The importance of hobbies
Why It’s Important to Participate in Flow Activities
FLOW ACTIVITES ARE THE ENJOYABLE THINGS we do in life. These are the activities that are blissful and timeless. We become so engaged in what we’re doing that what seems like 15 minutes is really 2 hours. When we participate in a flow activity time stands still, our minds are freed up, and a space opens where our subconscious thoughts can come to surface. Much creativity occurs here, as well as answers to questions or situations that we may have.
How often have you been mulling over a problem and just can’t come up with a solution no matter how long or how hard you try to do so? And then when you do something that is relaxing and fun, the answer magically appears in your consciousness? That’s living success… from the inside out, through a flow activity.
One of my favourite flow activities is ballroom dancing. I can be stressed out or bone-tired, but once I get to the dance studio and start dancing, I’m in a different world and in total joy. I walk away refreshed and ready to go again. This is just one of the many reasons why it’s important to participate in flow activities.
The importance of hobbies
My other favourite flow activity is writing. When I sit down to write. I lose complete track of time. As a matter of fact, I often set my timer to remind me to eat or to make sure I leave on time for an appointment. If I don’t, I forget to eat or I’m late for my appointment. That’s what happens with flow activities. You are so consumed by the activity that you’re totally oblivious to what’s happening around you.
Because we have so much going on in our busy lives, flow activities are one of the first things we give up. What a mistake! These are the activities that give us energy, that bring us joy, that are relaxing and fun. Engaging in flow activities is also another way to listen to that still small voice within. Flow activities are VITAL to our health, well-being, and success.
What about you? Think of the activities that are enjoyable and timeless for you, those activities that take you into the “Zone”. How long has it been since you’ve done any of these?
They may be dancing, hiking, reading, gardening, cooking, or whatever makes your heart sing. They can also be work related activities such as programming a computer, teaching a class, or repairing car.
This week, choose one flow activity and schedule it into tour calendar. This is you appointment with yourself to play, go with flow, and to just “be.”
Take the plunge today. Step into your bliss and experience the flow of timelessness.
A WAY OF LIFE
Listening To Your Inner Voice
SUCCESS… FROM THE INSIDE OUT IS A WAY OF LIFE. So, you ask, how does one living success from the inside out? Well, it all starts with listening. Listening to what that still small voice within you is saying. That voice is coming to you straight from your heart, and it’s very wise. It has all the answers, if only you would just listen to it.
The problem is that you get caught up in the business of your day-to-day life and all the activities and responsibilities that go along with it. You’ve got way too much static on your radio frequencies to be able to hear that wise voice of yours. Fortunately, the voice doesn’t go away. It just patiently waits until the time comes when you want to or are forced to listen. That time may be when life smacks you alongside your head. Why wait until some crisis happens to start listening?
Way of life success
Being to practice listening to your inner voice right now. Every morning this week, take 5 minutes before you start your day to sit and reflect, meditate, or contemplate – whatever suits you. Get comfortable. Don’t think, Concentrate on your breathing and just be. That may be hard for you, but do it anyway. When notice that you’re thinking about your daily to-do list or what you’re acknowledge the thoughts and re-focus your attention on your breath. Do this refocusing as often as is necessary. (AND if morning isn’t the best time do it in the evening before you go to bed. The important thing is to do it.)
Just 5 minutes a day to get quiet and listen to yourself get your day off to a good start. You’ll be more relaxed, you’ll be more centered within yourself, and you may even find that the answers to some questions or puzzling situations you have will surface. It’s one of the simplest and most beneficial things you can do for yourself.
Most successful people will tell you that they take this time for themselves every day. Why not you, too?
like attracts like
like attracts like
“like attracts like”,BEING IRRESISTIBLY ATTRACTIVE. What is it? Is it the new millennium’s version of the “Dating Game?” Or is it “How to Attract the Perfect Job,” 21st century style?
Being irresistibly attractive is about energy. It’s about your energy, and the energy of the people with whom you relate. We are all energy fields; energy is all around us. It’s invisible, it’s real, and it’s very powerful. And it’s your energy that directs how you live success… from the inside out. Think of it this way. Your energy extends out around you and bumps up against the person next to you. The person’s energy next to you bumps up against you and your energy.
Let’s play for a moment. Find someone who will experiment with you. Hold your hands about two to three inches apart from each other for a minute and feel what happens. We put energy out into the world, and we attract it back to us. Have you heard the expression, “like attracts like?” Well, what’s happening right now? Are you feeling warmth between you? Does it feel prickly? Is there electricity? That’s your energy attracting energy from the other person. If it’s true that “like attracts like,” wouldn’t you agree that you want to be putting good things out there so you attract good things back?
Think about someone you know who is very needy or someone who has lots of Problems. What kind of people do you think they attract and have around them? Right, they attract other needy people or people with lots of problems. Because of the negative energy they’re putting out, they’re actually repelling the kind of positive, successful people they’d like to be around.
Notice the kind of energy you’re putting out into your world. Is it positive or negative? Remember that “like attracts like.” If you’re not happy with what’s coming back you, then take a look at the kind of energy putting out there to begin with in the form of your thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. Ask yourself this, “What can I think, say, or do differently the next time so I can attract back to me what I really want?” And then do it. Start practicing being irresistibly attractive today.
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What drains your energy
What drains your energy
DO YOU PUT UP WITH A LOT? Do other people or things bug you? Or better yet, do YOUR bad habits bug you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to start eliminating what drains you.
What drains you are the things you put up with, the things that bug you, and the things you’ve neglected. What drains you can be little things and big things. They can be dishes piling up in the sink, driving in rush hour traffic, a messy car, cluttered closets, or a missing button. They can also be poor behavior in a relationship, a boss who micro-manages you, an over-flowing in-box, a friend who’s always late, or a job you dislike. These things are what I call the physical, mental, and emotional clutter in your life. They hold you back and are a huge drain on your energy level.
Did you know that the average person tolerates up to 100 things at a time? Imagine that each one weighs 20 pounds, and that you’re carrying them on your back in the backpack of your life. That’s 2,000 pounds you’re carrying around every day!
It’s no wonder then that your energy is drained and that you’re sometimes irritable. It’s no wonder you’re dissatisfied with some area of your personal or work life. It’s no wonder you can’t figure out what you want and why you may not be achieving what you want to achieve. You’re carrying around too much in the backpack of your life. You simply don’t have the space or the capability to bring new things into your mental, emotional, and physical environment —all because your life is packed full of clutter.
Eliminating what drains you is one of the first things I ask my clients to do when we begin coaching. They are amazed at how much lighter they feel as they clear out the clutter in their lives. They recognize that when you eliminate what drains you, you free up your energy and create space for the new. You become much more available to having in your life the kinds of people, relationships, success, and work that you really want.
| The physical, mental and emotional clutter in your life holds you back and is a huge drain on your energy and success level. |
How do you identify and eliminate what drains you? Start by making a list of 5 things that are draining you in each of these areas: work, home, and relationships. Be specific about what you’re putting up with, what or who’s bugging you, and what you’re neglecting and putting off. Then ask yourself this question, “Am I willing to start eliminating what drains me?” If you answered yes, then do whatever it takes to eliminate those things. This may seem overwhelming at first, but stick with it. The rewards are worth it. One by one, clear the clutter and create new space. You’ll enjoy the lighter load.
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3 rules for success
3 rules for success
IF THERE WERE A FORMULA FOR LIVING SUCCESS… from the inside out, it would look like this:
Being + Doing +Having = Success…from the INSIDE OUT
Many people have this backwards. Their formula for success looks like this:
Having +Doing +Being = Success…from the OUTSIDE IN
One of my clients was faithfully following this OUTSIDE IN formula when he first came to me. His goal was to make lots of money by the time he was 40 so he could then quit his job, finally do the work he loved, and live he really wanted. He was working long hours to pursue this goal, had BMW and the latest toys, and yet rarely had time to spend with his wife, friends, and family. He couldn’t understand why his life lacked meaning.
Many people have their priorities upside down. They get bogged down in the HAVING stage. They can’t get past it to the BEING stage because they feel like they just don’t have enough yet. They think that what defines their success is how much money they have, the people they know, and the things they possess.
My client is now in the process of turning his priorities around by following the INSIDE OUT formula to success. He’s finding that to have a fulfilling, joyful and successful life, it’s essential to first:
1.BE
Be yourself. Know who you really are. Know what’s most important to you. Know what makes you unique. Know what you do best. This introspection and clarity will take you into the second stage.
2.DO
Do those things you do best. Use your gifts amd talents in a way that helps others. Touch people in meaningful ways. Leave a lasting legacy. This takes you to the third stage.
3.HAVE
Have a life, not just alifestyle. A life oriented around what’s most important to you. A life spent with those who matter most to you. A life with financial rewards for doing what you love to do.
Which formula do you subscribe to? If it’s the OUTSIDE IN formula, then it’s the OUTSIDE IN formula, then it’s time to turn that around. Re-designing,your life around the INSIDE OUT formula is an evolving process. Start by saying no to HAVING as your primary goal and commit to turning your priorities around. Decide today to say yes to BEING first, and the DOING and HAVING will naturally follow. Now you are on your way to living success…from the inside out.
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