TIPS REPORT 27: EVERYDAY DISTRACTIONS THAT HOLD US BACK

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement . If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

Distractions are a part of all our lives. While we can't avoid them all, how well we deal with them, in general, is often a key indicator of our success. While distractions are often different for each of us, some common distractions tie us all together. These everyday distractions don't just impact our focus; they can sap our energy as well. Below are nine different distractions that we should all try to avoid.

 

1. Social Media

Social Media has become a part of most of our lives. While it isn't all bad, it is certainly a distraction for many. How often have you checked social media quickly, only to end up scrolling for an hour? On top of that, it has a way of making us feel like we aren't living up to other's expectations.

 

2. Regrets

How often do you find yourself looking back at something with regret? Do you ever wish you had made a major decision differently? Maybe it's something simpler like wishing you had a snappier comeback in your last argument. Regardless of the severity, wasting time worrying about the past isn't helping you move forward.

 

3. Grudges

While you may have very good reasons for the grudges you hold, they are still an energy-wasting distraction. A grudge is just engaging your negative thinking. It's hard to focus when you are too worried about what someone did to you in the past. If they did something truly unforgettable, the best revenge you can get is to forget about them altogether.

 

4. Toxic Relationships

There is almost nothing more distracting in life than spending time with toxic people. These people not only try to monopolize your time, but they also make you feel horrible. If you have a one-sided toxic relationship in your life, consider cutting ties so you can focus fully on your goals.

 

5. Pursuit of Perfection

The idea of perfection is a dangerous distraction. When you pursue perfection, you might not feel distracted since you are still working towards something. The problem is, you are working towards something that does not exist (perfection). This pointless pursuit is distracting you from moving on and focusing on more important goals.

 

6. The Thoughts of Others

Why are we so bothered by what other people think? So often, we change our behavior because we are worried about what other people will think. Constantly worrying about other people is unbelievably distracting. You can't focus on what you want to do when you are too worried about what random people think.

 

7. Poor Boundaries

If you aren't setting proper boundaries with people, you are assuredly going to be distracted. When you don't set proper boundaries, people will have no problem infringing on your time and energy. Learn when and how to say "no" more often.

 

8. The Promise of Tomorrow

Having goals and a plan for the future is a powerful step towards success. However, getting lost in the promise of tomorrow can have the opposite effect. If you are too focused on the future, you will be distracted from everything happening right now. Plan for the future, but stay in the present.

 

9. Negative Thinking

Negative thoughts might be the most toxic distraction of all. When you engage in negative thinking, you are wasting both time and energy. Negative thinking will distract you from all the positive things happening in your life. If you catch yourself constantly thinking negatively, you need to find a way to change that.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Brainstorm a list of all of your distractions. Take 15 minutes or so to list all of the distractions in your life that come to mind.

 

b) Track your distractions. You probably won't be able to remember all of your distractions, so keep a notebook handy and jot down any other distractions as they happen.

 

c) Choose the distraction(s) that affect you the most and develop a plan to overcome them.

 

FURTHER READING

 

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TIPS REPORT 26: DEVELOP CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

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One of the keys to a happy life is having fulfilling relationships. You want to surround yourself with a close circle of people who inspire you to be a better version of yourself. If you struggle to create close relationships, you aren't alone. Many of us have plenty of acquaintances, but we don't know how to let our guard down and develop these closer and more fulfilling relationships. If this sounds like you, consider embracing the tips below.

 

1. Learn to Accept Imperfection

Perfection is a myth. You can't expect that all of your relationships will be perfect. It would help if you accepted that there will be ups and downs. Realizing that no one is perfect will help keep your relationship expectations in check.

 

2. CARPP

Consistency, availability, reliability, responsiveness, and predictability. These are the five elements that Dr. Amir Levine (psychiatrist) has identified as the foundational elements of a secure relationship.

 

3. You Have to Show Up

If you want to become closer to someone, you need to show up. Some of us struggle with social situations, but we should still strive to show up to important events in our loved ones' lives. This means the good AND the bad. You can't just show up to celebrate; sometimes, you need to show up to help or support as well.

 

4. Become a Better Listener

Do you really listen to your friends, or are you just waiting for a chance to jump in ad speak your piece? If you want a closer relationship, try listening to your friends more. You want to hear what they are saying and show you understand with either your body language or following up with thoughtful questions. You never know what you might learn.

 

5. Show a Genuine Interest

Being a better listener isn't enough on its own. You also need to show genuine, sincere interest in the other person. You should be excited when they are excited about something. You should genuinely enjoy spending time with them and not be afraid to show it.

 

6. Relationships Require Trust

Trust is paramount to any relationship. It is also a two-way street. You need to trust your closest friends, and they need to be able to trust you. If trust is ever broken, you need to take real steps (not just saying sorry) to fix it, or else a close relationship will never develop.

 

7. Let Them Know You

Letting your guard down can be tough for some people, but it's hard to have a close relationship unless you do it. The more you let people into your life and allow them to know the real you, the closer your relationship will be.

 

8. Talk Through Your Differences

Communication is another key aspect of any healthy relationship. You need to be able to talk about things, even the tough subjects. Being able to disagree respectfully is vital. Being able to give and take feedback is just as important.

 

9. Respect Their Boundaries

A close relationship doesn't necessarily mean physically close. It also doesn't mean you take up all of each other's time. A healthy relationship includes time apart and healthy boundaries. You can't be a true friend if you don't respect other people's boundaries.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Reflect on your relationships. Do you feel fulfilled? Which relationships are most important to you?

 

b) Which relationships do you want to develop? Try to pinpoint a person or two that you'd like a closer connection with.

 

c) All that is left to do is act. Please choose one of the above tips, and put it into action today.

 

FURTHER READING

 

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TIPS REPORT 25: LEARN ANYTHING FASTER

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

While stress is a normal part of our lives, we have recently become more aware of its negative effects. Long story short, it isn't great. We should all strive to reduce stress where we can. One unique form of stress is deadline stress. This is the stress you feel when you are worried about deadlines that are hanging over your head. The Germans even have a word for this: Torschlusspanik. This word roughly translates to "fear of time running out." Does that sound like something you deal with? If so, consider using these nine tips to help overcome deadline stress.

 

1. Set More Realistic Deadlines

People tend to be overly optimistic when they initially set deadlines. While this is a hard habit to break, you need to get more realistic. Setting deadlines that aren't reasonable is only going to add to your stress. Make sure you set realistic deadlines that you can meet.

 

2. Make a Plan

Do you know how you are going to meet your deadline? Do you have a plan? If not, do this as soon as possible. Taking the time to outline a rough plan will likely reduce a lot of the deadline stress you are feeling.

 

3. Tidy Up Your Workspace

A cluttered workspace leads to a cluttered mind. Even if you feel stressed for time, it's important to take some time to tidy up your work area. A tidy work area means you have fewer distractions and will find it easier to focus on your most important deadlines.

 

4. Focus on Things You Can Control

You can't control every circumstance in your life. When you are facing a tough deadline, focus on the things you can control. Maybe your boss set the deadline so you can't control that, but you can control how you spend the time you have.

 

5. Break Down Intimidating Tasks

One of the best ways to deal with deadline stress is to break your intimidating tasks down into smaller action items. Instead of worrying about a huge task due in X amount of days, you can focus on smaller steps that you can do right away. The more of these steps you tackle, the closer you will be to your goal.

 

6. Prioritize What's Most Important

You should always be spending the majority of your time on your most important tasks. If you need help figuring out what you should be working on next, consider both urgency and importance. Important tasks move you towards your goals the most, and urgent tasks have the tightest deadlines. Find the sweet spot between those two tasks to figure out what deserves priority.

 

7. Focus on Your Inner Peace

Deadline stress is like all other types of stress in that you have to find ways to lower it. Focusing on your self-care and inner peace is the best way to do that. Consider taking up a meditation routine. Strive to be more mindful in your everyday life. Find hobbies and routines that naturally reduce your stress.

 

8. Let Go of Perfection

Perfection is the biggest enemy of "done." If you are already stressed about meeting a deadline, it doesn't make sense to add the stress of perfection. The reality is, perfect doesn't exist. If you keep nitpicking every little detail, you are only going to miss more deadlines. Don't invite the stress of perfection into your life.

 

9. Take a Break

If you are heads-down, working your tail off to meet a deadline, taking a break might be the last thing on your mind. This can be a dangerous mindset. Taking a break is a great way to re-energize and refocus to always give maximum effort. It is also a chance to step back from the details and take an overall look at your progress.

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Look at your schedule or calendar and take stock of your current deadlines. If you have projects or tasks without a deadline, give them one.

 

b) Examine all of your deadlines. Are there any deadlines you can move? Is there a deadline you were too aggressive on? Tweak your deadlines where necessary and possible.

 

c) Do any of the deadlines worry you? If you can't change a deadline that worries you, create a plan of attack to reach it. Figure out a step you can take towards it right now, and do it!

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

1. Little Book of Mindfulness

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2. One Year to an Organized Work Life

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TIPS REPORT 24: EFFECTIVELY PLAN YOUR DAY

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information. 

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

How much time do you spend planning each of your days? If you are like the majority of people, you spend no time planning. You wake up and slip into your same old routine. At the most, maybe you take some time to jot down a few important things you want to accomplish. If you want to boost your productivity and get more done in the same amount of time, you should consider effectively planning your day using these nine tips:

 

1. Make it a Habit

You can't get the full benefits of daily planning unless you do it routinely. Planning your day the night before or the morning of is the best time to do it. Make it a habit by doing it regularly and at the same time each day (or night).

 

2. Embrace The Ritual

Once you have created a daily planning routine, it is time for you to embrace it truly. Don't treat your planning as a chore. Instead, find a quiet and comfortable spot, pour yourself a coffee or get a snack, and enjoy your planning time.

 

3. Choose The Right Tools

Make sure you have the right tools to plan your day. For example, some people like to use a pad of paper, and others prefer a bullet journal. Don't be afraid to embrace technology as well. Dozens of apps can help you plan your day.

 

4. Make a To-Do List

Planning your day has to be more than visualizing and mental notes. You need to write down everything you want to complete. The easiest way to do this is to dump all your tasks into a to-do list. These lists don't work for everyone, so find whatever solution works for you. The end goal is to get your plan out of your head and onto paper.

 

5. Properly Prioritize Your List

Once you have a list of things you want to accomplish, it is time to prioritize it properly. First, figure out which of your tasks are most important and most urgent. Focus your time on the tasks that check off both of those boxes (important and urgent).

 

6. Combine Your Plan With Productivity

Now that you have a list of prioritized tasks, it is time to schedule them for your day. A great way to do this is to use a popular productivity method like "Pomodoro" or "Eat the Frog." If you aren't interested in a method like these, you should at least create deadlines for each of your tasks.

 

7. Build-in Flexibility

When you are scheduling your day, make sure to leave yourself some buffer time between tasks. You never know what obstacle might pop up and slow you down. These buffers are also important because you should be taking regular breaks. Taking regular breaks allows you to reenergize and refocus for maximum productivity.

 

8. Reward Yourself

You don't have to take a spa day after every task you finish, but regularly rewarding yourself is an important step for productivity. As humans, we respond very positively to rewards. So rewarding ourselves for a job well done is a great way to keep us motivated.

 

9. Include Time for Retrospection

When you are planning out your day, it is important to schedule some time for retrospection. This wind downtime gives you a chance to look back at your day and honestly assess. What worked? What didn't work? What adjustments could you make for the next day?

 

FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

a) Find a planning tool that works for you. For example, consider a simple pad of paper, a bullet journal, or some sort of planning app.

 

b) Choose a productivity method. Figure out what time management method works best for you. Some of the most popular methods are Pomodoro, Eat The Frog and Time-Chunking.

 

c) Plan your day for tomorrow. Now that you have the right tools take some time right now to plan your next day.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

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2. Design Your Day

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3. Bullet It!: A Notebook for Planning Your Days

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5. The Anecdote Daily Planner 2021

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TIPS REPORT 23: HOW WORKING WITH A COACH CAN HELP YOU

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information.

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

Have you ever thought about working with a coach before? If you are serious about achieving your biggest goals, you should seriously consider it. Working with a coach is a great way to boost your results in almost any area of life. Having someone to teach you the ropes, or build more accountability into your life, is a wonderful way to ensure you achieve more. If you are wondering if working with a coach could help you, please consider these nine benefits.

 

1. Helps You Define Your Goals

Many of us have goals, but often they are loosely (or not at all) defined. A coach can help take the hopes and dreams out of your head to create concrete goals. Instead of just wanting something, you start taking real steps towards it.

 

2. Adds More Accountability to Your Life

It's funny, but we have a much easier time letting ourselves down than we do letting others down. Having a coach means one more person in your life you don't want to let down. You will feel more accountable and be more likely to achieve your goals when you know someone will ask you about your progress.

 

3. Encourages You to Define Your Values

Do you know what you stand for? Maybe a better question is, do you know your core values? Regardless of the question, if you struggle with the answer, then a coach can help you. A coach can't tell you your values, but they can ask you questions that will help you define them yourself.

 

4. Helps You See Yourself More Clearly

A good coach will help you become more self-aware. This self-awareness will allow you to be more honest with yourself. You will know what you are good at and what you aren't so good at doing. Self-awareness allows you to double down on your strengths while figuring out how to deal with your weaknesses.

 

5. Assists Skill Building and Development

The most obvious benefit of a coach is their ability to help us build specific skills. For example, if you are interested in becoming a better business person, it makes sense to work with a business coach who has been there and done that. You get to learn from both their experiences and their mistakes.

 

6. Offers a Safe Space to Talk About Sensitive Issues

Whether you find the current world too sensitive or not, it's a fact that we need to watch the things we say. Having a coach gives you a safe space where you can talk about more sensitive issues. This doesn't mean you have a place to spout hate, but you can at least vent a bit more freely.

 

7. Encourages You To Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

The comfort zone got its name from being comfortable. Once you are in it, you don't want to get out. A good coach will coax and challenge you to step out of it. Stepping out of your comfort zone once in a while will make it easier to create positive change in your life.

 

8. Offers a Different Viewpoint

When you have a coach, you have someone else to bounce ideas off of. It is so easy to get caught up in your tunnel vision that you might not even consider differing opinions. A coach forces you to consider different viewpoints and opinions. This helps you become a more well-rounded individual.

 

9. Helps You Make Tough Decisions

Sometimes it feels like life is nothing but a series of difficult decisions. While this isn't always true, it has a basis in reality. How much would you like to have someone else to talk to about these decisions? A good coach provides that kind of assistance.

 

ACTIONABLE STEPS

 

a) Take some time to think about different areas of your life that could use a boost. Write these down in a list.

 

b) Carefully consider the list from the last step to figure out if a coach, mentor, or teacher could help you in any of these areas.

 

c) Choose the area of your life that could most use a coach, and start researching coaching options. If you find a fit right for you, take a chance and reach out.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

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TIPS REPORT 22: LEARN ANYTHING FASTER

 This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested readings for those who are looking for even more information.

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

One of the keys to a happier and more successful life is to commit to lifelong learning. There are few things we can do that are more helpful for our well-being than keeping our brains engaged with new pursuits. Some people find that the older they get, the tougher it is to learn new things. Other people don't have the patience to learn something new. If either of these sounds like you, check out these nine tips to help you learn anything faster.

 

1. Learn Like You Have to Teach Someone Else

Studies have shown that people who expect to teach something retain more knowledge and learn faster. The next time you try to learn something, approach it like you will have to teach it to someone else.

 

2. Say It Out Loud

One of the best ways to boost your memory is to say things out loud. Studies have shown this increases our ability to recall. When you are trying to remember something, instead of just reading it silently, try speaking it aloud as well.

 

3. Learn in Short Bursts of Time

When you are studying any subject - old or new - you should consider working in short bursts of time. Studies show that brief breaks help increase focus and allows you to pay more attention for a longer period. The Pomodoro Technique is a famous example of this phenomenon.

 

4. Get Enough Sleep

One of the worst things you can do when trying to learn something new is to forgo sleep. As much as you might want to pull an all-nighter to study a new topic, you are likely doing more harm than good. Harvard Medical has found that consolidated sleep throughout a whole night is optimal for learning and memory.

 

5. Get a Coach, Teacher, or Mentor

Finding someone to guide you is a great way to learn something faster. You get to learn from their experience while avoiding their mistakes. A mentor of some sort can guide you with hands-on advice, and they keep you accountable. The next time you want to learn something, think about learning from a professional.

 

6. Develop Effective Note-Taking Skills

Are you good at taking notes? Taking notes properly as you learn something will significantly boost your ability to retain the information. Also, studies have shown that handwriting your notes is more effective than using your computer ...as much as it might annoy you.

 

7. Change Up How You Practice

Practice makes perfect. The more you do something, the better you will get at it. This probably doesn't surprise you, though. What might surprise you is that regularly changing how you practice will help you learn faster. John Hopkins found that people who make subtle modifications during their practice routines learn new skills faster.

 

8. Stay Hydrated

This might seem like a weird tip, but staying hydrated while studying or learning a new skill will make a significant difference in your results. Researchers found that University students who had access to water scored 10% higher than their thirstier peers.

 

9. Distribute Your Study Sessions

How many times have you spent an entire night cramming for a test? Think back to your school days, and I am sure you will be reminded of many such nights. The thing is, these long cram sessions aren't the best way to learn. When you distribute your study sessions more evenly, you learn better. For example, three 1-hour study sessions during the week beat a night-before cram session every time.

 

ACTIONABLE STEPS

 

a) It's time to realize the power of lifelong learning. Choose a subject or skill you would like to learn.

 

b) Search for guidance. Find a teacher, mentor, or even a knowledgeable friend who may be able to help speed up the learning process.

 

c) Regardless of finding coaching or not, schedule short bursts of time to work on your new skill a few times a week.

 

FURTHER READING

 

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TIPS REPORT 21: ACCEPTING BLAME WHEN YOU DESERVE IT

This report includes nine powerful tips and three actionable steps you can take right away. It also includes a list of suggested reading for those who are looking for even more information.

This article is from a Series of 52 tips Report on the subject of self improvement. If you want to receive a file with all 52 Reports at once, you can subscribe to my e-mail list.

TOP TIPS

One of the hallmarks of an emotionally mature person is their ability to accept blame when they deserve it. These people don't instantly apologize for every perceived transgression, but they accept responsibility when they know they did wrong. When they make mistakes, they own them and learn from them. If they wrong someone, they apologize and offer a solution. If you struggle to accept blame when you deserve it and you want to change, here are nine steps that can get you started.

 

1. Recognize The Mistake You Made

You can't possibly begin to accept blame until you recognize you did something wrong. Take some time to consider how your actions affected yourself and the people around you. Carefully consider what you did, and try to think of ways to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

 

2. Stop Hesitating

Once you know you have made a mistake, it is time to own up to it. It makes sense to reflect on your actions first, but it is important to address the situation in a timely fashion once that is done. The longer you wait, the more awkward things will get, and the less gracious your acceptance will seem.

 

3. Address The Aggrieved Party Directly

If someone else is negatively affected by your actions or mistakes, you need to address them directly. Don't pass on a message through someone else. You don't want to post a cryptic message on social media, either. If you wronged someone, at the very least, you owe them a direct response.

 

4. Don't Beat Around The Bush

When it's time to accept blame, make sure you don't waste a bunch of time skirting around the issue. People usually do this because they are nervous or trying to seem less responsible for the issue. It comes off as weak and sneaky, though. Directly identify what you did and why you are taking the blame.

 

5. Don't Try to Shift The Blame

If you know you messed up, you need to accept the blame fully. This means you don't try to blame other people or circumstances for your actions. No matter what outside influences may have contributed to your actions, take the blame without trying to pass the buck.

 

6. Offer a Sincere Apology Or Explanation

If your mistake hurt someone else, you should prepare to offer a sincere apology or explanation. Remember, you shouldn't use an apology or explanation to shift blame. The apology should be heartfelt and thoughtful. An explanation should only be offered if requested.

 

7. Volunteer to Help Solve The Problem

Once you have accepted the blame, you should offer some sort of solution. If you can't think of a specific solution, then offer to help find one. The last thing you want to do is wait until someone asks you for a solution. Take the initiative and offer recompense.

 

8. Accept The Consequences Graciously

Some things are out of your control. If you wronged someone close to you, you risk damaging the relationship. If you made a mistake with your finances, you might cost yourself money. Whatever action you have to take the blame for, there will likely be consequences you can't control. Accept these consequences, and make a plan to move on.

 

9. Reflect on Your Actions

Once you have properly taken responsibility and accepted the consequences, take some time to reflect on the situation. Try to pinpoint a couple of lessons you have learned and think about how you can avoid similar situations in the future. Finally, forgive yourself and move on.

 

ACTIONABLE STEPS

 

a) Think about any recent mistakes, arguments, or misunderstandings you have had recently.

 

b) Were you to blame for any of them? It can be tough to admit blame, so you will have to think carefully and thoughtfully about this.

 

c) If you do need to take the blame, own it. Address the situation and accept blame as soon as possible.

 

FURTHER READING

 

Affiliate links:

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2. Why Won't You Apologize?

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