Sunday 8 May 2011

7 Effective Ways To Implement Positive Thinking

Somehow it has become
ingrained in us that negative
thoughts are more realistic than
positive thoughts. This is pure
madness, especially since over
90% of what we worry about
never happens!
We have to get our heads around
the fact that being positive is
actually far more realistic than
being negative. This is such a
difficult concept for most of us to
grasp, and we have to
purposefully work hard to re-
train the brain to think more
positively.
Think of it this way: if your body
became out of shape you would
probably view physical exercise
as an effective way to improve its
condition—and we must begin
looking at the health of our mind
in the same way.
Here are 7 valuable exercises that
you can start implementing right
now to re-train your thinking:
Use Verbal Affirmations EVERY
Day
An affirmation is a positive
statement that something is
already happening, and is a very
powerful tool you can use to
shift your internal dialogue from
negative to positive. Come up
with a few statements like “I am
creating a beautiful day” or
“money and success flow to me”
and spend 10 minutes every
morning (and every night for
extra credit) saying them aloud.
Come up with statements that
make the most sense for you,
and be sure to state them in the
present tense, and in a positive
form. This is self-talk in its
highest sense, and can be very
effective.
Use Positive Language
When it comes to the language
we use, world-renowned author
and lecturer Dr. Susan Jeffers
says: “It doesn’t matter if we
believe the words or not, the
mere uttering of them makes the
subconscious mind believe them
to be true. It is as though the
subconscious mind doesn’t
know what is true or false, it
doesn’t judge, it only reacts to
the language that is being fed”.
Many researchers have shown
this sentiment to be quite valid,
and we must intentionally start
using more positive language to
shape the worldview of our
subconscious mind.
Create a Vision Board
A vision board is the physical
manifestation of the life you
want to be leading. Find images
of the house you desire, the
places you want to travel, and the
job you crave to work and tack
them to a corkboard! Be creative
and place words and images that
are accurate expressions of your
inner-most desires.
Constantly add to your vision
board put it somewhere you can
see it several times a day– even
spend a few moments visualizing
what it would be like to be living
in this life you created. Isn’t this
a better way to spend time than
in your usual stress mode?
Surround Yourself with Positive
Images
They could be famous quotes,
inspiring pictures, or even your
affirmations that you write out
on note cards. The point is to
always have physical reminders
of things you deem positive close
by. Print these items out and
place them by your desk, near
your bed, and in the car! When
you get stressed out, give a
glance to them and you will
begin to get perspective on
things and your mind will re-
focus!
Say “Thank You” 50 Times a Day
Every night before you go to bed,
spend 5 minutes saying thank
you out loud for the experiences
you had that day: the people you
interacted with, the work you
accomplished, the food you ate,
etc…As you do this, really try and
feel the gratitude emanate from
within.
You can also say thank you 50
times in the morning and get
yourself in an extremely grateful
mindset for the coming day.
These are wonderful practices
for becoming more positive!
Listen to Inspirational Talks and
Music in the Car
The car is the perfect place to flex
your muscle of positive thought!
Because many of us spend a lot
of time driving, make an effort to
listen to music that inspires you
and makes you feel good.
Purchase motivational personal
development CD’s and play them
while driving.
I mentioned Dr. Susan Jeffers
above, and I recently listened to
her CD “Feel the Fear and Do It
Anyway” in my car three times in
a row! Have your car become an
oasis of learning and start using
the time constructively.
Use Positive Thinking While
Exercising
If you consistently exercise, this
is an excellent time to practice
your positive thinking. Say to
yourself over and over again: “I
am strong and durable” or “I am
fast and powerful” and notice
the immediate affect these
utterances have on your
workout. It is absolutely
incredible how just saying these
words increases your stamina
and strength.

Being A Supportive Spouse

Being a supportive spouse can
be both a rewarding and a
difficult role. Although the
dictionary definition is quite
clear, living out being supportive
in your marriage isn't always so
well defined. For most couples
the most important aspect of
being supportive is being a
loving presence in your spouse's
life.
Definition
If you look for a dictionary
definition of being supportive,
you will find phrases like "being
an advocate", "providing for",
"strengthening", "to keep from
weakening or failing", "bearing
the weight", and "keeping from
falling, sinking, slipping."
That's quite a responsibility for
any one to take on. The sense of
responsibility grows even
greater when a spouse is
weighed down by problems with
job, family, kids, health, or social
obligations or is coping with
feelings of loss, disappointment,
and fear.
Ways to be Supportive
Respect your spouse's personal
decisions.
Show that you have faith in your
mate.
Be the shoulder to lean on when
your spouse has a sinking
feeling.
Work together with your spouse
to maintain balance in your life
together.
Don't be threatened by your
spouse's accomplishments. Tell
people, especially your partner,
how proud you are of his/her
talents and skills.
In wanting to help your spouse
to rebound from a difficult
situation, don't try to solve your
partner's problem.
Listen well so that your spouse
knows you are wanting to
understand the issue or situation
troubling your mate.
Be realistic as you encourage
your spouse. Don't exaggerate.

The Causes Of Marriage Failure

Irrespective of how unrelenting
we might be in saying that
money issues could never break
a marriage, it might remain part
of the fact that shows us that
one of the major causes of a
marriage failure is relating to
money issues. This is common
most particularly for those that
enter the second marriage.
The commonest question for
those that enter the second
marriage is the issue on sharing
money and properties or not.
When one wants hers to be hers
and his to be his, it is naturally
superb as it signifies oneness in
the relationship. But, it couldn't
be denied as well that each
person has a right and the
explanation to keep what he
owns. This is one of the
problems that are being faced by
most couples and it's all up to
them to resolve and find
solutions that would not
completely ruin the marriage.
Cash , whatever little or big the
amount is, it actually does not
count at all, the most significant
consideration is that you trust
one another and you are
submitting yourselves for a
genuine lifetime partnership.
Regardless of the relationship is
and money gets involved that
much, it might certainly create an
effect that would break some
strands shared by 2 people.
When you come to consider it, it
is too miserable that some
couples finish up sour about one
another and finish up with
different lives because they could
not reconcile their financial
assets. For couples not to have
these issues, you've got to be
extremely fair and you have got
to clear things up before settling
down. Cash must be believed to
be an asset and it has got to be
used and managed well for it not
to be utilized in an inaccurate
demeanour. There would never
be a satisfaction when money is
in the centerpiece. For people
that are in the second marriage,
though it may appear not so
romantic, but you might openly
debate what you believe is
wanted to be brought in the
open about your money matters
as people or as partners.
When both are open not only
about what they have but as well
as what arrangement to they
need to have, it might be a lot
simpler to address and not to
have more conflicts in the
relationship. Monetary issues
must all be cleared so as not to
make ambitions toward one
another obscure.

The Causes Of Marriage Failure

Irrespective of how unrelenting
we might be in saying that
money issues could never break
a marriage, it might remain part
of the fact that shows us that
one of the major causes of a
marriage failure is relating to
money issues. This is common
most particularly for those that
enter the second marriage.
The commonest question for
those that enter the second
marriage is the issue on sharing
money and properties or not.
When one wants hers to be hers
and his to be his, it is naturally
superb as it signifies oneness in
the relationship. But, it couldn't
be denied as well that each
person has a right and the
explanation to keep what he
owns. This is one of the
problems that are being faced by
most couples and it's all up to
them to resolve and find
solutions that would not
completely ruin the marriage.
Cash , whatever little or big the
amount is, it actually does not
count at all, the most significant
consideration is that you trust
one another and you are
submitting yourselves for a
genuine lifetime partnership.
Regardless of the relationship is
and money gets involved that
much, it might certainly create an
effect that would break some
strands shared by 2 people.
When you come to consider it, it
is too miserable that some
couples finish up sour about one
another and finish up with
different lives because they could
not reconcile their financial
assets. For couples not to have
these issues, you've got to be
extremely fair and you have got
to clear things up before settling
down. Cash must be believed to
be an asset and it has got to be
used and managed well for it not
to be utilized in an inaccurate
demeanour. There would never
be a satisfaction when money is
in the centerpiece. For people
that are in the second marriage,
though it may appear not so
romantic, but you might openly
debate what you believe is
wanted to be brought in the
open about your money matters
as people or as partners.
When both are open not only
about what they have but as well
as what arrangement to they
need to have, it might be a lot
simpler to address and not to
have more conflicts in the
relationship. Monetary issues
must all be cleared so as not to
make ambitions toward one
another obscure.

5 Steps To Plan For A Financial Successful Marriage

The first months of a marriage
are when couples establish the
spending and saving patterns
that will determine whether they
will prosper or become lifelong
slaves to creditors. That's why
the time to work out a financial
plan is early, preferably before
you walk down that aisle. How
well you lay down the
groundwork in the first months
of your marriage will determine
whether your wedding will kick
off a lifetime of financial
struggles or a smooth journey
down the road to security, peace
of mind and a rewarding
retirement.
Before I suggest how you can
build a financially successful
marriage, let's agree on the three
hard realities of married life that
stand as the biggest hurdles to a
financially successful marriages.
Reality Number 1: Every young
couple want more than they
can afford.
It doesn't matter whether
both are professional superstars
earning in the mid six figures or
a pair of struggling artists barely
making rent on a loft. Despite
this fact of human nature, most
young couples, no matter how
intelligent and professionally
successful, fall into the trap of
wanting more than they need or
can really afford. They justify this
by telling themselves that they
are young and can start saving
for kids' college educations and
retirements once their earnings
start outpacing their spending.
The flaw with this strategy:
earnings never catch up with
undisciplined spending, much
less outpace it.
[CONTINUED BELOW]
Reality Number 2: Every
temptation feels like a
necessity.
How can you deny the spouse
and/or kids a dinner out, new
furniture, new car, new
computer system, trip to Hawaii?
Who has the heart to tell the
spouse, "I won't allow you that
pleasure because I'd rather save
the money." The desire to save
money in and of itself rarely
stand up to the temptations that
come down the pike. For most
couples the last and only line of
budgetary defense is the empty
checking account.
Reality Number 3: Saving is
easy to put off.
Given a million dollars to
spend within a year, most
couples would have enough
sense to solemnly resolve to
spend a twelfth of that each
month. Come July, most would
have spent well over half that
amount but justified it by
reasoning that once they take
care of all their deferred needs,
they will be able to get by on less.
Come Thanksgiving they will be
wondering how they are going
to afford Christmas gifts with
their few remaining dollars.
Coping intelligently with those
three realities of marriage is the
key to a financially successful
marriage. Here's a 5-step
strategy to help your marriage
beat the odds:
1. Establish your financial plan
early.
The best time to hash out
your long-term goals is before
you get married. No amount of
planning after marriage will
reconcile two people with
diametrically opposed views on
spending and saving. If you and
your prospective spouse
disagree fundamentally, it's best
to recognize early that you will
probably have to choose
between that person and your
financial goals.
2. Agree on areas to economize.
The most difficult aspect of a
financial plan is agreeing on
areas on which to economize.
Housing, cars, dining out,
vacation travel, home
furnishings, clothing, sports and
recreation, groceries, giftgiving,
charitable giving, computers and
electronics are all areas that
allow spending discretion. For
example, you may decide that
you are willing to drive small
cars, furnish your home
inexpensively, forego long
vacations and skip most types of
home electronics, but aren't
willing to live in a cramped
apartment, scrimp on groceries
or cut down on your reading
habits. It's neither realistic nor
desirable to deny yourselves all
material pleasures. What matters
is that you identify at least some
areas in which you would both
feel comfortable scrimping. For
example, even two small ways of
economizing -- driving small cars
and brownbagging lunches --
will save a couple about ten
thousand dollars a year or a half
million dollars in thirty years
when the compounding effect is
factored in! That's enough to pay
off the mortgage on a nice
second home!
3. Visualize the rewards you are
working toward.
They might include quality
educations for the kids, a
spacious house, a vacation home,
early retirement with regular
travel. It's important to visualize
these long-term rewards clearly
so they will motivate you to stay
the course. Get photos that help
you picture those rewards and
keep them in plain view around
the house and in your office. It is
much easier to tell people, "I'm
saving for a second home in
Maui" than to say, "I'm trying to
save a few bucks." Truly
worthwhile long-term rewards
are the very best defenses
against the constant temptations
of instant gratification. Write
them down and prioritize them.
4. Learn to share inexpensive
passtimes that improve your
mind and body.
Boredom encourages
frivolous impulse spending.
Shopping, amusement parks,
shows, skydiving, speedboats,
dining out and movies all have
their place, but many people use
them as escapes from their
general ennui with life. Routinely
spending money to be
entertained is a symptom of
spiritual decay rather than of a
healthy lifestyle. It also happens
to be a surefire way to keep
yourselves in indentured
servitude to creditors instead of
working toward financial
freedom. Satisfy your desire for
mental and physical stimulation
is through healthful, constructive
activities like hiking, running,
cycling, bodybuilding, reading,
taking classes, playing board
games, music, arts and crafts.
Cultivating these kinds of
passtimes will save the average
urban professional couple tens --
if not hundreds -- of thousands
of dollars over two or three
decades. And that doesn't even
count the many thousands that a
generally healthier, more
satisfying lifestyles will save in
medical expenses and lost
wages.