Tag Archives: Positive Thinking

Mind Over Matter: Tips to Live By

Posted on by Greenplicity
06 Oct

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, the sun isn’t even up and your alarm clock is blaring in the darkness as you fumble around searching for the snooze button.  How many times have you made a plan to get up early to exercise, meditate, or maybe even get caught up on some work?  You set your alarm for 5am and when the alarm goes off you hit the snooze button and then you hit it again and again.  By the time you finally get up an hour or more has gone by and you’ve slept through your plan.  Sound familiar?  Starting a routine can be hard, especially at the beginning.  I’ve heard it takes a solid commitment of 14 days before something becomes a habit.  I believe this to be true because I’ve seen it in my own life.  I sometimes wonder how I accomplish everything I do in a day.  If you saw my list of to-dos it might scare you.  At the end of the day when I look back on everything that I’ve done during the course of the day I’m shocked at how much of an Energizer Bunny I am.  I manage to muster up strength at my lowest moments.  I’m sure you’ve had these moments yourself; you know the moments where you feel like the whole world needs something from you but you don’t have anything left to give.  Here is where will power and  mind over matter comes into play.  When you push yourself you have breakthroughs, so I’m here to push you to challenge yourself and make a commitment to you.  Before we get to the challenge here are five tips to help you get ready for what’s ahead:

  • Go to sleep: I’ve talked about this before and how important this is to your overall health.  Make sure you are getting a good nights rest.  It is recommended that the average adult get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.  If you can get 7-8 hours great, if not at least try to get 6-7.  Getting the sleep your body needs will have you clear and alert in the morning.
  • Start small:  Pick a small task to start with.  Set a goal to complete that task everyday for the next 2 weeks, like waking up everyday at 5am or exercising for fifteen minutes everyday.  Controlling small patterns of behavior will get you that much closer to where you want to be.  Starting small will build your will power for the larger goals you have set for yourself.
  • Kick the temptation:  Plan ahead so that you don’t fall short of your goal.  If things don’t go right don’t get discouraged or tempted to go back to your old ways.  Remember that you’re human, no one is perfect; beating yourself up will only make you more discouraged.  Stay the course, focus and press forward.
  • Remind yourself of what you are trying to accomplish: Always keep in mind why you are doing what you are doing, whether that be establishing a new routine or stopping an old one.  It is important to keep this at the forefront everyday.  I love to use sticky notes, I post them in spots that I know I will see daily, like the mirror in the bathroom.  The constant reminders will help you stay on track.
  • Just Do It!: Determination is the true meaning of will power; so stop making excuses, set the goal, get up and do it.

I’m not sure what your goal is or what you want to accomplish, just know that it’s possible.  Whether you are looking to start a new routine or put an end to one, you have everything you need to make it happen and I’m here to encourage you along the way.  I’ve done it and so can you!

 

So here is the challenge:  I want you to look at your calendar and set a goal that you would like to reach in the next 14 days.  Make a commitment to do whatever it is everyday for the next two week.  Make sure to start small, you can always move on to something larger once you’ve achieved your first goal.

Make sure to share with us or comment below on what you will be working on over the next 14 days.  Good luck and I’m routing for you all the way!

Rise & Grind: 5 Steps to a More Productive Day

Posted on by Greenplicity
16 Sep

I ran across a t-shirt the other day that said “Rise & Grind” on the front of it. The message really resonated with me; it spoke to the essence of who I am in every sense of the word. Most days I feel like I’m on roller-skates buzzing around with a to-do list in my hands and my hair in the wind. I’m sure if your days are anything like mine you can relate. You probably wish there were more hours in a day; unfortunately we’ve only been given 24, which may be a blessing in disguise. So what’s the best way to utilize these hours and make the most of the day you might ask. Here are five things that have helped me over the years and truly hope they will help you too:

1. Get a good nights sleep – Sometimes it can be hard to turn off when the day finally comes to an end but this is a necessary step to being more productive the following day. The body needs rest to be effective and at its peak performance. Make it a point to get in bed at a decent hour, your body will thank you!

2. Eat right – The food we eat fuels our bodies for the day. Eat healthy throughout the day. It is recommended that you eat 5-6 times during the course of a day (3 meals and 2 small snacks). If you’re always on the go like myself pack small snacks that are healthy and filling for a quick bite. I love a mix of almonds and raisins, or even an apple. Remember “Garbage In = Garbage Out”.

3. Make a list – Compile a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish that day first thing in the morning. Make sure to prioritize your list so you know what things are most important. When your list is complete start with the most pressing task and work your way down the list. Try to check off at least the top three on your list before the end of the day.

4. Stay Positive – Expect great things to happen and they typically will! If I go into my day with a positive attitude expecting to accomplish great things I normally do.

5. Reset – Understand that even if you do have a bad day today, tomorrow is a clean slate. Mistakes are bound to happen so in the words of Taylor Swift “Shake it Off” and move on. Identify what you learned from them and try not to make the same mistakes again. Self improvement is daily so live, learn & let go.

Now it’s your turn to share. Let me know what helps you to be more productive. What does “Rise & Grind” mean to you? If you like what you see make sure to sign up for our weekly blog posts for more tips, insight and fun. Looking forward to hearing from you!