Four Powerful Reasons to Meditate and How To Get Started
I just found a great article on PickTheBrain by Tejvan Pettinger about meditation. The article is a great introduction to the how and why of meditation. It starts by telling us that the promise of inner peace that attracts most people to meditation. In meditation we attempt to silence the mind, increasing concentration and creating inner peace.
We are then given four reasons why we should meditate.
- Improved Concentration - A clear mind lets you focus better on your current task, making you more productive.
- Less Bothered by Little Things - You may learn to live in the now, rather than the past or future.
- Better Health - Stress levels lower, which has a direct impact on health.
- Knowledge of Self - It is sometimes possible to get a better picture of your life's purpose.
The article also includes a guide on how to get started so you might want to check that out here, or read these posts:
Dedicate Time Every Day To Improve Your Mind
A Simple Breathing Exercise
The Three Secrets to Happiness
What is the secret to happiness? According to Zen Habits, there are three.
You might be inclined to think that having a lot of money will bring happiness, but in reality, it probably won't. You can't buy happiness.
How can you achieve happiness? Here are three things that don't cost a thing.
How to bypass automated answering and get to a real human quickly
Are you sick of those annoying interactive voice response (IVR) systems that many companies use? "Press 1 for Customer Service, Press 2 for Sales," as you navigate an increasingly frustrating maze of options in an effort to reach a human being who can answer your question or process your sale."
ivrhacks.com is a directory of shortcuts to IVR systems for companies around the world. These shortcuts allow you to exit this maze as quickly and as effortlessly as possible, taking you to a human operator.
Much of the shortcuts have been sourced from the various lists and databases that are scattered across the internet and others have been submitted by readers. The list covers many countries and new additions are welcomed.
A Simple Breathing Exercise
Breathing exercises range from simple to complicated. They are great for de-stressing and can be done anywhere at any time.
A simple exercise from About.com goes like this:
1. Sit or stand in a relaxed position.
2. Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head.
3. Let the air out from your mouth, counting to eight in your head as it leaves your lungs.
4. Repeat several times. That’s it!
I have seen variations on this that suggest a step between 2 and 3 where you would hold your breath in for a few counts Another, where instead of counting you might say to yourself something along the lines of ‘I am’ when inhaling, and ‘relaxed’ when exhaling, or a variation on this where you might imagine clean energy coming in and stress or bad energy going out. And one final variation where you would just simply allow yourself to breath naturally and focus on watching the leading edge as it enters and leaves your body.
Doing these exercises for a few times will release tension and help to de-stress you, doing them for longer can turn them into a meditation.
If you take time to practice a breathing exercise of your choice daily you will soon see positive results in your life.
Links
http://stress.about.com/od/breathingexercises/ht/breathing_ex.htm
Things To Do Every Day To Become More Successful
There are some basic things you can do every day to become more successful in your life. Here are a few ideas:
Wake Early.
If you wake early and get a jump on the day it gives your mind a chance to waken properly before your work day begins. This works even better if you can fit in some exercise. This is also a very peacefull time of the day and great for meditating.
Exercise
Exercise can release tension, worries, anger, increase your energy, add years to your life and have many other benefits.
Do the Most Important Thing first.
If you do the most important thing first, you can relax knowing that its done. The sense of achievement you will get from this will keep your spirits high for the rest of the day.
Try to simplify everything.
The simpler you can make things, the less time they take, the less time you have to spend tidying things up, the more productive you will be and the more relaxed you will be in your downtime.
Time for Loved Ones
Dedicate some time every week to spend with your family or loved ones.
Frugality.
Spending less helps keep your clutter levels down, helps you save money, and eliminate debt if you have any.
Think positive.
If you can do this, this will make you happier and help you achieve your goals.
Inspired by:
http://zenhabits.net/2007/04/tagged-simply-successful-secrets-gotta-get-goals-be-original/
22 Limiting Money Beliefs That Could Be Costing You Money
This is a list of 22 myths that could be costing you money. It has been posted on a couple of blogs that I read and I quite liked it so I've posted it here along with links below to get a more in-depth interpretation of them.
Myth #1: “Money is the root of all evil.”
Myth #2: “If my parents were rich, I would have made it.”
Myth #3: “Rich people are greedy.”
Myth #4: “Money isn’t important.”
Myth #5: “If only government, my employers, family, or spouse helped me, I would have made loads of money.”
Myth #6: “Money can’t buy happiness and money won’t make you happy.”
Myth #7: “If I were rich, my friends would resent me.”
Myth #8: “If the economy was better, I’d be wealthy.”
Myth #9: “You need a scam to get rich.”
Myth #10: “If I really try to become rich and fail, I’ll be crushed.”
Myth #11: “You need a break to become wealthy.”
Myth #12: “I’ll save money when I have enough.”
Myth #13: “If I had large sum of money, I would have started saving and investing early.”
Myth #14: “Having a good job leads to wealth.” A job should be only a temporary source of income. A permanent one requires that you make your money work for you. So whatever you do, be in business for yourself and apply your money industriously. You are always the CEO of your endeavors. Make some wise financial “first moves” today so you can look forward to the future with great confidence!
Myth #15: “Money corrupts people.”
Myth #16: “If I didn’t have family or social responsibilities, I would have made millions.”
Myth #17: “It’s better to give than to receive.”
Myth #18: “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
Myth #19: “Rich people don’t care about the poor.”
Myth #20: “I have to work very hard to become rich.”
Myth #21: “It takes money to make money.”
Myth #22: “I’m a loser and a failure because I’m in such terrible financial trouble. My situation is hopeless.”
http://ririanproject.com/2007/04/06/22-useless-myths-that-can-cost-you-money/
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/busting-22-money-myths.html
Dedicate Time Every Day To Improve Your Mind
If you don't use it, you'll lose it. Much like your bodys muscles, your mind needs regular workouts to grow and become strong. It also needs rest, this is when, like muscles repairing after a hard workout, the work you have done really sinks in and begins to change and improve the way you think.
The best tools you have are learning and meditation.
Learning can be done through books, cds, audio courses, taking classes, taking on intellectually challenging projects. Try and learn something new every day. Pick a topic that interests you, get excited and motivated, you'll find yourself learning all you can in no time. Read books in your lunch break, or listen to audio on the way to work.
Don't forget to schedule in some relaxation to allow this new knowledge to really sink in and become yours. There are many meditation cds around, even some free downloadable audio on the internet.
You will soon develop a sharp, clear thinking mind and be better able to learn what you need to achieve your goals in life.
How To Have a Clean Desk
A messy desk frustrates me. I like to be able to put something on my desk without having to clear a space, or have things fall off numerous sides of the desk when clearing that space.
A clean desk gives me a fresh feeling, a sense of control, and organization.
In order to achieve a clean desk, a system is required.
1. Use an in box or in try, or designate an area of your desk as that.
2. When processing this pile, do what needs to be done with each item, then and there. Trash it, file it, put it on a to do list or whatever you need.
3. This process should be done at least once a day to keep your desk clear. Dedicate a time to do this, the end of the day for example. Schedule this in your calendar to form the habit.
Tips:
1. Develop a system to manage files and papers.
2. Don’t use post-it notes or other scraps of paper, use your to-do list, or contacts.
3. If you have printouts that you no longer need, use them for scrap paper or recycle them but don’t keep them.
4. Throw out (or put back in the stationary cupboard) pens you don’t use, broken pens, etc
5. Eat away from your desk. You will have less food type trash around your desk, and less crumbs in the keyboard. You’ll also get a better break from work without interruptions from the phone and colleagues.
When you get a system that works for you the result will be a clear organised desk where the only things you have in front of you are the things you need for the project you are currently working on.
Other Resources:
Steps to a Permanently Clear Desk
Happiness Is a Clean Desk
10 tips for keeping your desk clean and tidy