – we're also waiting for someone to tell us how to begin. Just like when we were children.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Whiners Focus on the Past, Winners Focus on the Present and Future. 
2. Whiners Cast Blame, Winners Take Responsibility.
3. Whiners React, Winners Think.
4. Whiners Freeze, Winners Take Action.
5. Whiners Look for Validation, Winners Lead by Example
6. Whiners Waffle, Winners Decide

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Following Your Dreams Connects You to Your Inner Self. If you want to be happy right down to the core of your being, you need to be a big dreamer. 
2. Because You Have a Choice. You should be a big dreamer because you do have a choice in the matter. You can choose to follow your biggest dreams.
3. You'll Be Following Your True Calling. There are not many feelings that could be considered better than knowing that you've found the meaning in your life.
4. Your Dreams Will Come True. Your dreams don't need to remain dreams forever; they have a real possibility of coming true. If you're a big dreamer, you'll achieve big dreams.
5. You'll Be Open to Possibilities. You'll encounter a good amount of excitement as you go about life because you'll be in adventurous and unpredictable situations. 
6. You'll Achieve More. You may even end up achieving more than you ever thought you could.
7. It's the Right Thing to Do for the World. Big dreams are the reasons why the world changes for the better. Big dreams give you the opportunity to truly leave your mark on the world.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Personal Development Game Plan. First off, you need to have a system to reach your development goals. There is no use in simply talking about how badly you want to attain self-awareness or development. You will need to adopt a system and see the big picture. 
2. Take the Plunge. You may have enough motivation or positive thoughts, but if you do not take action today, your personal development will never become a reality.
3. Open Yourself to Change. The operative word in personal development is change. If you cannot handle change, then you will never be able to improve yourself.
4. Sit on the Shoulders of Giants. If you want to speed up your personal development, you need to learn from people who have been in your shoes before.
5. Be Responsible for Your Personal Development. You are what you allow yourself to be. In other words, the things that define you today have happened because you allowed them. If you have been lazy or indifferent all these years, you have no one to put the blame on but yourself.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

Short-Time Pleasure

• A lack of self-discipline is often the result of a focus on short-term pleasure over long-term rewards.
• As we grow up, we learn (sometimes painfully) that it's often worth enduring some short-term difficulties in order to have longer-term happiness.

How You Developed Self-Discipline

• You're able to get up on time when you have to go to work
• You make sure you have enough money to pay your bills
• You keep your home reasonably clean
• Even though you might feel that you're not very self-disciplined, you have learnt to delay gratification and to get on with things that aren't necessarily end-to-end fun.

Growing the Self-Discipline Muscle

• If you've ever worked out in the gym, you'll know how quickly you can build up muscles. Your self-discipline is a bit like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it'll become.
• However, if you try to do far too much too soon, you'll just fail and end up disappointed.

So how can you actively improve your self discipline?

• Pick three things you will definitely accomplish tomorrow.
• Take a thirty-day trial. If you're trying to lose weight, take up exercise, etc,
• Get into the habit of fulfilling your promises – and ask those around you to keep you accountable.
• Talk to friends or read books or blogs which encourage you – either by offering advice or by setting an example to follow.
• Above all, stop telling yourself that you "just aren't self-disciplined".

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

• Tip 1: Don't think; do. Don't give yourself time to think about exercise; over-thinking saps motivation. 
• Tip 2: Imagine how not exercising will make you feel. This is a strange one. After all, most motivators try to get you to focus on how great you'll feel (which also works). But this tip is shockingly effective. If you find yourself trying to squirm out of exercise, focus on how you'd feel later if you didn't exercise.
• Tip 3: Remember the wonderful physical benefits of exercise
  • Improved heart and lung function
  • Healthier complexion
  • Better sex life (and more chance of getting one!)
  • Better digestion (and bowel function)
  • Brighter eyes
  • Slimmer and more toned body
  • Deeper, more refreshing sleep
  • More attractive appearance
  • Increased youthfulness etc
• Tip 4: Remember the plentiful psychological benefits of regular exercise. Better mood: Physical movement is the quickest way to produce serotonin (the brain's 'happiness chemical'). Self-confidence: Regular exercise gives you a sense of self-mastery etc
• Tip 5: Vary your exercise routine. Take a week off from the gym or the aerobics class and go jogging in the park instead to get the additional mood-boosting effects of being in nature. 
• Tip 6: Visualize yourself exercising. The body does what the mind envisions. You are much more likely to do something – anything – if you first strongly imagine seeing yourself doing it 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. 1. Abstaining. Don't be a time slut. If you're the type of person who can't say no to favors and requests, others will take advantage of you. 
   2. Balancing. Your job is to adopt a "pay-go" type of policy with your time. Before you agree to join a non-profit board, train for a marathon, volunteer at a local soup kitchen etc you must eliminate that time from something else. 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

• If you have ... five minutes. Five minutes might not seem like long, but if you sit in silence, focusing on your breathing, you'll realise how refreshing that time can be.
• If you have ... half an hour. Half an hour is a great length of time to go for a brisk walk.  Instead of listening to music while you walk, opt for silence, and observe your thoughts.
• If you have ... an afternoon. A whole morning or afternoon is perfect for digging into a creative project. Whether you like to work with paint, clay, words, music or even food, give yourself the chance to make something. 
• If you have ... a weekend. A whole weekend away from the busyness of life can refresh you, get your creative juices flowing, and help you think through the priorities and commitments that you have. Choose something which gets you away from the computer, the phone, and all your day-to-day worries – make yourself as uncontactable as possible!

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Have a Plan. First you'll want to do a thorough evaluation of your life and why you're unhappy. Next you need to decide what you're going to do if you're no longer working at your job. Think about what you'll do if everything doesn't go according to plan.
2. Develop Your Skills. Remember that you should always be working on your skills.
3. Test the Waters. People tend to always have a "grass is greener" mentality. This just means that you might be envious of something you don't have, but once you do have it, it's not all that it's cracked up to be. Remember that you don't want to quit your job and go full force into something else only to realize that you're even more unhappy in the new situation. Do what you can to research and participate in your new plans to make sure that it's the right path for you.
4. Start Your New "Job". The best way to test the waters is to actually start your new job. While it's not always feasible to start a new job when you've already got one, you might be able to. This is especially a good idea if you want to start your own business. You can work your day job and then spend your evening developing the new business. Not many people have large amounts of available funds to launch a business and deal with the fact that most new businesses are not profitable right away. So if you're still gathering income from your other job while you launch your new one, the transition won't be as difficult.
5. Don't Burn Bridges. You might be tempted to use some choice words when you fire your boss for good. Maybe this person deserves it for treating you unfairly, but you must be polite and think about your future. What if you change your mind and want to return to your job in the future? If you leave on good terms, maybe that could be a possibility for you. Also, you never know when a former employer can be of help to you, so it's always best to remain on their good side.
6. Sort Out Your Finances. It's always best to sort out your finances before you quit your job. If you're struggling financially, it might not be the best time for you to take a risk. Your best bet would be to make sure you have at least a saving of a couple months' worth of expenses before you embark on your journey.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

The Importance of Finding Out what Motivates You

• Motivation is that driving force which allows you to achieve your goals and go after what you want in life.
• As long as you have a strong personal motivation, you can achieve almost anything that you want from life. 

Developing Motivation in Life

1. Focus on one goal at a time.
2. Get rid of all the distractions which might prevent you from achieving your goal.
3. Completely block out any negative influences.

Constantly Work At Motivating Yourself

• A goal doesn't do you much good unless you are constantly thinking about, and working towards it.
• Write down your goal and place it somewhere that you will see it at least 1-2 times a day.
• Some people make a habit of reading their goals either when they first wake up or right before they go to bed. 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Step 1. Start with 8 ½ hours of sleep. Make sure you get the full 8 ½ hours. No more and no less.
2. Step 2. The next day, complete the Sleep Optimization Form. This is a simple form to gauge how you feel.
3. Step 3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for four nights in a row.
4. Step 4. Reduce your sleep by 30 minutes and start the sleep/test process again for four nights in a row. Keep cutting your sleep in Step 1 by 30 minutes until you reach 7 hours.
5. Step 5. Analyze the data. Review your Sleep Optimization Form and identify which days you felt the best . If you find that you feel good on 8 ½ hours of sleep, but you also feel good on 7 ½ hours of sleep, you've just saved yourself an hour a night.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

• What exactly is a 'resolution' anyway? A resolution is a firm decision to do something. 
• A firm decision sets an expectation and more often than not, an expectation is just a resentment in the making.
• Affirmations, in my opinion, are far more mentally healthy and much more realistic than a new year's resolution.
• An affirmation is a positive statement or declaration of the truth or existence of something. "I am a beautiful person, and I deserve to be healthy." etc

Here are a some tips on how to make affirmations:

• Think about things in your life you want to improve.
• Keep your affirmations focused and believable. Based on the list that you have written, choose what you want now. Be clear with yourself. "I want to lose 10lbs" is clear, focused and concise.
• Always state your affirmations in the present tense. Tell your mind that your desire is actually already the reality. If you use words like "I will" or "I am going to," then what you are really doing is postponing the attainment of your goal. If your affirmation is your reality, well then, you are already accomplishing it! "I have a loving relationship with my mother" is much more positive for your mind.
• Always keep your affirmations brief and simple. Formulate your affirmations in your own language, and by this I don't mean English or Italian or Russian, but rather... speak to yourself the way you speak all the time. 
• Repeat them daily and say them out loud. Preferably in front of the mirror.
• Write them down. And refer to them often.
• Remember you can never make an affirmation for another person.
• Lastly, and I think most importantly, let go of your expectations. Of yourself and of others. Life can get in the way of life... can get in the way of our affirmations. 

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS

1. Get interested. Make no mistake. Your interest in the subject is the essential driver of success. You can't learn what you do not want to learn.
2. Expect problems and you won't be disappointed. Don't expect to understand things, much less remember them, the first time you study them. Trust that things will get clearer as your brain comes to grips with new information. Keep at it.
3. Cover the same ground from different angles. Your brain is struggling to form patterns to cope with new input from your learning activities. If you are stuck, move on. Then cover the same general information from a different source, a different book etc
4. Anytime is learning time. Take full advantage of the Internet and various mobile devices.
5. Be a multimedia learner. The more varied your learning content, and the more varied the ways in which you learn, the clearer the puzzle will become.
6. Join learning communities. The "loneliness of the distance learner" is a thing of the past. Join a learning community on the web, where members share their knowledge and experience. Search for the communities that suit your interests and learning style.

Original post created by Pick The Brain and Summarised by Craig. (Read Original) - Updates via RSS