Aquire the Habits & Future will Thank You

The actions we take today cultivate the realities we experience tomorrow.

         As a society largely encouraged to "live in the moment", it is important for us to evaluate what day-to-day habits we've acquired that will affect our futures.

         Sure, we know we need to floss each day, wear SPF and never smoke. However, there are a number of other habits we should start adopting that will benefit us not only today, but also for years to come.

         You know how older people are often described as stubborn and "stuck in their ways"? Make sure that when you get to an age when your habits and beliefs are set in stone, they're ones you’re happy to have; ones that exercise your best interests and work in your favor.

         This is a decade of adjustment and growth. While we're still young enough to frequently change our minds and behaviors, we're old enough that we should make these changes count.

         The decisions we make now will slowly start to habituate and root themselves in the foundation of our character. Here are some of the habits your future self will thank you for having :

Unsuccessful People Always Use these 10 Phrases

Look for these key phrases--they are a sign of unsuccessful people

         We've spent some time around unsuccessful people.

         Most of them live in a bubble of hopelessness trying to figure out how to break out of their cell (or cubicle). It's sad. One person I know is so unhappy and stuck that he seems to always be moving backward, not forward--faltering so much in his lack of productivity that it's almost comical. Being around unsuccessful people is never fun.

         If you listen to folks who can't seem to push ahead in their career or who have never started a company or led large groups of people, they all seem to mimic the same speech patterns. They talk the same language. Here are the 10 phrases they always use. Spot this negative talk in others (or in yourself), and you'll find the wrench in your business's growth.

You Should Stop Doing 8 things - Right Now

Even better than a "to-do" list is a "not to do" list.

         The good thing about to-do lists is that they help keep you focused.

         But having a "not to do list" can actually be more effective, since if you follow it, you will free up a lot more time and energy--and be more productive.

         Who doesn't want that?

         Here are eight things you want to stop doing today.

Ethics - Your Efforts Make A Difference

Ethics - Your Efforts Make A Difference

         Ethics is another element of human nature. Much has been written about this subject to it is difficult to either add anything or to be original about it. Yet I believe it to be important so I will try.

What is this all about?

This is related to

• our beliefs
• our conduct
• our values
• our standards
• our principles
• our morals
• our ideals
• our integrity

         A heavy list indeed. For any thinking person interested in life and how to get the most out of life and how to contribute, then it seems ethics has much to offer.

What do One have to do to be ethical?

         We talk about being ethical but what does it mean? The following give a good introduction to the meaning of being ethical:

• to be just in our affairs
• to be above board, honest and open
• to be conscientious - not just act but put one's heart into it
• to be equitable and fair in our affairs
• to adopt a moral stance, but to live this out, too
• to be virtuous - elsewhere we discuss virtues, here we want to put them into practice
• to be honorable, loyal and supporting
• to live a life of sharing and contribution

Universal Responsibility

Universal Responsibility

         The sense of universal or global responsibility functions on a human level. We’re concerned about other humans because: “I am one of them; my welfare depends on them no matter what the differences are.” Differences are always there; but this can be helpful.

         For several centuries, the population was only one billion people on this planet; now there are over six billion. Already, because of overpopulation, one country can’t provide all the food and resources for its own population. So we have global economy. Therefore, according to today’s reality, the world is much smaller and is heavily interdependent. This is reality. On top of that, there is the ecological issue: global warming. This is a concern for all six billion inhabitants of this planet, not just for one or two nations. The new reality needs a sense of global responsibility.

         For example, in older times, the British here thought only of themselves and sometimes exploited other areas of the globe. They didn’t care about the concerns or feelings of these other people. OK, that’s past. But now things are different; things have changed. Now we must take care of other countries.

Take control of your life

Work tasks. Make a list of all the things you want or need to accomplish in your work life. This could be big things like the Weekly Review, or little things like paperwork or reports, or clearing your physical inbox each day, setting your schedule at the beginning of each day, reviewing your goals, communicating your progress with your boss, processing your email inbox to empty, phone calls, writing, designing, etc.

Personal tasks. Do the same thing with your personal life. This could include things like exercise, yoga, meditation, writing in a journal, reading, reading your RSS feeds, as well as chores and errands such as paying bills, balancing your checkbook, laundry, cleaning routines, grocery shopping, pet chores, stuff in your kids’ lives, going to the bank, going to the post office, fixing your kids’ lunch, etc.

Batch process. Take a look at your lists and find ways to put smaller tasks together. This saves time and cuts down on interruption. For example, if you have grocery shopping, going to the bank, going to the post office and going to the pet store on your list, put them together and do them on one day. You can do a “desk day” each week for personal stuff and take care of processing your mail, paying bills, balancing your checkbook, filing personal papers, getting stuff ready for the post office, setting your weekly dinner menu and creating a grocery list. For work, you could batch process all phone calls into one hour, batch process email into one one-hour period, batch process paperwork, etc.

Sharpen Your Leadership Skills

         Leadership is a skill; one that can be learned and developed. Strong leadership skills will help you score more responsibility at work, which means higher chances of a promotion, increased salary, and growth opportunity overall.
         So, if you want to give your boss more reasons to promote you, consider doing at least one of the following each work day:

1. Foster a reputation for being helpful and resourceful. You don't have to know how to do everything to be seen as a leader, but you do need to be a problem solver. Keep your eyes and ears perked to be aware of what's going on, even in other departments—who's the best person for graphics? Or who's the most accessible person in the IT department? When a newbie co-worker or manager asks for help, you'll know exactly who to direct them to, which will solidify your status as someone who knows the ropes.

         "Top performers are widely known and respected by others not because of their frequent contact, charm or likability, but because they help others solve their problems". By doing so, they become invaluable resources. Aim to be helpful; knowing about your surrounding resources is a great start.

2. Be a self-starter. At the very least, you should become the go-to, indispensable person in your little corner of the company. Do whatever it takes - whether it's classes at night, attending conferences, or starting a blog about your field - to become a super authority on your job.

         The key here is to kick into self-starter mode - a major prerequisite to gaining leader status. It's not just about doing the job you're assigned, it's about starting your own side projects to keep practicing and mastering your skill.

3. Mentor someone newer. If you see a co-worker who is clearly struggling, point them in the right direction if you can. After all, what better way to practice leadership than to let someone follow your lead? The trick here is to be an effective communicator. Their success is a testament to yours, and at least one person will now see you as a leader. You have to start somewhere.

Be Open-Minded

Be Open-Minded

         Being open-minded can be really tough sometimes. Most of us are brought up with a set of beliefs and values and, throughout our lives, tend to surround ourselves with people who share the same values and beliefs. Therefore, it can be difficult when we're faced with ideas that challenge our own and, though we may wish to be open-minded, we may struggle with the act of it from time to time. 

        I'd like to say I'm a fairly open-minded person, but, like most people, I do have some pretty strong views about specific topics and find it hard to sway from those opinions -- no matter how others might try to persuade me. Of course, I fully believe that having strong beliefs can be a wonderful thing and I believe we should all stay true to what we believe in, but having strong beliefs doesn't have to mean having a closed mind.

         Though it can be tough to do sometimes, I've always found that when I open my mind, I've reaped a lot of rewarding benefits. There is much to be gained from opening the door to your mind and letting new ideas and beliefs come in. Here are just a few of the benefits I've uncovered when I've taken the time to view the world around me with an open mind... 

7 Benefits of Being Open-Minded