Adult Life Is Full Of Irony, But You Can Choose To Live It At Your Own Pace

By Ana Erkic

When we were kids, we couldn’t wait to reach the adulthood where all the things seemed awesome, like not having to wait for pocket money, or go to bed early. However, when we finally reached that desired age, we see that it’s not always so awesome and that there are much more responsibilities than we thought. You earn your money, but don’t have time to spend it. You go to bed late because of being busy, but you want to sleep early.

A talented artist Shenanigansen from Massachusetts brilliantly illustrates everyday struggles of growing up. Yet, all those seemingly serious problems and dilemmas can be overcome if you decide to consider them from a different point of view. Yes, there are some situations that seem like an ironic twist, but in every such situation there is a lesson to learn which can help you at some point in your life.

1. Approach every situation as a new lesson

Whatever life throws at you, don’t beat up yourself thinking there’s no way out. Every situation can either bring something positive, and even if it’s something you would rather not go through and just give up, hang on, you will definitely learn a valuable lesson.

2. Start you mornings by doing things you love

Don’t start your day thinking about the problems, rather think about what you can do to make yourself feel better, and solutions will come to you. Play your favorite music while drinking coffee, or read a few pages of your favorite book, maybe do some exercise, and you will feel packed with positive emotions and energy.

3. Find people you have common interests with
It might seem harder to make friends as an adult. Yet, you are now at the age when you know what things interest you. Therefore, try to make friends who share your interests. Attend concerts of your favorite musicians, go to book clubs, go to dancing classes; there will sure be someone you can become close friends with.

4. Happiness is just a corner away

Happiness is not some big unachievable abstraction. It shouldn’t feel as a struggle, but rather an enjoyable process. Start with finding joy and happiness in small things, such as drinking coffee with friends, watching your favorite TV show, buying a new book. When you start appreciating small things, bigger reasons for happiness will surely come.

5. Take at least 15 minutes each day to unwind

Stressing out brings you no good, that’s why it is a good thing to take 15 minutes each day to unwind – meditate, take a longer bath with candles and a glass of wine, or simply lie down and relax your body.

6. Take care of your body

Stop making excuses for not taking care of your health. There’s no time like the present. Take care about what you eat, and you will start to feel better and have more energy.

7. Motivation can bring you a long way

Even if you are doing something you don’t like, and you feel like it would be better to just quit and run away, motivate yourself by doing something you really like, but only after you’ve finished your task. There’s no better feeling when you finish something you were putting off for a long time.

8. Be the best version of yourself

Don’t make yourself feel bad by comparing yourself to other people, we are all unique and you should try to do the best of your abilities, otherwise, you will never be satisfied

9. Talk about what troubles you

It is always easier when you share your worries with someone else. They might have been in a similar situation and can provide you with a great advice from their own experience, or just be there to support you through the rough patch.

10. Every problem has a solution

The sooner you deal with what’s troubling you, the better you will feel, and will overcome obstacles in the future more easily.

11. Problems = challenges

You can place the blame for your problems on someone/something else, but they are only problems if you treat them that way. Start looking at problems as chances for personal growth.

12. Don’t be a slave to material things

It’s OK to treat yourself to some new piece of clothing or a fresh new gadget, but don’t let this desire for material go too deep. Learn to appreciate and be grateful for all non-material things, such as good health, love, family and friendship bonds.

13. Everything is not what it looks like online

It may seem that your friends have a perfect life on social media. However, bear in mind that reality is often different and try spending less time online and more time enjoying life outside social media.

14. Love yourself

Write down all the positive traits you like about yourself; you can also ask your friends or family to do the same, and every time you feel down, just read it, and you will immediately feel better.

15. Don’t run away from responsibilities
Responsibilities will catch up with you no matter how fast you run – the sooner you face them, the better you will feel.

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Highly Motivated People Seldom Boost Their Motivation, They Have These Habits Instead

by Josheph Chan 

Do you struggle to stay motivated? Why does it seem like other people seldom need motivation? Is it an inborn trait others have and you don’t? The answer, as you might have guessed, is a big no! The basic truth is that some people have mastered good habits for themselves over time that have not only helped them to be motivated but also to stay motivated. That’s why, by copying their behavior, you too can form this habit they seem to have. Below are some of the traits you should be on the lookout for:

1. They ride the motivation wave

As stated by BJ Fogg, a psychologist at Stanford University, building or sticking with good habits is not all about attempting to boost your motivation. Instead, it is about making full use of your motivation when you do have it. According to Q. Jim Rohn, motivation is what helps you get started, but habits are what keep you moving. In an interview with Ramit Sethi, the person who wrote ‘I Will Teach You to Be Rich,’ Fogg described how to ride what he refers to as the motivation wave. Motivation only has one key function in our lives, which is to help us do hard things. Motivational waves are those times when we are really inspired to do tasks we have on our to-do list. Meaning, when your motivation is raging through the roof, you must immediately do the difficult tasks first to sustain your motivation. This motivation wave can certainly help you establish a long-term good habit.

2. They Find their WHY

Highly motivated people also start with their why. Why do they do what they do? If you want to climb a mountain, for example, just because it’s there, then that idea might not be sufficient to keep you moving, especially when things get tough. Once you are aware why you do what you do, and you realize it is very important to you, you will find the strength to do it in any situation. For instance, your why can be as simple as wanting to improve the quality of life for as many people as possible. Therefore, it is important to connect the work you do on a daily basis back to your why. At work, you can try to lift up those around you and help your customers succeed.

3. They are planners

Highly motivated people plan… a lot! Of course, they can be spontaneous too, but they also make plans and expect bumps that could come along with their plans. Therefore, if you want to travel the road of the highly motivated, then begin each and every day with a plan of action detailing the steps you will take. Know at least two or three crucial tasks you want to do every day, then go ahead do them.

4. They don’t live with regrets

One major factor in our lives is that we are humans, so we will definitely make mistakes. But always remember, the past is the past, so endeavor to leave it there and keep moving forward. There is no point worrying or feeling angry over decisions you made in the past or actions you wish you had done. We only have the present. So, keep moving on, and invest your time and energy into living life to its fullest.

Finally, when you struggle to develop the habit of being motivated and staying motivated, if you don’t remember anything at all from the above, always remember to do as much as you can, including the difficult tasks you normally wouldn’t do, when you are fired up. Also, remember to protect yourself from discouragement.

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Featured photo credit: pixabay.com via pixabay.com 

How Far Can Your Dreams Take You?

... as far as the power of your imagination and motivation

by Denis Waitley

Imagination and motivation are powerful things, and with them on your side, you have all the reason in the world to achieve your grandest dreams. Need proof? Take the story of how the first bridge over the Niagara River near Niagara Falls was built in 1847….

You see, to build a bridge over the giant gorge, the builders first had to get a line over the canyon, from one side to the other—from the United States to Canada with roaring rapids underneath. Except the engineers couldn’t cross the river in a boat because it would go over the falls, the airplane hadn’t been invented yet, and the distance was way beyond bow-and-arrow range.

The designing engineer, Charles Ellet, pondered the dilemma until he came up with a revolutionary idea: to sponsor a kite flying contest. A $5 prize (a small lottery back then!) would go to the person who could fly a kite across the gorge and let it go low enough to the ground for someone on the other side to grab the string. It was successful—a young American boy won the contest on his second attempt.

The kite string, fastened to a tree, was used to pull a cord across, then a line, then a rope. Next came an iron-wire cable and then steel cables, until a structure strong enough to build a suspension bridge was in place. The bridge opened on August 1, 1848. And it all began with an idea and one thin kite string.

That string is like a single thought. The more vivid and clear the thought, and the more you come back to it, the stronger it becomes—like the string to the rope to the cable. Each time you rethink it, dwell on it or layer it with other thoughts, you are strengthening the structure on which to build your idea, like building a bridge over Niagara Falls.

But unlike a kite, there is no string attached to how high and how far your goals may take you. They are limited only by the power of your imagination and the strength of your desire.

How to stop screwing yourself over | Mel Robbins | TEDxSF

Your December Action Plan: 10 Ways to Be a Better You

Start by focusing on the people you love.

by Cecilia Meis

This month, spend some quality time with your family, and then some introspective time with yourself and your hopes and dreams—and become a better you in the process.

1. Character First

Consider the character traits that will allow you to be the best version of yourself, and work to improve a different facet of your character each day this month.

2. Tally Up

Write down the top 10 motivators that drive you to succeed. It could be family, legacy or influence. Now identify what items on the list haven’t been receiving the time and attention they deserve.

3. Influential Roots

Who taught you the strongest life lessons? Who do you influence? This week, focus on those people and commit to positioning yourself as a positive role model.

4. Draw the Line

If you and your spouse both run successful individual operations, take time to establish professional boundaries, but still leave room for shared goals. Talk through any doubts you might have.

5. Conquer It

What do you fear? Focus on that fear, write it down, and then construct a plan to overcome it. Sometimes putting our greatest fears in perspective gives us the mental power to get rid of them.

6. Spread the Love

Spend this month finding ways to give back to others. It can be as simple as buying coffee for a stranger or donating clothes and blankets to your local homeless shelter.

7. Memory Lane

Dig through old family photos. Remind yourself how many reasons you have to smile. Stick your favorite one on the bathroom mirror as a daily source of happiness.

8. Nice to Meet You

Strangers can change your life. Venture out of your comfort zone today and make a goal to meet and interact with five strangers for at least five minutes. Ask questions, listen and embrace unexpected conversation.

9. Branch Out

Reach out to an extended family member—a distant cousin or aunt you haven’t seen in years. Write a letter or pick up the phone. Reconnect and revel in the power of the family bond.

10. Give Happiness

You have the power to turn a negative situation around. Respond positively to that co-worker who complains too much. Happiness is contagious. Pass it on.